Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information aboutthe following driving safety systems:
RABS (Anti-lockBrakingSystem)(Ypage 61)
RBAS (BrakeAssistSystem) (Ypage 61)
RActive Brake Assist (Ypage 62)
RESP®(ElectronicStabilityProgram)(Ypage 64)
REBD (ElectronicBrake forceDistribution)(Ypage 67)
RADAPTIVE BRAKE (Ypage 68)
RSTEER CONTROL (Ypage 68)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you areinattentive, the driving safety systems can nei-ther reduce the risk of an accident nor overridethe laws of physics. Driving safety systems aremerely aids designed to assist driving.
You are responsible for maintaining the distanceto the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, forbraking in good time, and for staying in lane.Always adapt your driving style to suit the pre-vailing road and weather conditions and main-tain a safe distance from the vehicle in front.Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described only workas effectively as possible when there is ade-quate contact between the tires and the roadsurface. Please pay special attention to thenotes on tires, recommended minimum tiretread depths, etc. (Ypage 291).
In wintry driving conditions, always use wintertires (M+S tires)and if necessary, snow chains.Only in this way will the driving safety systemsdescribed in this section work as effectively aspossible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way thatthe wheels do not lock when you brake. Thisallows you to continue steering the vehicle whenbraking.
The %ABS warning lamp in the instrumentcluster lights up when the ignition is switchedon. 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 youonly brake gently.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 61).
GWARNING
If ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels could
lock when braking. The steerability and brak-
ing characteristics would be severely affec-
ted. There is an increased danger of skidding
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 alsobecome inoperative. Observe the informationon the ABS warning lamp (Ypage 222)and dis-play messages which may be shown in theinstrument cluster (Ypage 194).
Braking
XIf ABS intervenes:continue to depress thebrake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-uation is over.
XTo make a full brake application:depressthe brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel apulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indicationof hazardous road conditions, and functions as areminder to take extra care while driving.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
General information
BAS operates in emergency braking situations.If you depress the brake pedal quickly, BASautomatically boosts the braking force, thusshortening the stopping distance.
Driving safety systems61
Safety
Z