ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Importan tsafety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 64). G
WARNING
If AB Sis faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired.A ddition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
When ABSi s malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (Y page 277) and
display messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (Y page 250).
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.
The yellow !ABS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the ignition
is switched on. It goes out when the engine is
running.
Brakes 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.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
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 AssistS
ystem)
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 64). G
WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
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.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System Plus)
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 64).
BAS PLUS is only available on vehicles with
DISTRONIC PLUS.
BAS PLUS provides braking assistance in haz-
ardous situations at speeds greater than
7k m/h and uses rada rsensor technology to
assess the traffic situation.
With the help of the radar sensor system, BAS
PLUS can detect obstacles that are in the
path of your vehicle for an extended period of
time.
At speeds up to approximately 70 km/h, BAS
PLUS may also detect stationary obstacles,
for example, stopped or parked vehicles.
To prevent a front-end collision, BAS PLUS
calculates the brake force necessary if:
R you approach an obstacle, and
R BAS PLUS has detected arisk of collision Driving safety systems
65Safety Z
cialist workshop. This also applies to colli-
sions at slow speeds where there is no visible
damage to the front of the vehicle. Adaptive brake lamps
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. If the
brakes are applied again, the brake lamps
light up continuously .The 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 127). ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 64). 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 without 4MATIC: observe the notes
on ESP ®
if the vehicle is being towed with the
rear axle raised (Y page 334).
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 a malfunction. Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y
page 278) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 250).
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. 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.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X When pulling away, only depress the accel-
erator pedal as far as is necessary.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tyre sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
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. In addition, more drive torque is trans-
ferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active if you deacti-
vate ESP ®
.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilises the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident. Driving safety systems
67Safety
Z
G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake will initially brake yourv ehi-
cle by a partial application of the brakes if a
danger of collision is detected. There may be
a collision unless you also brake. Automatic
emergency braking cannot prevent a colli-
sion. There is a risk of an accident.
Always apply the brakes yourself and try to
take evasive action. G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake cannot always clearly iden-
tify objects and complex traffic conditions.
In these cases, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may:
R give an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
R neither give a warning nor intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake, especially if
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake warns you. Terminate the
intervention in a non-critical driving situation.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired 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 the possibility of strong radar reflections,
for example, in multi-storey car parks
R a narrow vehicle travelling in front, e.g. a
motorcycle
R a vehicle travelling in front on a different
line G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R when cornering As a result, PRE-SAFE
®
Brake may neither
give warnings nor intervene in all critical sit-
uations. There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
In order to maintain the appropriate distance
to the vehicle in fron tand thus prevent a col-
lision, you must apply the brakes yourself.
X To activate/deactivate: activate or deac-
tivate PRE-SAFE ®
Brake in the on-board
computer (Y page 240).
When PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is activated, the
Ä symbol appears in multifunctio ndis-
play, as long as the HOL Dfunction is deac-
tivated (Y page 198). On vehicles with the
Active Parking Assist driving system, the
Ä symbol is displayed when position P
is engaged or you are driving faste rthan
35 km/h.
For PRE-SAFE ®
Brake to assist you when driv-
ing, the radar sensor system must be
switched on (Y page 245) and be opera-
tional.
The radar sensor system is switched off auto-
matically in the vicinity of radio telescope
facilities in the following vehicles:
R vehicles with COMAND Online and naviga-
tion
R vehicles with Audio 20 and Becker ®
MAP
PILOT
Becker ®
MAP PILOT must be connected;
see the separate operating instructions.
The radar sensor system must be switched off
using the on-board computer in the vicinity of
radio telescope facilities in the following vehi-
cles:
R vehicles without COMAND Online and nav-
igation
R vehicles without Audio 20 and Becker ®
MAP PILOT
R vehicles for Australia 70
Driving safety systemsSafety
Problems with the side windows
G
WARNING
Closing the side windows with increased force or without the anti-entrapment feature could lead
to serious or even fatal injury. Make sure that nobody can become trapped when closing the side
windows. Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
As
ide window cannot
be closed because it is
blocked by objects, e.g.
leaves in the window
guide. X
Remove the objects.
X Close the side window. As
ide window cannot
be closed and you can-
not see the cause. If a side window is obstructed during closing and reopens again
slightly:
X
Immediately after the window blocks, pull the corresponding
switch again until the side window has closed.
