flat tire MERCEDES-BENZ S430 2004 W220 Owner's Manual

ContentsUseful features .................................. 231
Storage compartments................. 231
Ashtrays ....................................... 238
Cigarette lighters.......................... 239
Heated steering wheel* ............... 240
Telephone*................................... 241
Tele Aid ........................................ 242
Garage door opener ..................... 250
Infrared reflecting windshield ....... 256
Operation......................................... 257
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 258
Driving instructions............................ 259
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 259
Drinking and driving ..................... 259
Pedals .......................................... 259
Power assistance ......................... 259
Brakes .......................................... 260
Driving off .................................... 261
Parking ......................................... 261
Tires ............................................. 262
Hydroplaning ................................ 263
Tire traction.................................. 263
Tire speed rating .......................... 263
Winter driving instructions ........... 264
Standing water ............................. 265
Passenger compartment .............. 266
Driving abroad.............................. 266
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 266
Catalytic converter ....................... 267
Emission control .......................... 267
Coolant temperature .................... 268At the gas station .............................. 269
Refueling ...................................... 269
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 270
Engine compartment ......................... 272
Hood ............................................ 272
Engine oil ..................................... 273
Transmission fluid level................ 278
Active Body Control* (ABC*)
fluid level ..................................... 278
Coolant ........................................ 278
Battery ......................................... 280
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 281
Tires and wheels................................ 282
Important guidelines .................... 282
Life of tires................................... 283
Direction of rotation..................... 283
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 283
Rotating wheels ........................... 291
Winter driving .................................... 292
Winter tires .................................. 292
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 293
Snow chains................................. 293

Contents
Maintenance ...................................... 294
Clearing the service indicator ...... 294
Service term exceeded ................ 294
Calling up the service indicator .... 295
Resetting the service indicator..... 295
Vehicle care ....................................... 296
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 296
Practical hints.................................. 303
What to do if …? ................................. 304
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 304
Lamp in center console................. 311
Messages in the display ................ 312
Where will I find ...? ............................ 344
First aid kit .................................... 344
Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit,
luggage bowl, spare wheel ............ 344
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 348
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 348
Locking the vehicle ....................... 349
Replacing batteries in
the SmartKey/ SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* ............................... 349
Fuel filler flap ................................ 351
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 352
Sliding/pop-up roof ...................... 352
Replacing bulbs .................................. 353
Bulbs ............................................. 353
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 355
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 358Replacing wiper blades ...................... 359
Removing wiper blades ................. 359
Installing wiper blades .................. 360
Flat tire............................................... 361
Preparing the vehicle .................... 361
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 361
Battery ............................................... 366
Disconnecting the battery ............ 367
Removing the battery ................... 367
Charging and reinstalling battery .. 367
Reconnecting the battery ............. 368
Jump starting...................................... 369
Towing the vehicle.............................. 371
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 373
Fuses.................................................. 374
Fuse boxes in passenger
compartment ................................ 374
Fuse boxes in engine
compartment ................................ 375
Emergency engine shut-down ....... 376

246 Controls in detailUseful featuresRoadside Assistance button•
The Roadside Assistance button• is
located below the center armrest cover. 
Press and hold the button • (for
longer than two seconds).
A call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside As-
sistance dispatcher will be initiated.
The button will flash while the call is in
progress. The message
ROADSIDE AS-
SISTANCE – CONNECTING CALL
will ap-
pear in the multifunction display.
When the connection is established, the
message
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE –
CALL CONNECTED
appears in the multifunc-
tion display. The Tele Aid system will trans-
mit data generating the vehicle
identification number, model, color and lo-
cation (subject to availability of cellular
and GPS signals).A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established. When a
voice connection is established, the audio
system mutes and the message
TELE AID
– ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CALL ACTIVE
ap-
pears in the multifunction display.

Describe the nature of the need for as-
sistance.
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such
as labor and/or towing, charges may ap-
ply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance Man-
ual for more information.These programs are only available in the
USA:


Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.


