Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2014 Owners Manual - 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
i Activate ESP ® as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ® will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the
vehicle 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 switch off: press button :.
The å ESP
® OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switch on: press button :.
The å ESP
® OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Characteristics when ESP ® is deactivated
If ESP ® is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ ESP ® warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ® will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP ® :
R ESP ® no longer improves driving stability.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a
cutting action for better traction on loose
surfaces.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ® still provides support when you
brake.
Off-road ESP ®
An ESP ® system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated (
Y
page 248).
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.
Driving safety systems
73
Safety
Z