
If the front passenger does not observe these
conditions, OCS may produce af alse classifica-
tion, e.g. because the front passenger: R
transfers their weight by supporting them-
selves on av ehicle armrestR
sits in such aw ay that their weight is raised
from the seat cushion
If you install ac hild 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. ac ushion. The entire base
of the child restraint system must always rest on
the seat cushio noft he 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 al oad by the head
restraint. Adjust the angle of the seat backrest
and the head restraint positio na ccordingly.
Only then can OCS be guaranteed to function
correctly. Alway so bserve the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation and operating
instructions.
Occupant Classification System opera-
tion (OCS)
C
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp
D
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
The indicator lamp si nform you whether the
front-passenger front air bag is deactivated or
enabled. X
Press the Start/Stop button once or twice, or
turn the SmartKey to position 1 or 2 in the
ignition lock.
The system carries out self-diagnostics. The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF and PASSENGER
AIR BAG ON indicator lamp sm ust ligh tu ps imul-
taneousl yf or approximately six seconds.
The indicator lamp sd isplay the status of the
front-passenger front air bag. R
PASSENGER 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. R
PASSENGER 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 et he vehicle is in motion, an air bag
display messag ea ppears in the instrument clus-
ter ( Y
page 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.
G WARNING
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is lit, the front-passenger front air bag is
disabled .Itw il ln ot be deployed in the event of
an accident and cannot perform its intended
protective function. Ap erson in the front-
passenger seat could then, for example ,c ome
into contact with the vehicle's interior, espe-
ciall yift 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: R
the classification of the person in the front-
passenger seat is correct and the front-
passenger front air bag is enabled or disa-
bled in accordance with the person in the
front-passenger seat R
the front-passenger seat has been moved
back as far back as possible. R
the 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 safety 45
Safety Z

seat should only be repaired at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
If the front-passenger seat, the seat cover or the
seat cushion is damaged ,h ave the necessary
repair work carried out at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use seat accessories that
have been approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If the driver's air bag deploys, this does not
mean that the front-passenger front air bag will
also deploy .T he Occupant Classification Sys-
tem (OCS) categorizes the occupant in the front-
passenger seat. Depending on that result, the
front-passenger front air bag is either enabled or
deactivated.
System self-test
G DANGER
If both the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF and
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamps do
not light up during the system self-test, the
system is malfunctioning. The front-
passenger front air bag might be triggered
unintentionally or might not be triggered at all
in the event of an accident with high deceler-
ation. This poses an increased risk of injury or
even fatal injury.
In this case the front-passenger seat may not
be used. Do not install ac hild restraint system
on the front-passenger seat. Have the Occu-
pant Classification System (OCS) checked
and repaired immediately at aq ualified spe-
cialist workshop.
G WARNING
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp remains lit after the system self-test, the
front-passenger front air bag is disabled. It will
not be deployed in the event of an accident. In
this case, the front-passenger front air bag
cannot perform its intended protective func-
tion, e.g. when ap erson is seated in the front-
passenger seat.
That person could, for example, come into
contact with the vehicle's interior, especially
if the person is sitting too close to the dash- board. This poses an increased risk of injury or
even fatal injury.
When the front-passenger seat is occupied,
always ensure that: R
the classification of the person in the front-
passenger seat is correct and the front-
passenger front air bag is enabled or disa-
bled in accordance with the person in the
front-passenger seat R
the person is seated properly with ac or-
rectly fastened seatbelt R
the front-passenger seat has been moved
as far back as possible
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp remains lit when it should not, the front-
passenger seat may not be used. Do not
install ac hild restraint system on the front-
passenger seat. Have the Occupant Classifi-
cation System (OCS) checked and repaired
immediately at aq ualified specialist work-
shop.
G WARNING
Objects between the seat surface and the
child restraint system could affect OCS oper-
ation. This could result in the front-passenger
air bag not functionin gasi ntended during an
accident. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
Do not place any objects between the seat
surface and the child restraint system. The
entire base of the child restraint system must
always rest on the seat cushion of the front-
passenger seat. The backrest of the forward-
facing child restraint system must, as far as
possible ,ber esting on the backrest of the
front-passenger seat. Always comply with the
child restraint system manufacturer's instal-
lation instructions.
After the system self-test, the PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF or PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator
lamp displays the status of the front-passenger
front air bag ( Y
page 45).
For more information about the OCS, see "Prob-
lems with the Occupant Classification System"
( Y
page 48).Occupant safety 47
Safety Z

deployed air bags replaced and faulty air bags
repaired. This will help to make sure the air bags
continue to perfor mt heir protective function for
the vehicle occupants in the event of ac rash.
