Get Safety and Security -> Driving safety systems Guide for Mercedes C Class 4 Door First Generation (2000-2006)

Safety and Security

Driving safety systems

왔 Driving safety systems

In this section you will find information on

the following driving safety systems:

앫 ABS (A

ntilock Brake System)

앫 BAS (B

rake Assist System)

앫 ESP (E

lectronic Stability Program)

앫 4MATIC (Four Wheel Electronic

Traction 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 ap-

proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent

of road surface conditions.

On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will

respond even to light brake pressure.

The - indicator lamp in the instrument

cluster (

컄 page 24) comes on when you

switch on the ignition. It goes out when the

engine is running.

In winter operation, the maximum

effectiveness of the ABS, ESP, and

4MATIC (if so equipped) is only

achieved with winter tires (M+S tires),

or snow chains as required.

Warning! G

The following factors increase the risk of

accidents:

앫 Excessive speed, especially in turns

앫 Wet and slippery road surfaces

앫 Following another vehicle too closely

The ABS, BAS, ESP, and 4MATIC (if so

equipped) cannot reduce this risk.

Always adjust your driving style to the

prevailing road and weather conditions.

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.

Safety and Security

Driving safety systems

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.

왘 Keep firm and steady pressure on the

brake pedal while experiencing the

pulsation.

Continuous steady brake pedal pressure

yields the advantages provided by the ABS,

namely braking power and ability to steer

the vehicle.

The pulsating brake pedal can be an

indication of hazardous road conditions

and functions as a reminder to take extra

care while driving.

Emergency brake maneuver

왘 Keep continuous full pressure on the

brake pedal.

For more information, see “Practical hints”

(컄 page 302) and (컄 page 310).

BAS

The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in

emergency situations. If you apply the

brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically

provides full brake boost, thereby poten-

tially reducing the braking distance. Apply

continuous full braking pressure until the

emergency braking situation is over. The

ABS will prevent the wheels from locking.

When you release the brake pedal, the

brakes function again as normal. The BAS

is then deactivated.

Warning! G

The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of

physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can

it increase braking or steering efficiency

beyond that afforded by the condition of the

vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-

forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,

including those resulting from excessive

speed in turns, following another vehicle too

closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-

tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-

dents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped

vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-

less or dangerous manner which could jeop-

ardize the user’s safety or the safety of

others.

Warning! G

If the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake sys-

tem is still functioning normally, but without

the additional brake boost available that

BAS would normally provide in an emergen-

cy braking maneuver. Therefore, the braking

distance may increase.

Safety and Security

Driving safety systems

For more information, see “Practical hints”

(컄 page 311).

ESP

The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is

operational as soon as the engine is run-

ning and monitors the vehicle's traction

(force of adhesive friction between the

tires and the road surface) and handling.

The ESP recognizes when a wheel is

spinning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By

applying brakes to the appropriate wheel

and by limiting the engine output, the ESP

works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP is

especially useful while driving off and on

wet or slippery road surfaces. The ESP also

stabilizes the vehicle during braking

maneuvers.

The ESP warning lamp v in the

speedometer flashes when the ESP is

engaged.

The ESP warning lamp v in the

speedometer comes on when you switch

on the ignition. It goes out when the engine

is running.

Warning! G

The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of

physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can

it increase braking efficiency beyond that

afforded by the condition of the vehicle

brakes and tires or the traction afforded.

The BAS cannot prevent accidents, includ-

ing those resulting from excessive speed in

turns, following another vehicle too closely,

or hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and

skillful driver can prevent accidents. The

capabilities of a BAS equipped vehicle must

never be exploited in a reckless or danger-

ous manner which could jeopardize the

user’s safety or the safety of others.

Warning! G

Never switch off the ESP when you see the

ESP warning lamp v flashing in the

speedometer. In this case, proceed as

follows:

앫 While driving off, apply as little throttle

as possible.

앫 While driving, ease up on the accelera-

tor.

앫 Adapt your speed and driving style to

the prevailing road conditions.

Failure to observe these guidelines could

cause the vehicle to skid.

The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting

from excessive speed.

