Deactivating/activating ESP®

section. Observe the "Important safety notes" section.

WARNING ESP® should not be deactivated during 
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 
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.

When 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 lamp in ESP® warning lamp in the instrument cluster flashes. In such situations, ESP® will not stabilize the vehicle.

► To deactivate: press button 1.

► To deactivate: press button 1.

The instrument cluster lights up. ESP® OFF warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.

WARNING When the  ESP® OFF warning 
When the
lamp is lit, ESP® OFF warning lamp is lit, ESP® is deactivated.
If the
the ESP® warning lamp and the lit, 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®.

extended period with ESP® deactivated. Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an extended period with ESP® deactivated.

You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.

► To activate: press button 1.

The instrument cluster goes out. ESP® OFF warning lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.

    See also:

    Overhead control panel
    1 Switches the lefthand reading lamp on/off 2 Switches the rear interior lighting on/off 3 Switches the automatic interior lighting control on/off 4 Switches the front interior lighti ...

    Vehicles with automatic transmission
    Apply the electric parking brake. Shift the transmission to position P. Using the SmartKey Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the ignition lock and remove it. The immobilizer is activated. ...

    Switching on DISTRONIC, storing andmaintaining the current speed
    WARNING   The vehicle can be braked when DISTRONIC is activated. For this reason, deactivate DISTRONIC if the vehicle is to be set in motion by other means (e.g. in a car wash or by tow ...