Deactivating/activating ESP® (except AMG vehicles)
WARNING
ESP® should not be deactivated during
normal driving other than in the
circumstances described below. Disabling
the system will reduce vehicle stability in
driving maneuvers.
Do not deactivate ESP® when the emergency
or spare wheel is mounted.
ESP® is activated automatically when the engine is started.
It may be best to deactivate ESP® in the following situations:
• when using snow chains
• in deep snow
• on sand or gravel
WARNING
Switch on ESP® immediately if one of the
previously stated conditions is no longer met.
Otherwise, ESP® cannot stabilize the vehicle
if it begins to lurch or when a wheel spins.
If you deactivate ESP®:
• ESP® no longer improves driving stability.
• 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.
• traction control is still activated.
• ESP® still provides support when you
brake.
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.
To deactivate:
The ESP® OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
WARNING
When the ESP® OFF warning
lamp is lit, ESP® is deactivated.
If the ESP® warning lamp and
the
ESP® OFF warning lamp remain
lit,
ESP® is not available due to a malfunction.
When ESP® is deactivated or not operational,
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 the driven wheels
for an
extended period with ESP® deactivated. You could otherwise damage the
drivetrain.
To activate:
The
ESP® OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
See also:
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Transfer case
This section is only valid for vehicles with 4- wheel drive (4MATIC). Power is
always transmitted to both axles.
Performance tests may only be carried out on a 2-axle dynamometer. The brake
sy ...
Overview of transmission positions
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column.
P Park position with parking lock
R Reverse gear
N Neutral
D Drive
The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns
to its ori ...