183
Intelligent technology
Practical Tips Intelligent technology
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Description
EI ESC helps to improve safety. It reduces the tendency to skid and improves
the stability and roadholding of the vehicle. EI ESC detects critical handling
situations, such as vehicle understeer or oversteer, or wheelspin on the
driving wheels. It stabilises the vehicle by braking individual wheels or by
reducing the engine torque. The warning lamp will flash on the instrument
panel when the ESC is intervening .
ESC includes the Anti-lock brake system (ABS), the brake assist system, the
traction control system (ASR), electronic differential lock (EDL), electronic
self-locking*, selective torque control* and tractor-trailer sway mitigation*.
ESC also helps stabilise the vehicle by changing the torque.
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 ABS is
working.
Brake assist system
The brake assist system can reduce the required braking distance. The brak-
ing force is automatically boosted if you press the brake pedal quickly in an
emergency. You must keep pressing the brake pedal until the danger has
passed. Traction control system (ASR)
In the event of wheelspin, the traction control system reduces the engine
torque to match the amount of grip available. This helps the car to start
moving, accelerate or climb a gradient.
Electronic differential lock (EDL)
When the EDL detects wheelspin, it brakes the spinning wheel and directs
the power to the other driven wheel. This function is available up to a speed
of around 100 km/h, 62 mph).
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 automatically when the brake has
cooled down.
Tractor-trailer sway mitigation*
If the vehicle is pulling a trailer, it will control the following: Tractor-trailers
tend to sway. When the swaying of the trailer is felt by the vehicle and de-
tected by the ESC, it will automatically brake the towing vehicle within the
limits of the system and mitigate the sway. Tractor-trailer sway mitigation is
not available in all countries.
Electronic self-locking*/Selective torque control*
When driving around bends, an electronic self-locking intervenes. The front
wheel on the inside of the curve, or the two inside wheels, respectively, are
selectively braked as required. This minimises the traction of the front
wheels, allowing you to take bends with greater precision and neutrality. In
certain circumstances, where roads are wet or snow-covered, the respective
system may not intervene.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
184Intelligent technology
Multi-collision brake
In an accident, the multi-collision brake can help the driver by braking to
avoid the risk of skidding during the accident, which could lead to further
collisions.
The multi-collision brake works for front, side or rear accidents, when the
airbag control unit records its activation level and the accident takes place
at a speed of over 10 km/h (6 mph). The EI ESC automatically brakes the
vehicle, as long as the accident has not damaged the ESC, the brake hy-
draulics or the on-board network.
The following actions control automatic braking during the accident:
● When the driver presses the accelerator. The automatic braking does not
take place.
● When the braking pressure through pressing the brake pedal is greater
than the system’s braking pressure. The vehicle will brake manually.
● Multi-collision braking will not be available if ESC is malfunctioning.
WARNING
● Nor can the ESC, ABS, ASR, EDL, electronic self-locking differential or
selective torque control systems exceed the limits imposed by the laws
of physics. Always bear this in mind, especially on wet or slippery roads.
If you notice the systems cutting in, you should reduce your speed imme-
diately to suit the road and traffic conditions. Do not be encouraged to
take risks by the presence of more safety systems. If you do, an accident
may occur.
● Please remember that the accident risk always increases if you drive
fast, especially in corners or on a slippery road, or if you follow too close
behind the vehicle in front of you. The ESC, ABS, brake assist, EDL, elec-
tronic self-locking and selective torque control systems cannot prevent
accidents: risk of accidents!
● Accelerate with caution on slippery surfaces (for example, icy or
snow-covered). Despite the control systems, the driven wheels could
spin, affecting the stability of the vehicle: risk of accident!
Note
● The ABS and ASR will only operate correctly if the four wheels have iden-
tical tyres. Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres can cause the
system to reduce engine power when this is not desired.
● The regulating processes of the systems can make noises when they in-
tervene.
● If the warning lamp lights up, or alternatively, there could be a
fault ⇒ page 69.
Switching on/off the ESC and ASR
The ESC is switched on automatically when the engine is
started. The ESC cannot be deactivated. ESC in "Sport" mode
Sport mode is activated through the Easy Connect system ⇒ page 79 menu.
The ability of the ESC to stabilise the vehicle is limited; the traction control
system (ASR) becomes disabled ⇒
.
The control lamp will light up. For vehicles with a driver information sys-
tem*, the driver will be shown the electronic stability control (ESC) option:
sport. Warning! Limited stability .
In the following exceptional circumstances enabling the ESC Sport mode to
improve the traction of the wheels is tenable:
● when rocking the vehicle backwards and forwards to free it.
● Driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces.
Disable ESC Sport mode
Through the Easy Connect system ⇒ page 79. The warning lamp will
switch off. For vehicles with a driver information system*, the driver will be
shown the electronic stability control (ESC) option: on .
Controls and displays (overview) . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Control Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Convenience closingPanoramic sliding sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Convenience opening Panoramic sliding sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Convenience opening/closing . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Cooling system Checking the coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Coolant temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Topping up coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Cornering lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Correct adjustment of front seat head re- straints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Correct adjustment of rear seat head restraints In-use and non-use positions . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Correct sitting position front passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Incorrect sitting position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 D
Danger of fitting a child seat on the front pas- senger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Data recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Daytime driving light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
DEF (instrument panel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Depth of tread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Diagnostic connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Diesel Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Particulate filter Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Preheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Dipped beam headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Direction of rotation (tyres) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Disabling the airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61, 62
Display/Easy Connect control panel: Cleaning . .202
Disposal Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Door/rear lid warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Downhill speed control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Drink holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Driver see Correct sitting position . . . . . . . 11, 12, 13
Driver information system CD/radio display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Door/rear lid warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Engine oil temperature display . . . . . . . . . . 77 Operation via the windscreen wiper lever . 73
Outside temperature display . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Driving With a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194, 195
Driving abroad Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Driving safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Driving through water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Dynamic headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . 114
E
E10 see Ethanol (fuel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Easy Connect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Economic driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Efficiency programme Additional electrical appliances . . . . . . . . . 78
Saving tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Electrical accessories see Power socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Convenience opening/closing . . . . . . . . . 101
Electro-mechanical steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Electronic differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Electronic Self-locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) . . . . . . . . . . 183
Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232 Automatic gearbox Backup programme . . 162
Replacing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Emergency braking warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
279
Index