Page 49 of 286

immediately or open the window in order to pre-
ventbreathing difficulties.
Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning
Devices (ETDs) contain perchloratem aterial,
which may require special handlin gand regard
for the environment. National guideline smust
be observed duringd isposal. In California, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/
Perchlorate/index.cfm .
Method of operation
Duringthe firsts tageofac ollision, the restraint
system control unit evaluate simportan tphysi-
cal data relating to vehicle deceleratio noraccel-
eration, such as:
Rduration
Rdirection
Rintensity
Based on the evaluatio nofthis data, the
restraint system control unit triggers the Emer-
genc yTensionin gDevices duringaf rontal or
rear collision.
An Emergency Tensionin gDevice can only be
triggered, if:
Rthe ignition is switched on
Rthe component softhe restraint system are
operational. You can findf urther information
under :"Restraint system warnin glamp"
(
Ypage 38)
Rthe seat belt buckle tongue has engaged in
the belt buckle of the respective front seat
The Emergency Tensionin gDevices in the rear
compartmenta re triggeredindependently of the
lock status of the seat belts.
If the restraint system control unit detect sa
more severea ccident,further component sof
the restraint system are activate dindepend-
ently of each other in certain frontal collision
situations:
RDriver'sa ir bag
RFront-passenge rfront air bag
The front-passenge rfront air bag is activate dor
deactivate ddepending on the personont he
front-passenge rseat. The front-passenge rfront
air bag can only deploy in an accident if the
PASSENGER AI RBAG OFF indicator lamp is off.
Observe the information on the PASSENGER AIR
BA GO FF indicator lamp (
Ypage 39).
Your vehicle has atwo-stag edriver's air bag.
Durin gthe firstd eployments tagethe driver's air
bag fills with sufficient propellantg as to reducet
he risk of injuries. The front air bag is fully
deployed with the maximum amount of propel-
lant gas if asecond deploymentt hreshold is
reached within afew milliseconds.
The activatio nthreshold of the Emergency Ten-
sioning Devices and the air bag are determined
by evaluatin gthe rate of vehicle deceleratio nor
acceleration which occurs at various point sin
the vehicle. This process is pre-emptive in
nature. Deployment should tak eplace in good
tim eatt he star tofthe collision.
The rate of vehicle deceleratio noracceleration
and the direction of the force are essentially
determined by:
Rthe distribution of forces duringt he collision
Rthe collision angle
Rthe deformationcharacteristics of the vehicle
Rthe characteristics of the object with which
the vehicle has collided
Factor swhich can only be seen and measured
after acollision has occurred do not play adeci-
sive role in the deploymentofana ir bag. Nor do
the yprovide an indication of air bag deploy-
ment.
The vehicle can be deformed considerably, with-
out an air bag being deployed. This is the case if
only partsw hich are relatively easily deformed
are affected and the rate of deceleratio nisnot
high. Conversely, air bags may be deployed even
though the vehicle suffers only minor deforma-
tion .This is the case if, for example, very rigid
vehicle partss uch as longitudinal body mem-
bers are hit, and sufficient deceleratio noccurs
as aresult.
If the restraint system control unit detect saside
impact or if the vehicle rolls over,t he applicable
component softhe restraint system are activa-
ted independently of each other depending on
the apparentt ype of accident .
RSide impact air bag and pelvis air bag on the
side on which an impact occurs, independent
fromt
he Emergency Tensionin gDevice and
seat belt usage
The side impact air bag on the front-
passenger side deploys under the following
conditions:
-BabySmart™ detect sthat the front-
passenger seat is occupied or
-the seat belt buckle tongue is engaged in
the belt buckle of the front-passenge rseat
RWindo wcurtain air bag on the side of impact,
independently of the use of the seat belt and
Occupant safety47
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independently of whether the front-
passenger seat is occupied
REmergency TensioningDevices, if the system
determines that deploymentc an offer addi-
tional protection in this situation
RWindo wcurtain air bags on the driver's and
front-passenge rside in certain situations
when the vehicle rolls over,ift he system
determines that deploymentc an offer addi-
tional protection to that provided by the seat
belt
iNot all air bags are deployed in an accident.
The differenta ir bag systems work independ-
ently of each other.
