Driving safety sys
tems60 ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tyres
and the road surface.
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilise the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified, if
necessary, to keep the vehicle on the desired
course within physical limits. ESP ®
assists
the driver when pulling away on wet or slip-
pery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilise the vehi-
cle during braking.
When ESP ®
intervenes, the vwarning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster. G
Risk of accident
If the v warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes, proceed as follows:
R Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any cir-
cumstances.
R Only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
R Adapt your driving style to suit the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
The vehicle could otherwise go into a skid. ESP
®
cannot reduce the risk of an accident
if you drive too fast. ESP ®
cannot override
the laws of physics.
! If the vehicle is to be towed with the front
or rear axle raised, the ignition must be
switched off (key in position 0or 1in the
ignition lock). Application of the brakes by
ESP ®
could otherwise destroy the brake
system on the front or rear axle.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC* may not be towed
with the front or rear axle raised.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tyre sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® ESP
®
is activated automatically when the
engine is running.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel G
Risk of accident
Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehi-
cle if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel
starts to spin.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R engine torque is not limited and the drive
wheels are able to spin. The spinning
wheels produce a cutting effect for better
traction.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
i If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the vwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehi-
cle. Safety
* optional
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Tyres and wheels
228
Notes on selecting, fitting and replacing
tyres R
Only fit tyres and wheels of the same type
and make.
R Only fit tyres of the correct size onto the
wheels.
R After fitting new tyres, run them in at mod-
erate speeds for the first 100 km as they
only reach their full performance after this
distance.
R Fit new tyres on the front wheels first if
tyres of the same size are required on the
front and rear wheels.
R Replace the tyres after six years at the lat-
est, regardless of wear. This also applies to
the spare wheel*.
R Do not drive with tyres which have too little
tread depth as this significantly reduces
the traction on wet roads (aquaplaning).
! Store tyres that are not being used in a
cool, dry and preferably dark place. Protect
the tyres against oil, grease, petrol and die-
sel. Notes on regularly inspecting wheels
and tyres R
Regularly check the wheels and tyres of
your vehicle for damage (e.g. cuts, punctu-
res, tears, bumps on tyres and deforma-
tion, cracks or severe corrosion on wheels),
at least every 14 days, as well as after off-
road trips or after travelling on rough roads.
Damaged wheels could cause a loss of tyre
pressure.
R Regularly check the tyre tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the whole
width of the tyre (Y page 229). If neces-
sary, turn the front wheels to full lock in
order to inspect the inner side of the tyre
surface.
R All wheels must have a valve cap to protect
the valve against dirt and moisture.
R Regularly check the pressure of all your
tyres (including the spare tyre*), particu-
larly prior to long trips, and correct the
pressure as necessary (Y page 229).
Notes on driving R
While driving, pay attention to vibrations,
noises and unusual handling characteris-
tics, e.g. pulling to one side. This may indi- cate that the wheels or tyres are damaged.
If you suspect that a tyre is defective,
reduce your speed and stop the vehicle as
soon as possible to check the wheels and
tyres for damage. Hidden tyre damage
could also be causing the unusual handling
characteristics. If you find no signs of dam-
age, have the wheels and tyres inspected
at a specialist workshop, for example at a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
R When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tyres do not get deformed by the kerb
or other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive
over kerbs, speed humps or similar, try to
do so slowly and at an obtuse angle. Oth-
erwise, the tyres, particularly the sidewalls,
could get damaged. Operation
* optional
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Tyres and wheels
233
Restarting the tyre pressure monitor In most cases, the tyre pressure monitor will
automatically detect the new reference val-
ues, e.g. if you have:
R
changed the tyre pressure
R changed the wheels or tyres
R fitted new wheels or tyres
If you wish to define the new reference values
manually:
X Use the table on the inside of the fuel filler
flap to ensure that the tyre pressure is set
correctly in all four tyres for the current
operating conditions.
