Filter
Top Products
Driving safety systems
66
Switching the ESP
®
off or on (except
SL 63 AMG)
G
Warning!
The ESP
®
should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling the sys-
tem will reduce vehicle stability in driving
maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP
®
when a spare
wheel is mounted.
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch off
the ESP
®
in driving situations in which it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:
R
when driving with snow chains
R
in deep snow
R
in sand or gravel
G
Warning!
Switch on the ESP
®
immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not
apply anymore. Otherwise the ESP
®
will not
stabilize the vehicle when it is starting to
skid or a wheel is spinning.
When you switch off the ESP
®
R
the ESP
®
will not stabilize the vehicle
R
the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and thus cut
into surfaces for better grip
R
the ETS will still apply the brakes to a spin-
ning wheel
R
the ESP
®
continues to operate when you
are braking
R
you cannot activate the cruise control or
the Distronic system
R
the cruise control or the Distronic system
switch off if activated
i
When the ESP
®
is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ABS/
ESP
®
warning lamp v in the instrument
cluster flashes. However, the ESP
®
will
then not stabilize the vehicle.
1
ESP
®
switch
X
Switching off: With the engine running,
press ESP
®
switch 1 until the ABS/ESP
®
warning lamp v in the instrument clus-
ter comes on.
The ESP
®
is switched off.
G
Warning!
When the ABS/ESP
®
warning lamp v is
illuminated continuously, the ESP
®
is
switched off or is not operational due to a
malfunction. Vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your speed and driving to the pre-
vailing road conditions and to the non-oper-
ating status of the ESP
®
.
Safety and security