How the air bag system worksisd etermined
by the severity of the accident detected,
especially the vehicle deceleratio noraccel-
eration and the apparentt ype of accident:
RFrontal collision
RSide impact
RRollover
NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-
PRO luxury head restraints
Important safetyn otes
GWARNING
The function of the head restraint may be
impaired if you:
Rattach object ssuch as coat hangers to the
head restraints, for example
Ruse head restraint covers
If you do so, the head restraint scannot fulfill
their intended protective function in the event of an accident .Inaddition ,object sattached
to the head restraint scould endanger other
vehicle occupants. There is an increased risk
of injury.
Do not attach any object stothe head
restraint sand do not use head restraint cov-
ers.
Method of operation
NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO luxury
head restraint soffer additional protection
against head and nec kinjuries. In the eventofa rear collision of
acertain severity, the NECK-
PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head
restraint sonthe driver's and front-passenger
seats are movedf orwards and upwards. This
provides better head support.
If the NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO
luxury head restraint shave been triggeredina n
accident ,reset the NECK-PRO head restraints/
NECK-PRO luxury head restraint sonthe driver's
seat and the front-passenge rseat
(
Ypage 48). Otherwise, the additional protec-
tion will not be available in the eventofa nother
rear-end collision. You can see that aNECK-PRO
head restraint/NECK-PRO luxury head restraint
has been triggeredifitist ilted forward and can
no longer be adjusted.
Mercedes-Ben zrecommends that you have the
functionality of the NECK-PRO head restraints/
NECK-PRO luxury head restraint schecked at a
qualified specialist workshop after arear-end
collision.
Resetting atriggered NECK-PRO head
restraint/NECK-PRO luxury head
restraint
NECK-PRO head restraints
Do not insert your finger betwee nthe cushio nof
the head restraint and the cover. Pay particular
attention while resettin gthe NECK-PRO head
restraints.
XTilt the top of the NECK-PRO head restraint
cushio nforward in the direction of arrow :.
XPush the NECK-PRO head restraint cushion
down as far as it will go in the direction of
arrow;.
48Occupant safety
Safety
Page 51 of 286

XWith your hand flat, firmly push the NECK-
PRO head restraint cushion back in the direc-tion of arrow =until it engages.
XRepeat this procedure for the secondN ECK-
PRO head restraint.
iResettin gthe NECK-PRO head restraints
requires alot of strength. If you have difficulty
resetting the NECK-PRO head restraints, have
this work carried out at aqualified specialist
workshop.
NECK-PRO luxuryh ead restraints
Do not insert your finger between the cushion of
the head restraint and the cover. Pay particular
attention while resetting the NECK-PRO luxury
head restraints.
XRemove resetting tool :from the vehicle
document wallet.
XSlide resetting tool :into guide ;between
the NECK-PRO luxury head restraint and the
rear cover of the head restraint.
XPush resetting tool :down until you hear the
head restraint deployment mechanism
engage.
XPull out resetting tool :.
XWith your hand flat, firmly push the NECK-
PRO luxury head restraint cushion back in the
direction of arrow=until it engages.
XRepeat this procedure for the secondN ECK-
PRO luxury head restraint.
XPut resetting tool :back into the vehicle
document wallet.
iIf you have difficulty resetting the NECK-
PRO luxury head restraints, have this work
carried out at aqualified specialist workshop.
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent
Immediately after an accident ,the following
measures are implemented, depending on the
type and severityoft he impact:
Rthe hazard warning lamps are activated
Rthe emergency lighting is activated
Rthe vehicle doors are unlocked
Rthe frontside windows are lowered
Rthe electrically adjustable steerin gwheel is
raised when the driver's door is opened
Rthe engine is switched off and the fuel supply
is cut off
Rvehicles with mbrace: automatic emergency
call
Children in the vehicle
Important safety notes
Accident statistics show that children secured
in the rear seats are safer than children secured
in the front-passenger seat. For this reason,
Mercedes-Benz strongly advises that you install
ac hild restraint system on arear seat. Children
are generally better protected there.
If ac hild younger than twelve years old and
under 5ft(1.50m )inh eight is travelin ginthe
vehicle:
Ralwayss ecure the child in achild restraint
system suitable for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
The child restraint system must be appropri-
ate to the age, weight and size of the child
Rbe sure to observe the instruction sand safety
notes in this section in addition to the child
restraint system manufacturer's installation
instructions
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 arisk of
an accident and injury.
