Deployment of belt tensioners and air-
bags
Important safety notes G
WARNING
After the airbag deploys, the airbag parts are
hot. There is a risk of injury.
Do not touch the airbag parts. Have a
deployed airbag replaced at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop as soon as possible. G
WARNING
Pyrotechnic seat belt tensioners that have
been deployed are no longer operational and
are unable to perform their intended protec-
tive function. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
Therefore, have pyrotechnic belt tensioners
which have been triggered immediately
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
the vehicle towed to a qualified specialist
workshop after an accident. Take this into
account, particularly if a seat belt tensioner
was triggered or an airbag was deployed.
An electric motor is used by PRE-SAFE ®
to
trigger the tightening of the seat belt in haz-
ardous situations. This procedure is reversi-
ble.
If the belt tensioners are triggered or an air-
bag is deployed, you will hear a bang, and a
small amount of powder may also be
released. The 6restraint system warning
lamp lights up.
Only in rare cases will the bang affect your
hearing. In general, the powder released is
not hazardous to health but may cause short- term breathing difficulties to persons suffer-
ing from asthma or other pulmonary condi-
tions. Provided it is safe to do so, you should
leave the vehicle immediately or open the
window in order to prevent breathing difficul- ties. Operation During the first stage of a collision, the
restraint system control unit evaluates impor-
tant physical data relating to vehicle deceler-
ation or acceleration, such as:
R duration
R direction
R intensity
Based on the evaluation of this data, the
restraint system control unit triggers the seat
belt tensioners in the event of a head-on or
rear collision.
A seat belt tensioner can only be triggered if:
R the ignition is switched on
R the components of the restraint system are
operational; see "Restraint system warning
lamp" (Y page 43)
R the belt tongue has engaged in the belt
buckle of the respective front seat
The seat belt tensioners in the rear compart-
ment are triggered independently of the lock
status of the seat belts.
If the restraint system control unit detects a
high severity of an accident, in certain head-
on collisions, additional components of the
restraint system are deployed independently
of each other:
R Front airbags and driver's kneebag
R Windowbag, if the system determines that
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
On vehicles with the automatic front-
passenger front airbag deactivation system:
depending on the person in the front-
passenger seat, the front-passenger front air-
bag is either disabled or enabled. The front-
passenger front airbag can only be deployed
in an accident if the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp is lit. Observe the information
on the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps
(Y page 43).
Your vehicle has two-stage front airbags. In
the first deployment stage, the front airbag is
filled with propellant gas to reduce the risk of Occupant safety
57Safety Z
injuries. The front airbag is fully deployed if
the second deployment stage is activated
within a few milliseconds.
The activation threshold for the seat belt ten-
sioners and airbags is determined based on
the evaluation of the vehicle's rate of decel-
eration or acceleration at various points in the vehicle. This process is pre-emptive in nature.The triggering/deployment process should
take place in good 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 the distribution of forces during the colli-
sion
R the collision angle
R the deformation characteristics of the vehi-
cle
R the characteristics of the object with which
the vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after a collision has occurred do not play a
decisive role in the deployment of an airbag,
nor do they provide an indication of airbag
deployment.
The vehicle may be deformed significantly
without an airbag being deployed. This is the
case if only parts which are relatively easily
deformed are affected and the rate of decel-
eration is not high. Conversely, an airbag may be deployed even though the vehicle suffers
only minor deformation. This is the case if, for
example, very rigid vehicle parts such as lon-
gitudinal body members are hit, and sufficient deceleration occurs as a result.
If the restraint system control unit detects a
side impact or if the vehicle overturns, the
applicable components of the restraint sys-
tem are activated independently of each
other depending on the apparent type of acci-
dent.
