Do I have ESP (Electronic Stability Program)?

[sbou101]

I recently bought a 1994 S420 with 136,000 miles. I don't know if it has ESP. Does anyone know?

[pchansen1]

If you have ESP, you should have a little switch on the center console labeled "ESP". If not, you should have one labeled ASR. ASR was the stock traction control that sensed rear wheel spin only. ESP added steering wheel position and yaw sensing to the mix to further help rein in the car if you got it crosswise. I'm not sure on either account if the front wheel brakes are included in the control of the two computers.

BTW, on ASR equipped models, if you press the ASR button, the big yellow caution triangle in the middle of the cluster will illuminate letting you know that you have partially disabled the wheel braking function of the ASR computer. But alas, the car will still retard the engine timing to hobble the car if it senses wheel spin- so still no ability to smoke the tires.

[syljua]

pchansen1 - 2/12/2006 5:25 PM
BTW, on ASR equipped models, if you press the ASR button, the big yellow caution triangle in the middle of the cluster will illuminate letting you know that you have partially disabled the wheel braking function of the ASR computer. But alas, the car will still retard the engine timing to hobble the car if it senses wheel spin- so still no ability to smoke the tires.

AFAIK, it is the other way around, the wheel braking is
still enabled, but the motor trottle adjustment is
turned off. The same apply when you turn off ESP,
the wheel braking is still retained (ETS).
Even if the ESP is off, it is turned on again when
braking.

Yes, the ESP also monitor the front wheels.

A picture of the components in EPS is here;
http://mbwde.hl-users.com/Mediengalerie/Werksfotos/Technik/pages/B2000f5182.htm

BTW, the german s-klasse-club has posted a video
of EPS development under the member-only section.
As the club is recognized under MBCCCI, this is
the club to be in for the future.
http://www.s-klasse-club.de/

br,
syljua

[posix]

I don't think ESP was available on '94 cars. Only '96 and later.

[sbou101]

posix - 2/12/2006 1:11 PM

I don't think ESP was available on '94 cars. Only '96 and later.

I think you're right.... I don't have an ESP button or an ASR button.

Thanks guys for the responses.

[1996_S500]

sbou101 - 2/12/2006 2:07 PM

I think you're right.... I don't have an ESP button or an ASR button.

Thanks guys for the responses.

yup. posix. you are 100% right. I checked in my factory brochure, and 1996 was the first year for ESP on the W140s.

[sbou101]

BUT, I can see the outline of a yellow triangle above the speedometer. Any Explanation?

[1996_S500]

sbou101 - 2/12/2006 2:54 PM

BUT, I can see the outline of a yellow triangle above the speedometer. Any Explanation?

i believe there is some form of traction control on your car, however, it is not in ASR or ESP. They had an earlier version that was a button with a tire on it. Is that what you have?

[sbou101]

1996_s500 - 2/12/2006 6:32 PM

i believe there is some form of traction control on your car, however, it is not in ASR or ESP. They had an earlier version that was a button with a tire on it. Is that what you have?

I don't have that either. I'll try to find the owner's manual and see what it has to say...

[S class]

I have a '92 500SEL.

It has an ASR light on the dash which I have never seen come on. It also has the yellow triangle in the speedo, which also has never come on. I have the button on the centre console with the tire picture. Pressing it causes the red LED in the switch to light up. I have no owners manual.

Also, the yellow traingle and ASR light do not light up even when the engine is off and the ignition is on (all the other warning lights come on then).

Is this normal?

Any insight is appreciated.

Thanks, Ryan in South Africa