
Basicillust ration
XAdjus tthe sea t(Ypage 82).
The sea tbackrest mus tbeinana lmost ver-
tical position.
XPull the sea tbelts moothly outofb eltl oop =
and engage bel ttongue ;into belt
buckle :.
The sea tbeltont he driver’ sseata nd the
front-passenger sea tmay be tightened auto-
matically ,see "Belt adjustment"
(
Ypage 41).
XIf necessary ,pullu pward sonthe shoulder
section of the sea tbelttot ighten the belt
across your body.
In orde rtoattach the chil drestraint system
securelyint he vehicle, the sea tbeltont he front-
passenger sea tisequipped with aspecia lseat
bel tretractor. Furthe rinformation on the "Spe-
cia lsea tb eltr etractor" (
Ypage 52).
Releasing seat belts
!Make sur ethat the sea tbeltisf ully rolled up.
Otherwise ,the sea tbeltorb eltt onguew illb e
trapped in the doo rorinthe seatmechanism.
Thisc ouldd amaget he door, the doo rtrim
panel and the sea tbelt. Damaged sea tbelts
can no longer fulfil lthei rprotective function
and mus tbereplaced. Visit aquali fied spe-
cialist workshop.
XPres sthe release button in the bel tbuckle,
hol dthe bel ttonguef irmlyand guide the belt
back.
Sea tbelta djustment
Mercedes-Ben zSLC 43 AMG: the seatbelt
adjustment function is not available.
The seat-bel tadjustment is an integral part of
the PRE-SAFE
®convenience function. Thisf unc-
tion adjusts the driver's and front-passenger
sea tbelttot he upper bod yofthe occupants.
The bel tstrap is tightened slightlyw hen:
Rthe belttongueise ngaged in the buckle and
Rthe ignition is switched on
The seat-bel tadjustment will apply acertain
retraction force if any slack is detected between
the vehicle occupant and the sea tbelt. Do not
hol dontot he seatbeltt ightly while it is adjust-
ing.
You can switch the seat-bel tadjustment on and
off in the on-board computer (
Ypage 174).
Beltw arning for the drive rand front
passenger
The 7 seatbeltw arning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster is areminder that al lvehicle occu-
pants mus twearthei rseatb elts. It may light up
continuously or flash. In addition, there may be
aw arning tone.
Regardless of whether the driver's sea tbelth as
already bee nfastened, the 7seatbeltw arn-
ing lamp lights up for six seconds each time the engine is started. If, afte rsix seconds ,the driver
or front-passenger sea tbelth as not bee nfas-
tened and the doors are closed, the 7seat
bel twarning lamp lights up .Assoon as the driv-
er's and front-passenger sea tbelts are fastened
or afront doo risopened again, the 7seat
bel tw arning lamp goeso ut.
If the driver's sea tbeltisn ot fastened afte rthe
engine is started, an additional warning tone will
sound. The warning tone switches off after six
seconds or once the driver's sea tbeltisf as-
tened.
If the vehicle' sspeed exceeds 15 mph
(25 km/h )once and the driver's and front-
passenger sea tbelts are not fastened, awarning
tone sounds. Awarning tone also sounds with
increasing intensity for 60 seconds or until the
driver or front passenger hav efastened their
sea tbelts.
If the driver or front passenger unfasten their
sea tbelts during the journey,t he seatbeltw arn-
ing is activated again.
Occupan tsafety41
Safety
Z

If the front passenger does not observe these
conditions, OCS may produceafalse classifica-
tion, e.g. because the front passenger:
Rtransfers their weight by supporting them-
selves on avehicle armrest
Rsits in such away that their weight is raised
from the seat cushion
If you install achild restraint system on the
front-passenger seat, be sure to observe the
correct positioning of the child restraint system.
Never place objects under or behind the child
restraint system, e.g. acushion. The entire base
of the child restraint system must always rest on
the seat cushio nofthe front-passenger seat.
The backrest of the forward-facing child
restraint system must lie as flat as possible
against the backrest of the front-passenger
seat.
