2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C WAGON traction control

261 Operation
Driving instructions
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.
Mercedes-Benz recommends M+S rated
radial-ply tires with a minimum tread depth
of approximately
1/6in (4 mm) on all four
wheels for the winter season to ensure
normal balanced handling characteristics.
On packed snow, they can reduce your
stopping distance compared to summer
tires. Stopping distance, however, is still considerably greater than when the road is
not covered with snow or ice. Exercise ap-
propriate caution.
Tire speed rating
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use
prudent driving speeds appropriate to
prevailing conditions.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 tire speed
rating.
Warning!
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.
!Avoid spinning of one drive wheel. This
may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum 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
possibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.iFor information on tire speed rating for
winter tires, see “Winter tires”
(page 282).

298 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ESP warning lamp
comes on while driving.
The ESP is deactivated.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road, weather and traffic
conditions.

Switch the ESP back on (
page 81).
If the ESP cannot be switched back on,
have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
The yellow ESP warning lamp
flashes while driving.
The ESP or traction control has come into
operation because of detected traction loss
in at least one tire.

When driving off, apply as little
throttle as possible.

While driving, ease up on the
accelerator.

Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road and weather
conditions.

Do not deactivate the ESP.
Exceptions: (
page 81).
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.

382 Technical dataConsumer informationThe following text is published as required
of all manufacturers 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 varia-
tions 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.
Treadwear
Traction
Temperature
200
AA
A
Warning!
G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.

389 Technical terms
Tele Aid* System
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and
manual emergency, roadside assis-
tance and information. Tele Aid is
initially activated by completing a
subscriber agreement and placing an
acquaintance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational
provided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not
damaged and cellular and GPS
coverage is available.Telematics*
A combination of the terms “tele-
communications” and “informatics”.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is
approved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the
road via the tires.VIN
(V
ehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the body to uniquely
identify each vehicle produced.
Voice control system*
1
Voice control system for car phones,
portable cell phones and audio
systems (radio, CD, etc.).
1Feature description is based on preliminary infor-
mation at time of printing. At time of printing, no
date for availability of voice control had been set.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
details and availability for your vehicle model.

400 IndexEngine
Compartment 270
Starting with
automatic transmission 47
Starting with the SmartKey 47
Technical data 366
Turning off with the SmartKey 57
Engine cleaning 289
Engine compartment 270
Fuse box in 358
Hood 270
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp 25, 296
Engine number 364, 386
Engine oil 272
Adding 274
Additives 375
Checking level 269, 272
Consumption 272
Display messages 273, 312–313
Filler neck 274
Messages in display 273, 312–313
Viscosity 386Engine oil level
Checking 269, 272
Engine oils 375
ESP 81, 386
Four wheel electronic
traction system with ESP 84
Messages in display 304–305
Switching off 82
Switching on 83
Warning lamp 25, 298
ETD 69, 386
Safety guidelines 64
Ethanol fuel
At the gas station 267
Requirements 377
Switching fuels 378
Exterior lamp switch 49, 108
Exterior lamps
Delayed shut-off 141
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 41
Parking position* for 146F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 133
Fastening the seat belts 43
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 225
First aid kit 321
Flat tire 342
Lowering the vehicle 346
Minispare wheel 324
Mounting the Minispare wheel 342
Preparing the vehicle 342
Flexible fuel vehicles 377
At the gas station 267
Switching fuels 378
Flexible Service System see FSS
Fog lamp, rear
Message in display 317
Replacing bulb 333
Switching on 112

401 Index
Fog lamps, front
Messages in display 315
Replacing bulbs 333
Switching on 111
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) with ESP 84
4MATIC 84
Front air bags 65
Front fog lamps
Indicator lamp 108
Switching on 111
Front lamps
Bi-Xenon* type 337
Halogen-type 335
Messages in display 315–318
Replacing bulbs 333, 335
Switching on 108
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 27, 65, 72, 300
Front seat head restraints
Installing, manual seat 99
Installing, power seat* 100Manual seat 99
Power seat* 100
Removing, manual seat 99
Removing, power seat* 100
Front seats
Heating* 104
FSS (Flexible Service System)
(Canada vehicles) 284, 386
Fuel 268
Additives 377
Cruising range 378
E85 (Ethanol fuel) 378
Fuel reserve warning lamp 299
Gasoline additives 377
Premium unleaded
gasoline 268, 374, 376
Requirements 376, 377
Switching (Flexible fuel vehicle) 378
Technical data 373, 374
Fuel additives 377
Fuel cap
Message in display 297, 314Fuel consumption statistics
After start 147
Since last reset 147
Fuel filler flap 267
Locking 267
Opening in an emergency 328
Unlocking 267
Fuel gauge 25
Fuel requirements 376
For ethanol fuel 377
Fuel reserve
Warning lamp 25
Fuel tank
Capacity 374
Filler flap 267
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities 373
Functions (control system) 120, 123
Resetting 131
Fuse box
In cargo compartment 359
In engine compartment 358