In the following situations, it may be better to
activate SPORT handling mode or deactivate
ESP
®
:
R
when snow chains are used
R
in deep snow
R
on sand or gravel
R
on specially designated roads when the vehi-
cle's own oversteering and understeering
characteristics are desired
Driving in SPORT handling mode or without
ESP
®
requires a highly qualified and experi-
enced driver.
i
Activate ESP
®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP
®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehicle
if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts to
spin.
Deactivating/activating ESP
®
X
To activate SPORT handling mode: briefly
press button
:
.
The
M
SPORT handling mode warning
lamp on the instrument cluster lights up. The
SPORT handling mode
SPORT handling mode
message appears in
the multifunction display.
X
To deactivate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button
:
.
The
M
SPORT handling mode warning
lamp on the instrument cluster goes out.
X
To deactivate ESP
®
: press button
:
until
the
å
ESP
®
OFF warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster.
The
÷
OFF
OFF
message appears in the multi-
function display.
X
To activate ESP
®
: briefly press button
:
.
The
å
ESP
®
OFF warning lamp on the
instrument cluster goes out. The
÷
ESP
®
ON
ON
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
Characteristics when SPORT handling
mode is activated
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one or
more wheels start to spin, the
÷
ESP
®
warn-
ing lamp on the instrument cluster flashes. In
such situations, ESP
®
will stabilise the vehicle
only to a limited degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
R
ESP
®
improves driving stability only to a limi-
ted degree
R
traction control is still activated
R
the engine's torque is only restricted to a limi-
ted degree and the drive wheels may start to
spin
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut for
better traction on loose surfaces.
R
ESP
®
still provides support when you brake
firmly
Characteristics when ESP
®
is deactivated
If ESP
®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the
÷
ESP
®
warning lamp in the
instrument cluster does not flash. In such situa-
tions, ESP
®
will not stabilise the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP
®
:
R
ESP
®
no longer improves driving stability
R
engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels may start to spin
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut for
better traction on loose surfaces.
R
traction control is still activated
R
Active Brake Assist is no longer available; it is
not activated even if you brake firmly with
assistance from ESP
®
R
PRE-SAFE
®
is no longer available; it is not
activated even if you brake firmly with assis-
tance from ESP
®
R
ESP
®
still provides support when you brake
firmly
Off-road ESP
®
An ESP
®
system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated (
Y
page 192).
74
Driving safety systems
Safety