The child restraint system must not touch the
roof or be subjected to aload by the head
restraint. Adjust the angle of the seat backrest
and the head restraint positiona ccordingly.
Only then can OCS be guaranteed to function
correctly. Alway sobserve the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation and operating
instructions.
Occupant Classification System opera-
tion (OCS)
:PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp
;PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
The indicator lamp sinform you whether the
front-passenger front air bag is deactivated or
enabled.
XPress the Start/Stop button once or twice, or turn the SmartKey to position 1or 2in the
ignition lock.
The system carries out self-diagnostics. The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF and PASSENGER
AIR BAG ON indicator lamp
smust lightu psimul-
taneousl yfor approximately six seconds.
The indicator lamp sdisplay the status of the
front-passenger front air bag.
RPASSENGER AIR BAG ON lights up: the front-
passenger front air bag is enabled. If, in the
event of an accident, all deployment criteria
are met, the front-passenger front air bag is
deployed.
RPASSENGER AIR BAG OFF lights up: the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated. It will
then not be deployed in the event of an acci-
dent.
If the status of the front-passenger front air bag changes whil ethe vehicle is in motion, an air bag
display messag eappears in the instrument clus-
ter (
Ypage 187). When the front-passenger
seat is occupied, always pay attention to the
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON and PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamps. Be aware of the status
of the front-passenger front air bag both before
and during the journey.
GWARNING
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is lit, the front-passenger front air bag is
disabled.Itw illnot be deployed in the event of
an accident and cannot perform its intended
protective function. Aperson in the front-
passenger seat could then, for example ,come
into contact with the vehicle's interior, espe-
ciallyift he person is sitting too close to the
dashboard. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
When the front-passenger seat is occupied,
always ensure that:
Rthe 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
Rthe front-passenger seat has been moved
back as far back as possible.
Rthe person is seated correctly.
Make sure, both before and during the jour-
ney, that the status of the front-passenger
front air bag is correct.
Occupant safety45
Safety
Z

GWARNING
If you secure achild in arearward-facing child
restraint system on the front-passenge rseat
and the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator
lamp is lit up, the front-passenge rfront air bag
may deploy in an accident. The child coul dbe
struck by the air bag .This posesani ncreased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Make sure that the front-passenge rfront air
bag has been disabled. The PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp must be lit.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
remains off and/or the PASSENGER AIR BAG
ON indicator lamp lights up, do not install arear-
ward-facing child restraint system on the front-
passenger seat. You can find more information
on OCS under "Problems with the Occupant
Classification System" (
Ypag e48).
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 ON is lit up
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
beltl oop to the shoulde rbeltg uide on the
child restraint system. The shoulde rbelts trap
must be routed forwards and downwards
from the beltl oop.Always observe the child
restraint system manufacturer's installation
instructions.
If OCS determines that:
Rthe front-passenge rseat 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.
Rthe front-passenge
rseat is occupied by a
child of up to twelve months old, in astandard
child restraint system, the PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp lights up after the
system self-test and remains lit. This indi-
cates that the front-passenge rfront air bag is
deactivated.
But even in the case of atwelve-month-old
child ,inas tandard child restraint system, the
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON can light up perma-
nently after the system self-test. This indi-
cates that the front-passenge rfront air bag is
activated. The result of the classification is
dependent on, among other factors, the child
restraint system and the child's stature. Make
sure that the conditions for acorrect classi-
ficatio nare met. If the PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF indicator lamp is still lit, do not install a
child restraint system on the front-passenger
seat.
Rthe front-passenge rseat is occupied by aper-
son of smaller stature (e.g. ateenage ror
smal ladult), either the PASSENGER AIR BAG
ON or PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp lights up and remains lit after the system
self-test depending on the result of the clas-
sification.
-If the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator
lamp lights up, move the front-passenger
seat as far back as possible.
-If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is lit, apersonofs maller stature
should not use the front-passenge rseat.
