These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Manual
Protecting the
EnvironmentFasten Seat Belt
Airbag - FrontAirbag - Side
Child Seat Lower
AnchorChild Seat Tether
Anchor
Brake SystemAnti-Lock Brake System
Parking Brake SystemBrake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum Based
Parking Aid SystemStability Control System
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
2009 B-Series (mbs)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
Introduction
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Check fuel cap:Illuminates when
the fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Check the fuel filler cap if
this light remains on. Continued
driving with this light on may cause
the service engine soon warning
light to come on.
It may take a long period of time for the system to detect an
improperly installed or properly re-installed fuel filler cap
depending on driving and fuel tank level conditions. Refer toFuel
filler cap in theMaintenance and Specifications chapter.
Brake system warning light: To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the on position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between on and start, or
by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the on
position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. Illumination
after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level or a
failure to brake proportioning. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
WARNING: Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning
light on is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking
performance may occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle.
Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. Driving extended
distances with the parking brake engaged can cause brake failure and
the risk of personal injury.
Anti-lock brake system: If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected; contact your
authorized dealer as soon as
possible. Normal braking is still functional unless the brake warning light
also is illuminated.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
2009 B-Series (mbs)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
Instrument Cluster
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The driver and front passenger Belt-Minderfeatures can be
deactivated/activated by performing the following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that:
• The parking brake is set
• the gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or the neutral
position (manual transmission)
• The ignition switch is in the off position
• The driver and front passenger seat belts are unbuckled
WARNING: While the design allows you to deactivate your
Belt-Minder, this system is designed to improve your chances of
being safely belted and surviving an accident. We recommend you
leave the Belt-Minder system activated for yourself and others who
may use the vehicle. To reduce the risk of injury, do not
deactivate/activate the Belt-Minder feature while driving the vehicle.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the on position. DO NOT START THE ENGINE.
2. Wait until the seat belt warning light turns off (Approximately one minute).
• Step 3 must be completed within 50 seconds after the seat belt
warning light turns off.
3. For the seating position being disabled, at a moderate speed, buckle then unbuckle the seat belt nine times, ending in the unbuckled
state. Step 3 must be completed within 50 seconds after the seat
belt warning light turns off.
• After Step 3, the seat belt warning light will be turned on for three
seconds.
4. Within approximately seven seconds of the light turning off, buckle then unbuckle the seat belt.
• This will disable the Belt-Minder feature for that seating position if it
is currently enabled. As confirmation, the seat belt warning light will
flash four times per second for three seconds.
• This will enable the Belt-Minder feature for that seating position if it
is currently disabled. As confirmation, the seat belt warning light will
flash four times per second for three seconds, followed by three
seconds with the light off, then followed by the seat belt warning light
flashing four times per second for three seconds again.
2009 B-Series (mbs)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
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WARNING:Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the engine. See Guarding against
exhaust fumes in this chapter for more instructions.
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked.
Before starting the vehicle: 1. Make sure all occupants buckle their seat belts. For more information on seat belts and their proper usage, refer to the
Seating and Safety Restraints chapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
If starting a vehicle with an automatic transmission:
• Make sure the parking brake is
set.
• Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
Driving
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has continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
the vehicle should be inspected by an authorized dealer.
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lockup during brake
applications and compensates for
this tendency. The wheels are
prevented from locking even when
the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts
the advantage of an ABS equipped
vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking with loss of front braking
traction.
WARNING:The Anti-Lock system does not decrease the time
necessary to apply the brakes or always reduce stopping
distance. Always leave enough room between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front of you to stop.
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal; do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain
steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces. However,
the ABS does not decrease stopping distance.
ABS warning lamp
The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.
Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system
serviced immediately by an authorized dealer.
ABS
P!
BRAKE
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
Driving
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Parking brake
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked. To set the
parking brake, press the parking
brake pedal down until the pedal
stops.
The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned on) until the
parking brake is released.
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or in 1 (First) (manual transmission).
Note: The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle’s stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
Pull the release lever to release the
brake.
Driving with the parking brake
on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
P!
BRAKE
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USA (fus)
Driving
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In an emergency, to disable the malfunctioning brake-shift interlock
feature in order to shift the vehicle from P(Park) follow these steps:
WARNING:To prevent vehicle movement when following this
procedure, park on a level surface, ensure parking brake is set,
and block the rear wheels.
1. Apply the parking brake. Turn key to the 2 (lock) and then remove the key;
2. Disconnect the negative (Black) battery cable from the battery;
3. Insert the key and turn to 3 (off). Shift to N (Neutral);
4. Reconnect the negative (Black) battery cable to the battery;
5. Start the vehicle.
See your authorized dealer for service immediately.
WARNING: If your brake lamps are not working properly or if
you have disconnected the vehicle battery cables, the vehicle
brake lamps and hazard flashers may not properly warn traffic of a
vehicle breakdown or approaching danger, which can increase the risk
of serious injury or death. To minimize the risk of serious injury or
death, be aware of your surroundings, use other hazard signaling
devices if available, and move the vehicle to a safe location away from
traffic as soon as possible.
WARNING: Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the
brakelamps are working.
WARNING: Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the lock
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
WARNING: If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer.
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
Driving
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Driving with a 5–speed automatic transmission (if equipped)
This vehicle is equipped with an adaptive Transmission Shift Strategy.
Adaptive Shift Strategy offers the optimal transmission operation and
shift quality. When the vehicle’s battery has been disconnected for any
type of service or repair, the transmission will need to relearn the normal
shift strategy parameters, much like having to reset your radio stations
when your vehicle battery has been disconnected. The Adaptive
Transmission Strategy allows the transmission to relearn these operating
parameters. This learning process could take several transmission
upshifts and downshifts; during this learning process, slightly firmer
shifts may occur. After this learning process, normal shift feel and shift
scheduling will resume.
WARNING:Hold the brake pedal down while you move the
gearshift lever from P (Park) to another position. If you do not
hold the brake pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and
injure someone.
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
• Start the engine
• Depress the brake pedal
• Move the gearshift lever into the desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
• Come to a complete stop
• Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in P (Park)
WARNING: Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the
LOCK position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
Driving
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