
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is subjected to
direct sunlight, parts may get very hot. Chil-
dren may burn themselves on these parts,
particularly on the metal parts of the child
restraint system. There is a risk of injury.
If you leave the vehicle, taking the child with
you, always ensure that the child restraint
system is not exposed to direct sunlight. Pro- tect it with a blanket, for example. If the child
restraint system has been exposed to direct
sunlight, let it cool down before securing the
child in it. Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle.
Override feature for the rear side win-
dows
XTo activate/deactivate: press button;.
If indicator lamp :is lit, operation of the rear
side windows is disabled. Operation is only
possible using the switches in the driver's
door. If indicator lamp :is off, operation is
possible using the switches in the rear com-
partment.
Pets in the vehicle
GWARNING
If you leave animals unattended or unsecured
in the vehicle, they could press buttons or
switches, for example.
As a result, they could:
Ractivate vehicle equipment and become
trapped, for example
Ractivate or deactivate systems, thereby
endangering other road users
Unsecured animals could also be flung around
the vehicle in the event of an accident or sud-
den steering or braking, thereby injuring vehi- cle occupants. There is a risk of an accident
and injury.
Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle. Always secure animals properly during
the journey, e.g. use a suitable animal trans-
port box.
Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
RABS ( Anti-lock Braking System)
(Ypage 62)
RBAS ( Brake Assist System) (Ypage 62)
RBAS PLUS ( BrakeAssist System PLUS) with
Cross-Traffic Assist (Ypage 62)
RCOLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
(Ypage 64)
RESP®(E lectronic StabilityProgram)
(Ypage 66)
REBD ( Electronic Brake force Distribution)
(Ypage 68)
RADAPTIVE BRAKE (Ypage 68)
RPRE-SAFE®Brake (Ypage 69)
RSTEER CONTROL (Ypage 71)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you are
inattentive, the driving safety systems can nei-
ther reduce the risk of an accident nor override the laws of physics. Driving safety systems are
merely aids designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for maintaining the distance to the
vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in
good time, and for staying in lane. Always adapt
your driving style to suit the prevailing road and
Driving safety systems61
Safety
Z

weather conditions and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described only work
as effectively as possible when there is ade-
quate contact between the tires and the road
surface. Please pay special attention to the
notes on tires, recommended minimum tire
tread depths, etc. (
Ypage 285).
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow chains.
Only in this way will the driving safety systems
described in this section work as effectively as
possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information
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.
The ! ABS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface conditions.
ABS works on slippery surfaces, even when you
only brake gently.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 61).
GWARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (
Ypage 227) and dis-
play messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (
Ypage 203).
Braking
XIf ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-
uation is over.
XTo make a full brake application: depress
the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a
pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions, and functions as a
reminder to take extra care while driving.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
General information
BAS operates in emergency braking situations.
If you depress the brake pedal quickly, BAS
automatically boosts the braking force, thus
shortening the stopping distance.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 61).
GWARNING
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.
Braking
XKeep 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.
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist PLUS) with
Cross-Traffic Assist
General information
BAS PLUS can help you to minimize the risk of a
collision with a vehicle or a pedestrian and
reduce the effects of such a collision. If BAS
62Driving safety systems
Safety

STEER CONTROL
General information
STEER CONTROL helps you by transmitting a
noticeable steering force to the steering wheel
in the direction required for vehicle stabilization.
This steering assistance is provided in particular
if:
RESP®is deactivated
Rboth right wheels or both left wheels are on a
slippery road surface when you brake heavily
Rthe vehicle starts to skid
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 61).
No steering support is provided by STEER CON- TROL, if:
RESP®is malfunctioning.
Rthe lighting is faulty.
Power steering will, however, continue to func-
tion.
Protection against theft
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct SmartKey.
XTo activate with the SmartKey: remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock.
XTo activate with KEYLESS-GO: switch the
ignition off and open the driver's door.
XTo deactivate: switch on the ignition.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Anyone
can start the engine if a valid SmartKey has been
left inside the vehicle.
iThe immobilizer is always deactivated when
you start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle's battery is charged), the sys-
tem is not operational. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA) or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
ATA (anti-theft alarm system)
XTo arm: lock the vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO.
Indicator lamp :flashes. The alarm system
is armed after approximately 15 seconds.
XTo deactivate: unlock the vehicle with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO.
or
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed and you open:
Ra door
Rthe vehicle with the mechanical key
Rthe trunk lid
Rthe hood
XTo switch the alarm off with the Smart-
Key: press the %or& button on the
SmartKey.
The alarm is switched off.
or
XRemove the Start/Stop button from the igni-
tion lock.
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
The alarm is switched off.
XTo stop the alarm using KEYLESS-GO:
grasp the outside door handle. The SmartKey
must be outside the vehicle.
The alarm is switched off.
or
XPress the Start/Stop button on the dash-
board. The SmartKey must be inside the vehi-
cle.
The alarm is switched off.
The alarm is not switched off, even if you close
the open door that triggered it, for example.
Protection against theft71
Safety
Z

