CockpitFunctionPage:Steering wheel gearshift
paddles
156
;Combination switch109=Instrument cluster30?HornADIRECT SELECT lever152BPARKTRONIC warning dis-
play
182
COverhead control panel36DClimate control systems124FunctionPageEIgnition lock145FAdjusting the steering
wheel
100
GCruise control lever169HElectric parking brake163ILight switch107JDiagnostics connection23KOpening the bonnet28328CockpitAt a glance
ProCarManuals.com
FunctionPage:Overhead control panel36;PARKTRONIC warning dis-
play
182
=Combination switch109?Instrument cluster30AHornBDIRECT SELECT lever152CSteering wheel gearshift
paddles
156
DLight switch107FunctionPageEElectric parking brake163FOpening the bonnet283GDiagnostics connection23HIgnition lock145IAdjusting the steering
wheel
100
JCruise control lever169KClimate control systems124Cockpit29At a glanceProCarManuals.com
Multifunction steering wheelFunctionPage:Multifunction display210;Audio/COMAND display;
see the separate operating
instructions=?Switches on LINGUA-
TRONIC; see the separate
operating instructions?~Rejects or ends a call215Exits telephone book/
redial memory6Makes or accepts a callSwitches to the redial mem-
oryWXAdjusts the volume8MuteFunctionPageA=;Selects a menu2099:Selects a submenu or
scrolls through lists
209
aConfirms the selection209Hiding display messages226B%Back209Switches off LINGUA-
TRONIC; see the separate
operating instructionsMultifunction steering wheel33At a glanceProCarManuals.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).
Panic alarm
X To activate: press ! button : for at
least one second.
An alarm sounds and the exterior lighting
flashes.XTo deactivate: press ! button :
again.
or
XInsert the key into the ignition lock.
i The panic alarm function is only available
in Mexico.
Occupant safety
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Modifications to the restraint systems could
result in them not functioning properly any
more. The restraint systems could then no
longer protect vehicle occupants as they are
designed to do and could fail in the event of
an accident or activate unexpectedly, for
example. There is an increased risk of injury.
Never modify parts of the restraint systems.
Do not attempt to modify the wiring as well as
electronic components or their software.
The airbag system can be adapted for a per-
son with disabilities. For further information,
consult a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
The seat belts, together with SRS (Supple-
mental Restraint System), are complemen-
tary, co-ordinated restraint systems
( Y page 41). They reduce the risk of injury
in specific, pre-defined types of accident sit-
uations and thereby increase occupant
safety. However, seat belts and airbags gen-
erally do not protect against objects pene-
trating the vehicle from the outside.
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 94)
R the seat belt has been fastened properly
( Y page 46)
R the airbags can inflate without restriction if
deployed ( Y page 42)
R the steering wheel is adjusted properly
( Y page 100)
R the restraint systems have not been modi-
fied
An airbag increases the protection of vehicle
occupants wearing a seat belt. However, air-
bags are only an additional restraint system
that complements, but does not replace, the
seat belt. All vehicle occupants must 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.40Occupant safetySafety
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OFF indicator lamp must be continuously
lit.
If the front-passenger seat of your vehicle
does not have automatic child seat recog-
nition, or your rearward-facing child
restraint system does not have a trans-
ponder for automatic child seat recogni-
tion, children must be secured in a child
restraint system on a suitable seat in the
rear. If you secure a forward-facing child
restraint system to the front-passenger
seat, you must move the front-passenger
seat as far back as possible.
R make sure there are no heavy or sharp-
edged objects in the pockets of clothing.
R do not lean forwards, e.g. over the cover of
the driver's/front-passenger front airbag,
particularly when the vehicle is in motion.
R do not put your feet on the dashboard.
R only hold the steering wheel on the outside.
This allows the airbag to be fully deployed.
You could be injured if the airbag is
deployed and you are holding the inside of
the steering wheel.
R do not lean on the doors from inside the
vehicle.
R make sure that there are no people, ani-
mals or objects between the vehicle occu-
pants and the area where the airbags are
deployed.
R do not place any objects between the seat
backrest and the door.
R do not hang any hard objects, e.g. coat
hangers, on the grab handles or coat hooks.
R do not attach accessories, e.g. cup holders,
to the doors.
It is not possible to rule out a risk of injury
being caused by an airbag, due to the high
speed at which the airbag must be deployed.GWARNING
If you modify the airbag covers or affix
objects, e.g. stickers to them, the airbags may
no longer function as intended. There is an
increased risk of injury.
