Driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about the following driving safety systems:
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ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
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BAS (Brake Assist System)
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Adaptive brake lamps
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ESP® (Electronic Stability Program)
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SBCTM brake system (Sensotronic Brake Control)
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In wintry road conditions, always use winter tyres (M+S tyres) and, where necessary, snow chains. Only in this way will the driving safety systems described in this section work as effectively as possible.
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 | Risk of accident |
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The risk of an accident is significantly increased by driving too fast. This is particularly the case when cornering on wet and slippery roads and when driving too close to the vehicle in front.
The driving safety systems described in this section cannot reduce this risk or override the laws of physics.
For this reason, always adapt your driving style to suit the prevailing road and weather conditions. Maintain sufficient distance from other road users and objects on the road.
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ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
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.
ABS works from a speed of about 8 km/h upwards, regardless of road surface conditions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, even when you only brake gently.
| Risk of accident |
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Do not depress the brake pedal several times in quick succession (pumping). Depress the brake firmly and evenly. Pumping the brake pedal reduces the braking effect.
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Braking
If ABS intervenes while you are braking, the 
warning lamp flashes in the instrument cluster. You will not feel the brake pedal pulsating as this happens.
If ABS intervenes:
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Continue to depress the brake pedal with force until the braking situation is over.
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For full braking application:
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Depress the brake pedal with maximum force.
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| Risk of accident |
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If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when braking. This limits the steerability of the vehicle when braking and the braking distance may increase.
If ABS is deactivated due to a malfunction, then BAS and ESP are also deactivated. The risk of your vehicle skidding is then increased in certain situations.
You should therefore always adapt your driving style to suit the prevailing road and weather conditions.
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BAS (Brake Assist)
BAS operates in emergency braking situations. If you depress the brake pedal quickly, BAS automatically boosts the braking force, thus shortening the stopping distance.
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Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until the emergency braking situation is over.
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ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
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The brakes will function as usual once you release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated.
| Risk of accident |
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If BAS has malfunctioned, the braking system remains available with full brake boosting effect. However, braking force is not automatically increased in emergency braking situations and the stopping distance may increase.
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Adaptive brake lamps
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Adaptive brake lamps are only available in certain countries.
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If you brake sharply from a speed of more than 50 km/h or if braking is assisted by BAS, the brake lamps flash rapidly. This warns traffic travelling behind.
After bringing the vehicle to a halt after performing such a braking manoeuvre, when the brake pedal is pressed again the brake lamps will once again light up continuously.
ESP® (Electronic Stability Program)
ESP® monitors driving
stability and traction, i.e. power transmission between the 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. The engine output is also
modified, if necessary, to keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP® assists the driver when pulling away on wet or
slippery roads. ESP® can also stabilise the vehicle during braking.
When ESP®
intervenes, the
warning lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
| Risk of accident |
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If the
warning lamp in the instrument cluster flashes, proceed as follows:
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Do not deactivate ESP® under any circumstances.
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Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as necessary when pulling away.
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Adapt your driving style to suit the prevailing road and weather conditions.
The vehicle could otherwise go into a skid.
ESP® cannot reduce the risk of an accident if you drive too fast. ESP® cannot override the laws of physics.
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The ignition must be switched off (key in position 0 or I in the ignition lock) if:
Application of the brakes by 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® function properly.
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Traction
control
Traction control is part of
ESP®.
Traction control
brakes the drive wheels individually 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.
Traction
control remains active when you deactivate ESP®.
| Risk of accident |
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Traction control cannot reduce the risk of an accident if you drive too fast. Traction control cannot override the laws of physics.
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Activating/deactivating ESP®,
(except SL 63 AMG)
ESP® is activated
automatically when the engine is running.
It may be best to deactivate
ESP® in the following situations:
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when using snow chains
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in deep snow
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on sand or gravel
| Risk of accident |
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Activate ESP® as soon as the situations described above no longer apply. ESP® will otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehicle if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts to spin.
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If you deactivate ESP®:
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ESP® no longer improves
driving stability.
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engine torque is not limited and
the drive wheels are able to spin. The spinning wheels produce a cutting effect
for better traction.
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traction control is still
activated.
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ESP® still provides support
when you brake.
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If ESP® is deactivated and
one or more wheels start to spin, the
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. ESP® will then not stabilise the
vehicle.
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 | To deactivate/activate
ESP® |
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To deactivate: press
button .
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The
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up.
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| Risk of accident |
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If the warning lamp in the instrument cluster is continuously lit when the engine is running, ESP® is deactivated or not available due to a malfunction. There is an increased risk of your vehicle skidding in certain situations.
You should always adapt your driving style to suit the prevailing road and weather conditions.
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To activate: press
button .
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The
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out.
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SL 63 AMG
Activating/deactivating
ESP® Sport
ESP® is activated
automatically when the engine is running.
It may be best to activate
ESP® Sport in the following situations:
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when using snow chains
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in deep snow
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on sand or gravel
Otherwise, you should only use
ESP® Sport on designated race circuits.
| Risk of accident |
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Deactivate ESP® Sport and activate ESP® as soon as the situations described above no longer apply. ESP® Sport will otherwise only be able to stabilise the vehicle to a limited degree if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts to spin.
