Airbag system177
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
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Technical Data
Function of the head airbags
The risk of injury to the head and neck area is reduced in the event of a
side collision by fully inflated head airbags.In the case of a side collision the head airbag is deployed together with the relevant
side airbag and the belt tensioner on the si de of the car on which the accident occurs
fig. 160 .
If the system is deployed, the airbags are filled with propellant gas and extend over the
entire area of the side wind ow including the door pillar page 177, fig. 160 .
The protection offered by the head airbags is thus available simultaneously both to the
front occupants of the car seated on the side on which the accident occurs, as well as
to the rear occupants. Any impact of the head against parts of the interior or objects
outside of the car, is cushioned by the in flated head airbag. The reduction in any
impact to the head and the resultant minimi zing of any movements of the head addi-
tionally reduce the risk of injuries to the neck area. The head airbag also offers addi-
tional protection in the case of an offset impact by covering the front door pillar.
In certain accident situations, the front, side and head airbag are simultaneously
deployed.
The airbags inflate in fractions of a second an d at a high speed in order to be able to
offer that additional protection in the even t of an accident. A grey white, non harmful
gas is released when airbag is inflated. This is perfectly normal and is not an indication
of a fire in the vehicle.
Important safety information on the head airbag
Correct use of the airbag system cons iderably reduces the risk of injury!
WARNING
It is essential to always switch off page 178, “Deactivating an airbag” the
front passenger airbag when attachin g a child safety seat on the front
passenger seat where the child is seated with its back facing in direction of
travel (in some countries also when the chil d is facing the direction of travel). If
this is not done, there is a risk of the child suffering severe or even fatal injuries
if the front passenger airbag is deploy ed. In certain countries national legal
provisions also require that the side or head passenger airbags be deactivated.
When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the
appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
There must not be any objects in the deployment area of the head airbags
which might prevent the airbags from inflating properly.
Only hang light items of clothing on the clothes hooks to the vehicle. Never
leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets of the items of clothing.
In addition, it is not permitted to use clothes hangers for hanging up items of
clothing.
The airbag control unit operates together with the sensors, which are
attached in the front doors. For this reason no adjustments must be carried out
at the doors as well as at the door panels (for example additional installation of
loudspeakers). Resulting da mages can have a negative affect on the operation
of the airbag system. All work on the front doors and their panels must only be
carried out by a specialist garage.
There must not be any other persons (e .g. children) or animals between the
car occupant and the deployment area of the head airbag. In addition, none of
the occupants should lean their head out of the window when driving, or
extend their arms and hands out of the window.
The sun visors must not be swivelled to the side windows into the deploy-
ment area of the head airbags if any obje cts, such as ball-point pens etc. are
attached to them. This might result in injuries to the occupants if the head
airbag is deployed.
Installing impermissible accessories in the area of the head airbags may
considerably impair the protection offered by the head airbag in the event of it
Fig. 160 Inflated head airbag
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Airbag system179
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Deactivating an airbag– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the key in the position ( OFF) fig. 161
- left.
– Check whether the airbag indicator light in the display
in
the middle of the dash panel lights up when the ignition is switched on fig. 161
- right.
Switching on an airbag– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the key in the position ( ON) fig. 161 -
left.
– Check whether the airbag indicator light
in the display
in
the middle of the dash panel does not ligh t up when the ignition is switched on
fig. 161 - right.
The airbags should only be switched off under exceptional circumstances.
Indicator light
in display
(airbag switched off)
The airbag indicator ligh t is located in the middle of the dash panel page 178,
fig. 161 - right.
If the front passenger airbag is switched off, the warning light comes on about 4
seconds after the ignition is switched on.
There is a system fault present in the airbag switch off if the indicator light
flashes. Please have the car inspected immediately by a specialist garage.
WARNING
The driver is responsible for whether the airbag is switched on or switched
off.
Only switch off the airbag when the ignition is switched off! Otherwise a
fault can occur in the system for the airbag deactivation.
