steering MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS HATCHBACK 2008 Owner's Guide

Tyres and wheels
180 fully. Do not make any sudden steering
movements when doing so.
The function of the tyre pressure loss warning
system is limited or delayed if:
R snow chains are fitted to your vehicle's
tyres.
R road conditions are wintry.
R you are driving on sand or gravel.
R you adopt a very sporty driving style (cor-
nering at high speeds or driving with high
rates of acceleration).
R you are towing a very heavy or large trailer.
R you are driving with a heavy load (in the
vehicle or on the roof).
Restarting the tyre pressure loss warn-
ing system Restart the tyre pressure loss warning system
if you have:
R changed the tyre pressure
R changed the wheels or tyres
R fitted new wheels or tyres
X Before restarting, consult the table of tyre
pressures on the inside of the fuel filler flap
to ensure that the tyre pressure in all four tyres is set correctly for the operating con-
ditions concerned.
X Also observe the notes in the section on
tyre pressures (Y page 178). G
Risk of accident
The tyre pressure loss warning system can
only give reliable warnings if you have set
the correct tyre pressure.
If an incorrect tyre pressure is set, these
incorrect values will be monitored.
A tyre with insufficient pressure results in
vehicle instability when driving, thus
increasing the risk of an accident.
X Make sure that the key is in position
2(Y page 62) in the ignition lock.
You will see the following message on the
standard screen of the multi-function dis-
play (Y page 99)
X Press korj to select the tyre pres-
sure function:
Run Flat Indicator active
Menu: R-Button
X Press the reset button on the left of the
instrument cluster.
The following message appears in the
multi-function display: Restart Run Flat Indicat.? Yes Can-
cel
If you wish to confirm the restart:
X Press the æbutton.
The following message appears in the
multi-function display:
Run Flat Indicator restarted
After a teach-in period, the tyre pressure
loss warning system will monitor the set
tyre pressures of all four tyres.
If you wish to cancel the restart:
X Press the çbutton.
or
X Wait until the message
Restart Run Flat Indicator?
Yes Cancel disappears.
The tyre pressure values stored at the last
restart will continue to be monitored. Operation
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Winter driving
182
in the driver's field of vision. This can be
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. from a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Under these circumstances, you should also
restrict the maximum speed of the vehicle
using permanent Speedtronic* 25
to the max-
imum permissible speed for the winter tyres
(Y page 119).
Once you have fitted the winter tyres:
X Check the tyre pressures (Y page 178).G
Risk of accident
If you fit the spare wheel* when driving with
winter tyres, bear in mind that driving sta-
bility will be impaired owing to unstable
cornering characteristics caused by the dif-
ferent tyres. You should therefore adapt
your driving style and drive carefully.
Have the spare wheel* replaced at the
nearest qualified specialist workshop
which has the necessary specialist knowl-
edge and tools to carry out the work
required. Mercedes-Benz recommends
that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre for this purpose. In particular, work
relevant to safety or on safety-related sys- tems must be carried out at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Snow chains
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use snow chains which
have been specially approved for your vehicle
by Mercedes-Benz, or are of a corresponding
standard of quality.
! Information about the use of snow chain-
compatible AMG winter tyres is applicable
for AMG tyres. Use of snow chains is only
permissible with these tyres.
If you intend to fit snow chains, please bear
the following points in mind:
R snow chains cannot be fitted to all wheel/
tyre combinations.
R snow chains must not be fitted to emer-
gency spare wheels, e.g. on a "Minispare"
emergency spare wheel.
R Fit snow chains only in pairs and only to the
front wheels. Comply with the manufactur-
er's installation instructions.
! Vehicles with 17" tyres You may only fit snow chains as a pulling-
away aid. Only use fine-link snow chains.
When snow chains are fitted, you may only
drive straight ahead. The snow chains could
otherwise come into contact with the body-
work when you turn the front wheels.
When snow chains are fitted, you cannot use
Active Park Assist* (Y page 122).
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 50 km/h. Winter driving
G
Risk of accident
Do not shift down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This
could cause the drive wheels to lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid.
