Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS (Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
(Y page 66)
R BAS (Brake AssistSystem) (Y page 67)
R Active Brake Assist (Y page 67)
R ESP ®
(E lectronic StabilityProgram)
(Y page 70)
R EBD (Electronic Brake forceDistribution)
(Y page 72)
R ADAPTIVE BRAKE (Y page 72)
R Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function
(Y page 72)
R Active Steering Assist STEER CONTROL
(Y page 75) Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you are
inattentive, the driving safety systems can nei-
ther reduce the risk of an accident nor override the laws of physics. Driving safety systems are
merely aids designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for maintaining the distance to the
vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in
good time, and for staying in lane. Always adapt your driving style to suit the prevailing road and
weather conditions and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described only work
as effectively as possible when there is ade-
quate contact between the tires and the road
surface. Pay particular attention to the informa- tion regarding tires, recommended minimum
tire tread depths etc. in the "Wheels and tires"
section (Y page 351).
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tires (M+S tires )and 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 0025 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 277) and dis-
play messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (Y page 245).
Brakes 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 systemsSafety
Activating/deactivating
Active Brake Assist is automatically active after
switching on the ignition.
You can activate or deactivate Active Brake
Assist (Y page 238) in the on-board computer.
When deactivated, the distance warning func-
tion and the autonomous braking function are
also deactivated.
If Active Brake Assist is deactivated, the 00D4
symbol appears in the assistance graphic dis-
play.
If DSR (Y page 214) is activated, Active Brake
Assist is deactivated.
Distance warning function General information
The distance warning function can help you to
minimize the risk of a front-end collision with a
vehicle ahead or reduce the effects of such a
collision. If the distance warning function
detects that there is a risk of a collision, you will
be warned visually and acoustically.
Important safety notesi Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion for driving safety systems (Y page 66).G
WARNING
The distance warning function does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R when cornering
The distance warning function may not give
warnings in all critical situations. There is a
risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
Always adapt your speed to suit the prevailing
road and traffic conditions. G
WARNING
The distance warning function cannot always
clearly identify objects and complex traffic
situations. In such cases, the distance warning function
may:
R give an unnecessary warning
R not give a warning
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and do not rely solely on the distance
warning function.
Function Starting at a speed of around 4 mph (7 km/h),
the distance warning function warns you if you
rapidly approach a vehicle in front. An intermit-
tent warning tone will then sound, and the 00BA
distance warning lamp will light up in the instru-
ment cluster.
X Brake immediately in order to increase the
distance from the vehicle in front.
or X Take evasive action, provided it is safe to do
so.
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated but non-critical driving conditions
may also cause the system to display a warning.
With the help of the radar sensor system, the
distance warning function can detect obstacles that are in the path of your vehicle for an exten-
ded period of time.
Up to a speed of around 44 mph (70 km/h), the
distance warning function can also react to sta-
tionary obstacles, such as stopped or parked
vehicles.
Autonomous braking function If the driver does not react to the distance warn-
ing signal in a critical situation, Active Brake
Assist can assist the driver with the autonomous
braking function.
Vehicles without Active Distance Assist
DISTRONIC: the autonomous braking function
is available in the following speed ranges:
R 4 - 65 mph (7 - 105 km/h) for moving objects
R 4 - 31 mph (7 - 50 km/h) for stationary
objects 68
Driving safety systemsSafety
Up to a speed of approximately 44 mph
(70 km/h) the Active Brake Assist with cross-
traffic function assists you with braking in haz-
ardous situations with:
R stationary obstacles in the path of the vehicle,
e.g. stopped or parked vehicles
R stationary pedestrians in the path of the vehi-
cle
R obstacles crossing your path that move in the
detection range of the sensors and are detec- ted
X Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
You can prevent the intervention of Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function at any time by:
R depressing the accelerator pedal further
R activating kickdown
R releasing the brake pedal
The braking application of Active Brake Assist
with cross-traffic function is ended automati-
cally if:
R you maneuver to avoid the obstacle
R there is no longer a risk of collision
R there is no longer an obstacle detected in
front of your vehicle STEER CONTROL
General information STEER CONTROL helps you by transmitting a
noticeable steering force to the steering wheel
in the direction required for vehicle stabilization.