If the indicator light
in display
(airbag switched off)
flashes.
Front passenger airbag is not deployed in the event of an accident!
It is also important to have the system inspected without delay by a
specialist garage.
A2A1
WARNING (continued)
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Transporting children safely181
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
passenger seat if the airbag system deploy
s in the event of an accident. This can
result in severe or even fatal injuries.
It is important that the belt webbing is properly routed if the seat belts are
to offer their maximum protection page 167, “How are seat belts correctly
fastened?”. Pay particular attention to the information provided by the manu-
facturer of the child safety seat regarding correct routing of the belt. Seat belts
which are not correctly adjusted can themselves cause injuries even in minor
accidents.
Safety belts must be checked to ensure that they are running properly. One
should also ensure that the belt is not damaged by sharp-edged fittings.
It is essential to always switch off th e front passenger airbag when attaching
a child safety seat to the front passenger seat where the child is seated with its
back facing in direction of travel page 178. If this is not done, there is a risk of
the child suffering severe or even fatal in juries if the front passenger airbag is
deployed. In certain countries national legal provisions also require that the
side and head airbags be deactivated. When transporting a child on the front
passenger seat, please comply with the appropriate national regulations
regarding the use of child safety seats.
Use of child safety seats on the front passenger seat
Child safety seats should always be attached to the rear seats.We recommend, for safety reasons, that you always mount a child restraint systems on
the rear seats whenever possible. If you still decide, however, to use a child safety seat on the front passenger seat then you must pay attention to the following warnings in
connection with the use of the airbag system on the front passenger seat.
WARNING
Warning - particular hazard! Never use a child safety seat on the front
passenger seat in which the child is seated with its back facing the direction of
travel. This child safety seat is positioned in the deployment area of the front
passenger airbag. The airbag may cause th e child severe, or even fatal injuries,
in the event of it being deployed.
This is also clearly stat ed on the sticker which is located on the centre
column of the body on the front passenger side fig. 162 . The sticker is visible
upon opening the front passenger door. For some countries, the sticker is also
affixed to the sun visor of the front passenger.
It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag when a child
safety seat is nevertheless attached to the front passenger seat where the child
is seated with its back facing in direction of travel page 178, “Deactivating an
airbag”. If this is not done, there is a risk of the child suffering severe or even
fatal injuries if the front passenger ai rbag is deployed. In certain countries
national legal provisions also require that the side or head passenger airbags
be deactivated. When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please
comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child
safety seats.
If the front passenger airbag has been switched off by a specialist garage
using the vehicle system tester, the front side airbag and head passenger
airbag* remains switched on. In certain countries national legal provisions
require that besides the front passenger ai rbag also the side or head passenger
airbags are deactivated. Please comply wi th any differing national legal regula-
tions regarding the use of child safety seats.
If a child safety seat in which the child faces in the direction of travel is used
on the front passenger seat, the front pa ssenger seat must be moved back and
to the top fully in the highest position.
If this is not done, a child seated on the front passenger seat may suffer
severe or even fatal injuries if the front passenger airbag or airbags are
deployed. Have the airbag (or ai rbags) deactivated if necessary page 178,
“Deactivating an airbag”.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 162 Sticker on the centre column of
the body on the front passenger side.
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Transporting children safely183
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Technical Data
Children of more than 150 cm in height may use the seat belts fitted to the vehicle
without a seat bolster.
Use of child safety seatsAn overview of the usefulness
of child seats on each of the seats according to the ECE-
R44 standard:
Universal category - seat is suitable for all approved types of child safety seats.
The seat can be fitted with fixing eyes for the “ISOFIX*”system.
The divided rear seat - seat can be fitt ed with fixing eyes for the system “To p
Te t h e r *” page 186, “Attaching child seat using the “Top Tether” system”.
Child seats of group 0/0+The optimal solution for babies of up to about 9 months old weighing up to 10 kg or
babies up to about 18 months old weighing up to 13 kg is a child safety seat which can
be adjusted into the reclining position fig. 164 .