Rthe front-passenge rseat is occupied by an
adult or apersonofa dult stature, the
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp
lights up after the system self-test and
remains lit. 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 vehicle"
(
Ypag e51).
When OCS is malfunctioning, the red 6
restraint system warning lamp in the instrument
cluster and the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indi-
cator lamp light up simultaneously .The front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated in this
case and does not deploy during an accident.
Have the system checked by qualified techni-
cians as soon as possible.C onsult an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. The front-passenger
46Occupant safety
Safety

Problems with the Occupant Classification System (OCS)
Be sure to observe the notes on "System self-test"(Ypage 47).
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
The PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp
lights up and remains lit,
even though the front-
passenger seat is occu-
pied by an adult oraper-
son of astature corre-
sponding to that of an
adult.The classification of the person on the front-passenger seat is incor-
rect.
XMake sure the conditionsf orac orrect classification of the person
on the front-passenger seat are met (Ypage 44).
XIf the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp remains lit, the front-
passenger seat may not be used.
XHave OCS checked as soon as possible at an authorized Mercedes- Benz Center.
The PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp
does not light up and/or
does not stay on.
The front-passenger seat
is:
Runoccupied
Roccupied with the
weight of achild up to
twelve months old in a
child restraint system
OCS is malfunctioning.
XMake sure there is nothin gbetween the seat cushion and the child
seat.
XMake sure that the entire base of the child restraint system rests on
the seat cushion of the front-passenger seat. The backrest of the
forward-facing child restraint system must lie as flat as possible
against the backrest of the front-passenger seat. If necessary,
adjust the position of the front-passenger seat.
XWhen installing the child restraint system, make sure that the seat belt is tight. Do not pull the seat belt tight using the front-passenger
seat adjustment .This could result in the seat belt and the child
restraint system being pulled too tightly.
XCheck for correct installation of the child restraint system.
Make sure that the head restraint does not apply aload to the child
restraint system. If necessary, adjust the head restraint accord-
ingly.
XMake sure that no object sare applying additional weight onto the
seat.
XIf the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp remains off and/or
the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp lights up, do not install ac hild restraint system on the front-passenger seat.
XHave OCS checked as soon as possible at an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
Deployment of Emergency Tensioning
Devices and air bags
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The air bag parts are hot after an air bag has
been deployed. There is arisk of injury.
Do not touch the air bag parts. Have a
deploye dair bag replaced at aqualified spe-
cialist workshop as soon as possible.
GWARNING
Ad eployeda ir bag no longer offers any pro-
tection and cannot provide the intended pro-
tection in an accident. There is an increased
risk of injury.
Have the vehicle towed to aqualified special-
ist workshop in order to have adeployeda ir
bag replaced.
For your own safety and that of your front
passenger, it is important that you have
48Occupant safety
Safety

deployed air bags replaced and faulty air bags
repaired. This will help to make sure the air bags
continue to performtheir protective function for
the vehicle occupants in the event of acrash.
GWARNING
Emergenc yTensioning Devices that have
deployed pyrotechnically are no longer opera-
tional and are unable to performt heir 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.
An electric moto risused by PRE-SAFE
®to trig-
ger the tightenin gofthe seat belt in hazardous
situations. This procedure is reversible.
If Emergenc yTensioning Devices are triggered
or air bags are deployed, you will hear abang,
and asmall 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 ahealth hazard, but it may cause
short-term breathin gdifficulties 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 breathin gdifficulties.
Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergenc yTensioning
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
Duringthe first stage of acollision, the restraint
system control unit evaluates important physi-
cal data relatin gtovehicle deceleration or accel-
eration ,such as:
Rduration
Rdirection
Rintensity
Based on the evaluation of this data, the
restraint system control unit triggers the Emer-
genc yTensioning Devices during afrontal or
rear collision. An Emergenc
yTensioning Devic ecan only be
triggered, if:
Rthe ignition is switched on
Rthe component softhe restraint system are
operational. You can find further information
under: "Restraint system warning lamp"
(
Ypage 37)
Rthe belt tongue has engaged in the belt buckle
of the respective seat
If the restraint system control unit detects a
more severe accident, further component sof
the restraint system are activated independ-
ently of each other in certain frontal collision
situations:
RFronta ir bags as well as driver'sa nd front-
passenger knee bags
The front-passenger fronta ir bag is activated or
deactivated dependin gonthe person on the
front-passenger seat. The front-passenger front
air bag can only deploy in an accidentift he
PASSENGER AIR BAGONi ndicator lamp is lit.
