120Driving and operatingBrakes
The brake system comprises two
independent brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can
still be braked using the other brake
circuit. However, braking effect is
achieved only when you depress the
brake pedal firmly. You need to use
considerably more force for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek
the assistance of a workshop before
continuing your journey.
When the engine is not running, the
support of the brake servo unit
disappears once the brake pedal has been depressed once or twice.
Braking effect is not reduced, but
braking requires significantly greater
force. It is especially important to bear this in mind when being towed.
If control indicator R illuminates in
the instrument cluster while driving and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre, there is a fault in the braking
system. Seek the assistance of a
workshop immediately.Control indicator R 3 85.
Vehicle messages 3 89.
Antilock brake system
Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.
ABS starts to regulate brake pressure as soon as a wheel shows a tendency to lock. The vehicle remains
steerable, even during hard braking.
ABS control is made apparent
through a pulse in the brake pedal
and the noise of the regulation
process.
For optimum braking, keep the brake
pedal fully depressed throughout the
braking process, despite the fact that the pedal is pulsating. Do not reduce
the pressure on the pedal.
Control indicator u 3 85.
Fault
If control indicator u does not go out
a few seconds after the ignition is
switched on, or if it illuminates while driving, there is a fault in the ABS.
Control indicator F 3 84 may alsoilluminate in the instrument cluster
together with a corresponding
message in the Driver Information
Centre. The brake system remains
operational but without ABS
regulation.9 Warning
If there is a fault in the ABS, the
wheels may be liable to lock due
to braking that is heavier than
normal. The advantages of ABS are no longer available. During
hard braking, the vehicle can no longer be steered and may
swerve.
If control indicators u, F , R 3 85
and C 3 84 illuminate, there is a fault
in the braking system. A
corresponding message also
appears in the Driver Information
Centre 3 88. Have the cause of the
fault remedied by a workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 89.
Driving and operating121Parking brake9Warning
Always apply parking brake firmly
without operating the release
button, and apply as firmly as
possible on a downhill or uphill
slope.
To release the parking brake, pull
the lever up slightly, press the
release button and fully lower the
lever.
To reduce the operating forces of
the parking brake, depress the
foot brake at the same time.
Control indicator R 3 85.
Parking 3 117.
Brake assist If the brake pedal is depressed
quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake pedal for as long as full braking
is required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when the
brake pedal is released.
Brake assist is not available during an
Autostop.
Stop-start system 3 115.
Hill start assist The system helps prevent unintendedmovement when driving away on
inclines.
When releasing the foot brake after
stopping on an incline (with the
selector lever in a forward gear or
reverse gear), the brakes remain on
for a further 2 seconds. The brakes
release automatically as soon as the
vehicle begins to accelerate.Caution
The Hill start assist cannot
completely prevent vehicle
movement in all situations
(extremely steep gradients, etc.).
If necessary, depress the foot
brake to prevent the vehicle from
rolling forwards or backwards.
The Hill start assist is not active
during an Autostop. Stop-start system
3 115.
122Driving and operatingRide control systems
Traction Control system
The Traction Control system (TC) is a
component part of the Electronic
Stability Program (ESP® Plus
) which
improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip, by
preventing the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the drive wheels starts to spin, engine output is reduced and
the wheel spinning the most is braked
individually. This considerably
improves the driving stability of the
vehicle on slippery road surfaces.
TC is operational as soon as the
ignition is switched on and control
indicator b extinguishes in the
instrument cluster. A corresponding
message also appears in the Driver
Information Centre 3 88.
When TC is active b flashes.9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator b 3 85.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) 3 135.
Enhanced Traction function
If necessary, in the event of soft
ground, mud or snow-covered road
surfaces, the Traction control system
(TC) can be deactivated to enhance
traction:
Press the Ø button on the
instrument panel.
Control indicator Ø illuminates in the
instrument cluster and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre 3 88.
When vehicle speed reaches 30 mph, the system switches
automatically from Enhanced
Driving and operating123
Traction function to TC operation.
Control indicator Ø extinguishes in
the instrument cluster.
TC is reactivated by pressing the Ø
button again. Control indicator Ø
extinguishes.
TC is also reactivated the next time
the ignition is switched on.
Fault If the system detects a fault, control
indicator b 3 85 illuminates together
with F 3 84 in the instrument cluster
and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre 3 88.
TC is not operational. Have the cause of the fault remedied by a workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 89.
Electronic stability
program
The Electronic Stability Program
(ESP® Plus
) improves driving stability
when necessary, regardless of thetype of road surface or tyre grip. It also
prevents the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer/oversteer),
engine output is reduced and the
wheels are braked individually. This
considerably improves the driving
stability of the vehicle on slippery road
surfaces.
ESP® Plus
is operational as soon as
the ignition is switched on and control
indicator b extinguishes in the
instrument cluster. A corresponding message also appears in the Driver
Information Centre 3 88.
When ESP® Plus
comes into action b
flashes.9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator b 3 85.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) 3 135.
Enhanced Traction function
If necessary, in the event of soft
ground, mud or snow-covered road
surfaces, ESP® Plus
can be
deactivated to enhance traction:
Press the Ø button on the
instrument panel.