Never modify the airbag covers and do not
affix any objects to them.GWARNING
Unsuitable seat covers may obstruct or even
prevent deployment of the airbags integrated
into the seats. The airbags may then fail to
protect the vehicle occupants as intended.
Operation of the automatic child seat recog-
nition may also be impaired. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Use only seat covers which have been specif-
ically approved for the respective seat by
Mercedes-Benz.
GWARNING
After the driver's airbag has been deployed,
the airbag parts are hot. There is a risk of
injury.
Do not touch the airbag parts. Have deployed
airbags replaced immediately at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Airbag deployment slows down and restricts
the movement of the vehicle occupant.
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.
The airbag installation locations are identified
by the AIRBAG symbol.
i After an airbag has been deployed, have
the vehicle towed to the nearest qualified
specialist workshop, even if your vehicle
can still be driven.
Occupant safety43SafetyZProCarManuals.com
Front airbags
! Do not place heavy objects on the front-
passenger seat. This could cause the sys-
tem to identify the seat as being occupied.
In the event of an accident, the restraint
systems on the front-passenger side may
be triggered and have to be replaced.
Driver's airbag : deploys in front of the
steering wheel; front-passenger front air-
bag ; deploys in front of and above the glove
compartment.
The front airbags increase protection for the
driver's and front-passenger's head and
chest.
They are deployed:
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in a
longitudinal direction.
R if the system determines that airbag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt.
R depending on whether the seat belt is being
used.
R independently of other airbags in the vehi-
cle.
If the vehicle overturns, the front airbags are
generally not deployed.
Vehicles with automatic child seat recog-
nition in the front-passenger seat: front-
passenger airbag ; is only activated if the
system determines that the front-passenger
seat is occupied. The PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF indicator lamp on the centre console
does not light up ( Y page 53).
If a child restraint system is fitted to the front-
passenger seat and the PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF indicator lamp on the centre console is
not on:
R a child restraint system without a trans-
ponder for automatic child seat recognition
has been fitted or
R a child restraint system with a transponder
has been fitted incorrectly
Driver's kneebag
Driver's kneebag : deploys underneath the
steering column. The driver's kneebag is trig-
gered together with the front airbag. The driv-
er's kneebag is designed to operate together
with the front airbags in frontal impacts if cer-
tain thresholds are exceeded. The driver's
kneebag operates best in conjunction with
correctly positioned and fastened seat belts.
Driver's kneebag : increases the driver's
protection against:
R knee injuries
R thigh injuries
R lower leg injuries
Sidebags
GWARNING
Unsuitable seat covers may obstruct or even
prevent deployment of the airbags integrated
into the seats. The airbags may then fail to
protect the vehicle occupants as intended.
Operation of the automatic child seat recog-
44Occupant safetySafety
ProCarManuals.com
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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ESP®
trailer stabilisation
General notes
If your vehicle/trailer combination begins to
swerve, ESP ®
assists you in this situation.
ESP ®
slows the vehicle down by braking and
limiting the engine output until the vehicle/
trailer combination has stabilised.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilisation will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from swerv-
ing. Trailers with a high centre of gravity can
tip over before ESP ®
can detect this. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
If your vehicle/trailer combination begins to
lurch, you can only stabilise the vehicle/
trailer combination by depressing the brake
firmly.
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation is active above
speeds of about 65 km/h.
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation does not work if
ESP ®
is deactivated or disabled because of a
malfunction.
EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
General notes
EBD monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure on the rear wheels to improve driving
stability while braking.
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion for driving safety systems
( Y page 64).
GWARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g. under full 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 a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps ( Y page 256) as well as dis-
play messages ( Y page 229).
ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort. In addi-
tion to the braking function, ADAPTIVE BRAKE
also has the HOLD function (Y page 181) and
hill start assist ( Y page 147). For further
information, see Driving tips ( Y page 166).
STEER CONTROL
General notes
STEER CONTROL helps you by transmitting a
noticeable steering force to the steering
wheel in the direction required for vehicle
stabilisation.
This steering support is provided in particular
if:
R both right wheels or both left wheels are on
a wet or slippery road surface when you
brake.
R the vehicle starts to skid.
Important safety notes
If there is an ESP ®
malfunction, you will not
receive any steering support from STEER
CONTROL. Power steering will, however, con-
tinue to function.
70Driving safety systemsSafety
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