198 Intelligent Technology
Brake Assist*
Uphill-Start off-Assist*
During a severe brake application (e.g. if a hazard exists), the Brake Assist increases
the braking force and thus makes it possible to rapidly produce the pressure
required in the brake system.
The uphill-start off-assist makes it much easier to start off on steep hills. The system
assists a start off by holding the brake pressure produced by the brake pedal actu-
ation for approx. 2 seconds after releasing the brake pedal. The driver can therefore
move his foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and start off on the
slope, without having to actuate the handbrake. The brake pressure drops gradually
the more you operate the accelerator pedal. If the vehicle does not start off within
2 seconds, it starts to roll back.
The majority of drivers do apply the brakes in good time in dangerous situations,
but do not depress the brake pedal with sufficient pressure. Consequently, it is not
possible for the vehicle to achieve its maximum deceleration and the vehicle covers
a greater distance than necessary.
The uphill-start off-assist is active in the event of a 5% slope, if the vehicle door is
closed. It is always active on slopes when in forward or reverse start off. When
driving downhill, it is inactive.
The Brake Assist is activated by the very quick operation of the brake pedal. In such
cases, a much greater braking pressure exists than during a normal brake applica-
tion. This makes it possible, even with a relatively low resistance of the brake pedal,
to produce an adequate pressure in the brake system in the shortest possible time,
which is required for maximum deceleration of the vehicle. You must apply the
brake pedal firmly and hold it in this position in order to achieve the shortest
possible braking distance.
Electromechanical power steering
The power steering enables you to steer the vehicle with less physical force.
The Brake Assist is able to help you achieve a shorter braking distance in emergency
situations by rapidly producing the pressure required in the brake system. It fully
exploits the attributes of the ABS. After you release the brake pedal, the function of
the Brake Assist is automatically switched off and the brakes operate in the normal
way.
With the electromechanical power steering, the steering assist is automatically
adapted to the speed and to the steering angle.
It is still possible to fully steer the vehicle if the power steering fails or if the engine
is not running (vehicle being towed in). The only difference is that greater physical
effort is required.
The Brake Assist is part of the ESP system. If a fault occurs in the ESP, the Brake Assist
function is also not available. Further information on the ESP ⇒ page 193.
If there is a fault in the power steering, the warning light or lights up in the
instrument cluster ⇒ page 35.
WARNING
WARNING
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The Brake Assist is also not able to overcome the physical limits of your
vehicle in terms of the braking distance required.
Adapt your speed to the conditions of the road surface and to the traffic
situation.
Contact your specialist garage if the power steering is defective.
•
•
The increased safety offered by the Brake Assist must not tempt you to
take a greater safety risk than otherwise.
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