Handling dynamics
Steering assistance
Electronic stabilisation
control
The ESC can also intervene via the steering in or-
der to stabilise the vehicle.
Description
WARNING
The electronic stabilisation control (ESC) increa-
ses the car's stability. It reduces the tendency to
skid and improves the stability and roadholding
of the vehicle. The ESC detects critical handling
situations, such as understeer, oversteer, wheel-
spin on the driven wheels or any danger of the ve-
hicle tipping over.
– The grip provided by the ESC and the inte-
grated systems is still subject to the physi-
cal limits of adhesion. Always bear this in
mind, especially on wet or slippery roads. If
you notice the systems cutting in, you
should reduce your speed immediately to
suit the road and traffic conditions. Do not
let the extra safety provided tempt you into
taking any risks when driving – risk of acci-
dent!
The system stabilises the vehicle by braking indi-
vidual wheels or by reducing the engine torque.
The stabilisation functions integrated in the ESC
system include the following:
– Remember that the accident risk always in-
creases if you drive fast, especially in cor-
ners or on a wet or slippery road, or if you
follow too close behind the vehicle in front
of you. Please bear in mind that even the
ESC and the integrated systems cannot com-
pensate for the increased accident risk.
– When accelerating on a uniformly slippery
surface (for instance all four wheels on ice
or snow), press the accelerator gradually
and carefully. The driven wheels may other-
wise start to spin (in spite of the integrated
control systems), which would impair the
car's stability and could lead to an accident.
– Increasing the load the vehicle is carrying –
particularly its roof load – raises the vehi-
cle’s centre of gravity and therefore also in-
creases the risk of the vehicle tipping over.
Adapt your driving style to suit the condi-
tions and avoid performing any dynamic ma-
noeuvres – risk of accident!
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
ABS prevents the wheels from locking up under
braking until the vehicle has reached a virtual
standstill. You can continue to steer the vehicle
even when the brakes are on full. Keep your foot
on the brake pedal and do not pump the brakes.
You will feel the brake pedal pulsate while the
anti-lock brake system is working.
Traction control system (ASR)
In the event of wheelspin, the traction control
system reduces the torque to match the amount
of grip available, increasing the vehicle’s stability.
Electronic differential lock (EDL)
When the EDL detects wheelspin, it brakes the
spinning wheels and directs the power to the
other wheels. This function is not available at
high speeds.
To prevent the disc brake of the braked wheel
from overheating, the EDL cuts out automatically
if subjected to excessive loads. The vehicle can
still be driven. The EDL will switch on again auto-
matically when the brake has cooled down.
Note
– The ABS and ASR systems can only work
properly if all four tyres have a similar de-
gree of wear. Any differences in the rolling
circumference of the tyres can cause the
system to reduce engine power when this is
not desired.
Selective wheel torque control
The selective wheel torque control function inter-
venes when cornering by braking the wheels on
the inside of the bend individually as required.
This enables precision cornering.
– The systems can make noises when they in-
tervene.
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