86 safety and security – Mercedes-Benz 2006 C 55 AMG User Manual
Page 87

86
Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
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
when driving with snow chains
ț
in deep snow
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
The switch is located on the upper part of
the center console.
1 ESP
®
switch (off/on)
̈
With the engine running, Press
switch
1.
The ESP
®
warning lamp
v in the
speedometer comes on.
The ESP
®
is deactivated.
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 Minis-
pare wheel or a collapsible tire is mounted.
!
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
ESP
®
warning lamp
v in the speed-
ometer flashes. However, the ESP
®
will
then not stabilize the vehicle.