2008 Mercedes CLS-Class Owner's Manual - Page 90

Safety and Security Driving safety systems Driving safety systems In this section you will find information on the following driving safety systems: ABS (Antilock Brake System) Adaptive Brake BAS (Brake Assist System) EBP (Electronic Brake Proportioning) ESP® (Electronic Stability Program) Warning! Always adapt your driving style to the prevailing road and weather conditions and keep a safe distance to other road users and objects on the street. ABS Warning! G i In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the ABS, BAS, ESP® and Adaptive Brake is only achieved with winter tires ( page 328) or snow chains as required. Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm, steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pumping the brake pedal defeats the purpose of the ABS and significantly reduces braking effectiveness. G The following factors increase the risk of accidents: Excessive speed, especially in turns Wet and slippery road surfaces Following another vehicle too closely The driving safety systems described in this section cannot reduce these risks or prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle. 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 approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent of road surface conditions. On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will respond even with light brake pressure. The - indicator lamp in the instrument cluster comes on when you switch on the ignition. It goes out when the engine is running. 89