Mercedes-Benz

Function of ESP® (Electronic Stability Program)

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.

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.

When ESP® is deactivated, the

warning lamp lights up continuously:

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.

When the

warning lamp flashes, one or several 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.

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:

Warning and indicator 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.

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® modes

Depending on the selected drive program, the appropriate ESP® mode will be activated. You can select the drive programs using the DYNAMIC SELECT switch More.

ESP® Comfort

drive program 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

drive program
offers 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 +

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

Off-road ESP®

traction-oriented setting up to approx 30 km/h
maximum traction on unpaved, very uneven surfaces and easily negotiable off-road terrain
suitable for unpaved roads with easily negotiable off-road terrain or very uneven surfaces