Electronic Stability Program (Esp) - SMART FORTWO CABRIO Operating Instructions Manual

Electronic Stability Program (esp)

How esp works
Accident risk!
In critical driving situations,
esp stabilises the car's response sub
ject to the laws of physics.
On no account can the system be expect
ed to help prevent accidents if the
car's speed is too high or the driver is
reckless.
As such, always adapt your driving style
to the prevailing road and weather con
ditions.
The car is equipped with the Electronic
Stability Program (esp) as standard. esp
monitors the driving stability and trac
tion, i.e. the transmission of power be
tween the tyres and the road.
Accident risk!
If the esp warning light in the
instrument cluster flashes, proceed as
follows:
Only depress the accelerator pedal as
far as necessary when pulling away.
Accelerate less when driving.
Adapt your driving style to the road,
traffic and weather conditions.
Otherwise the vehicle could begin to
skid.
esp is unable to reduce the risk of an
accident if you are driving too fast.
esp actively intervenes in the following
driving situations:
Evasive action if you suddenly encoun
ter an obstruction
Excessive cornering speeds
Spinning of the driven wheels when
moving away

Electronic Stability Program (esp)

>Note!
The indicator light in the instrument
cluster flashes while esp is active.
esp detects when a wheel spins and when
the vehicle starts to skid.
Depending on the driving situation
esp will reduce the speed.
esp selectively brakes individual
wheels.
esp equalises the speed of the driven
wheels.
esp stabilises the vehicle when brak
ing.
esp assists you when taking evasive ac
tion on wet or slippery roads.
>Important notes for cars with esp!
The engine must not be run while
the handbrake is being tested on a
dynamometer.
the car is being towed away with its
front axle raised.
Active braking intervention by esp
will otherwise destroy the brake
system on the rear axle.
esp will only function properly if you
fit the recommended tyre sizes on the
wheels.
Study in motion 165