Mercedes-Benz E-Class: 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
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.
Activating/deactivating SPORT handling
mode
WARNING
The SPORT handling mode should not be
switched on during normal driving.
Switching on the SPORT handling mode will
result in the following:
- no restriction to the engine torque
...
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking.
WARNING
If EBD has malfu ...
See also:
Customer Key Programming
You can program new keys to the system if you have two
valid Sentry Keys by performing the following procedure:
1. Cut the additional Sentry Key Transponder blank(s)
to match the ignition switch ...
If your vehicle overheats
If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by an
extremely high temperature gauge reading), or if
you feel a lack of engine power, detect abnormal
noise, etc., take the following steps.
WARNING
&# ...
Fastening the seat belts
1. Adjust the seat. See “Seats” earlier in this
section.
2 Slowly pull the seat belt out of the retractor
and insert the tongue into the buckle until
you hear and feel the latch engage.
& ...
