Belt tensioners, belt force limitersGWARNING
Pyrotechnic seat belt tensioners that have
been deployed are no longer operational and
are unable to perform their intended protec-
tive function. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
Therefore, have pyrotechnic belt tensioners
which have been triggered immediately
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
! If the front-passenger seat is not occu-
pied, do not engage the seat belt tongue in
the buckle on the front-passenger seat.
Otherwise, the belt tensioner could be trig-
gered in the event of an accident.
i Vehicles with PRE-SAFE ®
: belt tensioners
that are triggered by an electric motor can
be deployed as often as desired and do not
need to be replaced.
The front seat belts and the outer seat belts
in the rear are equipped with belt tensioners
and belt force limiters.
The belt tensioners tighten the seat belts in
an accident, pulling them close against the
body.
Belt tensioners do not correct incorrect seat
positions or incorrectly fastened seat belts.
Belt tensioners do not pull vehicle occupants
back towards the backrest.
The belt tensioners can only be activated
when:
R the ignition is switched on
R the restraint systems are operational; see
" 6 SRS warning lamp"( Y page 41)
R the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
each of the front seat belts.
The belt tensioners on the outside seats in the
rear compartment are triggered independ-
ently of the lock status of the seat belts.
The belt tensioners are triggered depending
on the type and severity of an accident:
R if, in the event of a head-on or rear-end col-
lision the vehicle decelerates or acceler-
ates rapidly in a longitudinal direction dur-
ing the initial stages of the impact
R if, in the event of a side impact, on the side
opposite the impact the vehicle deceler-
ates or accelerates rapidly in a lateral direc-
tion
R in certain situations where the vehicle over-
turns and the system determines that it can
provide additional protection
If the airbags are deployed, you will hear a
bang, and a small amount of powder may also
be released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that is
released generally does not constitute a
health hazard and does not indicate that there
is a fire in the vehicle. The powder may cause
short-term breathing difficulties to persons
suffering from asthma or other pulmonary
conditions. In order to prevent potential
breathing difficulties, you should leave the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. You can
also open the window to allow fresh air to
enter the vehicle interior. The 6 SRS warn-
ing lamp lights up.
If the seat belt is also fitted with a belt force
limiter and this is triggered, the force exerted
by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant is
reduced.
The belt force limiters on the front seats are
synchronised with the front airbags, which
take on a part of the deceleration force. This
results in the load being distributed over a
greater area.
Children in the vehicle
Child restraint systems
Important safety notes
GWARNING
To reduce the risk of serious or even fatal
injury to the child in the event of a sudden
change in direction, braking or an accident:
R Children less than 1.50 m tall and under
twelve years of age must always be secured
50Children in the vehicleSafety
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GWARNING
Electronic devices on the front-passenger
seat can affect the function of the automatic
child seat recognition, for example:
R laptop
R mobile phone
R transponder cards such as ski passes or
access passes
The front-passenger front airbag could deploy
unintentionally or not function as intended
during an accident. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Do not place any of the devices mentioned
above or similar devices on the front-
passenger seat.
If the front-passenger seat of your vehicle
does not have automatic child seat recogni-
tion, 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.
Vehicles without automatic child seat recog-
nition on the front-passenger seat: if you turn
the key to position 2 in the ignition lock, the
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
lights up briefly. However, the indicator lamp
has no function. It does not indicate that there
is automatic child seat recognition on the
front-passenger seat.
The sensor system for child restraint systems
in the front-passenger seat detects whether
a special Mercedes-Benz child seat with a
transponder for automatic child seat recog-
nition has been fitted. In this case,
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp :
lights up. The front-passenger front airbag is
disabled.
i If the front-passenger front airbag is dis-
abled by the automatic child seat recogni-
tion, the following remain enabled on the
front-passenger side:
R the sidebag
R the windowbag
R the belt tensioner
ISOFIX child seat securing system for
the rear seats
GWARNING
ISOFIX child restraint systems do not offer
sufficient protective effect for children whose
weight is greater than 22 kg who are secured
using the safety belt integrated in the child
restraint system. The child could, for example,
not be restrained correctly in the event of an
accident. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
If the child weighs more than 22 kg, only use
ISOFIX child restraint systems with which the
child is also secured with the vehicle seat belt.
