
To ensure that the restraint systems can
deliver their full potential protection, make
sure that:
R
the seat and head restraint are adjusted
properly (Y page 96).
R the seat belt has been fastened properly
(Y page 48).
R the airbags can inflate unrestricted if
deployed (Y page 42).
R the steerin gwheel is adjusted properly
(Y page 102).
R the restraint systems have not been modi-
fied.
An airbag increases the protection of vehicle
occupant swearing aseat belt. However, air-
bags are only an additional restraint system
which complements, but does not replace,
the seat belt. All vehicle occupant smust wear
their seat belt correctly at all times, even if
the vehicle is equipped with airbags. The air-
bags are not deployed in all types of acci-
dents .For example, if the protective capacity
of correctly fastened seat belts is not
increased by deploying the airbags, the air-
bags will not deploy.
Airbag deployment only provides increased
protection if the seat belt is worn correctly.
First,t he seat belt helps to keep the vehicle
occupant in the best position in relation to the
airbag. Second, in ahead-on collision, for
example, the seat belt prevent sthe vehicle
occupant from being propelled towards the
point of impact. SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Introduction SRS consist
sof:
R the 6 SRS warning lamp
R airbags
R the airbag control unit with crash sensors
R belt tensioners
R belt force limiters SRS reduces the risk of occupant
scoming
into contact with the vehicle's interior in the
event of an accident .Itcan also reduce the
forces to which occupant sare subjected dur-
ing an accident.
SRS warnin glamp G
WARNING
If SRS is malfunctioning, individuals ystems
may be triggere dunintentionally or might not
be triggere dinthe event of an accident with
ah igh rate of vehicl edeceleration.
Am alfunction has occurred if:
R the 6 SRS warning lamp does not light
up when the ignitio nisswitched on.
R the engine is running and the 6SRS
warning lamp does not go out after afew
seconds.
R the engine is running and the 6SRS
warning lamp lights up again.
In this case, have SRS checked immediately
at aq ualified specialist workshop.
SRS functionsa re 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 afew seconds
after the engine is started.
Triggering of belt tensioners, belt force
limiters and airbags During the first stage of
acollision, 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. Occupant safety
41Safety Z

X
Press release button ?on belt buckle =.
X Slide belt tongue ;back to belt sash
guide :.
Belt warning for the driver and front
passenger The
7 seat belt warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster is areminder for all occupants
to fasten their seat belts. It may light up con-
tinuously or flash. In addition, there may be a
warning tone.
The 7 seat belt warning lamp goes out and
the warning tonec eases when the driver and
the frontp assenger have fastened their seat
belt.
For certain countries only: regardless of
whether th edriver and th efront passenger
have fastened their seat belts, the 7seat
beltw arning lamp light supfor six seconds
after th eengineiss tarted. It then goes out if
th ed river and th efront pa ssenger have fas-
tene dtheir seat belts.
i For mor einformatio nonthe7 seat
belt warning lamp, see "Indicato rand warn-
ing lamps in the instrument cluster ,seat
belt" (Y page 259). Rea
rseatb elts tatus indicator Display for securel
yfastene doccupants on left
side of rea rcompartmen t(example)
The rear-compartment seat belt status indi-
cator tells you if the rear passengers have
their seat belts fastened. The rear-compart-
ment seat belt status indicato rindicate sthe
rea rseat on which the belt is fastened. The
ü symbol in the display indicates afas-
tened seat belt. If aseat belt is not fastened
or if aseat is not occupied, the ýsymbol
is displayed.
The rear-compartment seat belt status indi-
cator appears in the multifunction display for
around 30 seconds if:
R you drive off and reach aspeed of approx-
imately 10 km/h.
R the rear passengers fasten or unfasten
their seat belts while the vehicle is in
motion.
R someon egets in or out of the vehicle and
the vehicle drives off again.
You can also cancel the rear seat belt status
indicator immediately (Y page 231).
i The status indicator for the rear-compart-
ment seat belts is only available for certain
countries.
Belt tensioners, belt force limiters G
WARNING
If the seat belt tensioners have been trig-
gered, they provide no additional protection
in the event of another accident. Therefore,
have belt tensioners which have been trig-
gered replaced at aqualified specialist work-
shop. Occupant safety
51Safety
Z