In view of the fact that such child seats are installed that the child is seated with its back
facing the direction of travel, they mu st not be used on the front passenger
seat page 181, “Use of child safety se ats on the front passenger seat”.
WARNING
It is essential to always switch off th e front passenger airbag (airbags) when
attaching in exceptional circumstances a child safety seat on the front
passenger seat where the child is seated with its back facing in direction of
travel (in some countries also when the child is facing the direction of travel):
in a specialist garage
or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag* page 178,
“Switch for the front passenger airbag*”.
Please comply with any differing nati onal legal regulations regarding the
use of child safety seats.
If this is not done, a child seated on the front passenger seat may suffer
severe or even fatal injuries if the front passenger airbag or airbags are
deployed.
You should have the front passenger airbag (or airbags) reactivated just as
soon as you no longer use a child safe ty seat on the front passenger seat.
Group
Weight
0
0 - 10 kg
page 183
0+
up to 13 kg
page 183
1
9 - 18 kg
page 184
2
15 - 25 kg
page 184
3
22 - 36 kg
page 185
Child seat
of the group
Front passenger seat
Rear seat outside
Rear seat middle
0
0+
1
2 and 3
AUA+
AUA+AT
AU
AUA+
AUA+AT
AU
AUA+
AUA+AT
AU
AU
AU
AU
AUA+AT
Fig. 164 Child seats of group 0/0+
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Transporting children safely185
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General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Child safety seats in Group 3For children of about 7 years of age weighing between 22 and 36 kg and of a height of
less than 150 cm, the optimal solution is a ch ild safety seat (seat bolster) in combina-
tion with the three-point seat belt fig. 167 .
Children of more than 150 cm in height may use the seat belts fitted to the vehicle
without a seat bolster.
WARNING
When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with
the appropriate national regu lations regarding the use of child safety seats. If
required, the airbag has to be deactivated:
in a specialist garage
or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag* page 178,
“Switch for the front passenger airbag*”.
The shoulder part of the seat belt mu st run approximately across the middle
of the shoulder and fit snugly against the chest. It must on no account run
across the neck. The lap part of the seat belt must run across the pelvis and fits
snugly; it must not run over the belly. Tighten the belt webbing over your hip if
necessary.
Please comply with any differing nati onal legal regulations regarding the
use of child safety seats.
Attaching a child seat using the “ISOFIX” systemFig. 168 Locking eyes (ISOFIX system) / the IS OFIX child seat is pushed into the mounting
funnelsThere are two fixing eyes* between the backrest and the seat of the front passenger as
well as on the rear exterior seats for fixing the “ISOFIX” system child seat in place. On
seats where the fixing eyes are not visible, the places which have eyes are marked with
signs with the “ISOFIX” logo fig. 168 - left.Install child seat– Insert the mounting funnels fig. 168 onto the locking eyes between the
seat backrest and the seat cushion.
– Push the notched arms of the child seat into the locking eyes until they are heard to lock in place fig. 168 - right.
– Pull on both sides of the child seat.
One can mount a child safety seat using the “ISOFIX” system quickly, easily and reliably.
Please pay close attention to instructions from the manufa cturer of the child safety
seat when installing and removing the seat.
Child seats fitted with the “ISOFIX” system can only be mounted and fixed in a vehicle
fitted with an “ISOFIX” system when these child seats have been released for this type
of vehicle according to the ECE-R 44 standard.
You can obtain child seats with the “ISOFIX” attachment system from specialist garages
who will also installed it as well.
Complete installation instructions are enclosed with the child safety seat.
Fig. 167 Child seat in Group 3 installed
on the rear seat facing the direction of
travel
AA
AB
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Intelligent Technology187
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Driving TipsIntelligent TechnologyElectronic stability programme (ESP)*GeneralGeneral
The ESP aids you in maintaining control of your vehicle in situations in which the
vehicle is driving at its dynamic limits, such as entering a curve fast. The risk of skidding
is reduced and your vehicle thus offers greater driving stability depending on the
conditions of the road surface. The system operates at all speeds.
