Important Safety Notes - Mercedes-Benz B-Class Operator's Manual

You are responsible for maintaining the distance
to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for
braking in good time, and for staying in lane.
Always adapt your driving style to suit the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions and main-
tain 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. ( page 270).
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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

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Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( page 56).
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G
WARNING
If ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels could
lock when braking. The steerability and brak-
ing characteristics would be severely affec-
ted. There is an increased danger of skidding
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
Driving safety systems
on the ABS warning lamp (
play messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster ( page 179).
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Braking
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
X
brake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-
uation is over.
To make a full brake application: depress
X
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
i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( page 56).
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G
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
X
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.
57
page 206) and dis-
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