2002 MERCEDES-BENZ E55AMG power steering

217 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Antilock brake system (ABS)
Important!
The ABS improves steering control of the vehicle during
hard braking maneuvers.
The ABS prevents the wheels from locking up above a
vehicle speed of approximately 5 mph (8 km / h)
independent of road surface conditions.At the instant one of the wheels is about to lock up, a
slight pulsation can be felt in the brake pedal,
indicating that the ABS is in the regulating mode. Keep
firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsation.
Continuous steady brake pedal pressure results in
applying the advantages of the ABS, namely braking
power and ability to steer the vehicle.
In the case of an emergency brake maneuver keep
continuous full pressure on the brake pedal. In this
manner only can the ABS be most effective.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will respond even
with light brake pedal pressure because of the
increased likelihood of locking wheels. The pulsating
brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road
conditions and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not pump the brake pedal, rather use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure. Pumping the brake
pedal defeats the purpose for ABS and significantly
reduces braking effectiveness.
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219 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Four Wheel Electronic Traction System (4MATIC)
with Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
(Model with All Wheel Drive [AWD])
The 4MATIC improves vehicle’s ability to use available
traction, e.g. during winter operation in mountains
under snowy conditions, by applying power to all four
wheels.
Important!
If the ESP warning lamp 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.Caution!
Operational tests with the engine running can only be
conducted on a 2-axle dynamometer.Otherwise the ESP
will immediately be engaged and will apply the brakes
to the spinning wheels.
If the vehicle is towed with one axle raised (see
page 285), or when testing the parking brake on a brake
test dynamometer, the engine must be shut off
(electronic key in steering lock position 0 or 1).
If one or more wheels tend to spin, ESP will apply the
brakes to them. The traction control for the front axle
wheels deactivate at approximately 50 mph (80 km / h),
and for the rear axle wheels at approximately 80 mph
(130 km / h).
The warning lamp in the speedometer blinks at any
speed as soon as one tire loses traction.
Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
4MATIC is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz
recommended M+S rated radial-ply tires and / or snow
chains.
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221 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
The malfunction 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
lampv 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 / ESP malfunction indicator lamp comes on
continuously with the engine running, a malfunction
has been detected in either system. Only partial engine
output will be available.
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system functions in
the usual manner, but without BAS.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, have the BAS
or ESP checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched
off.Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer
dial c omes on ). For t his r eason , all wheels , i nclud in g t he
spare wheel, must have the same tire outside diameter.
When testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise,
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the
rear wheel brakes.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
ESP is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended
M+S rated radial-ply tires and / or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the BAS / ESP malfunction
indicator lamp may be illuminated with the engine
running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to
the right. The BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp
should go out.
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250 Malfunction and warning messages
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
STEERING GEAR OIL
System without or with insufficient steering gear oil
level. Danger of damage to steering gear exists.
When this message appears, the steering gear oil level
has dropped below the required level. Have the system
checked at the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Line 1 Line 2
STEERING GEAR OIL VISIT WORKSHOP!
Wa r n i n g !
If the level of steering gear oil in reservoir is too
low, the steering power assistance could fail. Much
greater effort will then be needed to turn the
steering wheel.Do not add steering oil without checking the
steering system.Do not drive the vehicle. Have the system checked
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
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281 Battery
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index operation. During removal and installation always
protect the disconnected battery positive (+) terminal
with the cover attached to the battery.
While the engine is running the battery terminal clamps
must not be loosened or detached, otherwise the
generator and other electronic components would be
damaged.
Note:
The selector lever will remain locked in position “P” and
the electronic key cannot be turned in the steering lock,
if the vehicle battery is disconnected or discharged.
After reconnecting the battery also resynchronize the
front seat head restraints, the express feature of the
power windows, and the electronic stability program
(ESP), see pages 47, 156 and 221.Battery recycling
Batteries contain material that can harm the
environment with improper disposal.
Large 12 Volt storage batteries contain lead.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred method of
disposal.
Many states require sellers of batteries to accept old
batteries for recycling.
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286 Towing the vehicle
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
1Cover on right side of front bumper
To remove cover:
Press mark on cover in direction of arrow and lift cover
off to reveal threaded hole for towing eye bolt. The
towing eye bolt is supplied with the vehicle tools. Screw
towing eye bolt in to its stop and tighten with lug
wrench.
To reinstall cover:
Engage cover (1) at bottom and press in top securely.We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
flat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
The vehicle may be towed with all wheels on the ground
and the selector lever in position “N” for distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km / h). The electronic key must be in steering lock
position 2.
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to the
transmission, however, we recommend the drive shaft
be disconnected at the rear axle drive flange for any
towing beyond a short tow to a nearby garage.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing with
sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will damage
radiator and supports.
Use wheel lift, dolly, or flat bed equipment, with
electronic key in steering lock turned to position 0.
Wa r n i n g !
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to
brake and steer the vehicle.
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287 Towing the vehicle
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
flasher in use, turn electronic key in steering lock to
position 2 and activate combination switch for left or
right turn signal in usual manner – only the selected
turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warning
flasher will operate again.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (electronic key in steering lock
position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be
engaged and will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Switch off the tow-away alarm, see page 44, and the
automatic center locking on page 35.Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking
In the case of power failure the transmission selector
lever can be manually unlocked, e.g. to tow the vehicle.
To do so, insert a pin (1), e.g. ball point pen, into the
covered opening below the position “D” of the shift
pattern. While pushing the pin down, move selector
lever from position “P”.
Af ter removal of the pin from the opening, the cover will
not close fully. Only after moving the selector lever to
positions “D+” and “D–” does the cover return to its
closed position.
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303 Contents – Vehicle care
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle .............................304
Power washer ..............................305
Tar stains .....................................305
Paintwork, painted body
components .................................305
Engine cleaning ..........................306
Vehicle washing .........................306
Ornamental moldings ................306
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................306
Cleaning the parktronic
system sensors ...........................307Window cleaning /
glass sunroof .............................. 307
Wiper blades .............................. 307
Light alloy wheels ..................... 308
Instrument cluster ..................... 308
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ..................... 308
Cup holder .................................. 308
Seat belts ..................................... 308
Headliner and shelf
below rear window .................... 308
Upholstery .................................. 309
Hard plastic trim items ............. 309
Plastic and rubber parts ........... 309
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