How to turn off traction control
 

Help,
I have a 95 e320 wagon with ASC ( traction control ) -- I don't know of anyway to turn it off. It snowed yesterday and I got stuck in 3 inches of snow, in a parking lot with a slight upgrade. If the car did not have ASC I would not have gotten stuck. As soon as the wheel starts to spin the ASC kicks and then no forward movement.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks
Alan

There ought to be a switch on the center console (by the defrost switch) that looks like a donut with spikes on it. I think it is supposed to resemble a tires with chains. Push that button for temporary ASR diablement.

The snow chain button is for driving with snow chains. There isn't a way to disable the ASR. You're stuck with it. There has been much written in the past here on ASR defeat switches but it's a rather elaborate job - you can do a search on the subject. It's integrated into several systems of your car so it's not just a matter of pulling a fuse or flipping a switch. In other words it's a piece of junk permantly attached to your car at the factory. This is a system so ill-conceived that they couldn't even get the acronym right. Owner's manuals actually refer to it as "Acceleration Slip Control (ASR)". Unfortunately the best way to defeat it is to sell the car.

It sounds to me like your ASC is not working correctly. I have ASR on my 98 and I like it very much. My does have a "off" button but I am not sure that it turns it off all the way. I will check on that. Anyway I have found it works really well. Never tried it in deep snow however. Just ice.

Mike

well....I dunno... I do know that when I push the snowchain button, I can do at least a half a donut on wet grass. (haven't tried to do a 360 yet)

I think Larry might be right here. On my '94 wagon with that lousy ASR mode, if I hit the snow chain switch I get more RPM before the brakes engage. I usually can't make it up my drive way with snow if I don't turn the snow chain switch on. So I guess it isn't a complete shut down of ASR but a little delay? My wife's '99 E300 has a complete shut off but that is the 5 speed transmission and the wagon is the 4 speed.

i have to say the ASR completely ruins the C36 AMG and other AMG models too,, it is so hard to break it loose , and steering with the throtle is not going to happen (300-500hp cars :confused: )
BMW and Porsche can switch the ASR off why not the MB,AMG

C36 AMG
190e 16v
190e 16v
911 Iroc replic

I just read my manual and it looks like maybe they have addressed this problem to some extent. On my car there is an "ASR Off" button and when you push it it turns off the throttle control part of the ASR. But it will still apply the brake to a slipping wheel. It says this is for snow chains or deep snow.

Mike

TDI in the UK have a kit for ASC...This is what I found ...

___________________________________________________________

Traction control:

Your Mercedes will be transformed by the fitment of traction control. Rear wheel slippage can be completely controlled whether priority be for maximum safety in slipperey conditions, you prefer full throttle power slides or you need faster lap times with your competition orientated car. The system can also be specified with launch control, full throttle gear change and shift light facilities.

Once you have tried this you will never want to be without it!

Basic package (on/off switchable) £495.00

As above but with launch control £695.00

Professional package inc. adjustable slip & launch control £995.00
_________________________________________________________________

Later C36s (mine) have a defeat switch. I guess MB got lots of complaints. I tend to leave mine engaged, as it lets me know when I'm exceeding the limits for the conditions and exceeding my intelligence. On dry, but cold freeway conditions, I have seen it light up at 220km/hr, indicating my P-Zero Neros are not gripping any more.
I have seen threads on other forums about defeating it permanently on cars without a factory switch, but I'd be wary of doing it.