tentionally or fail to be deployed when
required. There is an increased risk of injury,
possibly even fatal.
Never modify safety belts, seat belt tension-
ers, seat belt anchorages and inertia reels.
Ensure that seat belts are not damaged or
worn and are clean. After an accident, have
the seat belts checked immediately at a quali- fied specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only use
seat belts which have been approved specifi-
cally for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz. Other-
wise, your vehicle's general operating permit
could be invalidated.
Correct seat belt use Pay attention to the safety notes about the seat
belt (Y page 38).
All vehicle occupants must fasten their seat
belts correctly before you start driving. You
must also make sure that all vehicle occupants
have fastened their seat belts correctly during
the journey.
When fastening your seat belt, always make
sure that:
R the seat belt tongue is inserted into the belt
buckle that belongs to the seat.
R the seat belt is tightened across your body.
Avoid wearing bulky clothing, e.g. a winter
coat.
R the seat belt is not twisted.
Only then can the forces which occur be dis-
tributed over the area of the belt.
R the shoulder section of the belt is routed
across the centre of your shoulder.
The shoulder section of the belt must not
come into contact with your neck or be routed
under your arm.
R The lap belt must be taut and as low as pos-
sible over your lap.
The lap belt must always be routed across
your hip joints and not across your abdomen.
Pregnant women must take particular care
with this. If necessary, push the lap belt down to your hip joint and pull it tight using the
shoulder section of the belt.
R The seat belt is not routed over sharp, pointed
or fragile objects. If such objects are located on or in your cloth-
ing, e.g. pens, keys, spectacles, etc. stow
these in a suitable location.
R Only one person should use each seat belt at
any one time.
Babies and children must never travel sitting
on the lap of another vehicle occupant. In the
event of an accident, they could be crushed
between the vehicle occupant and seat belt.
R Do not secure any objects with a seat belt if
the seat belt is being used by one of the vehi- cle's occupants.
Also ensure that no objects are placed
between a person and the seat. e.g. a cush-
ion.
Seat belts are solely intended to secure and
restrain persons. To secure objects, luggage or
loads, always observe the "Loading guidelines"
(Y page 265).
Fastening a seat belt Observe the safety notes on the seat belt
(Y
page 38) and the information on the correct
use of the seat belt (Y page 39). G
WARNING
If the seat-belt extender extends during the
journey, the seat belt is not sitting correctly
across your body. The seat belt then cannot
perform its intended protective function.
There is an increased risk of injury, possibly
even fatal.
During a journey, make sure that the seat-belt extender is retracted. The seat-belt extender for the driver and front
passenger helps you fasten your seat belt. Seat- belt extender =is extended when the respec- Occupant safety
39Safety Z
tive door is closed and the key is turned to posi-
tion 1or 2in the ignition lock. You can also extend seat-belt extender
=with
seat-belt extender button ?.
X Press seat-belt extender button ?.
Seat-belt extender =extends.
Seat-belt extender =is retracted again if:
R the belt tongue is engaged in the seat belt
buckle
R the belt tongue is not engaged in the seat belt
buckle within 60 seconds
R the respective door is opened
R the key is turned to position 0in the ignition
lock
R you release the seat backrest and fold it for-
wards
R the front-passenger seat remains unoccupied
after approximately five seconds
If you press seat-belt extender button ?after
this, seat-belt extender =will not extend. Basic illustration X
Adjust the seat (Y page 93).
The seat backrest must be in an almost ver-
tical position.
X Pull the seat belt smoothly out of seat-belt
extender =and engage belt tongue ;into
belt buckle :.
The seat belt on the driver's seat and the
front-passenger seat may be tightened auto-
matically, see "Belt adjustment"
(Y page 40).
X If necessary, pull upwards on the shoulder
section of the seat belt to tighten the belt
across your body.
In order to attach the child restraint system
securely in the vehicle, the seat belts in the rear
are equipped with a child seat lock. You can find
further information under "Child seat lock"
(Y page 48).
Automatic comfort-fit feature The front seat belts have an automatic comfort-
fit feature. The automatic comfort-fit feature
reduces the retraction force of the seat belts.
The seat belts are thus routed more comfortably for the driver and front passenger.
Releasing the 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 fulfil their protective function
and must be replaced. Visit a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
X Press release button in belt buckle, hold belt
tongue firmly and guide the seat belt back.
Seat belt adjustment The seat-belt adjustment is an integral part of
the PRE-SAFE
®
convenience function. This func-
tion adjusts the driver's and front-passenger
seat belt to the upper body of the occupants.
The belt strap is tightened slightly when:
R with a retracted seat-belt extender, the seat
belt tongue is engaged in the belt buckle and
R the ignition is switched on
The seat-belt adjustment will apply a certain
tightening force if any slack is detected between
the vehicle occupant and the seat belt. Do not 40
Occupant safetySafety
hold on to the seat belt tightly while it is adjust-
ing.
