2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 ESP

327 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
vThe yellow ESP® warn-
ing lamp comes on while
the engine is running.The ESP® has been switched off with the
ESP® switch or has been switched off due
to a malfunction.
Risk of accident!
When the ESP
® is switched off it will not
stabilize the vehicle if the system recog-
nizes that the vehicle starts to skid or that
a wheel is spinning.
The cruise control is deactivated and can-
not be switched on.
Switch the ESP® back on (page 87).
Exceptions: (
page 85).
If leaving the ESP® switched off, adapt your speed
and driving to the prevailing road, weather and
traffic conditions.
If the ESP
® cannot be switched on:
Continue driving with added caution.
Observer additional messages that may appear in
the multifunction display (
page 335).
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
vThe yellow ESP® warn-
ing lamp flashes while
driving.The ESP® or traction control has come
into operation because of detected trac-
tion loss in at least one tire.
The cruise control is deactivatedWhen driving off, apply as little throttle as possi-
ble.
While driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road, weather and traffic conditions.
Do not deactivate the ESP®.
Exceptions: (
page 85).
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk
of an accident.

335 Practical hints
What to do if …
Text messages
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ABSABS, ESP
inoperative
See
Operator’s
ManualThe ABS and ESP® are not available due to
a malfunction.
The BAS is also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without but without the
systems specified above.Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Cruise cont.
and SPEED-
TRONICinoperativeCruise control is malfunctioning.Have the cruise control checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
ESPinoperative
See
Operator’s
ManualThe ESP® has switched off due to a
malfunction.
The ABS and the BAS might not be opera-
tional.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the systems speci-
fied above.Continue driving with added caution.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.

336 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ESPunavailable
See
Operator’s
ManualThe ESP is temporarily not available.
The system’s self-diagnosis may not be
completed yet.
The ABS and the BAS might not be
operational.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the systems specified above.Drive a short distance with added
caution at a vehicle speed of above
12 mph (20 km/h).
When the message disappears, the
ESP
® is available again.
If the message does not disappear:
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below 10 volts.
The ESP® has switched off.
The BAS may be switched off, too. The battery
may not be charged. The battery or the gener-
ator may be malfunctioning.
The ABS might not be operational.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the systems specified above.
Continue driving with added caution.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ESP
® is operational again.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

357 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
3Arrow
4Minispare wheel with spare wheel bolts
in container on wheel rim
5Vehicle tool kit storage well casing
6Vehicle tool kit
Remove vehicle tool kit6.Storing the vehicle tool kit
Place vehicle tool kit6 in vehicle tool
kit storage well casing5.
Place storage well casing2 over the
vehicle tool kit storage well casing5
and turn retaining screw1 clockwise
as far it will go to secure the Minispare
wheel.Vehicle jack
iArrow3 on vehicle tool kit storage well
casing5 must point in the direction of travel.
Otherwise you cannot place the storage well
casing2 on top and secure the Minispare
wheel with retaining screw1.
!To prevent damage, always disengage trunk
floor handle from upper edge of trunk and lower
trunk floor before closing the trunk.
Warning!G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure the jack arm is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jackstands before working under
the vehicle.

374 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Fold the corresponding trim panel to
the side.
Turn latch1 to vertical position and
remove the bulb carrier.
Bulb carrier
2Brake lamp bulb
3Backup lamp bulb
4Rear fog lamp (driver’s side only),
tail and standing lamp bulb
5Parking and side marker lamp bulb
6Turn signal lamp bulb
Press gently onto the respective bulb
and turn counterclockwise out of its
bulb socket.
Press the new bulb gently into its bulb
socket and turn clockwise until it
engages.
Reinstall the bulb carrier and lock it
again with latch1.
Reinstall the trim panel.License plate lamp
1Screw
2License plate lamp
Loosen both screws1.
Remove the license plate lamp2.
Replace the bulb.
Reinstall the license plate lamp2.
Retighten screws1.


377 Practical hints
Flat tire
Flat 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 115).
Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight ahead
position.
Set the parking brake (page 54).
Move the gear selector lever toP
(manual transmission: to first or
reverse gear).
Turn off the engine (page 55).
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 377).
Take the wheel wrench, alignment bolt,
collapsible wheel chock, and the jack
out of the trunk (
page 356).
Take the Minispare wheel and wheel
bolts out of the trunk (
page 359).
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.

378 Practical hints
Flat tire
Lifting the vehicle
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
or other sizable objects.
One wheel chock is included with the
vehicle tool kit (
page 356).
When changing wheel on a level surface:
Place the wheel chock in front of and
another sizable object behind the
wheel that is diagonally opposite to the
wheel being changed.
Always try lifting the vehicle using the jack
on a level surface. However, should cir-
cumstances require you to do so on a hill,
place the wheel chock and the other size-
able object as follows:
Place wheel chocks and another siz-
able object on the downhill side block-
ing both wheels of the axle not being
worked on.
On wheel to be changed, loosen but do
not yet remove the wheel bolts
(approximately one full turn with
wrench).
The jack take-up brackets are located
directly behind the front wheel housings
and in front of the rear wheel housings.
Warning!G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure the jack arm is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket. Al-
ways lower the vehicle onto sufficient ca-
pacity jackstands before working under the
vehicle.

382 Practical hints
Flat tire
MOExtended system*
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*.
!The maximum distance in emergency mode
depends on the vehicle’s load. It is 30 miles
(50 km) if the vehicle is partially loaded and
18 miles (30 km) if the vehicle is fully loaded.
The point at which the maximum driving distance
begins in emergency mode is when the warning
message appears in the multifunction display
indicating that there is a loss of tire inflation
pressure.
Do not exceed the maximum speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).
Warning!G
In emergency mode, your vehicle’s driving
characteristics are diminished in such situa-
tions as:

driving around curves

while braking

while accelerating rapidly
Therefore, your driving style must be adapt-
ed accordingly. Avoid abrupt steering and
driving maneuvers, as well as driving over
obstacles (road curbs, potholes, or off-road
areas). This is especially important if the ve-
hicle is heavily loaded.
The emergency driving distance that can be
achieved greatly depends on the demands
placed on the vehicle. Depending on speed,
load, driving maneuvers, road conditions,
outside temperature, etc., the distance can
be significantly shorter or, if the vehicle is
driven cautiously, somewhat longer.
Do not continue driving in emergency mode
if

you notice knocking sounds

the vehicle starts to shake

smoke develops and you smell rubber

ESP® is intervening continuously

you notice tears on the tire sidewalls
After driving in emergency mode, you must
have the rims inspected by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to check if they are
suitable for further use. The failed tire must
be replaced in any case.
iWhen replacing individual or all tires on the
vehicle, make sure only matching tires marked
with “MOExtended” are mounted in the size
specified for your vehicle (
page 403).