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

Application of the brakes by ESP ® may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ® function
properly.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
G
WARNING
Observe "Important safety notes"
(
Y page 60).
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. On vehicles with 4MATIC, more
drive torque is also transferred to the wheel
or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP
® .
Deactivating/activating ESP ® (except
AMG vehicles)
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.
If 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:( Y page 206).
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:( Y page 206).
The å ESP ® OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
64
Driving safety systems
Safety