The side window is closed with increased force.
If a side window is obstructed again during closing and reopens
again slightly:
X Immediately after the window blocks, pull the corresponding
switch again until the side window has closed.
The side window is closed without the anti-entrapmen tfeature. Soft top (Cabriolet)
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Only drive with the soft top fully open or
closed.
If the soft top does not open or close fully, the
soft-top hydraulics are depressurised and the
soft top is lowered:
R after about seven minutes if the ignition is
switched on
R immediately if the ignition is switched off
Aw arning tone sounds shortly beforehand.
The Top being opened message appears in
the multifunction display.
Loc kthe soft top again before driving on. Oth-
erwise, the unlocked soft top could open dur-
ing the journey and cause you to lose control of your vehicle. You or other persons could be
injured as a result.
! Never sit on the soft-top compartment
cover and do not store any heavy objects
on it. You will otherwise damage the soft
top and soft-top compartment cover of the
vehicle.
! When opening and closing the soft top,
make sure that:
R there is sufficient clearance above it, as
the soft top swings upwards
R the boot separator is closed.
R the boot is only loaded to below the boot
separator.
R the boot separator is not pushed up by
the load.
R the boot lid is closed. 92
Soft top (Cabriolet)Opening and closing
R
no objects are on the soft-top compart-
ment cover
R the fabric is not dirty, wet or frozen.
You could otherwise damage the sof ttop,
boot and other parts of the vehicle.
i Make sure that the soft top is dry and
clean before closing it. Otherwise, water or
dirt could enter the vehicle interior or boot.
You can open or close the soft top:
R when the vehicle is stationary or
R when driving up to a speed of 40 km/h
If there is a strong head wind, it may not be
possible to close the soft top fully. In this
case, reduce speed or stop in order to close
the soft top fully.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only open or close the soft
top when the vehicle is stationary. Opening and closing with the soft-top
switch
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Make sure nobody can be trapped or injured
by moving parts, such as the soft-top linkage
or soft-top compartment cover, when opening
or closing the soft top.
Release the soft-top switch in the event of
danger. The soft-top mechanism stops imme-
diately. G
WARNING
If the vehicle speed exceeds 40km/h, the soft
top stops the opening or closing movement
and remains in that position. This could impair
your rear view. At high speeds the soft top
may be damaged.
Reduce your speed to below 40km/h or stop
the vehicle in accordanc ewith the traffic con-
ditions. Press the soft-top switch again in
order to open or close the soft top fully. Opening and closing X
Make sure that the boot separator is closed
(Y page 99).
X Close the boot lid.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Open the cover on the lower centre con-
sole. X
To open: pull soft-top switch :until the
entire soft top is stowed away in the boot.
The Top in operation message appears
in the multifunction display.
If, when opening, you drive at speeds above
40 km/h, the opening procedure is stop-
ped and you see the Open/close top completely message in the multifunction
display. In order to open the soft top fully,
reduce your speed again to below
40 km/h and pull the soft-top switch again.
i The side windows close if you keep on
pulling the soft-top switch.
X To close: press and hold soft-top
switch :until the soft top is fully closed.
The Top in operation message appears
in the multifunction display.
If, when closing, you drive at speeds above
40 km/h, the closing procedure is stopped
and you see the Open/close top com‐ pletely message in the multifunction dis-
play. In order to close the soft top fully,
reduce your speed again to below
40 km/h and push the soft-top switch
again. Soft top (Cabriolet)
93Opening and closing Z
i
The side windows close if you keep on
pressing the soft-top switch. Opening and closing with the key
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Make sure nobody can be trapped or injured
by moving parts such as the soft-top linkage
or soft-top compartment cover when opening
or closing the soft top.
If there is a risk of entrapment, immediately
release the %or& button on the key.
The soft-top mechanism stops immediately.
Opening and closing The key must be close to the driver's door
handle.
X Point the tip of the key at the driver's door
handle.
X To open: press and hold the %button
on the key until the soft top is fully opened.
The Top in operation message appears
in the multifunction display .The seat ven-
tilation is switched on. The rear side win-
dows open.
X To close: press and hold the &button
on the key until the soft top is fully closed.
The Top in operation message appears
in the multifunction display. The soft top
and the side windows close. Closing the soft top manually
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Remove wristwatches and any jewellery such
as rings or bracelets. You could otherwise get
caught, injured and damage the vehicle.
