Jerry MB230K

I've read several threads on this forum for c230 coupes getting stuck or not being able to get moving after a stop in snow. Some suggest turning ESP OFF and some suggest turning ESP ON .
When I've tried to drive away in snow from a stopped position, sometimes the brakes get applied and the car doesn't move.
Thoughts ?

VoyagerDude

Get some good winter tires, if you're planning on driving in snow. And leave ESP on.

MB-BOB

I would leave ESP on, but if that results in the car not being movable at all, then I would turn ESP off and "rock" the car with the accelerator until I got some momentum going... then turn ESP back on once moving.

I've not had the opportunity to try either, yet, so this is just an opinion.

tb2

From my experiences with the Coupe in the snow I'd say your recommendation is right on.

KOMPRESSORnSC

You'll have to turn it off if you're stuck. I tried it both ways after getting stuck in about 6" in an unplowed parking lot Christmas Day. ESP is great in slick conditions, but if you're stuck, it kicks in too much to get any momemtum going to rock out. I've got the C7 package w/ the Conti's, and those are the absolute worst tires in snow-thought I was in a disco my ESP light was flashing so much!

Apollo

Hi

These rear wheel drive MB seem like they will not be good in snow. We have had some snow and I am already thinking that I am going to have problems as it does not take a lot for the wheels to be spinning and being auto will make it worse. This is where I wish I still had my front wheel drive car.

MB-BOB

Here we go again with the great RWD/FWD snow debate.

And in this corner...

Matt230K

At my job at the dealer, I had 4 coupes parked where the driveway behind them was plowed and there was a pile of snow behind them. With ESP off, I was able to back all of them out pretty easily by just spinning the tires and they eventually worked their way through the pile of snow. I thought it would be more difficult than this. I didn't even have to rock the cars at all. But with ESP on, they won't go anywhere.

VoyagerDude

Guys and Girls

Performance summer tires just don't work on snow or ice.
If you're driving in those conditions, switch to proper winter tires, please. They work wonderfuly, trust me.

If you prefer having a separate set of wheels with winter tires, do that.

But don't complain that C7 tires don't grip in show. Guess what? They're not supposed to !!!

zpeed

I agree 100% I have awd car with the 17" hi-performance tires and I still spin even I go as slow as 15 MPH (first snow of the year). After I switch to stock 16" with all season tires no problem at all.

Outland

VoyagerDude:

Why do people complain about this kind of stuff when they a running with the C7 tires? They are SUMMER ONLY tires. Even on dry pavement when it gets cold the get slick...compound gets hard at low temps. Seriously...the dealer must have mentioned it a dozen times when I stated that I wanted a Coupe with the C7 package.

And then everyone moans about it being rear drive.......uggh! With the big fat michelin Pilots on your old FWD car you wouldn't go anywhere either.

hokusbenz

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Outland
[B]VoyagerDude:

Why do people complain about this kind of stuff when they a running with the C7 tires? They are SUMMER ONLY tires. Even on dry pavement when it gets cold the get slick...compound gets hard at low temps. Seriously...the dealer must have mentioned it a dozen times when I stated that I wanted a Coupe with the C7 package.

My dealer never mentioned to me once that they were summer- only tires. I realized that after i got the car.

DCXdynodog

Hey, it could be worse...we could bring the word *damper* back up.

I believe, if you RTFM (is that how it goes?), it talks about turning it off in really slick weather. But then you gotta ask...why have it? :p

You got it right though Bob. Once you get going it helps a bunch...now if only I could get going...

avlis

Exactly.

Matt230K

Well, you always want to have the stability control there to help you. You just need to turn off the traction control to get going. I guess they could have set it up with different switches to just turn off the traction control. I think the main reason why you would want to turn it back on once you get going is to get the stability control back on for taking turns. Although, traction control is good too.

Lynn

Mercedes cars should come with proper limited slip differentials instead of the silly-*** "apply the brakes" psuedo-LSD. The current system is worse than nothing at all.

CME4BENZ

4 good snow tires is the only way to go on a rear drive MB.

Suggestion: Tirerack.com, order 4 16" wheels and 4 quality snows (Blizzaks, Michelins, etc. ).
They will be sent to you mounted and balanced for less than $1,000. Put the C7s in the garage for the winter and save yourself the "agg".

Mark08859

This is what I did. So far, so good (knock on wood).

Homercedes

My C230 is one of the most sure footed vehicles I have ever owned(with the right tires). The first time I got stuck after parking on a side road covered with snow I never took the ESP off and was very disappointed with the outcome. A few days ago I got stuck again in the office parking lot after a whole day of snowfall. If I didn't switch the ESP off(ESP keeps the tires from spinning) I would still be trying to get out. Once I took the ESP off I drove right out of the snow trench. They should include this logic in the MB manual.

VoyagerDude

Don't forget to release the parking brake

(happened to me)

moomeh

your opinion is i believe also in the MB manual somewhere about the ESP button etc etc.. i do this all the time i get stuck, and it works out perfectly.

moomeh

i can't even remember the last time i even used the parking brake.

VoyagerDude

I assume your car is an automatic?