2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 Wheel drive

266 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).
Aq uaplaning
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.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.
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.
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.
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267 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 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.Snow chains
Use only snow chains that are tested and recommended
by Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center 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.
When driving with snow chains, press the ESP control
switch to OFF, refer to page 280.
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.
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274 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
If the engine does not brake the vehicle sufficiently
while driving on a downgrade, the speed you set on the
cruise control may be exceeded. In this case the
following will assist in maintaining the set cruise
controlled speed:Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Downshift occurs (max. to 3rd gear) to maintain the set
cruise controlled speed by using the engine’s braking
power.
As soon as the grade eases, the automatic transmission
shifts up again dependent on the selector lever position.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
The set cruise controlled speed is switched off when
declutching exceeds four seconds during downshifting a
gear.
Nevertheless, in some cases you may have to step on the
brake pedal to slow down. In this case the cruise control
is switched off.
Use the lever to resume the previously set speed.
Wa r n i n g !
Only use the cruise control if the traffic and
weather conditions make it advisable to travel at a
steady speed.• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on
winding roads or in heavy traffic because
conditions do not allow safe driving at a steady
speed.
• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire adhesion
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.The “Resume” function should only be operated if
the driver is fully aware of the previously set speed
and wishes to resume this particular preset speed.
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278 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a 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 347, “Towing the vehicle”), the engine must be
shut of f (elec tr oni c key in starter s witch p osi ti on 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
ac c id ent s, i nc l udi ng t hose resul tin g from exc es si ve
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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280 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a 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 in located in speedometer
dial comes on.
2Press to switch ESP on
ESP warning lampv in located in speedometer
dial goes out.To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
sn ow chain s, or startin g of f in d eep sn ow, san d o r grave l,
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).
P 42.45-2245-26
Wa r n i n g !
When the ESP warning lamp is illuminated
continuously, the ESP is switched off. Ad apt your s peed an d d ri vi n g to the prevai li ng road
conditions.
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281 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a 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 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 (2) 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.
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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337 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index TIREFIT
(C 32 AMG only)
Small punctures, particularly those in the tread can be
sealed with TIREFIT.
Foreign objects (e.g. screws or nails) should not be
removed from the tire.
TIREFIT can be used in ambient temperatures down to
approx. - 4
°F (- 20
°C).
Wa r n i n g !
Cuts or punctures larger than approx. 0.16 in
(4 mm), tire damage caused by driving with
extremely low tire pressure or on a flat tire, or a
damaged wheel can pose a hazard while driving.
TIREFIT should not be used in such circumstances.Do not drive the vehicle under such circumstances.Contact your nearest Mercedes-Benz Center for
assistance.Take care not to allow the contents of TIREFIT to
come in contact with hair, eyes or clothing.
TIREFIT is harmful if inhaled, swallowed or
absorbed through the skin - causes skin, eye and
respiratory irritation.
Any contact with eyes or skin should be flushed
immediately with plenty of water.If clothing comes in contact with TIREFIT, change
clothing as soon as possible.In case of allergic reaction or rash, consult a
physician immediately.Keep TIREFIT out of reach of children.
If swallowed, rinse mouth immediately with plenty
of water and drink plenty of water.Do not induce vomiting!Consult a physician immediately.Keep away from open flame or heat source.
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340 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
11. Remove air pump from storage compartment inside
trunk.
12. Pull out air hose with pressure gauge (5) and
electrical plug (6).
13. Screw filler hose (5) onto tire valve.
14. Plug air pump electrical plug (6) into vehicle cigar
lighter.
15. To switch on air pump, turn key in steering lock to
position 1.
Note:
After 5 minutes, pressure gauge must display
26 psi (1.8 bar). Do not exceed the maximum pressure
of 36 psi (2.5 bar)!
If pressure is not attained, drive vehicle
approx. 394 in (10 m), so that the sealing material is
evenly distributed inside the tire. Reconnect air pump
and inflate tire.Note:
Do not operate electric air pump longer that 6 minutes
wit hout interruption. Air pump could overheat! Af ter air
pump has cooled off, operate air pump again.
16. To switch off air pump, turn key in steering lock to
position 0.
17. Reinstall valve tire cap.
18. Drive vehicle to distribute the sealant evenly inside
the tire.
Wa r n i n g !
If a tire pressure of 26 psi (1.8 bar) is not attained,
tire is too severely damaged for TIREFIT to provide
a reliable tire repair.In this case TIREFIT can not properly seal the tire.Do not drive the vehicle.Contact the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
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