Safety and security – Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2009 Owners Manual User Manual
Page 76
Driving safety systems
74
Switching off the ESP
®
1
ESP
®
switch
Switching off the ESP
®
(except E 63 AMG)
The ESP
®
should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the
circumstances described below. Disabling
the system 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
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
®
does 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/4-ETS will still apply the brakes to
a spinning 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 ESP
®
warning lamp
v
in the instrument
cluster flashes. However, the ESP
®
will
then not stabilize the vehicle.
X
With the engine running, press ESP
®
switch
1
until the ESP
®
warning lamp
v
in the
instrument cluster comes on.
The ESP
®
is switched off.
When the 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
prevailing road conditions and to the non-
operating status of the ESP
®
.
!
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESP
®
switched
off. This may cause serious damage to the
Safety and security