Children in the vehicle49
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When leaving the vehicle, alwaystake 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 arisk 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 arisk of injury.
If you leave the vehicle, takin gthe child with
you, alwayse nsure that the child restraint
system is not exposed to direct sunlight. Pro- tect it with ablanket ,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 occupantsh ave
their seat belts fastened correctly and are sitting
properly. Particular attention must be paid to
children.
Observe the safety notes on the seat belt
(
Ypage 40) and the notes on correct use of seat
belts (Ypage 41).
Ab ooster seat may be necessary to achieve
proper seat belt positionin gfor children over
41 lbs (1 8kg)until they reach aheight where a
three-point seat belt can be properly fastened
without abooster 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.
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying atten-
tion to road and traffic conditions. Reactivate
the special seat belt retractor and secure the
child restraint system properly.
All seat belts except the driver's seat belt are
equipped with aspecial seat belt retractor.
When activated, the special seat belt retractor
ensures that the seat belt will not slacken once
the child restraint system has been secured.
Installing achild restraint system:
XAlways comply with the child restraint system
manufacturer's installation instructions.
XPull the seat belt smoothly out of the belt sash
guide.
XEngage the seat belt tongue in the belt buckle.
Activating the special seat belt retractor:
XPull the seat belt out fully and let the inertia
reel retract it again.
While the seat belt is retracting, you should
hear aratchetin gsound. The special seat belt
retractor is activated.
XPush the child seat restraint system down so
that the seat belt is tight and does not loosen.
Removing achild restraint system and deacti-
vating the special seat belt retractor:
XAlways comply with the child restraint system
manufacturer's installation instructions.
XPress release button of belt buckle, hold the
belt tongue firmly and guide it back towards
the belt sash guide.
The special seat belt retractor is deactivated.
Child restraint system
The use of seat belts and child restraint systems
is required by law in:
Rall 50 states
Rthe U.S .territories
Rthe District of Columbia
Rall Canadian provinces
You can obtain further information about the
correct child restraint system from any author-
ized Mercedes-Benz Center.
50Children in the vehicle
Safety
Page 53 of 286

GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor-
rectly on asuitable seat, it cannot protect as
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.
Make sure that you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions and the notes on use. Please ensure,
that the base of the child restraint system is
alway sresting completely on the seat cush-
ion. Never place objects, e.g. cushions, under or behind the child restraint system. Only use
child restraint systems with the original cover
designed for them. Only replace damaged
covers with genuine covers.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor-
rectly or is not secured, it can come loosei n
the event of an accident, heavy braking or a
sudden change in direction. The child
restraint system coul dbethrown about, strik-
ing vehicleo ccupants. There is an increased
risk of injury ,possibly even fatal.
Always instal lchild restraint systems prop-
erly,e ven if they are not being used .Make
sure that you observe the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instructions.
You wil lfind further information on stowing
objects, luggage or loads under "Loading guide-
lines"(
Ypag e204).
GWARNING
Child restraint systems or their securing sys-
tems which have been damaged or subjected
to aloadinana ccident can no longer protect
as 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 aloadina n
accident as soon as possible.H ave the secur-
ing systems on the child restraint system
checked ataqualified specialist workshop,
before you install achild restraint system
again.
The securing systems of child restraint systems
are:
Rthe seat belts ystem
Rthe LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing rings
Rthe Top Tether anchorages
iIf it is absolutel ynecessary to install achild
restraint system on the front-passenge rseat,
alway sobserve the information on "Child
restraint systems on the front-passenger
seat" (
Ypag e54). There you wil lalsof ind
information on deactivating the front-
passenger front air bag.
All child restraint systems must meet the fol-
lowing standards:
RU.S. FederalM otor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 225
RCanadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 210.2
Confirmation that the child restraint system cor-
responds to the standards can be found on an
instruction label on the child restraint system.
This confirmatio ncan als obefound in the instal-
lation instructions that are included with the
child restraint system.
Observe the warning labels in the vehiclei nte-
rior and on the child restraint system.
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) chil dseat secur-
ing system
GWARNING
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint systems
do not offer sufficient protective effect for
children whosew eight is greater than 48 lbs
(22 kg )who are secure dusing the safety belt
integrated in the child restraint system. In the
event of an accident, achild 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 als osecured
with the vehicles eat belt. Also secure the
Children in the vehicle51
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childrestraint system with the Top Tether
belt, if available.
