traction control MERCEDES-BENZ C350S 2010 W204 Owner's Manual

Electrical system
Improper work on or
modifications ................................... 22
Power outlets ................................. 210
Electrical system (Technical data)
see Vehicle specification
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®

Electronic Traction System
see ETS/4-ETS
Emergency, in case of
First aid kit ..................................... 268
Flat tire .......................................... 317
Hazard warning flasher ....................93
Roadside Assistance ................ 21, 214
Towing the vehicle .........................325
Emergency calls
Tele Aid .......................................... 212
Telephone ...................................... 173
Emergency operations
Remote door lock (Tele Aid) ........... 216
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) .......215
Trunk lid, emergency release ...........76
Emergency Tensioning Device
see ETD
Emission control ............................... 258
Information label ............................ 333
System warranties ...........................20
Engine
Break-in recommendations ............222
Cleaning ......................................... 262
Compartment ................................ 224
Malfunction indicator lamp ............305
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 288
Number .......................................... 333
Starting .......................................... 101
Turning off ..................................... 106
Engine (Technical data)
see Vehicle specification
Engine coolant
see Coolant
Engine oil
Adding ........................................... 226
Additives ........................................ 353
Checking level ............................... 226
Consumption ................................. 225Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 291
Oil dipstick ..................................... 226
Recommended engine oils and oil
filter ............................................... 353
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .............................................. 62
ETS/4-ETS ....................................... 63
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................... 280, 281, 283
Warning lamp ................................. 302
ETD (Emergency Tensioning
Device) ................................................. 52
Safety guidelines ............................. 39
Ethanol fuel (E85) .............................. 355
ETS/4-ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ................................................ 63
Express operation
Panorama roof ............................... 200
Power windows ................................ 98
Tilt/sliding sunroof ........................196
Exterior lamp switch ........................... 90
Exterior rear view mirrors .................. 86
Fold-in function ................................ 88
Parking position ............................... 87
Power-folding ................................... 88
Switching fold-in function on or
off .................................................. 136
Exterior view of vehicle ...................... 26
F
Fastening the seat belts ..................... 50
First aid kit ......................................... 268
Flat tire ............................................... 317
Lowering the vehicle ......................321
Mounting the spare wheel .............318
Preparing the vehicle .....................318
Spare wheel ........................... 317, 349
Flexible Fuel Vehicles ....................... 355
Floormats ........................................... 220
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid .........350
Brake fluid ..................................... 351
Capacities ...................................... 349
Engine coolant ............................... 351
Engine oil ....................................... 350
Manual transmission oil .................350
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When you release the brake pedal, the brakes
function again as normal. The BAS is then
deactivated.GWarning!
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system still
functions, but without the additional brake
boost available that the BAS would normally
provide in an emergency braking maneuver.
Therefore, the braking distance may increase.
Adaptive Brake
Adaptive Brake provides a high level of
braking safety as well as increased braking
comfort. Adaptive Brake takes driver and
vehicle characteristics into consideration,
thus achieving an optimal braking effect.
In addiditon, Adaptive Brake provides the hill-
start assist system ( Y page 183).
For more information on the brake system,
see ( Y page 255).
EBP
GObserve Safety notes, see page 60.
The Electronic Brake Proportioning (EBP)
enhances braking effectiveness by allowing
the rear brakes to supply a greater proportion
of the braking effort in straight-line braking
without a loss of vehicle stability.
GWarning!
If the EBP malfunctions, the brake system will
still function with full brake boost. However,
the rear wheels could lock up during
emergency braking situations, for example.
You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident.
Adapt your driving style to the changed
driving characteristics.
ESP ®GObserve Safety notes, see page 60.
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®
) is
operational as soon as the engine is running.
It monitors the vehicle’s traction (force of
adhesive friction between the tires and the
road surface) and handling.
The ESP ®
recognizes that the vehicle deviates
from the direction of travel as intended by the
driver. By applying brakes to individual
wheels and by limiting the 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 ®
also stabilizes the vehicle during braking and
steering maneuvers.
The ESP ®
warning lamp d in the
instrument cluster comes on when you switch
on the ignition. It goes out when the engine
is running.
The ESP ®
warning lamp d in the
instrument cluster flashes when the ESP ®
is
engaged.
GWarning!
Never switch off the ESP ®
when you see the
ESP ®
warning lamp d flashing in the
instrument cluster. In this case proceed as
follows:
R When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R While driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R 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.
i Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display ( Y page 270) will
refer to the ESP ®
as ESC.
