222Intelligent technology
Practical Tips
Intelligent technology
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Description
The ESC helps to improve safety. It reduces the tendency to skid and im-
proves the stability and roadholding of the vehicle. The 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 instru-
ment 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.
223
Intelligent 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 ESC automatically brakes the vehi-
cle, as long as the accident has not damaged the ESC, the brake hydraulics
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
● The ESC, ABS, ASR, EDL, electronic self-locking differential or selec-
tive torque control systems cannot 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 menu ⇒ page 79.
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:
● “Swing” the vehicle to unblock 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 .
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
E
E10see Ethanol (fuel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Easy Connect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Economic driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
EDL see Electronic differential lock . . . . . . . . . 222
Efficiency programme Additional electrical appliances . . . . . . . . . 77
Saving tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Electrical accessories see Power socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Convenience opening/closing . . . . . . . . . 103
Electro-mechanical steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Electronic differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Electronic Self-locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) . . . . . . . . . . 222
Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 Automatic gearbox Backup programme . . 181
Replacing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Emergency braking warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Emergency locking and unlocking . . . . . . . . . . 98
Engine Assisted starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Preheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Start-Stop system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Starting up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 Starting up (driver messages with the me-
chanical contact) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Switching off (engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Engine compartment Closing the bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Opening the bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Engine coolant G 12 plus-plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
G 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Checking oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Inspection service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Longlife inspection service . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Oil properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Replace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Service intervals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Temperature display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Environment Ecological driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Environmental friendliness . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Environmental tip Leaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Environmental tips Filling the tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248, 250
Environment warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 ESC
Electronic stability control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Multi-collision brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Sport Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Ethanol (fuel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Exhaust tail pipe: Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
extending the rear lid locking time see rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Exterior lighting Changing a bulb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Exterior mirrors Adjust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
F
Fastening rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 145
Fault in the gearbox (warning lamp) . . . . . . . . 181
Fault memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Faults Panoramic sliding sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Faults in the gearbox (warning lamps) . . . . . . 182
Faulty bulbs Changing a bulb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Filling the tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Opening the fuel tank cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Fold the seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
328 Index