Safety and Security

Driving safety systems

For more information, see “Practical hints”

(컄 page 306) and (컄 page 312).

Switching off the ESP

To improve the vehicle's traction, turn off

the ESP in driving situations where it would

be advantageous to have the drive wheels

spin and thus cut into surfaces for better

grip such as:

앫 starting out on slippery surfaces and in

deep snow in conjunction with snow

chains

앫 in sand or gravel

Warning! G

The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of

physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can

it increase the traction afforded. The ESP

cannot prevent accidents, including those

resulting from excessive speed in turns or

hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and

skillful driver can prevent accidents. The

capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must

never be exploited in a reckless or danger-

ous manner which could jeopardize the

user’s safety or the safety of others.

The ESP will only function properly if

you use wheels of the recommended

tire size (컄 page 380).

Vehicles without 4MATIC:

Because of the ESP’s automatic

operation, the engine must be shut off

(SmartKey in starter switch position 0

or 1) when

앫 the parking brake is being tested on

a brake test dynamometer

앫 the vehicle is being towed with the

front axle raised

Active braking action through the ESP

may otherwise seriously damage the

brake system.

For information on vehicles with

4MATIC, see “Four wheel electronic

traction system (4MATIC) with the

ESP” (

컄 page 82).

Warning! G

The ESP should not be switched off during

normal driving other than in the circum-

stances described below. Disabling of the

system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-

dard driving maneuvers.

Turn on the ESP immediately if the

aforementioned circumstances do not

apply anymore.

Safety and Security

Driving safety systems

When you switch off the ESP

앫 the ESP does not stabilize the vehicle

앫 the engine output is not limited, which

allows the drive wheels to spin and

thus cut into surfaces for better grip

앫 the traction control will still brake a

spinning wheel

앫 the ESP continues to operate when you

are braking

The switch is located on the center

console.

1 ESP switch (off/on)

왘 Press switch 1.

The ESP warning lamp v in the

speedometer comes on.

The ESP is deactivated.

Switching on the ESP

왘 Press switch 1 again.

The ESP warning lamp v in the

speedometer goes out.

You are now again in normal driving

mode with the ESP switched on.

When the ESP is switched off and one

or more drive wheels are spinning, the

ESP warning lamp v in the speed-

ometer flashes. However, the ESP will

then not stabilize the vehicle.

Warning! G

When the ESP warning lamp v is

illuminated continuously, the ESP is

switched off.

Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-

ing road conditions and to the non-operating

status of the ESP.

Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an

extended period with the ESP switched

off. This may cause serious damage to

the drivetrain which is not covered by

the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

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Driving safety systems

Four wheel electronic traction system

(4MATIC) with the ESP

Models with all-wheel-drive only.

The 4MATIC improves vehicle’s ability to

use available traction, e.g. during winter

operation in mountains under snowy

conditions, by applying power to all four

wheels.

Warning! G

If you see the ESP warning lamp v flash-

ing in the speedometer, proceed as follows:

앫 While driving off, apply as little throttle

as possible

앫 While driving, ease up on the accelera-

tor

앫 Adapt your speed and driving style to

the prevailing road conditions

Failure to observe these guidelines could

cause the vehicle to skid.

The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting

from excessive speed.

Do not tow with one axle raised.

Otherwise the transfer case can be

damaged, which is not covered by the

Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

Performance testing must only be con-

ducted on a two-axle dynamometer.

Otherwise the transfer case can be

damaged, which is not covered by the

Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

Because of the ESP’s automatic

operation, the engine must be shut off

(SmartKey in starter switch position 0

or 1) when the parking brake is being

tested on a brake test dynamometer

Active braking action through ESP may

otherwise seriously damage the front

or rear axle brake system.

Operational tests with the engine

running can only be conducted on a

two-axle dynamometer.

At highly demanding operating condi-

tions, the electronic traction system

may temporarily switch off to prevent

overheating of the drive wheel brakes.

The message

unavailable

See Operator’s Manual

will then

appear in the multifunction display

while the ESP warning lamp v is

flashing. The ESP is still functioning

normally.

Safety and Security -> Driving safety systems for Your Mercedes C Class 4 Door First Generation (2000-2006)

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