2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E55AMG traction

335 Operation
Tires and wheels
Quality grades can be found, where appli-
cable, 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 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.
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.

339 Operation
Tires and wheels
TIN (T
ire I
dentification N
umber)
Unique identifier which facilitates efforts
by tire manufacturers to notify purchasers
in recall situations or other safety matters
concerning tires and gives purchases the
means to easily identify such tires. The TIN
is comprised of “Manufacturer's identifica-
tion mark”, “Tire size”, “Tire type code”
and “Date of manufacture”.
Tire load rating
Numerical code associated with the
maximum load a tire can support.
Tire ply composition and material used
This indicates the number of plies or the
number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in
the tire tread and sidewall. Tire manufac-
turers also must indicate the ply materials
in the tire and sidewall, which include
steel, nylon, polyester, and others.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. The amount of grip provided.
Tread
The portion of a tire that comes into
contact with the road.
Treadwear indicators
Narrow bands, sometimes called
“wear bars” that show across the tread of
a tire when only
1/6in (1.6 mm) of tread
remains.Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
A tire information system that provides
consumers with ratings for a tire's traction,
temperature and treadwear. Ratings are
determined by tire manufacturers using
government testing procedures. The
ratings are molded into the sidewall of the
tire.
Vehicle capacity weight
Rated cargo and luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lbs) times the vehicle's
designated seating capacity.
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
Load on an individual tire that is
determined by distributing to each axle its
share of the maximum loaded vehicle
weight and dividing it by two.

342 OperationWinter drivingBlock heater* (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heat-
er.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:


Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer's mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.


Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
!When driving with snow chains, always
select the raised level of the level con-
trol system Airmatic* (
page 248).
Other settings may result in damage to
your vehicle.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 89) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the vehi-
cle’s traction.
!Even on vehicles with all-wheel-drive,
use snow chains on rear tires only.
Use of snow chains is not permissible
with tire sizes:

265/35 ZR18


T 155/70 R17 110M


T 175/55-18 95P

357 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 90).
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 deactivated.

When driving off, apply as little throt-
tle 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 90).
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accidents.

476 Technical termsTire speed rating
Part of a tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is ap-
proved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the
road via the tires.
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.
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*
Voice control system for car phones,
portable cell phones and audio sys-
tems (radio, CD, etc.).

485 Index
Emergency operations
Opening/closing sliding/pop-up roof*
or panorama sliding/pop-up
roof* 414
Releasing trunk lid from inside 117
Remote door unlock 278
Unlocking the trunk lid 411
Unlocking the vehicle 410
Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 70, 472
Emission control 297
Ending
A call (telephone) 172
Engine 450
Compartment 303
Message in the display 359, 360,
383
Starting 46
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 47
Starting with the SmartKey 46, 47
Turning off with the key 56
Engine compartment
Hood 303
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 359,
360, 383
Engine number 472Engine oil
Adding 306
Checking level 304
Consumption 304
Display messages 387
Messages in display 305
Viscosity 472
ESP 87, 472
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP 93
Switching off 89
Switching on 90
Synchronizing 372
Warning lamp 357
ETD 472
Safety guidelines 64
Exterior lamp switch 133
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 41
Parking position for 168F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 157
Fastening the seat belts 43
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 234
First aid kit 407
Flat tire 425
Collapsible tire 429
Mounting the spare wheel 425, 428
Spare wheel 425
Flexible Service System (Canada
vehicles) 343
Flexible Service System (FSS) 473
Fog lamp, rear 137
Fog lamps, front
Messages in display 392
Switching on 136
Following distance in Distronic* 242
Four wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC) with ESP 93
4MATIC 93

499 Index
Temperature
Display mode 157
Sensor 29
Setting interior temperature 197
Setting units in display 157
Tires 321
The coolant level is correct if the
level 308
Tie-down rings (trunk) 261
Tightening torque 431, 475
Time
Setting hours 160
Setting minutes 160, 161
TIN 339
Tire
Vehicle maximum load on 339
Tire and Loading Information 315
Tire and loading terminology 337
Tire care and maintenance 312
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 320
Setting units 159
Tire inflation pressure see the placard on
the fuel filler flap
Tire inspection 312Tire load rating 339
Tire ply composition and material
used 339
Tire speed rating 329, 339, 476
Tire terminology 337
Tire traction 292
Tires
Direction of rotation 314
Driving instructions 290
Messages in display 399
Messages in the display 396, 397,
398
Retreads 311
Rotating 340
Service life 312
Temperature 321, 336
Tire pressure monitor warning
lamp* 363
Tread depth 313, 341
Wear pattern 340
Winter 341
Tires and wheels
Tire inflation pressure 322
Tools 409Tow-away alarm 95
Arming 95
Disarming 95
Disarming for transport 95
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 442
Towing the vehicle 439
Tracking services
For stolen vehicle 279
Traction 180, 339, 476
Transmission fluid level 308
Tread 339
Tread depth 313
Tread depth (tires 341
Treadwear indicators 339
Trip computer 170
Trip odometer
Resetting 143