Get Driving tips -> Electronic stabilisation program (ESP) Guide for Audi S5 4 Door Fourth Generation (2017-2024)

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The anti-lock brake system (ABS), the electronic differential lock

(EDL) and the traction control system (ASR) are all integrated into

the electronic stabilisation program.

Electronic stabilisation program (ESP)

General notes

How the system works

The electronic stabilisation program increases the car's

stability on the road.

The ESP control unit processes data from the three integrated

systems. It also processes additional inputs provided by other high-

precision sensors. These register the vehicle's rotation about the

vertical axis (yaw rate), lateral acceleration, brake pressure and

steering wheel angle.

The system uses the steering wheel angle and road speed to calcu-

late the changes of direction intended by the driver, and constantly

compares them with the actual behaviour of the vehicle. If the

desired course is not being maintained (for instance, if the car is

starting to skid), then the ESP compensates automatically by

braking the appropriate wheel.

Fig. 192 Without MMI:

Centre console with

ESP switch

The forces acting on the braked wheel effectively bring the car back

to a stable condition. If the car is oversteering (rear wheels losing

grip first) the brake application is concentrated on the outside front

wheel; if the car is understeering (front wheels losing grip first), ESP

brakes the inside rear wheel. This automatic brake application is

accompanied by characteristic noises.

The ESP works in conjunction with the ABS ⇒ page 187. If a

malfunction should occur in the ABS, the ESP will also be out of

action.

Fig. 193 Centre

console with ESP

switch

Switching on

The ESP is switched on automatically when the engine is started

and performs a self-test routine. As soon as this routine is complete,

the system switches back to normal operating mode. You can press

the button ⇒ fig. 192 or ⇒ fig. 193 to switch on the ESP or traction

control system (ASR) if they have been switched off. The message

ESP/ASR on will appear briefly in the display.

The ESP is designed to enhance the control over the vehicle in crit-

ical handling situations, such as when accelerating and cornering.

It reduces the tendency to skid under all road conditions and

improves the stability and roadholding of the vehicle. The system

works at all speeds.

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Switching off

How the ABS works

The ESP should normally be left switched on at all times. If required,

you can press the ESP OFF button to switch off the traction control

system (ASR) or the electronic stabilisation program (ESP).

The system runs an automatic self-check when the car reaches a

road speed of about 6 km/h. This may be accompanied by a noise

from the ABS pump.

• Switching off the traction control system (ASR): Press the ESP

button briefly. The traction control system (ASR) can be switched off

in special driving conditions, e.g. if you are driving with snow chains

⇒ page 188. The message ASR off will appear in the display.

If one of the wheels is turning too slowly in relation to the road

speed, and is close to locking up, the system will reduce the pres-

sure in the brake line to this wheel. The driver is made aware of this

control process by a pulsating of the brake pedal and accompa-

nying noise. This is a deliberate warning to the driver that one or

more of the wheels is tending to lock up and the ABS control func-

tion has intervened. In this situation it is important to keep the brake

pedal fully depressed so the ABS can regulate the brake application

- do not “pump” the brake pedal.

• Switching off the ESP/traction control system (ASR): Press the

ESP button for longer than 3 seconds. The ESP/ASR warning lamp

lights up when the system is switched off, see ⇒ page 16. The

message ESP switched off will appear in the display.

WARNING

• The ESP is not able to overcome the physical limits of adhesion.

Even with ESP, you should always adjust your speed to suit the

conditions. Please bear this in mind, especially on wet or slippery

road surfaces. Do not let the extra safety provided tempt you into

taking any risks when driving – this can cause accidents.

The grip provided by ABS is still subject to the physical limits of

adhesion. Always bear this in mind, especially on wet or slippery

roads. If you notice that the ABS is working (to counteract locked

wheels under braking), you should reduce speed immediately to

suit the road and traffic conditions. Do not let the extra safety

provided tempt you into taking any risks when driving – this can

cause accidents.

• Please note that, when the ESP or ESP/traction control system

(ASR) is switched off, the driven wheels may start to spin, causing

the vehicle to lose grip, in particular on slippery or wet roads -

danger of skidding!

Note

If a malfunction should occur in the ABS, this is indicated by a

warning lamp ⇒ page 17.

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)

ABS prevents the wheels from locking up under braking.

The anti-lock brake system (ABS) is an important part of the car's

active safety system. However, the ABS will not necessarily guar-

antee shorter stopping distances in all conditions. For instance, on

loose gravel or fresh snow on top of an icy surface (conditions which

anyway require extreme care and reduced speed), the stopping

distance with ABS may even be slightly longer.

Brake assist system

The brake assist system helps the driver to achieve

optimum braking effect.

The brake assist system helps to increase braking power and thus to

achieve a shorter stopping distance. If the driver presses the brake

Controls

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Technical data

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pedal very quickly, the brake assist system automatically boosts the

braking force to the maximum level, up to the point where the anti-

lock brake function (ABS) intervenes to stop the wheels from

locking. You should then keep the brake pedal pressed until the

vehicle has braked to the required speed. The brake assist system

switches itself off as soon as you release the brake pedal.

