Airbags and belt tensioners could fail to
deploy or be triggered in an accident despite
the deceleratio nforce being sufficient to trig-
ger the systems, or could be triggered unin-
tentionally. For this reason, never make any
modifications to the restraint systems.
Therefore, you must not tamper with elec-
tronic components or their software. SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Introduction SRS reduces the risk of occupants coming
into contact with the vehicle's interior in the
event of an accident. It can also reduce the
effect of the forces to which occupants are
subjected during an accident.
SRS consists of:
R the 6 SRS warning lamp
R airbags
R airbag control unit (with crash sensors)
R belt tensioners
R belt force limiters
SRS warning lamp SRS functions are checked regularly when
you switch on the ignition and when the
engine is running. Therefore, malfunctions
can be detected in good time.
The 6 SRS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out no later than a few seconds
after the engine is started. G
Risk of injury
If SRS is malfunctioning, individual systems
may be activated unintentionally or may not
be triggered in the event of an accident with
a high rate of vehicle deceleration. A malfunction has occurred if:
R
the 6 SRS warning lamp does not light
up when the ignition is switched on.
R the engine is running and the 6SRS
warning lamp does not go out after a few
seconds.
R the engine is running and the 6SRS
warning lamp lights up again.
In this case, have SRS checked immediately
at a qualified specialist workshop. Mercedes-
Benz recommends that you use a Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre for this purpose.
In particular, work relevant to safety or on
safety-related systems must be carried out at
a qualified specialist workshop.
Triggering of belt tensioners, belt force
limiters and airbags During the first stage of a collision, the airbag
control unit evaluates important physical
data relating to vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration, such as
R
duration
R direction
R magnitude
Based on the evaluation of this data, the air-
bag control unit pre-emptively triggers the
belt tensioners in the first stage.
i The front belt tensioners can only be trig-
gered if the seat belt tongues on the front
seats are correctly engaged in the seat belt
buckles.
If there is an even higher rate of vehicle decel-
eration or acceleration in a longitudinal direc-
tion, the front airbags are also deployed.
Your vehicle has adaptive, two-stage front air-
bags. The airbag control unit evaluates vehi-
cle deceleration or acceleration in the event
of a collision. When the first deployment
threshold is reached, the front airbag is filled
with enough propellant gas to reduce the risk
of injuries. The front airbag is fully deployed
if a second deployment threshold is exceeded
within a few milliseconds. Occupant safety
35Safety Z
the vehicle occupants on the side of the vehi-
cle on which the impact occurs.
The windowbags are integrated into the side
of the roo
fframe and deploy in the area
extending from the front door (A-pillar) to the
rear door (C-pillar). Windowbags
: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 deceleratio noraccelera-
tion, e.g. in a side impact
R regardless of whethe rthe front-passenger
seat is occupied
R independently of 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
R independently of the front airbags PRE-SAFE
®
(preventative occupant
protection)
PRE-SAFE ®
takes pre-emptive measures to
protect occupants in certain hazardous sit-
uations.
PRE-SAFE ®
intervenes:
R in emergency braking situations, e.g. if BAS
is activated or intervenes powerfully in vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS, BAS PLUS
or PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
R if the radar sensor system detects an immi-
nent danger of collision in certain situa-
tions (on vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS)
R in critical situations involving driving
dynamics, e.g. if the vehicle oversteers or
understeers significantly due to physical
limits being exceeded or if the vehicle
swerves to avoid an obstacle at a speed of
over 140 km/h.
PRE-SAFE ®
takes the following measures
depending on the hazardous situation detec-
ted:
R the front seat belts are pre-tensioned.
R vehicles with the memory function: under
accident conditions, it adjusts the front-
passenger seat if it is in an unfavourable
position.
R vehicles with a multicontour seat or an
active multicontour seat: the air pressure
in the side bolsters on the seat cushion and
the side bolsters on the backrest is
increased.
R if the vehicle skids, the sliding sunroof/
panorama sliding sunroof and the side win-
dows are closed so that only a small gap
remains.
If the hazardous situation passes without
resulting in an accident, PRE-SAFE ®
slackens
the belt pretensioning. The air pressure in the
side bolsters on the multicontour seat/active
multicontour seat is reduced again. All set-
tings made by PRE-SAFE ®
can then be
reversed.
If the seat belts are not released:
X Move the backrest or seat back slightly, but
only when the vehicle is stationary.
