help keep the vehicle going in the intended direction. If you are travel-
ing at a speed that causes you to run off the road before ESC can 
provide any assistance, you may not experience the benefits of ESC. 
ESC includes and/or works together with the ABS, BAS, ASR, EDL, 
and XDL systems (see below). ESC is switched on all the time. In 
certain situations when you need less traction or additional traction 
cannot be achieved, you can switch off ASR by pressing the  m button 
⇒ fig. 145. Be sure to switch ASR on again when you no longer need 
less traction. 
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) 
ABS helps to keep the wheels from locking up and helps to maintain 
the driver's ability to steer and control the vehicle. This means the 
vehicle is less likely to skid, even during hard braking: 
  Push the brake pedal down hard and hold it there. Don't take your 
foot off the pedal or reduce the force on the pedal! 
  Do not “pump” the brake pedal or let up on it! 
  Steer the vehicle while pushing down hard on the brake pedal. 
  ABS stops working if you release or let up on the brake. 
When ABS is doing its job, you will notice a slight vibration through 
the brake pedal and hear a noise. ABS cannot shorten the stopping 
distance under all conditions. The stopping distance may even be 
longer, for instance, when driving on gravel or on newly fallen snow 
covering an icy or slippery surface. 
Brake Assist (BAS) 
The Brake Assist System can help to reduce stopping distances. If 
you press the brake pedal very quickly, BAS detects an emergency 
situation. It then very quickly builds up full brake system pressure, 
maximizing braking power and reducing the stopping distance. This 
way, ABS can be activated more quickly and efficiently. 
Do not reduce pressure on the brake pedal! BAS switches off auto-
matically as soon as you release or let up on the brake. 
Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) 
ASR reduces engine power directed to spinning wheels and adjusts 
power to the road conditions. Even under poor road conditions, ASR 
can make it easier to get moving, accelerate, and climb hills.  
 
ASR can be switched on or off manually ⇒  Switching Anti-Slip Regu-
lation (ASR) on and off. 
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL and XDL) 
EDL is applied during regular straight-line acceleration. EDL gently 
brakes a drive wheel that has lost traction (spinning) and redirects the 
drive force to other drive wheels. In extreme cases, EDL automatical-
ly switches off to keep the brake from overheating. As soon as the 
brake has cooled down, EDL automatically switches on again. 
XDL is an extension of the Electronic Differential Lock system. XDL 
does not react to drive wheel slippage when driving straight ahead. 
Instead, XDL detects slippage of the inside front wheel during fast 
cornering. XDL applies enough brake pressure to this wheel in order 
to stop the slippage. This improves traction, which helps the vehicle 
stay on track.