Mercedes-Benz 260 E 124 1987, Owner'S Manual

Page: 64 / 113

ABS-Brake System
(Antilock Brake System)
The ABS prevents the wheels from
locking up above a speed of approx.
3 km/h (2 mph) independent of road
surface conditions. It is necessary,
however, that a speed of approx.
8 km/h (5 mph) has been exceeded at
least once after start-up.
At the instant one of the wheels is
about to lock up, you will feel a slight
pulsation in the brake pedal and the
vehicle, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS
will already respond with a slight brake
pedal pressure. The pulsating brake
pedal can be an indication of hazard­
ous road conditions, and remind you
to take extra care driving.
The ABS indicator lamp in the instru­
ment cluster comes on with the key in
steering lock position 2 and goes out
with the engine running.
If the charging voltage falls below
10 volts, the indicator lamp comes on
and the ABS is switched off. When the
voltage is above this value again, the
indicator lamp should go out and the
ABS will be operational.
If the ABS indicator lamp does not go
out our comes on while driving, it in­
dicates that the ABS has detected a
malfunction and has switched off. In
this case, the brake system functions
in the usual manner, but without anti­
lock assistance. We recommend that
you visit an authorized MERCEDES-
BENZ dealer as soon as possible to
have the system checked.
Warning!
Even the ABS cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle. The ABS cannot pre­
vent accidents, including those re­
sulting from excessive speed in
turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or aquaplaning. Only a
safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents. The capabi­
lities of an ABS equipped car must
never be exploited in a reckless or
dangerous manner which could
jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.
The brake pad wear indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster comes on when
the key in the steering lock is turned to
position 2 and it should go out when
the engine is running. If the indicator
lamp lights up during braking, this
shows that the front wheel brake pads
are worn down.
Have the brake system checked at an
authorized MERCEDES-BENZ dealer
as soon as possible.
Brake Warning Lamp
The brake warning lamp will come on
if insufficient brake fluid is in the reser­
voir (key in steering lock position 2
and parking brake released).
When the minimum mark on the reser­
voir is reached, have the brake system
checked (brake lining thickness,
leaks).
To test the brake warning lamp, de­
press the parking brake pedal. Turn
key in steering lock to position 2 and
the brake warning lamp should come
on; release parking brake and the
lamp should go out.
Brake Pad Wear Indicator Lamp
62