2007 MERCEDES-BENZ E350 4MATIC WAGON traction control

251 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Warning!
G
Distronic cannot take weather conditions
into account. Switch off Distronic or do not
turn it on if:

roads are slippery or covered with snow
or ice. The wheels could lose traction
while braking or accelerating, and the
vehicle could skid


the sensor is dirty or visibility is
diminished due to snow, rain or fog. The
distance control could be impaired
Always pay attention to traffic conditions
even while Distronic is switched on. Other-
wise, you may not be able to recognize
dangerous situations until it is too late and
could cause an accident resulting in person-
al or fatal injury to you or others.
Warning!
G
Close attention to road and traffic condi-
tions is imperative at all times, regardless of
whether or not Distronic is activated.
Use of Distronic can be dangerous on wind-
ing roads or in heavy traffic because condi-
tions do not allow safe driving at a steady
speed.
Distronic will not react to stationary objects
in the roadway (e.g. a stopped vehicle in a
traffic jam or a disabled vehicle). Distronic
will also not respond to oncoming vehicles.
Switch off Distronic:

when changing from the left to the right
lane if vehicles are moving more slowly
in the left lane


when entering a turn lane or highway off
ramp


in complex driving situations, such as in
highway construction zones
In these situations, Distronic will continue to
maintain the set speed unless deactivated.
Distronic is designed and intended only to
maintain a set speed and keep a set dis-
tance from moving objects in front of it.Warning!
G
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

314 OperationDriving instructionsThe treadwear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread.
Specified tire inflation pressures must be
maintained. This applies particularly if the
tires are subjected to high loads (e.g. high
speeds, heavy loads, high ambient temper-
atures).For more information, see “Tires and
wheels” (
page 332).
Hydroplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer
on the road, hydroplaning may occur, even
at low speeds and with new tires. Reduce
vehicle speed, avoid track grooves in the
road and apply brakes cautiously in the
rain.
Tire traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or
icy road is always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the
condition of the road whenever the outside
temperatures are close to the freezing
point.
Warning!
G
Although the applicable federal motor vehi-
cle safety laws consider a tire to be worn
when the treadwear indicators (TWI) be-
come visible at approximately
1/16in
(1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not al-
low your tires to wear down to that level. As
tread depth approaches
1/8in (3 mm), the
adhesion properties on a wet road are
sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
could lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire or driving at high
speed with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!
G
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction
will be substantially reduced. Under such
weather conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.

356 OperationTires and wheelsAlways follow the recommended tire
inflation pressure (
page 340) for proper
tire inflation. Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
(U.S. vehicles)
Tire manufacturers are required to grade
tires based on three performance factors:
treadwear, traction and temperature resis-
tance.
1Treadwear
2Traction
3Temperature resistanceQuality 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
Warning!
G
Never exceed the max. tire inflation
pressure. Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly, adverse-
ly affect handling and fuel economy, and are
more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride com-
fort, wear unevenly, increase stopping dis-
tance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road de-
bris, potholes etc.
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
Treadwear
Traction
Temperature
200
AA
A

357 Operation
Tires and wheels
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.
Warning!
G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.

364 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 chainsSnow 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
(page 480).


Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Any 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.


Do not use snow chains on the spare
wheel (
page 483).
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.!
When driving with snow chains, always se-
lect the raised level of the level control system
Airmatic (
page 262). Other settings may result
in damage to your vehicle.
!
Even on vehicles with all-wheel-drive, use
snow chains on rear tires only.
Some tire sizes do not leave adequate clearance
for snow chains. To help avoid serious damage to
your vehicle or tires, make sure that the use of
snow chains is permissible as specified in the
“Technical data” section of this Operator’s Man-
ual, see “Rims and tires” (
page 480).
!
If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body or axle
components. The tires or the vehicle could be
damaged as a result.
i
When driving with snow chains, you may
wish to switch off the ESP
® (page 102) before
setting the vehicle in motion. This will improve
the vehicle’s traction.
i
E63AMG:
Do not switch off the ESP
® when driving in snow
or with snow chains mounted.


380 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ESP
® warning
lamp flashes while driving.
The ESP
® or traction control has come into
operation because of detected traction loss
in at least one tire.
The cruise control and the Distronic* system
are deactivated.

When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.

While driving, ease up on the accelerator.

Adapt your speed and driving to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.

Do not deactivate the ESP
®.
Exceptions: (
page 102).
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.

500 IndexEmergency, In case of
Battery, Jump starting 466
First aid kit 430
Flat tire, changing 451
Fuses 471
Hazard warning flasher 148
Instrument cluster, Indicator
lamps 378, 379, 380, 381, 382,
383, 384, 385, 388, 389
Roadside Assistance 12
Towing the vehicle 468
Emission control 319
Information label 477
Vacuum line routing diagram
label 477
Emission control system warranties 10
Engine
Belt layout 478
Block heater* (Canada only) 364
Cleaning 370
Compartment 324
Malfunction indicator lamp 382, 383,
412
Message in the display 382, 383,
412
Number 476Starting 52
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 53
Starting with the SmartKey 52
Tachometer 27
Technical data 479
Turning off with KEYLESS-GO* 64
Turning off with the SmartKey 63
Engine compartment
Hood 324
Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 382,
383, 412
Engine oil
Adding 327
Additives 489
Changing 327
Checking level 326
Consumption 326
Filler neck 328
Messages in display 416
Oil dipstick 327
Recommended engine oils and oil
filter 489
Engine oil level 323ESP
®
100
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP
®
104
Messages in display 396, 411
Warning lamp 379, 380
ETD
Safety guidelines 72
Exterior lamp switch 141
Exterior rear view mirrors 47
Exterior view 22
F
Filler neck, Engine oil 328
First aid kit 430
Flat tire 451
Lowering the vehicle 461
Mounting the spare wheel 456, 458
Preparing the vehicle 451
Sealing tires with TIREFIT 451
Spare wheel 456
TIREFIT kit 451
Flexible Service System see FSS
Floormats 289

511 Index
Retreads 332
Rims and tires 480
Rotation 361
Service life 333
Sizes 481
Snow 363
Speed rating 315, 351
Storing 334
Temperature 341, 357
Terminology 358
Traction 314
Tread depth 334, 363
Wear pattern 361
Winter 363
Tools 430
Top tether
Children in the vehicle 92
Total load limit 360
Towing eye bolt 470
Towing the vehicle 468
Tow-start 466, 468
Traction 360
Transmission fluid level 328
Transmission gear selector lever see Gear
selector lever
Transmission see Automatic transmissionTraveling abroad 317
Tread 360
Tread depth 334, 363
Treadwear indicators 360
Trip computer 183
Trip odometer 153
Turn signals 56
Additional in mirrors 442
Bulbs 442
Cleaning lenses 371
Indicator lamps 27
Messages in display 424
Replacing bulbs 446
Turning off engine 63
Twin roller blind 275
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 361
Units, Settings
Speedometer 172
Temperature 172
Unleaded gasoline, Premium 490
Unlocking
Tailgate in an emergency 436
Unlocking the vehicle 36
In an emergency 435Uphill driving
Cruise control 247
Upholstery
Cleaning 374
Useful features 280
V
Vacuum line routing diagram label 477
Vehicle
Battery 462
Care 368
Control system, settings menu 155
Dimensions 485
Individual settings 169, 171
Locking/unlocking 36, 61, 110
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency 435, 436
Lowering 461
Modifications and alterations, Operat-
ing safety 16
Towing 468
Washing 368
Weight 485
Vehicle jack 432
Vehicle level control see Airmatic DC
(Dual Control)
Vehicle lighting 323