
The SRS components are in operational
readiness when the SRS 001Bindicator 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.
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.
R Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
R No modifications of any kind may be made
to any components or wiring of the SRS.
R Do not change or remove any component
or part of the SRS.
R Do not install additional trim material, seat
covers, badges, etc. over the steering
wheel hub, front-passenger front air bag
cover, outer sides of the seat backrests,
door trim panels, or door frame trims.
R Do not install additional electrical/
electronic equipment on or near SRS
components and wiring. R
Keep area between air bags and occupants
free of objects (e.g. packages, purses,
umbrellas, etc.).
R Air bag system components will be hot after
an air bag has inflated. Do not touch them.
R Never place your feet on the instrument
panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always
keep both feet on the floor in front of the
seat.
R Improper repair work on the SRS creates a
risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or
causing unintended air bag deployment.
Work on the SRS must therefore only be
performed by qualified technicians.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
R For your protection and the protection of
others, when scrapping the air bag unit or
ETD, our safety instructions must be
followed. These instructions are available
from any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
R Given the considerable deployment speed,
required inflation volume, and the material
of the air bags, there is the possibility of
abrasions or other, potentially more serious
injuries resulting from air bag deployment.
If you sell your vehicle, Mercedes-Benz
strongly recommends that you inform the
subsequent owner that the vehicle is
equipped with SRS. Also, refer them to the
applicable section in the Operator's Manual. 40
Occupant safetySafety

deployment thresholds for lateral
acceleration/deceleration. You will then be
protected by the fastened seat belt.
The head bag on the front-passenger side is
not deployed in the following situations:
R the OCS system detects that the front-
passenger seat is not occupied, and
R the front-passenger seat belt is not
fastened.
The head bag on the front-passenger side will
deploy if the front-passenger seat belt is
fastened, regardless of whether the front-
passenger seat is occupied or not. Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
Method of operation G
WARNING
If the 0017 PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp illuminates when an adult or
someone larger than a small individual is in
the front-passenger seat, have the front
passenger reposition himself or herself in the
seat until the 0017PASSENGER AIR BAGO FF
indicator lamp goes out.
In the event of a collision, the air bag control
uni tw ill not allow front-passenge rfront air
bag and front-passenge rknee bag
deployment when the OC Shas classified the
front-passenger occupant as weighing as
much as or less than a typical 12 month old
child in a standard child restraint or if the
front-passenger seat is classified as being
unoccupied.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being up to or less than the weigh tofatypical
12-month-old child in a standard child
restraint, the 0017PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp will illuminate when the engine
is started and remai nilluminated. This
indicates that the front-passenger front air bag and the front-passenge
rknee bag are
deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger sea tis classified as being empty,
the 0017 PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp will illuminate when the engine is started
and remain illuminated. This indicates that
the front-passenger front air bag and the
front-passenger knee bag are 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
0017 PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp will illuminate for approximately 6
seconds when the engine is started.
Depending on occupant weight sensor
readings from the seat, it will then remain
illuminated or go out. If the 0017PASSENGER
AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is illuminated, the
front-passenger front air bag and the front-
passenger knee bag are deactivated. If the
0017 PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is not illuminated, the front-passenger
front air bag and the front-passenger knee
bag are activated.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat occupant is classified as an
adult or someone larger than a small
individual, the 0017PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF indicator lamp will illuminate for
approximately six seconds when the engine is
started and then go out. This indicates that
the front-passenger front air bag and the
front-passenger knee bag are activated.
If the 0017 PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp is illuminated, the front-
passenger front air bag and the front-
passenger knee bag are deactivated and are
not deployed. Occupant safety
45Safety
Z

X
Press release button 0023on belt buckle 0024.
X Guide belt tongue 0004back to seat belt
loop 0003.
Belt warning for the driver and front
passenger Regardless of whether the driver's and front-
passenger seat belts have already been
fastened, the 0011seat belt warning lamp
lights up for six seconds each time the engine
is started. It then goes out if the driver and
the frontp assenger have fastened their seat
belts.
If the driver's seat belt is no tfastened when
the engine is started, an additional warning
tone will sound. The warning tone goes out
after approximately six seconds or once the
driver's seat belt is fastened.
If after six seconds the driver or front
passenger have no tfastened their seat belts
and the doors are closed, the 0011seat belt
warning lamp lights up:
R until the driver's or fron tpassenger's seat
belt is fastened
R if a vehicle speed of 15 mph (25 km/h) is
exceeded, a warning 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
0011
seat belt warning lamp lights up and a
warning tone sounds again.
The warning tone ceases eve nifthe driver or
front passenger have still not fastened their
seat belt after 60 seconds. The 0011seat belt
warning lamp stops flashing but remains
illuminated.
After the vehicle comes to a standstill, the
warning tone is reactivated and the 0011seat
belt warning lamp flashes again if the vehicle
speed again exceeds 15 mph (25 km/h).
The 0011 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 0011seat
belt warning lamp, see "Warning and
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster,
seat belt" (Y page 242).
Emergency Tensioning Devices, belt
force limiters G
WARNING
Pyrotechnic ETDs that were activated must be
replaced.
For your safety, when disposing of the
pyrotechnic ETDs always follow our safety
instructions. These are available at any
authorized Mercedes-Ben zCenter.
! If the front-passenger seat is not
occupied, do not engage the seat belt
tongue in the buckle on the front-
passenger seat. Otherwise, the Emergency
Tensioning Device could be triggered in the
event of an accident.
The seat belts are equipped with Emergency
Tensioning Devices and belt force limiters.
The ETDs tighten the seat belts in an accident,
pulling them close against the body. Occupant safety
55Safety Z

