Mercedes-Benz 2005 C 230 Kompressor - Manual (Page 85)

84
Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
୴ page 343).
Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have drive wheels spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip
such as:
ț starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains
ț sand or gravel
When you switch off the ESP
ț the ESP does not stabilize the vehicle
ț the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip
ț the traction control will still brake a
spinning wheel
ț the ESP continues to operate when you
are braking
!
Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
tion, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0
or 1) when
ț the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer
ț the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
rear axle brake system.
The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size.
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
!
Turn on the ESP immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not
apply anymore.
i
When the ESP is switched off and one
or more drive wheels are spinning, the
ESP warning lamp
v in the speed-
ometer flashes. However, the ESP will
then not stabilize the vehicle.