Also secure the child restraint system with the
Top Tether belt, if available.
54Children in the vehicleSafety
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Problems with automatic child seat recognitionProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsThe 45 indica-
tor lamp on the centre
console is lit.A special Mercedes-Benz child restraint system with a trans-
ponder for automatic child seat recognition has been fitted to the
front-passenger seat. The front-passenger front airbag has there-
fore been disabled as desired.GWARNING
There is no child restraint system fitted to the front-passenger
seat. Automatic child seat recognition is malfunctioning.
It is also possible that the 6 SRS warning lamp lights up and/
or the 45 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp does
not light up briefly when you switch the ignition on.
There is a risk of injury.
XRemove electronic equipment from the front-passenger seat,
e.g.:
R Laptop
R Mobile phone
R Cards with transponders, such as ski passes or access cards
If the 45 indicator lamp remains lit:
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Child-proof locks
Important safety notesGWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shift the automatic transmission out of
parking position P.
R shift the manual transmission into neutral.
R start the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key
with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave
children or animals unattended in the vehicle.
Always keep the key out of reach of children.GWARNING
If persons (particularly children) are exposed
to heat or cold for a prolonged period, there
is a risk of serious or even fatal injuries. Never
leave persons (particularly children) unatten-
ded in the vehicle.
62Children in the vehicleSafety
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Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you
are inattentive, the driving safety systems can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor over-
ride the laws of physics. Driving safety sys-
tems are merely aids designed to assist driv-
ing. You are responsible for the distance to
the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed and for
braking in good time. Always adapt your driv-
ing style to suit the prevailing road, weather
and traffic conditions and maintain a safe dis-
tance from the vehicle in front. Drive care-
fully.
i The driving safety systems described only
work as effectively as possible when there
is adequate contact between the tyres and
the road surface. Pay particular attention
to the information regarding tyres, recom-
mended minimum tyre tread depths etc. in
the "Wheels and tyres" section
( Y page 316).
In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tyres (M+S tyres) and, if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the driv-
ing safety systems described in this section
work as effectively as possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General notes
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.
The ! ABS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion for driving safety systems
( Y page 64).
GWARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
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.
If ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp ( Y page 256) and
display messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster ( Y page 227).
ABS works from a speed of about
8 km/hupwards, regardless of road-surface
conditions. ABS works on slippery surfaces,
even when you only brake gently.
Braking
XIf ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.XTo 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 Assist)
General notes
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.
64Driving safety systemsSafety
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Rstrong 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
Following damage to the front end of the vehi-
cle, have the configuration and operation of
the radar sensor checked at a qualified spe-
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
Adaptive Brake Assist warns following traffic
in an emergency braking situation:
R by means of flashing brake lamps
R the hazard warning lamps are activated
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 110).
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y page 64).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tyres
and the road surface.
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.
ETS (Electronic Traction System)
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y page 64).
ETS traction control is part of ESP ®
.
ETS brakes the drive wheels individually 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 transferred to
the wheel or wheels with traction.
ETS remains active when you deactivate
ESP ®
.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
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.
! When testing the electric parking brake
on a braking dynamometer, switch off the
ignition. Application of the brakes by
ESP ®
may otherwise destroy the brake sys-
tem.
When towing your vehicle with the front axle
raised, observe the notes on
ESP ®
(Y page 310).
ESP ®
is deactivated if the å ESP®
OFF
warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights
up continuously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ ESP®
warning lamp and the
å ESP®
OFF warning lamp are lit contin-
uously, ESP ®
is not available due to a mal-
function.
68Driving safety systemsSafety
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Anti-theft systems
Immobiliser
The immobiliser prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct key.
XTo activate: remove the key from the igni-
tion lock.XTo deactivate: switch on the ignition.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key
with you and lock the vehicle. The engine can
be started by anyone with a valid key that is
left inside the vehicle.
i The immobiliser is always deactivated
when you start the engine.
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
XTo prime: lock the vehicle with the key.
Indicator lamp : flashes. The alarm sys-
tem is primed after approximately
15 seconds.XTo deactivate: unlock the vehicle with the
key.
or
XInsert the key into the ignition lock.