Remote Vehicle Diagnostics: This func-
tion permits the Mercedes-Benz Road-
side Assistance dispatcher to
download malfunction codes and actu-
al vehicle data.iThe indicator lamp in the Roadside As-
sistance button• remains illumi-
nated in red for approximately
ten seconds during the system
self-check after turning the ignition on
(together with the SOS button and the
Information button¡).

263 Operation
Driving instructions
Hydroplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer
on the road, hydroplaning may occur, even
at low speeds and with new tires. Reduce
vehicle speed, avoid track grooves in the
road and apply brakes cautiously in the
rain.
Tire traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or
icy road is always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the
condition of the road whenever the outside
temperatures are close to the freezing
point.
Mercedes-Benz recommends M+S rated
radial-ply tires with a minimum tread depth
of approximately
1⁄6 in (4 mm) on all four
wheels for the winter season to ensure
normal balanced handling characteristics.
On packed snow, they can reduce your
stopping distance in compared to summer
tires. Stopping distance, however, is still considerably greater than when the road is
not covered with snow or ice. Exercise ap-
propriate caution.
Tire speed rating
Regardless of the tire rating, local speed
limits should be obeyed. Use prudent driv-
ing speeds appropriate to prevailing condi-
tions.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire or driving at high
speed with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!
G
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction
will be substantially reduced. Under such
weather conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.
Warning!
G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure, causing loss of vehicle control and pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.

271 Operation
At the gas station
Windshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system*
For more information on refilling the wash-
er reservoir, see “Windshield washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system*”
(page 281).
Coolant
For more information on coolant, see
“Coolant” (
page 278) and see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (
page 391).Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Brake
fluid” (
page 394)Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (
page 273).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (
page 353).
For more information, see “Switching on
headlamps” (
page 47).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on tire inflation pressure,
see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
(
page 283).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately. Do not add brake
fluid as this will not solve the problem.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 305).

283 Operation
Tires and wheels
Life of tires
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited to:

Driving style


Tire pressure


Distance driven
Direction of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added advantag-
es, such as better hydroplaning perfor-
mance. To benefit, however, you must
make sure the tires rotate in the direction
specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the in-
tended direction of tire rotation.
Checking tire inflation pressure
Regularly check your tire pressure at inter-
vals of no more than 14 days.
Correct the tire pressure only when tires
are cold.
If the tires are warm, you should only cor-
rect the tire pressure if it is too low for cur-
rent operating conditions.
A table on the fuel filler flap lists the spec-
ified tire inflation pressures for warm and
cold tires as well as for various operating
conditions.
Warning!
G
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after
six years, regardless of the remaining tread.!Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.
Warning!
G
If the tire pressure drops repeatedly:

Check the tires for punctures from
foreign objects.


Check to see whether air is leaking from
the valves or from around the rim.

284 OperationTires and wheelsTire pressure changes by approximately
1.5 psi (0.1 bar) per 18°F (10°C) of air
temperature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire pressure where the
temperature is different from the outside
temperature.
Tire temperature and tire pressure also in-
crease while driving, depending on the
driving speed and the tire load.Check the spare tire periodically for condi-
tion and inflation pressure. Spare tires will
age and become worn over time even if
never used, and thus should be inspected
and replaced when necessary or after a
maximum of six years.
iThe pressures listed for light loads are
minimum values offering high driving
comfort.
Increased inflation pressures listed for
heavier loads may also be used for light
loads. These higher pressures produce
favorable handling characteristics. The
ride of the vehicle, however, will be
somewhat harder. Never exceed the
max. values or inflate tires below the
min. values listed on the fuel filler flap.
Warning!
G
Follow recommended tire inflation pres-
sures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes,
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified vehicle capacity weight (as indicat-
ed by the label on the pillar in the driver’s
door opening). Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.

