Hi

I'm new to Mercedes ownership and have a question regarding the CLK 430. Please let me know how to turn off the traction control button. When I press it a hazard light appears on the dash but this still doesn't give me full control of the vehicle. Any tips on getting this switched off would be very much appreciated.

Thanks
rgs
Ats

 

you can't totally switch it off. there is always some intervention when wheel spin becomes to much. but that switch does turn off the traction control to a certain extent.

 

Thats the nice thing about Mercedes ESP! is that its never realy off. My son last winter while drivng the C280 decided to be a wise *** and turn the ESP! of showing his girlfriend "how to drive" in the snow he pulls into the driveway at about 20 and thank god that ESP kicked right in and put him straight. I love Mercedes ESP!!

 

Yes, that's quite funny, but still i think it's totally necessary to have some way to switch it off completely for those of us who prefer full control. I was completely dissapointed when I attempted to drift my CLK in front of friends and all I got was the brakes kicking in making the car 'wobble' and making me look like a total amatuer.

Don't worry though I will figure it out even if I have to take a hammer to the switch or pop some fuses.

ps sounds like your son should stick to front wheel drives.

 

you can get the clk 430 to drift pretty nicely actually you just gotta really get into it. ive done it on many occasions. the front end tends to plow rather than turn though. you can smoke the tires too but you just gotta open her all the way up with the steering wheel slightly turned. you gotta try harder and go faster.