ESP
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: NY
C350
The "Electronic Stability Program" (ESP) is an active safety system
which improves vehicle stability in all driving situations.
It operates by actuating the brakes individually on one or more
wheels on the front or rear axle. ESP stabilizes the vehicle when
cornering, braking, or during non-driven coasting to keep it on the
road and in the desired lane.
ESP complements the familiar functions of the anti-lock brake
system (ABS), acceleration slip regulation (ASR) and engine braking
regulation (EBR).
which improves vehicle stability in all driving situations.
It operates by actuating the brakes individually on one or more
wheels on the front or rear axle. ESP stabilizes the vehicle when
cornering, braking, or during non-driven coasting to keep it on the
road and in the desired lane.
ESP complements the familiar functions of the anti-lock brake
system (ABS), acceleration slip regulation (ASR) and engine braking
regulation (EBR).
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I would say "definitely yes". If you drive too fast, you may end up ESP activating, this means high fuel consumption. 
And it actually isn't only from driving fast but ESP using brakes (individually) which is always bad for fuel efficiency.
But the previous response probably means "as long as you drive reasonably, ESP does not get active and there is absolutely no relation to fuel consumption".
And it actually isn't only from driving fast but ESP using brakes (individually) which is always bad for fuel efficiency.But the previous response probably means "as long as you drive reasonably, ESP does not get active and there is absolutely no relation to fuel consumption".
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2014 Ghibli S Q4 & 2008 C350
I think the systems are fully integrated. I don't think you can deactivate just one part of the system. Also, from what I've read you can't fully turn off the system either. Even though we can 'turn off' ESP with the dash button, it still retains some of its functionality.
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Pushing the ESP off button in our cars just gives us the ability to maintain throttle control while the car or computer retains the ability to brake individual wheels to compensate for loss of traction or stability...
When ESP is on, the car controls both throttle and brake input when intervening.
I'd argue that under slippery conditions, ESP decreases fuel consumption as it prevents too much throttle to control wheel slip.
When ESP is on, the car controls both throttle and brake input when intervening.
I'd argue that under slippery conditions, ESP decreases fuel consumption as it prevents too much throttle to control wheel slip.
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Pushing the ESP off button in our cars just gives us the ability to maintain throttle control while the car or computer retains the ability to brake individual wheels to compensate for loss of traction or stability...
When ESP is on, the car controls both throttle and brake input when intervening.
I'd argue that under slippery conditions, ESP decreases fuel consumption as it prevents too much throttle to control wheel slip.
When ESP is on, the car controls both throttle and brake input when intervening.
I'd argue that under slippery conditions, ESP decreases fuel consumption as it prevents too much throttle to control wheel slip.
True that ESP controls throttle but if the reference is the fuel consumption when ESP does not come to play (ESP on), that gives better mileage. Even if ESP controls throttle, the first reaction is with brakes because brakes operate faster than the throttle.
I assume you actually were considering the case of ESP switched off and gas pedal pressed to produce wheel spin. This case would most likely mean higher fuel consumption than using ESP which prevents the scenario.
But really, as the first response stated, ESP is not there to improve fuel consumption and during normal driving it does not get activated and does not affect fuel consumption at all.
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From: Orlando, FL
2026 AMG GT63 Pro
Right, ESP remains active even if ESP is switched off from the button, but it starts to act a bit later.
True that ESP controls throttle but if the reference is the fuel consumption when ESP does not come to play (ESP on), that gives better mileage. Even if ESP controls throttle, the first reaction is with brakes because brakes operate faster than the throttle.
I assume you actually were considering the case of ESP switched off and gas pedal pressed to produce wheel spin. This case would most likely mean higher fuel consumption than using ESP which prevents the scenario.
But really, as the first response stated, ESP is not there to improve fuel consumption and during normal driving it does not get activated and does not affect fuel consumption at all.
True that ESP controls throttle but if the reference is the fuel consumption when ESP does not come to play (ESP on), that gives better mileage. Even if ESP controls throttle, the first reaction is with brakes because brakes operate faster than the throttle.
