Vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS: the auton-
omous braking function is available in the fol-
lowing speed ranges: R
4 - 124 mph (7 - 200 km/h) for moving
objects R
4 - 31 mph (7 - 50 km/h) for stationary
objects
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated but non-critical driving condi-
tions may also cause the Autonomous Brak-
ing Function to intervene.
Adaptive Brake Assist General information
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 65).
With the help of adaptive Brake Assist, the
distance warning signal can detect obstacles
that are in the path of your vehicle for an
extended period of time.
If adaptive Brake Assist detects a risk of col-
lision with the vehicle in front, it calculates
the braking force necessary to avoid a colli-
sion. If you apply the brakes forcefully, adap-
tive Brake Assist will automatically increase
the braking force to a level suitable for the
traffic conditions.
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.
Up to a speed of approximately 155 mph
(250 km/h), adaptive Brake Assist is capable
of reacting to moving objects that have
already been detected as such at least once
over the period of observation.
Up to a speed of approximately 44 mph
(70 km/h), adaptive Brake Assist reacts to
stationary obstacles. X
Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking. The brakes will work normally again if: R
you release the brake pedal. R
there is no longer any danger of a collision. R
no obstacle is detected in front of your
vehicle.
Adaptive Brake Assist is then deactivated.
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion for driving safety systems ( Y
page 65).
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
As a result, the Adaptive Brake Assist may not
intervene in all critical conditions. There is a
risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated but non-critical driving condi-
tions may also cause Brake Assist to inter-
vene.
If adaptive Brake Assist is not available due to
a malfunction in the radar sensor system, the
brake system remains available with full
brake boosting effect and BAS.68
Driving safety systems
Safety
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 65).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tires and
the road surface.
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified to
keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP ®
assists the driver when
pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the vehicle during braking.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 65).
ETS traction control is part of ESP ®
. On vehi-
cles with 4MATIC, 4ETS is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. In addition, more drive torque is trans-
ferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 65).
G WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv-
ing safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop. Vehicles without 4MATIC: when towing
your vehicle with the front axle raised, it is
important that you observe the notes on ESP ®
( Y
page 323).
If the
R
COLL IS ION PREVENTION AS SIST is no lon-
ger available; nor is it activated if you brake
firmly wit h assistance from ESP ®
.R
ESP ®
st ill provides support when you brake
firmly.
ESP ®
trailer stabilizationGeneral info rm ation
If your veh icle/t railer combination begins to
swerve, ESP ®
assists you in this situation.
ESP ®
slows the vehicle down by braking and
limit ing the engine output unt il the vehicle/
trailer co mbin ation has stabilized.
Import ant safety notes
G WARNIN G
If road and weather condition s are poor ,
trailer stabilization will no t be able to preven t
th e vehicle/traile r combination from swerv-
ing . Trailers wit h a high cente r of gravity can
tip ove r before ES P ®
can detect this. Ther e is
a ris k of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to th e prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
If your veh icle wit h trailer (vehicle/trailer
co mbin ation) begins to lurch, you can only
st abiliz e the vehicle /t railer combination by
depr essing the brake firmly.
ESP ®
trailer st abiliz ation is active above
spee ds of about 65 km/h.
ESP ®
trailer stabilization does not work if
ESP ®
is deactivated or disabled because of a
malfunction.
EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
General information
EBD mon it ors and controls the brake pres-
sure on the rear wheels to improve driving
st abilit y while braking. Important safety notes
i Observe the "Im portant safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 65).
G WARNIN G
If EB D is malfunctioning, th e rear wheels can
lock, e.g. under full braking . This increases th e
ris k of skiddin g and an accident.
You should therefor e adapt your driving style
to th e different handlin g characteristics. Hav e
th e brak e system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps ( Y
page 261) as well as dis-
play messages ( Y
page 230).
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 187) and
hill start assist ( Y
page 151).
STEER CONTROL
General information
ST EER CONTROL helps you by transmitting a
noticea ble steering force to the steering
wheel in the direction required for vehicle
st abiliz ation.
This steering assistance is pro vide d 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 veh icle starts to skid.
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Im portant safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 65).72
Driving safety systems
Safety
Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional equip-
ment of your vehicle available at the time of
publication of the Operator's Manual.
Country-specific differences are possible.
Please note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all features described. This
also applies to safety-related systems and
functions.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops ( Y
page 25).
SmartKey
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could: R
open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users. R
get out and disrupt traffic. R
operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they: R
release the parking brake. R
shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position PR
Start the engine.
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 or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children.
G WARNING
If you attach heavy or large objects to the
SmartKey, the SmartKey could be uninten-
tionally turned in the ignition lock. This could
cause the engine to be switched off. There is a
risk of an accident. Do not attach any heavy or large objects to the
SmartKey. Remove any bulky key rings before
inserting the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
! Keep the SmartKey away from strong
magnetic fields. Otherwise, the remote
control function could be affected.
Strong magnetic fields can occur in the
vicinity of powerful electrical installations.
Do not keep the SmartKey: R
with electronic devices, e.g. a mobile
phone or another SmartKey. R
with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal
foil. R
inside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO start function:
do not keep the SmartKey in the cargo com-
partment. Otherwise, the SmartKey may not
be detected, e.g. when starting the engine
using the Start/Stop button.
SmartKey functions
C
7 To lock the vehicle D
T To open the trunk lid