G WARNING
Emergenc yT ensioning Devices that have
deployed pyrotechnically are no longer opera-
tional and are unable to perfor mt heir inten-
ded protective function .T his 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 risu sed by PRE-SAFE ®
to trig-
ger the tightenin goft he seat belt in hazardous
situations. This procedure is reversible.
If Emergenc yT ensioning Devices are triggered
or air bags are deployed, you will hear ab ang,
and as mall amount of powder may also be
released. The u restraint 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 ah ealth hazard, but it may cause
short-term breathin gd ifficulties 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 gd ifficulties.
Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergenc yT ensioning
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 Durin gt he first stage of ac ollision, the restraint
system control unit evaluates important physi-
cal data relatin gtov ehicle deceleration or accel-
eration ,s uch as:R
duration R
direction R
intensity
Based on the evaluation of this data, the
restraint system control unit triggers the Emer-
genc yT ensioning Devices during af rontal or
rear collision. An Emergenc yT ensioning Devic ec an only be
triggered, if: R
the ignition is switched on R
the component soft he restraint system are
operational. You can find further information
under: "Restraint system warning lamp"
( Y
page 37) R
the 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 so f
the restraint system are activated independ-
ently of each other in certain frontal collision
situations: R
Fron ta ir bags as well as driver' sa nd front-
passenger knee bags
The front-passenger fron ta ir bag is activated or
deactivated dependin gont he person on the
front-passenger seat. The front-passenger front
air bag can only deploy in an acciden tift he
PASSENGER AIR BA GONi ndicator lamp is lit.
Observe the information on the PASSENGER AIR
BA Gi ndicator lamps ( Y
page 38).
Your vehicle has two-stage fron ta ir bags. During
the first deployment stage, the fron ta ir bag is
filled with propellant gas to reduce the risk of
injuries. The fron ta ir bag is fully deployed with
the maximum amount of propellant gas if as ec-
ond deployment threshold is reached within a
few milliseconds.
The activation threshold of the Emergenc yT en-
sionin gD evices and the air bag are determined
by evaluating the rate of vehicle deceleration or
acceleration which occurs at various point si n
the vehicle. This proces sisp re-emptive in
nature. Deploymen ts hould take place in good
time at the start of the collision.
The rat e
of vehicle deceleration or acceleration
and the direction of the forc ea re essentially
determined by: R
the distribution of forces during the collision R
the collision angle R
the deformation characteristic soft he vehicleR
the characteristic soft he objec tw ith which
the vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after ac ollision has occurred do not play ad eci-
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 ifOccupant safety 49
Safety Z

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 ar esult.
If the control unit of the restraint system detects
as ide impact or av ehicle rollover, the relevant
components of the restraint system are activa-
ted separately depending on the anticipated
type of accident. R
Side impact air bag on the side of impact,
independently of the Emergency Tensioning
Device and the use of the seat belt on the
driver's seat
The side impact air bag on the front-
passenger side deploys under the following
conditions: -
the OCS system detect st hat the front-
passenger seat is occupied or -
the belt tongue is engaged in the belt
buckle of the front-passenger seat R
Head bag on the side of impact, independ-
ently of the use of the seat belt and inde-
pendently of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied R
Emergency Tensionin gD evices, if the system
determines that deployment can offer addi-
tional protection in this situation R
Head 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 additional protec-
tion to that provided by the seat belt
i Not 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: R
Frontal collision R
Side impact R
Rollover NECK-PRO head restraints
Important safety notes
G WARNING
The function of the head restraint may be
impaired if you: R
attach object ss uch as coat hangers to the
head restraints, for example R
use head restraint covers
If you do so, the head restraint sc annot fulfill
their intended protective function in the event
of an accident .Ina ddition, object sa ttached
to the head restraint sc ould endanger other
vehicle occupants. There is an increased risk
of injury.
Do not attach any object stot he head
restraint sa nd do not use head restraint cov-
ers.
Method of operation NECK-PRO head restraint sr educe the likelihood
of head and chest injuries. The NECK-PRO head
restraint sont he driver's and front-passenger
seats are moved forwards and upwards in the
event of ar ear-end collision of ac ertain severity.
This provides better head support.
If the NECK-PRO head restraint sh ave been trig-
gered in an accident ,y ou must reset the NECK-
PRO head restraint sont he driver’s and front-
passenger seat ( Y
page 51). Otherwise, the
additional protection will not be available in the
event of another rear-end collision. You can rec-
ognize when NECK-PRO head restraint sh ave
been triggered by the fact that they have moved
forwards and can no longer be adjusted.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have the
NECK-PRO head restraint sc hecked for func-
tionality at aq ualified specialist workshop after
ar ear-end collision.50
Occupant safety
Safety

Child restraint system The use of seat belt sa nd child restraint systems
is required by law in: R
all 50 states R
th eU .S .t erri toriesR
th eD istrict of ColumbiaR
all Canadian provinces
You can obtain further informatio na bout the
correc tc hi ld restraint system from any author-
ize dM ercedes-Ben zC enter.
