Mercedes-Benz C-Sedan 2012 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 64)

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 204).
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 204).
The å ESP ® OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® (AMG
vehicles)
Activating/deactivating SPORT handling
mode
G
WARNING
The SPORT handling mode should not be
switched on during normal driving.
Switching on the SPORT handling mode will
result in the following:
R no restriction to the engine torque
R system supported traction control is
limited
The SPORT handling mode is designed for
driving on closed tracks when the vehicle's
own natural oversteer and understeer
characteristics are desired and requires a
highly skilled and experienced driver able to
handle these critical driving situations.
You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Please be aware of these limits when you
switch on the SPORT handling mode.
62
Driving safety systems
Safety