Warning and indicator lamps
Function Page
0002
000D
Low-beam
headlamps 125
0003
0016
Parking lamps 126
0021
000F
ESP® 325
0020
000C
High-beam
headlamps 128
001E
Electric parking brake (red) 328
0008
(USA only) 000D
(Canada only) 001F
000D
Electric parking brake
(yellow) 328
0013
000F
Distance warning 332
0014
00070006
Turn signals 127
0015
0013
Tire pressure monitor 333 Function Page
0016
001F
SRS 328
0017
0014
Seat belt 321
0018
0010
Diesel engine:
preglow 165
0019
000E
Coolant 330
001A
0010
Rearfog lamp 126
001B
0010
Check Engine 329
001C
0012
Reserve fuel 329
001D
0017
ESP®
OFF 325
0023
0019
ABS 323
0024
Braking 322
0012
(USA only) 0009
(Canada only) 34
Instrument clusterAt a glance
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Introduction SRS consists of:
R
001F SRS warning lamp
R Air bags
R The air bag control unit with crash sensors
R Emergency Tensioning Devices for the
front seat belts and the outer seat belts in
the rear
R Belt force limiters
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 warning lamp G
WARNING
The SRS self-chec khas detected a
malfunction if the 001FSRS indicator lamp:
R does no tlight up at all
R does not go out after approximately four
seconds after the engine is started
R lights up after the engin eis started or while
the vehicle is in motion
For your safety, Mercedes-Benz strongly
recommends that you have the system
checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop. SRS may otherwise fail
to activate when it is needed in the event of
an accident, which could lead to serious or
fatal injuries. SRS might also be activated
unexpectedly and unnecessarily, which could
also result in injury.
In addition, work carried out improperly on
SRS may render SRS inoperative or cause
unintended air bag deployment. Work on the
SRS system should only be carried out by
qualified specialist personnel. Consult a
qualified specialist workshop.
If it is necessary to modify an air bag system
to accommodate a person with disabilities,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for details. USA only: for further information,
contact our Customer Assistance Center at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372).
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 001F 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 001FSRS warning lamp
goes out while the engine is running.
Safety guidelines for seat belts,
Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs)
and air bags G
WARNING
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.C heck 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. Occupant safety
43Safety
Z
child in a standard child restraint or if the front
passenger sea
tis classified as being empty.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being up to or less than the weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a standard child
restraint, the 001A001Cindicator lamp will
illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated. This indicates that the
front passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat is classified as being empty,
the 001A001C indicator lamp will illuminate
when the engine is started and remain
illuminated. This indicates that the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being heavier than the weight of a typical 12-
month-old child seated in astandard child
restraint or as being a small individual (such
as a young teenager or asmall adult), the
001A001C indicator lamp will illuminate for
approximately 6seconds when the engine is
started. Depending on occupant weight
sensor readings from the seat, it will then
remain illuminated or go out. With the
001A001C indicator lamp illuminated, the
fron tpassenger fron tair bag is deactivated.
With the 001A001C indicator lamp out, the
front passenger front air bag is activated.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat occupant is classified as an
adult or someone larger than a small
individual, the 001A001Cindicator lamp will
illuminate for approximately six seconds
when the engine is started and the ngo out.
This indicates that the front passenger front
air bag is activated.
If the 001A001C indicator lamp is illuminated,
the front passenger front air bag is
deactivated and will not be deployed. If the
001A001C indicator lamp is not
illuminated, the front passenger front air bag
is activated and will be deployed
R in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if the impact exceeds a predetermined
triggering threshold
R independent of the side impact air bag or
pelvis air bag
If the front passenger front air bag is
deployed, the rate of inflation will be
influenced by
R the rate of vehicle deceleration as assessed
by the air bag control unit
R the front passenger's weight category as
identified by the OCS G
WARNING
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained on the rear
seats than on the front-passenger seat. Thus,
we strongly recommend that children be
placed in the rear seats whenever possible.
