Simple help needed for a simple mind please!

[icq3800846]

I have always driven relatively cheap cars, the one before last only cost me £500.00! Recently I have changed and it started when I bought my last car, a 1997 C180. It was the Classic model, manual gear box, no centre console or electric windows in the rear, but the level of ride comfort was fantastic compared to my previous Skoda Felicia.

I was bitten by the Merc bug, and last month I pleaded on my knees with the bank who gave me the first loan I have ever had for a car, and I purchased a W203 C240 Elegence.

If I am honest, the thought of loans scare me a lot, and so I took out a relatively small one and my C240 is quite high mileage and regrettably lacks an owners manual.

I am not very car orientated, maybe once a year I might check the tyre pressure, but I am trying to change now I have a car I care about.

My question is a little embarrassing really, but without the manual I have NO idea what all the buttons do on the centre dash.

The only one I know about is the one that unlocks the doors, I have NO idea what the one with the little picture of a towed car means, or ESP. And what on earth does EC rest mean?

Sorry to be a complete noob, but if anyone could just explain them to me it would be useful. Also, what do the W and S mean on the gearbox thing?

Thanks in advance!

 

[television]

I have always driven relatively cheap cars, the one before last only cost me £500.00! Recently I have changed and it started when I bought my last car, a 1997 C180. It was the Classic model, manual gear box, no centre console or electric windows in the rear, but the level of ride comfort was fantastic compared to my previous Skoda Felicia.

I was bitten by the Merc bug, and last month I pleaded on my knees with the bank who gave me the first loan I have ever had for a car, and I purchased a
W203 C240 Elegence.

If I am honest, the thought of loans scare me a lot, and so I took out a
relatively small one and my C240 is quite high mileage and regrettably lacks an owners manual.

I am not very car orientated, maybe once a year I might check the tyre pressure, but I am trying to change now I have a car I care about.

My question is a little embarrassing really, but without the manual I have NO idea what all the buttons do on the centre dash.

The only one I know about is the one that unlocks the doors, I have NO idea what the one with the little picture of a towed car means, or ESP. And what on earth does EC rest mean?

Sorry to be a complete noob, but if anyone could just explain them to me it would be useful. Also, what do the W and S mean on the gearbox thing?

Thanks in advance!

The one with the towed is pressed if the car needs to be towed.

EC rest will take the residual heat from the engine and transfer it to the inside of the car.

ESP is the Electronic Stability Program that keeps the car on a straight course if you start to lose control, it does not compensate for excess speed.

Why not buy the handbook from any MB outlet,they do not cost much, otherwise you will never know much about the car.

Malcolm

 

[Blobcat]

Hi & Welcome,

Manuals are available from the dealers and some are also downloadable. In the mean time though.

The towed car button switches the alarm off for towing purposes it may also have another position to switch off the interior alarm sensors so you can lock the car with someone inside and the alarm will not activate.

The ESP is a safety system that can brake individual wheels to stop you going off the road. It will probably combine traction control in your car. If you switch it off you will have a large yellow triangle illuminated in the middle of the dash. This warning will also flash when it is activated or when the traction control is working

EC / Rest is again a multi-function button. EC switches the heating system to economy by switching off the AC. You should leave it switched on (IMHO). The Rest part comes into operation when the engine is switched off, it enables the heating system to work without the engine on. It only runs the fan at low speed but is useful whilst sat waiting for the significant other.

W= Winter car starts in 2nd gear and changes gears earlier to prevent wheelspin
S= Standard (or summer depending upon the manual) and sets off in 1st gear. The gears are also held onto longer.

 

[Blobcat]

The one with the towed is pressed if the car needs to be towed.

EC rest will take the residual heat from the engine and transfer it to the inside of the car.

ESP is the Electronic Stability Program that keeps the car on a straight course if you start to lose control, it does not compensate for excess speed.

Why not buy the handbook from any MB outlet,they do not cost much, otherwise you will never know much about the car.

Malcolm

OK Malcolm, you win, beat me fair and square. Although I'd like to think mine was a much more detailed explanation. :mrgreen:

 

[Captain Flack]

online manual

Go to the following link for a fairly good online manual.

Enjoy your MB



http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/con...cars/home/after_sales/interactive_manual.html

 

[icq3800846]

Gosh, well thank you both for a super fast response.

That settles all that then, and yes, I should buy the user manual really but unfortunately it's not a priority. It appears that all four tyres need replacing and the bushes for the anti roll bar at the rear, so I have to see to that first whilst attempting to save at least enough money to feed the family most of the time!

The tyres are booked in for this week, need to know I am driving safely and legally first and foremost.

Went for Pirelli P6000 Powergy tyres. Should I go and hide behind the couch now in readiness of being told off? I know nothing about tyres either, it's what it already had on it.

Wow excellent online manual, thank you!

 

[television]

OK Malcolm, you win, beat me fair and square. Although I'd like to think mine was a much more detailed explanation. :mrgreen:

Yes but I wrote it all out yesterday, well most of it

Malcolm

 

[jberks]

Went for Pirelli P6000 Powergy tyres. Should I go and hide behind the couch now in readiness of being told off? I know nothing about tyres either, it's what it already had on it.

I wouldn't worry - we have a long discussion on this point a few months back. Basic conclusion - err - there wasn't one! Just get what you like and can afford.
Some like Michelin, some Pirelli, some Conti. I swapped my Bridgestone and Contis for Federals (£320 a set cheaper than the Bridgestones!) and as much to my surprise as anyones, I'm very happy with them!