Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Activating/deactivating ESP®

Mercedes-Benz E-Class / Mercedes-Benz E-Class Owners Manual / Safety / Driving safety systems / Deactivating/activating ESP® (AMG vehicles) / Activating/deactivating ESP®

WARNING
The ESP® should not be switched off during normal driving.

Disabling of the system will result in the following:
- no restriction to engine torque
- loss of system-supported traction control

"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 started.

It may be best to deactivate ESP® in the following situations:
- when using snow chains
- in deep snow
- on sand or gravel

WARNING
Switch on ESP® immediately if one of the previously stated conditions is no longer met.

Otherwise, ESP® cannot stabilize the vehicle if it begins to lurch or when a wheel spins.

If you deactivate ESP®:

- ESP® no longer improves driving stability.
- the engine's torque is no longer limited and the drive wheels are able to spin. The spinning of the wheels results in a cutting action, which provides better grip.
- traction control is still activated.
- PRE-SAFE® is no longer available, nor is it activated if you brake firmly and ESP® intervenes.
- PRE-SAFE® Brake is no longer available, nor is it activated if you brake firmly and ESP® intervenes.
- ESP® still provides support when you brake firmly.
If ESP® is deactivated and one or more wheels start to spin, the ESP® warning lamp in the instrument cluster does not flash. In such situations, ESP® will not stabilize the vehicle.

the instrument cluster does not flash. In such situations, ESP® will not stabilize the vehicle.

•► To deactivate: press button 1 until the

•► To deactivate: press button 1 until the ESP® OFF warning lamp lights up in the instrument cluster.

The OFF message appears in the multifunction display.

WARNING
When the ESP® OFF warning lamp is lit, ESP® is deactivated.

If the ESP® warning lamp and the ESP® OFF warning lamp remain lit, ESP® is not available due to a malfunction.

When ESP® is deactivated or not operational, vehicle stability in standard driving maneuvers is reduced.

Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions and to the non-operating status of the ESP®.

Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an extended period with ESP® deactivated.

You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.

•► To activate: briefly press button 1.

The ESP® OFF warning lamp in the instrument cluster goes out. The ON message appears in the multifunction display.

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