You can switch the seat-belt adjustment on and
off in the on-board computer (Y page 220).
Belt warning for the driver and front
passenger The
7 seat belt warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster is a reminder that all vehicle occu-
pants must wear their seat belts. It may light up
continuously or flash. In addition, a warning tone may sound.
The 7 seat belt warning lamp goes out and
the warning tone ceases when the driver and the
front passenger have fastened their seat belts.
i More information on the
7seat belt
warning lamp can be found under "Warning
and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster,
seat belt" (Y page 247).
Rear seat belt status indicator The seat belt on the left rear seat, when viewed
in the direction of travel, is not fastened. (Exam- ple)
The rear seat belt status indicator is only avail-
able for certain countries.
The rear seat belt status indicator shows which rear seat belt is not fastened.
Hiding the rear seat belt status indicator imme-
diately (Y page 222). Airbags
Introduction The installation location of an airbag is identified
by the AIRBAG symbol.
An airbag supplements a correctly worn seat
belt. It is not a replacement for the seat belt. The airbag offers additional protection in corre-
sponding accident situations. Not all airbags are deployed in an accident. The
different airbag systems work independently of
each other (Y page 44).
However, no system available today can com-
pletely eliminate injuries and fatalities.
It is also not possible to completely rule out a
risk of injury caused by an airbag due to the
speed at which the airbag must be deployed.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you deviate from the correct seat position,
the airbag cannot perform its intended pro-
tective function and can even cause addi-
tional injuries when deployed. There is an
increased risk of serious or even fatal injuries. In order to avoid such risks, always ensure
that all vehicle occupants:
R fasten their seatbelts correctly, including
pregnant women
R are seated correctly and maintain the fur-
thest possible distance from the airbags
R observe the following notes
Always ensure that there are no objects loca-
ted between the airbag and the vehicle occu-
pant.
R Adjust the seats properly before beginning
your journey. Always make sure that the seat
is in an almost upright position. The centre of
the head restraint must support the head at
about eye level.
R Move the driver's and front-passenger seats
as far back as possible. The driver's seat posi-
tion must allow the vehicle to be driven safely.
R Only hold the steering wheel on the outside.
This allows the airbag to be fully deployed.
R Always lean against the backrest while driv-
ing. Do not lean forwards or lean against the
door or side window. You may otherwise be in
the deployment area of the airbags.
R Always keep your feet in the footwell in front
of the seat. Do not put your feet on the dash-
board, for example. Your feet may otherwise
be in the deployment area of the airbag.
R Always secure persons less than 1.50 mtall in
suitable restraint systems. Up to this height,
the seat belt cannot be worn correctly. Occupant safety
41Safety Z
If a child is travelling in your vehicle, also
observe the following notes:
R Always secure children under twelve years of
age and less than 1.50 mtall in suitable child
restraint systems.
R Child restraint systems should be fitted to the
rear seats.
R Only secure a child to the front-passenger
seat when the front-passenger front airbag is
disabled, and only then in a rearward-facing
child restraint system. If the PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp is permanently lit, the
front-passenger front airbag is disabled
(Y page 37).
R Always observe the instructions and safety
notes on "Children in the vehicle"
(Y page 47) and on the "Child restraint sys-
tem on the front-passenger seat"
(Y page 52) in addition to the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation and oper-
ating instructions.
Objects in the vehicle interior may prevent
the airbag from functioning correctly. Before
starting your journey and to avoid risks resulting from the speed of the airbag as it deploys, make
sure that:
R there are no people, animals or objects
between the vehicle occupants and an airbag.
R there are no objects between the seat, door
and B-pillar.
R no hard objects, e.g. coat hangers, are hang-
ing on the grab handles or coat hooks.
R no accessories, such as cup holders, are
attached to the vehicle within the deployment
area of an airbag, e.g. to doors, side windows, rear side trim or side walls.
R no heavy, sharp-edged or fragile objects are in
the pockets of your clothing. Store such
objects in a suitable place. G
WARNING
If you modify an airbag cover or affix objects
such as stickers to it, the airbag can no longer function correctly. There is an increased risk
of injury.
Never modify an airbag cover or affix objects
to it. G
WARNING
Sensors to control the airbags are located in
the doors. Modifications or work not per- formed correctly to the doors or door panel-
ling, as well as damaged doors, can lead to the function of the sensors being impaired. The
airbags might therefore not function properly any more. Consequently, the airbags cannot
protect vehicle occupants as they are
designed to do. This poses an increased risk
of injury.
Never modify the doors or parts of the doors.
Always have work on the doors or door pan-
elling carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Front airbags Driver's airbag
:deploys in front of the steer-
ing wheel. Front-passenger front airbag ;
deploys in front of and above the glove com-
partment.
