2006 Mercedes SL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 87

Safety and Security Driving safety systems ! Because of the ESP 's automatic operation, the engine must be shut off (SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or 1 or KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button in position 0 or 1) when the parking brake is being tested on a brake test dynamometer the vehicle is being towed with the front/rear axle raised Active braking action through the ESP® may otherwise seriously damage the brake system. The ESP® will only function properly if you use wheels of the recommended tire size ( page 434). For more information, see the "Practical hints" section ( page 332). ® Switching off the ESP® Warning! ! G Turn on the ESP® immediately if the aforementioned circumstances do not apply anymore. When you switch off the ESP® the ESP® does not stabilize the vehicle the engine output is not limited, which allows the drive wheels to spin and thus cut into surfaces for better grip the traction control will still brake a spinning wheel the ESP® continues to operate when you are braking you cannot activate Distronic* ESP® should not be switched off during normal driving other than in the circumstances described below. Disabling of the system will reduce vehicle stability in standard driving maneuvers. Do not switch off the ESP® when a spare wheel is mounted. To improve the vehicle's traction, turn off the ESP® in driving situations where it would be advantageous to have the drive wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for better grip such as: when driving with snow chains in deep snow in sand or gravel i When the ESP® is switched off and one or more drive wheels are spinning, the ABS/ESP® warning lamp v in the speedometer flashes. However, the ESP® will then not stabilize the vehicle. 86