You should drive particularly carefully on slip-
pery road surfaces. Avoid sudden accelera-
tion, steering and braking manoeuvres.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
25 Only available for certain countries. Operation
* optional
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Driving
tips 183
X
Vehicles with manual transmission: engage
neutral.
X Vehicles with AUTOTRONIC*: shift the
selector lever to N.
X Try to bring the vehicle under control using
corrective steering. Driving tips
Rolling with the engine switched off
G
Risk of accident
Never switch the engine off while the vehi-
cle is in motion.
There is no power assistance for the steer-
ing and the service brake when the engine
is not running.
You will require considerably more effort to
steer and brake and you could therefore
lose control of the vehicle and cause an
accident. Braking
G
Risk of accident
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This
could cause the drive wheels to lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid. G
Risk of accident
Make sure that other road users are not
endangered by your braking. Downhill gradients On long and steep downhill stretches, espe-
cially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer,
you must shift to a lower gear in good time or,
on vehicles with AUTOTRONIC*, select shift
range
1,2or 3.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control* or Speedtronic*.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to maintain
the speed. This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly. If you need
additional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously.
Heavy and light loads If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but
drive on for a short while. This allows the air-
flow to cool the brakes more quickly.
G
Risk of accident
Never depress the brake pedal continu-
ously while the vehicle is in motion, e.g.
never cause the brakes to rub by applying
constant slight pedal pressure. This causes
the brake system to overheat, increases Operation
* optional
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Trailer towing*
189
not use a noseweight of less than 50 kg,
otherwise the trailer may come loose.
Bear in mind that the payload and the rear
axle load are reduced by the actual nose-
weight.
i The height of the ball coupling changes
with the load of the vehicle. If necessary,
use a trailer with a height-adjustable draw-
bar.
Coupling up a trailer G
Risk of injury
Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your hand could
become trapped between the bumper and
drawbar.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the rebound-
ing of the overrun brake.
X Position the trailer level behind the vehicle.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electrical connection
between the vehicle and the trailer. Driving tips In Germany, the maximum permitted speed
for vehicle/trailer combinations is 80 km/h.
G
Risk of accident
A maximum speed of 80 km/h should not
be exceeded, even in countries where
higher speeds are permitted for vehicle/
trailer combinations. This lowers the risk of
an accident.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
to when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R consumes more fuel
On long and steep downhill gradients, you
must select a lower gear in good time, or in
vehicles with AUTOTRONIC*, select shift
range 1,2or 3. i
This also applies if you have activated
cruise control* or Speedtronic*.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to maintain
the speed. This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly. If you need
additional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously. G
Risk of accident
Never depress the brake pedal continu-
ously while the vehicle is in motion, e.g.
never cause the brakes to rub by applying
constant slight pedal pressure. This causes
the brake system to overheat, increases
the braking distance and can lead to the
brakes failing completely.
Driving tips
R Maintain a greater distance from the vehi-
cle in front than when driving without a
trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas, Operation
* optional
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Care
195
Otherwise, you could scratch or damage
the surface of the lenses.
Cleaning the plastic trim !
Do not use dry, coarse or hard cloths and
do not scrub. Doing so will scratch or dam-
age the surfaces.
! Ensure that cosmetics and suntan lotion
do not come into contact with the vehicle's
trim. This will protect the vehicle's high-
quality trim and help retain its overall
appearance.
X Wipe plastic parts with a damp, lint-free
cloth (e.g. a microfibre cloth).
X Light soiling: use a low-foaming soap (e.g.
a light liquid hand soap) diluted in water.
X Heavy soiling: use a cleaning agent that is
solvent-free and non-corrosive. Mercedes-
Benz recommends that you use a
Mercedes-Benz cleaning product for this
purpose. Cleaning the steering wheel boss and
dashboard X
Moisten a clean lint-free cloth with water.
X Clean the plastic parts and the dashboard.
X If particularly dirty, use a mild detergent. G
Risk of injury
Do not use cleaners and cockpit care
sprays containing solvents to clean the
cockpit and steering wheel boss. Cleaners
containing solvents cause the surface to
become porous and in the event of an air-
bag being triggered, plastic parts that have
become loose could cause considerable
injuries.
