ESP MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC 2004 W203 User Guide

74 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsFor more information, see “Practical hints”
(page 281).
ESP
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
monitors the vehicle's traction (force of
adhesive friction between the tires and the
road surface) and handling.
The ESP recognizes when a wheel is
spinning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel
and by limiting engine output, the ESP
works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP is
especially useful while driving off and on
wet or slippery road surfaces.
The ESP warning lampv in the
speedometer flashes when the ESP is
engaged.
The ESP warning lampv in the
speedometer comes on when you turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch to
position2. It goes out when the engine is
running.
Warning!
G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that
afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction. The BAS
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The
capabilities of a BAS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP when you see the
ESP warning lampv flashing in the
speedometer. In this case, proceed as
follows:

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.


While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor.


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting
from excessive speed.

75 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(page 277) and (
page 282).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:


starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


in sand or gravel
Warning!
G
The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The
capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.!The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size.
!Vehicles without 4MATIC:
Because of the ESP’s automatic
operation, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1) when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
brake system.
For information on vehicles with
4MATIC, see “Four wheel electronic
traction system (4MATIC) with the
ESP” (
page 77).
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.

76 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsThe switch is located on the center
console.
1ESP off
2ESP on
Press upper switch position1.
The ESP warning lampv in the
speedometer comes on.
The ESP is deactivated.If one or more drive wheels are spinning,
the ESP warning lampv in the speed-
ometer flashes, regardless of the speed.
Traction control brakes a spinning wheel
even when the ESP is deactivated.
The ESP always operates when you are
braking, even when it has been deacti-
vated.
Switching on the ESP

Press lower switch position2.
The ESP warning lampv in the
speedometer goes out.
You are now again in normal driving
mode.
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESP switched
off. This may cause serious damage to
the drive train which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
When the ESP warning lampv is
illuminated continuously, the ESP is
switched off.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP.

77 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Four wheel electronic traction system (4MATIC) with the ESP
Models with all-wheel-drive only.
The 4MATIC improves vehicle’s ability to
use available traction, e.g. during winter
operation in mountains under snowy
conditions, by applying power to all four
wheels.
Warning!
G
If you see the ESP warning lampv flash-
ing in the speedometer, proceed as follows:

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible


While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting
from excessive speed.!Do not tow with one axle raised.
Otherwise the transfer case can be
damaged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Performance testing must only be con-
ducted on a two-axle dynamometer.
Otherwise the transfer case can be
damaged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.!Because of the ESP’s automatic
operation, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1) when the parking brake is being
tested on a brake test dynamometer
Active braking action through ESP may
otherwise seriously damage the front
or rear axle brake system.
Operational tests with the engine
running can only be conducted on a
two-axle dynamometer.

79 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Disarming the alarm system
The alarm system is disarmed when you
unlock your vehicle with the SmartKey. The
turn signal lamps flash once to indicate
that the alarm system is deactivated.
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or

Press theŒ or‹ button on the
SmartKey.
Tow-away alarm*
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
iIf the turn signal lamps do not flash
three times, one of the following
elements may not be properly closed:

a door


the trunk lid
Close the respective element and lock
the vehicle again.
iThe alarm system will rearm automati-
cally after approximately 40 seconds if
no door or the trunk lid was opened.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is
triggered, for example, if the vehicle is
lifted on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is
initiated automatically by the Tele Aid
system* (
page 223) provided
Tele Aid service was subscribed to and
properly activated, and that necessary
cellular service and GPS coverage are
available.

82 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
In the “Controls in detail” section you will
find detailed information on how to oper-
ate the equipment installed on your vehi-
cle. If you are already familiar with the
basic functions of your vehicle, this section
will be of particular interest to you.
To quickly familiarize yourself with the ba-
sic functions of the vehicle, refer to the
“Getting started” section of this manual.
The corresponding page numbers are giv-
en at the beginning of each segment.
Locking and unlocking
SmartKey
Your vehicle comes supplied with two
SmartKeys, each with remote control and
a removable mechanical key. The locking
tabs for the mechanical key portion of the
two SmartKeys are a different color to help
distinguish each SmartKey unit.
The SmartKey provides an extended oper-
ating range. To prevent theft, however, it is
advisable to only unlock the vehicle when
you are in close proximity to it.
The SmartKey centrally locks and unlocks:

the doors


the trunk


the fuel filler flap
SmartKey with remote control1‹ Lock button
2Š Opening button for the trunk lid
3Mechanical key locking tab
4ΠUnlock button
5Battery check lamp
6Â Panic button* (
page 71).
iYou can also open and close the power
windows (
page 202) and
sliding/pop-up roof* (
page 204)
from outside using the SmartKey.
iCanada only:
Only vehicles equipped with an
anti-theft alarm system* have
SmartKeys with integrated panic
button*6.

