Mercedes-Benz E-Class Quiz
Safety

ESP (Electronic Stability Program)

In this manual: Safety
Introduction — 5At a glance — 6Safety — 25Opening and Closing — 17Seats, steering wheel and mirrors — 12Lights and windshield wipers — 11Climate Control — 11Driving and parking — 44On-board computer and displays — 29Stowing and Useful Information. Good to Know — 1Stowing and Useful Information. Storage Options — 10Stowage and convenience features. Convenience features — 7Maintenance and care — 11Roadside assistance — 13Wheels and tires — 13Technical data — 13
~8min read

Whether in rain, snow or on slippery roads: the Mercedes E-Class (4th generation W212, 2009–2016) offers a technological answer to difficult driving conditions with ESP and 4ETS. This article explains how the systems ensure stability and control discreetly and effectively. This makes every journey a little more predictable.

General Notes

Info

Observe the section "Important safety notes".

ESP monitors driving stability and traction, i.e. the transmission of force between the tyres and the road surface.

If ESP detects that the vehicle is deviating from the driver's steering intention, one or more wheels are braked selectively to stabilize it. To keep the vehicle on the desired course within physical limits, engine output is also adjusted automatically. ESP helps you when pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP can also stabilize the vehicle when braking.

ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)

The traction control system ETS is part of ESP. On vehicles with 4MATIC, 4ETS is part of ESP.

If the drive wheels spin, the traction control system brakes the drive wheels individually. This allows you to pull away or accelerate even on slippery surfaces, e.g. when only one side of the road is slippery. In addition, drive torque is transferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.

If you switch ESP off, the traction control system remains active.

Important Safety Notes

Info

Observe the section "Important safety notes".

WARNING

If ESP is malfunctioning, ESP does not stabilize the vehicle. In addition, other driving safety systems are deactivated. There is an increased risk of skidding or an accident!

Drive carefully. Have ESP checked at a qualified specialist workshop.

NOTE

Vehicles with 4MATIC: A functional or performance test may only be carried out on a 2-axle dynamometer. Before operating the vehicle on such a dynamometer, obtain information from a qualified specialist workshop. Otherwise, you may damage the drivetrain or the brake system.

Vehicles without 4MATIC: When towing your vehicle with the rear axle raised, observe the notes on ESP.

If the warning lamplights up continuously, ESP is switched off.

If the warning lampand the warning lamplight up continuously, ESP is not available due to a malfunction.

Observe the information on warning lamps and on the display messages that can be shown in the instrument cluster.

Info

Only use wheels with the recommended tire sizes. Only then will ESP function correctly.

Characteristics of ESP

General Information

If the ESP warning lampgoes out before you start driving, ESP is automatically active.

When ESP intervenes, the ESP warning lampflashes in the instrument cluster.

When ESP intervenes:

Never switch off ESP.

When pulling away, depress the accelerator pedal only as far as necessary.

Adapt your driving style to the current road and weather conditions.

ECO Start/Stop function

The ECO start/stop function automatically switches off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop. The engine starts automatically when you drive off again. ESP remains in the previously selected status. Example: If ESP was switched off before the engine switched off automatically, ESP remains switched off after the engine starts automatically.

Switching ESP on or off (except AMG vehicles)

Important Safety Notes

You can choose between the following ESP modes:
  • ESP is switched on.
  • ESP is switched off.
WARNING

If you switch off ESP, ESP does not stabilize the vehicle. There is an increased risk of skidding and accidents!

Only switch off ESP while the situations described below apply.

In the following situations, it may be better to switch off ESP:

  • when driving with snow chains
  • in deep snow
  • on sand or gravel
Info

Switch ESP on again as soon as the situations described above no longer apply. Otherwise, ESP will not stabilize the vehicle if the vehicle skids or a wheel spins.

Switching ESP on or off

You can switch ESP on or off using the on-board computer.

ESP switched off:

The ESP OFF warning lamplights up in the instrument cluster.

ESP switched on:

The ESP OFF warning lampgoes out in the instrument cluster.

Characteristics with ESP switched off

If ESP is switched off and one or more wheels spin, the ESP warning lampflashes in the instrument cluster. ESP does not stabilize the vehicle in this case.

If you switch ESP off,
  • ESP no longer improves driving stability
  • the engine torque is not limited and the drive wheels can spin

    On loose surfaces, the spinning wheels dig in for better traction.

