
R
do not lean on the doors from inside the
vehicle.
R make sure that there are no people, ani-
mals or objects between the vehicle occu-
pants and the area of deployment of the
airbag.
R do not place any objects between the seat
backrest and the door.
R do not hang any hard objects, for example,
coat hangers, on the grab handles or coat
hooks.
R do not attach accessories, e.g. cup holders,
to the doors.
It is not possible to rule out a risk of injuries
caused by an airbag due to the high speed at
which the airbag is required to deploy. G
Risk of injury
The airbag's functionality can only be guaran-
teed if the following parts are not covered and
no badges or stickers are attached to them:
R padded steering wheel boss
R knee airbag cover below the steering col-
umn
R front-passenger front airbag cover
R outer side of front seats
R side panel next to the rear seat backrest G
Risk of injury
When an airbag deploys, a small amount of
powder is released. The powder may cause
short-term breathing difficulties to persons
suffering from asthma or other pulmonary
conditions.
In order to prevent potential breathing diffi-
culties, you should leave the vehicle as soon
as it is safe to do so. You can also open the
window to allow fresh air to enter the interior.
The powder generally does not constitute a
health hazard and does not indicate that there
is a fire in the vehicle. G
Risk of injury
The airbag parts are hot after the airbag has
been deployed. Do not touch them; other-
wise, you may burn yourself.
Have the airbags checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. Otherwise, occupants are
not protected by the airbags in the event of
another accident.
Front airbags
The front airbags are designed to increase
protection for the driver's and front passeng-
er's head and chest. Driver's front airbag
:deploys in front of the
steering wheel; front-passenger front air-
bag ;deploys in front of and above the glove
compartment. They are deployed:
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in a
longitudinal direction
R if the system determines that airbag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R if the seat belt is fastened
R independently of other airbags in the vehi-
cle
R if the vehicle overturns, but only if the sys-
tem detects high vehicle deceleration in a
longitudinal direction
On vehicles with automatic child seat recog-
nition in the front-passenger seat*, front-
passenger front airbag ;is only deployed if
the 4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp in the centre console is not lit 40
Occupant safetySafety
* optional
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(Y
page 45). This means that there is not a
child restraint system with automatic child
seat recognition* fitted to the front-
passenger seat or that a child restraint sys-
tem with automatic child seat recognition*
has been fitted to the front-passenger seat
incorrectly.
Driver's knee airbag
i The driver's knee airbag is only available
in certain countries.
The driver's knee airbag can help reduce the
risk of injury to the knees, thighs and lower
legs. Driver's knee airbag
:is always deployed
along with the driver's front airbag and
inflates underneath the steering column.
Sidebags G
Risk of injury
If you wish to use seat covers, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that, for safety reasons, you
only use seat covers that have been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
The seat covers must have a special tear seam
for sidebags/pelvisbags. Otherwise, the side-
bags/pelvisbags cannot deploy correctly and
would fail to provide the intended protection
in the event of an accident. Appropriate seat
covers can be obtained from a Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre. G
Risk of injury
Sensors to control the airbags are located in
the doors. Therefore, do not make any modi- fications to the doors or door trim, e.g. retro-
fitting loudspeakers. Damage to the doors
can affect operation of the sidebags.
The purpose of sidebag deployment is to
enhance the level of protection for the thorax
(but not the head, neck or arms) of the vehicle
occupants on the side of the vehicle on which
the impact occurs. Example: Saloon
Front sidebags
:or rear-compartment side-
bags* ;deploy next to the outer seat cush-
ions. They are deployed:
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion, e.g. in a side impact
R independently of the seat belt use
R independently of the front airbags
R independently of the belt tensioners
Pelvisbags
i Pelvisbags are only available in certain
countries. G
Risk of injury
If you wish to use seat covers, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that, for safety reasons, you
only use seat covers that have been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
The seat covers must have a special tear seam
for sidebags/pelvisbags. Otherwise, the side-
bags/pelvisbags cannot deploy correctly and
would fail to provide the intended protection Occupant safety
41Safety
* optional
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in the event of an accident. Appropriate seat
covers can be obtained from a Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre.
The purpose of pelvisbag deployment is to
enhance the level of protection of the vehicle
occupants on the side of the vehicle on which
the impact occurs. The pelvisbags
:deploy next to and below
the outer seat cushions. They are deployed:
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion, e.g. in a side impact
R independently of the seat belt use
R independently of the front airbags
R independently of the belt tensioners
R if the vehicle overturns, but only if the sys-
tem detects high vehicle deceleration in a
lateral direction and determines that side-
bag deployment can offer additional pro-
tection to that provided by the seat belt
Windowbags
The purpose of the windowbags is to enhance
the level of protection for the head (but not
chest or arms) of the vehicle occupants on
the side of the vehicle on which the impact
occurs.
