
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.
Off-road ESP ®
(vehicles with ON&OFF-
ROAD package) An ESP ®
system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated ( Y
page 258).
Off-road ESP ®
intervenes with a delay if there
is oversteering or understeering, thus improv-
ing traction.
ESP ®
trailer stabilization
General information
If your vehicle/trailer combination begins to
swerve, ESP ®
assists you in this situation.
ESP ®
slows the vehicle down by braking and
limiting the engine output until the vehicle/
trailer combination has stabilized.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilization will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from swerv-
ing. Trailers with a high center of gravity can
tip over before ESP ®
can detect this. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
If your vehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer
combination) begins to lurch, you can only
stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination by
depressing the brake firmly.
Trailer stabilization is active above speeds of
about 37 mph (60 km/h).
ESP ®
trailer stabilization does not work if
ESP ®
is deactivated or disabled because of a
malfunction. Crosswind Assist General information
Strong crosswinds can cause your vehicle to
deviate from a straight course. The crosswind
driving assistance function integrated into
ESP ®
significantly reduces these effects.
ESP ®
intervenes automatically according to
the direction and intensity of the crosswinds
affecting your vehicle.
ESP intervenes with stabilizing braking to
assist you in keeping the vehicle in the lane.
Crosswind Assist is active at vehicle speeds
above 50 mph (80 km/h) when driving
straight ahead or cornering gently.
Important safety notes
Crosswind Assist does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated or disabled because of a mal-
function.
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 for driving safety systems ( Y
page 68).
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 327) as well as dis-
play messages ( Y
page 293).Driving safety systems 75
Safety Z

ADAPTIVE BRAKEADAPTIV E BRAKE enhance s braking safet y
and offers increased braking comfort . In addi-
tion to th e braking function , ADAPTIV E BRAKE
also has th e HOLD function ( Y
page 217) and
hill start assist ( Y
page 168).
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
Gene ra l inf orm ationPRE-SAF E ®
Brake can help you to minimiz e
th e ris k of a collision wit h a vehicl e ahead , and
reduce th e effects of suc h a collision . If PRE -
SAFE ®
Brake has detecte d a ris k of collision ,
you will be warned visually and acoustically as
well as by automatic braking . PRE-SAF E ®
Brake canno t preven t a collision without your
intervention .
i Pay attention to th e important safet y
note s in th e "Drivin g safet y systems " sec -
tion ( Y
page 68) .
PRE ‑ S AF E ®
Brake is only available for vehi-
cle s wit h th e Drivin g Assistance package.
Fo r PRE-SAF E ®
Brake to assist you when driv -
ing , th e radar sensor system mus t be opera-
tional.
Wit h th e help of th e radar sensor system,
PRE-SAF E ®
Brake can detec t obstacles that
are in fron t of your vehicl e for an extended
period of time.
Import ant safety notes
G WARNIN G
PRE-SAF E ®
Brake will initially brak e your vehi-
cle by a partial application of th e brakes if a
danger of collision is detected. There may be
a collision unless you also brake. Automatic
emergenc y braking canno t preven t a colli-
sion . There is a ris k of an accident.
Always apply th e brakes yourself and tr y to
tak e evasive action . In th e event of a partial application of th e
brakes, th e vehicl e is braked wit h up to 50 % of
th e full braking pressure.
G WARNIN G
PRE-SAF E ®
Brake canno t always clearly iden -
tify objects and comple x traffic conditions.
In these cases, PRE-SAF E ®
Brake may:R
giv e an unnecessary warning and then
brak e th e vehicl e R
no t giv e a warning or interven e
There is a ris k of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to th e traffic
situation and be read y to brake, especially if
PRE-SAF E ®
Brake warn s you. Terminate th e
intervention in a non-critical drivin g situation .
In order to maintai n th e appropriat e distanc e
to th e vehicl e in fron t and thus preven t a col-
lision, you mus t apply th e brakes yourself .
At speeds of up to approximately 40 mph
(70 km/h ) PRE-SAF E ®
Brake can also detec t
stationary objects . Examples of stationary
objects are st oppe d or parked vehicles.
G WARNIN G
PRE-SAF E ®
Brake does no t react:R
to people or animals R
to oncomin g vehicles R
to crossing traffic R
when cornering
As a result , PRE-SAF E ®
Brake may neither
giv e warning s no r interven e in all critical sit -
uations. There is a ris k of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to th e traffic sit -
uation and be read y to brake.
In th e event of snowfall or heav y rain , th e rec -
ognition can be impaired.
Recognition by th e radar sensor system is
also impaire d in th e event of: R
there is dirt on th e sensors or anythin g else
covering th e sensors R
there is interferenc e by other radar source s76
Driving safety systems
Safety