
Function Page
:
Overhead control panel 40
;
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
warning display
194
=
Combination switch 118
?
Instrument cluster 34
A
Horn
B
DIRECT SELECT lever 155
C
Steering wheel gearshift pad-
dles 161 Function Page
D
Light switch 116
E
Opens the bonnet 303
F
Diagnostics connection 29
G
Electric parking brake 167
H
Ignition lock 144
I
Adjusts the steering wheel 111
J
Cruise control lever 176
K
Climate control systems 128Cockpit
33At a glance

Multifunction steering wheel
Function Page
:
Multifunction display 220
;
Multimedia system display
=
~
Rejects or ends a call 6
Makes or accepts a call Further telephone functions 225
WXAdjusts the vol-
ume 8
Mute ?
Switches on voice-
operated control for naviga-
tion or LINGUATRONIC Function Page
?
ò
Opens the menu list 9:Selects a menu
a
Confirms the selection %
Back Operates the on-board com-
puter
218
?
Switches on voice-
operated control for naviga-
tion or LINGUATRONIC i
You can find further information in vehicles
with an Audio 20 multimedia system:
R on the multimedia system in the Digital
Owner's Manual
R on voice-operated control of the navigation
system in the manufacturer's operating
instructions i
You can find further information in vehicles
with a COMAND Online multimedia system:
R on the multimedia system in the Digital
Owner's Manual
R on the DVD changer or single DVD drive in
the Digital Owner's Manual
R on LINGUATRONIC in the separate operat-
ing instructions Multifunction steering wheel
35At a glance

Panic alarm
X
To activate: press and hold
! button :for approx. one second.
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is primed.
X To deactivate: press!button :again.
or
X Insert the key into the ignition lock.
or, on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO start function
or KEYLESS ‑GO:
X Press the Start/Stop button.
The key must be in the vehicle.
The panic alarm function is only available in cer-
tain countries. Occupant safety
Introduction to the restraint system
The restraint system can reduce the risk of vehi-
cle occupants coming into contact with parts of
the vehicle's interior in the event of an accident. The restraint system can also reduce the forces
to which vehicle occupants are subjected during an accident.
The restraint system includes the:
R seat belt system
R airbags
R child restraint system
R child seat securing system The components of the restraint system work in
conjunction with each other. They can only offerprotection if all vehicle occupants always:
R have the seat belt correctly fastened
(Y page 44)
R have the seat and head restraint adjusted
properly (Y page 106)
As the driver, you must also make sure that the
steering wheel is also adjusted properly.
Observe the information on the correct driver's
seat position (Y page 106).
In addition, you must make sure that the airbags can inflate properly if they are deployed
(Y page 46).
An airbag supplements a correctly worn seat
belt. As an additional safety device, the airbag
increases the level of protection for vehicle
occupants in the event of an accident. The air-
bags are not deployed, for example, in the event
of an accident in which sufficient protection is
offered by the seat belt. In addition, only those
airbags, which in the applicable accident situa-
tions offer additional protection, are deployed in the event of an accident. However, the seat beltand airbag generally do not protect against
objects penetrating the vehicle from the out-
side.
Information on how the restraint system oper-
ates can be found under "Deployment of belt
tensioners and airbags" (Y page 53).
See "Children in the vehicle" for information on
children travelling with you in the vehicle as well
as on child restraint systems (Y page 56). Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the restraint system is modified, it may no
longer work as intended. The restraint system
may then not perform its intended protective function by failing in an accident or triggering
unexpectedly, for example. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Never modify parts of the restraint system. Do not attempt to modify the wiring as well as
electronic components or their software.
If it is necessary to adjust the vehicle to accom- modate a person with disabilities, contact a
qualified specialist workshop. Occupant safety
41Safety Z

