2004 Mercedes ML-Class Owner's Manual - Page 79

Safety and Security Driving and safety systems 4-ETS Warning! The 4-Electronic Traction System (4-ETS) improves vehicle's ability to utilize available traction, especially under slippery road conditions. The brakes are applied to the spinning wheel and power is transferred to the wheel(s) with traction. The traction control engages at vehicle speeds up to approximately 24 mph (40 km/h), and switches off at approximately 50 mph (80 km/h). The { indicator lamp in the instrument cluster ( page 25) comes on when you turn the key to position 2. It goes out when the engine is running. The 4-ETS/ESP warning lamp v, located in the speedometer dial, starts to flash at any vehicle speed, as soon as the tires lose traction and the wheels begin to spin. G ! Because of the ESP's automatic operation, the engine must be shut off (SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or 1) when the parking brake is being tested on a brake test dynamometer. Active braking action through ESP may otherwise seriously damage the front or rear axle brake system. Operational tests with the engine running can only be conducted on a two-axle dynamometer. When you see the 4-ETS/ESP-warning lamp v flashing in the speedometer, then proceed as follows: While driving off, apply as little throttle as possible. While driving ease up on the accelerator. Adapt your speed and driving style to the prevailing road conditions. Failure to observe these guidelines could cause the vehicle to skid. The 4-ETS cannot prevent accidents resulting from excessive speed. i If the yellow 4-ETS malfunction indicator lamp { comes on while the 4-ETS/ESP warning lamp v flashes, the electronic traction system is being switched off temporarily to prevent overheating of the drive wheel brakes. 79