87 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Opening the trunk from the inside
You can open the trunk from the inside if
the vehicle is stationary.
A minimum height clearance of 5.71 ft
(1.74 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
The switch is located on the driver’s door.
1Remote trunk lid switch with indicator
lamp
Press remote trunk lid switch1.
The trunk lid opens. The indicator lamp
in the switch remains lit as long as the
trunk is open.The trunk can also be opened using the
SmartKey, see “Unlocking and opening the
trunk lid” (
page 84) or from its inside in
an emergency, see “Trunk lid emergency
release” (
page 88).
Closing the trunk
1Handle
Lower trunk lid using handle1.

Close trunk lid with hands placed flat
on it.
!The trunk lid swings open upwards
automatically. Always make sure there
is sufficient overhead clearance.iIf the trunk lid does not open, it is still
locked separately (if applicable)
(page 89).
If the vehicle was previously centrally
locked, the trunk lid will lock automati-
cally when closed (
page 87). The
turn signals will flash three times to
confirm locking.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the trunk
opening when closing the trunk. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are
around.

103 Controls in detail
Lighting
Manual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and parking
lamps can be switched on and off with the
exterior lamp switch. For exterior lamp
switch, see (
page 102).
Automatic headlamp mode
The parking lamps, low beam headlamps
and license plate lamps switch on and off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light.

Turn the exterior lamp switch toU.
iIf you remove the SmartKey and open
the driver’s door while the parking
lamps or low beam headlamps are
switched on, then

a warning sounds


$appears in the multifunction
display


the message
TURN OFF LIGHTS!

appears in the multifunction display
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated and the engine running, the
low beam headlamps cannot be
switched off manually.
Warning!
G
If the exterior lamp switch is set toU,

the headlamps may switch off unexpect-
edly when the system senses bright
ambient light, for example light from
oncoming traffic.


the headlamps will not be automatically
switched on under foggy conditions.
To minimize risk to you and to others,
activate headlamps by turning exterior lamp
switch toB when driving or when traffic
and / or ambient lighting conditions require
you to do so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only
switch from positionU toB with the
vehicle at a standstill. Switching fromU
toB will briefly switch off the head-
lamps. Doing so while driving in low ambient
lighting conditions may result in an acci-
dent.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid to the driver. The driver is responsible for
the operation of the vehicle's lights at all
times.

111 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Trip odometer
Make sure you are viewing the trip
odometer and main odometer in the
multifunction display (
page 113).

If it is not displayed, press buttonè
orÿ on the multifunction steering
wheel until the trip odometer appears
(page 114).

Press and hold the reset button on the
instrument cluster (
page 22) until
the trip odometer is reset.
Tachometer
The red marking on the tachometer
denotes excessive engine speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply
is interrupted if the engine is operated
within the red marking.
Outside temperature indicator
The outside temperature is indicated in the
multifunction display (
page 23). For
information on how to select the unit of the
indicated temperature, i.e. degrees
Celsius (°C) or degrees Fahrenheit (°F),
see “Selecting temperature display mode”
(
page 127).
!Avoid driving at excessive engine
speeds, as it may result in serious
engine damage that is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.

119 Controls in detail
Control system
Select radio station
Turn on the radio (
page 176).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to separate operating
instructions.

Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until you see the currently tuned
station in the display.
1Station frequency
2Waveband setting
3Setting for station selection using
memory

Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the desired station is found.
The type of search depends on the
setting for the station tuning
(page 132):


The next stored station is selected
(SP)


Station searchSelect satellite radio station*
The Sirius-Satellite-Radio is treated as a
radio application.

Select SAT radio with the correspond-
ing softkey in the radio menu.
1Channel name or number
2SAT mode and preset number
3Setting for station selection using
memory
iYou can only store new stations using
the corresponding feature on the radio
(page 181).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to separate operating
instructions.
You can also operate the radio in the
usual manner.