is switched on. It goes out when the engine is
running.
Braking
X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking
situation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force.
If AB Sintervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indicatio nofhazardous road conditions, and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving. BAS (Brake Assist System)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
sectio n(Ypage 59). G
WARNING
If BASi s malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of an accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
BAS operates in emergency braking
situations. 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.B AS is deactivated.BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System Plus)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
sectio n(Ypage 59).
BASP LUS is only available in vehicles
equipped with DISTRONIC PLUS.
BAS PLUS provides braking assistance in
hazardous situations at speeds greater than 20 mph (30 km/h) and uses radar sensor
technology to assess the traffic situation.
With the help of the radars
ensor system, BAS
PLUS can detect obstacles that are in the
path of your vehicle for an extended period of
time.
At speeds up to 40 mph (70 km/h), BAS PLUS
may also detec tstationary 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 PLU Shas detected arisk of collision
Should you apply the brakes forcefully, BAS
PLUS will automatically increase the braking
force to a level suitable for the traffic
conditions.
If BAS PLUS demands particularly high
braking force, preventative passenger
protection measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) are
activated simultaneously.
X Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
BAS PLUS is deactivated and the brakes
function as usual, if:
R you release the brake pedal.
R there is no longer any dange rofarear-end
collision.
R no obstacle is detected in front of your
vehicle.
For BAS PLUS to assist you when driving, the
rada rsensor system must be:
R switched on (Y page 206)
R be operational (Y page 229)
If the radar sensor system is malfunctioning,
BASP LUS will not be available. The brake
system is still available with complete brake
boosting effect and BAS. G
WARNING
BAS PLUS cannot always clearly identify
objects and complex traffic situations. BAS 60
Driving safety systemsSafety

PLUS cannot intervene in these cases. There
is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R the possibility of strong radar reflections,
for example in parking garages
R a narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
R a vehicle traveling in frontonadifferent line
relative to the center of your vehicle 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 a risk of an
accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake.
Following damage to the fron tend of the
vehicle, have the configuratio nand operation
of the rada rsensors checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where there is no
visible damage to the fron tofthe vehicle.
i This device has been approved by the FCC
as a "VehicularR adar System". The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removing, altering or
tampering with the device will void any
warranties, and is no tpermitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use the
device in any non-approved way. Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment. ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 59). 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.
! 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
system.
When towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised, observe the notes on
ESP ®
(Y page 302).
ESP ®
is deactivated if the 0014warning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engin eis running.
If the 000C warning lamp and the 0014
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 246) and displaym essages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 212).
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
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. Driving safet
ysystems
61Safety Z

If ESP
®
intervenes, the 000CESP®
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 yourd riving style to suitt he
prevailing road and weather conditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 59).
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.
Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(except
AMG vehicles) i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 59). 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.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain. X
To switch off: press button0003.
The 0014 ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrumentc luster lights up.
X To switch on: press button0003.
The 0014 ESP®
OFF warning lamp 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. The engine starts automatically when
the drive rwants to pull away again .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.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
star tto spin, the 000CESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
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
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R traction control is still activated. 62
Driving safety systemsSafety

R
ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R engine torque is not limited and the drive
wheels are able to spin. Th espinning
wheels produce a cutting effec tfor better
traction.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(AMG
vehicles) Activating/deactivating SPORT handling
mode G
WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is activated,
there is a greater risk of skidding and
accidents.
Only activate SPORT handling mode in the
situations described in the following. X
To activate: briefly press button 0003.
The 0002 SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
The SPORT handling mode message
appears in the multifunction display.
SPORT handling mode is designed for
driving on designated roads when the
vehicle's own oversteering and
understeering characteristics are desired.
Driving in SPORT handling mode requires
an extremely qualified and experienced
driver who is able to cope with these critical
driving conditions.
X To deactivate: briefly press button 0003.
The 0002 SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster goes out. ESP
®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
It may be best to activate SPORT handling
mode in the following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one
or more wheels start to spin, the 000CESP®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes. ESP ®
only stabilizes the vehicle to a
limited degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
R ESP ®
only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
R engine torque is only restricted to a limited
degree, and the drive wheels are able to
spin. The spinning wheels produce a
cutting effect for better traction.
Vehicles with ECO start/stop function: the
ECO start/stop function switches the engine
off automatically when the vehicle comes to
a stop. The engine starts automatically when
the driver wants to pull away again. 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 ®
, 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.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain. Driving safety systems
63Safety Z

X
To deactivate: press button0003until the
0014 ESP®
OFF warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster.
The 000COFF message appears in the
multifunctio ndisplay.
Deactivate ESP ®
when driving on
designated roads when the vehicle's own
oversteering and understeering
characteristics are desired. Driving without
ESP ®
requires an extremely qualified and
experienced drive rwho is able to cope with
these critical driving conditions.
X To activate: briefly press button 0003.
The 0014 ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrumentc luster goes out. The 000CONmessage appears in the multifunction
display.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ESP ®
000C warning lamp in
the instrumen tcluster does not flash. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
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
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R traction control is still activated. R
PRE-SAFE ®
is no longer available, nor is it
activated if you brake firmly and ESP ®
intervenes.
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is no longer available, it
is also not activated if you brake firmly and
ESP ®
intervenes.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin .The spinning
wheels produce a cutting effect for better
traction.
Vehicles with ECO start/stop function: the
ECO start/stop function switches the engine
off automatically when the vehicle comes to
a stop. The engine starts automatically when
the driver wants to pull away again. 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. EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 59). 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 244) as well as
display messages (Y page 214).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking. 64
Driving safety systemsSafety