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Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
section (
୴ page 380) and (୴ page 387).
Electronic traction system
The electronic traction system is a compo-
nent of ESP
®
.
The electronic traction system improves
the vehicle’s ability to utilize available trac-
tion, especially under slippery road condi-
tions by applying the brakes to a spinning
wheel.
When you switch off the ESP
®
, the elec-
tronic traction system is still enabled.
Switching off the ESP
®
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch
off the ESP
®
in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:
ț when driving with snow chains
ț in deep snow
ț in sand or gravel
!
Vehicles without 4MATIC:
Because the ESP
®
operates automatically, the
engine and ignition must be shut off (SmartKey
in starter switch position 0 or 1 or KEYLESS-GO
(Canada only) start/stop button* in position 0
or 1) when
ț the parking brake is being tested on a brake
test dynamometer
ț the vehicle is being towed with the front axle
raised
Active braking action through the ESP
®
may oth-
erwise seriously damage the brake system.
For information on vehicles with 4MATIC, see
“Four wheel electronic traction system (4MATIC)
with the ESP
®
” (e page 65).
Warning! G
If you are driving too fast, the electronic
traction system cannot reduce the risk of an
accident.
The electronic traction system cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle.
Warning! G
The ESP
®
should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP
®
when a
Minispare wheel is mounted.