Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information aboutthe following driving safety systems:
RABS (Anti-lockBrakingSystem)(Ypage 60)
RBAS (BrakeAssistSystem) (Ypage 61)
RActive Brake Assist (Ypage 61)
RESP®(ElectronicStabilityProgram)(Ypage 63)
REBD (ElectronicBrake forceDistribution)(Ypage 67)
RADAPTIVE BRAKE (Ypage 67)
RSTEER CONTROL (Ypage 67)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if youare inattentive, the driving safety systems canneither reduce the risk of an accident noroverride the laws of physics. Driving safetysystems are merely aids designed to assistdriving.
You are responsible for maintaining the dis-tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed,for braking in good time, and for staying inlane. Always adapt your driving style to suitthe prevailing road and weather conditions andmaintain a safe distance from the vehicle infront. Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described onlywork as effectively as possible when there isadequate contact between the tires and theroad surface. Please pay special attention tothe notes on tires, recommended minimumtire tread depths, etc. (Ypage 305).
In wintry driving conditions, always use wintertires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snowchains. Only in this way will the driving safetysystems described in this section work aseffectively as possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a waythat the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the vehi-cle when braking.
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 condi-tions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, evenwhen you only brake gently.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 60).
GWARNING
If ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels could
lock when braking. The steerability and
braking characteristics would be severely
affected. 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 233) anddisplay messages which may be shown in theinstrument cluster (Ypage 204).
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 asa reminder to take extra care while driving.
Off-road ABS
An ABS system specifically suited to off-roadterrain is activated automatically once the off-road program is activated (Ypage 170).
At speeds below 20 mph (30 km/h), the frontwheels lock cyclically during braking. The dig-ging-in effect achieved in the process reduces
60Driving safety systems
Saf ety
cle. The engine output is also modified to keepthe vehicle on the desired course within physi-
cal limits. ESP®assists the driver when pulling
away on wet or slippery roads. ESP®can alsostabilize the vehicle during braking.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 60).
ETS traction control is part of ESP®. On vehi-
cles with 4MATIC, 4ETS is part of ESP®.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-vidually if they spin. This enables you to pullaway and accelerate on slippery surfaces, forexample if the road surface is slippery on oneside. In addition, more drive torque is transfer-red to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP®.
Off-road 4ETS (Electronic Traction Sys-
tem)
A 4ETS system specifically suited to off-roadterrain is activated automatically once the off-road program is activated (Ypage 170).
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 60).
GWARNING
If ESP®is malfunctioning, ESP®is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an acci-
dent.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP®checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Vehicles without 4MATIC:when towing yourvehicle with the front axle raised, it is impor-
tant that you observe the notes on ESP®
(Ypage 299).
If the
swerving. Trailers with a high center of grav-
ity can tip over before ESP®can detect this.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
If your vehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer com-bination) begins to lurch, you can only stabilizethe vehicle/trailer combination by depressingthe brake firmly.
ESP®trailer stabilization is active abovespeeds of about 65 km/h.
ESP®trailer stabilization does not work if
ESP®is deactivated or disabled because of amalfunction.
EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
General information
EBD monitors and controls the brake pressureon the rear wheels to improve driving stabilitywhile braking.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 60).
GWARNING
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 characteris-
tics. Have the brake system checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Please observe the information on warningand indicator lamps (Ypage 233)
(Ypage 233) as well as on display messages(Ypage 206).
ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety andoffers increased braking comfort. In additionto the braking function, ADAPTIVE BRAKE also
has the HOLD function (Ypage 165) and hillstart assist (Ypage 128).
STEER CONTROL
General information
STEER CONTROL helps you by transmitting anoticeable steering force to the steering wheelin the direction required for vehicle stabiliza-tion.
This steering assistance is provided in particu-lar if:
Rboth right wheels or both left wheels are ona wet or slippery road surface when youbrake
Rthe vehicle begins to skid
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 60).
No steering assistance is provided from STEERCONTROL, if:
RESP®is malfunctioning
Rthe steering is malfunctioning
If ESP®is malfunctioning, you will be assistedfurther by the electrical power steering.
Protection against theft
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle frombeing started without the correct SmartKey.
XTo activate with the SmartKey:removethe SmartKey from the ignition lock.
XTo activate with KEYLESS-GO start-func-tion or KEYLESS-GO:switch the ignition offand open the driver's door.
XTo deactivate:switch on the ignition.
When leaving the vehicle, always take theSmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Any-one can start the engine if a valid SmartKeyhas been left inside the vehicle.
iThe immobilizer is always deactivatedwhen you start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be star-ted (yet the vehicle's battery is charged),
Protection against theft67
Safety
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