Driving
Flashes
Traction Control*
regulator operating.Take your foot off the accelera-
tor. Adjust your driving style to
the road conditions. Several warning and control lamps light up
for a f
ew sec
onds when the ignition is switch-
ed on, signalling that the function is being
verified. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds. WARNING
If the warning lamps are ignored, the vehicle
ma y
stall in traffic, or may cause accidents
and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible. WARNING
Driving with brakes in bad condition could re-
su lt
in a serious accident.
● If the brake warning lamp does not
go
out, or if it lights up when driving, the brake
fluid level in the reservoir is too low or there
is a fault in the brake system. Obtain profes-
sional assistance immediately ››› page 194,
Checking the brake fluid level.
● If the brake warning lamp lights up t
o-
gether with the ABS warning lamp , the
regulation function of the ABS could be mal-
functioning. As a result, the rear wheels can
lock relatively easily when braking. If the rear wheels lock this could result in loss of vehicle
contr
o
l! If possible, reduce your speed and
drive carefully to a specialised workshop
close by to check the brake system. During
the following journey, avoid sudden braking
and manoeuvres.
● If the ABS warning lamp does not
go out
or if it lights while driving, the ABS is mal-
functioning. The vehicle can only be stopped
using normal braking without ABS. The pro-
tection provided by the ABS is not available.
Visit a specialised workshop as soon as pos-
sible. CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps when they
appe ar m
ay result in faults in the vehicle. Brake assist systems
The assisted braking systems ESC*, ABS,
EB
V
, B
AS, ASR, TC and EDL only operate when
the ignition is switched on. They contribute
significantly to increasing active safety.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)*
ESC* reduces the risk of skidding and increa-
ses the vehicle stability by braking individual
wheels under specific driving conditions.
ESC* detects critical handling situations,
such as understeer, oversteer and wheelspin
on the driven wheels. The system stabilises the vehicle by braking individual wheels or
by r
educing the engine torque.
The ESC* has limits. It is important to realise
that ESC* is also subject to the laws of phys-
ics. ESC* will not be able to deal with all sit-
uations with which drivers may be faced. For
example, if the road surface changes sudden-
ly then ESC* will not be useful in all cases. If
the vehicle suddenly enters a section cov-
ered by water, mud or snow then ESC* will
not provide assistance in the same way as on
dry ground. If the vehicle loses its grip on the
ground and moves on a film of water (“aqua-
planing”), the ESC* will not be able to help
the driver control the vehicle due to the loss
of adherence with the road surface prevent-
ing braking and steering. If the vehicle is
driven through series of bends at high
speed, the ESC* will not always be as effec-
tive: the vehicle reaction to aggressive driv-
ing is not the same as at reduced speeds.
Adjust your speed and driving style to suit
visibility, and weather, road and traffic condi-
tions. ESC* cannot push the limits of the laws
of physics; improve the transmission availa-
ble or maintain the vehicle on the road if a
lack of driver attention creates an inevitable
situation. Otherwise, ESC* assists in main-
taining vehicle control in extreme situations
and uses the movements of the steering
made by the driver to maintain the vehicle
moving in the desired direction. If the vehicle
is driven at such a speed that it will leave the »
137
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
