2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 Electronic

87 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP
® (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)


4MATIC (Four Wheel Electronic
Traction System)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even to light brake pressure.
The- indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 24) comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
iIn winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of the ABS, ESP
®, and
4MATIC (if so equipped) is only
achieved with winter tires
(
page 336), or snow chains as re-
quired.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, ESP
®, and 4MATIC (if so
equipped) cannot reduce this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

89 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
ESP
®
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®) is
operational as soon as the engine is run-
ning and monitors the vehicle’s traction
(force of adhesive friction between the
tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP
® recognizes when a wheel is
spinning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel
and by limiting the engine output, the ESP
®
works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP
® is
especially useful while driving off and on
wet or slippery road surfaces. The ESP®
also stabilizes the vehicle during braking
maneuvers.
The ESP
® warning lampv in the
speedometer flashes when the ESP
® is
engaged.
The ESP
® warning lampv in the
speedometer comes on when you switch
on the ignition. It goes out when the engine
is running.
Warning!
G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that
afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
The BAS cannot prevent accidents, includ-
ing those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, following another vehicle too closely,
or hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The
capabilities of a BAS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP
® when you see the
ESP
® warning lampv flashing in the
speedometer. In this case, proceed as
follows:


While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.


While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor.


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP
® cannot prevent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed.

90 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(page 354) and (
page 360).Switching off the ESP
®
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP
® in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:


when driving with snow chains


in deep snow


in sand or gravel
Warning!
G
The ESP
® cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
®
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The
capabilities of an ESP
® equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dan-
gerous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.
iThe ESP
® will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size (page 432).
!Vehicles without 4MATIC:
Because of the ESP
®’s automatic
operation, the engine must be turned
off (SmartKey in starter switch
position0 or1) when


the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
®
may otherwise seriously damage the
brake system.
For information on vehicles with
4MATIC, see “Four wheel electronic
traction system (4MATIC) with the
ESP®” (
page 92).
Warning!
G
The ESP
® should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a Minis-
pare wheel is mounted.

92 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsFour wheel electronic traction system (4MATIC) with the ESP
®
Models with all-wheel-drive only.
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.Warning!
G
If you see the ESP
® warning lampv
flashing in the speedometer, proceed as fol-
lows:


While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible


While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP
® cannot prevent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed.
!Do not tow with one axle raised.
Otherwise the transfer case can be
damaged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.!Performance testing must only be con-
ducted on a two-axle dynamometer.
Otherwise the transfer case can be
damaged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Because of the ESP
®’s automatic
operation, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1) when the parking brake is being
tested on a brake test dynamometer.
Active braking action through ESP
®
may otherwise seriously damage the
front or rear axle brake system.
Operational tests with the engine
running can only be conducted on a
two-axle dynamometer.
iAt highly demanding operating condi-
tions, the electronic traction system
may temporarily switch off to prevent
overheating of the drive wheel brakes.
The message
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
will then
appear in the multifunction display
while the ESP
® warning lamp
v
is
flashing. The ESP
® is still functioning
normally.

157 Controls in detail
Control system
TEL menu*
You can use the functions in the
TEL
menu
to operate your telephone, provided it is
connected to a hands-free system and
switched on.

Switch on the telephone and Audio or
COMAND*.

Press buttonÿ orè on the
steering wheel repeatedly until the
message
TEL
appears in the
multifunction display.
Which messages will appear in the
multifunction display depends on whether
your telephone is switched on or off:


If the telephone is off, the message Phone off
appears in the multifunction
display.


If the telephone is on:
The telephone will then search for a
network. During this time the multi-
function display is empty.
As soon as the telephone has found a
network, the message
READY
appears in
the multifunction display.
This standby message indicates that your
telephone is ready for use and you can
operate it using the control system.
Warning!
G
A driver’s attention to the road must always
be his/her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we
recommend that you pull over to a safe
location and stop before placing or taking a
telephone call. If you choose to use the
telephone while driving, please use the
hands-free device and only use the
telephone when weather, road and traffic
conditions permit.
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from
using a cellular telephone while driving a
vehicle.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system,
possibly resulting in an accident and
personal injury.

199 Controls in detail
Audio system
Audio system
Audio and telephone, operation
These instructions are intended to help
you become familiar with your
Mercedes-Benz audio system. They con-
tain useful tips and a detailed description
of the user functions.
Operating safety
Warning!
G
In order to avoid distraction which could
lead to an accident, the driver should enter
system settings with the vehicle at a
standstill and operate the system only when
road and traffic conditions permit. Always
pay full attention to traffic conditions first
before operating system controls while
driving.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your car is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.
Warning!
G
Any alterations made to electronic
components can cause malfunctions.
The radio, amplifier, CD changer*, satellite
radio*, and telephone* are interconnected.
When one of the components is not opera-
tional or has not been removed/replaced
properly, the function of other components
may be impaired.
This condition might seriously impair the
operating safety of your vehicle.
We recommend that you have any service
work on electronic components carried out
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

213 Controls in detail
Audio system

Press
ESN
soft key.
The twelve-digit electronic serial
number (ESN) of the SAT tuner*
installed in your vehicle is displayed.
This information is required to call the
SIRIUS Service Center for an activation
request.
After activation of the satellite radio
service
The satellite radio main menu appears.
The radio station selected last is audible,
provided it can be received.The first channel 001 is called up and the
PTY system changes to All categories.
If no station can be received,
ACQUIRING

appears in the display.
If the Satellite radio service is not
activated,
ACQUIRING
will also appear in the
radio display and
NO SAT
will appear in the
multifunction display.Selecting a station
The following options are available:


Selecting a station using the selected
category (
page 214).


Tuning via station presets
(page 213).


Tuning via scan search (
page 215).


Tuning via manual channel input
(page 214).


Tuning via the program category list
(page 214).
Tuning via station presets
Ten satellite radio station presets are
available.
You can access the presets via number
keys.
iCredit card information may also be
required for your application.
The activation process takes approxi-
mately 5 to 10 minutes after calling the
SIRIUS Service Center.
iThe system will tune to a default
station if no station had been selected
previously.

216 Controls in detailAudio systemStoring stations
Tune in desired station.

Press and hold desired station
button1 to R until a brief signal
tone is heard.
The frequency is stored on the selected
station button.
The radio saves the current station at
the memory preset selected. The
memory preset selected appears in the
status line, e.g. S3.Calling up the ESN information menu

Press
INF
soft key.

Press
ESN
soft key.
The twelve-digit electronic serial
number (ESN) of the SAT tuner*
installed in your vehicle is displayed.

Press
RET
soft key to exit the menu.
CD mode
Safety precautions
iThere are ten presets available.
An existing entry is overwritten in the
memory list when a new entry is given.
Warning!
G
The single CD player and the CD changer*
are Class 1 laser products. There is a danger
of invisible laser radiation if the housing is
opened or damaged.
Do not open the housing. The single CD
player and the CD changer* do not contain
any parts that can be serviced by the user.
For safety reasons, have any service work
which may be necessary performed only by
qualified personnel.