The windowbags are integrated into the side
of the roof frame and run from the front door
(A-pillar) to the rear door (C-pillar). Example: Saloon
Windowbags
:are deployed:
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in a
lateral direction
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R independently of the front airbags
R regardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied
R independently of the seat belt use
R if the vehicle overturns and the system
determines that windowbag deployment
can offer additional protection to that pro-
vided by the seat belt PRE-SAFE
®
system
PRE-SAFE ®
system takes pre-emptive meas-
ures to protect you in certain hazardous sit-
uations.
PRE-SAFE ®
intervenes in the event of:
R emergency braking situations, e.g. if Brake
Assist BAS is activated or Brake Assist BAS
PLUS* intervenes powerfully
R the radar sensor system detecting an
immediate danger of collision in certain sit-
uations (on vehicles with Distronic Plus*)
R critical situations involving driving dynam-
ics, e.g. if the vehicle oversteers or under-
steers significantly due to physical limits
being exceeded 42
Occupant safetySafety
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If a child opens a door, the child or other per-
sons could be injured as a result. The child
could get out and be injured in the process or
be injured by a passing vehicle. G
Risk of injury
An unsecured or an incorrectly positioned
load increases the risk of injury for the child
and all other occupants, during:
R an accident
R a braking manoeuvre
R a sudden change of direction
Do not carry heavy or hard objects inside the
vehicle unless they are secured. You will find
further information under "Loading guide-
lines" in the index.
Child restraint systems Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use the child restraint systems listed on
(Y page 49). G
Risk of injury
To reduce the risk of serious or even fatal
injury to the child in the event of a sudden
change in direction, braking or an accident:
R children less than 1.50 m tall and under
twelve years of age must always be secured
in special child restraint systems on a suit-
able vehicle seat. This is necessary
because the seat belts are not designed for
children of this size.
R do not secure children less than 1.50 m tall
or under twelve years of age on the front-
passenger seat. Exception: the child is
secured in a vehicle with automatic child
seat recognition on the front-passenger
seat* and is secured in a child restraint
system with automatic child seat recogni-
tion.
R if you secure a forward-facing child
restraint system to the front-passenger seat, you must move the front-passenger
seat as far back as possible.
R children must never travel sitting on the lap
of another occupant. Due to the forces
occurring in the event of a sudden change
of direction, heavy braking or an accident,
it would not be possible to restrain the
child. The child could be thrown against
parts of the vehicle interior and be seriously
or even fatally injured. G
Risk of injury
The child restraint system cannot perform its
protective function if it is not correctly fitted
to a suitable vehicle seat. The child cannot be
restrained in the event of a sudden change of
direction, heavy braking or an accident. This
may lead to serious or even fatal injuries. For
this reason, when fitting a child restraint sys-
tem, observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions and the correct use of the child
restraint system.
Child restraint systems should be fitted to the
rear seats. Children are generally better pro-
tected there.
The entire base of the child restraint system
must always rest on the seat cushion. Never
place objects, e.g. a cushion, under the child
restraint system.
Only use child restraint systems with their
original covers. Only replace damaged covers
with genuine Mercedes-Benz covers.
For safety reasons, you should only use child
restraint systems which have been approved
for use in Mercedes-Benz vehicles. 44
Occupant safetySafety
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Child seat on the front-passenger seat
Warning notice on the front-passenger's sun visor
Warning symbol for a rearward-facing child
restraint system
G
Risk of injury
If the front-passenger front airbag is not dis-
abled:
R a child secured in a child restraint system
on the front-passenger seat could be seri-
ously and even fatally injured by the front-
passenger front airbag deploying. This is
especially a risk if the child is in the imme-
diate vicinity of the front-passenger front
airbag when it deploys.
R a child must never be secured on the front-
passenger seat in a rearward-facing child
restraint system. Only secure a rearward-
facing child restraint system on a suitable
rear seat.
R always move the front-passenger seat to
the rearmost position if you secure a child in a forward-facing child restraint system
on the front-passenger seat.
The front-passenger front airbag is not disa-
bled:
R on vehicles without automatic child seat
recognition in the front-passenger seat *.
R on vehicles without automatic child seat
recognition on the front-passenger seat*, if
no special child restraint system with auto-
matic child seat recognition has been fitted
to the front-passenger seat.
R on vehicles with automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat*, if
the 4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp is not lit.
To alert you to this danger, a corresponding
warning sticker is located on the dashboard
and on both sides of the sun visor on the front-
passenger side.
Information about recommended child
restraint systems is available at any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Automatic child seat recognition on the
front-passenger seat* If your vehicle does not have automatic child
seat recognition on the front-passenger seat,
this is indicated by a special sticker. The
sticker is affixed to the side of the dashboard
on the front-passenger side. It is visible when
you open the front-passenger door. Occupant safety
45Safety
* optional
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or damaged. For instance, this may occur
when you close the doors, adjust the seat,
stow away the padded table* and the side
head restraints or transport heavy items.
R replace the integrated child seat, the pad-
ded table* and the side head restraints if
these were damaged or subjected to heavy
loads during an accident.
R bear in mind that children weighing less
than 12.5 kg require a different child
restraint system. Information about other
child restraint systems is available from any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
R the rear seat backrest in the vehicle must
be securely locked in position. Example: Saloon
:
Side head restraints
; Seat belt guide
= Integrated child seat
? Release handle
Folding out the child seat
X Pull release handle ?forwards.