The following systems are integrated into the electronic stability programme:
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL),
Traction control system (TCS),
active driver-steering recommendation (DSR),
Antilock brake system (ABS),
Brake Assist,
Uphill Start Assist.
The ESP system cannot be switched off, only the TCS system can be switched off by
pressing the button fig. 170 , the warning light
lights up. Operating principle
The ESP switches on automatically when the engine is started and then conducts a
self-test. The ESP control unit processes data from the individual systems. It also proc-
esses additional measurement data which are supplied by highly sensitive sensors: the
rotational velocity of the vehicle about its ve
rtical axis, the lateral acceleration of the
vehicle, the braking pressure and the steering angle.
The direction which the driver wishes to take is determined based on the steering
angle and the speed of the vehicle and is co nstantly compared with the actual behav-
iour of the vehicle. If differences exist, such as the vehi cle beginning to skid, the ESP will
automatically brake the appropriate wheel.
The car is stabilised again by the forces wh ich take effect when the wheel is braked.
Intervention into the brake system takes place primarily on the outer front wheel of a
vehicle which tends to oversteer (tendency for the rear of the vehicle to break away)
while occurs this is on the inner rear wh eel of a vehicle which tends to understeer
(tendency to shift out of the curve). This braking control cycle is accompanied by
noises.
During an intervention of the system, the warning light
flashes in the instrument
cluster page 33.
The ESP operates in combination with the ABS page 191. If there is a fault in the ABS
system, the ESP also does not operate.
The ESP warning light lights up in the instrument cluster when there is a fault on the
ESP
page 33.WARNING
It is also not possible for the ESP to overcome the physical limits of the vehicle.
Even if a vehicle fitted with ESP you should still always adapt your style of
driving to the condition of the road surfac e and the traffic situation. This partic-
ularly applies when driving on slippery and wet roads. The increased safety
Fig. 170 ESP switch
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Technical Data
General
The TCS makes it much easier, and sometimes at
all possible, to start off, accelerate and
climb a steep hill when th e conditions of the road surface are unfavourable.
Operating principle
The TCS switches on automatically when th e engine is started and then conducts a
self-test. The system monitors the speeds of the driven wheels with the aid of the ABS
sensors. If the wheels are spinning, the force transmitted to the road surface is auto-
matically adapted by reducing the engine speed. The system operates at all speeds.
The TCS operates in combination with the ABS page 191. The TCS will not function
if a fault exists in the ABS system.
The TCS warning light lights up in the instru ment cluster when there is a fault on the
TCS
page 33.
During an intervention of the system, the TCS warning light
flashes in the instru-
ment cluster page 33.
Switching off
You can switch the TCS off and on again as you wish by pressing the button
page 188, fig. 171 . The TCS warning light lights up in the instrument cluster when
the system is switched off
page 33.
The TCS should normally always be switched on. It may be good practice in certain
exceptional cases, such as when you wish to have wheel slip, to switch off the system.
Examples:
when driving with snow chains,
when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface,
when it is necessary to rock a vehicle when it has become stuck.
then you should switch on the TCS again.
WARNING
You should always adjust your style of driving to the conditions of the road
surface and the traffic situation. The increased safety offered must not tempt
you to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an accident!
Note
All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve problem-free
operation of the TCS. Differing rolling circumferences of the tyres can lead to an unde-
sirable reduction in the engine output.
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or another combina-
tion of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the TCS page 234, “Accesso-
ries, changes and replacement of parts”.
Active driver-steering recommendation (DSR)*Vehicles with ESP and ABS ar e equipped with active driver-steering recommendation
(DSR).
This function indicates to the driver in crit ical situations a steering recommendation in
order to stabilise the vehicle. The active driver-steering recommendation is activated,
for example, on the right and left vehicle si de when braking sharply on different road
surfaces.
