2011 Mercedes C-Class Owner's Manual - Page 67

Driving safety systems It may be best to activate SPORT handling mode in the following situations: Rwhen Rin 65 mode message appears in the multifunction display. X G Warning Switch off the SPORT handling mode and switch on the ESP® immediately if the aforementioned circumstances do not apply anymore. Otherwise the SPORT handling mode will only stabilize the vehicle to a limited extent when it is starting to skid or a wheel is spinning. Activating/deactivating ESP® G Warning! The ESP® should not be switched off during normal driving. Disabling of the system will result in the following: Rno Rloss When SPORT handling mode is activated: RESP® restriction to engine torque of system-supported traction control only improves driving stability to a limited degree. Rthe engine's torque is restricted to a limited degree and 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 firmly. If SPORT handling mode is activated and one or more wheels start to spin, the ä warning lamp in the instrument cluster flashes. ESP® only stabilizes the vehicle to a limited degree. "ESP® OFF" is designed for driving on closed tracks when the vehicle's natural oversteer and understeer characteristics are desired and requires a highly skilled and experienced driver able to handle these critical driving situations. You could lose control of your vehicle and cause an accident. Please be aware of these limits when you switch off the ESP®. Do not switch off the ESP® when a spare wheel is mounted. 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 Activate ESP® as soon as the situations described above no longer apply. ESP® will otherwise not be able to stabilize the vehicle if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts to spin. G Warning! X To activate: briefly press button :. The M warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights up. The SPORT handling Z Safety using snow chains deep snow Ron sand or gravel To deactivate: briefly press button :. The M warning lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.