G WARNING
If th ec hi ld restraint system is installed incor-
rectly on as uitable seat ,itc anno tp rotect as
intended. The child canno tt he nber estrained
in th ee vent of an accident, heav yb raking or
sudde nc ha nges of direction .T her eisa n
increased ris kofi njury, possibly eve nf atal.
Mak es ure that you observ et he child restraint
system manufacturer' si nstallatio ni nstruc-
tions and th en otes on use. Pleas ee ns ure,
that th eb ase of th ec hi ld restraint system is
always restin gc ompletely on th es eat cush-
ion .N ever plac eo bjects, e.g .c ushions, under
or behin dt he child restraint system. Only use
child restraint systems wit ht he original cover
designe df or them. Only replace damaged
covers wit hg enuine covers.
G WARNING
If th ec hi ld restraint system is installed incor-
rectly or is no ts ecured, it can com el oos ei n
th ee vent of an accident, heav yb raking or a
sudde nc ha ng eind irection .T he child
restraint system coul dbet hr own about ,s tr ik-
ing vehicle occupants .T her eisani ncreased
ris kofi njury, possibly eve nf atal.
Always install child restraint systems prop-
erly, eve nift he ya re no tb ein gu sed. Make
sure that you observ et he child restraint sys-
te mm anufacturer' si nstallatio ni nstructions.
Further informatio nons to win go bjects, luggage
and loads securely can be foun du nde r“ Stowi ng
options/stowage compartments”
( Y
page 217). G WARNING
Child restraint systems or their securin gs ys-
tems whic hh ave been damaged or subjected
to al oad in an acciden tc an no longer protect
as intended. The child canno tt he nb e
restraine dint he event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudde nc ha nges of direction .T here
is an increased ris kofi njury, possibly even
fatal.
Replac ec hi ld restraint systems whic hh ave
been damaged or subjected to al oad in an
acciden tass oon as possible. Hav et he secur-
ing systems on th ec hi ld restraint system
checked at aq ualified specialist workshop,
before you install ac hi ld restraint system
again.
The securin gs ystem of child restraint systems is
th es eat belt system.
i If you install ac hi ld restraint system on the
front-passenger seat ,bes ure to observ et he
instruction sa nd safety note sont he "Occu-
pan tC lassificatio nS yste m( OCS)"
( Y
page 44). Ther ey ou will also fin di nforma-
tio nond eactivatin gt he front-passenger front
air bag.
All child restraint systems must mee tt he fol-
lowin gs ta ndards: R
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safet yS ta ndards
21 3a nd 225 R
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safet yS ta ndards
21 3a nd 210.2
Confirmation that th ec hi ld restraint system cor-
responds to th es ta ndards can be foun dona n
instruction label on th ec hi ld restraint system.
This confir mation can also be foun di nt he instal-
lation instruction st ha ta re included wit ht he
child restraint system.
Observ et he warning labels in th ev ehicle inte-
rior and on th ec hi ld restraint system.
Child restraint system on th ef ro nt-
passenge rs eat
General notes
If you install ac hi ld restraint system on the
front-passenger seat ,a lways observ et heChildren in th ev ehicle 53
Safety Z

instructions and safet yn otes on the "Occupant
Classification System (OCS)" ( Y
page 44).
You can thus avoid the risk st hat could arise as
ar esult of: R
an incorrectly categorized perso nint he front-
passenger seat R
the unintentional deactivatio noft he front-
passenger front air bag R
the unsuitable positionin goft he child
restraint system, e.g. too clos etot he dash-
board
Rearward-facing child restraint system If it is absolutely necessary to install ar earward-
facin gc hild restraint system on the front-
passenger seat, always make sure that the
front-passenge rf ront air bag is deactivated.
Only if the PASSENGER AI RB AG OFF indicator
lamp is permanently lit ( Y
page 38) is the front-
passenger front air bag deactivated.
Always observe the child restraint system man-
ufacturer' si nstallation and operating instruc-
tions.
