G WARNING
If you secure a child in a forward-facing child
restraint system on the front-passenger seat
and you position the front-passenger seat too
close to the dashboard, the child could, in the
event of an accident: R
come into contact with the vehicle's inte-
rior if the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indi-
cator lamp is lit, for example R
be struck by the air bag if the PASSENGER
AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is off
This poses an increased risk of injury or even
fatal injury.
Move the front-passenger seat as far back as
possible. Always make sure that the shoulder
belt strap is correctly routed from the vehicle
belt sash guide to the shoulder belt guide on
the child restraint system. The shoulder belt
strap must be routed forwards and down-
wards from the vehicle belt sash guide. If nec-
essary, adjust the vehicle belt sash guide and
the front-passenger seat accordingly. Always
observe the child restraint system manufac-
turer's installation instructions.
If OCS determines that: R
the front-passenger seat is unoccupied, the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
lights up after the system self-test and
remains lit. This indicates that the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated. R
the front-passenger seat is occupied by a
child of up to twelve months old, in a stand-
ard child restraint system, the PASSENGER
AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp lights up after
the system self-test and remains lit. This
indicates that the front-passenger front air
bag is deactivated.
But even in the case of a twelve-month-old
child, in a standard child restraint system,
the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp can go out after the system self-test.
This indicates that the front-passenger
front air bag is activated. The result of the
classification is dependent on, among
other factors, the child restraint system and the child's stature. It is recommended
that you install the child restraint system on
a su
itable rear seat. R
the front-passenger seat is occupied by a
person of smaller stature (e.g. a teenager
or small adult), the PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF indicator lamp lights up and remains lit
after the system self-test depending on the
result of the classification or, alternatively,
goes out. -
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is off, move the front-passenger
seat as far back as possible. Alterna-
tively, a person of smaller stature can sit
on a rear seat. -
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is lit, a person of smaller stature
should not use the front-passenger seat. R
the front-passenger seat is occupied by an
adult or a person of a stature correspond-
ing to that of an adult, the PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp goes out after the
system self-test. This indicates that the
front-passenger front air bag is activated.
If children are traveling in the vehicle, be sure
to observe the notes on "Children in the vehi-
cle" ( Y
page 61).
When OCS is malfunctioning, the red u
restraint system warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster and the PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF indicator lamp light up simultaneously.
The front-passenger front air bag is deactiva-
ted in this case and does not deploy during an
accident. Have the system checked by quali-
fied technicians as soon as possible. Consult
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. The
front-passenger seat should only be repaired
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If the front-passenger seat, the seat cover or
the seat cushion is damaged, have the nec-
essary repair work carried out at an author-
ized Mercedes-Benz Center.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use seat accessories
that have been approved by Mercedes-Benz. Occupant safety 55
Safety Z
If the driver's air bag deploys, this does not
mean that the front-passenger front air bag
will also deploy. The Occupant Classification
System (OCS) categorizes the occupant in the
front-passenger seat. Depending on that
result, the front-passenger front air bag is
either enabled or deactivated.
System self-test
G DANGER
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp does not light up during the system self-
test, then the system is malfunctioning. The
front-passenger front air bag might be trig-
gered unintentionally or might not be trig-
gered at all in the event of an accident with
high deceleration. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
In this case the front-passenger seat may not
be used. Do not install a child restraint system
on the front-passenger seat. Have the Occu-
pant Classification System (OCS) checked
and repaired immediately at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
G DANGER
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp remains lit after the system self-test, the
front-passenger front air bag is disabled. It will
not be deployed in the event of an accident. In
this case, the front-passenger front air bag
cannot perform its intended protective func-
tion, e.g. when a person is seated in the front-
passenger seat.
That person could, for example, come into
contact with the vehicle's interior, especially
if the person is sitting too close to the dash-
board. This poses an increased risk of injury or
even fatal injury.
