Get Safety -> Driving safety systems Guide for Mercedes B Class SUV Second Generation (2011-2017)

Child-proof locks for the rear doors

You secure each door individually with the child-

proof locks on the rear doors. A door secured

with a child-proof lock cannot be opened from

inside the vehicle. When the vehicle is unlocked,

the door can be opened from the outside.

To activate: press the child-proof lock lever

up in the direction of arrow :.

Make sure that the child-proof locks are work-

ing properly.

To deactivate: press the child-proof lock

lever down in the direction of arrow ;.

Override feature for the rear side win-

dows

To activate/deactivate: press button :.

If indicator lamp ; is lit, operation of the rear

side windows is disabled. Operation is only

possible using the switches in the driver's

door. If indicator lamp ; is off, operation is

possible using the switches in the rear com-

partment.

Pets in the vehicle

WARNING

If you leave animals unattended or unsecured

in the vehicle, they could press buttons or

switches, for example.

As a result, they could:

activate vehicle equipment and become

trapped, for example

activate or deactivate systems, thereby

endangering other road users

Unsecured animals could also be flung around

the vehicle in the event of an accident or sud-

den steering or braking, thereby injuring vehi-

cle occupants. There is a risk of an accident

and injury.

Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-

cle. Always secure animals properly during

the journey, e.g. use a suitable animal trans-

port box.

Driving safety systems

Overview of driving safety systems

In this section, you will find information about

the following driving safety systems:

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)

(Y page 59)

BAS (Brake Assist System) (Y page 59)

Active Brake Assist (Y page 60)

ESP

(Electronic Stability Program)

(Y page 62)

EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution)

(Y page 63)

ADAPTIVE BRAKE (Y page 64)

STEER CONTROL (Y page 64)

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

Driving safety systems

Safety

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. Please pay special attention to the

notes on tires, recommended minimum tire

tread depths, etc. (Y page 257).

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 ! 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

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion (Y page 58).

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 193) and dis-

play messages which may be shown in the

instrument cluster (Y page 168).

Braking

If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the

brake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-

uation is over.

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.

BAS (Brake Assist System)

General information

BAS operates in emergency braking situations.

If you depress the brake pedal quickly, BAS

automatically boosts the braking force, thus

shortening the stopping distance.

Important safety notes

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion (Y page 58).

WARNING

If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance

in an emergency braking situation is

increased. There is a risk of an accident.

In an emergency braking situation, depress

the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents

the wheels from locking.

Braking

Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until

the emergency braking situation is over.

ABS prevents the wheels from locking.

The brakes will function as usual once you

release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated.

Driving safety systems

Safety

Active Brake Assist

General information

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion (Y page 58).

Active Brake Assist consists of a distance warn-

ing function with an autonomous braking func-

tion and braking assistance appropriate to the

situation.

Active Brake Assist can help you to minimize the

risk of a collision with the vehicle traveling in

front or reduce the effects of such a collision.

If Active Brake Assist detects that there is a risk

of collision, you will be warned visually and

acoustically. If you do not react to the visual and

audible collision warning, autonomous braking

can be initiated in critical situations. If you apply

the brake yourself in a critical situation, Adap-

tive Brake Assist supports you with braking

assistance appropriate to the situation.

Important safety notes

Detection of hazardous situations can be par-

ticularly impaired by:

there is dirt on the sensors or anything else

covering the sensors

there is snow or heavy rain

there is interference by other radar sources

there are strong radar reflections, for exam-

ple in parking garages

a narrow vehicle is traveling in front, e.g. a

motorbike

a vehicle is traveling in front on a different line

new vehicles or after servicing is carried out

on the Active Brake Assist system

Observe the important safety notes in the

"Breaking-in notes" section (Y page 108).

Following damage to the front end of the vehicle,

have the configuration and operation of the

radar sensor checked at a qualified specialist

workshop. This also applies to collisions at low

speeds where no visible damage to the front of

the vehicle is apparent.

Activating/deactivating

Active Brake Assist is active after every ignition

cycle.

You can activate or deactivate Active Brake

Assist (Y page 162) 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 æ

symbol appears in the assistance graphic dis-

play.

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 notes

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion for driving safety systems (Y page 58).

WARNING

The distance warning function does not react:

to people or animals

to oncoming vehicles

to crossing traffic

when cornering

Thus, the distance warning function cannot

provide a warning 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.

WARNING

The distance warning function cannot always

clearly identify objects and complex traffic

situations.

In such cases, the distance warning function

may:

give an unnecessary warning

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.

Driving safety systems

Safety

Function

Starting at a speed of approximately 4 mph

(7 km/h), the distance warning function warns

you if you rapidly approach a vehicle in front. An

intermittent warning tone will then sound, and

the · distance warning lamp will light up in

the instrument cluster.

Brake immediately in order to increase the

distance from the vehicle in front.

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 approximately 44 mph

(70 km/h), the distance warning function can

also react to stationary obstacles, such as stop-

ped 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.

The autonomous braking function:

gives the driver more time to react to critical

driving situations

can help the driver to avoid an accident or

reduces the effects of an accident

The autonomous braking function is available in

the following speed ranges:

4 - 65 mph (7 - 105 km/h) for moving objects

4 - 31 mph (7 - 50 km/h) for stationary

objects

Due to the nature of the system, particularly

complicated but non-critical driving conditions

may also cause the Autonomous Braking Func-

tion to intervene.

Braking assistance appropriate to the

situation

General information

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion (Y page 58).

With the help of the radar sensor system, Adap-

tive Brake Assist can detect obstacles that are in

the path of your vehicle for an extended period

of time.

