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Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
̄ Driving safety systems
This section contains information about
the following driving safety systems:
ț ABS (Antilock Brake System)
ț Adaptive Brake
ț BAS (Brake Assist System)
ț EBP (Electronic Brake Proportioning)
ț ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
ț 4MATIC (Four Wheel Electronic Trac-
tion System)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) indepen-
dent of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even to light brake pressure.
The - indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
୴ page 26) comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode.
̈ Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the pul-
sation.
Warning! G
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:
ț Excessive speed, especially in turns
ț Wet and slippery road surfaces
ț Following another vehicle too closely
The driving safety systems described in this
section cannot reduce these risks or pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle.
Always adapt your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions and
keep a safe distance to other road users and
objects on the street.
i
In winter operation, the maximum effective-
ness of the ABS, BAS, EBP, ESP
®
and 4MATIC is
only achieved with winter tires (
୴ page 360), or
snow chains as required.
Warning! G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.
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