This steering assistance is provided in particular
if:
R both right wheels or both left wheels are on a
wet or slippery road surface when you brake
R the vehicle starts to skid
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 66). No steering assistance is provided from STEER
CONTROL, if:
R ESP ®
is deactivated
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning
R the steering is malfunctioning
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, you will be assisted
further by the electrical power steering. Protection against theft
Immobilizer
X To activate with the SmartKey: remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X To activate with KEYLESS-GO: switch the
ignition off and open the driver's door.
X To deactivate: switch on the ignition.
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct SmartKey.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Anyone
can start the engine if a valid SmartKey has been left inside the vehicle.
i The immobilizer is always deactivated when
you start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be started (yet the vehicle's battery is charged), the sys-
tem is not operational. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800 FOR-MERCEDES (in the USA) or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada). ATA (anti-theft alarm system) Protection against theft
75Safety Z
X
To arm: lock the vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO.
Indicator lamp 0043flashes. The alarm system
is armed after approximately 15 seconds.
X To switch off using the SmartKey: unlock
the vehicle with the SmartKey.
or X Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
X To switch off using KEYLESS-GO: unlock
the vehicle with KEYLESS-GO.
or X Press the Start/Stop button on the dash-
board. The SmartKey must be inside the vehi-
cle.
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed and you open:
R a door
R the vehicle with the mechanical key
R the tailgate
R the hood
X To switch the alarm off with the Smart-
Key:
press the 0036or0037 button on the
SmartKey.
The alarm is stopped.
or X Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
The alarm is stopped.
X To stop the alarm using KEYLESS-GO:
grasp the outside door handle. The SmartKey
must be outside the vehicle.
The alarm is stopped.
or X Press the Start/Stop button on the dash-
board. The SmartKey must be inside the vehi-
cle.
The alarm is stopped.
The alarm is not switched off, even if you close
the open door that triggered it, for example. i
If the alarm continues for more than
30 seconds, the mbrace emergency call sys-
tem automatically notifies the Customer
Assistance Center. This is done either by text
message or data connection. The emergency call system sends the message or data provi-ded that:
R you have subscribed to the mbrace service.
R the mbrace service has been activated
properly.
R the necessary mobile phone network is
available. 76
Protection against theftSafety
SmartKey
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle, they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P
R Start the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children. G
WARNING
If you attach heavy or large objects to the
SmartKey, the SmartKey could be uninten-
tionally turned in the ignition lock. This could
cause the engine to be switched off. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not attach any heavy or large objects to the
SmartKey. Remove any bulky key rings before
inserting the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
! Keep the SmartKey away from strong mag-
netic fields. Otherwise, the remote control
function could be affected.
Strong magnetic fields can occur in the vicin- ity of powerful electrical installations.
Do not keep the SmartKey: R with electronic devices, e.g. a mobile phone
or another SmartKey.
R with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal foil.
R inside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case.
This can affect the functionality of the Smart- Key. Do not keep the KEYLESS-GO or KEYLESS-GO
Start function key in the temperature-controlled
cup holder. Otherwise, the KEYLESS-GO or KEY- LESS-GO Start function key will not be detected.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO start function: do
not keep the SmartKey in the cargo compart-
ment. Otherwise, the SmartKey may not be
detected, e.g. when starting the engine using
the Start/Stop button. SmartKey functions
0043
0037 To lock the vehicle
0044 0054 To open/close the tailgate
0087 0036 To unlock the vehicle
X To unlock centrally: press the0036button.
If you do not open the vehicle within approx-
imately 40 seconds of unlocking:
R the vehicle is locked again.
R anti-theft protection is reactivated.
X To lock centrally: press the0037button.
The SmartKey centrally locks and unlocks the
following components:
R the doors
R the tailgate
R the fuel filler flap
The turn signals flash once when unlocking and three times when locking.
You can also set an audible signal to confirm
that the vehicle has been locked. The audible
signal can be activated and deactivated using
the on-board computer (Y page 240).
You will receive visual and acoustic locking con-
firmation if all components were able to be
locked. SmartKey
77Opening and closing Z
If activated in the multimedia system, the loca-
tor lighting also lights up in the dark (see the
Digital Operator's Manual).
X To open the tailgate automatically from
outside the vehicle:
press and hold the0054
button until the tailgate opens.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: 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 0054button 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 KEY-
LESS-GO key in the vehicle (Y page 137).
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 0037 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).
