Mercedes-Benz

Functions of ESP®

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.

The Electronic Stability Program (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.

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:

Driving stability will no longer be improved.
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 your driving style to suit the current road and weather conditions.
Do not deactivate ESP®.
Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as is necessary when pulling away.

It can be advantageous to deactivate ESP® in the following situations to improve traction:

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:

Indicator and warning lamps More
Display messages More

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.

ESP® modes

Depending on the selected drive program, the appropriate ESP® mode will be activated automatically. ESP® adapts 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® Comfort

active in drive programs and
balance between traction and stability
recommended for all road surface conditions
suitable for both dry and difficult road conditions, such as snow or ice, or when the road is wet from rain

ESP® Sport

active in drive program
continues to offer stability but with a sporty setup
allows the sporty driver a more active driving style
only suitable for good road conditions, a dry road surface and a clear stretch of road

ESP® Sport +

active in drive program
emphasises the vehicle's own oversteering and understeering characteristics for a more active driving style
only suitable for good road conditions, a dry road surface and a clear stretch of road

ESP® off-road and ESP® off-road +

active in drive programs and
intervenes later if there is oversteering or understeering, thus improving traction
ESP® off-road (): suitable for easily negotiable off-road terrain such as dirt tracks, gravel or sandy surfaces
ESP® off-road + (): suitable for rough terrain such as steep and/or uneven terrain or for driving on rocky terrain