R Sidebags on the side on which an impact
occurs, independent from the seat belt ten-
sioner and seat belt usage Vehicles with the automatic front-
passenger airbag deactivation system: the
sidebag on the front-passenger side
deploys under the following conditions:
- an occupant is detected on the front-
passenger seat or
- the belt tongue is engaged in the belt
buckle of the front-passenger seat
R Windowbag on the side on which an impact
occurs, independent of seat belt usage and
regardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied
R Seat belt tensioners, if the system deter-
mines that deployment can offer additional
protection for the vehicle occupants in this situation
R Windowbags on the driver's and front-
passenger side in certain situations if the
vehicle overturns and if the system deter-
mines that deployment can offer additional
protection to that provided by the seat belt
i Not all airbags are deployed in an acci-
dent. The different airbag systems work
independently of each other.
How the airbag system works is deter-
mined by the severity of the accident detec- ted, especially the vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, and the apparent type of acci- dent:
R frontal collision
R side impact
R overturn PRE-SAFE
®
(anticipatory occupant
protection)
Introduction In certain hazardous situations, PRE-SAFE
®
takes pre-emptive measures to protect the
vehicle occupants. 58
Occupant safetySafety
PRE-SAFE
®
PLUS takes the following meas-
ures 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 acti-
vated and flash at a higher frequency
- the brake pressure is increased if the
driver applies the brakes when the vehi-
cle is stationary
- the seat belts are pre-tensioned
The PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS braking application is
cancelled:
R if the accelerator pedal is depressed when
a gear is engaged
R if the risk of a collision passes or is no lon-
ger detected
R if DISTRONIC PLUS indicates an intention
to pull away
If the hazardous situation passes without
resulting in an accident, the original settings
are restored. Automatic measures after an acci-
dent
Immediately after an accident, the following
measures are 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 the electrically adjustable steering wheel is
raised
R the engine is switched off and the fuel sup-
ply is cut off
R vehicles with the Mercedes-Benz emer-
gency 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 chil-
dren secured in the front-passenger seat. For this reason, Mercedes-Benz strongly advises
that you install a child restraint system on a
rear seat. Children are generally better pro-
tected there.
If a child younger than twelve years old and
under 1.50 m in height is travelling in the
vehicle:
R always secure the child in a child restraint
system suitable for Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cles. The child restraint system must be
appropriate 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.
R always pay attention to the instructions
and safety notes on the automatic front-
passenger front airbag deactivation system (Y page 51). 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 P
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 60
Children in the vehicleSafety
Please observe the warning notice on the
front-passenger sun visor, see the illustra-
tion. G
WARNING
If you secure a child on the co-driver's seat in a rearward-facing child restraint system and
the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp
lights up, the co-driver's airbag could be
deployed in the event of an accident. The childcould be struck by the airbag. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
In this case, always ensure that the co-driver's
airbag is disabled. The PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF indicator lamp must light up.
NEVER use a rearward facing child restraint
on a seat protected by an ACTIVE AIRBAG in
front of it; DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the
CHILD can occur.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp
is lit, the front-passenger front airbag is ena-
bled (Y page 43).
Vehicles without the automatic front-
passenger front airbag deactivation
system If the front-passenger seat of your vehicle is
not equipped with the automatic front-
passenger front airbag deactivation system,
this is indicated by a special sticker. The
sticker is affixed to the side of the dashboard
on the front-passenger side. The sticker is
visible when you open the front-passenger
door. Always fit the rearward-facing restraint sys-
tem to a suitable rear seat in this case
(Y
page 65).
Observe the following information under
"Rearward-facing child restraint system" and
"Forward-facing child restraint system" as
well as information on the suitable position-
ing of the child restraint system
(Y page 65).
Rearward-facing child restraint system If it is absolutely necessary to fit a rearward-
facing child restraint system to the front-
passenger seat, always make sure that the
front-passenger front airbag is disabled. Only
if the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is lit continuously (Y page 43) is the
front-passenger front airbag disabled.
Always observe the information on suitable
positioning of the child restraint system
(Y page 65) in addition to the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation and oper-
ating instructions.
