Mercedes-Benz 2008 S550 Operator's Manual page 73

Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Warning!
®
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, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
®
pabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er's safety or the safety of others.
72
i
DISTRONIC Plus* and cruise control are
G
switched off when the ESP
i
®
The ESP will only function properly if you
use wheels of the recommended tire size
( page 718).
®
!
Vehicles without 4MATIC:
®
Because the ESP operates automatically, the
engine and ignition must be shut off (SmartKey
in starter switch position 0 or 1 or KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button* in position 0 or 1) when
the electronic parking brake is being tested
on a brake test dynamometer
the vehicle is being towed with the
front/rear axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
erwise seriously damage the brake system.
For information on vehicles with 4MATIC, see
"Four wheel electronic traction system (4MATIC)
®
with the ESP " ( page 75).
For more information, see "Practical hints"
section ( page 604) and ( page 612).
Electronic traction system
®
engages.
The electronic traction system is a compo-
nent of ESP
The electronic traction system improves
the vehicle's ability to utilize available trac-
tion, especially under slippery road condi-
tions by applying the brakes to a spinning
wheel.
When you switch off the ESP
tronic traction system is still enabled.
Warning!
If you are driving too fast, the electronic
®
may oth-
traction system cannot reduce the risk of an
accident.
The electronic traction system cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle.
®
.
®
, the elec-
G