
Additional protection is provided by:
R SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
R NECK-PRO head restraints
R Air bag system components with:
-The 00730074indicator lamp
- Front-passenger seat with BabySmart™
air bag deactivation system
Although the systems are independent, their
protective functions work in conjunction with
each other. Not all air bags are always
deployed in an accident.
i Observe the additional information on
infants and children traveling with you in
the vehicle and restraint systems for
infants and children (Y page 54).SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Introduction 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 consists of:
R SRS warning lamps 0075
R Air bags
R Air bag control unit (with crash sensors)
R Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD) for
seat belts
R Seat belt force limiter
SRS warning lamp 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 0075 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
0075SRS indicator 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. Check 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. Occupant safety
39Safety
Z 

vehicle deceleration. In the first deployment
stage, the driver's air bag is filled with enough
propellant gas to reduce the risk of injuries.
The front-passenger front air bag, however, is
immediately filled with the maximum amount
of propellant gas. The driver's air bag is fully
deployed if a second deployment threshold is
exceeded within a few milliseconds.
The lighter the front passenger, the higher the
vehicle deceleration rate required (predicted
at the start of the impact) for triggering the
front-passenger front air bag.
The front air bags will not deploy in impacts
with vehicle deceleration or acceleration
rates which do not exceed the system’s
preset deployment thresholds for vehicle
deceleration or acceleration. You will then be
protected by the fastened seat belt.
Front-passenger front air bag 0044will only
deploy if:
R the front-passenger seat is occupied
R the 00730074 indicator lamp on the center
console is not lit (Y page 44)
R the impact exceeds a preset deployment
threshold
The front-passenger air bag is automatically
activated and deactivated. Both driver and
passenger should always check whether the
front-passenger air bag is activated or
deactivated.
The deployment of the driver's air bag does
not mean that the front-passenger air bag will
also deploy. If the system recognizes that the
front-passenger seat is empty, the front-
passenger air bag does not deploy even if the
impact fulfills the criteria and the driver's air
bag has deployed.
If the system detects that the front-passenger
seat is occupied, the 00730074indicator
lamp lights up for approximately six seconds
if:
R you turn the SmartKey to position 1or 2in
the ignition lock.
R the engine is running and then you switch
it off. This indicates the operational readiness of
the front-passenger air bag.
Note that objects placed on the front-
passenger seat may cause the system to
recognize the seat as occupied. This can
result in the deployment of the front-
passenger air bag if the impact fulfills the
specified criteria. If the
00730074indicator
lamp lights up, the front-passenger front air
bag is disabled and will not be deployed in
certain situations. If the 00730074indicator
lamp does not light up, the front-passenger
front air bag is enabled and can be deployed.
Window curtain air bags G
WARNING
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 40). Window curtain air bags
0043enhance the level
of protection for the head, but not chest or
arms, of the vehicle occupants on the side of
the vehicle on which the impact occurs.
Window curtain air bags 0043are integrated
into the side of the roof frame and deploy in
the area extending from the front door (A-
pillar) to the rear door (C-pillar).
Window curtain air bags 0043are deployed:
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, e.g. in a side impact
R regardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied Occupant safety
43Safety Z 

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 60). G
WARNING
If the ABS malfunctions, other driving systems
such as the BAS or the ESP ®
are also switched
off. Observe indicator and warning lamps that
may come on as well as messages in the
multifunction display that may appear.
If the ABS malfunctions, the wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing the steering
capability and extending the braking distance. G
WARNING
If ABS is 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.
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.
Provided that the differential locks are not
active, 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 0025ABS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the ignition
is switched on. It goes out when the engine is
running.
Braking If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal. 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.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions, and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.
Off-road ABS If the
LOW RANGE shift range is selected by
the transfer case, (Y page 194), an ABS
system specifically suited to off-road terrain
is automatically activated.
At speeds below 37 mph (60 km/h), the front
wheels lock cyclically during braking. The
digging-in effect achieved in the process
reduces the stopping distance on off-road
terrain. This limits steering capability. BAS (Brake Assist System)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 60). G
WARNING
If BAS is 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.
X Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. Driving safety systems
61Safety Z 

Adaptive brake lights
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 30 mph (50 km/h) or if braking is
assisted by BAS, the brake lamps flash
rapidly. In this way, traffic traveling behind
you is warned in an even more noticeable
manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 45 mph (70 km/h) to a standstill, the
hazard warning lamps are activated
automatically. If the brakes are applied again,
the brake lamps light up continuously. If you
drive faster than 6 mph (10 km/h), the hazard
warning lamps are deactivated automatically.
You can also switch off the hazard warning
lamps using the hazard warning button
(Y page 104). ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 60). 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 a two-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
®
monitors driving stability and traction.
Traction is the power transmission between
the tires and the road surface.
ESP ®
is deactivated if the 00BBwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running.
If the 00E5 warning lamp and the 00BB
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 247) and any display messages that
appear in the instrument cluster
(Y page 221).
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. If necessary, 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.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the 00E5warning 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.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
i If differential locks are switched on, ABS,
BAS and ESP ®
switch themselves off
automatically.
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP ®
. 62
Driving safety systemsSafety 