Correct driver's seat position
GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
Rfasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt before starting the engine.
Observe the following when adjusting steering
wheel :, seat belt ;and driver's seat =:
Ryou are as far away from the driver's air bag as
possible.
Ryou are sitting in a normal upright position.
Ryour thighs are slightly supported by the seat
cushion.
Ryour legs are not entirely stretched and you
can depress the pedals properly.
Rthe back of your head is supported at eye level
by the center of the head restraint.
Ryou can hold the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent.
Ryou can move your legs freely.
Ryou can see all the displays in the instrument
cluster clearly.
Ryou should have a good overview of traffic
conditions.
Rthe seat belt is pulled snugly against the bodyand is routed across the center of your shoul-
der and across your hips in the pelvic area.
Further related subjects:
RElectrical seat adjustment (Ypage 97)
RAdjusting the steering wheel (Ypage 103)
RFastening the seat belt correctly (Ypage 43).
RAdjusting the rear-view mirror and exterior
mirrors (Ypage 105).
RStoring the seat, steering wheel and exterior
mirror settings using the memory function
(
Ypage 108).
Seats
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Children could become trapped if they adjust
the seats, particularly when unattended.
There is a risk of injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
The seats can still be adjusted when there is no
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
GWARNING
If the head restraints are not installed or not
adjusted correctly, they cannot provide pro-
tection as intended. There is an increased risk
of injury in the head and neck area, e.g. in the event of an accident or when braking.
Always drive with the head restraints instal-
led. Before driving off, make sure for every
vehicle occupant that the center of the head
restraint supports the back of the head at
about eye level.
Observe the safety notes on "Air bags"
(
Ypage 45) and "Children in the Vehicle"
(Ypage 57).
96Seats
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
Rfasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt before starting the engine.
GWARNING
If you adjust the seat height carelessly, you or
other vehicle occupants could be trapped and
thereby 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.
GWARNING
When you adjust a seat, you or other vehicle
occupants could become trapped, e.g. on the seat guide rail. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure when adjusting a seat that no one
has any body parts in the sweep of the seat.
!To avoid damage to the seats and the seat
heating, observe the following information:
Rkeep liquids from spilling on the seats. If
liquid is spilled on the seats, dry them as
soon as possible.
Rif the seat covers are damp or wet, do not
switch on the seat heating. The seat heat-
ing should also not be used to dry the seats.
Rclean the seat covers as recommended;
see "Interior care".
Rdo not transport heavy loads on the seats.
Do not place sharp objects on the seat
cushions, e.g. knives, nails or tools. The
seats should only be occupied by passen-
gers, if possible.
Rwhen the seat heating is in operation, do
not cover the seats with insulating materi- als, e.g. blankets, coats, bags, seat covers,
child seats or booster seats.
!Make sure that there are no objects in the
footwell under or behind the seats when mov-
ing the seats back. There is a risk that the
seats and/or the objects could be damaged.
iThe head restraints in the front seats are
installed with the NECK-PRO system
(
Ypage 55). For this reason, it is not possible
to remove the head restraints from the front
seats.
For more information, contact a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Adjusting the seats
:Head restraint height
;Seat cushion angle
=Seat height
?Seat fore-and-aft adjustment
ABackrest angle
iIf PRE-SAFE®is activated and the front-
passenger seat is in an unfavorable position,
it is moved to a better position.
iYou can store the seat settings using the
memory function (Ypage 108).
iVehicles with the through-loading feature: if
you fold down a rear seat backrest, the
respective front seat is moved forwards
slightly if necessary. This prevents the seats
from colliding.
Seats97
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
Z

