1999 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS snow chains

Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR)
The acceleration slip regulation will engage at all vehicle s peeds, if one or both drive wheels begin to lose traction
and spin in acceleration. While engaged, the yellow warni ng lamp in the speedometer dial flashes. With the
acceleration slip regulation engaged, the brake is applied to the spinning drive wheel until slip is brought under
control. If both drive wheels spin, the brake is applied to both drive wheels and simultaneously, engine torque is
limited, to improve the vehicle's driving stability. As traction on the road surface increases, thus allowing
acceleration without slip, the allowable engine torque also increases again and the brake is no longer applied to
drive wheels.

Important !
If the ASR warning lamp flashes, adapt your spee d and driving to the prevailing road conditions.

Caution !
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see Towing the vehicle in Index), t he engine must be shut off
(electronic key in steer ing lock position 0 or 1). Othe rwise, the acceleration slip regulation will immediately be
engaged and will apply the rear wheel brakes.

Notes:
The indicator lamp for the ASR is combined with that of the BAS The yellow BAS/ASR malfunction indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster and the yellow ASR warning lamp in the speedometer dial come on with the
electronic key in steering lock position 2. They should go out with the engine running. If the BAS/ASR malfunction
indicator lamp comes on with the engine running, a malfunc tion has been detected in either system. Pressing the
accelerator pedal will require greater effort. Only partial engine output will be available.
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system functions in the usual manner, but without BAS. Have the BAS or ASR
checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer as soon as possible. With the ABS malfunctioning, the ASR
is also switched off. Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the wheels to ro tate at different speeds,
therefore the acceleration slip regulation may activate (ye llow ASR warning lamp in speedometer dial comes on).
For this reason, all wheels, including the spare wheel, mu st have the same tire size. When testing the parking
brake on a brake test dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise, t he acceleration slip regulation will
immediately be engaged and will apply the rear wheel brakes . In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of
the acceleration slip regulation is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended M+S rated radialply tires
and/or snow chains.

ASR Control Switch



ASR control switch located in center console To improve
the vehicle's traction when driving with snow chains, or
starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel, press the upper half of the ASR switch. The ASR warning lamp, located
in the speedometer dial, is cont inuously illuminated. With the ASR system switched off, the engine torque
reduction feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ASR is unavailable. Adapt your
speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions. A por tion of the ASR system remains active, even with the
switch in the OFF position. If one drive wheel loses traction a nd begins to spin, the brake is applied until the wheel
regains sufficient traction. The traction control engages at vehicle speeds up to approximately 24 rnph (40 km/h),
and switches off at 50 mph (80 km/h).
Note:
Avoid spinning of one drive wheel. Doing so may cause seriou s damage to the drive train which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The ASR warning lamp, located in the speedometer dial, star ts to flash at any vehicle speed as soon as the tires
lose traction and the wheels begin to spin. To return to the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ASR: press lower
half of the switch (the ASR warning lamp in the speedometer dial goes out).

Important!
If the ASR warning lamp flashes:
• during take-off, apply as little throttle as possible,
• while driving, ease up on the accelerator.


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Electronic Stability Program (ESP) (optional)

The ESP enhances directional control and reduces driving wheel spin of the vehicle under any driving condition.
Over/understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a
counterpointing vehicle movement. The ESP warning lamp, located in the speedometer dial, starts to flash.

Important !
If the ESP warning lamp flashes, adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions.

Caution !
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see Towing the vehicle in Index), t he engine must be shut off
(electronic key in steer ing lock position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the el ectronic stability program will immediately be
engaged and will apply the rear wheel brakes.

Notes:
The indicator lamp for the ESP is combined with that of the BAS. The yellow BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster and the yellow ESP warning lamp in the speedometer di al come on with the electronic key
in steering lock position 2. They should go out with th e engine running. If the BAS/ESP multifunction indicator lamp
comes on permanently with the engine running, a malfunction has been detected in either system.
Pressing the accelerator pedal will require greater effort. Only partial engine output will be available. If the BAS
malfunctions, the brake system functions in the usual manner, but without BAS. Have the BAS or ESP checked at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer as soon as possible. With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched
off. Driving the vehicle with varied size ti res will cause the wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the electronic
stability program may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer dial comes on).
For this reason, all wheels, including the spare wheel, must have the same tire size. When testing the parking brake
on a brake test dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise, t he electronic stability program will
immediately
be engaged and will apply the rear wheel brakes. In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the electronic
stability program is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz reco mmended M+S rated radial-ply tires and/or snow chains.

ESP Control Switch



ESP control switch located on center co
nsole To improve the vehicle's traction when driving with snow chains, or
starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel, press the upper half of the ESP switch. The ESP warning lamp, located in
the speedometer dial, is continuously illuminated. With the ESP system switched off, the engine torque reduction
feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable. Adapt your speed and
driving to the prevailing road conditio ns. A portion of the ESP system remains ac tive, even with the switch in the OFF
position. If one drive wheel loses traction and begins to spin , the brake is applied until the wheel regains sufficient
traction. The traction control engages at vehicle speeds up to approximately 24 mph (40 km/h), and switches off at 50
mph (80 km/h).

Note:
Avoid spinning of one drive wheel. Doing so may cause seriou s damage to the drive train which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. The ESP warning lamp, located in the speedome ter dial, starts to flash at any
vehicle speed as soon as the tires lose traction and the wheels begin to spin. To return to the enhanced vehicle
stability
offered by ESP: press lower half of the switch (the ESP warning lamp in the speedometer dial goes out).

Important !
If the ESP warning lamp flashes:
• during take-off, apply as little throttle as possible,
• while driving, ease up on the accelerator.


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Winter Driving
Have your car winterized at your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer before the onset of winter.
• Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil which is not approved for winter operation.
For viscosity (SAE/CCMC class) and filling quantity, see Capacities: Fuels, Coolants,
Lubricants etc. in Index.
• Check engine coolant anticorr osion/antifreeze concentration.
• Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp cleani ng system: Add MB Concentrate "S" to a premixed
windshield washer solvent/antifreeze which is form ulated for below freezing temperatures (see Index).
• Test battery: Battery capacity drops with dec reasing ambient temperature. A well charged
battery helps to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low ambient temperatures.
• Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on all four wheels for the winter season. Observe
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.

Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effect iveness of the acceleration slip regulation or of the electronic traction system
can only be achieved with M+S rated radial-ply tires and/or snow chains recommended by Mercedes-Benz. Snow
chains maximize performance.


Snow Chains
Use only snow chains that are tested and recommended by Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer
will be glad to advise you on this subject. Chains should only be used on the rear wheels. Follow the manufacturer's
mounting instructions. Snow chains should only be driven on snow covered roads at speeds not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h). Remove chains as soon as possible when driving on roads without snow. For tips on driving on slippery
winter roads, refer to Index. Vehicles with Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR) or Electronic Stability Program (ESP):
When driving with snow chai ns, press the ASR or ESP control switch, refer to Index.


Model C 43 AMG

Important!
Use of snow chains is permissible only on winter tire size 215/45 R 17 H M+S. Refer to "Rims - Tires" in section
"Technical Data" (see Index).


Travelling Abroad
Abroad, there is a widely-spread Mercedes-Benz service network at your disposal. If you plan to travel into areas
which are not listed in the index of your dealer directory, you should request pertinent information from your
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.



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Roof load max. 220 lb(100 kg)
Trunk load max. 220 lb(100 kg)
1 The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz
dealer for the correspon-ding data of ali special bodies and special equipment,
2 Use correct wheel bolts.
3. Must not be used with snow chains.

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