Yikes!!! 1999 E300 in snow!! - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#31 12-04-2005, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselAddict

Well like I said I've been driving the FWD Honda with snows only on the front for the last 10 years and I never had a problem stopping on snow. Even if I applied enough brake pressure to active the ABS I didn't detect any sideway motion. Remember the front tires do most of the stopping on any car. I know 4 snow tires would be safer, but I just think the danger of driving with 2 snow tires on the front is overblown.

OK, it's your car. I'm sure the ABS helps keep you out of trouble, too. But, I wouldn't do it.

braverichard · #32 12-04-2005, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncof300d

May owners manual lists the ESP as an option.

I know... see the first message on the second page of this thread.

braverichard · #33 12-04-2005, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselAddict

Well like I said I've been driving the FWD Honda with snows only on the front for the last 10 years and I never had a problem stopping on snow. Even if I applied enough brake pressure to active the ABS I didn't detect any sideway motion. Remember the front tires do most of the stopping on any car. I know 4 snow tires would be safer, but I just think the danger of driving with 2 snow tires on the front is overblown.

I believe you there very much, especially since you have ABS. My good old 1990 Honda Civic doesn't have ABS, but I never have snow tires on it either. That's right. It just has all season tires and it is my designated car for when the roads are nasty with snow and ice. It has been serving that function for three years and I've never had any issues with it. I've driven up and downhill in all conditions with no problems. It sometimes tries to slide around but the car is so small that it is very easy to control.

To answer some questions you asked before, ESP stands for Electronic Stability Program. It is a system that corrects vehicular motion by individually applying the brakes on your car. It can keep your rear wheel drive car tracking straight on snow with no problems at all. It was originally invented by a Mercedes-Benz engineer along with a Bosch engineer in the 1970s but was never put into production until 1995 [due to technological constraints] when it made its debut on the top of the line S600 and CL600. ESP works wonders and utilizes the ABS and ASR sensors on your car to function.

ASR on the other hand I believe stands for Acceleration Slip Regulation. It is Mercedes-Benz's complex language for traction control, which simply cuts engine power to the wheels when wheel slip is detected until the wheels regain traction and it releases all power back to them.

DieselAddict · #34 12-04-2005, 10:54 PM

Thanks Richard for the explanation. Now I really don't quite remember whether I have ASR or ESP or both. Is there a better way to find out than just waiting until I get the false warning on my display again?

I just had a look at the available winter tires and wheels online, but I was disappointed that I couldn't find original wheels on any of the tire websites. I think it would look rather silly to have 2 different sets of wheels on the same car. I already have snow chains for both cars and all season tires. I guess I'll just stick with what I have. We don't get snow here that often anyway. Or does anyone know where one can buy original MB wheels for a good price?

#35 12-04-2005, 11:15 PM

I suspect you can find a couple of cheap 14 inch wheels for the 240D on eBay if you keep looking. Here's one listed now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MERCEDES-5-1-2-x-14-WHEEL-111-108-113-114-123-116-107_W0QQitemZ8018731926QQcategoryZ43954QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The 14 inch wheels seen to be cheap because no one wants them. I would also try the local junk yards for both cars.

W140 S600 · #36 12-05-2005, 12:54 AM

Hattie,

Just to let you know, mine doesnt have esp, only asr. The key is the "W" mode on the tranny and keeping an egg between your foot and the throttle & brake. BTW, had to take it for a spin today, ended up goin sideways up a hill for fun.

-Knowing the limits of your car is also very helpfull, so as you dont pannic when the tail gets lose. I suggest going to an empty lot and throw your car around. Well, back to the books...got another week of 2hours of sleep daily.

braverichard · #37 12-05-2005, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselAddict

Thanks Richard for the explanation. Now I really don't quite remember whether I have ASR or ESP or both. Is there a better way to find out than just waiting until I get the false warning on my display again?

You're welcome.

Sorry man but I don't know how you can determine what your car has. Perhaps you can find out by calling MBUSA and providing them with your VIN?

aklim · #38 12-05-2005, 08:54 AM

doesn't it say on the switch by the tranny and on the instrument cluster? Mine did

Hatterasguy · #39 12-05-2005, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W140 S600

Hattie,

Just to let you know, mine doesnt have esp, only asr. The key is the "W" mode on the tranny and keeping an egg between your foot and the throttle & brake. BTW, had to take it for a spin today, ended up goin sideways up a hill for fun.