Adjusting the head restraints
Import ant safety notes
GWARNIN G
You could lose control of your vehicl eif you do
th efollowin gwhile driving:
Radjust th edriver's seat ,head restraint,
steering whee lor mirror s
Rfastenth eseat belt
There is aris kof an accident.
Adjus tth edriver's seat ,head restraint, steer -
ing whee land mirror and faste nyour seat belt
before starting th eengine.
GWARNIN G
If th ehead restraints are no tinstalled or no t
adjusted correctly, they canno tprovid epro -
tection as intended. There is an increased ris k
of injury in th ehead and neck area, e.g. in th e
event of an acciden tor when braking .
Always drive wit hth ehead restraints instal -
led. Befor edrivin goff ,mak esur efor every
vehicl eoccupant that th ecenter of th ehead
restrain tsupport sth ebac kof th ehead at
about eye level.
Do no trotate th ehead restraints of th efron tand
rear seats. Otherwise ,you canno tadjust th e
height and angle of th ehead restraints to th e
correc tposition .
Using th efore-and-af tadjustment, adjust th e
head restrain tso that it is as close as possibl eto
your head .
Observ eth eimportant safet ynote sregarding
th eseat s (
Ypage 96).
Adjusting the head restraint height
electri cally
XSlide switch for head restrain theight adjust -
men t: up or down in th edirection of th e
arrow.
Adjusting the rear head restraints
XTurn th eSmartKey to position 2in th eignition
loc k (Ypage 128).
XTo lower :press butto n:.
The head restraints mov eto th elowes tposi-
tion .
XTo extend :press butto n: again .
The head restraints only mov eint oth ecentral
position if AIRCAP is activated and no rear
seat belt has been fastened.
iPleas esee further information on AIRCAP
(Ypage 92).
Manually lowering the rear head
restraints
If th ehead restraints in th erear compartmen t
are in th eupper position ,th esof tto pcanno tbe
closed fully.
98Seats
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

Lower the head restraints in the rear compart-
ment manually if:
Rthe head restraint electronics are malfunc-
tioning.
Rthe opening or closing procedure of the soft
top is interrupted, leaving the soft top com-
partment cover open.
Cover;can only be released if:
Rthe soft top is interrupted during the opening
or closing procedure.
Rthe soft top compartment cover is left open.
XPush the mechanical key into two open-
ings :between the head restraints until
cover ;releases.
XTake off cover ;.
XLowering the head restraints: turn thumb-
wheel:in the direction of the front seats.
Folding the front seat backrests
forward/back
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the backrest is not engaged, it could fold
forwards during a braking maneuver or in the
event of an accident, for example. The seat
backrest will then push the vehicle occupant
against the seat belt. The seat belt can no
longer offer the intended level of protection
and could even cause injuries. There is an
increased risk of injury.
Before each journey, make sure that the back-
rest engages fully as described.
GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, steering wheel or
mirrors
Rfasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, steering wheel or
mirrors and fasten your seat belt before start- ing the engine.
GWARNING
When you adjust a seat, you or other vehicle
occupants could become trapped, e.g. on the seat guide rail. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure when adjusting a seat that no one
has any body parts in the sweep of the seat.
Seats99
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
Z

Folding the seat backrest forward
The seat moves forwards if you have folded the
backrest forwards and th eseat is in th erear half
of th erange. This makes it easie rfor passenger s
to get int oand out of th erear compartment. The
head restrain tis lowered simultaneously.
XPull seat release handle :forwards and fol d
th ebackrest forwards as far as it will go.
The seat automatically moves to th eforemost
position and th ehead restrain tis lowered.
Folding the seat backrest back
XSwing bac kth eseat backrest .
The seat moves automatically to th estore d
position .
Adjusting the multicontour seat
:To adjust th ethigh cushion
;To adjust th ebackrest contour in th elumba r
region
=To adjust th ebackrest contour in th eupper
bac kregion
?To adjust th eside bolsters of th eseat back-
res t You can adjust th
econtour of th efron tseat
individually so as to provide optimum support
for your bac kand sides.
XTurn th eSmartKey to position 2in th eignition
loc k (Ypage 128).
Adjusting the 4-way lumbar support
:To rais eth ebackrest contour
;To softe nth ebackrest contour
=To lower th ebackrest contour
?To harden th ebackrest contour
You can adjust th econtour of th efron tseat
backrest sindividually to provide optimum sup-
por tfor your back.
Seat heating and seat ventilation
Switching the seat heating on/off
GWARNIN G
Repeatedly switching on th eseat heating can
caus eth eseat cushion and backrest pads to
become ver yhot .The healt hof person swit h
limite dtemperature sensitivit yor alimite d
abilit yto reac tto excessively high tempera-
tures may be affected or they may eve nsuffer
burn-like injuries. Ther eis aris kof injury.
Therefore, do no tswitch th eseat heating on
repeatedly.
100Seats
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors