Mercedes-Benz C 230 1998, Owner'S Manual

Page: 96 / 165

A ntilock B rake System (ABS)
Im portant!
The A B S im proves steering control
of the vehicle during braking
m aneuvers. Do not pum p the brake
pedal, rather use firm , steady
brake pedal pressure. Pum ping the
brake pedal defeats the purpose
for ABS and significantly reduces
braking effectiveness.
The A B S prevents the w heels from
locking up above a vehicle speed
of approxim ately 5 mph (8 km/h)
independent o f road surface
conditions.
At the instant one of the w heels is
about to lock up, a slight pulsation
can be felt in the brake pedal,
indicating th at the AB S is in the
regulating m ode. Keep firm and
steady pressure on the brake pedal
while experiencing the pulsation.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS
will respond even with light brake
pedal pressure because o f the
increased likelihood o f locking
wheels. The pulsating brake pedal
can be an indication of hazardous
road conditions and functions as a
rem inder to take extra care w hile
driving.
ABS Control
The ABS m alfunction indicator
lamp in the instrum ent cluster
com es on with the electronic key in
steering lock position 2 and should
go out when the engine is running.
If the charging voltage falls below
10 volts, the m alfunction indicator
lamp com es on and the AB S is
sw itched off. W hen the voltage is
above this value again, the
m alfunction indicator lam p should
go out and the ABS is operational.
W ith the ABS m alfunctioning,
the ASR or ESP, if vehicle so
equipped, are also switched off.
Both m alfunction indicator lam ps
com e on with the engine running.
If the ABS m alfunction indicator
lamp does not go out or com es on
w hile driving, it indicates that the
ABS has detected a m alfunction
and has switched off. In this case,
the brake system functions in the
usual m anner, but w ithout antilock
assistance.
Have the system checked at your
authorized M ercedes-Benz dealer
as soon as possible.
W arning!
A BS cannot p revent the
natural law s of physics from
acting on the veh icle, nor can
it increase the tractio n made
available by the road c o n d i­
tions. T h e A B S can n o t prevent
accidents, including those
resulting from excessive
speed in turns, follow ing
ano th er vehicle too closely, or
aqu ap lan in g . O nly a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver
can p revent accid en ts. The
cap ab ilities of an A BS
equipped car m ust never be
exploited in a reckless or
d angerous m anner w hich
could jeo p a rd ize the u se r’s
safety o r the safety of others.
Note:
To alert follow ing vehicles to
slippery road conditions you
discover, operate your hazard
w arning flashers as appropriate.
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