
Drivin g safet y systems
Overview of drivin g safet y systemsIn this section , you will fin d information about
th e followin g drivin g safet y systems :R
AB S ( A n ti-loc k B rakin g S ystem)
( Y
page 66)R
BA S ( B rak e A ssist S ystem) ( Y
page 67)R
Active Brak e Assis t ( Y
page 67 )R
ES P ®
( E lectronic S t ability P r ogram)
( Y
page 69)R
EB D ( E lectroni c B rak e forc e D istribution )
( Y
page 73 )R
ADAPTIV E BRAKE ( Y
page 73 )R
Active Brak e Assis t wit h cross-traffic function
( Y
page 73)R
STEE R CONTROL ( Y
page 76 )
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 nei-
ther 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 stayin g in lane. Always adapt
your drivin g style to suit th e prevailin g road and
weather condition 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 ade-
quat e contact between th e tires and th e road
surface. Pay particular attention to th e informa-
tion regardin g tires , recommended minimum
tire tread depths etc. in th e "Wheels and tires "
section ( Y
page 349).
In wintr y drivin g conditions, always use winte r
tires (M+ S tires )a nd if necessary, snow chains.
Only in this way will the driving safety systems
described in this section work as effectively as
possible. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way that
the wheels do not lock when you brake. This
allows you to continue steering the vehicle when
braking.
The % ABS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface conditions.
ABS works on slippery surfaces, even when you
only brake gently.
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 66).
G WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp ( Y
page 271) and dis-
play messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster ( Y
page 240).
Braking X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-
uation is over. X
To make a full brake application: depress
the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a
pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions, and functions as a
reminder to take extra care while driving.66
Driving safety systems
Safety

multimedia system; see the Digital Operator's
Manual.
You will receive visual and acoustic locking con-
firmation if all components were able to be
locked.
When the locator lighting is activated via the
multimedia system, it lights up when it is dark
after the vehicle is unlocked with the SmartKey;
see the Digital Operator's Manual. X
To open the tailgate automatically from
outside the vehicle: press and hold the T
button until the tailgate opens. X
To close the tailgate automatically from
outside the vehicle: if the SmartKey is loca-
ted in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle,
press the T button on the SmartKey.
When the tailgate closes you can then release
the button.
KEYLESS-GO
General notes Bear in mind that the engine can be started by
any of the vehicle occupants if there is a Smart-
Key in the vehicle ( Y
page 138).
Locking/unlocking centrally You can start, lock or unlock the vehicle using
KEYLESS-GO. To do this, you only need carry the
SmartKey with you. You can combine the func-
tions of KEYLESS-GO with those of a conven-
tional SmartKey. Unlock the vehicle by using
KEYLESS-GO, for instance, and lock it using the
7 button on the SmartKey.
The driver's door and the door at which the han-
dle is used, must both be closed. The SmartKey
must be outside the vehicle. When locking or
unlocking with KEYLESS-GO, the distance
between the SmartKey and the corresponding
door handle must not be greater than 3 ft (1 m).
A brief radio connection between the vehicle
and the SmartKey determines whether a valid
SmartKey is in, or in the direct vicinity of, the
vehicle. This occurs, for example: R
when starting the engine R
while driving R
when using HANDS-FREE ACCESS R
when the external door handles are touched R
during convenience closing X
To unlock the vehicle: touch the inner sur-
face of the door handle. X
To lock the vehicle: touch sensor surface C
or D .
Make sure that you do not touch the inner
surface of the door handle. X
Convenience closing feature: touch
recessed sensor surface D for an extended
period.
Further information on the convenience clos-
ing feature ( Y
page 92). X
To unlock the tailgate: pull the tailgate han-
dle.
Deactivating and activating If you do not intend to use a SmartKey for an
extended period of time, you can deactivate the
KEYLESS-GO function of the SmartKey. The
SmartKey will then use very little power, thereby
conserving battery power. For the purposes of
activation/deactivation, the vehicle must not be
nearby. X
To deactivate: press the 7 button on the
SmartKey twice in rapid succession.
The battery check lamp ( Y
page 81) of the
SmartKey flashes twice briefly and lights up
once, then KEYLESS-GO is deactivated. X
To activate: press any button on the Smart-
Key.
or X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
KEYLESS-GO and all of its associated features
are available again. SmartKey 79
Opening and closing Z