Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 2009 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 82)

Anti-theft systems
80
! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESP ® switched
off. This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Switching on the ESP ®
X Press ESP ® switch 1 until the ESP ®
warning lamp v in the instrument
cluster goes out.
You are now again in normal driving mode
with the ESP
® switched on.
Off-road ESP ®
With the off-road driving program switched on
(
Y page 185), or with the transmission in
LOW RANGE mode ( Y page 142), the ESP ®
designed for off-road use is automatically
activated. At speeds below 27 mph
(45 km/h), the ESP
® assists in over-/
understeering, thus improving vehicle
traction.
ESP ® trailer stabilization
If the trailer you are towing should begin to
sway, the rig can only be stabilized by
immediately applying the brakes hard.
Steering during this maneuver will not help to
stabilize the rig.
The ESP
® will assist you in such situations.
The ESP ® recognizes when the trailer starts
swaying and will apply the brakes to reduce
the vehicle speed to a non-critical speed that
allows the vehicle-trailer combination to
stabilize.
The ESP
® trailer stabilization is functional at
vehicle speeds above approximately 40 mph
(65 km/h) when the ESP
® is switched on.
G Warning!
The system will not be able to assist when
the trailer jackknifes
R if the ESP ® has switched off due to a
malfunction
R on wet or icy roads
R on roads with slippery surface
R in sand or gravel
Trailers with a high center of gravity may tip
over before the system recognizes swaying
of the trailer.
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. The
engine can be started by anyone with a valid
SmartKey that is left inside the vehicle.
Activating
X With SmartKey: Remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.
X With KEYLESS-GO: Turn off the engine and
open the driver’s door.
Deactivating
X Switch on the ignition.
i Starting the engine will also deactivate
the immobilizer.
In the event that the engine cannot be
started (yet the vehicle’s battery is
charged), the system is not operational.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the
USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
Safety and security