Always grip the soft top at the indicated grip-
ping points when closing the soft top man-
ually. You could otherwise be injured. If the soft top cannot be closed automatically,
check the following points:
R
Is the boot separator engaged
(Y page 99)?
R Are the head restraints on the rear bench
seats extended?
R Is the boot lid closed?
R Is the on-board voltage sufficient?
Start the engine if necessary.
If automatic operation still does not work, the
soft top can be closed manually.
To carry out this work, you will need the assis-
tance of another person.
i Closing the soft top manually is a com-
plex, technically demanding process which
requires a great deal of force. Only close
the soft top manually in extreme emergen-
cies. Preferably, contact a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Closing the soft top X
Apply the parking brake.
X Open the side windows.
X Lower the head restraints automatically or
manually, see the Digital Owner's Manual,
keyword "Head restraint".
X Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Open the boot.
X Take the two straps out of the vehicle tool
kit (Y page 323).
X Take the Allen key out of the Owner's Man-
ual wallet and keep it with you. Example: left trim in the boot94
Soft top (Cabriolet)Opening and closing
G
WARNING
You could trap yourh ands.
Do not push the soft-top compartment cover
forwards in front of the soft-top support with
your hands. X
With your hand flat, pres sdown the mate-
rial tensioning frame until it rests on soft-
top support Mof the soft-top compart-
ment lid.
X With your hand flat, press the soft-top com-
partmen tlid forwards/downwards on both
sides simultaneously until it engages in the
guide. Apply your hands to the points indi-
cated with arrows.
At the same time, press the material ten-
sioning frame gently downwards with your
flat hand. X
Insert the Allen key into the roof lock.
X Turn the Allen key anti-clockwise Nas far
as possible.
X Have the soft-top mechanis mrepaired
immediately at a specialist workshop.
i Press the soft-top compartment lid again
if the boot lid cannot be opened.
! Do not under any circumstances open the
boot lid with the emergency key. You could
otherwise damage the boot lid and the soft-
top compartment cover. Re-locking the soft top
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as
it is safe to do so and lock the soft top before
continuing to drive. You could otherwise
endanger yourself and others.
The soft top is not locked if:
R the Top in operation message appears
in the multifunction display.
R you hear a warning tone for up to ten sec-
onds when pulling away or while driving. 98
Soft top (Cabriolet)Opening and closing
Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all mod-
els, series and optional equipment for your
vehicle that were available at the time of
going to press. National variations are pos-
sible. Note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all of the functions descri-
bed. This is also the case for systems and
functions relevant to safety.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: (Y page 23). Correct driver's seat position
X
Observe the safety guidelines on seat
adjustment (Y page 109).
X Make sure that seat =is adjusted prop-
erly.
Manual and electrical seat adjustment
(Y page 110)
Electrical seat adjustment (Y page 110)
When adjusting the seat, make sure that:
R you are as far away from the driver's airbag
as possible.
R you are sitting in a normal upright position. R
you can fasten the seat belt properly.
R you have moved the backrest to an almost
vertical position.
R you have set the seat angle so that your
thighs are gently supported.
R you can depress the pedals properly.
X Check whether the head restraint is adjus-
ted properly.
When doing so, make sure that you have
adjusted the head restraint so that the back
of your head is supported at eye level by
the centre of the head restraint.
X Observe the safety guidelines on steering
wheel adjustment (Y page 115).
X Make sure that steering wheel :is adjus-
ted properly.
Adjusting the steering wheel manually
(Y page 116)
Adjusting the steering wheel electrically
(Y page 116)
When adjusting the steering wheel, make
sure that:
R you can hold the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent.
R you can move your legs freely.
R you can see all the displays in the instru-
ment cluster clearly.
X Observe the safety guidelines for seat belts
(Y page 49).
X Check whether you have fastened seat
belt ;properly (Y page 50).
The seat belt should:
R fit snugly across your body
R be routed across the middle of your shoul-
der
R be routed in your pelvic area across the hip
joints
X Before starting off, adjust the rear-view mir-
ror and the exterior mirrors in such a way
that you have a good view of road and traf-
fic conditions (Y page 117).
X Vehicles with a memory function: save
the seat, steering wheel and exterior mirror 108
Correct driver's seat positionSeats, steering wheel and mirrors