Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2011 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 69)

Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid. The ESP
® cannot
prevent accidents resulting from excessive
speed.
! Vehicles without 4MATIC: switch the
ignition off when:
R
the parking brake is being tested using a
dynamometer
R
the vehicle is being towed with the front/
rear axle raised
Application of the brakes by ESP ® may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: only operate the
vehicle for a maximum of ten seconds on a
brake test dynamometer. Switch off the
ignition.
Application of the brakes by ESP
® may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: function or
performance tests may only be carried out
on a 2-axle dynamometer. If you wish to
operate the vehicle on such a
dynamometer, please consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center in
advance. You could otherwise damage the
drive train or the brake system.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ® function
properly.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
G Warning
Observe "Important safety instructions"
(
Y page 65).
Traction control is part of ESP ® .
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. On vehicles with 4MATIC, more
drive torque is also transferred to the wheel
or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP
® .
X Switch on the off-road drive program if
appropriate for the driving conditions
(
Y page 193).
Off-road 4ETS (vehicles with 4MATIC)
A 4ETS mode specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road drive program (
Y page 193) is activated.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
G Warning
The ESP ® should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the
circumstances described below. Disabling
the system will reduce vehicle stability in
driving maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a spare
wheel is mounted.
ESP ® is activated automatically when the
engine is running.
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
G
Warning!
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.
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.
Driving safety systems
67
Safety
BA 164.1 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-US
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