Have the vehicle towed to a qualified special-
ist workshop in order to have a deployed air
bag replaced.
It is important for your safety and that of your
passenger to have deployed air bags replaced
and to have any malfunctioning air bags
repaired. This will help to make sure the air bags
continue to perform their protective function for
the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash.
GWARNING
Emergency Tensioning Devices that have
deployed pyrotechnically are no longer opera-
tional and are unable to perform their inten-
ded protective function. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Have pyrotechnically triggered Emergency
Tensioning Devices replaced immediately at a
qualified specialist workshop.
If Emergency Tensioning Devices are triggered
or air bags are deployed, you will hear a bang,
and a small amount of powder may also be
released. The 6restraint system warning
lamp lights up.
Only in rare cases will the bang affect your hear-
ing. The powder that is released generally does
not constitute a health hazard, but it may cause
short-term breathing difficulties in people with
asthma or other respiratory problems. Provided
it is safe to do so, you should leave the vehicle
immediately or open the window in order to pre-
vent breathing difficulties.
Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning
Devices (ETDs) 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/HazardousWaste/
Perchlorate/index.cfm.
Method of operation
During the first stage of a collision, the restraint
system control unit evaluates important physi-
cal data relating to vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration, such as:
Rduration
Rdirection
Rintensity Based on the evaluation of this data, the
restraint system control unit triggers the Emer-
gency Tensioning Devices during a frontal or
rear collision.
An Emergency Tensioning Device can only be
triggered, if:
Rthe ignition is switched on
Rthe components of the restraint system are
operational. You can find further information
under "Restraint system warning lamp"
(
Ypage 45)
Rthe seat belt buckle tongue has engaged in
the belt buckle of the respective front seat
If the restraint system control unit detects a
more severe accident, further components of
the restraint system are activated independ-
ently of each other in certain frontal collision
situations:
RFront air bags
RWindow curtain air bag, if the system deter-
mines that deployment can offer additional
protection to that provided by the seat belt
The front-passenger front air bag is activated or
deactivated depending on the person on the
front-passenger seat. The front-passenger front
air bag can only deploy in an accident if the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is off.
Observe the information on the PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp (
Ypage 46).
Your vehicle has two-stage front air bags. In the
first deployment stage, the front air bag is filled
with propellant gas. The front air bag is fully
deployed with the ma
ximum amount of propel-
lant gas if a second deployment threshold is
reached within a few milliseconds.
The activation threshold of the Emergency Ten-
sioning Devices and the air bags is determined
by evaluating the rate of vehicle deceleration or
acceleration which occurs at various points in
the vehicle. This process is pre-emptive in
nature. Deployment should take place in good
time at the start of the collision.
The rate of vehicle deceleration or acceleration
and the direction of the force are essentially
determined by:
Rthe distribution of forces during the collision
Rthe collision angle
Rthe deformation characteristics of the vehicle
Rthe characteristics of the object with which
the vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after a collision has occurred do not play a deci-
Occupant safety57
Safety
Z
sive role in the deployment of an air bag. Nor do
they provide 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 parts which are relatively easily deformed
are affected and the rate of deceleration is not
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 parts such as longitudinal body mem-
bers are hit, and sufficient deceleration occurs
as a result.
If the restraint system control unit detects a side
impact or if the vehicle rolls over, the applicable
components of the restraint system are activa-
ted independently of each other depending on
the apparent type of accident.
RSide impact air bag and pelvis air bag on the
side on which an impact occurs, independent
from the Emergency Tensioning Device and
seat belt usage
The side impact air bag on the front-
passenger side deploys under the following
conditions:
-the OCS system detects that the front-
passenger seat is occupied or
-the seat belt buckle tongue is engaged in
the belt buckle of the front-passenger seat
RWindow curtain air bag on the side of impact,independently of the use of the seat belt and
independently of whether the front-
passenger seat is occupied
REmergency Tensioning Devices, if the system
determines that deployment can offer addi-
tional protection in this situation
RWindow curtain air bags on the driver's and
front-passenger side in certain situations
when the vehicle rolls over, if the system
determines that deployment can offer addi-
tional protection to that provided by the seat
belt
iNot all air bags are deployed in an accident.
