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Mercedes-Benz C-Class: What is ESP, and How Do I Turn It Off?

Read this informative article to learn more about the ESP system in your Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and how to turn the ESP system off if desired.

By Bart Kempff - June 10, 2015

This article applies to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class w204 (2007-2014).

The Mercedes-Benz's ESP or Electronic Stability Program analyzes the driving stability of your Mercedes-Benz, and automatically applies the brakes to individual wheels to adjust the engine output in order to help the automobile stay within its driving limits. The ESP system is most often activated when a driver is taking sudden evasive maneuvers, or driving through bends and curves in the road. The main component in the ESP system is the yaw velocity sensor. The yaw velocity sensor monitors the movement around vehicle's vertical axis, and computes that information while analyzing the driver's current steering input as well as the vehicle's speed. Once your Mercedes-Benz deviates from the accepted ranges (as allowed by the yaw velocity sensor), the ESP system kicks-in and adjusts the car for safety.

The ESP system increases the effectiveness of the "anti-lock brake system" and the "accelerated skid control" functions. The ESP assists those features by allowing the car to maintain better stability and adhesion to the road.

Mercedes-Benz has found that the inclusion of the ESP system to all of its models has drastically reduced the amount of accidents their vehicles have experienced over the years.

Figure 1. ESP diagram.

Turning the ESP System Off

  • Turn the ignition key to position "1," or if you have a push button ignition, press the ignition button once.
  • Make sure the odometer reading is showing on the dash.
Figure 2. Your digital odometer is showing.

  • Hold the call accept button on the steering column, and immediately press the OK button on the steering column for approximately five seconds.
Figure 3. Use your steering wheel controls.
  • Using the arrows on the steering column, toggle to the setting called dynamometer. Press OK under the heading disable dynamometer.
Figure 4. "ESP dynamometer test" visible.
  • Start the engine. You will immediately see the warning that the ESP, ABS, and EBR systems have been disabled.
Figure 5. ESP is off, rejoice, with powerslides!

Common Question

How Will Turning Off the ESP System On My Mercedes-Benz Affect the Handling and Driving Experience of the Vehicle?

Most experts recommend keeping the ESP system on at all times because it adds a necessary safety feature to your vehicle, which has saved many lives over the years. Drivers who generally turn their ESP off are taking their Mercedes-Benz to the track or in other controlled conditions, and are looking for the vehicle to be able to 'drift' or 'slide' without the tires tenaciously grabbing the road. The other prevalent time when drivers turn off the ESP are when they are on soft sand (or certain types of snowy conditions) where they need the wheels to move more freely, and the traction will not help the situation.

The final difference, with the ESP system off, is less power control in the steering, which means the steering wheel is slightly tougher to control. Also, turns take more strength and adjustment when maneuvering the steering wheel.

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