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Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
section (
୴ page 604) and (୴ page 612).
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.
Warning! G
The ESP
®
cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
®
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP
®
equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
i
DISTRONIC Plus* and cruise control are
switched off when the ESP
®
engages.
i
The ESP
®
will only function properly if you
use wheels of the recommended tire size
(
୴ page 718).
!
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
start/stop button* in position 0 or 1) when
ț the electronic parking brake is being tested
on a brake test dynamometer
ț the vehicle is being towed with the
front/rear 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
®
” (୴ page 75).
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.