Traction issues - C class auto

[AndyD360]

Have a 2013 C class, only a 1.6 petrol auto, with 255/35/18 on the rears.

Running on decent tyres and I'm not particularly heavy footed as have other stuff for that but can't believe the number of times they break traction or the dash light flashes with anything even remotely close to an enthusiastic get away.

Can't believe it's normal - what can be done to improve it?

[yellowbentines]

what tyres are on it?

[Mr E]

Either the sensors are knackered or you’re on Teflon tyres.

[AndyD360]

Sat on Conti sports - just mot’d so not near the limit either

[Scrump]

How old are the tyres?
I ask because the rear tyres on my E class were replaced due to age related cracking on the side walls (tyres were original fit on a 4 year old car). The improvement in traction with the new tyres was an absolute revelation.
I think hardening of the original tyres had really affected how well they performed despite them having plenty of tread left. Saying that, traction was still not as bad as it seems to be on your car.

[AndyD360]

Tyres dated mid 2016 - car hasn’t done 50k miles yet.

[Scrump]

Does not sound right.

[Mr E]

Is it really breaking traction, or is the light just flashing?

[Sheepshanks]

C & E Class estates are noted for it - try driving one in snow.

I have an older C270CDi - OK it's got a lot more torque, but I park with a rear wheel on grass I cannot do anything more than tickover or it'll tear up the surface.

[Mr E]

Sheepshanks said:

C & E Class estates are noted for it - try driving one in snow.

.

First I’ve heard of it. The 500 has near 400bhp and I’ve only every seen the traction light when being really silly.

[AndyD360]

Mr E said:

Is it really breaking traction, or is the light just flashing?

A bit of both - sometimes the light flashes up/sometimes you can feel the rears just let go a little. Just find it hard to believe with that width of tyre / the power it’s got.

Know it’s not a sports car but it’s a bit nanny state...

[Scrump]

Mr E said:

Sheepshanks said:

C & E Class estates are noted for it - try driving one in snow.

.

First I’ve heard of it. The 500 has near 400bhp and I’ve only every seen the traction light when being really silly.

My E350 estate doesn’t have any traction issues now that the age hardened tyres have been replaced.

[Sheepshanks]

Mine is fine - on its All-Season tyres.

The ESP is a bit over-eager though - I tried to chuck it around a local greasy roundabout, it just turned the light on and went around as though on rails.

[Mr E]

Sheepshanks said:

Mine is fine - on its All-Season tyres.

The ESP is a bit over-eager though - I tried to chuck it around a local greasy roundabout, it just turned the light on and went around as though on rails.

We took the e class to a car limits driver training day. It was very fast in a straight line, refused to do anything other than go around the corner and made a decent attempt at ripping the tyres off the wheels.