hold on to the seat belt tightly while it is adjust-
ing.
You can switch the seat belt adjustment on and off in the on-board computer (Y page 231).
Seat belt warning for the driver and
front-passenger The
7 seat belt warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster is a reminder that all vehicle occu-
pants must wear their seat belts. It may light up
continuously or flash. In addition, a warning tone may sound.
The 7 seat belt warning lamp goes out and
the warning tone ceases when the driver and the
front passenger have fastened their seat belts.
Rear seat belt status indicator The seat belts on the left and centre rear seats,
when viewed in the direction of travel, are not
fastened. (Example)
The rear seat belt status indicator is only avail-
able for certain countries.
The rear seat belt status indicator informs you
which rear seat belt is not fastened.
Hiding the rear seat belt status indicator imme- diately (Y page 234). Airbags
Introduction The installation location of an airbag is identified
by the AIRBAG symbol.
An airbag supplements a correctly worn seat
belt. It is not a replacement for the seat belt. The
airbag offers additional protection in corre-
sponding accident situations.
Not all airbags are deployed in an accident. The
different airbag systems work independently of
each other (Y page 53).
However, no system available today can com-
pletely eliminate injuries and fatalities. It is also not possible to completely rule out a
risk of injury caused by an airbag due to the
speed at which the airbag must be deployed.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you deviate from the correct seat position,
the airbag cannot perform its intended pro-
tective function and can even cause addi-
tional injuries when deployed. There is an
increased risk of serious or even fatal injuries.
In order to avoid such risks, always ensure
that all vehicle occupants:
R fasten their seatbelts correctly, including
pregnant women
R are seated correctly and maintain the fur-
thest possible distance from the airbags
R observe the following notes
Always ensure that there are no objects loca-
ted between the airbag and the vehicle occu-
pant.
R Adjust the seats properly before beginning
your journey. Always make sure that the seat
is in an almost upright position. The centre of
the head restraint must support the head at
about eye level.
R Move the driver's and front-passenger seats
as far back as possible. The driver's seat posi-
tion must allow the vehicle to be driven safely.
R Hold the steering wheel only by the rim. This
allows the airbag to be fully deployed.
R Always lean against the backrest while driv-
ing. Do not lean forwards or lean against the
door or side window. You may otherwise be in the deployment area of the airbags.
R Always keep your feet in the footwell in front
of the seat. Do not put your feet on the dash-
board, for example. Your feet may otherwise
be in the deployment area of the airbag.
R Always secure persons less than 1.50 mtall in
suitable restraint systems. Up to this height,
the seat belt cannot be worn correctly. 46
Occupant safetySafety

If a child is travelling in your vehicle, also
observe the following notes:
R Always secure children under twelve years of
age and less than 1.50 mtall in suitable child
restraint systems.
R Child restraint systems should preferably be
fitted to the rear seats.
R Secure a child to the front-passenger seat
only when the front-passenger front airbag is disabled, and then only in a rearward-facing
child restraint system. If the PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp is permanently lit, the
front-passenger front airbag is disabled
(Y page 42).
R Be sure to observe the instructions and safety
notes on the "Automatic front-passenger
front airbag deactivation system"
(Y page 49) and on "Children in the vehicle"
(Y page 56) in addition to the manufactur-
er's operating and installation instructions for
the child restraint system.
Objects in the vehicle interior may prevent
the airbag from functioning correctly. Before
starting your journey and to avoid risks resulting from the speed of the airbag as it deploys, make
sure that:
R there are no people, animals or objects
between the vehicle occupants and an airbag
R there are no objects between the seat, door
and B-pillar
R there are no hard objects, e.g. coat hangers,
hanging on the grab handles or coat hooks
R no accessories, such as cup holders, are
attached to the vehicle within the deployment
area of an airbag, e.g. to doors, side windows,
rear side trim or side walls
R no heavy, sharp-edged or fragile objects are in
the pockets of your clothing. Store such
objects in a suitable place. G
WARNING
If you modify an airbag cover or affix objects
such as stickers to it, the airbag can no longer function correctly. There is an increased risk
of injury.
Never modify an airbag cover or affix objects
to it. G
WARNING
Sensors to control the airbags are located in
the doors. Modifications or work not per- formed correctly to the doors or door panel-
ling, as well as damaged doors, can lead to the
function of the sensors being impaired. The
airbags might therefore not function properly any more. Consequently, the airbags cannot
protect vehicle occupants as they are
designed to do. This poses an increased risk
of injury.
Never modify the doors or parts of the doors.
Always have work on the doors or door pan-
elling carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Front airbags !
Do not place heavy objects on the front-
passenger seat. This could cause the system
to identify the seat as being occupied. In the
event of an accident, the restraint systems on
the front-passenger side may be triggered
and have to be replaced. Driver's airbag
:deploys in front of the steer-
ing wheel. Front-passenger front airbag ;
deploys in front of and above the glove com-
partment.
When deployed, the front airbags offer addi-
tional head and thorax protection for the occu-
pants in the front seats.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
informs you about the status of the front-
passenger front airbag (Y page 42).
The front-passenger front airbag will deploy only if:
R the automatic front-passenger front airbag
deactivation system has detected that the
front-passenger seat is occupied Occupant safety
47Safety Z

Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems overview
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS (Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
(Y page 68)
R BAS (Brake AssistSystem) (Y page 69)
R Active Brake Assist (Y page 69)
R Adaptive brake lights (Y page 71)
R ESP ®
(E lectronic StabilityProgram)
(Y page 72)
R EBD (electronic brake forcedistribution)
(Y page 75)
R ADAPTIVE BRAKE (Y page 75)
R STEER CONTROL (Y page 75)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 weather conditions and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described work as
effectively as possible only when there is ade-
quate contact between the tyres and the road
surface. Please pay special attention to the
notes on tyres, recommended minimum tyre
tread depths etc. (Y page 335).
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tyres (M+S tyres) and, if necessary, snow
chains. Only in this way will the driving safety
systems described in this section work as effec-
tively 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 on 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 8 km/h,
regardless of road-surface conditions. ABS
works on slippery surfaces, even when you
brake only gently.
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 68). G
WARNING
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.
If ABS is malfunctioning, other systems, includ-
ing driving safety systems, will also become
inoperative. Observe the information on the ABS warning lamp (Y page 267) and display mes-
sages that may be shown on the instrument
cluster (Y page 235).
Brakes X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
X To 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; this serves as a
reminder to take extra care while driving.
Off-road ABS An ABS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated (Y
page 192).
At speeds below 30 km/h, the front wheels lock
cyclically during braking. The digging-in effect
achieved in the process reduces the stopping 68
Driving safety syste
msSafety

