traction control MERCEDES-BENZ S55AMG 2002 W220 User Guide

282 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ESP control switch
ESP control switch located on center console.
1Press to switch ESP off
ESP warning lampv, located in speedometer
dial, comes on.
2Press to switch ESP on
ESP warning lampv, located in speedometer
dial, goes out.To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
sn ow chain s, or startin g of f in d eep sn ow, san d o r grave l,
switch off ESP by pressing the upper half (1) of the ESP
switch. The ESP warning lampv, located in the
speedometer dial, is continuously illuminated.
With the ESP system switched off, the engine torque
reduction feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced
vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
A portion of the ESP system remains active, even with
the switch in the OFF position.
If one drive wheel loses traction and begins to spin, the
brake is applied until the wheel regains sufficient
traction. The traction control engages at vehicle speeds
up to approximately 24 mph (40 km / h), and switches
off at 50 mph (80 km / h).
Wa r n i n g !
When the ESP warning lamp is illuminated
continuously, the ESP is switched off. Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.

283 Driving systems
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Avoid spinning of one drive wheel. This may cause
serious damage to the drive train which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The ESP warning lamp, located in the speedometer dial,
starts to flash at any vehicle speed as soon as the tires
lose traction and the wheels begin to spin.
To return to the enhanced vehicle stability offered by
ESP: press lower half (2) of the switch (the ESP warning
lamp in the speedometer dial goes out).
Vehicles with Distronic (DTR):
With the ESP switched off, the Distronic cannot be
switched on. See page 264 for activation of Distronic.Important!
If the ESP warning lamp flashes:
•during take-off, apply as little throttle as possible,
•while driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP should not be switched off during normal
driving other than in circumstances described
above. Disabling of the system will reduce vehicle
stability in standard driving maneuvers.

408 Consumer information
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Consumer information
This has been prepared as required of all manufactures
of passenger cars under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal
Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.
Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
All passenger car tires must conform to federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
(1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
Tread wear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Wa r n i n g !
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straightahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.

422 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
TTachometer ......................................................................117
Technical data ................................................................ 396
Electrical system ....................................................... 400
Main dimensions ...................................................... 401
Rims and tires ...........................................................398
Weights ....................................................................... 401
Tele Aid ........................................................................... 218
Emergency calls ........................................................ 219
Information ................................................................ 223
Initiating an emergency call manually ................. 221
Roadside Assistance ................................................. 222
TELE AID -
malfunction and warning messages ......................327
Telephone ........................................................................ 127
General notes .................................................... 209, 216
Incoming call ............................................................. 131
Redialing .................................................................... 129
Telephone book ......................................................... 127
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION -
malfunction and warning messages ......................329
Telephones and two-way radios ................................... 216
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ................................ 217
Tire inflation pressure .................................................. 356Tire inflation pressure monitor ................................... 152
Inquiry of present tire inflation pressure ............. 152
TIRE PRESSURE -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 322
Tires
Driving instructions .................................................251
Rims and tires .......................................................... 398
Rotating wheels ........................................................ 349
Tire inflation pressure ............................................ 356
Tire Replacement ..................................................... 348
Tire speed rating ...................................................... 253
Tire traction .............................................................. 252
Winter driving instructions .................................... 254
Tool kit
See Vehicle tools ....................................................... 346
Tow-away alarm ................................................................ 61
Towing the vehicle ......................................................... 361
Traveling abroad ........................................................... 257
Trip computer ................................................................. 134
Trip odometer ................................................................. 117
Trunk ................................................................................. 51
Opening ........................................................................ 36
Power closing assist .................................................... 48
Release switch ............................................................. 55
Release/close switch ..................................................56
Trunk lid closing feature ...........................................53