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! Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Only conduct operational or performance
tests on a two-axle dynamometer. If such
tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system or the transfer case which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Because the ESP ®
operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or
1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in
position 0 or 1) when the parking brake is
being tested on a brake test dynamometer.
Active braking action through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! Vehicles without 4MATIC:
Because the ESP ®
operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or
1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in
position 0 or 1) when the parking brake is
being tested on a brake test dynamometer
or the vehicle is being towed with the front
axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! The ESP ®
will only function properly if you
use wheels of the recommended tire size
as specified in the “Technical data” section
of this Operator’s Manual.
i The cruise control switches off
automatically when the ESP ®
engages.Electronic Traction System
(ETS/4-ETS) GObserve Safety notes, see page 60.
The ETS (Electronic Traction System) and
4-ETS (four-wheel Electronic Traction
System, vehicles with 4MATIC only) are
components of the ESP ®
. The ETS/4-ETS
improves the vehicle’s ability to utilize
available traction, especially under slippery
road conditions by applying the brakes to a
spinning wheel. Vehicles with 4MATIC also
transfer more power to the wheel(s) with
traction.
When you switch off the ESP ®
, the
ETS/4-ETS is still enabled.
Switching the ESP ®
off or on (except
C 63 AMG)
GWarning!
The ESP ®
should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the
circumstances described below. Disabling
the system will reduce vehicle stability in
driving maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP ®
when a spare
wheel is mounted.
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch off
the ESP ®
. This allows the drive wheels to spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip, for
example
R when driving with snow chains
R in deep snow
R in sand or gravel
GWarning!
Switch on the ESP ®
immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not apply
anymore. Otherwise the ESP ®
will not
stabilize the vehicle when it is starting to skid
or a wheel is spinning.
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When you switch off the ESP®,
Rthe ESP® will not stabilize the vehicle
Rthe engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and thus cut
into surfaces for better grip
Rthe ETS/4-ETS will still apply the brakes to
a spinning wheel
Rthe ESP® continues to operate when you
are braking
Rthe cruise control cannot be activated
Rthe cruise control switches off if activated
iWhen the ESP® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESP®
warning lamp d in the instrument
cluster flashes. However, the ESP® will
then not stabilize the vehicle.
XSwitching off: With the engine running,
press ESP® switch : until the ESP®
warning lamp d in the instrument
cluster comes on.
The ESP® is switched off.
GWarning!
When the ESP® warning lamp d is
illuminated continuously, the ESP® is
switched off or is not operational due to a
malfunction. Vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP®.
! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESP® switched
off. This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
XSwitching on: Press ESP® switch : until
the ESP® warning lamp d in the
instrument cluster goes out.
You are now again in normal driving mode
with the ESP® switched on.
C 63 AMG
Switching ESP® SPORT on or off
GWarning!
ESP® SPORT should not be switched on
during normal driving.
Switching ESP® SPORT on will result in the
following:
Rno restriction to engine torque
Rsystem-supported traction control is
limited
ESP® SPORT is designed for driving on closed
tracks when the vehicle’s natural oversteer
and understeer characteristics are desired
and requires a highly skilled and experienced
driver able to handle these critical driving
situations.
You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Please be aware of these limits when you
switch on ESP® SPORT.
Do not switch on ESP® SPORT when a spare
wheel is mounted.
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch on
ESP® SPORT. This allows the drive wheels to
spin and thus cut into surfaces for better grip,
for example
Rwhen driving with snow chains
Rin deep snow
Rin sand or gravel
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GWarning!
Switch off ESP® SPORT and switch on the
ESP® immediately if the aforementioned
circumstances do not apply anymore.
Otherwise ESP® SPORT will only stabilize the
vehicle to a limited extent when it is starting
to skid or a wheel is spinning.
When you switch on ESP® SPORT
Rthe ESP® stabilizes the vehicle only to a
limited extent
Rthe engine output is limited, but only to the
extent that allows the drive wheels to spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip
Rthe ETS will still apply the brakes to a
spinning wheel
Rthe ESP® continues to operate when you
are braking hard
Rthe cruise control cannot be activated
Rthe cruise control switches off if activated
iWhen ESP® SPORT is switched on and
one or more drive wheels are spinning, the
ESP® warning lamp d in the instrument
cluster flashes. However, the ESP® will
then stabilize the vehicle only to a limited
extent.
XSwitching on: With the engine running,
press ESP® SPORT switch : briefly.
The ESP® warning lamp d in the
instrument cluster comes on. The message
ESC-SPORT appears in the multifunction
display.
XSwitching off: With the engine running,
press ESP® SPORT switch : briefly.
