2011 Mercedes R-Class Owner's Manual - Page 71

Driving safety systems G Warning Traction control remains active, even if you deactivate ESP®. 69 Never switch off the when you see the d warning lamp flashing in the instrument cluster. In this case proceed as follows: RWhen ESP® 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. 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. ! Only operate the vehicle for a maximum of ten seconds on a brake test dynamometer. Switch off the ignition. Application of the brakes by ESP® may otherwise destroy the brake system. ! Function or performance tests may only be performed on a 2-axle dynamometer. If you wish to operate the vehicle on such a dynamometer, please consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center beforehand. You could otherwise damage the drive train or the brake system. i Only use wheels with the recommended tire sizes. Only then will ESP® function properly. 4ETS (Electronic Traction System) G Warning Observe "Important safety instructions" (Y page 67). 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! 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. In addition, more drive torque is transferred to the wheel or wheels with traction. 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 d warning lamp in the instrument cluster flashes. In such situations, ESP® will not stabilize the vehicle. Z Safety G Warning