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.
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