snow chains MERCEDES-BENZ C55AMG 2006 W203 Owner's Manual

Contents
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 329
Tire ply material ........................... 331
Tire and loading terminology ........ 331
Rotating tires ............................... 335
Winter driving .................................... 336
Winter tires .................................. 336
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 337
Snow chains................................. 337
Maintenance...................................... 338
Maintenance service indicator
message....................................... 338
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display............... 339
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 340
Vehicle care ....................................... 341
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 341
Practical hints.................................. 349
What to do if … ................................... 350
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 350
Lamp in center console................. 357
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display..................... 358
Where will I find ...? ............................ 380
First aid kit.................................... 380
Vehicle tool kit .............................. 380
Spare wheel .................................. 383
Spare wheel bolts ......................... 385
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 386
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 386
Locking the vehicle ....................... 387
Manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever ... 388
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 389
Power tilt/sliding sunroof ............. 389
Resetting activated head restraints .... 391
Resetting activated head
restraints ...................................... 391
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 392
SmartKey ...................................... 393Replacing bulbs .................................. 394
Bulbs............................................. 395
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 397
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 400
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 402
Removing and installing wiper
blades ........................................... 402
Flat tire............................................... 404
Preparing the vehicle .................... 404
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 404
Battery ............................................... 411
Disconnecting the battery ............ 412
Removing the battery ................... 412
Charging and reinstalling the
battery .......................................... 413
Reconnecting the battery ............. 413
Jump starting...................................... 415
Towing the vehicle.............................. 417
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 419
Fuses.................................................. 420
Aids for replacing fuses ................ 420
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 421
Fuse box in engine compartment . 421
Fuse box in trunk .......................... 422

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

ABS (Antilock Brake System)

BAS (Brake Assist System)

ESP® (Electronic Stability Program)
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.
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 and ESP
® cannot reduce this
risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
i
In winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of the ABS and ESP® is
only achieved with winter tires
(
page 336), or snow chains as re-
quired.
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.

86 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
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 gravelWhen you switch off the ESP
®

the ESP® does not stabilize the vehicle

the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip

the traction control will still brake a
spinning wheel

the ESP® continues to operate when
you are brakingThe switch is located on the upper part of
the center console.
1ESP
® switch (off/on)
With the engine running, Press
switch1.
The ESP
® warning lampv in the
speedometer comes on.
The ESP
® is deactivated.
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 or a collapsible tire is mounted.
!
Turn on the ESP® immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not
apply anymore.
i
When the ESP® is switched off and one
or more drive wheels are spinning, the
ESP
® warning lampv in the speed-
ometer flashes. However, the ESP® will
then not stabilize the vehicle.

288 Operation
Driving instructions
Tire speed rating
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use
prudent driving speeds appropriate to
prevailing conditions.Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
155 mph (250 km/h).Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to positionN or in
case of manual transmission declutch.
Try to keep the vehicle under control by
corrective steering action.
Warning!G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire
failure, causing loss of vehicle control and
possibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.
i
For information on tire speed rating for
winter tires, see “Winter tires”
(
page 336).
For additional general information on
tire speed markings on tire sidewall,
(
page 324).i
For information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(
page 337).
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of control loss.

318 Operation
Tires and wheels
Install the valve cap.
Repeat this procedure for each tire.Run Flat Indicator* (Canada only)
While the vehicle is being driven, the Run
Flat Indicator monitors the set tire inflation
pressures by evaluating each wheel’s rota-
tional speed. This allows the system to de-
tect a significant loss of pressure in a tire.
If a wheel’s rotational speed changes due
to falling tire inflation pressure, you will
see a corresponding warning message in
the multifunction display.
The Run Flat Indicator* may function in a
restricted manner or with a delay if:

snow chains are mounted to the
vehicle

winter road conditions prevail in
presence of ice and snow

you are driving on a loose surface (e.g.
sand or gravel)

you are driving in a very sporty manner
(involving rapid acceleration or high
speeds in curves)
i
If you have overfilled the tire, release
tire inflation pressure by pushing the
metal stem of the valve with e.g. a tip of
a pen. Then recheck the tire inflation
pressure with the tire gauge.Warning!G
When the multifunction display shows the
message
Tire pressure Check tires,
one or more of your tires is significantly un-
der-inflated. You should stop and check
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper tire inflation pressure as
indicated on the vehicle’s tire information
placard. Driving on a significantly under-in-
flated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability. Each tire, including the
spare, should be checked monthly when
cold and set to the recommended tire infla-
tion pressure as specified in the vehicle
placard and owner’s manual.