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is primed and you open:
R the vehicle with the emergency key ele-
ment
R a door
R the boot lid
R the bonnet
XTo stop the alarm: insert the key into the
ignition lock.
The alarm is switched off.
or
XPress the % or & button on the key.
The alarm is switched off.
The alarm is not switched off, even if you
close the open door that has triggered it, for
example.
Tow-away protection
Function
An audible and visual alarm is triggered if your
vehicle's angle of inclination is altered while
tow-away protection is primed. This can occur
if the vehicle is jacked up on one side, for
example.
Activating
XMake sure that:
R the doors are closed.
R the boot lid is closed.
Only then is the tow-away protection
primed.XLock the vehicle with the key.
Tow-away protection is primed after
approximately 60 seconds.
Deactivating
XUnlock the vehicle with the key.
or
XInsert the key into the ignition lock.
Tow-away protection is switched off auto-
matically.Anti-theft systems71SafetyZProCarManuals.com
DeactivatingXRemove the key from the ignition lock.XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up briefly.XLock the vehicle with the key.
Tow-away protection is deactivated.
Tow-away protection remains deactivated
until:
R the vehicle is unlocked again
R a door is opened and closed again
R the vehicle is locked again
To prevent a false alarm, deactivate the tow-
away protection if you lock your vehicle and
it:
R is being transported
R is being loaded onto a ferry or car trans-
porter, for example
R is parked on a movable surface, e.g. in a
split-level garage
Interior motion sensor
Function
When the interior motion sensor is primed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered if move-
ment is detected in the vehicle interior. This
can occur if someone reaches into the vehicle
interior, for example.
ActivatingXMake sure that:
R the side windows are closed.
R the panorama sliding sunroof is closed.
R there are no objects, e.g. mascots, hang-
ing on the rear-view mirror or on the grab
handles on the roof trim.
This will prevent false alarms.XMake sure that:
R the doors are closed.
R the panorama sliding sunroof is closed.
R the boot lid is closed.
Only then is the interior motion sensor
primed.XLock the vehicle with the key.
The interior motion sensor is primed after
approximately 30 seconds.
Deactivating
XUnlock the vehicle with the key.
or
XInsert the key into the ignition lock.
The interior motion sensor is switched off
automatically.
Deactivating
XRemove the key from the ignition lock.XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ; flashes briefly.XLock the vehicle with the key.
The interior motion sensor is deactivated.72Anti-theft systemsSafety
ProCarManuals.com
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 24).
Key
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shift the automatic transmission out of
parking position P.
R shift the manual transmission into neutral.
R start the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key
with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave
children or animals unattended in the vehicle.
Always keep the key out of reach of children.
GWARNING
If persons (particularly children) are exposed
to heat or cold for a prolonged period, there
is a risk of serious or even fatal injuries. Never
leave persons (particularly children) unatten-
ded in the vehicle.
GWARNING
If you attach heavy or large objects to the key,
the key could be unintentionally turned in the
ignition lock. This could cause the engine to
be switched off. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not attach any heavy or large objects to
the key. Remove any bulky keyrings before
inserting the key into the ignition lock.
! Keep the key away from strong magnetic
fields. Otherwise, the remote control func-
tion could be affected.
Strong magnetic fields can occur in the
vicinity of powerful electrical installations.
Do not keep the key:
R with electronic devices, e.g. a mobile
phone or another key
R with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal
film
R inside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case
United Kingdom only:
GWARNING
When the double locks are activated, the
doors can no longer be opened from the
inside. People in the vehicle can no longer get
out, e.g. in hazardous situations. There is a
risk of injury.
Therefore, do not leave any people unsuper-
vised in the vehicle, particularly children, eld-
erly people or people in need of special assis-
tance. Do not activate the double lock when
people are in the vehicle.
If the vehicle has been locked with the key,
then the double lock function is activated as
standard. It is then not possible to open the
doors from inside the vehicle. You can deac-
tivate the double lock function by deactivat-
ing the interior motion sensor ( Y page 72).
The doors can then be opened from the inside
after the vehicle has been locked from the
outside. You can open the rear doors from
inside the vehicle if they are not secured by
the child-proof locks ( Y page 63). The anti-
theft alarm system is triggered if the door is
76KeyOpening and closing
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