WARNING
Even with this additional function the vehicle cannot steer itself! The driver is
furthermore responsible for the steering of the vehicle!BrakesWhat has a negative effect on braking efficiency?Wear-and-tear
Wear-and-tear to the brake pa ds is greatly dependent on the operating conditions of
the vehicle and your style of driving. Particularly if you drive a great deal in towns and
over short distances or if you adopt a sporty style of driving, it may be necessary to
have the thickness of the brake pads insp ected at a specialist garage between the
service inspections.
Wet roads or road salt
There may be a certain delay before the brakes take full effect un der certain conditions
such as when driving through water, during heavy rain showers or after the vehicle has
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Intelligent Technology191
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Technical Data
Antilock brake system (ABS)ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking.General
The ABS contributes significantly to enhanc ing the active safety of your vehicle.
Compared to a vehicle not fitted with the ABS brake system, you are able to retain
optimal steering ability even during a full br ake application on a slippery road surface
because the wheels do not lock up.
In general you must not expect that the braking distance will be shorter under all
circumstances as a result of the ABS. The braking distance for example on gravel and
fresh snow, when you should anyway be driving slowly and cautiously, will be longer.
Operating principle
The brake pressure will be reduced on a wheel which is rotating at a speed which is too
low for the speed of the vehicle and tending to lock. This control cycle is noticeable
from a pulsating movement of the brake pedal which is accompanied by noises.
This is consciously intended to provide the driver with the information that the wheels
are tending to lock (ABS control range) . You must always keep the brake pedal
depressed to enable the ABS to optimally control the brake application in this braking
range. Never interrupt the application of the brakes!
WARNING
The ABS can also not overcome the physical limits of your vehicle. Please do
not forget this, particularly when driving on icy or wet road surfaces. If the ABS
is operating within the control range, adapt your speed immediately to the
conditions of the road surface and the traffic situation. The increased safety
offered by the ABS must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise -
risk of an accident!
The normal braking system is still fully functional if there is an ABS fault.
Visit a specialist garage as quickly as poss ible and adjust your style of driving to
take account of the ABS fault in the meantime since you will not know the extent
of the fault and in how far the braking efficiency is affected.Note
A warning light comes on if a fault occurs in the ABS system
page 34.
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or another combina-
tion of tyres and wheels) can in fluence the function of the ABS page 234, “Accesso-
ries, changes and replacement of parts”.
Brake Assist*During a severe brake application (e.g. if a hazard exists), the Brake Assist increases the
braking force and thus makes it possible to rapidly produce the pressure required in
the brake system.
The majority of drivers do a pply the brakes in good time in dangerous situations, but
do not depress the brake pedal with sufficient pressure. Consequently, it is not possible
for the vehicle to achieve its maximum deceleration and the vehicle covers a greater
distance than necessary.
The Brake Assist is activated by the very qu ick operation of the brake pedal. In such
cases, a much greater braking pressure exists than during a normal brake application.
This makes it possible, even with a relatively low resistance of the brake pedal, to
produce an adequate pressure in the brake system in the shortest possible time, which
is required for maximum dece leration of the vehicle. You must apply the brake pedal
firmly and hold it in this position in or der to achieve the shortest possible braking
distance.
The Brake Assist is able to help you achi eve a shorter braking distance in emergency
situations by rapidly producing the pressure required in the brake system. It fully
exploits the attributes of the ABS. After you release the brake pedal, the function of the
Brake Assist is automatically switched off and the brakes operate in the normal way.
The Brake Assist is part of the ESP system. If a fault occurs in the ESP, the Brake Assist
function is also not available. Further information on the ESP page 187.
WARNING
The Brake Assist is also not able to overcome the physical limits of your
vehicle in terms of the braking distance required.
Adapt your speed to the conditions of the road surface and to the traffic situ-
ation.
The increased safety offered by the Brake Assist must not tempt you to take
a greater safety risk than otherwise.
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