R
the possibility of strong rada rreflections,
for example, in multi-storey car parks
R an arrow vehicle travellin ginfront, e.g. a
motorcycle
R av ehicle travellin ginfrontonad ifferent
line G
WARNING
BAS PLUS does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R when cornering
As aresult, BAS PLUS may not intervene in all
critical situations. There is arisk of an acci-
dent.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
Following damage to the fron tend of the vehi-
cle ,havet he configuratio nand operatio nof
the rada rsensor schecked at aqualified spe-
cialist workshop. This also applies to colli-
sions at slow speeds where ther eisnovisible
damage to the fron tofthe vehicle. Adaptive brake lamps
If you brake sharply from aspeed of more
than 50 km/h or if braking is assisted by BAS
or BAS PLUS, the brake lamps flash rapidly.
In this way,t raffic travelling behind you is
warned in an even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from aspeed of more
than 70 km/h to astandstill, 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 button (Y page 114). ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 62). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilise the vehicle. In addition, other driving
safety systems are switched off. This increa-
ses the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: switch off the igni-
tion when the parking brake is being tested
using adynamometer.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may oth-
erwise destroy the brake system.
Vehicles without 4MATIC: observe the notes
on ESP ®
if the vehicle is being towed with the
rear axle raised (Y page 322).
ESP ®
is deactivated if the åwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up continu-
ously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the åwarn-
ing lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to amalfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 263) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 232).
If ESP ®
detect sthat the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilise the
vehicle. 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 slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilise the vehicle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster. Driving safety systems
65Safety Z

If ESP
®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X When pulling away, only depres sthe accel-
erator pedalasf ar as is necessary.
X Adapt yourd riving style to suitt he prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tyre sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Traction control is part of ESP
®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. On vehicles with 4MATIC, more drive
torque is also transferred to the wheel or
wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active if you deacti-
vate ESP ®
.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(except
AMG vehicles) G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
,E SP ®
no longer sta-
bilises the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
X To deactivate: (Ypage 219).
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrumentc luster lightsup.
X To activate: (Ypage 219).
The å ESP®
OFF warnin glamp in the
instrumen tcluster goes out.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle stops moving. When pulling away again, the engine
start
sautomatically. ESP ®
remain sinits pre-
viously selected status. Example: if ESP ®
was
deactivated befor ethe engine was switched
off ,ESP ®
remain sdeactivated when the
engine is switched on again.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or mor ewheels
start to spin ,the ÷ ESP®
warnin glamp in
the instrumen tcluster flashes .Insuch situa-
tions, ESP ®
will no tstabilis ethe vehicle.
It ma ybeb esttod eactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using sno wchains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If yo udeactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longe rimproves driving stability.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R engine torque is not limited and the drive
wheels are abletos pin. The spinning of the
wheels results in acutting action for better
traction.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(AMG
vehicles) Activating/deactivating SPORT handling
mode
G
WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is activated,
there is agreater risk of skidding and acci-
dents.
Only activate SPORT handling mode in the sit-
uations described in the following. 66
Driving safety systemsSafety

X
To activate: brieflypress button :.
The M SPORThandling mod ewarning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
The SPORT handling mode message
appear sinthe multifunctio ndisplay.
handlin gmode is designed for drivin gon
designated roads when the vehicle's own
oversteerin gand understeerin gcharacter-
istics are desired. Driving in SPORT han-
dling mode requires an extremely qualified
and experienced driver who is able to cope
with these critical driving conditions.
X To deactivate: briefly press button :.
The M handling mode warning lamp in
the instrumentc luster goes out.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
It may be best to activat eSPORT handling
mode in the followin gsituations:
R when using sno wchains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If SPORT handlin gmode is activated and one
or mor ewheels start to spin ,the ÷ ESP®
warnin glamp in the instrumen tcluster
flashes .ESP ®
onl ystabilise sthe vehicl etoa
limite ddegree.
If SPOR Thandling mod eisactivated:
R ESP ®
onl yimprove sdriving stability to a
limite ddegree.
R traction control is stil lactivated. R
ESP ®
stil lprovides support when you
brake.
R engine torque is restricte dtoalimited
degree and the drive wheels are able to
spin. The spinnin gofthe wheels results in
ac utting action for better traction.
Vehicles with the ECO start/stop function:
the ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
comes to astop. When pulling away again, the
engine startsa utomatically. ESP ®
remains in
its previously selected status. Example: if
ESP ®
was deactivated before the engine was
switched off, ESP ®
remains deactivated when
the engine is switched on again.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
,E SP ®
no longer sta-
bilises the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following. X
To deactivate: press button:until the
å ESP®
OFF warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster.
The ÷OFF message appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
Deactivate ESP ®
when driving on designa-
ted roads when the vehicle's own over-
steerin gand understeerin gcharacteristics
are desired. Drivin gwithout ESP ®
requires
an extremely qualified and experienced Driving safety systems
67Safety Z

driver who is able to cope with these critical
drivin
gconditions.
X To activate: briefly press button :.
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. The ÷ON message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engin eisstarted.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster does not flash. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehicle.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves drivin gstability.
R traction contro lisstill activated.
R PRE-SAFE ®
is no longer available; nor is it
activated if you brake firmly and ESP ®
inter-
venes.
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brak eisnol onger available; it
is also not activated if you brake firmly and
ESP ®
intervenes.
R ABSs tillp rovide ssuppo rt when yo ubrake.
R engine torque is no longe rlimited and the
drive wheels are able to spin .The spinning
of the wheels results in acuttin gaction for
better traction.
Vehicles with ECO start/stop function: the
ECO start/stop function switches the engine
off automatically when the vehicle comes to
as top. When pulling away again, the engine
starts automatically .ESP ®
remains in its pre-
viously selected status. Example :ifESP®
was
deactivate dbefore the engine wa sswitched
off, ESP ®
remains deactivate dwhent he
engine is switche donagain. EBD (electroni
cbrake forc edistribu-
tion)
i Observe the "Importan tsafet ynotes "sec-
tio n(Ypage 62). G
WARNING
If EB Dhas malfunctioned ,the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g .unde rfull braking .This increa-
ses the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at aqualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (Y page 261) as well as dis-
play messages (Y page 234).
EBD monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure on the rear wheels to improve driving
stability while braking. ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort.Ina ddi-
tion to the brakin gfunction ,ADAPTIVE BRAKE
also ha sthe HOLD functio n(Ypage 179 )and
hill start assist (Y page 144). PRE-SAFE
®
Brake
i Observ ethe "Important safety notes "sec-
tio n(Ypage 62).
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is onl yavailable in vehicles
with DISTRONI CPLUS.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can hel pyou to minimise
the ris kofacollision with avehicle ahea dor
reduce the effects of such acollision. If PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake detects ariskofc ollision, you
will be warned visually and acoustically as
well as by automatic braking. PRE-SAFE ®
Brake cannot prevent acollision without your
intervention. 68
Driving safety systemsSafety

