Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W205) 2015 - 2021 Owners Manual: Function of ESP (Electronic Stability Program)

Mercedes‑AMG vehicles: always observe the notes in the Supplement. Otherwise, you may fail to recognize dangers.

ESP can monitor and improve driving stability and traction in the following situations, within physical limits:

• When pulling away on a wet or slippery roadway.
• When braking.
• In strong side winds when you are driving faster than 50 mph (80 km/h).

If the vehicle deviates from the direction desired by the driver, ESP can stabilize the vehicle by intervening in the following ways:

• One or more wheels are braked.
• The engine output is adapted according to the situation.

ESP is deactivated if the ESP OFF warning lamp lights up continuously in the instrument cluster:

• Driving stability will no longer be improved.
• Crosswind Assist is no longer active.
• The drive wheels could spin.
• ETS/4ETS traction control is still active.

When ESP is deactivated, you are still assisted by ESP when braking.

If the ESP warning lamp flashes in the instrument cluster, one or several vehicle wheels has reached its grip limit:

• Adapt your driving style to suit the current road and weather conditions.
• Do not deactivate ESP.
• Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as is necessary.

Deactivate ESP in the following situations to improve traction:

• When using snow chains.
• In deep snow.
• On sand or gravel.

Spinning the wheels results in a cutting action, which enhances traction.

If the ESP warning lamp lights up continuously, ESP is not available due to a malfunction.

Observe the following information:

• Warning and indicator lamps
• Display messages

ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)

ETS/4ETS traction control is part of ESP and makes it possible to pull away and accelerate on a slippery roadway.

ETS/4ETS can improve the vehicle's traction by intervening in the following ways:

• The drive wheels are braked individually if they spin.
• More drive torque is transferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.

Influence of drive programs on ESP

The drive programs enable ESP to adapt to different weather and road conditions as well as the driver's preferred driving style. You can select the drive programs using the DYNAMIC SELECT switch.

ESP characteristics per drive program

Drive program	ESP mode	Characteristics
(Comfort) (Eco)	ESP Comfort	These drive programs provide the ideal balance between traction and stability. Select drive program or in difficult road conditions, such as snow or ice, or when the road is wet from rain.
(Sport)	ESP Sport	This drive program continues to offer stability but with a sporty setup which allows the enthusiastic driver a more active driving style. Select drive program in good road conditions, for example on dry roads and clear stretches of road.
(Sport Plus)	ESP Sport Plus	The vehicle's own understeering and oversteering characteristics are accentuated. This allows a more active driving style to be adopted. Select drive program in good road conditions, for example on dry roads and clear stretches of road.

Activating/deactivating ESP (Electronic Stability Program)

Multimedia system:

Vehicle → Assistance → ESP

Mercedes‑AMG vehicles: observe the notes in the Supplement. Otherwise, you may not recognize dangers.

• Activate or deactivate the function.

ESP is deactivated if the ESP OFF warning lamp lights up continuously in the instrument cluster.

Observe the information on warning lamps and display messages which may be shown in the instrument cluster.

Function of ESP Crosswind Assist

ESP Crosswind Assist detects sudden gusts of side wind and helps the driver to keep the vehicle in the lane:

• ESP Crosswind Assist is active at vehicle speeds between 50 mph (80 km/h) and 125 mph (200 km/h) when driving straight ahead or cornering slightly.
• The vehicle is stabilized by means of individual brake application on one side.

Function of EBD (electronic brake force distribution) EBD is characterized by the following:

• Monitoring and regulating the brake pressure on the rear wheels.

• Improved driving stability when braking, especially on bends.

Function of STEER CONTROL

STEER CONTROL helps you by transmitting a noticeable steering force to the steering wheel in the direction required for vehicle stabilization.

This steering recommendation is given particularly in the following situations:

• Both right wheels or both left wheels are on a wet or slippery road surface when you brake

• The vehicle starts to skid

System limitations

STEER CONTROL may be impaired or may not function in the following situations:

• ESP is deactivated

• ESP is malfunctioning

• The steering is malfunctioning

If ESP is malfunctioning, you will be assisted further by the electric power steering.