Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 2013 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 73)

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.
4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
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 ® .
In appropriate driving situations, activate the
off-road program:
X Vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD
package (
Y
page 252)
X
Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package
(
Y
page 252)
Off-road 4ETS (Electronic Traction
System)
A 4ETS 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 252)
R Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package
(
Y
page 252)
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.
! Only operate the vehicle for a maximum
of ten seconds on a brake test
dynamometer. Switch off the ignition.
Application of the brakes by ESP
® may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a two-axle
dynamometer. Before you operate the
vehicle on such a dynamometer, please
consult a qualified workshop. You could
otherwise damage the drive train or the
brake system.
ESP ® is deactivated if the å warning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the å
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP ® is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(
Y
page 325) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(
Y
page 287).
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ® function
properly.
Characteristics of ESP ®
General information
ESP
® is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
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.
Driving safety systems
71
Safety
Z