The ASR works in conjunction with the ABS. If a malfunction should

occur in the ABS, the ASR will also be out of action.

Switching on

The ESP is switched on automatically when the engine is started

and performs a self-test routine. As soon as this routine is complete,

the system switches back to normal operating mode. If the traction

control system (ASR) has been deactivated (for one of the reasons

noted below) you can switch it back on manually by pressing the

switch ⇒ page 186, fig. 192. The message ESP/ASR on will appear

briefly in the display.

The brake assist system will not be operative if there is a malfunc-

tion in the ABS.

WARNING

You can switch the traction control system (ASR) on again if neces-

sary by pressing the switch ⇒ page 186, fig. 192.

Please remember that the accident risk always increases if you

drive too fast, especially in corners or on a slippery road, or if you

follow too close behind the vehicle in front of you. An increased

accident risk cannot be compensated even by the brake assist

system, so always be sure to maintain a safe speed.

Switching off

If required, the ASR can also be switched off manually by pressing

the switch briefly ⇒ page 186, fig. 192 (for less than 3 seconds). The

ESP warning lamp lights up when the traction control system (ASR)

is switched off, see ⇒ page 16. The message ASR off will appear in

the display. The ASR can be deactivated at any speed.

Traction control system (ASR)

The traction control system prevents the driven wheels

from spinning when the car is accelerating.

The traction control system should normally remain switched on at

all times. It should only be switched off manually in particular

circumstances where a certain amount of wheel slip may be desir-

able. For example:

General notes

The traction control system (ASR) is one of the functions incorpo-

rated in the electronic stabilisation program (ESP).

• when driving with snow chains

• when driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces

The traction control system (ASR) helps the car to start moving,

accelerate and climb a gradient in slippery conditions where this

may otherwise be difficult or even impossible.

• when rocking the car backwards and forwards to free it.

The ASR should be switched on again afterwards as soon as

possible.

How the system works

The ASR acts automatically i.e. without the driver's intervention.

With the aid of the ABS sensors ⇒ page 187, the ASR monitors the

speed of the driven wheels. If the wheels start to spin, the engine

power is reduced automatically to match the amount of grip avail-

able. The system works at all speeds.

Note

To ensure that the ASR works properly, all four wheels must be fitted

with identical tyres. Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres

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189

can cause the system to reduce engine power when this is not

desired. Also refer to ⇒ page 234, “Replacing wheels and tyres”.

WARNING

• 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 otherwise start to spin (in spite

of the EDL), which would impair the car's stability and could lead

to an accident.

Electronic differential lock (EDL)

The electronic differential lock monitors the speed of the

driven wheels.

• Even with EDL, you should always adjust your speed to suit the

conditions. Do not let the extra safety provided tempt you into

taking any risks when driving – this can cause accidents.

General notes

The electronic differential lock (EDL) helps the car to start moving,

accelerate and climb a gradient in slippery conditions where this

may otherwise be difficult or even impossible.

Note

How the system works

If the ABS warning lamp lights up, this can also mean there is a fault

in the EDL. Please contact a qualified workshop as soon as

possible.

The EDL acts automatically. With the aid of the ABS sensors

⇒ page 187, the system monitors the rotational speed of the driven

wheels on each axle. Whenever it detects a significant difference in

the speed of the driven wheels of one axle (for example, if the road is

slippery on one side) the system applies the brake to slow down the

spinning wheel so that more of the power is directed to the other

wheels. This function is active up to about 100 km/h. The brake

system will make noises while it is working.

Brakes

New brake pads

New brake pads do not give full braking effect for the first 400 km,

they must first be “bedded in”. However, you can compensate for

the slightly reduced braking effect by applying more pressure on

the brake pedal. Avoid placing a heavy load on the brakes during the

running-in period.

Driving away from a standstill

Sometimes one wheel has less grip and starts spinning, for

example, if one of the driven wheels is on ice. In this case, keep

pressing the accelerator gradually until the car starts moving, even

though the wheel with less grip will still spin.

Wear

Overheating of the brakes

The rate of wear on the brake pads depends a great deal on how you

drive and the conditions in which the vehicle is operated. Negative

factors are, for instance, city traffic, frequent short trips or hard

driving with abrupt starts and stops.

To prevent the disc brake of the braked wheel from overheating, the

EDL cuts out automatically if subjected to excessive loads. The car

remains operational and will behave in the same way as a car

without EDL.

Wet roads; road salt

The EDL will switch on again automatically when the brake has

cooled down.

When you are driving at a speed higher than 80 km/h and have the

windscreen wipers switched on the brake pads are very briefly

Controls

Safety

Driving tips

General maintenance

Self-help

Technical data

Driving tips -> Electronic stabilisation program (ESP) for Your Audi S5 4 Door Fourth Generation (2017-2024)

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