67 Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Safety guidelines for the seat belt, emergency 
tensioning retractor and airbag
Wa r n i n g !
• Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly 
stressed in an accident must be replaced and 
their anchoring points must also be checked. 
Use only belts installed or supplied by an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.• Do not pass belts over sharp edges.• Do not make any modification that could 
change the effectiveness of the belts.• Airbags and ETR’s are designed to function on 
a one-time-only basis. An airbag or emergency 
tensioning retractor (ETR) that was activated 
must be replaced.
• No modifications of any kind may be made to 
any components or wiring of the “SRS”. This 
includes changing or removing any component 
or part of the “SRS”, the installation of 
additional trim material, badges etc. over the 
steering wheel hub, passenger airbag cover, or 
door trim panels, and installation of additional 
electrical/electronic equipment on or near 
“SRS” components and wiring. Keep area 
between airbags and occupants free of objects 
(e.g. packages, purses, umbrellas, etc.).• An airbag system component within the 
steering wheel gets hot after the airbag has 
inflated. Do not touch.• Improper work on the system, including 
incorrect installation and removal, can lead to 
possible injury through an unintended 
activation of the “SRS”.• In addition, through improper work there is 
the risk of rendering the “SRS” inoperative or 
causing unintended airbag deployment. Work 
on the “SRS” must therefore only be performed 
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. 
182 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Deep water
Caution!
Do not drive through flooded areas or water of unknown 
depth.
If you must drive through deep water, drive slowly to 
prevent water from entering the engine compartment or 
passenger compartment, being ingested by the air 
intake, possibly causing damage to electrical 
components or wiring, to engine or transmission that is 
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy roads is to 
drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt acceleration, braking 
and steering maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control 
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, move 
selector lever to position “N”. Try to keep the vehicle 
under control by corrective steering action.
Road salts and chemicals can adversely affect braking 
efficiency. Increased pedal force may become necessary 
to produce the normal brake effect. We therefore 
recommend depressing the brake pedal periodically when traveling at length on salt-strewn roads. This can 
bring road salt impaired braking efficiency back to 
normal. A prerequisite is, however, that this be done 
without endangering other drivers on the road.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven on salt treated 
roads, the braking efficiency should be tested as soon as 
possible after driving is resumed while observing the 
safety rules in the previous paragraph.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure 
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and 
from around the vehicle with engine running. 
Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may 
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness 
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a 
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not 
facing the wind.