(MY96)W211-BAS warning light.. what does it mean?

[Sturtles]

Hi guys, my friend's driving a W211, and she says the BAS warning light on the dash is on, and no, its not ABS.. any idea what this is?

[W210k]

BAS = Brake Assist System

ABS = Anti-skid Braking System

[Sturtles]

Thanks bro. Do you know what does BAS affect when failure?

[Dgwee]

BAS operates in emergency braking situations. If you depress the brake pedal quickly, BAS automatically increases the brake application pressure and thus shortens the stopping distance.

 

If BAS malfunctions, the brake system and its full brake boosting effect remains available. However, the brake force is not automatically boosted in emergency braking situations and the braking distance may be longer.

[Sturtles]

Thanks bro! just an intelligent feature, but not core to the car's drivability and safety.

[Cklasse]

I had experienced the effect of BAS in my W203 once. You can feel your right foot moving downwards with the brake pedal when BAS kicks in. It works and the brake pedal really moves by itself.

 

i just love these ABS, BAS, ESP, traction control ......

[Vblaster_w211]

Go check it out ASAP. W211 brakes work on hydraulics, so it's very bad if that fails that have to rely on the weak backup. Granted it is Brake Assist and not the entire hydraulic brake system, but still, never fool around where brakes are concerned.

Edited July 4, 2006 by Vblaster_w211

[Sturtles]

Yup. I have it on my car too, the pedal pressure changes by itself sometimes depending on the extra brake force needed predetermined by the ecu..

 

Electronics are great if they don't break down

[Sturtles]

Yup. Will get the workshop to check it, but i'm guessing its still okay cuz my friend says there's no change in braking. if hydraulic pressure drops ie leaking, the brakes should feel spongy as the brakes are mechanically actuated and not electronically like the silly sensatronic.

 

The C&C technician told me if the 2nd battery in the w211 dies, the brakes will not work well.

 

Btw, i made a mistake in my heading. i was refering to the W124 made in 1996..

 

Apologies for any misunderstanding

[Mercs]

My experience with my W203 was one time its was raining heavy and I was travelling TPE.The car in front apply brakes when I braked my car jerk as if the brakes only 50% grip!Lucky quite a distance or else bang liao.Went back agent to check they say no problem.

 

Till today dunno if cos wet not gripping or malfunction of car.

[Sturtles]

Thanks the ABS kicking in when it detects that your wheel is not gripping the road well, and locking up, hence it releases the brakes up to 30 times per second to regain grip. The problem lies in your tires

[Cklasse]

I agreed with your conclusion that it was the ABS kicking in.

 

Has anyone went for the active safety driving held in Tuas by DC some time back? It clearly showed how effective the ABS and ESP work in those emergency situation.

So be assured that the W203 can take a lot more punishment than the usual driving that we are putting it through on the road everyday.

[Mercs]

Maybe so...But my tires only about one year and the thread still ok.Agent who checked said all ok and nothing wrong with tires also.

[Sturtles]

Even a brand new tire may lack grip to deal with some situations, especially comfort based ones like the continental premiumcontact, michellin pilot premacy. useless tires in really close situations, hence some performance tires are so expensive. its because they grip better

[Mercs]

Thanks for your input.

 

But now just have to drive more careful and slower on rainy days

[Sturtles]

That is a very good move. Accident repairs definitely cost more than new tires or moments of sillyness

[Mercs]

Certain things are never predictable