You can also switch off the hazard warning
lamps using the hazard warning button
(
Y
page 116).
ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (
Y
page 61).
ESP
®
monitors driving stability and traction, i.e.
power transmission between the tyres and the
road surface.
If ESP
®
detects that the vehicle is deviating from
the direction desired by the driver, one or more
wheels are braked to stabilise the vehicle. The
engine output is also modified to keep the vehi-
cle on the desired course within physical limits.
ESP
®
assists the driver when pulling away on
wet or slippery roads. ESP
®
can also stabilise
the vehicle during braking.
ETS (Electronic Traction System)
ETS traction control is part of ESP
®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. In addition, more drive torque is transfer-
red to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active if you deactivate
ESP
®
.
Important safety notes
i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (
Y
page 61).
G
WARNING
If ESP
®
is malfunctioning, ESP
®
is unable to
stabilise the vehicle. In addition, other driving
safety systems are switched off. This increa-
ses the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP
®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
!
Vehicles with 4MATIC: function or perform-
ance tests may only be carried out on a 2-axle
dynamometer. Before operating the vehicle
on such a dynamometer, please consult a
qualified specialist workshop. You could oth-
erwise damage the drive train or the brake
system.
Vehicles without 4MATIC: when towing your
vehicle with the rear axle raised, observe the
notes on ESP
®
(
Y
page 317).
If the
å
ESP
®
OFF warning lamp lights up
continuously, then ESP
®
is deactivated.
If the
÷
ESP
®
warning lamp and the
å
ESP
®
OFF warning lamp are lit continuously,
ESP
®
is not available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(
Y
page 256) and display messages which may
be shown in the instrument cluster
(
Y
page 230).
i
Only use wheels with the recommended tyre
sizes. Only then will ESP
®
function properly.
Characteristics of ESP
®
General notes
If the
÷
ESP warning lamp goes out before
beginning the journey, ESP
®
is automatically
active.
If ESP
®
intervenes, the
÷
ESP
®
warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP
®
intervenes:
X
Do not deactivate ESP
®
under any circum-
stances.
X
When pulling away, only depress the acceler-
ator pedal as far as is necessary.
X
Adapt your driving style to suit the prevailing
road and weather conditions.
ECO start/stop function
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle stops
moving. When pulling away again, the engine
starts automatically. ESP
®
remains in its previ-
ously selected status. Example: if ESP
®
was
deactivated before the engine was switched off,
ESP
®
remains deactivated when the engine is
switched on again.
Driving safety systems
67
Saf
ety
Z