Also observe the notes in the section on
tyre pressures (Y page 229).
X Make sure that the key is in position 2in
the ignition lock.
The standard display appears in the multi-
function display (Y page 125).
X Press the jork button to select the
Tyre pressure function or wait until the
following message appears:
Tyre pressure displayed only after
driving for a few minutes X
Press the reset button on the left of the
instrument cluster (Y page 243).
The following message appears in the
multi-function display: Check current
tyre pressure?
X Press the æbutton.
The following message appears in the
multi-function display:
Tyre pressure monitor restarted
The tyre pressure monitor has stored the
pressure of the tyres as a new reference
value.
If you wish to cancel the restart:
X Press the çbutton. Interchanging the wheels
G
Risk of accident
Interchange the front and rear wheels only
if they have the same dimensions: for exam-
ple size, offset, etc.
After every wheel interchange/change,
have the tightening torque checked at a
qualified specialist workshop that has the
necessary specialist knowledge and tools
to carry out the work required. Mercedes- Benz recommends that you use a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this pur-
pose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be car-
ried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
The wheels could work loose if they are not
tightened to a torque of 130 Nm.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use wheel bolts of the
correct size which have been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
The wheels may be interchanged every
5,000 km to 10,000 km depending on the
degree of tyre wear, provided that the vehicle
has the same size front and rear tyres. Do not
reverse the direction of tyre rotation.
The wear patterns on the front and rear tyres
differ depending on the operating conditions.
Interchange the wheels before a clear wear
pattern has formed on the tyres. The front
tyres typically wear more on the shoulders
and the rear tyres in the centre.
Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel
is interchanged. Check the tyre pressure and,
if necessary, restart the tyre pressure loss
warning system or the tyre pressure moni-
tor*. Operation
* optional
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Care
245H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging, cleaning
cloths and polishing wads in an environ-
mentally responsible manner.
! Do not affix:
R stickers
R films
R magnetic plates or similar items
to painted surfaces, otherwise you could
damage the paintwork. Vehicle care
! Do not park the vehicle for a long period
of time directly after cleaning, especially if
the wheels have just been cleaned with a
wheel cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
rapid corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. After cleaning, park
the vehicle when it is at normal operating
temperature. Automatic car wash G
Risk of accident
The vehicle is braked when HOLD is activa-
ted. Therefore, deactivate HOLD before the
vehicle is washed in an automatic car wash.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
! Do not use a touch-free automatic car
wash that uses chemical agents to wash
the vehicle.
Preferably use one with high-pressure jets for
prewashing.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
! Make sure that the automatic car wash is
suitable for the size of the vehicle. Fold in
the exterior mirrors before the vehicle is
washed. There is otherwise a risk of dam-
age to the exterior mirrors.
! Make sure the side windows are com-
pletely closed, the ventilation/heater
blower is fully turned off and the wind-
screen wiper switch is set to 0. The rain
sensor may otherwise be activated, for
instance, leading to inadvertent wiper sweeps being triggered. This could cause
damage to the vehicle.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe any
wax and drying agents off the windscreen and
the wiper blades. This will prevent smears and
reduce wiping noises caused by residue on
the windscreen.
High-pressure cleaners G
Risk of accident
Do not use high-pressure cleaners with cir-
cular-jet nozzles (dirt grinders) to clean
your vehicle or - especially - the tyres. You
could otherwise damage the tyres and
cause an accident.
! Observe the instructions issued by the
equipment manufacturer concerning the
distance to be maintained between the
nozzle of the high-pressure cleaner and the
vehicle (at least 30 cm).
Move the high-pressure cleaner nozzle
around when cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
R tyres
R door joint
R electrical components Operation
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Flat tyre
323G
Risk of accident
If the tyre pressure is now lower than
1.3 bar, the tyre is too badly damaged. Do
not drive any further. Consult a qualified
specialist workshop which has the neces-
sary specialist knowledge and tools to carry
out the work required. Mercedes-Benz rec-
ommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre for this purpose. In particu-
lar, work relevant to safety or on safety-
related systems must be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop. 9
Pressure release button
a Pressure gauge
X If the tyre pressure is still at least 1.3 bar,
correct it (see fuel filler flap for values). To increase the tyre pressure:
switch on
the electric air pump.
