newsguy

A newbie question for everyone on Mercedes, specifically on the CLK 430's:

Are ESP and TRACTION CONTROL two seperate controls and if so, can they be turned off individually? Or even turned off at all?

Pffelan

only one button but 2 different systems...

esp is the stability control that deals with using the brakes/throttle to stabilise the car under hard cornering... this is on all the time...

traction control is switch off able! this controls wheel spin by chopping power.... turn this off for serious tyre destruction..

hope this makes sense and is reasonably accurate...

newsguy

Yup, it makes sense, although I would think the ESP would also be able to be turned off, specifically for racing or drifting... Are you sure it's not disengageable?

Newbie

When you press the ESP button (as there is only one button,) I believe it puts you into a more 'hands off' mode, but the system does intervene to a certain extent. "Turning ESP off," as I say somewhat inaccurately, is what I do when I need to break the tires loose.