The different air bag systems work independ- ently of each other.
How the air bag system works is determined
by the severity of the accident detected,
especially the vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration and the apparent type of accident:
RFrontal collision
RSide impact
RRollover
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent
Immediately after an accident, the following
measures are implemented, depending on the
type and severity of the impact:
Rthe hazard warning lamps are activated
Rthe emergency lighting in the interior is acti-
vated
Rthe vehicle doors are unlocked
Rthe front side windows are lowered
Rair-recirculation mode is activated
Rclimate control is switched off
Rthe engine is switched off and the fuel supply
is cut off
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
a child restraint system on a rear seat. Children
are generally better protected there.
If a child younger than twelve years old and
under 5 ft (1.50 m) in height is traveling in the
vehicle:
Ralways secure the child in a child 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 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 classification system
(OCS)" (
Ypage 52)
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.
58Children in the vehicle
Safety
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 sitting
properly. Particular attention must be paid to
children.
Observe the safety notes on the seat belt
(
Ypage 47) and the notes on correct use of seat
belts (Ypage 48).
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 fastened
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.
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 in the vehicle, except the driver's
seat belt, are equipped with a special seat belt
retractor. When activated, the special seat belt
retractor ensures that the seat belt cannot
slacken once the child seat is secured.
Installing a child restraint system:
XMake sure you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
XPull the seat belt smoothly from the belt out-
let.
XEngage seat belt tongue in 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 a ratcheting sound. The special seat belt
retractor is enabled.
XPush the child restraint system down so that
the seat belt is tight and does not loosen.
Removing the child restraint system and deac-
tivating the special seat belt retractor:
XMake sure you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
XPress the release button of the seat belt
buckle and guide the seat belt tongue 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
Children in the vehicle59
Safety
Z
correctly routed from the vehicle belt outlet to
the shoulder belt guide on the child restraint
system. The shoulder belt strap must be routed
forward and down from the vehicle belt outlet. If
necessary, adjust the vehicle belt outlet and the
front-passenger seat accordingly.
Always observe the child restraint system man-
ufacturer's installation and operating instruc-
tions.
Override features/Child-proof locks
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If children are traveling in the vehicle, they
could:
Ropen doors, thus endangering other people
or road users
Rexit the vehicle and be caught by oncoming
traffic
Roperate vehicle equipment and become
trapped
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Always activate the child-proof locks and
override feature if children are traveling in the vehicle. When leaving the vehicle, always take
the key with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unattended in the vehicle.
Child-proof lock/override feature for:
RSliding doors (Ypage 63)
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.
Child-proof lock for sliding door
Sliding door (example: left side of the vehicle)
:
Child safety bolt
2Sliding door released
3Sliding door secured – then make sure that
the child-proof locks are working properly.
You can secure each sliding door individually
with the child-proof locks on the sliding doors.
A secured sliding door cannot be opened from
inside the vehicle. When the vehicle is unlocked, the sliding door can be opened from the outside.
If the electric sliding door is secured, only the
sliding door rear controls are deactivated. If the
electric sliding door is unlocked, you can open
Children in the vehicle63
Safety
Z
the electric sliding door using the corresponding
ÅorÆ sliding door button in the center
console (
Ypage 77).
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
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
REBD ( Electronic Brake Force Distribution)
RABS ( Anti-lock Braking System)
RBAS ( Brake Assist System)
RESP®(E lectronic Stability Program)
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 accident nor override the
laws of physics. Driving safety systems are
merely aids designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, braking in good time
and for staying in your lane. Always adapt your driving style to the prevailing road and weather
conditions and maintain a sufficient, safe dis-
tance from other road users. Drive carefully.