The ESP® warning lamp d in the
instrument cluster goes out. The message
ESC-ON appears in the multifunction
display.
ESP® SPORT switches off automatically when
you turn off the engine. When starting the
engine, the ESP® is activated automatically.
iVehicle status messages in the
multifunction display (Y page 270) will
refer to the ESP® as ESC.
Switching the ESP® off or on
GWarning!
The ESP® should not be switched off during
normal driving.
Disabling of the system will result in the
following:
Rno restriction to engine torque
Rloss of system-supported traction control
“ESP® OFF” is designed for driving on closed
tracks when the vehicle’s natural oversteer
and understeer characteristics are desired
and requires a highly skilled and experienced
driver able to handle these critical driving
situations.
You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Please be aware of these limits when you
switch off the ESP®.
Do not switch off the ESP® when a spare
wheel is mounted.
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch off
the ESP®. This allows the drive wheels to spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip, for
example
Rwhen driving with snow chains
Rin deep snow
Rin sand or gravel
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The current program mode appears in the
multifunction display.:Program mode indicator
You should only change the program mode
when the automatic transmission is in park
position P.
Automatic program mode S will not be stored.
When the engine is turned off with the
automatic program mode S selected, the
automatic transmission will go to the
automatic program mode C when the engine
is restarted.
XPress the program mode selector switch
repeatedly until the letter of the desired
program mode appears in the multifunction
display.
For selecting automatic program mode (C or
S) on vehicles with dynamic handling
package, see “Dynamic handling package
with sport driving mode” (Y page 184).
Selecting program mode C means:
RThe vehicle starts out more gentle, both
forward and reverse, except when driving
off with full throttle.
RTraction and driving stability are improved
on icy roads.
RUpshifts occur earlier even when you give
more gas. The engine then operates at
lower revolutions and the wheels are less
likely to spin.
Selecting program mode S means that
upshifts occur later.
One-touch gearshifting
With the automatic transmission in drive
position D and driving in automatic program
mode C or S, you can limit or extend the gear
range using the gear selector lever or the
steering wheel gearshift control.
Steering wheel gearshift control is available
on vehicles with dynamic handling package
and on C 63 AMG only.
Vehicles with dynamic handling package and
C 63 AMG: For information on using the gear
selector lever or the steering wheel gearshift
control in manual program mode M, see
“Manual shift program” (Y page 113).
Steering wheel gearshift control (exampleillustration)
iYou cannot shift with the steering wheel
gearshift control when the automatic
transmission is in park position P, neutral
position N, or reverse gear R.
Limiting gear range
GWarning!
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 loss of control.
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GWarning!
In order to avoid distraction which could lead
to an accident, the driver should enter system
settings with the vehicle at a standstill and
operate the system only when road and traffic
conditions permit. Always pay full attention to
traffic conditions first before operating
system controls while driving.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.
Audio system overview
Item:Audio display (Y page 139);Opening button (Y page 139)=Audio control unit (Y page 138)Item?Clear button (Y page 142)AAudio controller (Y page 140)BBack button (Y page 141)
Operating safety
GWarning!
Any alterations made to electronic
components can cause malfunctions.
The radio, amplifier, CD changer, satellite
radio, and telephone are interconnected.
When one of the components is not
operational or has not been removed/
replaced properly, the function of other
components may be impaired.
This condition might seriously impair the
operating safety of your vehicle.
We recommend that you have any service
work on electronic components carried out at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Audio system components
With the audio system you can operate the
following main functions:
RAudio function with the radio, Satellite
radio, disc (CD audio or MP3 mode) and
Audio AUX
Rthe mobile phone with the phone book
Rvarious system settings
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CD and MP3 mode
Submenu overviewMenuSubmenuCD or MP3Normal Track
SequenceRandom TracksRandom Folders
(MP3 mode only)AUXTrack list (Audio
CD) or Folder
(MP3)Select track (CD
mode only)Select folder and/or
tracks (MP3 mode
only)Changer
(with CD-changer
only)Select mediumEject allFill empty slotsSoundTrebleBassBalance/FaderSurround sound
i The components and operating principles
of the audio system can be found on
( Y page 137) and ( Y page 143).
The audio system is fitted with either a single
CD drive or a CD changer.
The single CD player and the CD changer can
play audio CDs as well as CDs with MP3 or
WMA files.
The available menu options will vary
depending on the equipment and the type of
CD.
Safety precautionsGWarning!
The single CD player and the CD changer are
classified as a Class 1 laser product. You must
not open the casing. There is a risk of
exposure to invisible laser radiation if you
open the casing, or if the casing is faulty or
damaged.
