Mercedes-Benz SLS-Class 2015 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 58)

may be shown in the instrument cluster
(
Y
page 170).
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ® function
properly.
Characteristics of ESP ®
ESP ® is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
If ESP
® intervenes, the h ESP ® warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP
® intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ® under any circum-
stances.
X
Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (
Y
page 54).
You can select between the following states
of ESP ® :
R ESP ® is activated.
R
SPORT handling mode is activated.
R ESP ® is deactivated.
G WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is activated,
there is a greater risk of skidding and acci-
dents.
Only activate SPORT handling mode in the sit-
uations described in the following.
G WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ® , ESP ® no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ® in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
In the following situations, it may be better to
activate SPORT handling mode or deactivate
ESP ® :
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R
on sand or gravel
R
when driving on designated roads when the
vehicle's own oversteering and understeer-
ing characteristics are desired
Driving in SPORT handling mode or without
ESP ® requires an extremely qualified and
experienced driver.
i Activate ESP ® as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ® will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the vehi-
cle if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel
starts to spin.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ® deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
X
To activate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button :.
The M handling mode warning lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up. The
56
Driving safety systems
Safety