Observe the information on the PASSENGER AIR
BAGi ndicator lamps (
Ypage 38).
Your vehicle has two-stage fronta ir bags. During
the first deployment stage, the fronta ir bag is
filled with propellant gas to reduce the risk of
injuries. The fronta ir bag is fully deployed with
the maximum amount of propellant gas if asec-
ond deployment threshold is reached within a
few milliseconds.
The activation threshold of the Emergenc yTen-
sionin gDevices and the air bag are determined
by evaluating the rate of vehicle deceleration or
acceleration which occurs at various point sin
the vehicle. This processisp re-emptive in
nature. Deploymen tshould take place in good
time at the start of the collision.
The rat
e of vehicle deceleration or acceleration
and the direction of the forcea re essentially
determined by:
Rthe distribution of forces during the collision
Rthe collision angle
Rthe deformation characteristic softhe vehicle
Rthe characteristic softhe objec twith which
the vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after acollision has occurred do not play adeci-
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
Occupant safety49
Safety
Z

good time, and for staying in lane. Always adapt
your driving style to suit the prevailing road and
weather conditions and maintainasafe distance
from the vehicle in front.D rive carefully.
The driving safety systems described only work
as effectively as possible when there is ade-
quate contact between the tires and the road
surface. Pay particular attention to the informa-
tion regarding tires, recommended minimum
tire tread depths etc. in the "Wheels and tires"
section (
Ypage 255).
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow chains.
Only in this way will the driving safety systems
described in this section work as effectively as
possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information
ABS regulates brake pressure in such away that
the wheels do not lock when you brake. This
allows you to continue steering the vehicle when
braking.
The ! ABS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
ABS works from aspeed of about 5mph
(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface conditions.
ABS works on slippery surfaces, even when you
only brake gently.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 54).
GWARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally,f urther 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 aqualified specialist workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (
Ypage 204) and dis- play messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (
Ypage 179).
Braking
XIf ABS intervenes:
continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-
uation is over.
XTo make afull 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, and functions as a reminder to take extr acare while driving.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
General information
BAS operates in emergencyb raking situations.
If you depress the brake pedal quickly, BAS
automatically boosts the braking force, thus
shortening the stopping distance.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 54).
GWARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergencyb raking situation is
increased. There is arisk of an accident.
In an emergencyb raking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
Braking
XKeep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergencyb raking situation is over.
ABS prevent sthe wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated.
Driving safety systems55
Safety
Z

Important safety notes
GWARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist canno talways clearly
iden tifyo bject sand co mplextraffic situa-
tions.
In suchc ases, Adaptive Brake Assist can:
Rinterveneu nnecessarily
Rnotintervene
Thereisar iskofana cciden t.
Always pay careful attentio ntothetraff icsit-
uation and beread ytob rake. Terminate the
interventio ninanon-criticaldriving situation.
GWAR NING
Adaptive Brake Assist does no treact:
Rto people or animals
Rto oncomin gvehicle s
Rto crossing traff ic
Rwhen cornering
As aresult, th eAdaptive Brake Assist may not
interveneina llcritical conditions. Thereisa
ris kofana cciden t.
Always pay careful attentio ntothetraff icsit-
uation and beread ytob rake.
Due to th enature of th esystem, particularly
co mpli cated but non-critical driving conditions
may also caus eBrake Assist to intervene.
If adaptive Brake Assist isno tavailab ledue to a
malfunctio nintheradar sensor system, the
brak esystem remains availab le withfull brake
boostin geffect and BA S.
