Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2009 Owner's Manual page 57

Driving safety systems
54
dirt on the sensors or the sensors are cov-
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ered
snow or heavy rain
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interference by other radar sources
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strong radar reflections, for example in
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multi-storey car parks
BAS PLUS does not react to people or ani-
mals, oncoming vehicles and crossing traffic.
BAS PLUS may not detect narrow vehicles
such as motorcycles and vehicles driving on
a different line.
Following a collision or crash-related damage
to the front end of the vehicle, have the con-
figuration and operation of the radar sensors
checked at a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
If BAS PLUS is not available due to a malfunc-
tion in the radar sensor system, the braking
system remains available with full brake
boosting effect and BAS.
Adaptive brake lamps
i
Adaptive brake lamps are only available in
certain countries.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 50 km/h or if braking is assisted by BAS
or BAS PLUS*, the brake lamps flash rapidly.
In this way, traffic travelling behind you is
warned in an even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 70 km/h to a standstill, the hazard warn-
ing lamps are activated automatically. If the
brakes are applied again, the brake lamps
light up continuously. The hazard warning
lamps switch off automatically if you travel
faster than 10 km/h. You can also switch off
the hazard warning lamps using the hazard
warning switch button ( page 84).
Y
®
ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
®
ESP monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between tyres 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 stabilise the
vehicle. If necessary, the engine output is also
modified to keep the vehicle on the desired
course within physical limits. ESP
the driver when pulling away on wet or slip-
®
pery roads. ESP can also stabilise the vehi-
cle during braking.
®
When ESP intervenes, the ä warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
G
Risk of accident
If the ä warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes, proceed as follows:
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do not deactivate ESP
stances.
only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
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necessary when pulling away.
adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
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ing road and weather conditions.
Otherwise, the vehicle could skid.
®
ESP cannot reduce the risk of an accident if
you drive too fast. ESP
laws of physics.
! If the vehicle is to be towed with the front
or rear axle raised, the ignition must be
switched off (key in position 0 or 1 in the
ignition lock). Application of the brakes by
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ESP could otherwise destroy the brake
system on the front or rear axle.
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Only use wheels with the recommended
tyre sizes. Only then will ESP
properly.
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assists
®
under any circum-
®
cannot override the
®
function
* optional