jorioux

Hi you guys,

so here is the story: My C220 1996 got a problem that I want to solve because it's becoming dangerous.

When I apply the brakes while rolling on slipping ice, the rear left wheel still turns over due to the ice under the wheel. Sometimes its the rear right wheel that turns, and sometimes its the left rear wheel.

At summer its not noticeable because the ground is not slippy so the rear wheels cant turn over on asphalte.

What do you think the problem would be?

Thanks!

u001elg

From the description, I'm not sue there is a problem...

The car is driving on ice with the brakes applied, the front will always lock/ABS pulse first since they do most of the braking. The rear tires do less braking and are also still powered by the engine.

If you step harder on the brakes do all 4 wheels lock?

The possibility of loss of brake hydraulic pressure to the rear doesn't deem credible since it can happen to either wheel and you have a split braking system; that would mean that the brake master cylinder is failing in both circuits, but only on slippery conditions.

Are any other symptoms present (i.e. brake pedal slowly sinks to the floor when braking, ABS or ESP light, fluid leakage. etc.)?

malahhaor

seems normal. ever seen a video of a car braking on slippery surface and ABS kicking in? The wheels will spin and stop, spin and stop. you probably experiencing that.

jorioux

I dont know if the 4 wheels will lock if I step harder on the brake pedal. I will check that out.

Also, my brake fluid is over the "maximum" line in the reservoir, so I dont think there is a leakage...

My pedal doesnt slowly sinks to the floor, I did before because I had a fluid leakage on my rear brake line, but it has been fixed 3-4 months ago.

No lights at all on cluster except the expected Check Engine (last time i checked, it was that emission thing)

I dont have the "winter mode" on my W202 C220. Maybe it has something to do with it?

Shadow5501

What you are experiencing is normal, there is nothing wrong with the car. You are stepping on the brakes lightly enough to avoid locking the front wheels, but this is not enough to overcome to engine power sent to the rear wheels. So they spin, and the car slides. Even though the car has ABS, it is not a factor here. ABS systems by design do not operate at very low speeds, 5MPH or less.

The right way to deal with this problem is to move the gearshift lever from drive into neutral as you come to a stop. Then the rear wheels will not spin. When you want to drive off, take your foot off the brake and move the gearshift back into drive.

jorioux

If I go for instance at 10mph, and I push the gearshift to neutral, can this damage my transmission as I switch gear without being at a complete stop ??

Shadow5501

No, you won't hurt the transmission at all by shifting from drive to neutral at low speed.

jorioux

Can it hurt tho to pass from neutral to drive at low speed?

jerro95

jorioux, I don't think it'll damage the transmission at all. I did that all the time in the Nissan Sentra that I drive sometimes and I have no problem with the transmission doing that. So I don't think that'll screw up the transmission.