To reduce the tyre pressure: press yellow
pressure release button 9next to pres-
sure gauge a.
X Drive to the nearest workshop and have the
tyre changed there.
X Have the TIREFIT kit replaced as soon as
possible at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. at a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. G
Risk of accident
Do not exceed the maximum speed of 80
km/h.
The “max. 80 km/h” sticker must be affixed
within the driver's field of vision.
The vehicle's handling characteristics may
be affected. H
Environmental note
Have the used TIREFIT kit disposed of pro-
fessionally, e.g. at a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
X Have the TIREFIT kit replaced every four
years at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Changing a wheel and fitting the spare
wheel*
G
Risk of accident
The wheel dimensions and tyre size of the
spare wheel*, the emergency spare
wheel* and standard wheels may differ
from one another.
Your vehicle's handling characteristics will
be altered when a "Minispare"/collapsible
emergency spare wheel* is fitted. Adapt
your style of driving accordingly.
The "Minispare"/collapsible emergency
spare wheel* may only be used as a tem-
porary measure. Do not exceed the maxi-
mum speed of 80 km/h and do not
deactivate ESP ®
.
Never drive the vehicle with more than one
“Minispare”/collapsible emergency spare
wheel* fitted. G
Risk of accident
Have the “Minispare”/collapsible emer-
gency spare wheel* or the spare wheel*
replaced with a new wheel as soon as pos-
sible at a qualified specialist workshop
which has the necessary specialist knowl-
edge and tools to carry out the work Practical advice
* optional
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Flat tyre
327
X
Screw union nut 5on air hose 4onto the
valve.
X Insert plug 3into the cigarette lighter
socket* ( Ypage 209) or into a 12V socket
in your vehicle (Y page 210).
X Make sure that the key is in position 2in
the ignition lock.
X Press on/off switch 2on the electric air
pump to I.
The electric air pump is switched on. The
tyre is inflated.
X When a tyre pressure of 3.5 bar has been
reached, press 0on the electric air pump
switch.
The electric air pump is switched off.
! Do not operate the electric air pump for
longer than six minutes without a break.
Otherwise, it may overheat.
The air pump can be operated again once
it has cooled down.
If the tyre pressure is higher than 3.5 bar: X
Open the pressure release screw on the
pressure gauge until the tyre pressure is
correct.
X Disconnect the electric air pump and stow
it away.
Lowering the vehicle X
Lower the vehicle. To do this, turn the crank
of the jack anti-clockwise until the vehicle
is standing firmly on the ground again.
X Place the jack to one side. 1
–5 Wheel bolts
X Tighten the wheel bolts evenly in a cross-
wise pattern in the sequence indica-
ted ( 1to5). The tightening torque must
be 130 Nm . G
Risk of accident
Have the tightening torque checked imme-
diately after a wheel is changed. The wheels
could work loose if they are not tightened
to a torque of 130 Nm.
X Turn the jack back to its initial position and
store it and the rest of the vehicle tool kit
in the boot/luggage compartment.
Vehicles with the "Minispare"/collapsible
emergency spare wheel*:
X Pack the faulty wheel in the protective film
provided with the "Minispare"/collapsible
emergency spare wheel* and transport the
wheel in the boot/luggage compartment.
or
X Depending on the size of the wheel, you
may also be able to secure the faulty wheel
in the spare wheel well. In this case, you
will have to remove the stowage well casing
from the spare wheel well and stow it
securely in the boot/luggage compart-
ment.
i Do not activate the tyre pressure moni-
tor* until the deflated tyre has been
removed from the vehicle. Practical advice
* optional
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