I assume you actually were considering the case of ESP switched off and gas pedal pressed to produce wheel spin. This case would most likely mean higher fuel consumption than using ESP which prevents the scenario.
But really, as the first response stated, ESP is not there to improve fuel consumption and during normal driving it does not get activated and does not affect fuel consumption at all.
Brake control is always there and is always immediate.
As to your last two lines, I know, this is what I said earlier
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Perhaps I misunderstood your point, because your comment does not make sense in the way I understood it? Can you point a technical document describing what you explain?
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ESP/ABS
I admit I haven't read this for the W204 but for all other, earlier models the ESP button does affect the actual ESP sensitivity and in addition it mostly switches off traction control (to intentionally allow wheel spin) where definitely brake operation needs to be switched off, brakes would outperform the engine anyway, does not help if the throttle control (limitation) was removed if brakes operated as with ESP on.
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I admit I haven't read this for the W204 but for all other, earlier models the ESP button does affect the actual ESP sensitivity and in addition it mostly switches off traction control (to intentionally allow wheel spin) where definitely brake operation needs to be switched off, brakes would outperform the engine anyway, does not help if the throttle control (limitation) was removed if brakes operated as with ESP on.
Perhaps I misunderstood your point, because your comment does not make sense in the way I understood it? Can you point a technical document describing what you explain?
Perhaps I misunderstood your point, because your comment does not make sense in the way I understood it? Can you point a technical document describing what you explain?
My technical document is my life long exposure to the brand.
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Mercedes does not allow ABS to be switched off, regardless whether ESP is off (partially) or not. And that's not as good as it sounds because Audi has (or has had) an ABS OFF switch which is an advantage when braking in deep snow because it allows the stopped front wheels to push the snow ahead of them instead of ABSing up on top of it.
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This thread has diverted from giving useful info (technical, personal views or other), sorry if my comment triggered that, I'll leave the rest of it for you (and others who seem to handle this part better).
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From: Stockholm
2009 C200 Estate
Is this really true? Are anyone sure how the ESP really works when its switched off?
Was out playing a bit last night in the first snow and that was great fun. Its definitely so that the Traction control is off with the button, and i get a feeling that the ESP individual wheel breaking is a LOT less active with the ESP off.
With ESP on you can feel and hear the individual breaks working imidiately when the rear loses traction or slides sideway. But with the ESP off you can most of the time go really wide in long nice slides without any interference from ESP. But occationally you feel some breaking but thats pretty rare with ESP off.
I believe that the ESP is almost off and only breaks some times, didnt see a clear correlation between how wide you go and how the ESP´s breaking reacts. Sometimes in very wide slides it doesent engage and other slides that are not extremly wide breaking was applied.
It could be that the breaking function only comes in when you are rolling with out any throttle, then it might help you strighten up the car but im not sure. Its possible to have fun in the snow and that wouldnt be the case if Indy was right.
Was out playing a bit last night in the first snow and that was great fun. Its definitely so that the Traction control is off with the button, and i get a feeling that the ESP individual wheel breaking is a LOT less active with the ESP off.
With ESP on you can feel and hear the individual breaks working imidiately when the rear loses traction or slides sideway. But with the ESP off you can most of the time go really wide in long nice slides without any interference from ESP. But occationally you feel some breaking but thats pretty rare with ESP off.
I believe that the ESP is almost off and only breaks some times, didnt see a clear correlation between how wide you go and how the ESP´s breaking reacts. Sometimes in very wide slides it doesent engage and other slides that are not extremly wide breaking was applied.
It could be that the breaking function only comes in when you are rolling with out any throttle, then it might help you strighten up the car but im not sure. Its possible to have fun in the snow and that wouldnt be the case if Indy was right.
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w204
Mercedes does not allow ABS to be switched off, regardless whether ESP is off (partially) or not. And that's not as good as it sounds because Audi has (or has had) an ABS OFF switch which is an advantage when braking in deep snow because it allows the stopped front wheels to push the snow ahead of them instead of ABSing up on top of it.
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From: NY
C350
