Mercedes-Benz 2008 S-Class, Operator'S Manual

Page: 74 / 761

73
Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Switching off the ESP
®
(except S 63 AMG)
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
when driving with snow chains
앫
in deep snow
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 electronic traction system will still
apply the brakes to a spinning wheel
앫
the ESP
®
continues to operate when
you are braking
앫
you cannot activate the cruise control
or the DISTRONIC Plus*
1
ESP
®
off/on
왘
Press ESP
®
switch
1
until the ESP
®
warning lamp
v
in the instrument
cluster comes on.
The ESP
®
is switched off.
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.
Warning!
G
Switch on the ESP
®
immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply any-
more. Otherwise the ESP
®
will not stabilize
the vehicle when it is starting to skid or a
wheel is spinning.
i
When the ESP
®
is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESP
®
warn-
ing lamp
v
in the instrument cluster flashes.
However, the ESP
®
will then not stabilize the
vehicle.