Mercedes-Benz 2005 ML 350 - Manual (Page 81)

79
Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
4-ETS
The 4-Electronic Traction System (4-ETS)
improves vehicle’s ability to utilize avail-
able traction, especially under slippery
road conditions. The brakes are applied to
the spinning wheel and power is trans-
ferred to the wheel(s) with traction.
The traction control engages at vehicle
speeds up to approximately 24 mph
(40 km/h), and switches off at approxi-
mately 50 mph (80 km/h).
The { indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster ( ୴ page 25) comes on when you
turn the key to position 2. It goes out when
the engine is running.
The 4-ETS/ESP warning lamp v, loca-
ted in the speedometer dial, starts to flash
at any vehicle speed, as soon as the tires
lose traction and the wheels begin to spin.
Warning!
G
When you see the 4-ETS/ESP-warning
lamp
v flashing in the speedometer,
then proceed as follows:
ț While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.
ț While driving ease up on the accelera-
tor.
ț Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The 4-ETS cannot prevent accidents resul-
ting from excessive speed.
!
Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
tion, the engine must be shut off (Key in
steering lock position 0 or 1) when the
parking brake is being tested on a
brake test dynamometer.
Active braking action through ESP may
otherwise seriously damage the front
or rear axle brake system.
Operational tests with the engine
running can only be conducted on a
two-axle dynamometer.
i
If the yellow 4-ETS malfunction indica-
tor lamp
{ comes on while the
4-ETS/ESP warning lamp v flash-
es, the electronic traction system is be-
ing switched off temporarily to prevent
overheating of the drive wheel brakes.