R
ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R and are driving above 37 mph (60 km/h)
(on AMG vehicles above 62 mph
(100 km/h)), ESP ®
still intervenes when
one wheel reaches its grip limit even
though it is switched off.
i If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the 00E5warning lamp
in the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the
vehicle.
i If you have switched off ESP ®
, it switches
on again automatically at speeds above
37 mph (60 km/h) (on AMG vehicles above
62 mph (100 km/h)) or if you have
exceeded a certain lateral acceleration.
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 your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
Trailer stabilization does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated because of a malfunction.
If your vehicle 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
detect if the 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). EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Ypage 60). 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 245) as well as
display messages (Y page 223).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking. ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE provides increased braking
safety. In addition to the braking function,
ADAPTIVE BRAKE also has the HOLD function
(Y page 188) and hill start assist
(Y page 141). Theft deterrent locking system
Immobilizer
X To activate: remove the SmartKey from
the ignition lock.
X To deactivate: switch on the ignition.
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct SmartKey.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. The
engine can be started by anyone with a valid
SmartKey that is left inside the vehicle.
i The immobilizer is always deactivated
when you start the engine. 64
Theft deterrent locking systemSafety 

Problems with the SmartKey
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions You cannot lock or
unlock the vehicle
using the SmartKey. The SmartKey battery is discharged or nearly discharged.
X
Point the tip of the SmartKey at the driver's door handle from a
distance of approximately 1.5 ft (50 cm) and try to unlock or
lock the vehicle again.
If this does not work:
X Check the SmartKey battery (Y page 70) and replace it if
necessary (Y page 71).
X Unlock (Y page 75) or lock (Y page 75) the vehicle using the
mechanical key. The SmartKey is faulty.
X
Lock or unlock the vehicle using the mechanical key
(Y page 75).
X Have the SmartKey checked at a qualified specialist workshop. You have lost a
SmartKey. X
Have the SmartKey deactivated at a qualified specialist
workshop.
X Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the locks changed as well. You have lost the
mechanical key. X
Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the locks changed as well. The engine cannot be
started using the
SmartKey. The SmartKey has been in position
0(Y page 139) for a
considerable time.
X Remove the SmartKey and reinsert it into the ignition lock.
X Start the engine. The on-board voltage is too low.
X Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. seat heating or interior
lighting, and try to turn the SmartKey again.
If this does not work:
X Check the battery and charge it if necessary (Y page 301).
or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 303).
or
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 72
SmartKeyOpening and closing 

X
Open the rear door.
X To switch off with the rear door open:
press lock 0043down in the direction of the
arrow until it engages.
The cargo compartment lamp is switched
off.
X To switch on with the rear door open:
press lock cylinder 0044on the door handle.
The cargo compartment lamp resumes its
normal function.
Rear interior lighting Front overhead control panel
0043
003D Switches the left-hand front reading
lamp on/off
0044 004A Switches the front interior lighting
on
0087 0041 Switches the cargo compartment
lamp/rear interior lighting on/off
0085 0033 Switches the front interior lighting/
automatic interior lighting control off 0083
003D Switches the right-hand reading
lamp on/off
0084 Switches the automatic interior lighting
control on
X To switch on/off: press the0041button.
i The rear interior lighting switches on
when you open a rear door. You will then
be unable to switch it off using the 0041
button.
Switch off the rear interior lighting if you
wish to leave the rear doors open for a
longer period. This prevents the battery
from discharging. Replacing bulbs
Important safety notes
G
DANGER
Xenon bulbs carry a high voltage. You could
get an electric shock and be seriously or even
fatally injured if you touch the electric
contacts on Xenon bulbs. Therefore, never
remove the cover from Xenon bulbs.
Do not change the Xenon bulbs yourself, but
have them replaced at a qualified workshop.
Xenon bulbs
If your vehicle is equipped with Xenon bulbs,
you can recognize this by the following: the
cone of light from the Xenon bulbs moves
from the top to the bottom and back again
when you start the engine. For this to be
observed, the lights must be switched on
before starting the engine.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly.
LED lamps
You can replace neither Xenon bulbs nor LED
bulbs. Have LED bulbs changed at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure 108
Replacing bulbsLights and windshield wipers 

X
Remove the SmartKey when the engine is
switched off.
The starter battery could otherwise be
discharged.
If you cannot turn the SmartKey in the ignition
lock, the starter battery may not be charged
sufficiently.
X Check the starter battery and charge it if
necessary (Y page 301).
or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 303).
i You can only remove the SmartKey if:
R the SmartKey is in position 0in the
ignition lock.
R the automatic transmission selector
lever is in P. Starting the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces
without sufficient ventilation. G
WARNING
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas (such
as a garage) which are not properly ventilated.
If you think that exhaust gas fumes are
entering the vehicle while driving, have the
cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times.
! Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine. Starting procedure X
Shift the automatic transmission to
position P.
The transmission position display in the
multifunction display shows P.
i For further information about the
automatic transmission, see
(Y page 145).
i If you depress the brake when starting the
engine, pedal travel is unusually long and
there is less pedal resistance.
X Make sure that the parking brake is
applied.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 3in the
ignition lock (Y page 139) and release it as
soon as the engine is running.
i You can also use the touch-start function.
To do this, turn the SmartKey to position 3
(Y page 139) and release it immediately.
The engine then starts automatically. Pulling away
Automatic transmission G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor
R, the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There
is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do
not simultaneously accelerate.
! Only shift the automatic transmission to
reverse gear Ror park position Pwhen the
vehicle is stationary. Otherwise, the
automatic transmission could be damaged.
! Do not depress the accelerator pedal
while depressing the brake pedal. This
impairs engine performance and results in
premature wear on the brake system and
drivetrain. 140
DrivingDriving and pa
rking