  • the traction control system remains active
  • you can still brake with ESP assistance.

Switching ESP on or off (AMG vehicles)

Important Safety Notes

You can choose between the following ESP modes:
  • ESP is switched on.
  • SPORT handling mode is switched on.
  • ESP is switched off.
WARNING

If you switch on SPORT handling mode, there is an increased risk of skidding and accidents!

Only switch on SPORT handling mode under the circumstances described below.

WARNING

If you switch off ESP, ESP does not stabilize the vehicle. There is an increased risk of skidding and accidents!

Only switch off ESP while the situations described below apply.

In the following situations, it may be better to switch on SPORT handling mode or switch off ESP:

  • when driving with snow chains
  • in deep snow
  • on sand or gravel
  • on closed roads, when the vehicle's inherent oversteer and understeer characteristics are desired
Driving in SPORT handling mode or with ESP switched off requires an exceptionally skilled and experienced driver.

Info

Switch ESP on again as soon as the situations described above no longer apply. Otherwise, ESP will not stabilize the vehicle if the vehicle skids or a wheel spins.

Switching ESP on or off

ESP aus- oder einschalten

Switching on SPORT handling mode: Briefly press the buttonpress.

  • The SPORT handling mode warning lamplights up in the instrument cluster. The message SPORT handling mode appears in the multifunction display.

    Switching off SPORT handling mode: Briefly press the buttonpress.

  • The SPORT handling mode warning lampgoes out in the instrument cluster.

    Switching off ESP: Press the buttonuntil the ESP OFF warning lamplights up in the instrument cluster.

  • The message appears in the multifunction display:OFF.

    Switching on ESP: Briefly press the buttonpress.

  • The ESP OFF warning lampgoes out in the instrument cluster. The message appears in the multifunction display:ON.

    Characteristics with SPORT handling mode switched on

    If SPORT handling mode is switched on and one or more wheels spin, the ESP warning lampflashes in the instrument cluster. ESP only stabilizes the vehicle to a limited extent in this case.

    When you switch on SPORT handling mode,
    • ESP only improves driving stability to a limited extent
    • the traction control system remains active
    • the engine torque is limited to a reduced extent and the drive wheels can spin

      On loose surfaces, the spinning wheels dig in for better traction.

    • you can still brake with ESP assistance when applying the brake pedal firmly.

    Characteristics with ESP switched off

    If ESP is switched off and one or more wheels spin, the ESP warning lampin the instrument cluster. ESP does not stabilize the vehicle in this case.

    If you switch ESP off,
    • ESP no longer improves driving stability
    • the engine torque is limited to a reduced extent and the drive wheels can spin

      On loose surfaces, the spinning wheels dig in for better traction.

    • the traction control system remains active
    • PRE-SAFE is not available; it also does not activate if you brake firmly with ESP assistance
    • the PRE-SAFE brake is not available; it also does not activate if you brake firmly with ESP assistance
    • you can still brake with ESP assistance when applying the brake pedal firmly.

    ESP trailer stabilization

    General Information

    If your vehicle with a trailer (combination) starts to sway, ESP supports you in these situations. ESP reduces the driving speed by braking and limiting engine output so that the combination can stabilize.

    Important Safety Notes

    WARNING

    In poor road and weather conditions, trailer stabilization cannot prevent the combination from swaying. Trailers with a high center of gravity can tip over before ESP detects this. There is a risk of an accident!

    Always adapt your driving style to the current road and weather conditions.

    If your vehicle with trailer (combination) starts to sway, you can only stabilize the combination by applying the brake firmly.

    ESP trailer stabilization is active from a speed of approx. 65 km/h.

    If ESP is switched off or deactivated due to a malfunction, ESP trailer stabilization does not work.

    The ESP of the Mercedes E-Class W212 (model years 2009–2016) provides greater stability and safety on the road. It intervenes when skidding is imminent and often prevents worse. ESP is an indispensable aid, especially in wet, snowy or slippery conditions.

    Thanks to the integrated traction control, ESP also assists when pulling away on slippery surfaces. This keeps the E-Class W212 reliable and safe even in difficult conditions.

    Question: What happens if ESP is switched off in the E-Class W212?

    Answer: The vehicle is not stabilized, which increases the risk of skidding or accidents.

    Question: In which situations should ESP be switched off?

    Answer: Only in special cases, such as when driving with snow chains or in deep snow.

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