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If you activate ESP®
Sport:
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ESP® only improves driving
stability to a limited degree.
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engine torque is only restricted
to a limited degree and the drive wheels are able to spin. The spinning wheels
produce a cutting effect for better traction.
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traction control is still
activated.
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ESP® still provides support
when you brake firmly.
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If ESP® Sport is activated
and one or more wheels start to spin, the
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. ESP® only stabilises the vehicle to a
limited degree.
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| To activate/deactivate ESP®
Sport |
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To activate: briefly
press button .
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The
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up. The message
ESP
Sport appears in the multi-function display.
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To deactivate: briefly
press button .
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The
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out. The message
ESP
On appears in the multi-function display.
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Deactivating/activating
ESP®
ESP® is activated
automatically when the engine is running.
It may be best to deactivate
ESP® in the following situations:
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when using snow chains
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in deep snow
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on sand or gravel
| Risk of accident |
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Activate ESP® as soon as the situations described above no longer apply. ESP® will otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehicle if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts to spin.
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If you deactivate ESP®:
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ESP® no longer improves
driving stability.
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engine torque is no longer
limited and the drive wheels are able to spin. The spinning wheels produce a
cutting effect for better traction.
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traction control is still
activated.
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ESP® still provides support
when you brake firmly.
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If ESP® is deactivated and
one or more wheels start to spin, the
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster does not flash. ESP® will then not stabilise the
vehicle.
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| To deactivate/activate
ESP® |
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| Risk of accident |
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ESP® is deactivated if the and  warning lamps in the instrument cluster are lit continuously when the engine is running. The risk of your vehicle skidding is then increased in certain situations.
You should always adapt your driving style to suit the prevailing road and weather conditions.
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SBC™ brake system
The SBCTM brake system combines a hydraulic brake system with an electronically-controlled brake boosting effect. This provides increased braking safety and comfort.
In addition to the braking function, SBCTM also provides the SBC Hold convenience function more.
| Risk of accident |
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The  indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up if there is a malfunction in the SBCTM brake system or the brakes. Always observe the notes in the multi-function display. Look up "SBCTM brake system" in the index and under that heading the "Malfunction" entry and follow the procedure described there in the event of a malfunction.
If the SBCTM brake system malfunctions, Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have the vehicle transported on a transporter or trailer. If this is not possible, a towbar must be used. Always comply with the maximum permissible speed and distance for towing in your country.
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| Risk of accident |
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If there is a fault in the power supply or the vehicle's electrical system, the SBCTM brake system enters emergency mode because it requires electrical power to operate. Greater braking force will then be required and the brake pedal travel and braking distance will be longer. If necessary, depress the brake pedal with maximum force.
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The SBCTM brake system is automatically activated if you:
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unlock the vehicle using the key or the KEYLESS GO* system
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open the driver's or front-passenger door
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switch on the ignition
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press the KEYLESS GO button* on the selector lever once on vehicles with KEYLESS GO
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depress the brake pedal
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release the parking brake
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If you activate the SBCTM brake system with the brake pedal, pedal resistance is less than normal the first time you depress the brake. There is also more pedal travel than normal. Pedal travel returns to normal when you release the brake pedal. You may feel the brake pedal pulsate when you release it, and hear a sound. This sound, which is produced by the SBCTM pump, ceases after a short time.
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| Risk of injury |
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If the SBCTM brake system is not deactivated before maintenance work - especially brake pad/lining replacement - this could result in injury. If the system is active, it carries out self-tests, automatically building up high pressures in the brake system for test purposes. The brake calliper pistons are forced out, which can result in crush injuries. Brake fluid may escape, which can result in acid burns.
The SBCTM brake system must be deactivated before maintenance work is carried out. You can obtain information on how to deactivate the SBCTM brake system at any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
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| Risk of injury |
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Only have the brake pads/linings replaced and other work on the SBCTM brake system carried out at a qualified specialist workshop. Consult a qualified specialist workshop which has the necessary specialist knowledge and tools to carry out the work required.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this purpose. In particular, work relevant to safety or on safety-related systems must be carried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
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The SBCTM brake system brake boost is automatically deactivated:
Tips for driving with SBCTM
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You should downshift (1st, 2nd or 3rd gear) when driving on long and steep downhill gradients. This prevents the brakes from overheating or wearing too quickly.
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Continue driving for a short time after subjecting the brakes to a heavy load. This allows the airflow to cool the brakes more quickly.
| Risk of accident |
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Make sure that you do not endanger other road users when applying the brakes.
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You should apply the brakes firmly from time to time at a high vehicle speed if the vehicle's brake system has not been subjected to high loads for a long period of time. This improves the grip of the brake pads/linings.
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You should brake firmly after driving on a wet or snow-covered road surface before stopping the engine. The brake discs dry as they are warmed up, thus preventing corrosion.
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For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only use components, e.g. brake pads/linings, which have been specially approved by Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle. Brake pads/linings which have not been approved for Mercedes-Benz could affect your vehicle's operating safety.