If Adaptive Brake Assist detects a risk of colli-

sion with the vehicle in front, it calculates the

brake pressure necessary to avoid a collision. If

you apply the brakes forcefully, the braking

assistance adapts to the situation and automat-

ically increases the brake pressure to a degree

appropriate to the traffic situation.

Braking assistance appropriate to the situation

provides braking assistance in hazardous situa-

tions at speeds above 4 mph (7 km/h). It uses

radar sensor technology to assess the traffic

situation.

Situation-dependent braking assistance is capa-

ble of reacting to moving objects that have

already been recognized as such at least once

over the period of observation, up to vehicle

speeds of around 155 mph (250 km/h).

Braking assistance appropriate to the situation

can also detect stationary objects, up to vehicle

speeds of around 44 mph 70 km/h.

Keep the brake pedal depressed until the

emergency braking situation is over.

ABS prevents the wheels from locking.

The brakes will work normally again if:

you release the brake pedal.

there is no longer any danger of a collision.

no obstacle is detected in front of your vehi-

cle.

Braking assistance appropriate to the situation

is then deactivated.

Important safety notes

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion for driving safety systems (Y page 58).

WARNING

Adaptive Brake Assist does not react:

to people or animals

to oncoming vehicles

Driving safety systems

Safety

to crossing traffic

when cornering

As a result, Adaptive Brake Assist may not

intervene in all critical conditions. There is a

risk of an accident.

Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-

uation and be ready to brake.

WARNING

Adaptive Brake Assist cannot always clearly

identify objects and complex traffic situa-

tions.

In such cases, Adaptive Brake Assist might:

intervene unnecessarily

not intervene

There is a risk of an accident.

Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-

uation and be ready to brake. Terminate the

intervention in a non-critical driving situation.

Due to the nature of the system, complex but

non-critical driving conditions may also cause

Active Brake Assist to intervene.

Even if Active Brake Assist is not available due to

a malfunction in the radar sensor system, the

brake system is still available with full brake

boosting effect and BAS.

ESP

(Electronic Stability Program)

General notes

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion (Y page 58).

ESP

monitors driving stability and traction, i.e.

power transmission between the tires and the

road surface.

If ESP

detects that the vehicle is deviating from

the direction desired by the driver, one or more

wheels are braked to stabilize the vehicle. The

engine output is also modified to keep the vehi-

cle on the desired course within physical limits.

ESP

assists the driver when pulling away on

wet or slippery roads. ESP

can also stabilize

the vehicle during braking.

ETS (Electronic Traction System)

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion (Y page 58).

ETS traction control is part of ESP

Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-

vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull

away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for

example if the road surface is slippery on one

side. In addition, more drive torque is transfer-

red to the wheel or wheels with traction.

Traction control remains active, even if you

deactivate ESP

Important safety notes

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion (Y page 58).

WARNING

If ESP

is malfunctioning, ESP

is unable to

stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv-

ing safety systems are deactivated. This

increases the risk of skidding and an accident.

Drive on carefully. Have ESP

checked at a

qualified specialist workshop.

When towing your vehicle with the front axle

raised, observe the notes on ESP

(Y page 253).

When towing the vehicle with the rear axle

raised, observe the notes on ESP

(Y page 254).

If the å ESP

OFF warning lamp lights up

continuously, ESP

is deactivated.

If the ÷ ESP

warning lamp and the å

warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP

is not

available due to a malfunction.

Observe the information on warning lamps

(Y page 195) and display messages which may

be shown in the instrument cluster

(Y page 168).

Only use wheels with the recommended tire

sizes. Only then will ESP

function properly.

Driving safety systems

Safety

Characteristics of ESP

General information

If the ÷ ESP

warning lamp goes out before

beginning the journey, ESP

is automatically

active.

If ESP

intervenes, the ÷ ESP

warning lamp

flashes in the instrument cluster.

If ESP

intervenes:

Do not deactivate ESP

under any circum-

stances.

Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as

necessary when pulling away.

Adapt your driving style to suit the prevailing

road and weather conditions.

Deactivating/activating ESP

Important safety notes

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion (Y page 58).

You can select between the following states of

ESP

is activated.

ESP

is deactivated.

WARNING

If you deactivate ESP

, ESP

no longer sta-

bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk

of skidding and an accident.

Only deactivate ESP

in the situations descri-

bed in the following.

The spinning of the wheels results in a cutting

action for better traction on loose surfaces.

It may be best to deactivate ESP

in the follow-

ing situations:

when using snow chains

in deep snow

on sand or gravel

Activate ESP

as soon as the situations

described above no longer apply. ESP

will

otherwise not be able to stabilize the vehicle if

the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts to

spin.

Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an

extended period with ESP

deactivated. You

could otherwise damage the drivetrain.

Deactivating/activating ESP

You can deactivate or activate ESP

via the on-

board computer (Y page 162).

ESP

deactivated:

The å ESP

OFF warning lamp in the instru-

ment cluster lights up.

ESP

activated:

The å ESP

OFF warning lamp in the instru-

ment cluster goes out.

Characteristics when ESP

is deactivated

If ESP

is deactivated and one or more wheels

start to spin, the ÷ ESP

warning lamp in the

instrument cluster flashes. In such situations,

ESP

will not stabilize the vehicle.

If you deactivate ESP

ESP

no longer improves driving stability.

Engine torque is no longer limited and the

drive wheels are able to spin.

Traction control is still activated.

STEER CONTROL is no longer active

ESP

still provides support when you brake

firmly.

EBD (electronic brake force distribu-

tion)

General information

EBD monitors and controls the brake pressure

on the rear wheels to improve driving stability

while braking.

Important safety notes

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion (Y page 58).

WARNING

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 characteristics. Have

Driving safety systems

Safety

Safety -> Driving safety systems for Your Mercedes B Class SUV Second Generation (2011-2017)

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