ESP®(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
iObserv ethe "Im portan tsafety notes" sec-
tio n(Ypage 54).
ESP
®monitors driving stabilit yand traction,i .e.
power transmission between th etires and the
road surface.
If ESP
®detect stha tthe veh icle is deviating from
th ed irection desired bythed river, oneorm ore
wheelsa re braked to stabiliz ethe veh icle.The
engineo utputisalso mod ifiedtok eept he veh i- cle on th
edesired course within physical limits.
ESP
®assists th edriver when pullingaway on
wet or slippery roads. ESP®can also stabilize
th ev ehicle durin gbraking.
ETS (Electronic Traction System)
iObserv ethe "Importan tsafety notes" sec-
tio n(Ypage 54).
ET St raction control is part of ESP
®.
ET Sb rakes th edrivew heelsi ndivid ually if they
spin.T his enables you to pull away and acceler-
ate on slippery surfaces, for example if th eroad
surface is slippery on ones ide.Inaddition,m ore
drivet orque istransferred to th ewheel or
wheelsw itht raction.
ET Sr emains active when you deactivate ESP
®.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If ESP
®is malfunctioning, ESP®is unab leto
stabilizet hevehicle .Add itionally, further driv-
ing safety systems are deactivate d.This
increases th eriskofs kiddin gand an accident.
Drive on carefully. Hav eESP
®checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
When to wingthe vehicle witht herear axle
raised, observ ethe note sonE SP
®
(Ypage 252).
If the å ESP®OFFw arning lamp lightsu p
continuously, then ESP®is deactivate d.
If the ÷ ESP®warning lamp and the å
ESP®OFFw arning lamp are lit continuously,
ESP®is no ta vailab ledue to amalfunction.
Observ ethe information on warning lamps
(
Ypage 205) and display messagesw hichmay
be shown in thei nstrumen tcluster
(
Ypage 179).
iOnly use wheelsw itht he recommended tire
sizes. Only then willESP®function properly.
Characteristics of ESP®
General information
Ifthe ÷ ESP®warning lamp goes out before
beginnin gthe journey, ESP®is automatically
active.
58Driving safety systems
Safety

If ESP®intervenes, the÷ESP®warning lamp
flashe sinthe instrument cluster.
If ESP
®intervenes:
XDo not deactivate ESP®under any circum-
stances.
XOnly depresst he accelerator pedalasf ar as
necessary when pulling away.
XAdapt you rdriving style to suit the prevailing
road and weather conditions.
ECO start/stop function
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle stops
moving. The engine starts automatically when
the driver wants to pul lawa ya gain. ESP
®
remains in its previously selected status, e.g. if
ESP®was deactivated before the engine was
automatically switched off.
Deactivating/activating ESP®(except
SLC 43 AMG)
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 54).
You can select between the following states of
ESP
®:
RESP®is activated.
RESP®is deactivated.
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP
®,E SP®no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle.T here 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
Spinning the wheel sresults in acutting action
which providesb etter grip.
iActivate ESP®as soon as the situations
describeda bove no longer apply. ESP®will
otherwise not be abl etostabilize the vehicle if the vehicle starts to skid or
awheel starts to
spin.
!Avoid spinning the driven wheel sfor an
extended period with ESP®deactivated. You
could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP®
XTo deactivate: press button:.
The å ESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
XTo activate: press button :.
The å ESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Characteristic swhen ESP®is deactivated
If ESP®is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®warning lamp in the
instrument cluster flashes. In such situations,
ESP
®wil lnot stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP®:
RESP®no longer improves driving stability.
REngine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheel sare abl etospin.
RTraction control is still activated.
RActive Brake Assist is not available and is not
activated even if you brake firmly with assis-
tance from ESP
®
RPRE-SAFE®is no longer available, nor is it
activated if you brake firmly and ESP®inter-
venes.
RESP®still providess upport when you brake
firmly.
Driving safety systems59
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