Mercedes-Benz 2013 M Class - Manual (Page 74)

G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ® , ESP ® no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP
® in the situations
described in the following.
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
i Activate ESP ® as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ® will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the
vehicle if the vehicle starts to skid or a
wheel starts to spin.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ® deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
X To switch off: press button :.
The å ESP
® OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switch on: press button :.
The å ESP
® OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Characteristics when ESP ® is deactivated
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.
If 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
ETS/4ETS is still active.
R ESP ® still provides support when you
brake.
Off-road ESP ®
An ESP ® system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated on:
R
vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD
package (
Y page 248)
R
vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package
(
Y page 248)
Off-road ESP ® intervenes with a delay if there
is oversteering or understeering, thus
improving traction.
ESP ® trailer stabilization
G
WARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilization will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from
swerving. Trailers with a high center of gravity
can tip over before ESP
® can detect this.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
If your vehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer
combination) begins to lurch, you can only
stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination by
depressing the brake firmly.
In this situation, ESP
® assists you and can
detect if the vehicle/trailer combination
begins to lurch. ESP
® slows the vehicle down
by braking and limiting the engine output until
72
Driving safety systems
Safety