The belt pretensioning is reduced and the
locking mechanism releases. G
Risk of injury
When adjusting the seat, make sure that
nobody can become trapped. 40
Occupant safetySafety
the dashboard and on both sides of the sun
visor on the front-passenge rside.
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 2
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. The sticker is
visible when you open the front-passenger
door. The automatic child seat recognition sensor
system on the front-passenger seat detects
whether a special Mercedes-Ben zchild seat
with automatic child seat recognition has
been fitted there. In such cases, 4
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp :lights up. The front-passenger airbag is disa-
bled. G
Risk of injury
If the 4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indica-
tor lamp does not light up when the child
restraint system is fitted, the front-passenger
airbag has not been disabled. If the front-
passenger airbag deploys, the child could be
seriously or even fatally injured.
Proceed as follows:
R do not use a rearward-facing child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat.
R fit a rearward-facing child restraint system
on a suitable rear seat.
or
R only use a forward-facing child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat and
move the front-passenger seat to the rear-
most position.
R have the automatic child seat recognition
checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
To ensure that the automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat func-
tions/communicates correctly, never place
objects, e.g. a cushion, under the child
restraint system. The entire base of the child
restraint system must always rest on the seat
cushion. An incorrectly fitted child restraint
system cannot perform its intended protec-
tive function in the event of an accident, and
could lead to injuries.
i If the front-passenger airbag is disabled
by the automatic child seat recognition, the
following remain enabled on the front-
passenger side:
R the sidebag
R the pelvisbag
R the windowbag
R the belt tensioner
2 Vehicles without automatic child seat recognition on the front-passenger seat: if you turn the key to position
2int he ignition lock, the 4PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp lights up briefly but has no function.
It does not indicate that there is automatic child seat recognition on the front-passenger seat. 48
Children in the vehicleSafety
G
Risk of injury
Do not place electronic devices on the front-
passenger seat, e.g.:
R laptops, whe nswitched on
R mobile phones
R cards with transponders, e.g .ski passes or
access cards
Signals from electronic equipment can cause
interference in the automatic child seat rec-
ognitio nsensor system. This can lead to a
system malfunction. This may cause the
4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp to light up without there being a child
seat with automatic child seat recognition fit-
ted, and the front-passenger fron tairbag will
not deploy during an accident .Itis also pos-
sible that the 6SRS warning lamp lights
up and/or the 4PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp does not light up briefly when
you turn the key in the ignition lock to position
2.
ISOFIX child seat securing system for
the rear seats ISOFIX is a standardised securing system for
specially designed child restraint systems on
the rear seats. Securing rings for two ISOFIX
child restraint systems are fitted on the left
and right of the rear seats. G
Risk of injury
Ac hild restraint system secured by the ISOFIX
child seat securing system does not provide
sufficient protection for children weighing
more than 22 kg. For this reason, do not
secure children weighing more than 22 kg in
a child restraint system secured by the ISOFIX
child seat securing system. If the child weighs
more than 22 kg, secure the child restraint
system using a three-point seat belt. 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 an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction. The
child could be seriously or even fatally injured.
For this reason, when fitting a child restraint
system, observe the manufacturer's installa-
tion instructions and the correct use of the
child restraint system.
For reasons of safety, only use child restraint
systems with the ISOFIX child seat securing
system on the rear seats.
We recommend that you use the ISOFIX child
restraint systems that have been recommen-
ded for Mercedes-Benz.
An incorrectly fitted child restraint system
could come loose and seriously or even fatally
injure the child or other vehicle occupants.
When fitting the child restraint system, always
make sure that it is engaged correctly in the
securing rings on both sides. G
Risk of injury
Please note that if child restraint systems, or
their retaining systems, are damaged or sub-
jected to a load in an accident, they may not
be able to provide their protective function.
This could result in serious or even fatal inju-
ries to the secured child in the event of an
accident, heavy braking or a sudden change
in direction.
For this reason, have child restraint systems
and their anchorages which have been dam-
aged or subjected to a load in an accident
checked immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. Children in the vehicle
49Safety Z
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety guidelines G
Ris
kofa ccident
Do no tdepress the brake pedal several times
in quick succession (pumping). Pumping the
brake pedal reduces the braking effect. You
might otherwise not be able to stop the vehi-
cle in time and could cause an accident.
Depress the brake pedal firmly and smoothly.
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.
Braking If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
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-
cle when braking and the braking distance
may increase.