X Push integrated child seat =upwards and
back until it engages. Fastening a child's seat belt G
Risk of injury
To reduce the risk of serious or even fatal
injury to the child in the event of a sudden
change in direction, braking or an accident:
R the shoulder section of the seat belt must
be routed across the middle of the child's
shoulder – never across the child's neck –
and must be pulled tight against the child's
chest. The lap section of the seat belt must
be routed across the child's pelvis – not
across the abdomen – and must be pulled
tight against the child's body. Retighten the
belt strap if necessary.
R never secure more than one child at a time
in the child restraint system.
R the belt strap must not be trapped or twis-
ted, nor rub against any sharp edges.
R if you have not installed the side head
restraint, the standard head restraint must
always be set correctly when driving with a
child in the integrated child seat. This
means that the back of the head must be
supported by the centre of the head
restraint at about eye level.
Also observe the assembly instructions for
the padded table* and the additional warn-
ings and information about risk of injury.
X Pull the belt smoothly from the inertia reel.
X Engage the belt tongue in the buckle.
X If you are using integrated child seat =
without the padded table*, make sure that
the belt:
R is routed as low as possible across the pel-
vic area, in front of the hips
R is tightened across the lap by pulling
upwards on the child's shoulder belt
R is tight and is routed across the middle of
the child's shoulder
R is not twisted and does not pass across the
child's neck or under the child's arm
X Adjust the head restraint (Y page 79).54
Occupant safetySafety
* optional
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X
Guide the seat belt through seat belt guide
A on the door side on side head restraint
B.
X Secure the child using the seat belt
(Y page 53).
Removing the side head restraints
X Take the seat belt out of seat belt guide
A.
X Move head restraint ;upwards.
X Press left or right release button ?and pull
side head restraint Bforward to remove
it.
Left-hand and right-hand lock verification
indicators :fold out briefly.
X Adjust head restraints ;(Ypage 79).
Storing the padded table and the side
head restraint G
Risk of injury
If the padded table and the side head
restraints are not secured in the vehicle as
specified, they may come loose. In the event
of an accident, sudden braking or abrupt
change in direction, they could injure vehicle
occupants or cause damage to the vehicle.
Secure the padded table in the vehicle as
specified.
On vehicles with TIREFIT kit, the side head
restraints can be stored in the stowage com-
partment under the boot/luggage compart-
ment floor (Y page 204)/(Y page 204).
Child-proof locks If children are travelling in the vehicle, you can
activate the child-proof locks for the rear
doors.
Child-proof locks for the rear doors
The child-proof locks on the rear doors enable
you to secure each door individually. A locked
door cannot be opened from the inside. The
door can be opened from the outside if the
vehicle is unlocked. G
Risk of accident and injury
Activate the child-proof locks for the rear
doors and the override switch for the rear
windows if children are travelling in the vehi-
cle. Otherwise, the children could open doors
or windows while the vehicle is in motion and
injure themselves or others. Example: Saloon
X
To activate: press locking lever
upwards :.
X Make sure that the child-proof locks are
working properly.
X To deactivate: press locking lever down-
wards ;.
Override feature for the rear side win-
dows G
Risk of accident and injury
Activate the child-proof locks for the rear
doors and the override switch for the rear
windows if children are travelling in the vehi-
cle. Otherwise, the children could open doors
or windows while the vehicle is in motion and
injure themselves or others. Occupant safety
57Safety
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X
To activate: press button ;.
Indicator lamp :lights up. The rear side
windows can only be operated using the
switches on the driver's door.
X To deactivate: press button;.
Indicator lamp :goes out. You can oper-
ate the rear side windows using the
switches in the rear compartment. Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Anti-lock Braking System)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System)
R BAS PLUS* ( Brake Assist System Plus*)
R Adaptive brake lamps
R ESP ®
( Electronic Stability Program)
R EBV (electronic brake-power distribution)
R ADAPTIVE BRAKE
R PRE-SAFE Brake* (vehicles with Distronic
Plus*)
i In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tyres (M+S tyres) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the driv-
ing safety systems described in this section
work as effectively as possible. G
Risk of accident
The risk of an accident is significantly
increased by driving too fast. This is particu-
larly the case when cornering as well as on
wet or slippery roads or when driving too close
to the vehicle in front.
The driving safety systems described in this
section can neither reduce this risk nor over-
ride the laws of physics.
For this reason, always adapt your driving
style to suit prevailing road and weather con-
ditions. Maintain sufficient distance from
other road users and objects on the road. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the vehi-
cle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 8 km/h
upwards, regardless of road-surface condi-
tions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently. G
Risk of accident
Do not depress the brake pedal several times
in quick succession (pumping). Depress the
brake firmly and evenly. Pumping the brake
pedal reduces the braking effect.
Braking If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
the brake pedal pulsating.
X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force. G
Risk of accident
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. This limits the steerability of the vehi- 58
Driving safety systemsSafety
* optional
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