The spinning of the wheels results in a cutting
action for better traction on loose surfaces.
R
Traction control is still activated
R
ESP
®
still provides support when you brake.
Depending on the equipment in the vehicle, you
can activate or deactivate ESP
®
when the
engine is running by using the
å
button or by
using the on-board computer:
R
on vehicles without steering wheel buttons
(
Y
page 174)
R
on vehicles with steering wheel buttons
(
Y
page 184)
å
button (equipment-dependent)
X
To activate/deactivate: when the engine is
running, press the
å
button.
The
å
warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when ESP
®
is deactivated.
Trailer stabilization
Observe the important safety guidelines for the
driving safety system (
Y
page 63).
G
WARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilization will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from swerv-
ing. Trailers with a high center of gravity can
tip over before ESP
®
can detect this. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
ESP
®
trailer stabilization counteracts critical
driving situations in good time and thereby pro-
vides considerable assistance when driving with
a trailer. Trailer stabilization is part of ESP
®
.
If the sensor system and evaluation logic detect
trailer swinging movements, ESP
®
trailer stabi-
lization firstly brakes individual vehicle wheels in
a targeted manner. It thus counteracts swinging
movements. If the swinging movements do not
stop, the vehicle is braked until the vehicle/
trailer combination is stabilized. If necessary,
the vehicle's engine output is limited.
If your vehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer com-
bination) starts to swerve, you will be able to
stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination only by
braking. ESP
®
trailer stabilization helps you to
stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination in this
situation.
ESP
®
trailer stabilization is activated above
speeds of about 40 mph (65 km/h).
If ESP
®
is switched off or deactivated because of
a malfunction, the trailer stabilization system
will not function.
Crosswind Assist
Observe the important safety guidelines for the
driving safety system (
Y
page 63).
Strong crosswind gusts can impair the road-
holding of your vehicle when driving straight
ahead. The Crosswind Assist function integra-
ted in ESP
®
reduces these impairments.
Depending on the direction and intensity of the
side wind, Crosswind Assist intervenes auto-
matically. ESP
®
intervenes with stabilizing brak-
ing to assist you in keeping the vehicle in the
lane. When Crosswind Assist intervenes, the
display shows the traffic sign for strong side
winds and the message
Crosswind Assist
Crosswind Assist
.
Crosswind Assist is activated automatically
above a vehicle speed of approx. 50 mph
(80 km/h) when the vehicle is driving straight
ahead or cornering gently.
Crosswind Assist does not react:
R
in the event of severe jolts and vibrations, e.g.
when driving over uneven surfaces or pot-
holes
R
when grip is reduced, e.g. on snow or ice or
when hydroplaning
Crosswind Assist does not work if ESP
®
is deac-
tivated or disabled because of a malfunction.
66
Driving safety systems
Safety