When the front-passenger seat is occupied,
always ensure that: R
the classification of the person in the front-
passenger seat is correct and the front-
passenger front air bag is enabled or disa- bled in accordance with the person in the
front-passenger seat R
the person is seated properly with a cor-
rectly fastened seatbelt R
the front-passenger seat has been moved
back as far back as possible
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp remains lit when it should not, the front-
passenger seat may not be used. Do not
install a child restraint system on the front-
passenger seat. Have the Occupant Classifi-
cation System (OCS) checked and repaired
immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
G WARNING
Objects between the seat surface and the
child restraint system could affect OCS oper-
ation. This could result in the front-passenger
air bag not functioning as intended during an
accident. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
Do not place any objects between the seat
surface and the child restraint system. The
entire base of the child restraint system must
always rest on the seat cushion of the front-
passenger seat. The backrest of the forward-
facing child restraint system must, as far as
possible, be resting on the backrest of the
front-passenger seat. Always comply with the
child restraint system manufacturer's instal-
lation instructions.
After the system self-test, the PASSENGER
AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp displays the sta-
tus of the front-passenger front air bag
( Y
page 54).
For more information about the OCS, see
"Problems with the Occupant Classification
System" ( Y
page 57).56
Occupant safety
Safety
Deployment of Emergency Tensioning
Device s an d air bags
Important safet y notes
G WARNING
The air bag parts are hot after an air bag has
bee n deployed . There is a ris k of injury.
Do no t touch th e air bag parts . Hav e a
deployed air bag replaced at a qualified spe -
cialis t workshop as soo n as possible.
G WARNING
A deployed air bag no longer offers any pro -
tection and canno t provid e th e intended pro -
tection in an accident. There is an increase d
ris k of injury.
Hav e th e vehicle towed to a qualified special-
ist workshop in order to hav e a deployed air
bag replaced.
It is important fo r your safet y and that of your
passenger to hav e deployed air bags replaced
and to hav e any malfunctionin g air bags
repaired. Thi s will hel p to mak e sur e th e air
bags continue to perform their protective
function fo r th e vehicle occupant s in th e
event of a crash .
G WARNING
Pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning Devices
that hav e bee n deployed are no longer opera-
tional and are unable to perform their inten-
ded protective function . Thi s poses an
increase d ris k of injury or eve n fatal injury.
Therefore, hav e pyrotechni c Emergency Ten -
sioning Devices whic h hav e bee n triggere d
immediately replaced at a qualified specialis t
workshop .
An electric moto r is used by PRE-SAF E ®
to
trigger th e tightenin g of th e seat belt in haz -
ardous situations. Thi s procedur e is reversi-
ble.
If Emergency Tensioning Devices are trig-
gered or air bags are deployed , you will hear a
bang, and a small amount of powder may also be released. The u restrain t system warn -
in g lamp lights up.
Only in rar e cases will th e ban g affec t your
hearing. The powder that is release d gener-
ally doe s no t constitute a health hazard , but it
may caus e short-term breathin g difficulties in
people wit h asthm a or other respirator y prob-
lems. To avoid this, you may wish to get out of
th e vehicle or ope n th e windows as soo n as it
is saf e to do so.
Ai r bags and pyrotechni c Emergency Tension-
in g Devices (ETDs) contain perchlorat e mate-
rial , whic h may require special handlin g a nd
re gard fo r th e environment. National guide-
lines mus t be observed durin g disposal. In
California, see www.dtsc.ca.gov/
HazardousWaste/Perchlorate/
index.cfm .
Method of operation Durin g th e first stage of a collision , th e
restrain t system contro l uni t evaluates impor -
tant physical dat a relatin g to vehicle deceler -
ation or acceleration , suc h as:R
duration R
direction R
intensit y
Based on th e evaluation of this data, th e
restrain t system contro l uni t triggers th e
Emergency Tensioning Devices durin g a fron -
ta l or rea r collision .
An Emergency Tensioning Devic e can only be
triggered, if: R
th e ignition is switched on R
th e component s of th e restrain t system are
operational; see "Restrain t system warnin g
lamp " ( Y
page 45) R
th e belt tongue is engage d in th e buckl e on
th e respective front-passenger seat
The Emergency Tensioning Devices in th e
rea r compartmen t are triggere d independ -
entl y of th e loc k status of th e seat belts.
If th e restrain t system contro l uni t detects a
more severe accident, further component s of58
Occupant safety
Safety
How the air bag 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
rollover
PRE-SAFE ®
(anticipatory occupant
protection system)
Introduction In certain hazardous situations, PRE-SAFE ®
takes pre-emptive measures to protect the
vehicle occupants.
