Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2009 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 68)

Driving safety systems
66
Switching the ESP ® off or on (except
SL 63 AMG)
G Warning!
The ESP ® should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling the sys-
tem will reduce vehicle stability in driving
maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a spare
wheel is mounted.
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch off
the ESP
® in driving situations in which it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:
R when driving with snow chains
R in deep snow
R in sand or gravel
G Warning!
Switch on the ESP ® immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not
apply anymore. Otherwise the ESP
® will not
stabilize the vehicle when it is starting to
skid or a wheel is spinning.
When you switch off the ESP ®
R the ESP ® will not stabilize the vehicle
R the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and thus cut
into surfaces for better grip
R the ETS will still apply the brakes to a spin-
ning wheel
R the ESP ® continues to operate when you
are braking
R you cannot activate the cruise control or
the Distronic system
R the cruise control or the Distronic system
switch off if activated
i When the ESP ® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ABS/
ESP
® warning lamp v in the instrument
cluster flashes. However, the ESP ® will
then not stabilize the vehicle.
1 ESP ® switch
X Switching off: With the engine running,
press ESP
® switch 1 until the ABS/ESP ®
warning lamp v in the instrument clus-
ter comes on.
The ESP
® is switched off.
G Warning!
When the ABS/ESP ® warning lamp v is
illuminated continuously, the ESP ® is
switched off or is not operational due to a
malfunction. Vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your speed and driving to the pre-
vailing road conditions and to the non-oper-
ating status of the ESP
® .
Safety and security