Does my Focus have ESP?

Adam · 25 May 2008 at 14:21

I remember that 2.0l Focus's with ESP were quite highly regarded. I picked up one yesterday but am unable to tell if it has ESP. It has a small button next to the handbreak which illuminates a light on the dash which is either ESP or traction control. Is there anyway to tell if I do have the ESP option?

Did get quite a bargain for anyone interested. 03 reg, 60k miles, FSH, 3 door in metropolis blue for £3k. Not in the best condition externally (looks like someone has keyed the rear quarter and the passenger door has quite a few carp park dinks) but the interior is immaculate. Not bad for a runaround until I find myself a Leon Cupra R or Civic Type R

Dangerous · 25 May 2008 at 14:31

Way I found to kick ESP in was to drive the Nurburgring with all aids on complete the circut without any issues - Then switch off and drive the circut again and spin 360 7KMs in

If you don't have access to the Nurburgring find a long straight open and rapidly move the wheel left and right and see if the traction control light kicks in.

ethos · 25 May 2008 at 14:38

Yes, this is the official way.

Begbie · 25 May 2008 at 15:02

Normally when you throw it into a corner and it corrects itself in a slide, you have ESP. If it keeps sliding into a tree/lampost/ditch you don't have esp.

PMKeates · 25 May 2008 at 15:06

I think the Focus ESP should have an ESP off switch near the handbrake.

thepharcyde · 25 May 2008 at 15:07

PMKeates said:
I think the Focus ESP should have an ESP off switch near the handbrake.

My ST170 did have a button, do not recall it having ESP written on it though.

matt100 · 25 May 2008 at 15:11

My ST2 has some sort of traction control button but I leave it alone, the tyres disappear quickly enough as it is lol.

Abyss · 25 May 2008 at 15:29

PMKeates said:
I think the Focus ESP should have an ESP off switch near the handbrake.

I have a 2.0L Ghia without *EDIT* ESP, and it has said button next to the handbrake. For my car it just turns the traction control off.

PMKeates · 25 May 2008 at 15:31

Abyss said:
I have a 2.0L Ghia without traction control, and it has said button next to the handbrake. For my car it just turns the traction control off.

You have a car without traction control, yet you have a button that turns it off?

Ford need to get their head screwed on right

Lopéz · 25 May 2008 at 15:33

matt100 said:
My ST2 has some sort of traction control button but I leave it alone, the tyres disappear quickly enough as it is lol.

Try controlling your right foot instead of just mashing it into the carpet and hoping for the best

Gaygle · 25 May 2008 at 15:35

Lopéz said:
Try controlling your right foot instead of just mashing it into the carpet and hoping for the best

Where's the fun in that?!

S@njay · 25 May 2008 at 15:36

Would trying to wheel sping the car trigger ESP or would that just be for traction control?

Lopéz · 25 May 2008 at 15:37

Gaygle said:
Where's the fun in that?!

Well if you want to have fun you don't let TC take over for you anyway

PMKeates · 25 May 2008 at 15:45

S@njay said:
Would trying to wheel sping the car trigger ESP or would that just be for traction control?

You'd struggle to tell by doing that. Easy way to test is to use a wide open space, floor it, get up to about 40 and then just yank the wheel all the way to lock. If the car pulses the brakes like mad and you feel the hand of god quickly move the car in to the direction you want, you have ESP.

matt100 · 25 May 2008 at 15:47

Lopéz said:
Try controlling your right foot instead of just mashing it into the carpet and hoping for the best

I do tbh, its certainly not a very heavy handed system like I had on my ST24 years ago.

The main reason for leaving it on is forgetting to turn it off everytime I get in it, it always defaults back to on.

I've never provoked it except on purpose.

Adam · 25 May 2008 at 15:55

Ok so I understand how you can make ESP kick in, if you have it.

But there must be a specific way to tell either within the car or from the engine bay?

Dangerous · 25 May 2008 at 15:57

Adam said:
But there must be a specific way to tell either within the car or from the engine bay?

ESP = electronic stability program so its not a device mounted in the engine bay. If you have a ECU reader it might have something in there.

Other than that its on the options list or spec list.

[TR]SweetSpotOz · 25 May 2008 at 15:58

PMKeates · 25 May 2008 at 15:58

Adam said:
But there must be a specific way to tell either within the car or from the engine bay?

Check the owner's handbook and see if there are any ESP only lights - I'm not sure on the Focus.

From the engine bay the ESP pump will look similar to the ABS pump. It may have ESP written on it, it may not. What it probably will have on it is some sort of Bosch or Continental Teves part number, which may help.

Adam · 25 May 2008 at 16:04

I have very little paperwork so cannot check the original invoice etc.

I'll have a look when I get the car back to find any clues.