Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2014 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 78)

of reacting to moving objects that have
already been recognized as such at least once
over the period of observation. Adaptive
Brake Assist does not react to stationary
obstacles.
ESP ® (Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (
Y
page 70).
ESP ® monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tires and
the road surface.
If ESP
® detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified to
keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP ® assists the driver when
pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the vehicle during braking.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (
Y
page 70).
ETS/4ETS 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. In addition, more drive torque is
transferred to the wheel or wheels with
traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ® .
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If ESP ® is malfunctioning, ESP ® is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ® checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: switch off the
ignition when the electric parking brake is
being tested on a brake dynamometer.
Application of the brakes by ESP
® may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
Vehicles without 4MATIC: observe the notes
on ESP ® (
Y
page 377) when towing the
vehicle with a raised rear axle.
ESP
® is deactivated if the å warning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp lights up
continuously, ESP ® is not available due to a
malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(
Y
page 305) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(
Y
page 266).
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ® function
properly.
Characteristics of ESP ®
General information
If the ÷ ESP warning lamp goes out before
beginning the journey, ESP ® is automatically
active.
If ESP
® intervenes, the ÷ ESP ® warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP
® intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ® under any
circumstances.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
X
Adapt your driving style to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
76
Driving safety systems
Safety