Mercedes-Benz SL 550 BlueEFFICIENCY, Operator'S Manual

Page: 64 / 572

X
To deactivate: press button
:
until the
å
ESP
®
OFF warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster.
The
÷
OFF
message appears in the
multifunction display.
Deactivate ESP
®
when driving on
designated roads when the vehicle's own
oversteering and understeering
characteristics are desired. Driving without
ESP
®
requires an extremely qualified and
experienced driver who is able to cope with
these critical driving conditions.
X
To activate: briefly press button
:
.
The
å
ESP
®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. The
÷
ON
message appears in the multifunction
display.
ESP
®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
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
situations, ESP
®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
It may be best to deactivate ESP
®
in the
following situations:
R
when using snow chains
R
in deep snow
R
on sand or gravel
If you deactivate ESP
®
:
R
ESP
®
no longer improves driving stability.
R
traction control is still activated.
R
PRE-SAFE
®
is no longer available, nor is it
activated if you brake firmly and ESP
®
intervenes.
R
PRE-SAFE
®
Brake is no longer available, it
is also not activated if you brake firmly and
ESP
®
intervenes.
R
ESP
®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
R
engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin. The spinning
wheels produce a cutting effect for better
traction.
Vehicles with ECO start/stop function: the
ECO start/stop function switches the engine
off automatically when the vehicle comes to
a stop. The engine starts automatically when
the driver wants to pull away again. ESP
®
remains in its previously selected status.
Example: if ESP
®
was deactivated before the
engine was switched off, ESP
®
remains
deactivated when the engine is switched on
again.
EBD (Electronic Brake-force
Distribution)
G
WARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g. under full braking. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (
Y
page 257) as well as
display messages (
Y
page 226).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking.
62
Driving safety systems
Safety