KEYLESS-GO checks whether a valid SmartKey
is in the vehicle by periodically establishing a
radio connection between the vehicle and the
SmartKey. This happens:
R when starting the engine
R while driving
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 0043
or 0044.
Make sure that you do not touch the inner
surface of the door handle.
X Convenience closing feature: touch
recessed sensor surface 0044for an extended
period.
Further information on the convenience closing
feature (Y page 90).
If you pull on the handle of the tailgate, only the cargo compartment of the vehicle is unlocked.
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 the0037button on the
SmartKey twice in rapid succession.
The battery check lamp of the SmartKey
flashes twice briefly and lights up once, KEY-
LESS-GO is deactivated (Y page 80).
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. 78
SmartKeyOpening and closing
KEYLESS-GO start function
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 137). Changing the settings of the locking
system
You can change the settings of the locking sys-
tem. This means that only the driver's door and
the fuel filler flap are unlocked when the vehicle is unlocked. This is useful if you frequently travelalone.
X To change the setting: press and hold down
the 0036 and0037 buttons simultaneously
for about six seconds until the battery indica-
tor lamp flashes twice (Y page 80).
If the setting of the locking system is changed
within the signal range of the vehicle, pressing
the 0037 or0036 button:
R locks or
R unlocks the vehicle
The SmartKey now functions as follows:
X To unlock: press the0036button once.
X To unlock centrally: press the0036button
twice.
X To lock centrally: press the0037button.
The KEYLESS-GO function is changed as fol-
lows:
X To unlock the driver's door: touch the inner
surface of the door handle on the driver's
door.
X To unlock centrally: touch the inner surface
of the door handle on the front-passenger
door or the rear door.
X To lock centrally: touch the outer sensor
surface on one of the door handles
(Y page 78).
X To restore the factory settings: press and
hold down the 0036and0037 buttons simul-
taneously for approximately six seconds until
the battery check lamp flashes twice
(Y page 80). Mechanical key
General notes If the vehicle can no longer be locked or
unlocked with the SmartKey or with KEYLESS-
GO, use the mechanical key.
If you use the mechanical key to unlock and
open the driver's door, the anti-theft alarm sys-
tem will be triggered. Switch off the alarm
(Y page 75).
If you unlock the vehicle using the mechanical
key, the fuel filler flap will not be unlocked auto-
matically.
X To unlock the fuel filler flap: insert the
SmartKey into the ignition lock.
Removing the mechanical key X
Push release catch 0043in the direction of the
arrow and at the same time remove mechan- ical key 0044from the SmartKey.
For further information about:
R Unlocking the driver's door (Y page 84)
R Unlocking the cargo compartment
(Y page 88)
R Locking the vehicle (Y page 84)
Inserting the mechanical key X
Push mechanical key 0044completely into the
SmartKey until it engages and release
catch 0043is back in its basic position. SmartKey
79Opening and closing Z
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions There is interference from a powerful source of radio waves.
X Unlock (Y page 84) or lock (Y page 84) the vehicle using the
mechanical key. KEYLESS-GO is malfunctioning.
X Lock/unlock the vehicle using the remote control function of the
SmartKey.
X Have the vehicle and SmartKey checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
If the vehicle can also not be locked/unlocked using the remote con-
trol function:
X Unlock (Y page 84) or lock (Y page 84) the vehicle using the
mechanical key.
X Have the vehicle and SmartKey checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. The engine cannot be
started using the Smart-
Key. The on-board voltage is too low.
X Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. seat heating or interior
lighting, and try to start the engine again.
If this does not work:
X Check the starter battery and charge it if necessary (Y page 342).
or X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 343).
or X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine cannot be
started using the Start/
Stop button. The Smart-
Key is in the vehicle. The vehicle is locked.
X Unlock the vehicle and try to start the vehicle again. The SmartKey battery is discharged or nearly discharged.
X Check the SmartKey battery (Y page 80) and replace it if necessary
(Y page 80).
If this does not work: X Start your vehicle with the SmartKey in the ignition lock. There is interference from a powerful source of radio waves.
X Start your vehicle with the SmartKey in the ignition lock. You have lost a Smart-
Key. X
Have the SmartKey deactivated at a qualified specialist workshop.
X Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the locks changed as well. You have lost the
mechanical key. X
Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the locks changed as well. 82
SmartKeyOpening and closing