distance during off-road driving. This limits
steering capability. BAS (Brake Assist System)
General notes 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 i
Read the "Important safety notes" section
(Y page 68). G
WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
Braking X
Keep the brake pedal depressed firmly 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. Active Brake Assist
General information i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 68).
Active Brake Assist consists of a distance warn-
ing function with an autonomous braking func-
tion and situation-dependent braking assis-
tance.
Active Brake Assist can help you to minimise the danger of collision with the vehicle in front or
reduce the effects of such a collision.
If Active Brake Assist detects that there is a risk
of collision, you will be warned visually and
acoustically. If you do not react to the visual and audible collision warning, autonomous braking can be initiated in critical situations. If you apply
the brake yourself in a critical situation, Adap-
tive Brake Assist supports you with situation-
dependent braking assistance.
Important safety notes Detection of hazardous situations can be par-
ticularly impaired by:
R
dirt on the sensors or obscured sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R strong radar reflections for example, in multi-
storey car parks
R a narrow vehicle travelling in front, e.g. a
motorcycle
R a vehicle travelling in front on a different line
R new vehicles or after servicing is carried out
on the Active Brake Assist system
Observe the important safety notes in the
"Running-in notes" section (Y page 143).
Following damage to the front end of the vehicle,
have the configuration and operation of the
radar sensor checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. This also applies to collisions at low
speeds where no visible damage to the front of
the vehicle is apparent.
Switching on/off Active Brake Assist is active after every ignition
cycle.
You can activate or deactivate Active Brake
Assist (Y page 227) in the on-board computer.
When the system is deactivated, the distance
warning function and the autonomous braking
function are also deactivated.
If Active Brake Assist is deactivated, the æ
symbol appears in the assistance graphic dis-
play.
If you have activated DSR, Active Brake Assist is deactivated. Further information on DSR
(Y page 190).
Distance warning function General information
The distance warning function can help you to
minimise the danger of collision with the vehicle
in front or reduce the effects of such a collision. If the distance warning function detects a risk of Driving safety systems
69Safety Z

Situation-dependent braking assis-
tance
General information
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 68).
With the help of the radar sensor system, Adap- tive Brake Assist can detect obstacles that are in
the path of your vehicle for an extended period
of time.
If Adaptive Brake Assist detects a risk of colli-
sion with the vehicle in front, it calculates the
brake pressure necessary to avoid a collision. If
you apply the brakes forcefully, the situation-
dependent braking assistance automatically
increases the brake pressure to a degree appro- priate to the traffic situation.
Situation-dependent braking assistance pro-
vides braking assistance in hazardous situations at speeds above 7 km/h. It uses the radar sen-
sor system to assess the traffic situation.
Situation-dependent braking assistance is capa-
ble of reacting to moving objects which have
already been recognised as such at least once
over the period of observation, up to a speed of around 250 km/h.
Situation-dependent braking assistance can
also detect stationary objects, up to a speed of
around 70 km/h.
If situation-dependent braking assistance
demands particularly high brake pressure, pre-
ventative passenger protection measures (PRE-
SAFE ®
) are triggered simultaneously
(Y page 55).
X Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will work normally again if: R you release the brake pedal
R a danger of collision with the vehicle in front
no longer exists
R no obstacle is detected in front of your vehicle
Situation-dependent braking assistance is then
deactivated.
Important safety notes i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion for driving safety systems (Y page 68). G
WARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R when cornering
As a result, Adaptive Brake Assist may not
intervene in all critical conditions. The risk of
an accident remains.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit- uation and be ready to brake. G
WARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist cannot always clearly
identify objects and complex traffic situa-
tions.
In such cases, Adaptive Brake Assist might:
R intervene unnecessarily
R not intervene
The risk of an accident remains.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit- uation and be ready to brake. Terminate the
intervention in a non-critical driving situation.
Due to the nature of the system, complex but
non-critical driving conditions may also cause
Active Brake Assist to intervene.
Even if Active Brake Assist is not available due to a malfunction in the radar sensor system, the
brake system is still available with full brake
boosting effect and BAS. Adaptive brake lights
The adaptive brake lights warn following traffic
in an emergency braking situation by: R flashing brake lamps
R the hazard warning lamps are activated
If you brake sharply from a speed of more than
50 km/h or if braking is assisted by BAS or BAS
PLUS, the brake lamps flash rapidly. In this way,
traffic travelling behind you is warned in an even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more than
70 km/h to a standstill, the hazard warning
lamps are switched on automatically. If the Driving safety systems
71Safety Z