Forward-facing child restraint system If you secur eac hild in af orward-facin gc hild
restraint system on the front-passenge rs eat,
always move the front-passenge rs eat as far
back as possible .T he entire base of the child
restraint system must always rest on the seat
cushio noft he front-passenge rs eat. The back-
rest of the child restraint system must lie as flat
as possible against the backrest of the front-
passenger seat. The child restraint system must
not touc ht he roof or be subjected to al oad by
the head restraint .A djust the angle of the seat
backrest and the head restraint position accord-
ingly. Always make sure that the shoulder belt
strap is correctly routed fro mt he front-
passenger seat belt loop to the shoulder belt
guide on the child restraint system. The shoul-
der belt strap must be routed forwards and
downwards fro mt he front-passenge rs eat belt
loop.
Always observe the child restraint system man-
ufacturer' si nstallation and operating instruc-
tions. Pets in th ev ehicle
G WARNING
If you leave animals unattended or unsecured
in the vehicle, the yc ould press buttons or
switches, for example.
As ar esult ,t he yc ould: R
activat ev ehicle equipmen ta nd become
trapped, for example R
activat eord eactivat es ystems, thereby
endangerin go ther road users
Unsecure da nimals could also be flung around
the vehicle in the even tofana ccident or sud-
den steerin gorb raking, thereby injuring vehi-
cle occupants. There is ar isk of an accident
and injury.
Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle. Always secur ea nimals properly during
the journey, e.g. use as uitable animal trans-
port box.
Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems In this section, you will fin di nformation about
the followin gd rivin gs afet ys ystems:R
AB S( A nti-lock B raking S ystem)
( Y
page 55) R
BA S( B rake A ssist S ystem) ( Y
page 55)R
Activ eB rak eA ssist ( Y
page 56)R
ESP ®
( E lectronic S tability P rogram)
( Y
page 58) R
EB D( E lectronic B ra ke force D istribution)
( Y
page 61) R
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ( Y
page 61)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your drivin gs tyle or if you are
inattentive, the drivin gs afet ys ystems can nei-
the rr educ et he risk of an accident nor override
the laws of physics .D ri vin gs afet ys ystems are
merely aids designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for maintainin gt he distanc etot he
vehicle in front ,f or vehicle speed, for braking in54
Driving safety systems
Safety

Important safety notes
G WAR NING
Adaptive Brake Assist canno ta lways clearly
iden tif yo bj ect sa nd co mple xt ra ff ic situa-
tions.
In suc hc ases, Adaptive Brake Assist can:R
interven eu nnecessar ilyR
no ti ntervene
Ther eisar is kofana cc iden t.
Always pay careful attentio ntot he traff ic sit-
uation and be read yt ob rake. Terminate the
interventio ninan on-cri tical driv ing situation.
G WAR NING
Adaptive Brake Assist does no tr eact:R
to peop le or animalsR
to oncomin gv eh icle sR
to crossing traff icR
when cornering
As ar esult, th eA da pt ive Brake Assist may not
interven eina ll critical conditions. Ther eisa
ris kofana cc iden t.
Always pay careful attentio ntot he traff ic sit-
uation and be read yt ob rake.
Due to th en ature of th es ystem, particularly
co mpli cated but non-critical driv ing conditions
may also caus eB ra ke Assist to intervene.
If adaptive Brake Assist is no ta vailab le due to a
malfunctio nint he radar sensor system, the
brak es ystem remains availab le wit hf ull brake
boostin ge ffect and BA S.
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
i Observ et he "Im portan ts afety notes" sec-
tio n( Y
page 54).
ESP ®
monitors driving st abilit ya nd traction ,i .e.
power transmission between th et ir es and the
road surface.
If ESP ®
detect st ha tt he veh icle is deviating from
th ed irection desired by th ed river, on eorm ore
wheel sa re braked to st abiliz et he veh icle .T he
engin eo utput is also mod ifie dtok ee pt he veh i- cle on th ed esired course within physical limits.
ESP ®
assists th ed river when pullin ga way on
wet or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize
th ev ehicle durin gb raking.
ETS (Electronic Traction System)
i Observ et he "Importan ts afety notes" sec-
tio n( Y
page 54).
ET St ra ction control is part of ESP ®
.
ET Sb rakes th ed riv ew heel si nd ivid ually if they
spin .T his enables you to pull away and acceler-
ate on slippery surfaces, for example if th er oad
surface is slippery on on es ide .Ina ddit ion ,m ore
driv et or que is transferred to th ew heel or
wheel sw it ht ra ction.
ET Sr emains active when you deactivate ESP ®
.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unab le to
stabiliz et he vehicle .A dd it ionally, further driv-
ing safety systems are deactivate d. This
increases th er is kofs ki ddin ga nd an accident.
Drive on carefully. Hav eE SP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
When to win gt he vehicle wit ht he rear axle
raised, observ et he note sonE SP ®
( Y
page 252).
If the