Forward-facing child restraint system If you secure a child in a forward-facing child
restraint system on the front-passenger seat,
always move the front-passenger seat as far
back as possible. Fully retract the seat cush-
ion length. The entire base of the child
restraint system must always rest on the seat cushion of the front-passenger seat. The
backrest of the child restraint system must,
as far as possible, lie flat against the backrest
of the front-passenger seat. The child
restraint system must not touch the roof or be
put under strain by the head restraint. Adjust the angle of the seat backrest and the head
restraint position accordingly. Always make
sure that the shoulder belt strap is correctly
routed from the front-passenger seat-belt
extender to the shoulder belt guide on the
child restraint system. The shoulder belt strap
must be routed forwards from the retracted
seat-belt extender for the front-passenger
seat. 64
Children in the vehicleSafety
Suitability of the seats for attaching belt-secured child restraint systems
If you use a baby car seat of category 0 or 0+ or a rearward-facing child restraint system of
category I on a rear seat, you must adjust the driver's or front-passenger seat so that the seat
does not touch the child restraint system.
Always observe the notes in the "Child restraint system" section (Y page 61) and the child
restraint system manufacturer's installation instructions.
Legend for the table:
XS eat which is unsuitable for children in this weight category.
US uitable for child restraint systems in the "Universal" category that are approved for use
in this weight category.
UF Suitable for forward-facing child restraint systems that belong to the "Universal" category and are approved for use in this weight category.
LS uitable for child restraint systems as recommended; see the "Recommended child
restraint systems" table (Y page 68). Suitable for semi-universal child restraint systems
if the vehicle and the seat are listed in the child restraint system manufacturer's vehicle
model list. Weight category Front-passenger seat Rear seat
Front-
passenger
front airbag enabled Front-
passenger
front airbag
deactivated 1 Left, right
0
up to 10 kg X U, L U
0+
up to 13 kg X U, L U
I
9 kg to 18 kg UF, L U, L U
II
15 kg to 25 kg UF, L U, L U
III
22 kg to 36 kg UF, L U, L U
Suitability of the seats for attaching ISOFIX child restraint systems
If you use a baby car seat of category 0 or 0+ or a rearward-facing child restraint system of
category I on a rear seat, you must adjust the driver's or front-passenger seat so that the seat
does not touch the child restraint system.
Always observe the notes in the "Child restraint system" section (Y page 61) and the child
restraint system manufacturer's installation instructions.
1 The vehicle is equipped with an automatic front-passenger front airbag deactivation system. The PASSENGER
AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp must be lit. 66
Children in the vehicleSafety
Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all mod-
els, series and optional equipment for your
vehicle that were available at the time of
going to press. National variations are pos- sible. Note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all of the functions descri-
bed. This is also the case for systems and
functions relevant to safety.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: (Y page 26). Correct driver's seat position
G
WARNING
You could lose control of the vehicle while
driving if you:
R adjust the driver's seat, steering wheel or
mirrors
R fasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirrors and fasten your seat
belt before starting the engine. X
Observe the safety guidelines on seat
adjustment (Y page 109).
X Make sure that seat =is correctly adjus-
ted (Y page 110).
When adjusting the seat, make sure that:
R you are as far away from the driver's airbag
as possible
R you are sitting in a normal upright position
R you can fasten the seat belt properly
R you have moved the backrest to an almost
vertical position
R you have set the seat angle so that your
thighs are gently supported
R you can depress the pedals properly
X Check whether the head restraint is adjus-
ted correctly.
When doing so, make sure that you have
adjusted the head restraint so that the back
of your head is supported at eye level by the centre of the head restraint.
X Observe the safety guidelines on steering
wheel adjustment (Y page 116).
X Make sure that steering wheel :is adjus-
ted correctly (Y page 116).
When adjusting the steering wheel, make
sure that:
R you can hold the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent
R you can move your legs freely
R you can see all the displays in the instru-
ment cluster clearly
X Observe the safety guidelines for seat belts
(Y page 44).
X Check whether you have fastened seat
belt ;properly (Y page 46).
The seat belt should:
R fit snugly across your body
R be routed across the middle of your shoul-
der
R be routed across your hips in the pelvic
area
X Before starting off, adjust the rear-view mir-
ror and the exterior mirrors so that you 108
Correct driver's seat positionSeats, steering wheel and mirrors
have a good view of road and traffic condi-
tions (Y page 120).