Important safety notes
! Make sure that there are no objects in the
footwell or behind the seats. There is a dan-
ger that the seats and/or objects could be
damaged when PRE-SAFE ®
is activated.
Although your vehicle is equipped with PRE-
SAFE ®
, the possibility of injury in the event of
an accident cannot be ruled out. Always
adapt your driving style to suit the prevailing
road and weather conditions and maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle in front. Drive
carefully.
Function
PRE-SAFE ®
intervenes:R
in emergency braking situations, e.g. when
BAS is activated R
in critical driving situations, e.g. when phys-
ical limits are exceeded and the vehicle
understeers or oversteers severely R
on vehicles with the Driving Assistance
package: if BAS PLUS intervenes power-
fully or the radar sensor system detects an
imminent danger of collision in certain sit-
uations PRE-SAFE ®
takes the following measures
depending on the hazardous situation detec-
ted: R
the front seat belts are pre-tensioned. R
if the vehicle skids, the sliding sunroof and
the side windows are closed so that only a
small gap remains. The panorama roof with
power tilt/sliding panel is completely
closed. R
vehicles with the memory function: the
front-passenger seat is adjusted if it is in an
unfavorable position. R
vehicles with a multicontour seat: the air
pressure in the side bolsters of the seat
backrest is increased.
If the hazardous situation passes without
resulting in an accident, PRE-SAFE ®
slackens
the belt pre-tensioning. On vehicles with mul-
ticontour seats, the air pressure in the side
bolsters is reduced again. All settings made
by PRE-SAFE ®
can then be reversed.
If the seat belt pre-tensioning is not reduced: X
Move the seat backrest or seat back
slightly when the vehicle is stationary.
The seat belt pre-tensioning is reduced and
the locking mechanism is released.
The seat-belt adjustment is an integral part of
the PRE-SAFE ®
convenience function. You
will find information on the convenience func-
tion under "Belt adjustment" ( Y
page 49).
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
vehicles with a memory function: the elec-
trically adjustable steering wheel is raised60
Occupant safety
Safety
R
the engine is switched off and the fuel sup-
ply is cut off R
vehicles 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 is traveling 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
be sure to observe the instructions and
safety notes on the "Occupant classifica-
tion system (OCS)" ( Y
page 53)
G WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example: R
release the parking brake. R
shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking 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
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. G WARNING
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.
G WARNING
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
( Y
page 46) and the notes on correct use of
seat belts ( Y
page 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
G WARNING
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 vehicle 61
Safety Z
G WARNING
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.
Child-proof locks for the rear doors
You secure each door individually with the
child-proof locks on the rear doors. A door
secured with a child-proof lock cannot be
opened from inside the vehicle. When the
vehicle is unlocked, the door can be opened
from the outside. X
To activate: press the child-proof lock
lever up in the direction of arrow C .X
Make sure that the child-proof locks are
working properly. X
To deactivate: press the child-proof lock
lever down in the direction of arrow D . Override feature for the rear side win-
dows X
To activate/deactivate: press button C .
If indicator lamp D is lit, operation of the
rear side windows is disabled. Operation is
only possible using the switches in the driv-
er's door. If indicator lamp D is off, oper-
ation is possible using the switches in the
rear compartment.
Pets in the vehicle
G WARNING
If you leave animals unattended or unsecured
in the vehicle, they could press buttons or
switches, for example.
