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Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see the
“Practical hints” section (
୴ page 324).
Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn 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 starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains
ț in sand or gravel
When you switch off the ESP
ț the ESP does not stabilize the vehicle
ț the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip
ț the traction control will still brake a
spinning wheel
ț the ESP continues to operate when you
are braking
ț you cannot activate Distronic*
!
Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
tion, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0
or 1 or KEYLESS-GO* start/stop but-
ton 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/rear axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
brake system.
The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size (
୴ page 422).
Warning! G
ESP should not be switched off during nor-
mal driving other than in the circumstances
described below. Disabling of the system
will reduce vehicle stability in standard driv-
ing maneuvers.
!
Turn on the ESP immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not
apply anymore.
i
When the ESP is switched off and one
or more drive wheels are spinning, the
ABS/ESP warning lamp v in the
speedometer flashes. However, the
ESP will then not stabilize the vehicle.