Traction Control Light on while on highway?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
2002 CLK 430
Traction Control Light on while on highway?
Quick question/point of concern:
Last night when driving on the highway, twice while going around very slight turns my traction control light came on in several flashes (meaning not just once, but a series of 2 or 3 within a 5 second period). I'm a bit concerned because the turns were hardly drastic (changing lanes would be a greater turn radius than what I was on) and the weather was otherwise perfect - dry, good pavement, 65 degrees.
I have new 19" tires (~3k miles on them without a problem), and speed booster installed. In both instances I was maintaining speed (not pushing through the turn), doing about 75mph, but get a bit panicky when something electrical flashes on the sometimes Pandora's box of an MB, and that uncomfortable feeling when you loose throttle.
Is this normal or am I looking at a sign for some unforeseen repair/breakdown in my near future?
Last night when driving on the highway, twice while going around very slight turns my traction control light came on in several flashes (meaning not just once, but a series of 2 or 3 within a 5 second period). I'm a bit concerned because the turns were hardly drastic (changing lanes would be a greater turn radius than what I was on) and the weather was otherwise perfect - dry, good pavement, 65 degrees.
I have new 19" tires (~3k miles on them without a problem), and speed booster installed. In both instances I was maintaining speed (not pushing through the turn), doing about 75mph, but get a bit panicky when something electrical flashes on the sometimes Pandora's box of an MB, and that uncomfortable feeling when you loose throttle.
Is this normal or am I looking at a sign for some unforeseen repair/breakdown in my near future?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
2002 CLK 430
They are different widths (9 vs 9.5) and the manufacturer for the front/rear is different. If that's all it is, then thank you!! Still a bit concerned as to how/why that would happen though?
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 932
Likes: 38
From: North of Boston
I have found that if the car skips over an expansion joint or an irregular surface, I get a flash on traction....same thing happens w/GLK...nothing to worry about unless it's coming on when surface is smooth.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
Likes: 84
From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Post the name of the tire manufacturers and what tire sizes you're running - then someone can look up the revs per mile figures and tell you for sure.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 44
From: PA
09 CLK550
Sounds like the outer front is spinning a tiny bit faster than the inner rear around the turn and ESP/ABS doesn't appreciate it. I think I read (somewhere?) that up to 4% difference is acceptable.
