
Problems with the Occupant Classification System (OCS)
Be sure to observe the notes on "System self-test" (Ypage 56).
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
The PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator
lamp lights up and
remains lit, even
though the front-
passenger seat is occu-
pied by an adult or a
person of a stature cor-
responding to that of an
adult.The classification of the person on the front-passenger seat is
incorrect.
XMake sure the conditions for a correct classification of the per-
son on the front-passenger seat are met (
Ypage 53).
XIf the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp remains lit, the
front-passenger seat may not be used.
XHave OCS checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
The PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator
lamp does not light up
and/or does not stay
on.
The front-passenger
seat is:
Runoccupied
Roccupied by the
weight of a child up
to 12 months old in a
child restraint sys-
tem
OCS is malfunctioning.
XMake sure there is nothing between the seat cushion and the
child seat.
XMake sure that the entire base of the child restraint system rests on the seat cushion of the front-passenger seat. The backrest of
the forward-facing child restraint system must lie as flat as pos-
sible against the backrest of the front-passenger seat. If nec-
essary, adjust the position of the front-passenger seat.
XWhen installing the child restraint system, make sure that the
seat belt is tight. Do not pull the seat belt tight using the front-
passenger seat adjustment. This could result in the seat belt and
the child restraint system being pulled too tightly.
XCheck for correct installation of the child restraint system.
Make sure that the head restraint does not apply a load to the
child restraint system. If necessary, adjust the head restraint
accordingly.
XMake sure that no objects are applying additional weight onto
the seat.
XIf the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp remains off, do
not install a child restraint system on the front-passenger seat.
It is recommended that you install the child restraint system on
a suitable rear seat.
XHave OCS checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Occupant safety57
Safety
Z

Rthe engine is switched off and the fuel sup-ply is cut off
Rvehicles with mbrace: automatic emer-
gency 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 5 ft (1.50 m) in height istraveling in the
vehicle:
Ralways 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
Rbe sure to observe the instructions and
safety notes in this section in addition to
the child restraint system manufacturer's
installation instructions
Rbe sure to observe the instructions and
safety notes on the "Occupant classifica-
tion system (OCS)" (
Ypage 53)
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
Rstart 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
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
GWARNING
If persons, particularly children are subjected to prolonged exposure to extreme heat or
cold, there is a risk of injury, possibly even
fatal. Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.
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.
Always ensure that all vehicle occupants have
their seat belts fastened correctly and are sit- ting properly. Particular attention must be
paid to children.
Observe the safety notes on the seat belt
(
Ypage 46) and the notes on correct use of
seat belts (
Ypage 47).
A booster seat may be necessary to achieve
proper seat belt positioning for children over
41 lbs (18 kg) until they reach a height where a three-point seat belt can be properly fas-
tened without a booster seat.
Special seat belt retractor
GWARNING
If the seat belt is released while driving, the
child restraint system will no longer be
secured properly. The special seat belt retrac- tor is disabled and the inertia real draws in a
portion of the seat belt. The seat belt cannot
be immediately refastened. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Children in the vehicle61
Safety
Z

to a load in an accident can no longer protectas intended. The child cannot then be
restrained in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction. There
is an increased risk of injury, possibly even
fatal.
Replace child restraint systems which have
been damaged or subjected to a load in an
accident as soon as possible. Have the secur-
ing systems on the child restraint system
checked at a qualified specialist workshop,
before you install a child restraint system
again.
The securing systems of child restraint sys-
tems are:
Rthe seat belt system
Rthe LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing rings
Rthe Top Tether anchorages
If it is absolutely necessary to carry a child on
the front-passenger seat, be sure to observe
the information on the "Occupant Classifica-
tion System (OCS)" (
Ypage 53). There you
will also find information on deactivating the
front-passenger front air bag.
All child restraint systems must meet the fol-
lowing standards:
RU.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand-
ards 213 and 225
RCanadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 210.2
Confirmation that the child restraint system
correspo nds to th
e standards can be found
on an instruction label on the child restraint
system. This confirmation can also be found
in the installation instructions that are inclu-
ded with the child restraint system.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle inte-
rior and on the child restraint system.
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat secur-
ing system
GWARNING
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint systems
do not offer sufficient protective effect for
children whose weight is greater than 48 lbs
(22 kg) who are secured using the safety belt integrated in the child restraint system. In the
event of an accident, a child might not be
restrained correctly. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
If the child weighs more than 48 lbs (22 kg),
only use LATCH-type (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 comply with the manufacturer's
installation and operating instructions for the
child restraint system used.
Before every trip, make sure that the LATCH-
type (ISOFIX) child restraint system is
engaged correctly in both LATCH-type (ISO-
FIX) securing rings
To ensure that the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system can perform its protective
function as intended, the backrest of the
respective outer seat in the second row mustbe in the upright position.
!When installing the child restraint system,
make sure that the seat belt for the middle
se at d
oes not get trapped. The seat belt
could otherwise be damaged.
Children in the vehicle63
Safety
Z

RUphill or downhill gradient in percentage
ROn-road/off-road program selected
RCondition of the differential lock for the
transfer case
RLOW RANGE off-road gear is selected
RCondition of the LOW RANGE off-road
gear
ROn-road trailer program is selected
Towing a trailer
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Installing an unsuitable ball coupling may
result in overloading of the trailer tow hitch
and the rear axle. This applies especially if the ball coupling in question is longer or angled
differently. This could seriously impair the
driving characteristics and the trailer can
come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
You should only ever install a ball coupling
that has the permissible dimensions and that
is designed to meet your trailer-towing
requirements. Do not modify the ball coupling
or the trailer tow hitch.
You will find the values approved by the man-
ufacturer on the vehicle identification plates
and those for the towing vehicle under "Tech-
nical data" (
Ypage 458).
GWARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed correctly or not secured with the bolt provided and the
corresponding spring cotter, the trailer may
come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
Always install and secure the ball coupling as
described. Before every journey, ensure that
the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and
the corresponding spring cotter.
GWARNING
When the vehicle/trailer combination begins
to lurch, you could lose control of it. The vehi-
cle/trailer combination could even rollover.
There is a risk of an accident.
On no account should you attempt to
straighten up the vehicle/trailer combination by increasing the speed. Reduce vehicle
speed and do not countersteer. Apply the
brake as necessary.
Please observe the manufacturer's operating
instructions for the trailer coupling if a
detachable trailer coupling is used.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If
you do not couple the trailer to the towing
vehicle correctly, the trailer could become
detached.
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
Rthe permissible trailer drawbar noseweight
Rthe permissible trailer load
Rthe permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
Rthe maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
The applicable permissible values, which
must not be exceeded, can be found:
Rin the vehicle documents
Ron the identification plates for the trailer
tow hitch and the trailer
Ron the vehicle identification plate
If the values differ, the lowest value applies.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
Ris heavier
Ris restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capability
Rhas an increased braking distance
Ris affected more by strong crosswinds
Rdemands more sensitive steering
Rhas a larger turning radius
Towing a trailer263
Driving and parking
Z

XDetach the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer.
XSwitch off the engine.
Permissible trailer loads and drawbar
loads
Weight specifications
Maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating
The gross trailer weight is calculated by add-
ing the weight of the trailer to the weight of
the load and equipment on the trailer.
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (
Ypage 457).
Permissible noseweight
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (
Ypage 457).
Loading a trailer
RWhen loading the trailer, make sure that
neither the permissible gross weight of the trailer nor the gross vehicle weight is
exceeded. The permissible gross vehicle
weight is indicated on the identification
plate on the B-pillar on the driver's side of
the vehicle.
You can find the maximum permissible val-
ues on the type plates of your vehicle and
the trailer. When calculating how much
weight the vehicle and trailer may carry,
pay attention to the respective lowest val-
ues.
