2011 Mercedes E-Class Owner's Manual - Page 69

Driving safety systems the driver when pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP® can also stabilize the vehicle during braking. If ESP® intervenes, the ä warning lamp flashes in the instrument cluster. Traction control remains active if you deactivate ESP®. 67 Deactivating/activating ESP® The ESP should not be switched off during normal driving other than in the circumstances described below. Disabling the system will reduce vehicle stability in driving maneuvers. Do not switch off the ESP when a spare wheel is mounted. G Warning! Never switch off the ESP when you see the ESP warning lamp ä flashing in the instrument cluster. In this case proceed as follows: RWhen driving off, apply as little throttle as possible. RWhile driving, ease up on the accelerator pedal. RAdapt your speed and driving style to the prevailing road conditions. Failure to observe these guidelines could cause the vehicle to skid. The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting from excessive speed. ESP® is activated automatically when the engine is running. It may be best to deactivate ESP® in the following situations: Rwhen Rin using snow chains deep snow Ron sand or gravel ! Switch the ignition off when: Rthe parking brake is being tested using a dynamometer Rthe vehicle is being towed with the front/ rear axle raised Application of the brakes by ESP® may otherwise destroy the brake system. i Only use wheels with the recommended tire sizes. Only then will ESP® function properly. ETS (Electronic Traction Support) G Warning Observe "Important safety notes" (Y page 64). G Warning! Switch on the ESP immediately if the aforementioned circumstances do not apply anymore. Otherwise the ESP will not stabilize the vehicle when it is starting to skid or a wheel is spinning. When you deactivate ESP®: RESP® no longer improves driving stability. Rthe engine's torque is no longer limited and Traction control is part of ESP®. Traction control brakes the drive wheels individually 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. the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of the wheels results in a cutting action, which provides better grip. Rtraction control is still activated. RESP® still provides support when you brake. If ESP® is deactivated and one or more wheels start to spin, the ä warning lamp in the instrument cluster flashes. In such situations, ESP® will not stabilize the vehicle. X To deactivate: (Y page 207). The å warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights up. Z Safety G Warning!