ADAPTIVE ESP®. Never lose your footing
Wet leaves on the road, freezing conditions, abrupt braking on an unstable surface … there are many ways for a vehicle to lose its footing. In the Viano the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) helps you avoid running into this problem.
ADAPTIVE ESP® is an innovative handling control system, which for the first time takes the vehicle load into account. It actively engages in potentially dangerous driving scenarios (e.g. potential risk of skidding) by applying a specific braking force to individual wheels and adjusts the engine output to help you master critical situations. ADAPTIVE ESP® combines the functions of ABS, ASR, EBD, BAS and the optional AAS and has been extended to include a driving stability assist function.
ESP® trailer stabilisation is also available in conjunction with the optional trailer coupling or pre-installation for a trailer coupling. This system complements ADAPTIVE ESP® and boosts driving safety when towing a trailer by applying targeted braking to the wheels of the towing vehicle and reducing engine torque if the trailer begins to vibrate. This helps the driver to stabilise the car/trailer combination. If the system engages several times in succession, brake actuation becomes continuously stronger, which significantly reduces vehicle speed.
ABS. Brakes that don't lock
Fractions of a second – and every move you make – can make a crucial difference in critical driving situations.
Anti-lock braking (ABS) prevents the wheels from locking during braking. Speed sensors continuously monitor the speed of each wheel. Before a wheel reaches locking point, the brake pressure at that wheel is reduced. Once the danger of locking has been averted, the braking pressure is reapplied. In this way, ABS helps the driver to retain control of steering even during emergency braking. When ABS is in operation, the driver feels a light pulsating sensation in the brake pedal.
ABS. Boost your braking power
In tests carried out in a driving simulator, our research engineers established that drivers generally do not apply the brakes vigorously enough during emergency braking. This finding led them to develop the Brake Assist system. Based on the speed at which the brake pedal is depressed, Brake Assist can detect an emergency braking scenario. In such situations, the system automatically increases braking power, assisted by anti-lock braking (ABS) to prevent wheel-locking.
ASR. Getting a grip
If you need a quick start or want to accelerate on a wet or loose surface, there is always a danger that one or more wheels will spin. Driving the Viano, acceleration skid control (ASR) helps to prevents this.
At the first signs of wheel spin, i.e. if the rotational speed of one of the drive wheels suddenly increases, ASR reduces engine power and intervenes in the brake system to prevent prolonged wheel spin. ASR ensures smooth start-off and acceleration, without prolonged wheel spin or sideways drift. The result is improved traction - and safety - particularly on split-friction or slippery surfaces.
