Mercedes-Benz E-Class Quiz
Safety

EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution). PRE-SAFE Brake. STEER CONTROL steering assistant

In this manual: Safety
Introduction — 5At a glance — 6Safety — 25Opening and Closing — 17Seats, steering wheel and mirrors — 12Lights and windshield wipers — 11Climate Control — 11Driving and parking — 44On-board computer and displays — 29Stowing and Useful Information. Good to Know — 1Stowing and Useful Information. Storage Options — 10Stowage and convenience features. Convenience features — 7Maintenance and care — 11Roadside assistance — 13Wheels and tires — 13Technical data — 13
~6min read

The Mercedes E-Class (4th gen. W212, 2009–2016) sets standards with its active safety features such as EBD, PRE-SAFE Brake and STEER CONTROL. This article explains how these technologies work together to avoid accidents or reduce their consequences. Discover the world of intelligent driver assistance.

EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution)

General Information

To improve driving stability during braking, EBD monitors and controls the brake pressure at the rear wheels.

Important Safety Notes

Info

Observe the section "Important safety notes" on driving safety systems .

WARNING

If EBD is faulty, the rear wheels may lock, e.g. during full braking. There is an increased risk of skidding or accidents!

Adapt your driving style to the changed handling. Have the braking system checked at a qualified specialist workshop.

Observe the notes on warning and indicator lamps as well as the display messages .

ADAPTIVE BRAKE

Info

Observe the section "Important safety notes".

ADAPTIVE BRAKE provides increased braking safety and braking comfort. In addition to the braking function, ADAPTIVE BRAKE also has the HOLD function and the hill start assist .

PRE-SAFE Brake

General Information

Info

Observe the section "Important safety notes".

The PRE-SAFE Brake is only available in vehicles with the Driver Assistance Package.

For the PRE-SAFE Brake to assist you, the radar sensors and camera system must be functioning.

The PRE-SAFE Brake can use the radar sensors and camera system to detect obstacles that remain in your path for a longer period.

In addition, pedestrians standing in your path can be detected.

The PRE-SAFE Brake recognizes pedestrians based on typical features, such as the body outline and posture of an upright person.

Observe the limitations described in the section "Important safety notes".

The PRE-SAFE Brake can help you minimize the risk of an accident with a vehicle ahead or a pedestrian and reduce the consequences of an accident. If the PRE-SAFE Brake detects a risk of collision, you are warned visually and audibly as well as by automatic braking.

Important Safety Notes

WARNING

When a collision risk is detected, the PRE-SAFE Brake first brakes the vehicle with partial braking. If you do not brake additionally yourself, a collision may occur. Even a subsequent full brake application cannot always prevent a collision, especially if you are approaching at high speed. There is a risk of accident!

Always brake yourself and try to steer around if this can be done safely.

WARNING

The PRE-SAFE Brake cannot always clearly detect objects and complex traffic situations.

In these cases, the PRE-SAFE Brake can
  • warn unnecessarily and then brake the vehicle
  • do not warn or intervene.

There is a risk of accidents!

Always watch the traffic situation attentively and be ready to brake, especially when the PRE-SAFE Brake warns you. End the intervention in non-critical driving situations.

To maintain the correct distance to the vehicle ahead and avoid a collision, you must brake yourself.

The PRE-SAFE Brake can additionally brake the vehicle automatically under the following conditions:
  • Driver and front passenger must wear their seat belts.

    and

  • The driving speed is between approx. 7 km/h and approx. 200 km/h.
Up to a driving speed of approx. 70 km/h, the PRE-SAFE Brake reacts to
  • stationary obstacles in the path of travel, e.g. stopped or parked vehicles
  • pedestrians standing in the path of travel.
WARNING

The PRE-SAFE Brake does not react

  • to small persons, e.g. children
  • to animals
  • to oncoming vehicles
  • to cross traffic
  • in curves

As a result, the PRE-SAFE Brake cannot warn in all critical situations. There is a risk of accident!

Always watch the traffic situation carefully and be ready to brake.

Detection may be limited in snowfall or heavy rain.

Detection by the radar sensor system is also limited in the following cases:
  • dirty or covered sensors
  • interference from other radar sources
  • strong radar reflections, e.g. in parking garages
  • narrow vehicles ahead, e.g. motorcycles
  • vehicles ahead that are offset from the center of your vehicle.
Detection by the camera system is also limited
  • with dirty or covered cameras
  • when the camera system is dazzled, e.g. by a low sun
  • in darkness
  • when
    • pedestrians move quickly, e.g. step into the path of the vehicle
    • a pedestrian cannot be recognized as a person by the camera system because of special clothing or other objects
    • a pedestrian is obscured by other objects
    • the typical outline of a pedestrian does not stand out from the background.

After damage to the front of the vehicle, have the adjustment and function of the radar sensors checked at a qualified specialist workshop. This also applies to low-speed collisions in which no damage to the front of the vehicle is visible.

After damage to the windshield, have the adjustment and function of the camera system checked at a qualified specialist workshop.

Function

Switching on or off: Switch the PRE-SAFE Brake on or off with the on-board computer .
  • If the PRE-SAFE Brake is switched off, the symbol appears in the multifunction display. This function warns you
    • from a speed of approx. 30 km/h, if the distance to the vehicle ahead is too small for the driving speed for more than several seconds

      The distance warning lampin the instrument cluster then lights up.

    • from a speed of approx. 7 km/h, if you are approaching a vehicle ahead very rapidly

      You will then hear an interval warning tone and the distance warning lampin the instrument cluster lights up.

    Brake immediately to defuse the situation.

    or

    Steer around the obstacle, if this can be done safely.

    In case of increased collision risk, preventive occupant protection measures (PRE-SAFE) are activated.

    If the collision risk persists and you do not brake yourself, steer around or accelerate significantly, automatic braking up to full braking may follow. Automatic full braking only occurs immediately before an imminent accident.

    You can end the intervention of the PRE-SAFE Brake at any time by
    • keep pressing the accelerator pedal
    • activate kickdown
    • release the brake pedal.
    The braking intervention of the PRE-SAFE Brake ends automatically when
    • you steer around the obstacle by steering
    • there is no risk of collision
    • no obstacle is detected in your path.

    STEER CONTROL steering assistant

    General Information

    The STEER CONTROL steering assistant helps you steer in the correct direction for vehicle stabilization through a force you can feel at the steering wheel.

    You will receive this steering recommendation in particular when
    • the two right or two left wheels are on road surfaces with different levels of grip during hard braking
    • the vehicle starts to skid.

    Important Safety Notes

    Info

    Observe the section "Important safety notes".

    STEER CONTROL does not provide steering recommendations if

    • ESP is malfunctioning
    • the steering is malfunctioning.

    However, the electric power steering continues to assist you.

    The Mercedes E-Class W212 (model years 2009–2016) features a well-designed safety concept with EBD, PRE-SAFE Brake and the STEER CONTROL steering assistant. These systems work together to provide maximum control and protection in critical situations.

    Whether preventive braking or targeted steering recommendations, the E-Class underlines its premium claim and sets standards in active safety.

    The E-Class BR 212 thus remains a synonym for innovative technology in the service of vehicle safety.

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