RThe trailer drawbar load on the ball coupling
must be added to the rear axle load to avoidexceeding the permissible gross axle
weight. The permissible gross vehicle
weight is indicated on the identification
plate on the B-pillar on the driver's side of
the vehicle.
iMercedes-Benz recommends a trailer
load where the trailer drawbar noseweight accounts for 8% to 15% of the trailer's per-
missible gross weight.
iThe weight of additional accessories, pas-
sengers, and cargo reduces the permissi-
ble trailer load and drawbar load for your
vehicle.
Checking the vehicle and trailer weight
RTo check that the weights of the towing
vehicle and the trailer comply with the max-
imum permissible values, have the vehicle/
trailer combination (including the driver,
passengers, and cargo with a fully laden
trailer) weighed on a calibrated weigh-
bridge.
RCheck the gross axle weight rating of the
front and rear axles, the gross weight of the trailer and trailer drawbar load.
Removing the ball coupling
XRemove the spring cotter.
XRemove the bolt from the ball coupling
recess.
XRemove the ball coupling from the ball cou-
pling recess.
XClean the ball coupling if it is dirty.
XStow the ball coupling so that it cannot be
thrown around.
Observe the loading guidelines (
Ypage 340)
and the safety notes regarding stowage
spaces (
Ypage 341).
Information on cleaning and care of the trailer
tow hitch (
Ypage 381).
Trailer power supply
!
You can connect accessories with a max-
imum power consumption of 240 W to the
permanent power supply.
You must not charge a trailer battery using
the power supply.
The trailer socket of your vehicle is equipped
at the factory with a permanent power supply.
Towing a trailer269
Driving an d parking
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Front Passenger
Airbag Disabled
SeeOperator'sMan‐
ual
SeeOperator' sMan‐
ual
The front-passenger air bag is deactivated during th ejourney, eve n
though :
Ran adult
or
Raperson of th ecorrespondin gstature is on th efront-passenger
seat
If additional forces are applied to th eseat ,th esystem may inter-
pre tth eoccupant's weight as lowe rthan it actually is.
GWARNIN G
The front-passenger air bag does no tdeploy during an accident.
There is an increase dris kof injury.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 189).
XSwitchth eignition off.
XHav eth eoccupant get out of th evehicle.
XKee pth eseat unoccupied ,close th efront-passenger doo rand
switch on th eignition .
XObserveth ePASSENGER AI RBA GOF Findicato rlamp in th e
center console and th emultifunction display and chec kth efol-
lowing:
Seat unoccupied and ignition switched on :
RthePASSENGER AI RBA GOF Findicato rlamp mus tthen ligh tup
and remain lit .If th eindicato rlamp is on ,OCS has disabled th e
front-passenger fron tair bag (
Ypage 54)
RtheFront Passenger Airbag Disabled See Operator' s
ManualorFront Passenger Airbag Disabled See Oper‐
ator's Manualdisplay message smus tno tbe shown in th e
multifunction display
XWait fo r aperiod of at leas t60 seconds until th enecessar ysys-
te m checks hav ebeen completed.
XMak esur ethat th edisplay message sdo no tappea rin th emul-
tifunction display.
If these condition sare fulfilled ,th efront-passenger seat can be
occupied again .Whether th ePASSENGER AI RBA GOF Findicato r
lamp remain slit or goe sout depend son how OCS classifie sth e
occupant .
If th econdition sare no tfulfilled ,th esystem is no toperating cor-
rectly.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
Display messages30 1
On-board computer and displays
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Front Passenger
AirbagEnabledSee
Operator' sManual
SeeOperator' sMan‐
ual
The front-passenger air bag is enabled during th ejourney, eve n
though :
Rachild, asmall adult or an objec tweighin gless than th esys-
tem' sweight threshold is locate don th efront-passenger seat
or
Rth efront-passenger seat is unoccupied
The system may detec tobjects or forces applying additional
weight on th eseat .
