2015 MERCEDES-BENZ B-Class ELECTRIC brake light

If the distance warning function is not activa-
ted, the æsymbol appears in the assis-
tance graphics display.
The distance warning function can help you to minimize the risk of a front-end collision with
a vehicle ahead or reduce the effects of such
a collision. If the distance warning function
detects that there is a risk of a collision, you
will be warned visually and acoustically.
Starting at a speed of around 4 mph (7 km/h),
the distance warning function warns you if
you rapidly approach a vehicle in front. An
intermittent warning tone will then sound,
and the ·distance warning lamp will light
up in the instrument cluster.
X Brake immediately in order to increase the
distance from the vehicle in front.
or
X Take evasive action, provided it is safe to do
so.
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated but non-critical driving condi-
tions may also cause the system to display a
warning.
With the help of the radar sensor system, the distance warning function can detect obsta-
cles that are in the path of your vehicle for an
extended period of time.
Up to a speed of around 44 mph (70 km/h),
the distance warning function can also react
to stationary obstacles, such as stopped or
parked vehicles.
If you approach an obstacle and the distance
warning function detects a risk of a collision,
the system will initially alert you both visually and acoustically.
Autonomous braking function If the driver does not react to the distance
warning signal in a critical situation, COLLI-
SION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS can assist
with the autonomous braking function. The autonomous braking function:
R gives the driver more time to react to criti-
cal driving situations
R can help the driver to avoid an accident or
R reduces the effects of an accident
The autonomous braking function is available
in the following speed ranges:
R 5 - 65 mph (7 - 105 km/h) for moving
objects
R 5 - 31 mph (7 - 50 km/h) for stationary
objects
If the autonomous braking function requires a particularly high braking force, preventative
passenger protection measures (PRE-SAFE ®
)
are activated simultaneously.
Adaptive Brake Assist i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 62).
Adaptive Brake Assist provides braking assis- tance in hazardous situations at speeds
above 4 mph (7 km/h). It uses radar sensor
technology to assess the traffic situation. G
WARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist cannot always clearly
identify objects and complex traffic situa-
tions.
In such cases, Adaptive Brake Assist can:
R intervene unnecessarily
R not intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit- uation and be ready to brake. Terminate the
intervention in a non-critical driving situation. G
WARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R when cornering Driving safety systems
65Safety
Z

If you deactivate ESP
®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut-
ting action for better traction on loose sur-faces.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake. EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
General information EBD monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure on the rear wheels to improve driving
stability while braking.
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 62). G
WARNING
If EBD is malfunctioning, the rear wheels can
lock, e.g. under full braking. This increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have the brake system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (Y page 230) as well as dis-
play messages (Y page 205).ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort. In addi- tion to the braking function, ADAPTIVE BRAKE
also has the HOLD function (Y page 163) and
hill start assist (Y page 134). STEER CONTROL
General information STEER CONTROL helps you by transmitting a
noticeable steering force to the steering
wheel in the direction required for vehicle
stabilization.
This steering assistance is provided in partic-
ular if:
R both right wheels or both left wheels are on
a wet or slippery road surface when you
brake.
R the vehicle starts to skid.
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 62).
No steering assistance is provided from
STEER CONTROL, if: R ESP ®
is malfunctioning.
R the lighting is faulty.
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, you will be assisted
further by the electrical power steering. Recuperative Brake System
G
WARNING
In the event of malfunctions in the Recupera- tive Brake System, the following may occur:
R the braking performance of the electric
motor may be either reduced or not effec-
tive
R brake pedal resistance may be lower than
usual
R pedal travel may be longer than usual
If you do not make an additional effort to apply
the brake yourself, the braking effect may not be sufficient. There is a risk of an accident.
In the event of this malfunction, continue to
depress the brake pedal. The brake system is
still fully functional. 68
Driving safety systemsSafety

Observe the "Important safety notes" section
for driving safety systems (Y page 62).
The Recuperative Brake System converts the kinetic energy when braking into electrical
energy. The electric motor is used as an alter-
nator during braking. This electrical energy is
then stored in the high-voltage battery.
You can find information about manually
adjustable recuperation under "Steering
wheel paddle shifters" (Y page 138).
If the warning light in the instrument cluster is lit up, there is a motor malfunction or a brake
malfunction.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (Y page 229) as well as dis-
play messages (Y page 201). Protection against theft
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct SmartKey.
X To activate with the SmartKey: remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X To activate with KEYLESS-GO start-
function or KEYLESS-GO: switch the igni-
tion off and open the driver's door.
X To deactivate: switch on the ignition.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Any-
one can start the drive system if a valid key
has been left inside the vehicle.
i The immobilizer is always deactivated
when you start the drive system.
In the event that the engine cannot be star- ted (yet the vehicle's battery is charged),
the system is not operational. The READY
display in the multifunction display does
not appear. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA) or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada). ATA (anti-theft alarm system)
X
To arm: lock the vehicle with the SmartKey
or KEYLESS-GO.
Indicator lamp :flashes. The alarm sys-
tem is armed after approximately
15 seconds.
X To disarm: unlock the vehicle with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO.
or X Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed and you open:
R a door
R the vehicle with the mechanical key
R the tailgate
R the hood
X To turn the alarm off with the SmartKey:
press the %or& button on the
SmartKey.
The alarm is switched off.
or
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO start-func-
tion or KEYLESS-GO: remove the Start/
Stop button from the ignition lock
(Y page 131).
X Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
The alarm is switched off. Protection against theft
69Safety Z

