Steering
56
Chassis
b
Introduction of the New E-Class, Model Series 212 Sedan
AGILITY CONTROL steering
The AGILITY CONTROL steering is installed as stan-
dard equipment. The rack-and-pinion steering with
safety steering column is located in front of the center
of the wheels and produces desirable understeering
self-steering behavior under lateral force.
Steering column
The standard-equipment steering column is manually
adjustable for length and height. An electrically adjust-
able version with easy-entry function is offered as
special equipment in the memory package.
ECO power steering pump
The ECO power steering pump is used as standard to
improve consumption figures as it has a very low
energy demand in straightahead running. An addi-
tional electrically actuated proportional solenoid valve
controlling a bypass opening at the pressure connec-
tion directs oil to the steering gear on demand. This oil
quantity and therefore the flow pressure in the
steering system are minimal when driving straighta-
head.
Direct steering with speed-sensitive power
steering, code (213)
On its market launch, the new model series 212 will be
fitted with the direct steering that is already being
used with success in other model series. The direct
steering will be special equipment for the E 220 CDI
and E 250 CDI models. In the models with engines
OM 642, M 272 and M 273 the direct steering is
installed as standard.
In addition to the familiar speed-dependent manual
force curve of the speed-sensitive power steering, this
offers the driver additional steering comfort and plays
a significant part in further improving the agility of the
vehicle.
The direct steering differs from the familiar speed-
sensitive power steering in terms of a new valve char-
acteristic and a redesigned steering rack. The teeth in
the middle of the rack are closer together than those
on the outside.
i
Note
If the driver's body impacts with the steering
column, the steering column moves forward by up
to 100 mm under a predefined force in order to
reduce the loads on the driver. For this purpose
the entire substructure of the steering column
tube is suspended on a slide that runs in a
mounting console rigidly mounted in the body.
In the event of a severe frontal impact the lower
part of the steering column can telescope and the
integral corrugated tube can deform.
P46.50-2082-00
Redesigned steering rack
– This printout will not be recorded by the update service. Status: 01 / 2009 –