GWARNIN G
The air bag may deploy unintentionally.
There is an increase dris kof injury.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 189).
XSwitchth eignition off.
XOpe nth efront-passenger door.
XRemove th echild and th echild restrain tsystem from th efront-
passenger seat .
XMakesur ethat there are no objects on th eseat addin gto th e
weight .
The system may otherwise detec tth eadditional weight and
interpret th eseat occupant's weight as greate rthan it actually
is.
XKee pth eseat unoccupied ,close th efront-passenger doo rand
switch on th eignition .
XObserveth ePASSENGER AI RBA GOF Findicato rlamp in th e
center console and th emultifunction display and chec kth efol-
lowing:
Sea
t unoccupied and ignition switched on :
RThe PASSENGER AIRBA GOF Findicato rlamp mus tthen ligh tup
and remain lit .If th eindicato rlamp is on ,OCS (Occupant Clas-
sification System) has disabled th efront-passenger air bag
(
Ypage 54)
RThe Front Passenger Airbag Enable dSee Operator' s
ManualorFront Passenger Airbag Disabled See Oper‐
ator's Manualdisplay message smus tno tbe shown in th e
multifunction display
XWait fo r aperiod of at leas t60 seconds until th enecessar ysys-
te m checks hav ebeen completed.
XMak esur ethat th edisplay message sdo no tappea rin th emul-
tifunction display.
302Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Useful information
i
This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional equip-
ment of your vehicle available at the time of
publication of the Operator's Manual.
Country-specific differences are possible.
Please note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all features described. This
also applies to safety-related systems and
functions.
iRead the information on qualified special-
ist workshops (
Ypage 29).
Stowage areas
Loading guidelines
GWARNING
If objects, luggage or loads are not secured or
not secured sufficiently, they could slip, tip
over or be flung around and thereby hit vehicle
occupants. There is a risk of injury, particu-
larly in the event of sudden braking or a sud-
den change in direction.
Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around. Secure objects, luggage or
loads against slipping or tipping before the
journey.
GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. If the tailgate
is open when the engine is running, particu-
larly if the vehicle is moving, exhaust fumes
could enter the passenger compartment.
There is a risk of poisoning.
Turn off the engine before opening the tail-
gate. Never drive with the tailgate open.
GWARNING
The exhaust tail pipe and tail pipe trim can
become very hot. If you come into contact
with these parts of the vehicle, you could burn
yourself. There is a risk of injury.
Always be particularly careful around the
exhaust tail pipe and the tail pipe trim. Allow
these components to cool down before touch-
ing them.
The gross vehicle weight (GVW) is the vehicle
weight including fuel, vehicle tool kit, spare
wheel, installed accessories, vehicle occu-
pants and luggage/cargo.
Do not exceed the load limit or permitted
gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for your
vehicle. The gross load limit and the GVWR
are specified on the vehicle identification
plate on the B-pillar of the driver's door
(
Ypage 416).
The load must also be distributed so that the
weight on each axle never exceeds the gross
axle weight rating (GAWR) for the front and
rear axles. The specifications for GVWR and
GAWR are on the vehicle identification plate
on the B-pillar of the driver's door
(
Ypage 416).
Observe the notes on loading the vehicle
(
Ypage 416).
The handling characteristics of a laden vehi-
cle are dependent on the distribution of the
load within the vehicle. For this reason, you
should observe the following notes when
transporting a load:
RNever exceed the maximum permissible
gross vehicle mass or the gross axle weight
rating for the vehicle (including occupants).
RThe cargo compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects.
RPosition heavy loads as far forwards as pos-
sible and as low down in the cargo com-
partment as possible.
RThe load must not protrude above the
upper edge of the seat backrests.
RAlways place the load against the rear or
front seat backrests. Make sure that the
seat backrests are securely locked into
place.
RAlways place the load behind unoccupied
seats if possible.
340Stowage areas
Stowage and features