124Driving and operating
Control indicator Ø illuminates in the
instrument cluster and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre 3 88.
When vehicle speed reaches 30 mph, the system switches
automatically from Enhanced
Traction function to ESP® Plus
operation. Control indicator Ø
extinguishes in the instrument cluster.
ESP® Plus
is reactivated by pressing
the Ø button again. Control indicator
Ø extinguishes.
ESP® Plus
is also reactivated the next
time the ignition is switched on.
Fault
If the system detects a fault, control indicator b 3 85 illuminates together
with F 3 84 in the instrument cluster
and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre 3 88.
The Electronic stability program
(ESP® Plus
) is not operational. Have
the cause of the fault remedied by a
workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 89.Driver assistance
systems9 Warning
Driver assistance systems are
developed to support the driver
and not to replace the driver's
attention.
The driver accepts full
responsibility when driving the
vehicle.
When using driver assistance
systems, always take care
regarding the current traffic
situation.
Cruise control
The cruise control can store and
maintain speeds of 20 mph and
above. Deviations from the stored speeds may occur when driving uphill or downhill.
For safety reasons the cruise control cannot be activated until the foot
brake has been operated once.
Driving and operating127
Activation
Press switch U, control indicator U
illuminates yellow in the instrument
cluster.
Cruise control speed limiter function
is now in standby mode and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre.
Accelerate to the desired speed and
press switch < or ]. The current
speed is recorded.
The vehicle can be driven normally
but it will not be possible to exceed the programmed speed limit except in an
emergency.
Where the limit speed cannot be
maintained, e.g. when driving on a
steep decline, the limit speed will
flash in the Driver Information Centre
3 88, accompanied by a warning
chime.
Increase limit speed
The limit speed can be increased
continuously or in small increments
by holding down or tapping switch <
repeatedly.
Reduce limit speed
The limit speed can be decreased
continuously or in small increments
by holding down or tapping switch ]
repeatedly.
Exceeding the limit speed
In the event of an emergency, it is
possible to exceed the limit speed by
depressing the accelerator pedal firmly beyond the point of resistance.
The limit speed will flash in the Driver Information Centre 3 88 during this
period, accompanied by a warning chime.Release the accelerator pedal andthe speed limiter function is
reactivated once a speed lower than
the limit speed is obtained.
Notice
In vehicles fitted with a Speed
limiter, fully depressing the
accelerator pedal will not allow you
to exceed the set maximum vehicle
speed. Speed limiter 3 128.
Deactivation
Press switch §: Speed limiter is
deactivated and the vehicle can be
driven normally.
The limit speed is stored and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre.
Reactivation
Press switch R: The speed limiter
function is reactivated.
Pressing switch < will also reactivate
the speed limiter function, but at the
current vehicle speed only, not the stored speed.
128Driving and operating
Deleting the limit speed
Press switch U: Yellow control
indicator U extinguishes in the
instrument cluster.
Speed limiter Maximum speed limiter
In accordance with local or national
regulations, the vehicle may be
equipped with a fixed maximum
speed limiter that cannot be disabled.
If equipped, a warning label indicating the fixed maximum speed limit (55 to
80 mph) is located on the instrument
panel.
Deviations from the maximum speed
limit may occur briefly when driving
downhill, for physical reasons.
A warning buzzer will sound for
10 seconds every 40 seconds if the
vehicle briefly exceeds the set limit.
Vehicles also equipped with cruise
control speed limiter: the maximum
speed cannot be exceeded by
depressing the accelerator pedal
firmly beyond the point of resistance.
Cruise control speed limiter 3 124.Parking assist
The parking assist makes reverse
parking easier by measuring the
distance between the rear of the
vehicle and obstacles. It is the driver,
however, who bears full responsibility for parking.
The system consists of four ultrasonic
parking sensors in the rear bumper.
Notice
Attached parts in the detection area
cause system malfunction.
Driving and operating129
ActivationWhen reverse gear is engaged, the
system switches itself on
automatically. Readiness for
operation is indicated by a brief
acoustic signal.
An obstacle is indicated by buzzers
and, depending on vehicle, is also
indicated in the Info-Display. The
interval between the buzzers
becomes shorter as the vehicle gets
closer to the obstacle. When the
distance is less than 30 cm, the buzzer is continuous.
Notice
In versions with Info-Display
indication, the volume of the buzzer
can be adjusted via the Infotainment
system. Refer to Infotainment
system manual for further
information.9 Warning
Under certain circumstances,
various reflective surfaces on
objects or clothing as well as
external noise sources may cause the system to fail to detect
obstacles.
Deactivation
Deactivate the system by pressing
the r button on the instrument
panel with the ignition on. LED
illuminates in the button when
deactivated. When reverse gear is
selected, no acoustic signal will
sound.
Notice
In versions with Info-Display
indication, the function can be
deactivated via the Infotainment
system. Refer to Infotainment
system manual for further
information.
The function is reactivated by
pressing button r again or the next
time the ignition is switched on.
Fault If the system detects an operating
fault, when selecting reverse gear a
continuous acoustic alarm will sound
for approx. 5 seconds, a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre 3 88
and F illuminates in the instrument
cluster 3 84. Consult a workshop to
have the cause of the fault remedied.