Safety and security – Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2009 Owners Manual User Manual
Page 81
Driving safety systems
79
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 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
R
the cruise control switches 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.
1
ESP
®
switch
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
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Switching on the ESP
®
X
Press ESP
®
switch
1
until the ESP
®
warning lamp
v
in the instrument
cluster goes out.
You are now again in normal driving mode
with the ESP
®
switched on.
Off-road ESP
®
With the off-road driving program switched on
(
page 169), the ESP
®
designed for off-road
Safety and security
Z