As a result, they could: R
activate vehicle equipment and become
trapped, for example R
activate 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.Pets in the vehicle 67
Safety Z
Drivin g safet y systems
Overview of drivin g safet y systemsIn this section , you will fin d information about
th e following drivin g safet y systems :R
AB S ( A nti-loc k B rakin g S ystem)
( Y
page 68) R
BA S ( B rake A ssist S ystem) ( Y
page 69 )R
BA S PLU S ( B rake A ssist S ystem Plus )
( Y
page 69 )R
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU S
(distanc e warnin g function and Adaptive
Brak e Assist) ( Y
page 70 )R
ES P ®
( E lectronic S t ability P r ogram)
( Y
page 73) R
EB D ( E lectroni c B r ak e forc e D i stribution )
( Y
page 75) R
ADAPTIV E BRAKE ( Y
page 76 )R
PRE-SAF E ®
Brak e ( Y
page 76)R
STEE R CONTROL ( Y
page 77)
Important safet y notes
If you fail to adapt your drivin g style or if you
are inattentive , th e drivin g safet y systems can
neither reduce th e ris k of an acciden t no r
override th e laws of physics. Driving safet y
systems are merely aids designed to assist
driving. You are responsible fo r maintainin g
th e distanc e to th e vehicle in front, fo r vehicle
speed, fo r braking in goo d time, and fo r stay-
in g in lane. Always adapt your drivin g style to
suit th e prevailin g road and weather condi-
tion s and maintain a saf e distanc e from th e
vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
The drivin g safet y systems described only
wor k as effectively as possible when there is
adequat e contact between th e tires and th e
road surface. Please pay special attention to
th e note s on tires , recommended minimum
tire tread depths, etc. ( Y
page 404).
In wintr y drivin g conditions, always use winte r
tires (M+ S tires ) and if necessary, snow
chains. Only in this way will th e drivin g safet y systems described in this section wor k as
effectively as possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information AB S regulates brake pressure in suc h a way
that th e wheels do no t loc k when you brake .
Thi s allow s you to continue steerin g th e vehi-
cl e when braking .
The % AB S warnin g lamp in th e instrumen t
cluster lights up when th e ignition is switched
on . It goe s out when th e engin e is running .
AB S works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h), regardles s of road-surfac e condi-
tions. AB S works on slipper y surfaces, eve n
when you only brake gently.
Important safet y notes
i Observ e th e "Important safet y notes" sec -
tion ( Y
page 68) .
G WARNING
If AB S is faulty, th e wheels could loc k when
braking . The steerability and braking charac -
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition -
ally, further drivin g safet y systems are deac -
tivated. There is an increase d danger of skid-
din g and accidents .
Drive on carefully. Hav e AB S checke d imme-
diately at a qualified specialis t workshop .
Whe n AB S is malfunctioning, other systems ,
includin g drivin g safet y systems , will also
becom e inoperative . Observ e th e information
on th e AB S warnin g lamp ( Y
page 327) and
display message s whic h may be shown in th e
instrumen t cluster ( Y
page 291).
Braking X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress th e
brake peda l vigorousl y until th e braking sit -
uation is over. X
To make a full brak e application:
depress th e brake peda l wit h full force.68
Driving safety systems
Safety
If you unlock the vehicle using the mechanical
key, the fuel filler flap will not be unlocked
automatically. X
To unlock the fuel filler flap: insert the
SmartKey into the ignition lock.
Removing the mechanical key X
Push release catch C in the direction of
the arrow and at the same time remove
mechanical key D from the SmartKey.
For further information about: R
unlocking the driver's door ( Y
page 92)R
unlocking the cargo compartment
( Y
page 97) R
locking the vehicle ( Y
page 92)
Inserting the mechanical key X
Push mechanical key D completely into
the SmartKey until it engages and release
catch C is back in its basic position.
SmartKey battery
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Batteries contain toxic and corrosive substan-
ces. If batteries are swallowed, it can result in
severe health problems. There is a risk of fatal
injury.
Keep batteries out of the reach of children. If
a battery is swallowed, seek medical attention
immediately. Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
the batteries replaced at a qualified specialist
workshop.
The SmartKey batteries contain perchlorate
material, which may require special handling
and regard for the environment. National
guidelines must be observed during disposal.
In California, see www.dtsc.ca.gov/Hazard-
ousWaste/Perchlorate/index.cfm.
Checking the battery X
Press the 7 or 6 button.
The battery is working properly if battery
check lamp C lights up briefly.
The battery is discharged if battery check
lamp C does not light up briefly. X
Change the battery ( Y
page 85).
i If the SmartKey battery is checked within
the signal reception range of the vehicle,
pressing the 7 or 6 button:R
locks or R
unlocks the vehicle
i You can get a battery at any qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Replacing the battery
You require a CR 2025 3 V cell battery. X
Take the mechanical key out of the Smart-
Key ( Y
page 84).SmartKey 85
Opening and closing Z