If the restraint system control unit detects a
high accident severity, additional compo-
nents of the restraint system are activated
independently of one another in certain fron- tal collision situations:
R Front air bags and driver's knee bag
R Windowbag, if the system determines that
it can offer additional protection to that
provided by the seat belt
Depending on the person occupying the front-
passenger seat, the front-passenger air bag is activated or deactivated. The front-passenger front air bag can only be deployed in an acci-
dent if the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indica-
tor lamp is off. Observe the information on the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
(Y page 45).
Your vehicle has two-stage front air bags.
During the first deployment stage, the front
air bag fills with propellant gas which reduces
the risk of injury. The second stage is then
triggered within milliseconds, filling the front
air bag with the maximum amount of propel-
lant gas.
The deployment thresholds for the Emer-
gency Tensioning Devices and air bags are
calculated on the basis of the vehicle decel-
eration or acceleration occurring at various
points in the vehicle. This process is pre-emp- tive in nature. The air bag must be deployed
on time, at the start of the collision.
The rate of vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion and the direction of the force are essen-
tially determined by:
R distribution of the force during the impact
R collision angle
R deformation characteristics of the vehicle
R characteristics of the object with which the
vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after the collision has occurred do not play a
decisive role in the deployment of an airbag,
nor do they provide an indication of air bag
deployment. The vehicle may be considerably deformed
without an air bag being deployed. This is the
case if only relatively easily deformable parts
have been hit and a high rate of deceleration
has not been reached. Conversely, an air bag may be deployed even though the vehicle suf-
fers only minor deformation. This is the case
if, for example, very rigid vehicle parts such as
the longitudinal body members are hit in an
accident and the rate of deceleration is suffi-
cient.
If the restraint system control unit detects a
side impact or an overturn situation, the rel-
evant restraint system components are acti-
vated independently of one another depend-
ing on the apparent type of accident. If addi-
tional protection for the vehicle occupants is determined in this situation, the belt tension-
ers are also triggered.
R Side impact air bags on the side of the col-
lision, regardless of Emergency Tensioning
Device and use of the seat belt on the driv-
er's side and the outer seats on the second row
The sidebag on the front-passenger side
deploys under the following conditions:
- the OCS system detects that the front-
passenger seat is occupied or
- the belt tongue has engaged in the belt
buckle of the front-passenger seat.
R Window curtain air bag on the side of the
collision, regardless of seat belt use and
whether front-passenger seat is occupied
R Windowbags on the driver's and front-
passenger sides in certain overturn situa-
tions if the system determines that they
can offer additional protection to that pro-
vided by the seat belt
i Not all air bags are deployed in an acci-
dent. The various air bag systems work
independently of each other. Occupant safety
59Safety Z
Flexible Fuel vehicles can be refueled with the
following fuel types:
R premium-grade unleaded gasoline
R E85 fuel
R a mixture of E85 fuel and premium-grade
unleaded gasoline
i Flexible Fuel vehicles can be recognized
by the Ethanol up to E85 sticker on the
inside of the fuel filler flap.
Fuel consumption
The energy content of E85 fuel is less than
that of the same amount of premium-grade
gasoline. The amount of fuel consumed when operating the vehicle with E85 fuel is there-
fore higher than with premium-grade gaso-
line.
Maintenance
Inform your authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter that you are operating or have operated
the vehicle with E85 fuel.
Low outside temperatures
If the outside temperature is below 32 ‡
(0 †), the starting procedure can take notice-
ably longer when operating with E85 fuel.
E85 fuel is not suitable for use at outside
temperatures under -4 ‡ (-20 †). DEF
Important safety notes Comply with the important safety notes for
service products when handling DEF
(Y
page 447).
DEF is a water-soluble fluid for the exhaust
gas aftertreatment of diesel engines. It is:
R not poisonous
R colorless and odorless
R not flammable
When you open the DEF container, small
amounts of ammonia vapor may be released. Ammonia vapors have a pungent odor and are
particularly irritating to the skin, to mucous
membranes and to the eyes. You may expe-
rience a burning sensation in your eyes, nose and throat. Coughing and watering of the
eyes are possible.
Do not inhale ammonia vapors. Fill the DEF
tank only in well-ventilated areas.
Low outside temperatures DEF freezes at a temperature of approx-
imately 12
‡(-11 †). The vehicle is delivered
from the factory equipped with a DEF pre-
heating system. Winter operation can thus be
guaranteed even at temperatures below 12 ‡
(-11 †).
Additives !
Only use DEF in accordance with ISO
22241. Do not use additives with DEF and
do not dilute DEF with water. This may
destroy the BlueTEC exhaust gas after-
treatment system.
Purity !
Impurities in DEF (e.g. due to other ser-
vice products, cleaning agents or dust) lead to:
R increased emission values
R damage to the catalytic converter
R engine damage
R malfunctions in the BlueTEC exhaust gas
aftertreatment system
Assuring the purity of DEF is particularly
important with respect to avoiding malfunc-
tions in the BlueTEC exhaust gas aftertreat-
ment system.
If DEF is pumped out of the DEF tank, e.g.
during repair work, it must not be returned to the tank. The purity of the fluid can no longer
be guaranteed. Service products and filling capacities
451Technical data Z
