Snow Chain Switch

[eyelight]

Just had a test drive in a 1995 E280 estate, (W124),and it has a switch on the dash with a picture of what looks like a snow chain covered tyre on it.

Looking at Bolide's W124 site reveals that a snow chain switch was indeed an option, though probably very rare in UK.

Anyone got any ideas what this switch might do?

 

[Bolide]

If it's a broken circle it may be an aircon recirculate switch. Post up a photo and we'll let you know

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[eyelight]

No. Definately not an air recirculate switch. We have one of those on our E220 Coupe and it's not like that.

Really looked like a small wheel with chains on, and that twigged with me that I'd seen mention of it on your site.
This is one of the rocker switches above the heater controls. Second from the right just left of the interior light switch.

Should have written down the VIN so I could look up that Russian site.

According to dealer, the car also has ASR traction control. Strange options given that it has steel wheels and no cruise control. Someone was probably expecting a lot of bad weather.

 

[eyelight]

A quick Google search of "snow chain switch" brings up the following info. Basically it's a switch to at least partially disable the traction control up to about 37mph, which supposed ly would be useful when driving with chains.

Some info here...
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/archive/index.php/t-32504.html

<i>"It allows a small amount of "slip", or variance in rotational speed of the rear tires. With ASR, if the rears are spinning at a different rate, ASR shuts you down. However, in snowy conditions tires can load up with snow unevenly, resulting in different effective tire diameters and thus different speeds...however, having ASR stop you dead in your tracks is NOT desirable! With the snow chain switch activated, your rears can spin a little bit and ASR will allow it.

This feature is very effective in the snow, which is the primary reason I've not installed an ASR defeat switch"</i>

And here are a few words about it from an American 500E site...
http://www.500ecstasy.com/forums//showthread.php?t=708

So looks like a very rare option on a car in Oxfordshire.

 

[premmington]

Yep would agree with above info'

Have seen this option on Mitchell manual from USA

Never seen one before in real life thou...


http://www.remmington.plus.com

 

[mycos]

Hi, my 93 500sl has this switch. I pressed it the otherday and only difference was the an amount of wheel spin before the traction control tells you to play nicley..

 

[Ian B Walker]

Yep got one of these in my 1990 300-24v. Rare as hens teeth and about as much use in UK. Mind you I do believe its going to snow tonight.