The single CD player and the CD changer do
not contain any parts that you are able to
maintain yourself. For safety reasons, all
maintenance work must be carried out by
qualified technicians.
GWarning!
In order to avoid distraction which could lead
to an accident, the driver should insert or
eject CDs with the vehicle at a standstill and
operate the audio system only if permitted by
road, weather and traffic conditions.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.
General notes
i Audio CDs with copy protection are not
compatible with the CD audio standard and
therefore may not be able to be played by
the single CD player and/or the CD
changer. There may be playback problems
when playing copied discs.
There is a large variety of discs, disc-writing
software and writers available. This variety
means that there is no guarantee that the
system will be able to play discs that you
have written/copied yourself.
There may be playback problems if you use
CD-R or CD-RW type discs you have
compiled yourself with a storage capacity
of more than 700 MB. These CDs are not
compatible with currently applicable
standards.
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RWMA Pro
R5.1 Surround
Notes on copyright
The music tracks that you create and play
back in the MP3 and WMA format are
generally subject to copyright protection in
accordance with the applicable international
and national regulations.
In many countries, reproductions are not
permitted without the prior consent of the
copyright holder, not even for private use.
Make sure you know the applicable copyright
regulations and that you comply with these.
If you own these rights yourself, e.g. for your
own compositions and recordings, or the
copyright holder has granted you permission,
these restrictions do not apply.
Operating the CD player
The single CD drive and the CD changer have
the same controls.
:CD slot;Load/eject button=Forward?Rewind
Single CD player
XSwitching to CD mode: Press button
h on the audio control unit.
The CD display appears when you switch to
CD mode. CDs start to play automatically
when they are inserted. The following
message will appear if no CD is inserted.
GWarning!
In order to avoid distraction which could lead
to an accident, the driver should insert or
eject CDs with the vehicle at a standstill and
operate the audio system only if permitted by
road, weather and traffic conditions.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.
! If a CD is already loaded, it must be
ejected before inserting a new CD.
Inserting a second CD in the slot with
another CD still loaded will cause damage
to the CD drive which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
XEjecting a CD: Press load/eject
button ;.
The system ejects the CD.
The message Please Remove Disc
appears in the display.
XRemove CD from CD slot :.
The message NO Disc appears in the
display.
iIf you do not take the CD out of the CD
slot : within approximately 15 seconds,
the system automatically pulls the CD back
in and plays it.
If you change modes (e.g. Radio) when the
CD is being ejected, the CD will be
reinserted automatically as well.
If a CD is pulled back in, press load/eject
button ; again; the CD will then be
ejected.
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iIf the audio CD is printed on one side, this
side must face upwards when loaded. If
neither side is printed, the side to be played
must face downwards.
If a CD has been inserted incorrectly or
cannot be read, Disc Unreadable
appears in the display.
XLoading a CD: Insert CD into CD slot :.
The system automatically pulls the CD into
the CD slot : and starts to play the audio
CD if it has been inserted correctly and is
permissible.
CD changer
The CD changer can hold up to a total of six
audio CDs.
XSwitching to CD mode: Press button
h on the audio control unit.
The CD changer display appears when you
switch to CD changer mode. If there is a CD
in one of the magazine trays, it will start to
play automatically. The following message
will appear if no CDs are inserted.
GWarning!
In order to avoid distraction which could lead
to an accident, the driver should insert or
eject CDs with the vehicle at a standstill and
operate the audio system only if permitted by
road, weather and traffic conditions.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.
iIf the audio CD is printed on one side, this
side must face upwards when loaded. If
neither side is printed, the side to be played
must face downwards.
If a CD has been inserted incorrectly or
cannot be read, Disc Unreadable
appears in the display.
XLoading an individual magazine
compartment: Press load/eject
button ;.
A menu indicates which magazine
compartments are currently loaded. The
first available magazine compartment is
indicated by a red number.
XPress desired button k to p in the
keypad to select a magazine compartment.
or
XSlide XVY or rotate cVd to select a
magazine compartment.
XPress W to confirm.
The CD changer will switch to the selected
magazine compartment. The message
Please Wait... appears in the display.
iOnly insert a CD after the audio system
has prompted you to do so with the
message Please Insert Disc . Only
insert one CD per magazine compartment.
XInsert CD into CD slot : (Y page 161).
The CD changer automatically pulls the CD
into CD slot : and places it in the selected
magazine compartment. The message
Loading Disc appears in the display.
iThe loading process may take a while,
depending on the type of disc. If you do not
insert a disc, the display will switch back to
the CD changer menu after approximately
20 seconds.
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