Do I have ESP (Electronic Stability Program)?

[chrisw140]

If you have ASR the triangle on the speedo will come on when your rear wheels are spinning. ASR will stop them from spinning, but if you are in ice or mud the light will come on at times and then the system will kick in. You car may be on a change over period, as in 1994 you should have ASR, but 1993 no ASR. This is just my statement from owning a few of these vehicles.

If you have a triangle on your speedo then the cluster has probably been changed at some time. There are date stamps on the cluster units, you may have to remove it to see.

[Nimrodthewombat]

I have a 1993 500SEL and it has ASR. There should be a switch on the left side of the console by the cigar tray with a picture of a snow tyre on it. ESP was not put on the W140 until I believe 1996. BTW my triangle with the exclamation mark does NOT light up when I push the ASR switch. Only when the car looses traction.

[Nimrodthewombat]

In other words, yes you have ASR.

[Nimrodthewombat]

In other words, yes you have ASR.

[Nimrodthewombat]

Sorry, computer brain fart...[:)]

[S class]

my cluster looks original - I base that on the dact that it is still the mechanical "rolling wheels" odo.

I have not had the guts to try and get the asr light to come on by provoking slip. Maybe when there is less traffic....

[1996_S500]

DaimlerChrysler - 2/13/2006 10:34 AM

I have a 1993 500SEL and it has ASR. There should be a switch on the left side of the console by the cigar tray with a picture of a snow tyre on it.

yes. this was the button that I was reffering to.

DaimlerChrysler - 2/13/2006 10:34 AM

ESP was not put on the W140 until I believe 1996.

yup. you are exactly right.

[syljua]

S class - 2/14/2006 7:26 AM

my cluster looks original - I base that on the dact that it is still the mechanical "rolling wheels" odo.

I have not had the guts to try and get the asr light to come on by provoking slip. Maybe when there is less traffic....

You may have ASD (automatich sperr-diffrential), later
named ETS (electroic traction support). BTW, this is
the part retained when EPS or ASR is turned off, and
therefore may not have a button to be turned off
on your car either.

ASD and ETS is sensing the wheels on the rear
axle to not have the same rotational speed, and
will brake the one going faster. ASR is in addition
also monitoring the front wheels to sense that
both rear wheels spinning (going faster than the
front ones), and then reduce the
trottle speed. Finally, EPS will monitor the
steering wheel angle and calculate a correct turning
radius from that. Via accelrometers, any
deviation from that will cause the brakes to
brake the car into the correct path again;
Oversteer and the outer front wheel will brake.
Understeer and the inner rear wheel will brake.

The first W140 (or correct C140) to have ESP
was the S600C in May 1995.
http://mbwde.hl-users.com/Modellgeschichte/index.htm

For the provoke of slip, just come here
to Norway and have a drive in the snow!

I´m glad for my EPS these days...
Today, I drove my car to much on the snowy curb
in a corner, got the tail end swinging out, but
ESP got into action and stabilized the car.

br,
syljua

[S class]

thanks syljua,

I believe I do not have ESP, but my warning light is definately ASR. And I have the button with the tire picture.

We seldom have condition here were you could get any slip - even with powerful cars. ..

You talk about ASD : sperrdifferential : I assume this would be some type of limited slip diff? - perhaps you german is better than mine.

My car is a european import with all notices and warnings in the car in German - I LOVE this is is like so authentic. Most W140s here (in fat most benzes) have the english translations.

Ryan in South Africa,

[syljua]

S class - 2/14/2006 10:01 AM

You talk about ASD : sperrdifferential : I assume this would be some type of limited slip diff? - perhaps you german is better than mine.

Yes, but AFAIK, this is not a traditional, mechanical
kind of LSD, but one that does the same thing
by using the ABS sensors and the brakes.
So, I guess, ASD will not cancel wheel spinning at
high speed like an LSD will?

S class - 2/14/2006 10:01 AM
My car is a european import with all notices and warnings in the car in German - I LOVE this is is like so authentic. Most W140s here (in fat most benzes) have the english translations.

Ryan in South Africa,

[:)] Mine too are a german import. You can order
owners manual in the correct language cheaply
(if not for free) from the dealer.
Some of the labeling in the car can also
be "multilanguage", like for the fuses in the
trunk where the backside should be in english.

br,
syljua