86 safety and security – Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2007 Owners Manual User Manual
Page 87
86
Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
Electronic traction system
The electronic traction system is a
component of ESP
®
.
The electronic traction system improves
the vehicle’s ability to utilize available
traction, especially under slippery road
conditions by applying the brakes to a
spinning wheel.
When you switch off the ESP
®
, the
electronic traction system is still enabled.
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
!
Vehicles without 4MATIC:
Because the ESP
®
operates automatically, the
engine must be turned off (SmartKey in starter
switch position 0 or 1) when
ț
the parking brake is being tested on a brake
test dynamometer
ț
the vehicle is being towed with the front axle
raised
Active braking action through the ESP
®
may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system.
For information on vehicles with 4MATIC, see
“Four wheel electronic traction system (4MATIC)
with the ESP
®
i
The ESP
®
will only function properly if you
use wheels of the recommended tire size
(
Warning!
G
If you are driving too fast, the electronic
traction system cannot reduce the risk of an
accident.
The electronic traction system cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle.
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
Minispare wheel is mounted.
!
Switch on the ESP
®
immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not apply
anymore.