Please note that the driving safety systems
described only work optimally when:
Rthere is adequate contact between the tires
and the road surface
Ryou use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary, when the road conditions
are wintry
Rthe speed information determined by the
vehicle is within the legally prescribed display
accuracy
Pay particular attention to the information
regarding tires, tire tread and winter operation
under "Wheels and tires" (
Ypage 277).
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General notes
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 ò warning lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up when the ignition is switched on. The
lamp goes out when the engine starts running.
Important safety notes
Observe the important safety guidelines for the
driving safety system (Ypage 64).
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.
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.
If ABS is malfunctioning, the òwarning lamp
(
Ypage 222) lights up while the engine is run-
ning and the display shows a message:
64Driving safet ysystem s
Safety
Ron vehicles without steering wheel buttons
(Ypage 190)
Ron vehicles with steering wheel buttons
(Ypage 204)
BAS, Hill Start Assist and ESP®and its driving
safety systems and other driving systems also
fail. Observe the notes on the òwarning
lamp and the display messages.
Braking
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a
pulsating 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.
XIf ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
XTo make a full brake application: depress
the brake pedal with full force.
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
Observe the important safety guidelines for the
driving safety system (Ypage 64).
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.
If BAS is malfunctioning, the ÷warning lamp
lights up while the engine is running
(
Ypage 222) and the display shows a message:
Ron vehicles without steering wheel buttons
(Ypage 194)
Ron vehicles with steering wheel buttons
(Ypage 208)
Brakes
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.
EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
General notes
EBD monitors and controls the brake pressure
to the rear wheels. This enables EBD to improve
handling during braking.
Important safety notes
Observe the important safety guidelines for the
driving safety system (Ypage 64).
GWARNING
If EBD is malfunctioning, the rear wheels can
lock, e.g. under full braking. This increases the
risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
If EBD is malfunctioning, the $warning lamp
(
Ypage 221) lights up while the engine is run-
ning and the display shows a message.
Ron vehicles without steering wheel buttons
(Ypage 193)
Ron vehicles with steering wheel buttons
(Ypage 207)
Other driving systems and driving safety sys-
tems then also fail.
ESP®(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
ESP®monitors driving stability and detects a
tendency of the vehicle to understeer or over-
steer (skidding) in good time. If ESP
®detects
that the vehicle is deviating from the direction
desired by the driver, one or more wheels are
braked to stabilize the vehicle. The engine out-
Driving safety systems65
Safety
Z
put is also modified to keep the vehicle on the
desired course within physical limits. ESP®can
also stabilize the vehicle during braking.
ESP
®also monitors traction, i.e. power trans-
mission between the tires and the road surface.
The integrated traction control supports you
when pulling away or accelerating on wet, slip-
pery or slick roads. Should the drive wheels spin,
traction control brakes them individually. In
addition, greater drive torque is transmitted to
the wheel or wheels with traction. If traction on
the road surface is not sufficient, even ESP
®will
not allow you to pull away without difficulty. The
type of tires and total weight of the vehicle as
well as the gradient of the road also play a cru-
cial role. Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP
®.
If the h warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter goes out before beginning the journey, ESP
®
is automatically active.
The h warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes when ESP
®intervenes:
XDo not deactivate ESP®under any circum-
stances.
Xwhen driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
Xadapt your speed and driving style to the pre-
vailing road conditions.
Important safety notes
Observe the important safety guidelines for the
driving safety system (Ypage 64).
GWARNING
If ESP
®is malfunctioning it will not provide
any vehicle stabilization. There is an increased
risk of skidding or of an accident.
Exercise caution when continuing to drive.
Have ESP
®checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
!Do not run the vehicle on a roller dynamom-
eter (e.g. for performance tests). If you must
operate the vehicle on a roller dynamometer,
please consult a qualified specialist workshop
in advance. You could otherwise damage the
drive train or the brake system.
