2000 MERCEDES-BENZ CL-CLASS traction control

271 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electronic stability program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces
driving wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving
conditions.
Over/understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a
countervailing vehicle movement. Engine torque is also
limited. The ESP warning lamp, located in the
speedometer dial, starts to flash when ESP is in
operation.Important!
If the ESP warning lampv flashes:
•During take-off apply as little throttle as possible.
•While driving ease up on the accelerator.
•Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
•Do not switch off the ESP.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see
page 351, towing the vehicle), the engine must be shut
off (electronic key in starter switch position 0 or 1).
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be engaged and
will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded. The ESP cannot prevent
accidents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, or aquaplaning. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.
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273 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ESP control switch
ESP control switch located on center console.
1Press to switch ESP off
ESP warning lampv, located in speedometer
dial, comes on.
2Press to switch ESP on
ESP warning lampv, located in speedometer
dial, goes out.To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel,
switch off ESP by pressing the upper half (1) of the ESP
switch. The ESP warning lampv, 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
conditions.
A portion of the ESP system remains active, 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).
Wa r n i n g !
When the ESP warning lamp is illuminated
continuously, the ESP is switched off. Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
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274 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
Avoid spinning of one drive wheel. This may cause
serious damage to the drive train which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The ESP warning lamp, located in the speedometer dial,
starts to f lash 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 (2) of the switch (the ESP warning
lamp in the speedometer dial goes out).Vehicles with Distronic (DTR):
With the ESP switched off, the Distronic could not be
switched on. See page 253 for activation of Distronic.
Important!
If the ESP warning lamp flashes:
•during take-off, apply as little throttle as possible,
•while driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP should not be switched off during normal
driving other than in circumstances described
above. Disabling of the system will reduce vehicle
stability in standard driving maneuvers.
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399 Consumer information
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Consumer information
This has been prepared as required of all manufactures
of passenger cars under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal
Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.
Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
All passenger car tires must conform to federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
(1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
Tread wear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Wa r n i n g !
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straightahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
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412 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
TTachometer ......................................................................119
Technical data ................................................................388
Electrical system ....................................................... 391
Main dimensions ......................................................392
Rims and tires ...........................................................389
Weights .......................................................................392
Tele Aid ........................................................................... 210
Emergency calls ........................................................ 211
Information ................................................................ 215
Initiating an emergency call manually ................. 213
Roadside Assistance ................................................. 214
TELE AID - malfunction
and warning messages ............................................ 317
Telephone ........................................................................ 128
General notes ............................................................. 201
Incoming call ............................................................. 131
Redialing .................................................................... 130
Telephone book ......................................................... 128
TELEPHONE - FUNCTION -
malfunction and warning messages ......................309
Telephones and two-way radios ...................................208
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ................................209
Tire inflation pressure ..................................................345Tire inflation pressure monitor ................................... 150
Inquiry of present tire inflation pressure ............. 150
TIRE PRESSURE -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 312
Tire traction ................................................................... 244
Tires ................................................................................ 399
Driving instructions ................................................ 243
Rims and tires .......................................................... 389
Rotating wheels ........................................................ 338
Tire inflation pressure ............................................ 345
Tire replacement ...................................................... 337
Winter driving instructions .................................... 247
Tow-away alarm ................................................................64
Towing the vehicle ......................................................... 351
Transmission ................................................................. 229
Traveling abroad ........................................................... 249
Trip computer ................................................................. 134
Trip odometer ................................................................. 119
Trunk .................................................................................53
Opening ........................................................................37
Power closing assist .................................................... 50
Release switch ............................................................. 57
Release/close system ..................................................58
Trunk lid closing feature ...........................................55
Trunk lamp ..................................................................... 371
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