How to Turn Off the Anti-Skid Function in a Smart Car?
3 Answers
To deactivate the anti-skid function, press the OFF button for the anti-skid feature while the vehicle is running. The ESP switch is located below the left side of the steering wheel. Do not press the anti-skid switch lightly, as the vehicle's skid indicator switch may be located in different places, often in hard-to-reach areas, and sometimes difficult to find. Here is an introduction to the anti-skid function: 1. Function One: When the vehicle is stuck in mud or during off-road situations, some wheel slip is necessary to help the vehicle escape or climb. In such cases, ESP's feature of preventing wheel slip can be counterproductive. Therefore, for extreme off-roading or when stuck, it's advisable to turn off the ESP first to ensure the vehicle can get free. 2. Function Two: During snowy or rainy weather when encountering wheel slip while climbing a slope, especially when starting on snow-covered or wet roads, wheels are prone to slipping. The onboard computer may detect the wheel slip and limit engine output, with ESP intervention potentially making things worse. Thus, it's better to turn off ESP before attempting to proceed. 3. Function Three: When snow chains are installed on the vehicle's tires, the chains can interfere with the data from certain sensors in the ESP system due to changes in the wheel's outer diameter, leading to inaccurate signals. This can affect the normal operation of the ESP system, possibly causing it to intervene continuously or trigger fault codes. In such cases, turning off the ESP is also an option.
Last time my car got stuck in the snow, the wheels kept spinning and the anti-skid system wouldn't let power through. I fumbled around the lower left corner of the steering wheel and found a button with a skidding car symbol. When I pressed it, a yellow ESP light came on the dashboard. After the system was turned off, the car could wiggle free. The location of this button varies by vehicle - some have it on the center console or near the instrument panel. Turning it off allows the wheels to spin freely, which is useful when stuck in mud, snowfields, or sand dunes, but don't drive long distances with it off. Without this protection, the car can easily roll over when taking sharp turns. I immediately reactivated it after getting unstuck - I always keep the anti-skid system on during normal driving, safety first, especially in rain or snow. Remember this feature isn't a toy - only turn it off briefly when absolutely necessary.
As a car enthusiast, I've studied how the ESP system works—it uses sensors and brakes to prevent skidding. To turn it off, most cars have a clearly labeled ESC OFF or anti-skid icon button; just press it gently, and a warning light will appear on the dashboard. This is quite necessary when drifting on a racetrack or off-roading, allowing the wheels to spin freely. However, turning it off during normal driving carries significant risks, as you lose rollover protection. My advice is to only use it for short-distance recovery situations and reactivate the system afterward by pressing the button again. Don’t forget that operations vary slightly across different models—SUVs may have the button positioned higher. Keeping it off long-term might also affect other electronic functions.
