The driver display shows this symbol when the system is engaged.
Braking from the system may be heard as a pulsing sound, and the car may accelerate more slowly than expected when applying the throttle.
The system consists of the following subfunctions:
- Stability function
- Spin control and traction control system
- Engine Drag Control
- Trailer stability assist
- Roll Stability Control
- The function is supplementary driver support intended to facilitate driving and make it safer – it cannot handle all situations in all traffic, weather, and road conditions.
- The driver is advised to read all sections in the Owner’s Manual that relate to this function to learn about factors such as its limitations and what the driver should be aware of before using the system.
- Driver support functions are not a substitute for the driver’s attention and judgment. The driver is always responsible for ensuring the car is driven in a safe manner, at the appropriate speed, at an appropriate distance from other vehicles, and in accordance with current traffic rules and regulations.
Stability function
The function checks the driving and brake force of the wheels individually in order to stabilize the car.
Spin control and traction control system
The function is active at low speed and brakes the drive wheels that spin so that additional traction shall be transferred to the drive wheels that are not spinning.
The function can also prevent the driving wheels from spinning against the road surface during acceleration.
Engine Drag Control
Engine Drag Control (EDC) can prevent involuntary wheel lock-up, e.g. when the engine braking on slippery road surfaces. Involuntary wheel locking while driving can, amongst other things, impair the driver’s ability to steer the car.
Trailer stability assist
Trailer Stability Assist is deactivated if ESC Sport Mode is activated.
Roll Stability Control
This function reduces the risk of overturning, for example during a sudden evasive maneuver or if the car skids. The system registers if and how much the car’s lateral inclination changes. This information is used to calculate the risk of the car overturning. If the car is at risk, its electronic stability control system engages, the engine torque is reduced and one or more wheels are braked until the car has regained its stability.
Warning
Under normal driving conditions, the system improves the car’s road safety, but this must not be taken as a reason to increase speed. Always follow normal precautions for safe driving.
Symbols and messages for electronic stability control
| Symbol | Message | Specification |
|---|---|---|
| | Constant glow for approx. 2 seconds | System check when the engine is started. |
| | Flashing light | The system is being activated. |
| | Constant glow | Sport mode is activated. NOTE: The system is not deactivated in this mode – it is partly reduced. |
| – | Traction control Temporarily off | The system has been temporarily reduced due to excessive brake temperature – the function is reactivated automatically when the brakes have cooled. |
| | ESC Service required | The system is disengaged. Stop the car in a safe place, switch off the engine and start it again. |
A text message can be cleared by briefly pressing the button, located in the center of the steering wheel’s right-hand keypad.
If a message remains, contact a workshop – an authorized Volvo workshop is recommended.
Electronic Stability Control in sport mode
With Sport mode selected, interventions from the system are reduced and the car is allowed to skid more and greater control than normal is thus transferred to the driver.
When Sport mode is selected, the function can be considered as deactivated, despite the function continuing to help the driver in many cases.
With Sport mode selected, trailer stability assist (TSA) is deactivated.
Sport mode also provides more traction even if the car has become bogged down or is driving on a loose surface, such as in sand or deep snow.
Activating and deactivating sport mode for electronic stability control
The driver display indicates activated ESC Sport Mode by displaying this symbol with a constant glow until the function is deactivated or the engine is switched off. The next time the engine is started, the system is back in its normal mode again.
Activate or deactivate the function using this button in the center display’s function view.
- Illuminated button – the function is activated.
- Extinguished button – the function is deactivated.
The Sport mode function cannot be selected when one of the following functions is activated:
- Speed limiter
- Cruise control
- Adaptive cruise control
- Pilot Assist