Intelligent technology
Electronic stabilisation
control (ESC)
Description
The electronic stabilisation control (ESC) increa
ses the car's stability. It reduces the tendency to
skid and improves the stability and road holding
of the vehicle. The ESC detects critical handling
situations, such as understeer, oversteer and
wheelspin on the driven wheels. It stabilises the
vehicle by braking individual wheels or by reduc
ing the engine torque. The indicator lamp
DJ
in
the instrument cluster starts flashing as soon as
the ESC intervenes.
The following systems are integrated in the ESC:
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
ABS prevents the wheels from locking up under
braking until the vehicle has reached a virtual
standstill. You can continue to steer the vehicle
even when the brakes are on full. Keep your foot
on the brake pedal and do not pump the brakes.
You will feel the brake pedal pulsate while the
anti-lock brake system is working.
Brake assist system
The brake assist system can shorten the braking
distance. The braking force is automatically boos
ted if you press the brake pedal quickly in an
emergency. You must keep pressing the brake
pedal until the danger has passed.
Traction control system (ASR)
In the event of wheelspin, the traction control
system reduces the engine torque to match the
amount of grip available. This helps the car to
start moving, accelerate or climb a gradient.
Electronic differential lock (EDL)
When the EDL detects wheelspin, it brakes the
spinning wheel and directs the power to the oth
er driven wheel (or wheels on quattro* versions).
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This function is not available at high speeds.
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To prevent the disc brake of the braked wheel
8 from overheating, the EDL cuts out automatically
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Intelligent technology
if subjected to excessive loads. The vehicle can
still be driven. The EDL will switch on again auto
matically when the brake has cooled down.
Steering recommendation
The ESC helps to stabilise the vehicle by changing
the steering wheel torque.
Selective wheel torque control
Selective wheel torque control intervenes when
cornering by braking the wheel(s) on the inside of
the bend individually as required. This enables
precision cornering. The relevant system may not
intervene in the wet or snow.
Multicollision brake assist system
The "multicollision brake assist system" can help
to reduce the risk of skidding and further colli
sions during an accident. If the airbag control
unit detects that a collision has taken place up
wards of a certain speed, the vehicle is braked by
the ESC.
The vehicle will not be braked automatically if:
- the driver presses the accelerator,
- the brake pressure applied by pressing the
brake pedal is higher than the brake pressure
initiated by the system,
- or the ESC, the brake system or the vehicle's
electrical system are not fully functional.
A
WARNING
- The grip provided by the ESC and the inte
grated systems is still subject to the physi
cal limits of adhesion. Always bear this in
mind, especially on wet or slippery roads. If
you notice the systems cutting in, you
should reduce your speed immediately to
suit the road and traffic conditions. Do not
let the extra safety provided tempt you into
taking any risks when driving - this can
cause accidents.
- Remember that the accident risk always in
creases if you drive fast, especially in cor
ners or on a wet or slippery road, or if you
follow too close behind the vehicle in front
of you. Please bear in mind that even the
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