Mercedes-Benz 2002 ML 500, Operator'S Manual

Page: 98 / 539

97
Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Switching off the ESP
®
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP
®
in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:
앫
starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains
앫
in sand or gravel
When you switch off the ESP
®
앫
the ESP
®
does not stabilize the vehicle
앫
the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip
앫
the 4-ETS will still brake a spinning
wheel
앫
the ESP
®
continues to operate when
you are braking
The switch is located on the upper center
console.
1
ESP
®
switch
왘 With the engine running, press ESP
®
switch
1
.
The ESP
®
warning lamp
v
in the
instrument cluster comes on. The
ESP
®
is deactivated.
Warning!
G
The ESP
®
should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP
®
when a
Minispare wheel is mounted.
!
Turn ESP
®
on immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply
anymore.
i
When the ESP
®
is switched off and one
or more drive wheels are spinning, the
ESP
®
warning lamp
v
in the instru-
ment cluster flashes. However, the
ESP
®
will then not stabilize the vehicle.