337 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 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.

Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.

Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
authorized 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.
Warning!G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
i
When driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP®
(
page 84) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the
vehicle’s traction.
!
Some tire sizes do not leave adequate
clearance for snow chains. To help
avoid serious damage to your vehicle or
tires, use of snow chains is not permis-
sible with the following tire sizes:

225/40 ZR18 92Y XL

245/35 ZR18 92Y XL

145/70 - 17 92P (collapsible tire)

431 Technical data
Rims and Tires
Same size tires
ModelC55AMG
Winter tires1,2
1Radial-ply tires2Not available as factory equipment.
205/50 R17 89H M+S.
Rims (light alloy)7.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset1.46 in (37 mm)
Winter tires1,2,3
3For use with snow chains contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
225/45 R17 91H M+S.
Rims (light alloy)7.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset1.46 in (37 mm)
Winter tires1,2,3225/40 R18 92H XL (Extra Load) M+S.
Rims (light alloy)7.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset1.46 in (37 mm)

432 Technical data
Rims and Tires
Mixed size tires
ModelC55AMG
Front axle:
Rims (light alloy)7.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires1, 2225/40 ZR18 92Y XL (Extra Load)
Rear axle:
Rims (light alloy)8.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset1.34 in (34 mm)
Summer tires1, 2245/35 ZR18 92Y XL (Extra Load)
1Radial-ply tires2Must not be used with snow chains.

433 Technical data
Rims and Tires
Spare wheel (collapsible tire)
ModelC55AMG
Rim (steel)4.5 B x 17 H2
Wheel offset0.47 in (12 mm)
Tire145/70 -17 92P1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
!
Please compare the recommended tire
inflation pressure for your vehicle with
the tire inflation pressure on the yellow
label located on the spare wheel rim.
If the tire inflation pressure on the yel-
low label on the spare wheel rim differs
from the values given in this Operator’s
Manual, inflate the collapsible tire to
the recommended tire inflation pres-
sure given on the yellow label on the
spare wheel rim.
i
Please note that the tire inflation
pressure of the collapsible tire differs
from the tire inflation pressure of the
road tires.
Inflate the collapsible tire to approxi-
mately 51 psi (3.5 bar).

462 Index
Settings
Control system menus and
submenus 128, 129
Date 142, 143
Factory, SmartKey 96
Individual, SmartKey 96
Individual, Vehicle 135
Lighting (control system) 144
Memory function 111
Menus and submenus 127
Resetting all (control system) 136
Selective, SmartKey 96
Time 140, 141
Shelf below rear window, cleaning 347
Shift lever position indicator 125, 156
Shift lock 447
Shift program (manual)
Automatic transmission 165
Shift program mode, Automatic
transmission 125
Shifting 155
Automatic transmission 45
Into optimal gear range
(automatic transmission) 162
Side impact air bags (front and rear*) 66Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses 344
Messages in display 374
Replacing bulbs 400
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 333
Ski sack (Canada only) 249
Ski sack* (Canada only) 251, 252
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
Snow chains 337
Sound system* 202
Spare fuses 420
Spare wheel 433
Bolts 385
Mounting 404
Speed settings
Cruise control 247
Speedometer 25, 138
Split rear bench seat* 252
SRS 68, 447
Indicator lamp 25, 356
Message in display 363
Standing lamps
Replacing bulbs 395, 396
Standing water, Driving through 289Starter switch 23, 33
Positions 33
Starting difficulties, Engine 46
Steering column 38
Easy entry/exit feature 39
Steering gear oil
Message in display 378
Steering wheel 38
Buttons 26
Cleaning 346
Electrical adjustment 38
Stolen vehicle
Recovery services 272
Storage compartments
Armrest 257
Cup holder 258
Glove box 256
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 258
Storing (memory function)
Positions into memory 112
Storing tires 307
Submenus see Control system submenus
Substitute lamps
Bulbs 394
Summer opening feature 241