Alway scomply with the manufacturer'si nstal-
lation and operating instructions for the child
restraint system used.
Beforee very trip,make sure that the LATCH-
typ e(ISOFIX) chil drestraint system is engaged
correctly in both LATCH-typ e(ISOFIX) securing
rings
!Wheni nstalling the chil drestraint system,
make sure that the seatb eltf or the middle
seatd oesn ot get trapped .The seatb eltc ould
otherwise be damaged.
XInstal lthe LATCH-typ e(ISOFIX) chil drestraint
system on both LATCH-typ e(ISOFIX) securing
rings :.
ISOFIX is astandardized securing system for
speciall ydesigne dchildr estraint systems on
the rears eats. LATCH-typ e(ISOFIX) securing
ring sfor two LATCH-typ e(ISOFIX) chil drestraint
systems are installed on the left and right of the
rears eats.
Non-LATCH-typ e(ISOFIX) chil dseats may also
be used and can be installed using the vehicle's
seatb elts ystem. Instal lthe chil dseata ccording
to the manufacturer'si nstructions.
Top Tether
Introduction
Top Tether provides an additiona lconnection
between the chil drestraint system secured with
aL ATCH-typ e(ISOFIX) system and the vehicle.
Thish elps reduce the ris kofinjury evenf urther.
If the chil drestraint system is equipped with a
Top Tether belt, this shoul dalway sbeu sed.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the rears eatbackrests are not locked, they
could foldf orwardsinthe event of an acci-
dent, heavy braking or sudde nchanges of
direction. As aresult, chil drestraint systems
cannot perform theiri ntended protective
function. Rear seatb ackrests that are not
locke dcan also cause additiona linjuries, e.g.
in the event of an accident. Thisp oses an
increase driskofi njury or evenf atalinjury.
Alway slock rears eatbackrests afte rinstal-
ling aTop Tether belt. Adjus tthe rears eat
backrests so that they are in an upright posi-
tion.
Make sure that the backrest in the rearc om-
partment engages fully .Todoso, pull firmly on
the seatb ackrest.
Top Tethe ranchorages
Top Tether anchorages ;are on the cargo
compartment floor.
52Children in the vehicle
Safety
Page 55 of 286

XRemove cargo compartmentcover
(Ypage 209).
XMov ethe head restrain tup.
XInstall th eLATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restrain t
system wit hTop Tether .Always comply wit h
th ec hild restrain tsystem manufacturer' s
installation instruction swhen doin gso.
XRout eTop Tether belt =under th ehead
restrain tbetween th etwo head restrain tbars .
XHook Top Tether hoo k: of Top Tether belt
= intoT op Tether anchorage ;.
Mak esuret hatT op Tether belt =is no ttwis-
ted.
XTension Top Tether belt =.Always comply
wit hthe child restrain tsystem manufactur -
er' sinstallation instruction swhen doin gso.
XMov ehead restrain tbackd own again slightly
if necessar y(Ypage 77). Mak esuret hat
you do no tinterfere wit hthe correc trouting of
Top Tether belt =.
BabySmart™air bag deactivation sys-
tem
GWARNIN G
Electronic device sonthefront-passenger
seat can affec tthe function of th eBaby-
Smart ™air bag deactivation system, for
example:
RLaptop
RMobile phon e
RTransponder cards suc hasskipasses or
access passes
The front-passenger air bag could deplo yacci-
dentally or no tfunction as intended during an
accident. This poses an increased ris kof
injury or eve nfatal injury.
Do no tplac ea ny of th edevice smentioned
abov eors imilar device sonthefront-
passenger seat .Beaware of th estatus of th e
front-passenger fron tair bag bot hbefore and
during th ejou rney.
The BabySmart ™air bag deactivation system' s
sensor system in th efront-pa ssenger seat
detects whether aspecial Mercedes-Ben zchild
restrain tsystem wit hatransponder for th e
BabySmart ™air bag deactivation system has been installed. In this case, th
ePASSENG ER AIR
BA GO FFindicator lamp lights up and remain s
lit .T he front-passenger fron tair bag is deacti -
vated.