X Store the seat, steering wheel and exterior
mirror settings using the memory function
(Y page 123). Seats
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If children adjust the seats, they could
become trapped, especially if they are unat-
tended. There is a risk of injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave
children unattended in the vehicle.
The seats can still be adjusted when there is
no key in the ignition lock. G
WARNING
When adjusting a seat, you or another vehicle occupant could become trapped by the guiderail of the seat, for instance. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure that no one has any part of their
body within the sweep of the seat when
adjusting it.
Observe the safety notes on "Airbags"
(Y page 48) and "Children in the Vehicle"
(Y page 60). G
WARNING
You could lose control of the vehicle while
driving if you:
R adjust the driver's seat, steering wheel or
mirrors
R fasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirrors and fasten your seat
belt before starting the engine. G
WARNING
If you adjust the seat height carelessly, you or other vehicle occupants could be trapped andthereby injured. Children in particular could
accidentally press the electrical seat adjust-
ment buttons and become trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
While moving the seats, make sure that your
hands or other body parts do not get under the
lever assembly of the seat adjustment sys-
tem. G
WARNING
The head restraints cannot provide the inten-
ded protection unless they are fitted and
adjusted correctly. There is an increased risk of injury to the head and neck in the event of
an accident or sudden braking, for example.
Always drive with the head restraints fitted.
Ensure that the centre of the head restraints
support the back of each vehicle occupant's
head at eye level before driving off. G
WARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended level of protection if you have not moved the back-
rest to an almost vertical position. When brak-
ing or in the event of an accident, you could
slide underneath the seat belt and sustain
abdomen or neck injuries, for example. This
poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Adjust the seat properly before beginning
your journey. Always ensure that the backrest
is in an almost vertical position and that the
shoulder section of your seatbelt is routed
across the centre of your shoulder.
! To avoid damage to the seats and the seat
heating, observe the following information:
R do not spill any liquids on the seats. If
liquid is spilled on the seats, dry them as
soon as possible.
R if the seat covers are damp or wet, do not
switch on the seat heating. The seat Seats
109Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z
Adjust the seat properly before beginning
your journey. Always ensure that the backrest
is in an almost vertical position and that the
shoulder section of your seatbelt is routed
across the centre of your shoulder. G
WARNING
When adjusting a seat, you or another vehicle occupant could become trapped by the guiderail of the seat, for instance. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure that no one has any part of their
body within the sweep of the seat when
adjusting it.
Observe the safety notes on "Airbags"
(Y page 48) and "Children in the Vehicle"
(Y page 60).
Folding the seat backrest forwards With the EASY-ENTRY system, the seat moves
forwards as soon as you fold the backrest
forwards.
This makes it easier for passengers to get into
and out of the rear compartment. The head
restraint is lowered in the process and the
seat moves forwards. X
Pull seat release handle :forwards and
fold the backrest forwards as far as it will
go.
The seat moves automatically to the fore-
most position. Folding back the seat backrest X
Fold back the backrest horizontally until it
engages.
If the rear seat backrest is not engaged, this
will be shown in the multifunction display inthe instrument cluster. A warning tone also
sounds.
The seat moves automatically to the last
position. Adjusting the active multicontour
seat
The settings for the active multicontour seat
are only activated if:
R the seat is occupied
R the seat belt is fastened.
Vehicles fitted with the seating comfort
package: you can adjust the active multicon-
tour driver and passenger seats with
COMAND (see the separate operating
instructions). Adjusting the 4-way lumbar support
The 4-way lumbar support can be adjusted
with COMAND Online (see the separate oper- ating instructions). Switching the seat heating on/off
Switching on/off G
WARNING
If you repeatedly switch on seat heating, the
seat cushion and backrest padding may
become very hot. The health of vehicle occu-
pants with limited temperature sensitivity or a limited ability to react to excessively high
temperatures may be affected or they may
even suffer burn-like injuries. There is a risk of
injury.
Therefore, do not switch on the seat heating
repeatedly. Seats
113Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z