Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 2012 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 72)

4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 68).
Traction control is part of ESP ® .
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. In addition, more drive torque is
transferred to the wheel or wheels with
traction.
Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP
® .
X Activate the off-road drive program
(
Y page 206) or engage the LOW RANGE
( Y page 206) off-road gear if appropriate
for the driving conditions.
G
WARNING
Traction control cannot reduce the risk of an
accident if you drive too fast. Traction control
cannot override the laws of physics.
Off-road 4ETS (Electronic Traction
System)
A 4ETS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically if the off-
road drive program is activated
(
Y page 206) or the LOW RANGE
( Y page 206) off-road gear is selected.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 68).
G WARNING
ESP ® should not be deactivated during
normal driving other than in the
circumstances described below. Disabling
the system will reduce vehicle stability in
driving maneuvers.
Do not deactivate ESP
® when the emergency
or spare wheel is mounted.
ESP ® is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
It may be best to deactivate ESP
® in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R
on sand or gravel
G WARNING
Switch on ESP ® immediately if one of the
previously stated conditions is no longer met.
Otherwise, ESP
® cannot stabilize the vehicle
if it begins to lurch or when a wheel spins.
When you deactivate ESP ® :
R ESP ® no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ® still provides support when you
brake.
If ESP ® is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ ESP ® warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP
® will not stabilize the vehicle.
X To deactivate: press button :.
The å ESP
® OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
70
Driving safety systems
Safety