Klaus:
I don't think you can turn off the ABC, it is the suspension of the car. You can turn off the "Sport" setting, plus you can adjust the different height settings....

 

On my 2004 S55 ///AMG (and I assume all other models) it can be turned ON or OFF.

 

yes, abc sport can be turned on or off.

 

To clarify, ABC is always on. There are two settings, Sport On (firmer setting, less body roll) or Sport Off (softer setting for comfort). ABC is always working as it is an integral part of the suspension. I doubt you are saving any wear and tear by using the Sport Off setting.

 

I am not sure I agree that ABC is ON all the time. The older W220's did not have ABC but a button that would make the suspension firmer with a total of 3 settings. So your dash mounted button with no lights was NORMAL, one click would make it SPORT, second click with 2 lights ON was SPORT+. This older system was static and just adjusted all four shock absorbers to that setting regadless of your cornering.

ABC, as the name implies is an active system and pumps fluid to one or two shocks depending on your cornering to ensure less roll occurs in a turn (MB says eliminates 85% body roll).

 

You can not turn ABC off, there are two settings normal (dont do anything) or sport (press button). Anyone who has had a major ABC warning or problem will know this, the car is like on springs with no shock absorbers, the manual even state not to drive over 50 km/h when abc is inactive

 

Klaus, to quote from the Service Manual: " Active Body Control is an active suspension and damping system. The complete static and dynamic supporting part is taken over by four spring struts located at the wheels. A dynamically adjustable hydraulic cylinder (plunger) is fitted in series with a coil spring and in parallel with a shock absorber. Through displacement, the hydraulic cylinders produce forces which counteract the wheel movements.

ABC includes the following additional functions
1. The level adjuster enables the vehicle to be raised/lowered manually and automatically depending on vehicle speed.
2 The level control controls the vehicle level at the front and rear axle according to the driving/load condition in each case and keeps it constant.

Individual adaptation through:
1 Raising the vehicle level in 2 stages for poor road conditions or garage entrances
2 Facility for adjusting 2 characteristics for a comfort-oriented or sporty driving style."

Hope this helps in your understanding of the ABC.

 

ABC ON or OFF



Hello,
I have a S55 AMG with ABC (active body control), but I can not insert or disconnect, I can only choose or not ABC Sports. The suspensions with ABC can not do without. Indeed, when the pump is not working or is broken, the machine go down completly and dangerously and the instrumentation display says "GO TO WORKSHOP" or "WARNING LOW MACHINE. I replaced the pump (€ 1070.00) to 135,000 kilometers. For the rest, I didn't have other problems with ABC, but I recognize the great ability to keep in perfect trim the car avoiding troublesome roll.

 

ABC ON or OFF

Thanks for your explanation redc320 of ABC. So let me re-phrase my original question then. Does activating ABC Sport mode (LED on) increase wear and tear on the ABC pump, etc. or since it is working all the time, it doesn't really matter?

Do you guys with ABC drive mostly in ABC Sport mode or just standard ABC?

Thanks.

 

I drive with mine on all the time. (ABC light is red). Let me rephrase,. I drive in sport mode all the time. I feel that it handles better on highway and around curved. Whereas when, sport mode is off, its a more softerter ride, but not by much.

Thanks for your explanation redc320 of ABC. So let me re-phrase my original question then. Does activating ABC Sport mode (LED on) increase wear and tear on the ABC pump, etc. or since it is working all the time, it doesn't really matter?

Do you guys with ABC drive mostly in ABC Sport mode or just standard ABC?

Thanks.

 

I prefer to leave the ABC Sport mode active. Around town, I will set it to level 1. On the highway, I will set level 2. The difference affects the chassis height at speed.

 

Sport