
Assist systems
Brake assist systems
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
110
Antilock Braking System (ABS)
111
Traction Control System (ASR)
111
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)
111WARNING■ A lack of fuel can cause irregular engine running or cause the engine to shut
down. The brake assist systems would then fail to function – risk of accident!■
Adjust the speed and driving style to the current visibility, weather, road and
traffic conditions. The increased safety provided by the brake assist systems
must not tempt you to take safety risks – risk of accident!
■
In the event of an ABS fault, visit a specialist garage immediately. Adjust
your style of driving according to the damage to the ABS, as you will not know
the exact extent of the damage or the extent to which this is limiting the
braking efficiency.
CAUTION
■ All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres approved by the manufactur-
er to ensure the brake assist systems operate correctly.■
Changes to the vehicle (e.g. to the engine, brakes, chassis) can influence the
functionality of the brake assist systems » page 146, Services, modifications and
technical alterations .
■
If a fault occurs in the ABS system, the ESC, TCS and EDL will also fail to work.
An ABS fault is indicated with the warning light » page 24 .
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 110.
The ESC system helps improve control of the vehicle in situations where it is be-
ing operated at its dynamic limits, such as a sudden change to the direction of
travel. Depending on the road surface conditions, the risk of skidding is reduced,
thereby improving the vehicle's driving stability .
The ESC system is automatically activated each time the ignition is switched on.
The direction which the driver wishes to take is determined based on the steering angle and the speed of the vehicle and is constantly compared with the actual
behaviour of the vehicle. In the event of deviations, such as the car beginning to
skid, the ESC system will automatically brake the appropriate wheel.
During an intervention of the system, the warning light
flashes in the instru-
ment cluster.
The following systems are integrated into the electronic stabilisation control
(ESC) :
› Antilock brake system (ABS),
› Traction control (TCS),
› Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)
› Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
› Hill Hold Control (HHC).
The ESC system cannot be deactivated. The
» Fig. 99 on page 111 button can
only be used to deactivate the TCS. The
warning light comes on in the instru-
ment cluster when the TCS is deactivated.
In the event of an ESC fault, the ESC warning light illuminates in the instrumentcluster
» page 23 .
Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
HBA increases the braking effect and helps to shorten the braking distance.
The HBA is activated by very quick operation of the brake pedal. In order to ach-
ieve the shortest possible braking distance, the brake pedal must be applied firm-
ly until the vehicle has come to a standstill.
The HBA function is automatically switched off when the brake pedal is released. The ABS is activated faster and more effectively with the intervention of the HBA.
110Driving

Hill Hold Control (HHC)
When driving on slopes, HHC allows you to move your foot from the brake pedal
to the accelerator pedal without having to use the handbrake.
The system holds the brake pressure produced by the activation of the brakepedal for approx. 2 seconds after the brake pedal is released.
The brake pressure drops gradually the more you operate the accelerator pedal. Ifthe vehicle does not start off within 2 seconds, it starts to roll back.
HHC is active on slopes of >5 % when the driver door is closed. HHC is always only
active on slopes when in forward or reverse start off. When driving downhill, it is inactive.
Antilock Braking System (ABS)
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 110.
ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking. Thus helping the driver to main-
tain control of the vehicle.
The intervention of the ABS is noticeable from the pulsating movements of the
brake pedal which is accompanied by noises.
When the ABS system is active, do not brake periodically or reduce the pressure
on the brake pedal.
Traction Control System (ASR)
Fig. 99
TCS buttonFirst read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 110.
If the wheels are slipping, the ASR system adapts the engine speed to the condi-
tions of the road surface. The TCS makes it much easier to start off, accelerate
and climb steep hills even if the conditions of the road surface are unfavourable.
The TCS function is automatically activated each time the ignition is switched on.
During an intervention of the system, the TCS warning light flashes in the in-
strument cluster.
The TCS should normally always be enabled. Only in certain exceptional circum-
stances can it be sensible to switch the system off, for instance:
› when driving with snow chains;
› when driving in deep snow or on a very loose surface;
› when it is necessary to “rock a vehicle free” when it has got stuck.
Ensure the TCS is activated again afterwards.
You can switch TCS off and on again as needed by pressing the
button » Fig. 99 .
The
warning light comes on in the instrument cluster when the TCS is deactiva-
ted.
The TCS warning light
» page 26 lights up in the instrument cluster when there
is a fault on the TCS.
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 110.
If one of the wheels starts to spin, the EDL system brakes the spinning wheel and
transfers the driving force to the other wheels. This ensures the stability of the
vehicle and a quick journey.
EDL switches off automatically to avoid excessive heat generation on the brake of the wheel being braked. The vehicle can continue to be driven and has the
same characteristics as a vehicle not fitted with EDL. The EDL switches on again
automatically as soon as the brake has cooled down.
111Assist systems

Driving economicallyEconomical gear changing105
Driving through water108
E
Economical and environmentally friendly driving 104
Economical driving Ballast
106
Driving at full throttle105
Idling106
Looking ahead105
Regular maintenance107
Saving energy107
Short distances106
Tyre pressure106
EDL111
Electrical power windows Button in the driver's door
38, 39
Button in the rear door39
Central locking system40
Operational faults40
Electronic Differential Lock111
Electronic immobilizer97
emergency opening the loading door (Praktik)
75
Emergency Changing a wheel
180
Hazard warning light system45
jump-starting187
Jump-starting186
locking of the doors31
Selector lever-unlocking103
Towing the vehicle188
Towing the vehicle using the tow hitch189
Tyre repair184
Unlocking the boot lid38
Emergency equipment Fire extinguisher
179
First aid kit179
Jack180
Vehicle tool kit180
Warning triangle179
Emissions199
Engine Running in
103
Starting and stopping the engine96
Switching off the engine98
Engine compartment159
Brake fluid167
Coolant166
Overview162
Vehicle battery168
Engine oil163
Capacity163
Changing165
Checking164
Replenishing165
Specifications163
Warning light21
Engine revolutions counter11
Environment104
Environmental compatibility107
Environmentally friendly driving104
ESC Function
110
Warning light23
F
Films
152
Fire extinguisher179
First aid kit179
Flashers43
Fog lights44
Folding down the seats
54
Footmats100
see Footmats100
Front airbag134
Front seats52
Fuel157
Diesel159
Fuel gauge11
gauge11
refer to Fuel157
Refuelling157
Unleaded petrol158
Fuel consumption104
Fuses Assignment
191
Colour coding191
Replacing191
G
Gear Recommended gear
13
Gearbox Display messages
19
Gear changing Gear stick
99
General view Cockpit
9
Glow plug system Warning light
24
GSM86
H
Handbrake
99
Hazard warning light system45
Head airbag136
Headlight cleaning system Headlight cleaning system
50
Headlights195
Driving abroad109
Headlight cleaning system50
Headrest Headrest
57
Head restraint56
208Index