2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E WAGON traction control

331 Operation
Tires and wheels
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, 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 variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.Traction
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades rep-
resent 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 perfor-
mance.Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal Mo-
tor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
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.

353 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ABS/ESP warning
lamp comes on while driving.
The ESP is deactivated.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road, weather, and traffic conditions.

Switch the ESP back on (
page 92).
If the ESP cannot be switched back on,
have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
v
The yellow ABS/ESP warning
lamp flashes while driving.
The ABS, ESP or traction control has come
into operation because of detected traction
loss in at least one tire. Distronic* is deacti-
vated.
Distronic* is switched off.

When driving off, apply as little
throttle as possible.

While driving, ease up on the acceler-
ator.

Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road and weather condi-
tions.

Do not deactivate the ESP.
Exceptions: (
page 91)
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.

464 Technical termsSRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and air bags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.
Tele Aid System
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on D
e-
mand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
vided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Telematics*
A combination of the terms “telecom-
munications” and “informatics”.Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
TIN
(T
ire I
dentification N
umber)
(
page 334)
Tire load rating
(page 334)
Tire ply composition and material used
(page 334)
Tire speed rating
(page 335)
Traction
(page 335)
Tread
(page 335)
Treadwear indicators
(page 335)Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
(
page 335)
Vehicle capacity weight
(page 335)
Vehicle level control
The ground clearance of the vehicle is
automatically controlled according to a
selected setting and speed.The driver
can set the ground clearance manually
for example on very rough roads.
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
(page 335)
VIN
(Vehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the body to uniquely
identify each vehicle produced.
Voice control system*
Voice control system for car phones,
portable cell phones and audio sys-
tems (radio, CD, etc.).

472 IndexEngine oil
Adding 302
Checking level 300
Consumption 300
Display messages 382
Messages in display 301
Viscosity 460
ESP 89, 460
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP 95
Switching off 91
Switching on 92
Synchronizing 367
Warning lamp 353
ETD 460
Safety guidelines 66
Exterior lamp switch 141
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 42
Parking position for 176
F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 165
Fastening the seat belts 44
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 231First aid kit 401
Flat tire 418
Mounting the spare wheel 419
Spare wheel 419
Flexible Service System (FSS) 461
Floormats 268
Fog lamp, rear 145
Fog lamps
Switching on 144
Fog lamps, front
Messages in display 386
Switching on 144
Folding back folding bench seat 136
Folding bench seat in cargo
compartment 134
Folding head restraints back 127
Following distance in Distronic* 239
Four wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC) with ESP 95
4MATIC 95
4-zone automatic climate control* 208
Front airbags 67
Front doors
Opening from inside vehicle 115
Front fog lamp
Replacing bulb 411Front interior lighting 148
Front lamps 411
Messages in display 387
Replacing bulbs 413
Switching on 141
Front reading lamps
Switching on/off 148
Front seat head restraints
Power seat 126
Removing and installing 126
Front seats
Heater* 132
FSS (Flexible Service System) 461
Fuel 297
Fuel tank reserve warning lamp 357
Premium unleaded gasoline 297
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 178
Since last reset 178
Fuel filler flap 296
Locking 296
Unlocking 296
Fuel reserve tank
Message in display 385
Fuel tank
Filler flap 296

485 Index
Tires and wheels
Tire inflation pressure 318
Tools 403
Tow-away alarm 99
Arming 99
Disarming 99
Disarming for transport 99
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 433
Towing the vehicle 430
Traction 189, 335
Transmission fluid level 303
Tread 335
Tread depth 309
Tread depth (tires 337
Treadwear indicators 335
Trip computer 178
Trip odometer
Resetting 151
Trunk
Lock button, KEYLESS-GO* 113
Turn signals 51
Additional in mirrors 411
Front bulbs 411
Turning off
Engine 57Twin roller blind 256
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 335
Units
Setting speedometer units 165
Setting temperature units 165
Setting tire inflation pressure
units 167
Unlocking 32, 102, 404
Driver’s door in an emergency 404
Fuel filler flap 296
Global 104
Global with KEYLESS-GO* 110
Selective setting 104, 111
Vehicle in an emergency 276
With KEYLESS-GO* 33
With the SmartKey 32
Upgrade scenario
Tele Aid* 275
Uphill driving
Cruise control 229
Upshifting 185
Useful features 259
Ashtrays 265
Cigarette lighter 266Garage door opener 277
Heated steering wheel* 267
Tele Aid* 269
Telephone* 268
V
Vehicle
Individual settings 162, 164
Locking in an emergency 405
Lowering 422
Towing 430
Unlocking in an emergency 404
Vehicle capacity weight 335
Vehicle care
Cup holder 349
Distronic* system sensor cover 347
Engine cleaning 346
Gear selector lever 349
Hard plastic trim items 349
Leather upholstery 350
Light alloy wheels 348
Ornamental moldings 347
Paintwork 346
Plastic and rubber parts 350
Power washer 345
Seat belts 349
Steering wheel 349