2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE brakes

300 OperationTires and wheelsSee an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for information on tested and
recommended rims and tires for summer
and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and
purchase.Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. The operating safety of the
vehicle cannot be assured when such tires
are used.
Important guidelines

Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.


Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.


Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.


Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire inflation pressure loss and
damage to the tire beads.


If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
inflation pressure and correct as
required.


Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm).


When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted:

The wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged.


The operating clearance of the wheels
and the tires may no longer be correct.
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can
result in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.

323
Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.
Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours or
driven no more than one mile (1.6 km). Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with
standard equipment including the maxi-
mum capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and,
if so equipped, air conditioning and
additional optional equi
pment, but without
passengers and cargo.
DOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
Certification label located on the driver's
door B-pillar.

324 OperationTires and wheelsGVW (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GWV must never exceed the
GWVR indicated on the Certification label
located on the driver's door B-pillar.
GVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
Certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar. Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to one psi; another metric unit for
air pressure is bars. There are
100 kilopascals (kPa) to one bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight and production
options weight.
Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.

355
Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The ESP was deactivated because of a
malfunction or interrupted power supply.
The ABS might not be operational.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP available.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
If the yellow ESP warning lamp v
flashes while driving and this message
appears, the electronic traction system
has switched off to prevent overheating
of the drive wheel brakes.
As soon as the brakes have cooled off, the
electronic traction system switches on
again.
The self-diagnosis has not been
completed yet.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP available.
The display will clear after driving a short
distance at more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
The charging voltage has fallen below ten
volts. The ESP has switched off.
The battery might not be charged
sufficiently.

Continue driving with added caution.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ESP is operational again.

406 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment. This method is pref-
erable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with SmartKey in starter switch
turned to position
0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 87) and deactivate the auto-
matic central locking (
page 148).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0
or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will immedi-
ately be engaged and will apply the rear
wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in position N (manual trans-
mission: gears disengaged) and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position 2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).

446 IndexBoltsFor spare wheel 376
Brake Indicator lamp 25
Brake assist system (BAS) 437
Brake fluid 290, 428 Checking 290
Message in display 358
Brake lamp bulbs 385
Brake pads Message in display 358
Brakes 278 Warning lamp 341
Break-in period 276
Bulbs, replacing 384 Additional turn signals 385
Brake lamps 385
Fog lamps 385
Front lamps 385
High beam 385
High beam flasher 385
License plate lamps 385, 392
Low beam 385
Parking lamps 385, 388, 390
Rear fog lamp 385, 390
Rear lamps 385 Side marker lamp 391
Side marker lamps 385, 390
Standing lamps 385, 388, 390
Tail lamp assemblies 385
Tail lamp unit 390
Turn signal lamps 385
Button Audio system 198
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 437
Calling up Range (distance to empty) 152
Service indicator 331
CAN system 437
Capacities Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 426
Cargo compartment Lighting 118
Tie-down rings 253
Cargo tie-down rings 253
Catalytic converter 285
CD changer* 213
CD changer* operation 215
CD player
Operating 131
CD* operation 213 Center console 27
Front passenger front air bag off indica-tor lamp 27, 76, 345
Lower part 28
Upper part 27
Centigrade Setting temperature units 137
Central locking Automatic 97
From inside 98
Switch 98
Switching on/off (control system) 148
Unlocking from inside 98
Central locking switch 98
Changing CDs 213
Key setting 148
Charcoal filter 191 Activating 191
Deactivating 192
Charging Vehicle battery 402
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp 342

454 IndexInstrument cluster 24, 119, 439Cleaning 337
Coolant temperature display 120
Illumination 119
Lamps in 343–344
Multifunction display 123
Outside temperature indicator 121
Selecting language 138
Instrument lighting 119
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior lighting 117 Activating automatic control 117
Deactivating automatic control 117
Delayed shut-off (Control system) 147
Manual operation 118
Interior rear view mirror Adjusting 42
Antiglare (manual) 167
Interior storage spaces Armrest 255
Cup holders 256
Intermittent wiping 54 J
Jack 373
Jump starting 404
K
Key dependency memory
Settings 149
Key positions in starter switch 33
Key, mechanical 377
Key, SmartKey Battery check lamp 92
Checking the batteries 93
Factory setting 92
Global locking 92
Global unlocking 92
Loss of 94
Messages in display 365
Positions in starter switch 33
Remote control 90
Restoring to factory setting 93
Selective setting 92
Starting the engine 48, 49
Unlocking with 32
Kickdown 165, 439
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 137
Kilopascal 324
Km/h or mph in speedometer 137 L
Labels, identification 416
Lamp bulbs, exterior 384
Lamps, exterior
Front 385
Light sensor 367
Messages in display 366–370
Rear 385
Lamps, indicator and warning ABS 340
Air bag Off 66
Battery (SmartKey) 92
Brake 25
Brakes 341
CHECK ENGINE 342
Engine diagnostics 342, 344
ESP 343
Fuel reserve 344
Instrument cluster 343–344
Low beam 25
Seat belts 344
Service indicator 330
SRS 61, 344
Language Multifunction display 138
Setting 138