Drivin g safet y systems
Overview of drivin g safet y systemsIn this section , you will fin d information about
th e following drivin g safet y systems :R
AB S ( A nti-loc k B rakin g S ystem)
( Y
page 65) R
BA S ( B rake A ssist S ystem) ( Y
page 66 )R
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU S
( Y
page 66 )R
ES P ®
( E lectronic S t ability P rogram)
( Y
page 69 )R
EB D ( E lectroni c B r ak e forc e D i stribution )
( Y
page 72) R
ADAPTIV E BRAKE ( Y
page 72 )R
STEE R CONTROL ( Y
page 72 )
Important safet y notesIf you fail to adapt your drivin g style or if you
are inattentive , th e drivin g safet y systems can
neither reduce th e ris k of an acciden t no r
override th e laws of physics. Driving safet y
systems are merely aids designed to assist
driving. You are responsible fo r maintainin g
th e distanc e to th e vehicle in front, fo r vehicle
speed, fo r braking in goo d time, and fo r stay-
in g in lane. Always adapt your drivin g style to
suit th e prevailin g road and weather condi-
tion s and maintain a saf e distanc e from th e
vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
The drivin g safet y systems described only
wor k as effectively as possible when there is
adequat e contact between th e tires and th e
road surface. Please pay special attention to
th e note s on tires , recommended minimum
tire tread depths, etc. ( Y
page 328).
In wintr y drivin g conditions, always use winte r
tires (M+ S tires ) and if necessary, snow
chains. Only in this way will th e drivin g safet y
systems described in this section wor k as
effectively as possible. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information AB S regulates brake pressure in suc h a way
that th e wheels do no t loc k when you brake .
Thi s allow s you to continue steerin g th e vehi-
cl e when braking .
The % AB S warnin g lamp in th e instrumen t
cluster lights up when th e ignition is switched
on . It goe s out when th e engin e is running .
AB S works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h), regardles s of road-surfac e condi-
tions. AB S works on slipper y surfaces, eve n
when you only brake gently.
Important safet y notes
i Observ e th e "Important safet y notes" sec -
tion ( Y
page 65).
G WARNING
If AB S is faulty, th e wheels could loc k when
braking . The steerability and braking charac -
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition -
ally, further drivin g safet y systems are deac -
tivated. There is an increase d danger of skid-
din g and accidents .
Drive on carefully. Hav e AB S checke d imme-
diately at a qualified specialis t workshop .
Whe n AB S is malfunctioning, other systems ,
includin g drivin g safet y systems , will also
becom e inoperative . Observ e th e information
on th e AB S warnin g lamp ( Y
page 261) and
display message s whic h may be shown in th e
instrumen t cluster ( Y
page 228).
Braking X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress th e
brake peda l vigorousl y until th e braking sit -
uation is over. X
To make a full brak e application:
depress th e brake peda l wit h full force.
If AB S intervenes when braking , you will feel a
pulsin g in th e brake pedal.Driving safety systems 65
Safety Z
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
DISTRONIC PLU S
Inoperative DISTRONIC PLU S is defective. Adaptive Brake Assis t may also
hav e failed.
A warnin g tone also sounds. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
DISTRONIC PLU S Sus ‐
pended You hav e depressed th e accelerato r pedal . DISTRONIC PLU S is no
longer controllin g th e speed of th e vehicle.X
Remove your foot from th e accelerato r pedal .
DISTRONIC PLU S
- - - mph An activation condition fo r DISTRONIC PLU S is no t fulfilled .X
Chec k th e activation condition s fo r DISTRONIC PLU S
( Y
page 180).
Cruise Contro l
Inoperative Cruis e control is malfunctioning.
A warnin g tone also sounds. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
Cruise Contro l
- - - mph R
A condition fo r activatin g cruise control has no t been fulfilled .
You hav e tried to store a speed belo w 20 mph (30 km/h), fo r
example. R
ES P ®
is deactivated. The yello w ES P ®
OF F warnin g lamp is lit .X
If condition s permit , drive faste r than 20 mph (30 km/ h) and
store the speed.
or X
Check the activation conditions for cruise control ( Y
page 178).
or X
Reactivate ESP ®
( Y
page 219).Display messages 249
On-board computer and displays Z
Tires Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Check Tire Pres‐
sure Soon Canada only:
The tire pressure loss warning system has detected a significant
loss in pressure.
A warning tone also sounds.
Possible causes: R
you have changed the positions of the wheels and tires or instal-
led new wheels and tires. R
the tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped
G WARNING
Tire pressures that are too low pose the following hazards: R
they may burst, especially as the load and vehicle speed
increase. R
they may wear excessively and/or unevenly, which may greatly
impair tire traction. R
the driving characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may
be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident. X
Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so. X
Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y
page 169).X
Check the tires and, if necessary, follow the instructions for a
flat tire ( Y
page 310). X
Check the tire pressures and, if necessary, correct the tire pres-
sure. X
Restart the tire pressure loss warning system when the tire
pressure is correct ( Y
page 336).
Check Tire Pres‐
sure Then Restart
Run Flat Indicator Canada only:
The tire pressure loss warning system generated a display mes-
sage and has not been restarted since. X
Set the correct tire pressure in all four tires. X
Restart the tire pressure loss warning system ( Y
page 336).
Run Flat Indicator
Inoperative Canada only:
The tire pressure loss warning system is faulty. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop.250
Displa y messages
On-board computer and displays
