Mercedes-Benz 2013 GL Class - Manual (Page 75)

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
If you deactivate ESP ® :
R ESP ® no longer improves driving stability.
R
traction control is still activated.
R ESP ® still provides support when you
brake.
R
engine torque is not limited and the drive
wheels are able to spin. The spinning
wheels produce a cutting effect for better
traction.
Off-road ESP ®
An ESP ® system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated on:
R
Vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD
package (
Y page 250)
R
Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package
(
Y page 250)
Off-road ESP ® intervenes with a delay if there
is oversteering or understeering, thus
improving traction.
ESP ® trailer stabilization
G
WARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilization will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from
swerving. Trailers with a high center of gravity
can tip over before ESP
® can detect this.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
If your vehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer
combination) begins to lurch, you can only
stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination by
depressing the brake firmly.
In this situation, ESP ® assists you and can
detect if the vehicle/trailer combination
begins to lurch. ESP
® slows the vehicle down
by braking and limiting the engine output until
the vehicle/trailer combination has
stabilized.
Trailer stabilization is active above speeds of
about 37 mph (60 km/h).
Trailer stabilization does not work if ESP
® is
deactivated because of a malfunction.
Crosswind driving assistance
Strong crosswinds can cause your vehicle to
deviate from a straight course. The crosswind
driving assistance function integrated into
ESP
® significantly reduces these effects.
ESP ® intervenes automatically according to
the direction and intensity of the crosswinds
affecting your vehicle.
When driving on straight roads or gentle
bends, your vehicle is kept safely on course
by a stabilizing brake intervention.
Crosswind driving assistance is active above
a vehicle speed of 80 km/h.
Crosswind driving assistance does not work
if ESP
® is deactivated or disabled because of
a malfunction.
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 66).
G
WARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g. under full braking. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Driving safety systems
73
Safety
Z