Vehicle equipment
i This manual describes all the standard
and optional equipment of your vehicle
which was available at the time of
purchase. Country-specific differences are
possible. Bear in mind that your vehicle
may not feature all functions described
here. This also refers to safety-related
systems and functions.
Occupant safety
Overview of occupant safety
In this section you will learn the most
important facts about the restraint system
components of the vehicle.
The restraint systems are:
R Seat belts
R Child restraint systems
R "LATCH" type child seat mountings
Additional protection is provided by:
R SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
R NECK-PRO head restraints
R PRE-SAFE ®
R Air bag system components with:
- PASSENGER air bag OFF indicator lamp
- USA only: front-passenger seat with
Occupant Classification System (OCS)
- Canada only: front-passenger seat with
BabySmart™ air bag deactivation system
The protective functions of the systems work
in conjunction with each other. The systems
are, however, autonomous.
GWarning
Modifications to or work improperly
conducted on restraint system components
or their wiring, as well as tampering with
interconnected electronic systems, can lead
to the restraint systems no longer functioning
as intended.
Air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices
(ETDs), for example, could deploy
inadvertently or fail to deploy in accidents
although the deceleration threshold for air
bag deployment is exceeded. Therefore,
never modify the restraint systems. Do not
tamper with electronic components or their
software.
i More information on the subject of
children in the vehicle and child restraint
systems can be found under the "Children
in the vehicle" chapter ( Y page 59).
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 + SRS warning lamp
R air bags
R air bag control unit (with crash sensors)
R ETDs
R belt force limiters
SRS warning lamps
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 + 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.
The SRS components are in operational
readiness when the + indicator lamp goes
out while the engine is running.
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GWarning
The SRS self-check has detected a
malfunction if the + SRS warning lamp:
R does not illuminate
R goes out approximately 4 seconds after the
engine is started
R illuminates after the engine is started or
illuminates during the journey
For your safety, Mercedes-Benz recommends
that you have the system checked as soon as
possible at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Otherwise the SRS may not be
activated when it is needed in an accident,
which could result in serious or fatal injury.
The SRS might also deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily which could also result in
injury.
In addition, improper work on the SRS creates
a risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or
causing unintended air bag deployment. Work
on the SRS must therefore only be performed
by qualified technicians. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
if it is necessary to modify an air bag system
to accommodate a person with disabilities.
USA only: Call our Customer Assistance
Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) for details.
Safety guidelines for seat belts,
Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs)
and air bags
GWarning
R Damaged seat belts or seat belts that have
been subjected to stress in an accident
must be replaced. Their anchoring points
must also be checked. Only use seat belts
installed or supplied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
R Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency
Tensioning Devices (ETDs) contain
perchlorate material, which may require
special handling and regard for the
environment. Check your national disposal
guidelines. California residents, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/
Perchlorate/index.cfm .
R Air bags and ETDs are designed to function
on a one-time-only basis. An air bag or ETD
that has deployed must be replaced. PRE-
SAFE ®
has electrically operated reversible
belt tensioners in addition to the
pyrotechnic ETDs.
R Do not pass seat belts over sharp edges.
They could tear.
R Do not make any modification that could
change the effectiveness of the seat belts.
R Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
R No modifications of any kind may be made
to any components or wiring of the SRS.
R Do not change or remove any component
or part of the SRS.
R Do not install additional trim material, seat
covers, badges, etc. to the:
- padded steering wheel boss
- front-passenger air bag cover
- outer side of front seat bolsters
- outer side of the seat bolsters of the rear
bench seat backrest
- roof lining trim
R Do not install additional electrical/
electronic equipment on or near SRS
components and wiring.
R Keep area between air bags and occupants
free of objects (e.g. packages, purses,
umbrellas, etc.).
R Do not hang items such as coat hangers
from the coat hooks or handles over the
door. These items may be thrown around in
the vehicle and cause head and other
injuries when the window curtain air bag is
deployed.
R Air bag system components will be hot after
an air bag has inflated. Do not touch them.Occupant safety37SafetyBA 251 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 3, en-USd2sboikeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-16T14:31:55+02:00 - Seite 37Z
Make sure that you do not operate the ADS
switch or the vehicle level control system
when coupling/decoupling the trailer.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most federal states and all Canadian
provinces require by law:
R safety chains between the towing vehicle
and the trailer. The chains should be cross-
wound under the trailer drawbar. They must
be fastened to the vehicle's trailer
coupling, not to the bumper or the axle.
Allow for enough play in the chains to
facilitate turning tight corners.
R a separate brake system for certain types
of trailer.
R a safety switch for braked trailers. Check
the specific legal requirements applicable
to your federal state.
If the trailer detaches from the towing
vehicle, the safety switch applies the
trailer's brakes.
! Do not connect the trailer's brake system
(if featured) to the hydraulic brake system
of the towing vehicle, as the latter is
equipped with an anti-lock brake system.
Doing so will result in a loss of function of
the brake systems of both the vehicle and
the trailer.
i The vehicle's wiring harness features a
line to the brake indicator lamp.XMake sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.XApply the vehicle's parking brake.XStart the engine.XVehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
select highway level and set ADS to
AUTO or COMF .XSwitch off the engine.XClose all doors and the tailgate.XCouple up the trailer.XEstablish all electrical connections.i
Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
with a trailer attached, the vehicle will
always remain at highway level. When
coupling up a trailer, please observe the
following:
R if highway level has not been set
manually, the vehicle will automatically
sink to highway level as soon as it
reaches a speed of 5 mph (8 km/h).
R high-speed level is not available.
These restrictions apply to all accessories
powered through a connection to the trailer
power socket of your vehicle, e.g. a bicycle
carrier.
Towing a trailer
There are numerous legal requirements
concerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed
restrictions. Make sure that your vehicle/
trailer combination complies with the local
requirements not only in your area of
residence but also at any location to which
you are traveling. The police and local
authorities can provide reliable information.
Please observe the following when towing a
trailer:
R To acquaint yourself with driving with a
trailer and with the resulting changes to
handling, you should practice cornering,
stopping and reversing in a traffic-free
location.
R Before driving, check:
- the trailer coupling
- the safety switch for braked trailers
- the safety chains
- the electrical connections
- the lights
- the wheels
R Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
R If the trailer features electronically
controlled brakes, pull away the vehicle/
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