If ESP
®is malfunctioning, the hwarning
lamp (Ypage 222) lights up continuously while the engine is running and the display shows a
message.
Ron vehicles without steering wheel buttons
(Ypage 194)
Ron vehicles with steering wheel buttons
(Ypage 208)
ESP®is deactivated if the åwarning lamp in
the instrument cluster is lit when the engine is
running.
Only use wheels with the recommended tire
sizes. Only then will ESP
®function properly.
Deactivating or activating ESP®
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP
®, ESP®no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP
®in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
It may be best to deactivate ESP
®in the follow-
ing situations:
Rwhen using snow chains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
Activate ESP®as soon as the situations descri-
bed above no longer apply. Otherwise, ESP®
assistance for stabilizing the vehicle will remain significantly reduced, even if the vehicle starts
to skid.
If you deactivate ESP
®:
Rthe å warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter lights up
Rthe ÷ warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter flashes if the wheels are spinning
RESP®assistance for stabilizing the vehicle in
the lower speed range up to approximately
37 mph (60 km/h) is significantly reduced
Rengine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action for bet-
ter traction on loose surfaces
Rtraction control is still activated
RESP®still provides support when you brake
66Driving safety systems
Safety
Depending on the equipment in the vehicle, you
can activate or deactivate ESP®when the
engine is running by using the åbutton or by
using the on-board computer:
Ron vehicles without steering wheel buttons
(Ypage 174)
Ron vehicles with steering wheel buttons
(Ypage 184)
å button (equipment-dependent)
XTo activate/deactivate: when the engine is
running, press the åbutton.
The å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when ESP
®is deactivated.
Trailer stabilization
Observe the important safety guidelines for the
driving safety system (Ypage 64).
GWARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilization will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from swerv-
ing. Trailers with a high center of gravity can
tip over before ESP
®can detect this. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
ESP
®trailer stabilization counteracts critical
driving situations in good time and thereby pro- vides considerable assistance when driving with
a trailer. Trailer stabilization is part of ESP
®.
If the sensor system and evaluation logic detect
trailer swinging movements, ESP
®trailer stabi-
lization firstly brakes individual vehicle wheels in
a targeted manner. It thus counteracts swinging
movements. If the swinging movements do not
stop, the vehicle is braked until the vehicle/ trailer combination is stabilized. If necessary,
the vehicle's engine output is limited.
If your vehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer com-
bination) starts to swerve, you will be able to
stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination only by
braking. ESP
®trailer stabilization helps you to
stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination in this
s
ituation.
ESP
®trailer stabilization is activated above
speeds of about 40 mph (65 km/h).
If ESP
®is switched off or deactivated because of
a malfunction, the trailer stabilization system
will not function.
Crosswind Assist
Observe the important safety guidelines for the
driving safety system (Ypage 64).
Strong crosswind gusts can impair the road-
holding of your vehicle when driving straight
ahead. The Crosswind Assist function integra-
ted in ESP
®reduces these impairments.
Depending on the direction and intensity of the
side wind, Crosswind Assist intervenes auto-
matically. ESP
®intervenes with stabilizing brak-
ing to assist you in keeping the vehicle in the
lane. When Crosswind Assist intervenes, the
display shows the traffic sign for strong side
winds and the Crosswind Assist
message.
Crosswind Assist is activated automatically
above a vehicle speed of approx. 50 mph
(80 km/h) when the vehicle is driving straight
ahead or cornering gently.
Crosswind Assist does not react:
Rin the event of severe jolts and vibrations, e.g.
when driving over uneven surfaces or pot-
holes
Rwhen grip is reduced, e.g. on snow or ice or
when hydroplaning
Crosswind Assist does not work if ESP
®is deac-
tivated or disabled because of a malfunction.
Theft deterrent locking system
Immobilizer
XTo activate: remove the key from the ignition
lock.
XTo deactivate: turn the key to position 2in
the ignition lock.
Theft deterrent locking system67
Safety
Z