If ABS is deactivated due to a malfunction,
then BAS and ESP are also deactivated. There
is an increased risk of your vehicle skidding in
certain situations.
You should always adapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road and weather condi-
tions.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions and func-
tions as a reminder to take extra care while
driving. BAS (Brake Assist)
BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions. If you depress the brake pedal quickly,
BAS automatically boosts the braking force,
thus shortening the stopping distance.
X Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. G
Risk of accident
If BAS has malfunctioned, the braking system
remains available with full brake boosting
effect. However, braking force is not auto-
matically increased in emergency braking sit-
uations and the stopping distance may
increase. BAS PLUS (Brake Assist PLUS)
BAS PLUS is only available in vehicles with
DISTRONIC PLUS.
BAS PLUS assists you in braking during haz-
ardous situations at speeds above 30 km/h
and uses the radar sensor system to evaluate
the traffic situation. G
Risk of accident
BAS PLUS is only an aid to assist you when
driving. You are responsible for maintaining a
safe distance from other vehicles, for the vehi-
cle's speed and for braking in good time.
Always pay attention to the traffic conditions.
Otherwise, you may recognise dangers too
late, cause an accident and injure yourself
and others.
BAS PLUS can detect obstacles that are in the
path of your vehicle for an extended period of
time. Should you approach a detected obsta-
cle quickly, BAS PLUS calculates the braking
force necessary to avoid a rear-end collision.
Should you additionally apply the brakes, BAS
PLUS will automatically increase the braking Driving safety systems
57Safety Z
force to a level suitable for the traffic condi-
tions.
If BAS PLUS demands particularly high brak-
ing force, PRE-SAFE
®
is activated simultane-
ously.
X Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will work normally again if:
R you release the brake pedal.
R no obstacle is detected in front of your
vehicle.
R there is no longe rany dange rofarear-end
collision.
BAS PLUS is then deactivated.
At speeds up to approximately 70 km/h, BAS
PLUS may also detect stationary obstacles,
for example, stopped or parked vehicles.
Vehicles without COMAND and a navigation
system and vehicles for Australia: the radar
sensor system and on-board computer must
be switched off in the vicinity of radio tele-
scope facilities (Y page 210).
For BAS PLUS to assist you when driving, the
rada rsensor system must be switched on and
operational. You can chec kthis by activating
DISTRONIC PLUS(Y page 154) or via the
"radars ensor" function in the on-board com-
puter (Y page 210). G
Risk of accident
Only clearly identified obstacles will initiate
braking assistance by BAS PLUS.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be restricted if there is:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else cover-
ing the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R strong radar reflections, for example in
multi-storey car parks
BAS PLUS does not react to people or ani-
mals, oncoming vehicles and crossing traffic,
or when cornering. BAS PLUS may not detect narrow vehicles
such as motorcycles and vehicles driving on
a different line.
Following a collision or accident-related dam-
age to the fron tend of the vehicle, have the
configuratio nand operatio nofthe radar sen-
sors checked at a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
If BAS PLUS is not available due to a malfunc-
tion in the radar sensor system, the brake
system remains available with full brake
boosting effect and BAS. Adaptive brake lamps
i Adaptive brake lamps are only available in
certain countries.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 50 km/h or if braking is assisted by BAS
or BAS PLUS, the brake lamps flash rapidly.
In this way, traffic travelling behind you is
warned in an even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 70 km/h to a standstill, the hazard warn-
ing lamps are activated automatically .Ifthe
brakes are applied again, the brake lamps
light up continuously.T he hazard warning
lamps switch off automatically if you travel
faster than 10 km/h .You can also switch off
the hazard warning lamps using the hazard
warning switch button . ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes If ESP
®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilise the
vehicle. If necessary, the engine output is also
modified to keep the vehicle on the desired
course within physical limits. ESP ®
assists
the driver when pulling away on wet or slip-
pery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilise the vehi-
cle during braking. 58
Driving safety systemsSafety
This function will issue a warning at speeds of
around 30 km/h or more if:
R
for a period of several seconds, the dis-
tance to the vehicle in fronti s too short for
the speed at which you are travelling. The
· distance warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will light up.
R you are rapidly approaching the vehicle in
front. An intermittent warning tone will
then sound and the ·distance warning
lamp will light up in the instrument cluster.
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated driving conditions may cause the
system to display an unnecessary warning. G
Risk of accident
Pay particular attention to the traffic condi-
tions if the ·distance warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up or an intermittent
warning tone sounds. If necessary, brake or
manoeuvre to avoid an obstacle.