Regardless of seating position, children 12
years old and under must be seated and
properly secured in an appropriate infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
The infant or child restraint must be properly
secured with the vehicle's seat belt, the seat
belt and Top Tether strap, or lower anchors
and Top Tether strap, fully in accordance with
the child seat manufacturer's instructions.
Occupants, especially children, should always
sit as upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriately sized infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child. Occupant safety
49Safety
Z
X
Slide the belt sash guide downwards.
X Release belt sash guide release 0002and
make sure tha tthe belt sash guide has
engaged.
Releasing seat belts !
Make sure that the seat belt is fully rolled
up. Otherwise, the seat belt or belt tongue
will be trapped in the door or in the seat
mechanism. This could damage the door,
the door trim panel and the seat belt.
Damaged seat belts can no longer fulfill
their protective function and must be
replaced. Visit a qualified specialist
workshop. 0002
Belt sash guide
0003 Seat belt tongue
0021 Buckle
0020 Release button
X Press release button 0020and guide belt
tongue 0003back towards belt sash
guide 0002.
Belt warning for the driver and front
passenger Regardless of whether the driver's and front-
passenger seat belts have already been
fastened, the
0020seat belt warning lamp lights up for six seconds each time the engine
is started. It then goes out if the driver and
the front passenger have already fastened
their seat belts.
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened when
the engine is started, an additional warning
tone will sound. This warning tone stops after
a maximum of six seconds or once the
driver's seat belt is fastened.
If after six seconds, the driver or front
passenger have not fastened their seat belts
and the doors are closed:
R the 0020 seat belt warning lamp remains lit
as long as the driver's or front-passenger's
seat belt is not fastened
and
R if a vehicle speed of 15 mph (25 km/h) is
exceeded, the 0020seat belt warning lamp
begins to flash. Awarning tone also sounds
with increasing intensity for a maximum of
60 seconds or until the driver or front
passenger have fastened their seat belts.
If the driver/front passenger unfasten their
seat belt while the vehicle is in motion, the
0020 seat belt warning lamp lights up and a
warning tone sounds again.
The warning tone ceases eve nifthe driver or
front-passenger seat belt has still not been
fastened after 60 seconds. The 0020seat belt
warning lamp stops flashing but remains
illuminated.
After the vehicle comes to a standstill, the
warning tone is reactivated and the seat belt
warning lamp 0020flashes again if the vehicle
speed again exceeds 15 mph (25 km/h).
The 0020 seat belt warning lamp only goes
out if:
R both the driver and the front passenger
have fastened their seat belts.
or
R the vehicle is stationary and a door is open.
i For more information on the 0020seat
belt warning lamp, see "Warning and 58
Occupant safetySafety
only possible using the switches in the
driver's door. If indicator lamp
0003is off,
operation is possible using the switches in
the rear compartment. Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS (Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
(Y page 66)
R BAS (Brake AssistSystem) (Y page 67)
R BAS PLUS ( BrakeAssist System Plus)
(Y page 67)
R COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
(Y page 68)
R ESP ®
(Electronic StabilityProgram)
(Y page 71)
R EBD ( Electronic Brake force Distribution)
(Y page 73)
R ADAPTIVE BRAKE (Y page 73)
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 73)
R STEER CONTROL (Y page 75)Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or
become distracted, the driving safety
systems can neither reduce the risk of
accident nor override the laws of physics.
Driving safety systems are merely aids
designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed and for braking in
good time. Always adapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road and weather
conditions and maintain asafe distance from
the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
i The driving safety systems described only
work as effectively as possible when there
is adequate contact between the tires and
the road surface. Please pay special attention to the note
son tires,
recommended minimu mtire tread depths,
etc. (Y page 400).
In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the
driving safety systems described in this
section work as effectively as possible. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Importan tsafety notes"
sectio n(Ypage 66). G
WARNING
If ABSi s faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking
characteristics may be severely impaired.
Additionally, further driving safety systems
are deactivated. There is an increased danger
of skidding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked
immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (Y page 322) and
display messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (Y page 287).
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the
vehicle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h) upwards, regardless of road-surface
conditions. ABS works on slippery surfaces,
even if you only brake gently.
