Mercedes-Benz ML320. Manual — part 63

79

Safety and Security

Driving and safety systems

4-ETS

The 4-Electronic Traction System (4-ETS)
improves vehicle’s ability to utilize avail-
able traction, especially under slippery
road conditions. The brakes are applied to
the spinning wheel and power is trans-
ferred to the wheel(s) with traction.

The traction control engages at vehicle
speeds up to approximately 24 mph
(40 km/h), and switches off at approxi-
mately 50 mph (80 km/h).

The

{ indicator lamp in the instrument

cluster (

컄

page 25) comes on when you

turn the key to position 2. It goes out when
the engine is running.

The 4-ETS/ESP warning lamp

v, loca-

ted in the speedometer dial, starts to flash
at any vehicle speed, as soon as the tires
lose traction and the wheels begin to spin.

Warning!

G

When you see the 4-ETS/ESP-warning
lamp

v flashing in the speedometer,

then proceed as follows:

앫

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.

앫

While driving ease up on the accelera-
tor.

앫

Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.

Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.

The 4-ETS cannot prevent accidents resul-
ting from excessive speed.

!

Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
tion, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0
or 1) when the parking brake is being
tested on a brake test dynamometer.

Active braking action through ESP may
otherwise seriously damage the front
or rear axle brake system.

Operational tests with the engine
running can only be conducted on a
two-axle dynamometer.

i

If the yellow 4-ETS malfunction indica-
tor lamp

{ comes on while the

4-ETS/ESP warning lamp

v flash-

es, the electronic traction system is be-
ing switched off temporarily to prevent
overheating of the drive wheel brakes.

80

Safety and Security

Driving and safety systems

LOW RANGE 4-ETS

During off-road driving, a special low range
system for the 4-ETS is operational with
transmission in LOW RANGE mode.

More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (

컄

page 242) and

(

컄

page 252).

EBP

The EBP enhances braking effectiveness
by allowing the rear brakes to supply a
greater proportion of the braking effort
without a loss of vehicle stability.

ESP

The Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
monitors the vehicle’s traction (force of ad-
hesive friction between the tires and the
road surface) and handling.

The ESP recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting engine output, the ESP works to
stabilize the vehicle. The ESP is especially
useful while driving off and on wet or slip-
pery road surfaces.

The 4-ETS/ESP warning lamp

v in the

speedometer flashes when the ESP is en-
gaged.

The

¿ indicator lamp in the instrument

cluster (

컄

page 25) and the 4-ETS/ESP

warning lamp

v in the speedometer

come on when you turn the key to
position 2. They go out when the engine is
running.

Warning!

G

Never switch off the ESP when you see the
4-ETS/ESP-warning lamp

v flashing in

the speedometer. In this case, proceed as
follows:

앫

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.

앫

While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor.

앫

Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.

Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.

The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting
from excessive speed.

81

Safety and Security

Driving and safety systems

LOW RANGE – ESP

During off-road driving, a special low range
system for the ESP is operational with
transmission in LOW RANGE mode
(

컄

page 125).

In the LOW RANGE mode, the ESP ope-
rates in a traction improving fashion spe-
cifically adapted for off-road driving. At
speeds below 27 mph (45 km/h), the ESP
assists in over-/understeering, thus im-
proving vehicle traction.

Switching off the ESP

To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have the drive wheels
spin and thus cut into surfaces for better
grip such as:

앫

starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains

앫

in sand or gravel

앫

when driving off-road

Warning!

G

The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabili-
ties of an ESP equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others.

!

Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
tion, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0
or 1) when the parking brake is being
tested on a brake test dynamometer.

Active braking action through ESP may
otherwise seriously damage the front
or rear axle brake system.

Operational tests with the engine
running can only be conducted on a
two-axle dynamometer.

Warning!

G

The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.

82

Safety and Security

Driving and safety systems

The switch is located in the upper center
console.

ESP on/off switch

왘

Press upper half of the ESP switch.

The 4-ETS/ESP warning lamp

v in

the speedometer comes on.

The ESP is deactivated.

If one or more drive wheels are spinning,
the 4-ETS/ESP warning lamp

v in the

speedometer flashes, regardless of the
speed.

Traction control brakes a spinning wheel
even when the ESP is deactivated.

The ESP always operates when you are
braking, even when it has been deactiva-
ted.

Switching on the ESP

왘

Press lower half of the ESP switch until
the 4-ETS/ESP warning lamp

v in

the speedometer goes out.

You are now again in normal driving
mode.

For more information, see “Practical hints”
(

컄

page 241).

!

Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESP switched
off. This may cause serious damage to
the drivetrain which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

i

Turn ESP on immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply
anymore.

Warning!

G

When the 4-ETS/ESP warning lamp

v is

illuminated continuously, the ESP is
switched off.

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