This function will issue
awarning if:
R at speeds of around 30 km/ho rmore, over
several seconds, the distance maintained
to the vehicle travelling in front is insuffi-
cient.
The · distance warning lamp then lights
up in the instrument cluster.
R at as peed of approximately 7km/h or
higher, you very quickly approach avehicle
in front.
An intermittent warning tone willt hen
sound and the ·distance warning lamp
willl ight up in the instrument cluster.
X Brake immediately in order to increase the
distance from the vehicl einfront.
or
X Take evasive action provided it is safe to do
so.
From aspee dofa pproximatel y7km/h,ifthe
driver and passengers have fastened their
seat belts, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can brake the
vehicl eautomatically at speeds up to approx-
imatel y200 km/h.
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicate ddriving conditions may cause
unnecessary warnings or the unnecessary
interventio nofPRE-SAFE ®
Brake.
You can prevent the interventio nofthe PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake at any time by:
R depressing the accelerato rpedal further
R activating kickdown
R releasing the brake pedal.
The brakin gaction of PRE-SAFE ®
Brak eis
ended automatically if:
R you manoeuvre to avoid the obstacle.
R ther eisnol onger any danger of arear-end
collision.
R ther eisnol onger an obstacle detected in
fron tofy our vehicle.
With the help of the radar sensor system,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brak ecan detec tobstacles that
are in fron tofyour vehicle for an extended
period of time. At speeds up to approximately 70 km/h, PRE-
SAFE
®
Brak ecan also detec tstationary
obstacles such as stopped or parked vehi-
cles.
If you approach an obstacle and PRE-SAFE ®
Brak edetects arisk of acollision, the system
will alert you both visually and acoustically. If
you do not brake or take evasive action ,the
system will warn you by automatically braking
the vehicle gently. If ther eisanincreased risk
of collision, preventativ epassenger protec-
tion measures (PRE-SAFE ®
)a re activated
(Y page 48). If, at speeds over 30 km/h, arisk
of collision remains and you do not brake,
take evasive action or significantly acceler-
ate, automatic brakin gmay be performed up
to alevel of automatic emergency braking.
Automatic emergency brakin gisnot per-
formed until immediately prior to an accident
that can no longer be avoided. G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brak ewill initially brake your vehi-
cle by apartial application of the brakes if a
danger of collision is detected. There may be
ac ollision unless you also brake. Automatic
emergency braking cannot preven tacolli-
sion. There is arisk of an accident.
Always apply the brakes yourself and try to
take evasive action. G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brak ecannot alway sclearly iden-
tify objects and complex traffic conditions.
In these cases, PRE-SAFE ®
Brak emay:
R give an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
R neither give awarning nor intervene
There is arisk of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake, especially if
PRE-SAFE ®
Brak ewarns you. Terminate the
intervention in anon-critical driving situation. Driving safet
ysystems
69Safety Z

Automatic headlamp mode
G
WARNING
If th eligh tswitc hiss et to à and it is foggy,
snowing or there is poor visibility, th edipped-
beam headlamp swill not com eonautomati-
cally. This could endange ryou and others. In
such situations turn the light switch to L.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for the vehicle's
lighting at all times. 1W
Left-hand parking lamps
2X Right-hand parking lamps
3T Side lamps, licence plate and instru-
ment cluster lighting
4Ã Automatic headlamp mode, control-
led by the light sensor
5L Dipped-beam/main-beam head-
lamps
BR Rear foglamp
à is the preferred light switch setting. The
light setting is automatically selected accord-
ing to the brightnes softhe ambient light
(exception: poor visibility due to weather con-
ditions such as fog, snow or spray):
R Key in position 1in the ignition lock: the
side lamps are switched on or off automat-
ically depending on the brightnes softhe
ambient light.
R With the engine running: if you have acti-
vated the daytime driving lights function via
the on-board computer, the daytime driving
lights or the dipped-beam headlamps and
side lamps are switched on or off automat- ically depending on the brightness of the
ambient light.
X To switch on automatic headlamp
mode: turn the light switch to Ã.
The daytime driving lights improve the visibil-
ity of your vehicle during the day. Here, the
daytime driving lights function must be
switched on via the on-board computer
(Y page 222).
When the dipped-beam headlamps are
switched on, the green Lindicator lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up and the
daytime driving lights go out or are dimmed.
Dipped-beam headlamps G
WARNING
If the light switch is set to Ãand it is foggy,
snowing or there is poor visibility, the dipped-
beam headlamps will not come on automati-
cally. This could endanger you and others. In
such situations turn the light switch to L.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for the vehicle's
lighting at all times. 1W
Left-hand parking lamps
2X Right-hand parking lamps
3T Side lamps, licence plate and instru-
ment cluster lighting
4Ã Automatic headlamp mode, control-
led by the light sensor
5L Dipped-beam/main-beam head-
lamps
BR Rear foglamp Exterior lighting
111Lights and windscreen wipers Z