Mercedes-Benz 2008 S550 4MATIC Automobile User Manual


 
78
Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
When the distance to the forward vehicle is
too small, the distance warning lamp l
lights up in the instrument cluster. If you
approach the forward vehicle very quickly,
you will hear a warning tone.
If you do not apply the brakes yourself or
maneuver around a sensed obstacle, the
vehicle will automatically initiate light
braking. PRE-SAFE
®
( page 56) is activat-
ed when the distance to the vehicle ahead
at your current speed is so close that
PRE-SAFE
®
Brake will not be capable of
slowing the vehicle sufficiently.
Warning! G
PRE-SAFE
®
Brake will only respond with
brake assistance if it has clearly detected an
object. Detection can be impeded by
ț dirty or covered sensors
ț snowfall or heavy rain
ț disturbance from other radar sources
ț strong radar reflection such as in park-
ing garages
PRE-SAFE
®
Brake uses radar signals that
are not reflected well by narrow objects and
absorptive materials. For this reason BAS
Plus will not react to
ț persons and animals
ț approaching traffic or cross-traffic
PRE-SAFE
®
Brake may not detect narrow ve-
hicles driving in front of you, such as motor-
cycles and vehicles driving offset from your
vehicle center.
Warning! G
PRE-SAFE
®
Brake brakes your vehicle with a
maximum of 13 ft/s
2
(4 m/s
2
). This corre-
sponds to about 40% of the maximum decel-
eration ability of your vehicle. This
automatic braking is intended only to ini-
tiate the braking if the driver has not already
done so. The driver must apply the brakes in
order to prevent a collision.
PRE-SAFE
®
Brake applies the brake pedal
automatically which results in the brake
pedal moving. Therefore keep driver’s foot
area clear at all times, including the area un-
der the brake pedal. Objects stored in this
area may impair pedal movement which
could interfere with the braking ability of the
PRE-SAFE
®
Brake.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.