I've tried and tried. I am either totally retarded (this is where the disclaimer NOT to attack me goes ) or the 2003 has changed the secret handshake required to fire it up.

I've sat with the reset button pushed down for a couple of minutes to make sure and nada. I've tried key pos 1 and 2 and no key to make sure. nada.

Any ideas?

This OIL LEVEL OK is not ok with me. I want some quantitative data.

Better yet - somone sell me a dipstick for less than the cost of a cellphone!? Uhh.. no wait, my cell phone was FREE!

P

 

peet, are you following the procedure correctly? Here are the instructions...

https://mbworld.org/forums/newreply....threadid=17682

 

Can you post again? All that link does is go to 'reply to this thread' mode.

P

 

How do I disable Traction Control completely?

To start, the key must be removed from the ignition.
Insert the key and turn to position 1.
Immediately press and hold the trip odometer reset button until the instrument cluster beeps. There is no visual message, only an audio beep. Be patient, this takes around 40 seconds.
Press the lower menu button (it looks like two sheets of paper, the one with the writing in the background behind the blank one)
Press the up arrow button.
Press the "+" sign to disable the Traction System (turn "ON" test mode)
Start the engine, the traction system is now disabled.
To return to normal, remove the key and restart the engine. The traction control warning should no longer be in the cluster. If it is, shut the engine off and remove the key again. Then insert the key and turn to position 1. Note that the DYNO test screen is displayed immediately. Push the "-" button to enable the traction system (turn "OFF" test mode)

Note : When you first turn the key to position 1, ESP DYNO Test screen pops up, then after 1-2 seconds it may disappear while faults are displayed. If you weren't fast enough in pressing the "-" button before codes were displayed, just wait until all codes cycle by, then the ESP DYNO Test screen will reappear.

 

Peet, sorry, my bad, I guess. I thought I had copied the thread. Anyway, Lynn's description has you covered. Let us know if it works. I suppose it's possible that MB closed the door on this bit of secret sauce. Let's hope not.

 

Just tried it on our '02 C240, manufactured in Bremen Jan '02, and the diag mode screen comes up as advertised. Our engine is cold and I didn't want to start it up just to test this capability, but the oil quantity line was there as advertised. I'll do a check the next time we have the car out and the engine is warm enough for the conventional oil check to "take"...

 

Sat like a fool in the garage last night trying those steps. Then permutations of those steps. NADA

Any other 03 owners that can chime in?

P

 

Looks like the 2003s have a software revision, I wonder if this only effects the Coupes (with the new M271 motor) or the sedans as well.

By the way, does anybody know if the oil system on the new M271 motors checks oil qualitiy as well as quantity, like on the V6 motors?

- BT

 

It won't work on my '03 either. Tried 3 times this am and never got a 'beep.'

I guess I was mistaken, I thought hitting the "esp" button disabled traction control, but with only 100 miles on the car I haven't tried to deliberately burn rubber yet.

 

well when you do try to burn rubber, all your going to get is a chirp, 1st and in 2nd, it is really annoying. if your planning on running anyone, turn traction off.