Combination switch
Turn signal :
High-beam headlamps
; Turn signal, right
= High-beam flasher
? Turn signal, left
X To indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow ;or?.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
X To indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow ;or?.
High-beam headlamps X
To switch on the high-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock or start the drive system.
X Turn the light switch to LorÃ.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of arrow :.
In the Ãposition, the high-beam head-
lamps are only switched on when it is dark
and the engine is running.
The blue Kindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up when the high-beam headlamps are switched on.
X To switch off the high-beam head-
lamps: move the combination switch back
to its normal position.
The blue Kindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out. Vehicles with Adaptive Highbeam Assist:
when Adaptive Highbeam Assist is active, it
controls activation of the high-beam head-
lamps (Y page 103).
High-beam flasher X
To switch on: turn the SmartKey to posi-
tion 1or 2in the ignition lock or start the
drive system.
X Pull the combination switch in the direction
of arrow =. Hazard warning lamps
X
To switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button :.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on a turn signal using the combination switch,
only the turn signal lamp on the corre-
sponding side of the vehicle will flash.
X To switch off the hazard warning lamps:
press button :.
The hazard warning lamps automatically
switch on if:
R an air bag is deployed or
R the vehicle decelerates rapidly from a
speed of above 45 mph (70 km/h) and
comes to a standstill
The hazard warning lamps switch off auto-
matically if the vehicle reaches a speed of
above 6 mph (10 km/h)again after a full
brake application.
The hazard warning lamps still operate if the
ignition is switched off. 102
Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

D
- Sporty driving or driving on a
downhill gradient
The brake pedal does not need
to be used as often because the
extent of the deceleration is
greater than in D.
Energy use when decelerating is
considerably higher than when
the vehicle is braked with the
brake pedal. D
AUTO
(radar-
based) The intensity of recuperation is
automatically adjusted to the
current traffic situation.
Default setting
In levels
Dand D-
, deceleration can be con-
trolled in an infinitely variable manner using
the accelerator pedal.
The braking performance of the electric
motor using recuperative braking is, in some
operating modes, either reduced or not effec-
tive:
R when the condition of charge of the high-
voltage battery increases
R if the high-voltage battery is not yet at a
normal operating temperature
R when driving close to the maximum speed
R when the vehicle is almost stationary
R in transmission position N
R during and after ESP stability control
If you do not make an additional effort to
apply the brake yourself, the braking effect
may not be sufficient. If necessary, counter-
act the reduced regenerative braking effect
by applying the brake yourself.
Radar-based recuperation The vehicle uses the sensors of COLLISION
PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS during radar-
based recuperation (D
AUTO
). The sensors
detect the distance to the vehicle ahead and
its speed. The intensity of recuperation is then automatically adjusted to the current
traffic situation.
The range can then be increased by storing
energy efficiently. Adjustment is infinitely var-
iable from overrun mode (no recuperation) to maximum recuperation.
Maintain sufficient distance to the vehicle in
front. Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
activate COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
PLUS as a visual and acoustic aid.
Examples of radar-based recuperation:
R Approaching a slower vehicle, a decelerat-
ing vehicle or when following a vehicle
downhill. Your vehicle decelerates slightly
and increases recuperation.
R Driving when no vehicle is detected in front
or when a vehicle is detected in the far dis- tance or an accelerating vehicle is detec-
ted. Your vehicle switches to overrun mode
at higher speeds.
R Driving on a steep downhill slope. Acceler-
ation downhill is reduced and recuperation is increased. This is comparable with shift-
ing down when driving downhill.
X To activate radar-based recuperation:
pull steering wheel paddle shifter :or;
towards you and hold for about one second.
X To deactivate radar-based recupera-
tion: briefly pull steering wheel paddle
shifter :or; towards you.
If you change between radar-based and man- ual recuperation, the following levels are acti-
vated depending on the selection via the
steering wheel paddle shifters: ;
Steering
wheel paddle
shifter + selects
D+
(overrun) :
Steering
wheel paddle
shifter - selects
D-
(maximum
recuperation) Transmission
139Driving and parking Z

