fbpresco

hello....Hopefully this doesn't sound dumb but I had a questions about snow chains. My question is do I only need one set or do all four tires need chains because of the AWD? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks again.

kfriceman

You will need to chain all four wheels but in a pinch you can get by temporarily with chaining just the rears but you must turn off the traction control to do so. With that said the ML is an outstanding winter/snow vehicle and I can only see needing chains in the most severe winter driving conditions and if you find yourself in those conditions it is either by complete surprise or perhaps poor judgement.

-Kevin

West Town

... or it is because you look forward to a couple feet of snow and refuse to let the weather stop your fun! Drive hard!

Mike's ML

How do you turn off the traction control?
Mike

kfriceman

It is the ESP button at the botton center of the dash below the radio. This puts the traction control systems in deep hibernation, meaning it is never completely off. If you truly get way out of control it will "wake up" and help out as best it can.

-Kevin

kfriceman

Dang...sorry I forgot about the "having fun" part!!

Mike's ML

Actually that just turns off the Stability program. The Traction System cannot be turned off and is fully functioning all the time, just like in my 98ML that does not have the ESP function and therefore no ESP button.
Mike

MJ50

try the spyder...
supposed to work better then conventional chains and only takes minutes to put them on...

fbpresco

Thanks for all the help.....Will always have fun driving hard....thanks again to all.

kfriceman

Actually the ESP system is an integral part of the 4-ETS+ (traction control) system and is definetley part of the equation reducing unwanted wheel spin and that is why the manual states:

"To improve the vehicles traction when driving in with snow chains, or starting off in seep snow, sand or gravel, or off-road driving, switch the ESP off by pressing the upper half of the ESP switch......"

-Kevin

Mike's ML

While you are correct I think we are both using a play on words. ESP and 4-ETS are two different functions which have been combined in the later W163 models, but functionally remain two separate algorithms. What I am saying is that pressing the ESP button does turn off the ESP (Stability Control) function but the 4-ETS (Traction Control) system stays Fully active. My comments were based on you stating that when using chains, and I quote, "but you must turn off the traction control”. I asked the question because I thought you may know something I didn’t but I was wrong. This is also not the same as the change in the 4-ETS algorithm when the transfer case in in low range.
Mike

kfriceman

OK, I see your point....what I was thinking and what I wrote were not the same......although my experience with the ESP off in compact snow an ice at a stand still I can mash the trottle an spin all four tires at will and this all happening with with no lateral movement to the vehicle. I do the same with the ESP on and I get wheel braking and engine torque reduction.......of course this just my observation.

-Kevin

AsianML

I noticed that as well, but I don't really care. I'm just glad ESP and 4-ETS work as advertised.

Mike's ML

And then there is ABS but lets agree to not go there.
There are 5 systems that control the brakes in my 05ML, --- ESP, ETS, ABS, My Foot and my Brain. The weekest link in the system is "My Brain".
Mike