Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2012 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 66)

Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP ® .
G WARNING
Traction control cannot reduce the risk of an
accident if you drive too fast. Traction control
cannot override the laws of physics.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (
Y
page 61).
G WARNING
ESP ® should not be deactivated during
normal driving other than in the
circumstances described below. Disabling
the system will reduce vehicle stability in
driving maneuvers.
Do not deactivate ESP
® when the emergency
or spare wheel is mounted.
ESP ® is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
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
G WARNING
Switch on ESP ® immediately if one of the
previously stated conditions is no longer met.
Otherwise, ESP
® cannot stabilize the vehicle
if it begins to lurch or when a wheel spins.
When you deactivate ESP ® :
R ESP ® no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ® still provides support when you
brake.
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.
X
To deactivate: press button :.
The å ESP
® OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
G WARNING
When the å ESP ® OFF warning lamp is lit,
ESP ® is deactivated.
If the ÷ ESP ® warning lamp and the
å ESP ® OFF warning lamp remain lit,
ESP ® is not available due to a malfunction.
When ESP ® is deactivated or not operational,
vehicle stability in standard driving
maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP
® .
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ® deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
X To activate: press button :.
The å ESP
® OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
ESP ® trailer stabilization
If your vehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer
combination) begins to lurch, you can only
stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination by
depressing the brake firmly.
64
Driving safety systems
Safety