Traction Control

I wish I had a photo of what happened on a test drive today, so I could share it with you.

A lovely couple wanted to look at the 2010 E350 and the ML350. I dutifully showed them both vehicles, discussing safety features and new technology. They said they might be starting a family in the next few years, and although they have never had a Mercedes, the wife's father had had one.

They're driving a BMW 335i that comes to the end of its lease in April. I shared with them Mercedes racing history, and how winning Formula One Championships has strengthened the breed in terms of safety and performance.

I mentioned the importance of intrinsic safety systems in keeping Mercedes drivers out of harm's way. I explained the importance traction control, and how it can keep you from ever getting into an accident. I've had three separate buyers tell me that their Toyota Camrys had spun out, causing them to crash, so I believe this discussion to be a critical one.

I have developed various different methods to demonstrate the awesome safety systems in place in our cars. For demonstrating the traction control, I drive the car to an empty street and by flooring the accelerator and cranking the steering wheel, I try to induce the car to spin. It's a pretty radical demonstration, complete with squealing tires and sometimes, squealing buyers. I have had some folks get carsick when I do this, but most people think it's great fun.

After the "spinny test" as I call it, it's on to the next opportunity to show off the greatness of the car, by demonstrating the ABS and BAS on a nearby bumpy, former cobblestone street. In case you're wondering, the streets I use are almost deserted, but the occasional passerby does get a funny look on their face...

With my clients driving now, we headed onto the highway, and we had an opportunity to talk about how nicely the new Mercedes drives, how it's smooth and powerful, all the good things you want to hear. The couple had expressed a wish to compare both the E-Class and the ML, so we returned and picked up the ML.

We followed the same route, city streets to the 280 freeway, and taking the Alemany exit, to return. As we approached the freeway entrance this time, however, it was clear that something had gone very wrong on the stretch of freeway we had traversed safely only minutes before. Where traffic had been light, there was now a clot of cars barely crawling along. From the back seat, I could see the solo accident, a car at a 45-degree angle up the embankment. From about a quarter mile away, I had a sneaking suspicion. Before I thought about it, I blurted out, "It's a Camry, isn't it?" And sure enough, as we drew nearer, the scenario became clear. The Camry driver had spun out (as evidenced by the tire tracks all over the blacktop) and skidded to rest up the embankment. The was a CHP officer on the scene, and it appeared no one was hurt.

Thank goodness the Federal Government has deemed traction control so vital that they have mandated it for all 2010 vehicles sold in the US.

Mercedes-Benz vehicles have had traction control since 1979.