Does my car have ESP?

[stefcep]

Hi. I recently bought my 1999 C200 Sport. Wiki says ESP was standard on all 1999 and up C-Class. I live in Australia. How do I know if my car came with ESP?

Oh and my brother has a 1998 C200, and his has an ASR switch, mine doesn't. Does that mean I have no ASR either?

[bachusattackus]

No switch, no ESP or ASR.

[sulaco]

Literally: if there's no ESP off or ASR off switch on the center dash area = no

But the chassis is so balanced you'd be surprised how well you can get along with out it (from someone who put 250k miles on a 1994 C280)

[stefcep]

Interesting. Wikipedia must be wrong (LOL yeah I know).

The dash does have a ASR/BAS light but that must be for the ABS.

The other thing I noticed is that on a couple of times I've driven quickly over a speed hump and I could feel the car's wheels losing contact with the ground. At that point the yellow warning triangle flashed on the dashboard. I assumed that was traction control. I didn't feel or hear any brake activity so I discounted the ABS.

If not for traction control, why would the yellow warning light flash.?

[bachusattackus]

Now I'm interested. Maybe you should call a dealership. They can look up your VIN.

[ynvmybenz]

ASR was an option, 98 and up is supposed to have it with no switch.

[stefcep]

Well checked with dealer and.......it has both ASR and ESP!

No switch means its always working and can't be switched off or reduced, right?

[bachusattackus]

This is definately different from the USA models, they all have switched for ESP or ASR, my 202, my bother's 210 and 211 all have them. The switch lets you turn it partially off, but never fully.

However, ESP supersedes ASR, as ASR controls the rear wheels brakes only, and ESP controls all four. So you can't really have both, as the sensors and computer, brake master cylinder, and ESP control module would all be set up for ESP optimization.

[stefcep]

Thanks Bacchus.

Not sure if i should be happy or not about having this stuff: worried about the repair costs if these electronic gizmos fail TBH.

[bachusattackus]

You need to bleed the brakes every three years, and put in fresh Pentosin Dot 4 Low Viscosity. (Or OEM). It is what the car needs to keep all the parts clean on the inside. If you don't have any records, do it now.

Have a shop do it, but you must use the correct fluid.