With the Start/Stop button:
X Remove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock.
X Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
X Switch on the ignition.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift to neutral N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
If you try to switch off the drive system when the transmission is not in position P:
R a message appears in the multifunction dis-
play
R a warning signal sounds Electric parking brake
General notes G
WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi- cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
R release the parking brake.
R shift the transmission out of park position
P.
R start the vehicle's drive system.
They could also operate the vehicle's equip-
ment. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. The function of the electric parking brake and
the parking lock is dependent on the on-board voltage. If the on-board voltage is low or if
there is a malfunction in the system, it may
not be possible to apply the released parking
brake or to shift the transmission to the P
position.
X If this is the case, only park the vehicle on
level ground and secure it to prevent it roll-
ing away.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
It may not be possible to release an applied
parking brake if the on-board voltage is low or
there is a malfunction in the system. Contact a qualified specialist workshop.
The electric parking brake carries out a func-
tion check at regular intervals when the drive
system is switched off. The sounds that can
be heard while this is occurring are normal.
Applying/releasing manually X
To engage: push handle :.
When the electric parking brake is applied, the red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp lights up in the instru-
ment cluster.
The electric parking brake can also be
applied when the SmartKey is removed.
X To release: pull handle:.
The red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument clus- ter goes out. Parking
155Driving and parking Z

The electric parking brake can only be
released:
R when the SmartKey is in position 1or 2in
the ignition lock (Y page 131) or
R if the ignition was switched on using the
Start/Stop button
Applying automatically When the vehicle's HOLD function is holding
the vehicle at a standstill, the electric parking brake is engaged automatically.
In addition, at least one of the following con-
ditions must be fulfilled:
R the drive system is switched off.
R the driver's door is open and the seat belt is
not fastened.
R there is a system malfunction.
R the power supply is insufficient.
R the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy
period.
The red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up.
Releasing automatically Your vehicle's electric parking brake is auto-
matically released if all of the following con-
ditions are met:
R the vehicle has been started.
R the transmission is in position Dor R.
R the seat belt has been fastened.
R you depress the accelerator pedal.
If the transmission is in position R, the tailgate
must be closed.
If your seat belt is not fastened, the following conditions must be fulfilled to automatically
release the electric parking brake:
R the driver's door is closed.
R you have shifted out of transmission posi-
tion Por you have previously driven faster
than 2 mph (3 km/h). Ensure that you do not depress the acceler-
ator pedal unintentionally. Otherwise the
parking brake will be released and the vehicle
will start to move.
Emergency braking The vehicle can also be braked during an
emergency by using the electric parking
brake.
X While driving, push handle :of the electric
parking brake (Y page 155).
The vehicle is braked as long as you keep
handle :of the electric parking brake
pressed. The longer the electric parking
brake handle :is depressed, the greater
the braking force.
During braking:
R a warning tone sounds
R the Please Release Parking Brake Please Release Parking Brake
message appears
R the red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument clus-
ter flashes
When the vehicle has been braked to a stand-
still, the electric parking brake is applied. Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharging.
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than six weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as a
result of lack of use.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice.
i You can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist work-
shop. 156
ParkingDriving and parking

Do not depress the brake pedal continuously
while the vehicle is in motion, e.g. causing the
brakes to rub by constantly applying light
pressure to the pedal. This results in exces-
sive and premature wear to the brake pads.
Heavy and light loads G
WARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. This increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
! Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy load, do not stop the vehicle immediately.
Drive on for a short while. This allows the air-
flow to cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads If you have driven for a long time in heavy rain
without braking, there may be a delayed reac- tion from the brakes when braking for the firsttime. This may also occur after the vehicle has
been washed or driven through deep water.
You have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the
vehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehi-
cle washed, brake firmly while paying atten-
tion to the traffic conditions. This will warm up
the brake discs, thereby drying them more
quickly and protecting them against corro-
sion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt
residue may form on the brake discs and brake pads. This can result in a significantly
longer braking distance.
R In order to prevent any salt build-up, apply
the brakes occasionally while paying atten- tion to the traffic conditions.
R Carefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
R Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes !
If the red brake warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster and you hear a warn- ing tone while the engine is running, the
brake fluid level may be too low. Observe
additional warning messages in the multi-
function display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked immedi-
ately. This work should be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a 2-axle dynamom-
eter. If you are planning to have the vehicle tested on such a dynamometer, contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center to
obtain further information first. Otherwise,
you could damage the drive train or the
brake system.
! As the ESP ®
system operates automati-
cally, the engine and the ignition must be
switched off (the SmartKey must be in posi-
tion 0or 1in the ignition lock) if:
R the electric parking brake is tested on a
brake dynamometer (for a maximum of
ten second s)
R the vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised.
Braking triggered automatically by ESP ®
may seriously damage the brake system.
All checks and maintenance work on the
brake system must be carried out at a quali- Driving
tips
159Driving an d parking Z