2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C280 run flat

319 Operation
Tires and wheels

Switch on the ignition (
page 33).
The standard display menu appears in
the multifunction display (page 135).

Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the following message appears in
the multifunction display:Run Flat Indicator
active
Reactivation possible: +

Press buttonæ.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:Tire pres. OK now
? If you wish to confirm activation:

Press buttonæ.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:Run Flat Indicator
Reactivated
After a certain “learning phase”, the Run
Flat Indicator checks the set pressure
values for all four tires.
If you wish to cancel activation:
Press buttonç.
or

Wait until the messageTire pres. OK now?disappears.Potential problems associated with
underinflated and overinflated tires
Underinflated tire inflation pressure
Underinflated tires can:


cause excessive and uneven tire wear


adversely affect fuel economy


lead to tire failure from being
overheated


adversely affect handling
characteristics
Warning!
G
The Run Flat Indicator* can only warn you in
a reliable manner if you have set the correct
tire inflation pressures for each tire.
If an incorrect tire inflation pressure was
set, the system will monitor the pressure
according to the incorrect value.
Warning!
G
Follow recommended tire inflation pres-
sures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and / or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from being
overheated.

320 OperationTires and wheelsOverinflated tire inflation pressure
Overinflated tires can:

adversely affect handling
characteristics


cause uneven tire wear


be more prone to damage from road
hazards


adversely affect ride comfort


increase stopping distance
MOExtended system* (Canada only)
The MOExtended system allows you to
continue driving your vehicle even if there
is a total loss of pressure in one or more
tires.
You may only use the MOExtended system
in conjunction with the Run Flat Indicator*
(page 317).
For information on driving in case of pres-
sure loss in one or more tires (emergency
mode), see the “Practical Hints” section
(page 411).
Warning!
G
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride
comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping
distance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road
debris, potholes etc.

360 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Text messagesDisplay message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS
malfunction
Visit workshop
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The ESP
®, BAS and the
Run Flat Indicator* are also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the systems specified
above.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The ABS or the ABS display is
malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.

361 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ESP
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The ESP
® was deactivated because of a
malfunction or interrupted power supply. The
BAS and the Run Flat Indicator* are also deac-
tivated.
The ABS might not be operational.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the systems specified above.

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 lampv 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 ESP
®, BAS and the Run Flat Indicator* are
temporarily deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the systems specified above.
The display will clear after driving a short
distance at more than 12 mph (20 km/h).

362 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ESP
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The battery might not be charged
sufficiently.
The ESP
®, BAS and the Run Flat Indicator* are
deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the systems specified above.

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.
ESP
malfunction
Visit workshop
The ESP
® is deactivated because of a
malfunction.
The ESP®, BAS and the Run Flat Indicator* are
deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the systems specified above.

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.
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The ESP
® or the ESP
® display is
malfunctioning.

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.

368 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Run Flat Indicator
inactive

The Run Flat Indicator* is malfunc-
tioning.

Have the Run Flat Indicator* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Check tires
Then reactivate
Run Flat Indicator

There was a warning message about
a loss in tire inflation pressure and
the Run Flat Indicator* has not been
reactivated yet.

Make sure that the correct tire inflation pressure
is set for each tire.

Then reactivate the Run Flat Indicator*.
Run Flat Indicator
unavailable

The Run Flat Indicator* has been
switched off due to an error.

Have the Run Flat Indicator* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire pressure
Check tires

The Run Flat Indicator* indicates
that the pressure is too low in one or
more tires.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers. Observe
the traffic situation around you.

Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure as
required (
page 316).

If necessary, change the wheel (
page 406).

Reactivate the Run Flat Indicator* after adjusting
the tire inflation pressure values (
page 318).
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.

388 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?In case of a flat tire, you may temporarily
use the Minispare wheel when observing
the following restrictions:

Do not exceed a vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).


Drive to the nearest tire repair facility
to have the flat tire repaired or
replaced as appropriate.


Do not operate vehicle with more than
one Minispare wheel mounted.
For more information, see “Rims and Tires”
(
page 432).
Spare wheel bolts
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for Minispare wheel or other
steel rims (located in trunk with spare
wheel)
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting the Minispare wheel or other
steel rims. The use of any wheel bolts
other than wheel bolts2 for the
Minispare wheel or other steel rims will
physically damage the vehicle’s
brakes. Warning!
G
Make sure to use the original length wheel
bolts when remounting the original wheel
after it has been repaired.

406 Practical hintsFlat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle in a safe distance from
moving traffic on a hard, flat surface
when possible.

Turn on the hazard warning flasher
(page 124).

Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight ahead
position.

Set the parking brake (
page 58).

Move the gear selector lever toP
(manual transmission: to first or
reverse gear).

Turn off the engine (
page 59).

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Mounting the Minispare wheel
Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described
(page 406).

Take the wheel wrench, the wheel
bolts, and the jack out of the trunk
(page 383).

Take the Minispare wheel out of the
trunk (
page 386).
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the Minispare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
The Minispare wheel is for temporary use
only. When driving with Minispare wheel
mounted, ensure proper tire inflation
pressure and do not exceed a vehicle speed
of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible to have the Minispare
wheel replaced with a regular road wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one Minispare wheel mounted.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a
Minispare wheel is mounted.
iOpen doors only when conditions are
safe to do so.