When deployed, the front airbags offer addi-
tional head and thorax protection for the occu-
pants in the front seats.
A permanently lit PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp informs you that the front-
passenger front airbag is disabled (Y page 37).
Driver's kneebag 42
Occupant safetySafety
PRE-SAFE
®
PLUS (anticipatory occu-
pant protection PLUS)
Introduction PRE-SAFE
®
PLUS is only available in vehicles
with the Driving Assistance package.
Using the radar sensor system, PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS is able to detect that a head-on or rear-end collision is imminent. In certain hazardous sit-
uations, PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS takes pre-emptive
measures to protect the vehicle occupants.
Important safety notes The intervention of PRE-SAFE
®
PLUS cannot
prevent an imminent collision.
The driver is not warned before the intervention
of PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS.
PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS does not intervene:
R if the vehicle is reversing
R when the vehicle is towing a trailer and there
is a risk of a rear-end collision
When driving, or when parking or exiting a park- ing space with assistance from Active Parking
Assist, PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS will not apply the
brakes.
Function PRE-SAFE
®
PLUS intervenes in certain situa-
tions if the radar sensor system detects an
imminent head-on or rear-end collision.
PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS takes the following measures
depending on the hazardous situation detected:
R if the radar sensor system detects that a
head-on collision is imminent, the seat belts
are pre-tensioned
R if the radar sensor system detects that a rear-
end collision is imminent:
- the rear hazard warning lamps are activa-
ted and flash at a higher frequency
- the brake pressure is increased if the driver
applies the brakes when the vehicle is sta-
tionary
- the seat belts are pre-tensioned The PRE-SAFE
®
PLUS braking application is can-
celled:
R if the accelerator pedal is depressed when a
gear is engaged
R if the risk of a collision passes or is no longer
detected
R if DISTRONIC PLUS indicates an intention to
pull away
If the hazardous situation passes without result- ing in an accident, the original settings are
restored. Automatic measures after an acci-
dent
Immediately after an accident, the following
measures may be implemented, depending on
the type and severity of the impact:
R the hazard warning lamps are activated
R the emergency lighting is activated
R the vehicle doors are unlocked
R the front side windows are lowered
R vehicles with a memory function: the electri-
cally adjustable steering wheel is raised
R the engine is switched off and the fuel supply
is cut off
R vehicles with the Mercedes-Benz emergency
call system: automatic emergency call Children in the vehicle
Important safety notes
Accident statistics show that children secured
in the rear seats are safer than children secured in the front seats. For this reason, Mercedes-
Benz strongly advises that you fit a child
restraint system on a rear seat. Children are
generally better protected there.
If a child younger than twelve years old and
under 1.50 m in height is travelling in the vehi-
cle:
R always secure the child in a child restraint
system suitable for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
The child restraint system must be appropri-
ate to the age, weight and size of the child.
R be sure to observe the instructions and safety
notes in this section in addition to the child
restraint system manufacturer's installation
instructions. Children in the vehicle
47Safety Z
G
WARNING
If you leave children unattended in the vehi-
cle, they may be able to set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake
R shift the automatic transmission out of park
position Por shift manual transmission into
neutral
R start the engine
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. 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 unattended in the vehicle. G
WARNING
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. G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is placed in direct sunlight, the parts could become very hot.
Children could be suffer burns by touching
these parts, in particular on the metallic parts
of the child restraint system. There is a risk of injury.
If you and your child leave the vehicle, always
make sure that the child restraint system is
not in direct sunlight. Cover it with a blanket, for example. If the child restraint system has
been exposed to direct sunlight, leave it to
cool down before securing the child in it.
Never leave children unattended in the vehi-
cle.
Always ensure that all vehicle occupants have
their seat belts fastened correctly and are sitting
properly. Particular attention must be paid to
children.
Observe the safety notes on the seat belt
(Y page 38) and the notes on how to use the seat
belt properly (Y page 39). Child seat lock
G
WARNING
If the seat belt is released while driving, the
child restraint system will no longer be
secured properly. The child seat lock is disa-
bled and the inertia real draws in a portion of
the seat belt. The seat belt cannot be imme-
diately refastened. There is an increased risk
of injury, possibly even fatal.
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying atten-
tion to road and traffic conditions. Reactivate the child seat lock and secure the child
restraint system properly.
The rear seat belts are equipped with a child
seat lock. When enabled, the child seat lock
function ensures that the seat belt does not
slacken once the child restraint system is
secured.
Installing a child restraint system:
X Always comply with the child restraint system
manufacturer's installation instructions.
X Pull the seat belt smoothly out the belt outlet.
X Engage the seat belt tongue in the belt buckle.
Activating the child seat lock: X Pull the seat belt out fully and let the inertia
reel retract it again.
While the seat belt is retracting, you should
hear a ratcheting sound. The child seat lock
function is enabled.
