Mercedes-Benz

Functions of ESP® (Electronic Stability Program)

WARNING Risk of skidding if ESP® is malfunctioning

If ESP® is malfunctioning, ESP® cannot carry out vehicle stabilisation. In addition, other driving safety systems are switched off.

Drive on carefully.

Have ESP® checked at a qualified specialist workshop.

WARNING Risk of skidding if ESP® is deactivated

If you deactivate ESP®, ESP® cannot carry out vehicle stabilisation.

ESP® should only be deactivated in the following situations.

ESP® can monitor and improve driving stability and traction in the following situations, within physical limits:

When pulling away on wet or slippery carriageways.
When braking.
Vehicles with trailer hitch: in trailer operation from speeds of 65 km/h, if the vehicle/trailer combination begins to sway from side to side.
In strong side winds when you are driving faster than 80 km/h.

If the vehicle deviates from the direction desired by the driver, ESP® can stabilise the vehicle by intervening in the following ways:

One or more wheels are braked.
The engine output is adapted according to the situation.

ESP® is deactivated if the ESP® OFF warning lamp lights up continuously in the instrument cluster.

Observe the following points when ESP® is deactivated:

Driving stability will no longer be improved.
Vehicles with trailer hitch: stabilisation of the vehicle/trailer combination is no longer active.
Crosswind Assist is no longer active.
The drive wheels could spin.
ETS/4ETS traction control is still active.

When ESP® is deactivated, you are still assisted by ESP® when braking.

If the

ESP® warning lamp flashes in the instrument cluster, one or several vehicle wheels has reached its grip limit:

Adapt the driving style to suit the prevailing road and weather conditions.
Do not deactivate ESP® under any circumstances.
Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as is necessary.

It may be best to deactivate ESP® in the following situations:

When using snow chains.
In deep snow.
On sand or gravel.

Spinning the wheels results in a cutting action, which enhances traction.

If the ESP® warning lamp lights up continuously, ESP® is not available due to a malfunction.

Observe the following information:

Warning and indicator lamps More
Display messages

ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)

ETS/4ETS traction control is part of ESP® and makes it possible to pull away and accelerate on a slippery carriageway.

ETS/4ETS can improve the vehicle's traction by intervening in the following ways:

The drive wheels are braked individually if they spin.
More drive torque is transferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.

Influence of drive programs on ESP®

The drive programs enable ESP® to adapt to different weather and road conditions as well as the driver's preferred driving style. You can select the drive programs using the DYNAMIC SELECT switch More.

ESP® characteristics per drive program
Drive program	ESP® mode	Characteristics
(Comfort) (Economy)	ESP® Comfort	These drive programs provide the ideal balance between traction and stability. Select drive program or in difficult road conditions, such as snow or ice, or when the road is wet from rain.
(Sport)	ESP® Sport	This drive program continues to offer stability but with a sporty setup which allows the enthusiastic driver a more active driving style. Select drive program in good road conditions, for example on dry roads and clear stretches of road.