If the driver and passengers have fastened
their seat belts, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can also
can also perform the following at speeds of
above approximately 30 km/h:
R brake the vehicle automatically from a
speed of up to approximately 200 km/h
R trigger preventative passenger protection
measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) G
Risk of accident
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is only an aid to assist you
when driving. You are responsible for main-
taining a safe distance from other vehicles,
the vehicle's speed and for braking in good
time. Always pay attention to the traffic con-
ditions. Otherwise, you may recognise dan-
gers too late, cause an accident and injure
yourselfa nd others.
With the help of the rada rsensor system,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can detect obstacles that
are in front of your vehicle for an extended
period of time. If you approach an obstacle
and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake detects a risk of a col-
lision, the system will initially alert you both visually and acoustically. If you do not brake
or steer, the vehicle will at first automatically
brake slightly. In the event of an increased
risk of a collision, PRE-SAFE
®
is activated
(Y page 40). If the risk of collision remains
and you do not brake, take evasive action or
accelerate significantly, the vehicle may per-
form automatic emergency braking. G
Risk of accident
Only clearly detected obstacles will trigger a
warning and initiate braking assistance by
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
R dirt on the sensors or the sensors are cov-
ered
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R the possibility of strong radar reflections,
for example in multi-storey car parks
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake does not react to persons,
animals, oncoming vehicles, crossing traffic
or when cornering.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may not detect narrow
vehicles such as motorcycles and vehicles
driving on a different line. G
Risk of accident
Depending on the current speed, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake decelerates your vehicle by up to
4 m/s 2
before performing possible emer-
gency braking. This is equivalent to approx-
imately 40 % of the maximum braking power
of the vehicle. You must additionally apply the
brakes yourself in order to preven tacollision
or minimis ean impact. Automatic emergency
braking is not performed until immediately
prior to an accident in the event that you are
unable to avoid one by, for instance, taking
evasive action.
In order to maintain the appropriate distance
to the vehicle in front and thus prevent a col-
lision, you must apply the brakes yourself. 62
Driving safety systemsSafety
At speeds up to approximately 70 km/h,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also detect stationary
obstacles, for example stoppe dorparked
vehicles. G
Ris
kofa ccident
If, in a critical driving situation, you do not
receive a visual and acoustic warning:
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake did no tdetec tthe risk of
a collision
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is switched off
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake has failed
You must then brake to avoid a collision.
X To activate/deactivate: activate or deac-
tivate PRE-SAFE ®
Brake in the on-board
computer (Y page 204).
After activation, the Äsymbol is dis-
played on the left in the instrumentc luster.
The radar sensor system is switched off auto-
matically in the vicinity of radio telescope
facilities ( Ypage 327).
Vehicles without COMAND and navigation,
and vehicles for Australia: near radio tele-
scope installations, the radar sensor system
must be switched off with the on-board com-
puter (Y page 210).
For PRE-SAFE ®
Brake to assist you when driv-
ing, the radar sensor system must be
switched on (Y page 210) and operational.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake does not always detect
complex traffic situations properly. You can
terminate the braking action of PRE-SAFE ®
Brake in a non-critical driving situation at any
time if:
R an acoustic and visual warning occurs.
R the vehicle brakes.
To end this, you can either depress the accel-
erator pedal further, activate kickdown or
release the brake pedal. The braking action of PRE-SAFE
®
Brake is
ended automatically if:
R you manoeuvre to avoid the obstacle.
R you drive slower than approximately
15 km/h.
R there is no longer an obstacle detected in
front of your vehicle.
R there is no longer any dange rofacollision.
Following a collisio norcollision-related dam-
age to the front end of the vehicle, have the
configuration and operation of the radar sen-
sors checked. Choose a qualified specialist
workshop which has the necessary specialist
knowledge and tools for the work required.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this pur-
pose. Anti-theft systems
Immobiliser
The immobiliser prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correc tkey.
X To activate with the key: remove the key
from the ignition lock.
X To activate with KEYLESS-GO: switch the
ignition off and open the driver's door.
X To deactivate: switch on the ignition.
i The immobiliser is always deactivated
when you start the engine. ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Av isual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is primed and you open:
R a door
R the vehicle with the emergency key ele-
ment
R the boot lid
R the bonnet
The alarm is not switched off, even if you
close the open door that has triggered it, for
example. Anti-theft systems
63Safety Z