Is there anyway to completely turn off the ESP? Hitting the button turns it off but if the back end kicks out it still engages, is this normal?

 

Hitting the button does NOT turn off the ESP all the way...Thats the way it works ...

 

yeah, I figured that out, so there is no way to override it completely?
I remember seeing a video of an E55 snow drifting so I figured there must be a way... not that I want to snow drift or anything, but the feature does get annoying

 

Annoying feature save my **** a fews time It's on for a reason.

You could always pull the ESP fuse out

 

The ESP still engages even when off, UNLESS you go over 50MPH . Then it's ALL you and your magnificent BEAST, GOOD LUCK AND GOD SPEED BUDDY!

 

I dont think so, ( regarding the 50 mph ) , that would defeat the whole reason behind the ESP. As far as I know there is no way to shut down the ESP Completely.

 

Here is the video where I got the info from, he says it at 1:08. If you shut it off and go over 50MPH then you chose to go without the ESP. It doesn't defeat the purpose...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KtEfFszwIs

Enjoy! God I want to drift like that!

 

I agree with you max

I was doing 65+mph and floor it, the right side of the car hit some sandy surface on the shoulder side of the road and the yellow trangle flashed several time.

Another time I accelerate fast to get on the freeway and one of the tire must of hit a slippery surface the ESP trangle blink several time, looked at the speedometer and I was doing 70mph.

so I know for fact it on at least 70mph.

 

Hands on experience speaks for itself. I guess ESP helps no matter what speed....

 

Same here Peter, it happened to me on the freeway entrance more than once, 65- 70 mph and that triangle flashed repeatedly. Actually I feel reassured when it does .. LOL !!!

 

Maybe there is a difference between the 96-99 euro versions used in the video, which is awesome BTW, and the 00-02 US models reported above.

 

Check out this Estate...hauling A$$!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32fcy...eature=related

 

Cool vid..that wagon hauls a$$!

 

unplug ABS sensors or tray ABS fuse the ECU wont be abel to reed if the tires are spining ( no taction control at all ) only for good drivers only.......
don't wrect your car OK

sorry for my bad english


Annoying feature save my **** a fews time It's on for a reason.

You could always pull the ESP fuse out

ESP fuse not a going to turn off complitly the ABS sensors stil send a signal to the ECU and the ECU sending the signal to engine and the trany ........ the engine won't accelerate

 

Nice car ^

So whats the button there for if it doesn't make a difference on or off?

 

You are correct! However, no ABS either So becareful

 

I believe the primary purpose is to help with getting the car out of snow, mud ect. One would do so by, spinning the tires at a greater speed with the system partially disengaged.

 

ESP has nothing to do with Snow, for snow driving you flip the tranny into E instead of S, that starts the car in the second gear not the first. That switch shouldnt be in the S position for all snow driving. The ESP is active at all times, turning the ESP off will only delay or LIMIT the engagement of the ESP, but will never completely defeat it.

 

I was taking about being stuck in the snow or mud. After the start in second gear mode fails to gain any sort of traction, spinning the wheels at higher rate via ESP off, may rock the car out of the situation.

I have seen MB dealer lot lizards do this to move their inventory. It is a two man job; one sits in the car with the ESP off spinning the tires and the other pushes. They moved 8 RWD cars out of 6+ inches of snow in under 30 mins and snow plowed behind the cars.

Again this technique is only for stuck cars, and not driving around in the snow.