The yellow 0019ABS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the ignition
is switched on. It goes out when the engine is
running. 66
Driving safety systemsSafety
or more wheels are braked to stabilize 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 stabilize the vehicle during braking.
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) 4ETS traction control is part of ESP
®
.
Traction control 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.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
In appropriate driving situations, activate the
off-road program:
X Vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD
package (Y page 252)
X Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package
(Y page 252)
Off-road 4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) A4
ETS syste mspecifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated on:
R Vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD
package (Y page 252)
R Vehicles with the ON&OFFROA Dpackage
(Y page 252)
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle .Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop. !
Only operate the vehicle for a maximum
of ten seconds on a brake test
dynamometer. Switch off the ignition.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on atwo-axle
dynamometer. Before you operate the
vehicle on such a dynamometer, please
consult a qualified workshop .You could
otherwise damage the drive train or the
brake system.
ESP ®
is deactivated if the 0017warning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running.
If the 000F warning lamp and the 0017
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 325) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 287).
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
Characteristics of ESP ® General information
ESP
®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the 000FESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any
circumstances.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditions. Driving safety systems
71Safety Z
Deactivating/activating ESP
®Important safety notes
You can selec
tbetween the following states
of ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
is activated.
R ESP ®
is deactivated. G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations
described in the following.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the
vehicle if the vehicle starts to skid or a
wheel starts to spin.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®X
To switch off: press button0002.
The 0017 ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up. X
To switch on: press button0002.
The 0017 ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Characteristics when ESP ®
is deactivated
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the 000FESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R 4ETS is still active.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
Off-road ESP ® An ESP
®
system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated on:
R Vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD
package (Y page 252)
R Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package
(Y page 252)
Off-road ESP ®
intervenes with a delay if there
is oversteering or understeering, thus
improving traction.
ESP ®
trailer stabilization G
WARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilization will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from
swerving .Trailers with a high center of gravity
can tip over before ESP ®
can detect this.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always adapt yourd riving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions. 72
Driving safety systemsSafety
If yourv
ehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer
combination) begins to lurch, you can only
stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination by
depressing the brake firmly.
In this situation, ESP ®
assists you and can
detec tifthe vehicle/trailer combination
begins to lurch. ESP ®
slows the vehicle down
by braking and limiting the engine output until
the vehicle/trailer combination has
stabilized.
Trailer stabilization is active above speeds of
about 37 mph (60 km/h).
Trailer stabilization does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated because of a malfunction.
Crosswindd riving assistance Strong crosswinds ca
ncause your vehicle to
deviate from a straigh tcourse. The crosswind
driving assistance function integrated into
ESP ®
significantly reduces these effects.
ESP ®
intervenes automatically according to
the direction and intensity of the crosswinds
affecting your vehicle.
When driving on straight roads or gentle
bends, your vehicle is kept safely on course
by a stabilizing brake intervention.
Crosswind driving assistance is active above
a vehicle speed of 80 km/h.
Crosswind driving assistance does not work
if ESP ®
is deactivated or disabled because of
a malfunction. EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 66). G
WARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g. under full braking. This
increases 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
specialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (Y page 323) as well as
display messages (Y page 289).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking. ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort. In
addition to the braking function, ADAPTIVE
BRAKE also has the HOLD function
(Y page 211) and hill start assist
(Y page 166). PRE-SAFE
®
Brake
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 66).
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is only available in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
If PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is to aid you, the radar
sensor system must be:
R activated (Y page 281)
R operational
With the help of the radar sensor system,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can detect obstacles that
are in front of your vehicle for an extended
period of time.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can help you to minimize
the risk of a collision with a vehicle ahead or
reduce the effects of such a collision. If PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake has detected a risk of collision,
you will be warned visually and acoustically
as well as by automatic braking. PRE-SAFE ®
Brake cannot prevent a collision without your
intervention.
Starting at a speed of around
4 mph (7 km/h), this function warns you if
you very quickly approach a vehicle in front. Driving safety systems
73Safety Z