- Fig. 1 Version A: Centre console (bottom),
OFF button
- Fig. 2 Version B: Centre console (top), OFF button
The ESC is switched on automatically when the engine is started.
The ESC operates in several levels. Depending on which level is selected, the stabilising function of the ESC is restricted or switched off, and the vehicle is stabilised to a greater or lesser degree.
In the following special situations, it may be advisable to switch on the sport mode (Saloon/Avant) or off-road mode (allroad) to allow a certain amount of wheelspin:
- Rocking the car backwards and forwards to free it
- Driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces
- Driving with snow chains
- allroad: Driving on rough terrain when much of the car's weight is lifted off the wheels (axle articulation)
- allroad: Braking on unsurfaced tracks when driving downhill
ESC levels (Saloon/Avant)
(A)
(B) Sport mode on
(C) ESC/ASR off
(D) Sport mode off or ESC/ASR on
(B) Sport mode on
(C) ESC/ASR off
(D) Sport mode off or ESC/ASR on
| (A) |
(B) |
(C) |
(D) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Characteristics |
The stabilising function of the ESC and traction control system (ASR) is restricted WARNING!. |
The stabilisation function is no longer available WARNING!. ESC and traction control system (ASR) are switched off. |
The stabilising function of the ESC and traction control system (ASR) is fully available again. |
| Operation |
Press the OFF button briefly. |
Press the OFF button for longer than 3 seconds. |
Press the OFF button again. |
| Indicator lamps |
 lights up. |
and      light up. |
goes out, or and go out. |
| Driver messages |
Stabilisation control (ESC): sport. Warning! Restricted stability |
Stabilisation control (ESC): off. Warning! Restricted stability |
Stabilisation control (ESC): on |
ESC levels (allroad)
(A)
(B) Off-road mode on
(C) Off-road mode off
(B) Off-road mode on
(C) Off-road mode off
| (A) |
(B) |
(C) |
|---|---|---|
| Characteristics |
The stabilising function of the ESC and traction control system (ASR) is restricted WARNING!. |
The stabilising function of the ESC and traction control system (ASR) is fully available again. |
| Operation |
Press the OFF button. |
Press the OFF button again. |
| Indicator lamps |
lights up. |
goes out. |
| Driver messages |
Stabilisation control (ESC): off-road. Warning! Restricted stability |
Stabilisation control (ESC): on |
The traction control system (ASR) can only be switched off at speeds below 50 km/h on vehicles with front-wheel drive. At 70 km/h it will switch on again automatically. The ASR can be deactivated at any speed on vehicles with four-wheel drive.
You should switch on the sport mode/off-road mode or switch off the ESC/traction control system (ASR) only if your driving ability and the traffic conditions allow you to do so safely - danger of skidding!
- The stabilising function is restricted when sport mode/off-road mode is switched on. The driven wheels may start to spin, causing the vehicle to lose grip, in particular on slippery or wet roads.
- allroad: You should switch on the off-road mode only when driving off-road.
- Saloon/Avant: When the ESC/traction control system (ASR) is switched off, the vehicle will not be stabilised.
Note
The ESC/traction control system (ASR) cannot be switched off and the sport mode/off-road mode cannot be switched on when the cruise control system* or adaptive cruise control* is on.