Mercedes-Benz SLR-Class 2007 - Manual (Page 86)

85
Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Electronic traction system
The electronic traction system is a compo-
nent of ESP
® .
The electronic traction system improves
the vehicle’s ability to utilize available trac-
tion, especially under slippery road condi-
tions by applying the brakes to a spinning
wheel.
When you switch off the ESP ® , the elec-
tronic 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
When you switch off the ESP ®
ț the ESP ® does not stabilize the vehicle
ț the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip
ț the electronic traction system will still
apply the brakes to a spinning wheel
ț the ESP ® continues to operate when
you are braking
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
standard driving maneuvers.
Warning!
G
Switch on the ESP ® immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not apply
anymore. Otherwise the ESP ® will not stabi-
lize the vehicle when it is starting to skid or
a wheel is spinning.
i
When the ESP ® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ABS/ESP ®
warning lamp v in the instrument cluster
flashes. However, the ESP ® will then not
stabilize the vehicle.