285 Operation
Tires and wheels
Checking tire pressure electronically*
(vehicles produced up to approximate-
ly October 2003)
The tire inflation pressure monitor only
functions on wheels that are equipped with
the proper electronic sensors. It monitors
the tire inflation pressure, as selected by
the driver, in all four tires. A warning is is-
sued to alert you to a decrease in pressure
in one or more of the tires.
Tire pressure inquiries are made using the
multifunction display (
page 134). The in-
flation pressures are displayed only after a
few minutes travel time.
You can select the unit of measure used for
the tire inflation pressure by changing the
setting in the control system (
page 134).

Switch on ignition.

Press buttonè orÿ on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the standard display menu ap-
pears in the multifunction display
(page 134).

Press button k orj repeatedly
until you see the current inflation pres-
sures for each tire appear in the dis-
play.
iCheck with an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to determine
the equipment installed in your vehicle.
iPossible differences between the read-
ings of a tire pressure gauge of an air
hose, e.g. gas station equipment, and
the vehicle’s control system can occur.
The readings issued by the control sys-
tem are more precise.
Warning!
G
The tire inflation pressure monitor does not
indicate a warning for wrongly selected in-
flation pressures. Always adjust tire inflation
pressure according to the label on the fuel
filler flap.
The tire inflation pressure monitor is not
able to issue a warning due to a sudden dra-
matic loss of pressure (e.g. tire blowout
caused by a foreign object). In this case
bring the vehicle to a halt by carefully apply-
ing the brakes and avoiding abrupt steering
maneuvers.iOperating radio transmission equip-
ment (e.g. wireless headsets, two-way
radios) in or near the vehicle could
cause the tire inflation pressure moni-
tor to malfunction.

286 OperationTires and wheels
Activating the tire inflation pressure
monitor
You must activate the tire inflation pres-
sure monitor in the following cases:

If you have changed the tire pressure


If you have replaced the wheels or tires


If you have installed new wheels or
tires

Make sure the tire pressure is correctly
set.

Press buttonè orÿ on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the standard display menu ap-
pears in the multifunction display
(page 134).

Press button j or k repeatedly
until you see the current inflation pres-
sures for each tire appear in the display
or the following message appears in
the displayTIRE PRES.
DISPLAY AFTER DRIVING
A FEW MINS.
REACTIVATE USING
R-BUTTON
Warning!
G
Follow recommended tire inflation pres-
sures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes,
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified vehicle capacity weight (as indicat-
ed by the label on the pillar in the driver’s
door opening). Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.
iIf transporting a deflated road wheel or
additional wheel sensors in the vehicle,
the tire inflation pressure monitor
should not be reactivated until the de-
flated wheel or additional wheel sen-
sors have been removed from the
vehicle. Otherwise, the deflated wheel
or additional sensors could cause the
tire inflation pressure monitor system
to malfunction.

287 Operation
Tires and wheels

Press the reset button on the instru-
ment cluster (
page 22).
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:
MONITOR CURRENT TIRE PRESSURE


Press æ button.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:TIRE PRESS. CONTROL ACTIVATED!The tire inflation pressure monitor will
now monitor the tire inflation pressure
values of all four tires.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:TIRE PRES.
DISPLAY AFTER DRIVING
A FEW MINS.
REACTIVATE USING
R-BUTTONThis display appears until the individual
inflation pressure values are matched
with the tires. The individual values are
then displayed (
page 285).If you wish to cancel activation:

Press ç button.
If the following message appears in the
multifunction display:REACTIVATE TIRE

PRES. MONITOR

or
TIRE PRES.

CHECK TIRES!


Check the tire inflation pressures and
correct them if necessary.

Reactivate the tire inflation pressure
monitor.Checking tire pressure electronically*
(vehicles produced as of approximately
October 2003)
The tire inflation pressure monitor only
functions on wheels that are equipped with
the proper electronic sensors. It monitors
the tire inflation pressure, as selected by
the driver, in all four tires. A warning is is-
sued to alert you to a decrease in pressure
in one or more of the tires.
You can call up the tire pressure using the
control system (
page 134).
iCheck with an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to determine
the equipment installed in your vehicle.