-Knowing the limits of your car is also very helpfull, so as you dont pannic when the tail gets lose. I suggest going to an empty lot and throw your car around. Well, back to the books...got another week of 2hours of sleep daily.

Never mind then it shows you how much I paid attention.

Have fun good luck on your exams!

I had a blast driving my SD yesterday with no ABS. Not having ABS is great you can lock up all 4 wheels start a slide then nail the throttle to bring the tail around.

I don't know maybe its just me but I prefer using my right foot as my traction control.

aklim · #40 12-05-2005, 10:48 AM

Everything I read seems to point to one simple fact. Unless you are driving around trying to go into a deliberate slide, if you are used to ABS and learn to pump the brakes and then you get ABS and you are not used to it, you aren't as good a driver as if you have a car without ABS. However, ABS is pretty much here to stay.

Rick Miley · #41 12-05-2005, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselAddict

Now I really don't quite remember whether I have ASR or ESP or both. Is there a better way to find out than just waiting until I get the false warning on my display again?

ESP supercedes ASR, so you won't have both. Just in case anyone is still confused, ASR was standard on the 99 E300 and ESP was optional.

Look at the button at the upper left corner of the console. That should be labeled ESP or ASR and can be used to defeat the system.

You shouldn't have any problem locating a used set of original W210 (bottle cap style) wheels to use for snows. They've been selling on Ebay for years at about $25 each.

Rick Miley · #42 12-05-2005, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Miley

You shouldn't have any problem locating a used set of original W210 (bottle cap style) wheels to use for snows. They've been selling on Ebay for years at about $25 each.

Ok, after doing some checking it looks like I have to retract that statement. There's not a lot of them for sale, and the ones on there are expensive. Hmmm, maybe this is a good time to sell the set I have stashed in the attic.

EdzBenz · #43 12-05-2005, 12:39 PM

Michelin Arctic Alpin is the way to go. I've had blizzaks which are o.k., but the Alpin tires handle exceptionally well.

aroohk · #44 12-05-2005, 12:56 PM

The best RWD car I had in snow was a 1979 Seville. Although it was not the best year of quality for an American car its intent was wonderful. To me it is kind of like the W123's of Cadillcac. It was my 'SNOW TANK' as it alwasy amazed me at how it could push through long and deep drifts. I miss that car.

[/QUOTE]

Check your GM history books, but I do believe that the 1979 Seville might have been front wheel drive. I know the Eldo's were back in 1979. Cadillac was one of those odd GM companies that tried out the FWD long before it became really popular. I know that the 1979 Body Style was around for a few years and it started out rear drive for sure... So the reason your 1979 Sevi was so good in the snow was quite possibly 'cause it was actually a heavy front wheel drive domestic tank with a severely restricted V8 from all the wonderful smog crap. I mean it was a 4.1 litre V8 from what I remember and had like 140hp.

I have a friend who's parents had TWO rear drive cars in Lake Forrest, IL. Mom had a Lexus LS400 (1992) with TRAC (traction control) and dad had a 1985 300SD. Both keept GOOD michi all seasons on them and they NEVER had a problem. The SD actually did a little better with narrower tires and NO traction control. And the reason BMW's suck in the snow is 100% the tires. Put a nice set of blizzaks or wintersport M2's/M3's on the car and they OWN... drive a 2000 323ci sport in the snow with the stock ContiSports on it, and no matter HOW GOOD you are its DANGEROUS. Go to tire rack... look up your model tire and see if it EVEN has a snow rating at all. My contisports did not and it was humerous... DSC was useless... so it was 2nd or 3rd gear starts and grandma pedal pressure. Parked it in the garage and took my explorer with 4wd... I am curious... post what kind of tires you have on that E300D

Aaron

1983/300CD · #45 12-05-2005, 01:23 PM

The worst winter car I ever drove in the snow was my 1974 VW Superbeetle that kept wanting to stall every time I let off the gas. One snowy night, as I was coming to a stop sign, the car stalled, the rear wheels locked, and I went sliding across the road and stuck nose first into a snow bank. The people I almost hit really freaked out.