Cleaning the leather upholstery* !
Cleaning
R Clean genuine leather covers using a
damp cloth, then wipe the covers down
using a dry cloth. Make sure that the
leather does not become soaked. For
leather care, use leather care foam A 001
986 59 71 10. You can purchase this
from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
R Clean artificial leather covers with a cloth
moistened with a solution containing 1%
detergent (e. g. washing-up liquid). R
Clean fabric covers with a microfibre
cloth moistened with a solution contain-
ing 1% detergent (e. g. washing-up liquid).
When cleaning, take care not to rub too
vigorously and always wipe entire seat
sections to avoid leaving visible lines.
Leave the seat to dry afterwards. Clean-
ing results depend on the type of dirt and
how long it has been there.
R Clean Alcantara covers with a damp
cloth. Make sure you wipe entire seat
sections to avoid leaving visible lines.
i Note that leather covers are a natural
product and as such are subject to a natural
ageing process and may react differently
(e.g. increased wrinkling) to certain envi-
ronmental influences (such as high humid-
ity, intense heat).
Note that regular care is essential to ensure
that the quality (both appearance and com-
fort) of the covers is retained over time.
Cleaning the padded table* The plastic parts of the padded table can be
cleaned using a detergent solution.
The fabric cover can be cleaned using a deter-
gent solution or an upholstery cleaner. Operation
* optional
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Display
messages 204 Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
120 km/h Maximum speed
exceeded The maximum speed has been excee-
ded
26
. X
Drive slower. ABS ABS, ESP unavaila-
ble See Owner's
Manual
G
Risk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) and ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program) are tempo-
rarily unavailable. The self-diagnosis is, for
example, not yet complete.
The following systems are also unavaila-
ble:
R BAS (Brake Assist)
R the steering assistant STEER CONTROL
R hill start assist
R the tyre pressure loss warning system
The brake system continues to function
normally, but without the functions listed
above. X
Carefully drive a short, lightly curving stretch
of road at a speed above 20 km/h.
If the display message disappears, ABS and
ESP ®
are available again. 26
Only for certain countries. Practical advi
ce
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Display
messages 205Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
G
Risk of accident
ABS and ESP ®
are temporarily unavailable
due to undervoltage. The battery is, for
example, not being charged.
The following systems are also unavaila-
ble:
R BAS
R the steering assistant STEER CONTROL
R hill start assist
R the tyre pressure loss warning system
The brake system continues to function
normally, but without the functions listed
above. X
Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
X Observe the additional messages in the multi-
function display (Y page 202). Practical advi
ce
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Display
messages 206 Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
ABS ABS, ESP inopera-
tive See Owner's
Manual
G
Risk of accident
ABS and ESP ®
are unavailable due to a
fault.
The following systems are also unavaila-
ble:
R BAS
R the steering assistant STEER CONTROL
R hill start assist
R the tyre pressure loss warning system
The brake system continues to function
normally, but without the functions listed
above. X
Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately. Practical advi
ce
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Display
messages 207Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
ESP unavailable See
Owner's Manual G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
is temporarily unavailable. The self-
diagnosis is, for example, not yet com-
plete.
The following systems are also unavaila-
ble:
R BAS
R the steering assistant STEER CONTROL
R hill start assist
R the tyre pressure loss warning system
The brake system continues to function
normally, but without the functions listed
above. X
Carefully drive a short, lightly curving stretch
of road at a speed above 20 km/h.
If the display message disappears, ESP ®
is
available again. Practical advi
ce
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Display
messages 208 Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
is unavailable due to undervoltage.
The battery is, for example, not being
charged.
The following systems are also unavaila-
ble:
R BAS
R the steering assistant STEER CONTROL
R hill start assist
R the tyre pressure loss warning system
The brake system continues to function
normally, but without the functions listed
above. X
Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
X Observe the additional messages in the multi-
function display (Y page 202). Practical advi
ce
245_AKB; 2; 7, en-GB
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