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/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
ETS traction control is part of ESP
®
. On vehicles
with 4MATIC, 4ETS is a component 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
®
.
In appropriate driving situations, activate the
off-road programs:
X
Vehicles without the Off-Road Engineering
package (
Y
page 254)
X
Vehicles with the Off-Road Engineering pack-
age (
Y
page 254)
Off-road 4ETS (Electronic Traction Sys-
tem)
An ETS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once an off-
road program is activated:
R
Vehicles without the Off-Road Engineering
package (
Y
page 254)
R
Vehicles with the Off-Road Engineering pack-
age (
Y
page 254)
Important safety notes
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.
!
Only operate the vehicle for a maximum of
ten seconds on a brake dynamometer. Switch
off the ignition.
Application of the brakes by ESP
®
may oth-
erwise destroy the brake system.
!
A function or performance test should only
be carried out on a twin-axle dynamometer.
Before you operate the vehicle on such a
dynamometer, please consult a qualified
workshop. You could otherwise damage the
drive train or the brake system.
When ESP
®
is deactivated, the
å
ESP
®
OFF
warning lamp lights up continuously.
If the
÷
warning lamp and the
å
warning
lamp are lit continuously, ESP
®
is not available
due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(
Y
page 343) and display messages which may
be shown in the instrument cluster
(
Y
page 301).
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,
76
Driving safety systems
Sa
fet
y