X Push the child seat restraint system down so
that the seat belt is tight and does not loosen.
Removing a child restraint system and deacti-
vating the child seat lock:
X Always comply with the child restraint system
manufacturer's installation instructions.
X Press the release button of the belt buckle,
hold the belt tongue firmly and guide it back
towards the belt outlet.
The child seat lock function is deactivated. Child restraint system
Be sure to observe the correct use of the child
restraint system (Y page 55).
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use a child restraint system 48
Children in the vehicleSafety
recommended by Mercedes-Benz
(Y
page 58). G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is incorrectly fit-
ted on the seat position suitable for this pur-
pose, it cannot perform its intended protec-
tive function. In the event of an accident,
sharp braking or a sudden change in direction, the child may not be held securely. There is an
increased risk of serious or even fatal injuries.
Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions and the correct use for the child
restraint system. Make sure that the entire
surface of the child restraint system is resting
on the seat surface. Never place objects
under or behind the child restraint system,
e.g. cushions. Only use child restraint sys-
tems with the original cover designed for
them. Only replace damaged covers with gen- uine covers. G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is fitted incor-
rectly or is not secured, it can come loose in
the event of an accident, heavy braking or a
sudden change in direction. The child
restraint system could be thrown about, strik- ing vehicle occupants. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always fit child restraint systems properly,
even if they are not being used. Make sure
that you observe the child restraint system
manufacturer's installation instructions.
You will find further information on stowing
objects, luggage and loads securely under
"Loading guidelines" (Y page 265).G
WARNING
Child restraint systems or their securing sys-
tems that have been damaged or subjected to a load in an accident cannot perform their
intended protective function. In the event of
an accident, sharp braking or a sudden
change in direction, the child may not be held securely. There is an increased risk of serious
or even fatal injuries. Immediately replace child restraint systems
that have been damaged or subjected to a
load in an accident. Have the child restraint
securing systems checked in a qualified spe-
cialist workshop before fitting a child restraint
system again.
Securing systems for child restraint systems
include:
R the seat belt system
R the ISOFIX securing rings
R Top Tether anchorage points
If it is absolutely necessary to fit a child restraint system on the co-driver's seat, be sure to
observe the notes on "Child restraint systems
on the co-driver's seat" (Y page 52). Informa-
tion about deactivating the co-driver's front air- bag can also be found there.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle inte-
rior and on the child restraint system.
i It is advisable to use Mercedes-Benz care
products to clean child restraint systems rec-
ommended by Mercedes-Benz. You can
obtain information at a qualified specialist
workshop. ISOFIX child seat securing system
G
WARNING
ISOFIX child restraint systems do not offer
sufficient protective effect for children whose weight is greater than 22 kg who are securedusing 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.
Always observe the notes on using the child
restraint system (Y page 55) as well as the
installation and operating instructions provided
by the manufacturer for the child restraint sys-
tem being used. Children in the vehicle
49Safety Z
Before each journey, make sure that the ISOFIX
child restraint system is properly engaged in
both ISOFIX securing rings. X
Press the upholstery over both the slots
above ISOFIX retaining loops :to the side.
X Install the ISOFIX child restraint system on
both ISOFIX securing rings :.
ISOFIX is a standardised securing system for
special child restraint systems on the rear seats. ISOFIX securing rings for two ISOFIX child
restraint systems are fitted on the left and right
of the rear seats.
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of the lis-
ted ISOFIX child restraint systems together with the insertion guides included (Y page 58).
Using insertion guides makes it easier to fit ISO-
FIX child restraint systems.
Secure child restraint systems without an ISO-
FIX child seat securing system using the seat
belts in the vehicle. Always observe the notes on using the child restraint system (Y page 55) as
well as the installation and operating instruc-
tions provided by the manufacturer for the child
restraint system being used. Top Tether
Introduction Top Tether provides an additional connection
between the child restraint system secured with
ISOFIX and the vehicle. It helps reduce the risk
of injury even further. If the child restraint sys-
tem is fitted with a Top Tether belt, this should
always be used. Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the rear seat backrests are not locked, they
could fold forwards in the event of an acci-
dent, heavy braking or sudden changes of
direction. As a result, child restraint systems
cannot perform their intended protective
function. Rear seat backrests that are not
locked can also cause additional injuries, e.g. in the event of an accident. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Always lock rear seat backrests after fitting a Top Tether belt. Observe the lock verificationindicator. Adjust the rear seat backrests so
that they are in an upright position.
If the rear seat backrest is not engaged and
locked, this will be shown in the multifunction
display in the instrument cluster. An additional
warning tone sounds.
Top Tether anchorage points The Top Tether anchorage points are fitted in the
rear compartment behind the head restraints. Example: Top Tether belt with one belt strap50
Children in the vehicleSafety