When th eSma rtKey is remove dfromt heignition
loc korisinp osition0,thePASSENGER AI RBAG
OF Findicator lamp does no tligh tup.
iIf th efront-pa ssenger fron tair bag is deac -
tivated by th eBabySmart ™air bag deactiva-
tion system, th ef
o
llowin gremain enabled on
th ef ront-pa ssenger side :
Rthes ide impact air bag
Rthep elvis air bag
Rthew indow curtai nair bag
RtheE me rgency Tensioning Devic e
GWARNING
If you secure achild in achild restrain tsystem
on th efront-pa ssenger seat and th e
PASSENGER AI RBAG OFFindicator lamp is
off ,the front-passenger fron tair bag can
deplo yintheevent of an accident. The child
could be struc kbytheair bag. This poses an
increased ris kofinjury or eve nfatal injury.
Mak esuret hatthe front-passenger fron tair
bag has been disabled. The PASSENGER AI R
BA GO FFindicator lamp mus tbelit.
GWARNIN G
If th ePASSENG ER AIRBAG OFFindicator
lamp is lit ,the front-passenger fron tair bag is
deactivated. It will no tbedeployed in th e
event of an acciden tand canno tperfor mits
intended protective function .Aperson in th e
front-passenger seat could then ,for example,
come int ocontac twitht he vehicle's interior,
especially if th eperson is sitting to oclose to
th ed ashboard. This poses an increased ris kof
injury or eve nfatal injury.
In this cas ethe front-passenger seat may no t
be used .You may only transpor tachild on th e
front-passenger seat if they are seated in a
suitable rearward or forward-facing child
restrain tsystem. Always observ ethe child
restrain tsystem manufacturer' sinstallation
instructions.
Children in th evehicle53
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GWARNING
If you secure achild in aforward-facing child
restraint system on the front-passenge rseat
and you position the front-passenge rseat too
close to the dashboard, in the event of an
accident, the child could:
Rcome into contact with the vehicle's inte-
rior if the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indi-
cator lamp is lit, for example
Rbe 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-passenge rseat as far back as
possible.A lways make sure that the shoulder
belts trap is correctly routed from the vehicle
belts ash guide to the shoulderb eltguide on
the child restraint system. The shoulderb elt
strap must be routed forwards and down-
wards from the belts ash guide. If necessary,
adjust the belts ash guide and the front-
passenger seat accordingly.A lways observe
the information about suitable positioning of
the child restraint system in this Operator's
Manual as wellast he child restraint system
manufacturer's installation instructions.
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp :
showsy ou whethert he front-passenge rfront air
bag is deactivated.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 1or 2in the
ignitio nlock.
The system carrie sout self-diagnostics.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
must light up for approximately six seconds. If, after the system self-test, the
PASSENGER AI
RBAG OFF indicator lamp:
Ris lit:t he front-passenge rfront air bag is
deactivated. It wil lthen not be deploye dinthe
event of an accident.
Ris not lit :the sensor system did not detect a
child restraint system with transponde rfor
the BabySmart™ air bag deactivation system.
If, in the event of an accident, all deployment criteria are met, the front-passenge rfront air
bag is deployed.
Childr estraint system on the front-
passenger seat
General notes
Accident statistics show that children secured
in the rear seats are safer than children secured
in the front-passenge rseat. For this reason,
Mercedes-Benz strongly advises that you install
the child restraint system on arear seat.
If it is absolutel ynecessary to install achild
restraint system on the front-passenge rseat,
alway sobserve the information on the "Baby-
Smart™ air bag deactivation system"
(
Ypage5 3).
You can thus avoi dthe risks that coul darisea s
ar esult of:
Rac hild restraint system that is not detected
by the BabySmart™ air bag deactivation sys-
tem sensor system
Rthe unintentional deactivation of the front-
passenger front air bag
Rthe unsuitabl epositioning of the child
restraint system, e.g. too close to the dash-
board
Rearward-facin gchildr estraint system
If it is absolutel ynecessary to install arearward-
facing child restraint system on the front-
passenger seat, alway smake sure that the
front-passenge rfront air bag is deactivated.
Only if the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is permanently lit (
Ypag e39) is the front-
passenger front air bag deactivated.
Always observe the child restraint system man-
ufacturer's installation and operating instruc-
tions.
54Children in the vehicle
Safety