2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 traction control

56 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Seat belt nonusage warning system
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, a
warning sounds for a short time if the driver’s seat belt
is not fastened.
Automatic comfort-fit seat belt:
An automatic comfort-fit feature for driver and front
passenger seat belt is activated when the electronic key
in the starter switch is turned to position 1 or 2.
The retraction force of the inertia reel is reduced,
increasing the level of seat belt comfort.
Note:
For cleaning and care of the seat belts see page 345.
Wa r n i n g !
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the backrest
reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined position
can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat
belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt
would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That
could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The
backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint
when the wearer is in an upright position and the
belt is properly positioned on the body.

73 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index When you sell your vehicle we strongly urge you to give
notice to the subsequent owner that it is equipped with
an “SRS” by alerting them to the applicable section in
the Operator’s Manual.Infant and child restraint systems
We recommend all infants and children be properly
restrained at all times while the vehicle is in motion. All
lap-shoulder belts except the driver seat belt have
special seat belt retractors for secure fastening of child
restraints.
To activate, pull shoulder belt out completely and let it
retract. During the seat belt retraction a ratcheting
sound can be heard to indicate that the special seat belt
retractor is activated. The belt is now locked.
To deactivate, release seat belt buckle and let seat belt
retract completely. The seat belt can again be used in
the usual manner.
Note:
For child seats with mounting fittings for tether
anchorages refer to page 75 (installation of infant and
child restraint systems).
• For your protection and the protection of
others, when scrapping the airbag unit or
emergency tensioning retractor, our safety
instructions must be followed. These
instructions are available from your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.• Given the considerable deployment speed and
the textile structure of the airbags, there is the
possibility of abrasions or other injuries
resulting from airbag deployment.
Wa r n i n g !
Never release the seat belt buckle while vehicle is
in motion, since the special seat belt retractor will
be deactivated.

160 Audio system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Audio and telephone operation
These instructions are intended to help you become
acquainted with your Mercedes-Benz audio system.
They contain useful tips and a detailed description of
the user functions.Operating safety
1Optional equipment
Dolby and the double-D symbol
Ù
are trademarks of Dolby
Laboratories Licensing Corporation. The Dolby noise reduction
system is manufactured under licence from Dolby Laboratories
Licensing Corporation.
Wa r n i n g !
In order to avoid distraction which could lead to an
accident, system settings should be entered with
the vehicle at standstill and systems should be
operated by the driver only when traffic conditions
permit. Always pay full attention to traffic
conditions first before operating system controls
while driving. Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your car is covering a
distance of 50 feet (approximately14 m) every
second.
Wa r n i n g !
Any alterations made to electronic components can
cause malfunctions.The radio, cassette deck, CD changer
1 and
telephone
1 are interconnected. Therefore, when
one of the components is defective or has not been
removed/replaced properly this may impair the
function of other components.
These malfunctions might seriously impair the
operating safety of your vehicle.We recommend that you have any service work or
alterations to electronic components done at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

236 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
slight partial throttle.Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
A ls o, w hen pa rked on a n in c li ne, pos i tion “P” a lon e
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting
to position “P”, see page 243 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
against curb.

242 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
WWinter / Wet (snow and ice) mode
Press switch. “W” is displayed in the gear range
indicator display, see page 237. The vehicle starts
out in 2nd gear, except with selector lever in 1st
gear, or with accelerator pedal in kick-down
position.
The “W” mode helps to improve traction and
driving stability of the vehicle.
The gear shifting process occurs at lower vehicle
and engine speeds than in the “S” program mode.
Caution!
Never change the pr ogram mod e when t he se lec tor lever
is out of position “P”. It could result in a change of
driving characteristics for which you may not be
prepared.
Important!
Always be certain of the program mode selected since
the vehicle driving characteristics change with the
selection of the program mode.
Dependent on the program mode selector switch
position “S” or “W” and the gear selector lever in
position “R”, the ratio of power transmission changes.Emergency operation
(Limp home mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the transmission no
longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating
in Limp Home Mode which engages when there is a
malfunction of the transmission. This condition may be
accompanied by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster coming on.
In this mode only the 2nd gear or reverse gear can be
activated.
To engage 2nd gear or reverse:
1. S to p t h e ve h i c l e .
2. Move selector lever to position “P”.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Move selector lever to position “D” (for 2nd gear), or
move selector lever to position “R” (for reverse gear).
Have the transmission checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

248 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Specified tire pressures must be maintained. This
applies particularly if the tires are subjected to high
loads (e.g. high speeds, heavy loads, high ambient
temperatures).
Aquaplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer on the road,
aquaplaning 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.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not allow your tires to wear down too far. As
tread depth approaches
1/16 in (1.5 mm), the
adhesion properties on a wet road are sharply
reduced.
Depending upon the weather and / or road surface
(conditions), the tire traction varies widely.
Wa r n i n 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.

249 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 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.
We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires for the winter
season for all four wheels to insure normal balanced
handling characteristics. On packed snow, they can
reduce your stopping distance as compared with
summer tires. Stopping distance, however, is still
considerably greater than when the road is not snow or
ice covered.Tire speed rating
Vehicles without Sport Package:
Your vehicle is factory equipped with “H”-rated tires,
which have a speed rating of 130 mph (210 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your vehicle from
exceeding the speed rating.
Wa r n i n 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.
Wa r n i n g !
Even when permitted by law, never operate a
vehicle at speeds greater than the maximum speed
rating of the tires.Exceeding the maximum speed for which tires are
rated can lead to sudden tire failure causing loss of
vehicle control and resulting in personal injury
and possible death.

257 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Brake assist system (BAS)
The BAS is designed to maximize the vehicle’s braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers by
having maximum power boost applied to the brakes
more quickly in emergency braking conditions than
might otherwise be afforded solely by the driver’s
braking style. This can help reduce braking distances
over what ordinary driving and braking style might do.
The BAS complements the antilock brake system (ABS).Applying the brakes very quickly results in maximum
BAS assistance.
To receive the benefit of the system you must apply
continuous full braking power during the stopping
sequence. Do not reduce brake pedal pressure.
Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is deactivated.
If the BAS warning message is displayed, a malfunction
has been detected in the system. The brake system
functions in the usual manner, but without BAS.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS is also switched
off.
If a BAS warning message is displayed, have the BAS
checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Wa r n i n g !
BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking efficiency beyond that afforded by the
condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the
traction afforded. The BAS cannot prevent
ac c id ent s, i nc l udi ng t hose resul tin g from exc es si ve
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or aquaplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The
capabilities of a BAS equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.