
For your own safety and that of your front
passenger, it is important that you have
deployed air bags replaced and faulty 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.
An electric motor is used by PRE-SAFE
®to trig-
ger the tightening of the seat belt in hazardous
situations. This procedure is reversible.
If Emergency Tensioning Devices are triggered
or air bags are deployed, you will hear a bang,
and some powder may also be released. The
6 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 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 40)
Rthe seat belt buckle tongue has engaged in
the belt buckle of the respective 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 as well as driver's and front-
passenger knee 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 indicator lamps (
Ypage 40).
Your vehicle has two-stage front air bags. In the
first deployment stage, the front air bag i
s filled
with propellant gas. The front air bag is fully
deployed with the maximum 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-
sive role in the deployment of an air bag. Nor do
52Occupant safety
Safety

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 of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
RABS (Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
(Ypage 57)
RBAS ( Brake Assist System) (Ypage 58)
RActive Brake Assist (Ypage 58)
RESP®(Electronic StabilityProgram)
(Ypage 61)
REBD ( Electronic Brake force Distribution)
(Ypage 63)
RADAPTIVE BRAKE (Ypage 63)
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 only work
as effectively as possible when there is ade-
quate contact between the tires and the road
surface. Please pay special attention to the
notes on tires, recommended minimum tire
tread depths, etc. (
Ypage 258).
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 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 in 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 5 mph
(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 57).
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.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (
Ypage 196) and dis-
Driving safety systems57
Safety
Z

ESP®(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 57).
ESP
®monitors driving stability and traction, i.e.
power transmission between the tires and the
road surface.
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 output is also modified to keep the vehi-
cle on the desired course within physical limits.
ESP
®assists the driver when pulling away on
wet or slippery roads. ESP®can also stabilize
the vehicle during braking.
ETS (Electronic Traction System)
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 57).
ETS traction control is part of ESP
®.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. In addition, more drive torque is transfer-
red to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP
®.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 57).
GWARNING
If ESP
®is malfunctioning, ESP®is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv-
ing safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP
®checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
ESP
®is only deactivated if the åwarning
lamp is lit continuously.
When SPORT handling mode is activated, the
M warning lamp lights up in the instrument
panel. When the
åandh warning lamps light up
continuously, ESP
®is not available due to a mal-
function.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(
Ypage 196) and display messages which may
be shown in the instrument cluster
(
Ypage 170).
Only use wheels with the recommended tire
sizes. Only then will ESP
®function properly.
Characteristics of ESP®
General information
If the ÷ ESP®warning lamp goes out before
beginning the journey, ESP®is automatically
active.
If ESP
®intervenes, the ÷ESP®warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP
®intervenes:
XDo not deactivate ESP®under any circum-
stances.
XOnly depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
XAdapt your driving 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 pull away again. ESP
®
remains in its previously selected status. Exam-
ple: if ESP®was deactivated before the engine
was switched off, ESP®remains deactivated
when the engine is switched on again.
Deactivating/activating ESP®
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 57).
You can select between the following states of
ESP
®:
RESP®is activated
RSPORT handling mode is activated
RESP®is deactivated
Driving safety systems61
Safety
Z

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.
GWARNING
When SPORT handling mode is activated,
there is a greater risk of skidding and acci-
dents.
Only activate SPORT handling mode in the sit-
uations described in the following.
In the following situations, it may be better to
activate SPORT handling mode or deactivate
ESP
®:
Rwhen using snow chains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
Ron specially designated roads when the vehi-
cle's own oversteering and understeering
characteristics are desired
Driving in SPORT handling mode or without
ESP
®requires an extremely qualified and expe-
rienced driver.
Activate ESP
®as soon as the situations descri-
bed above no longer apply. ESP®will otherwise
not be able to stabilize the vehicle if the vehicle
starts to skid or a wheel starts to spin.
!Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP®deactivated. You
could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP®
XTo activate SPORT handling mode: briefly
press button :.
The M handling mode warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up. The SPORT
han‐dling modemessage appears on the multi-
function display.
XTo deactivate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button :.
The M handling mode warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. ESP
®is activa-
ted
XTo deactivate ESP®: press button :.
The å ESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up. The ÷OFF
message appears on the multifunction dis-
play.
XTo activate ESP®:when SPORT handling
mode is activated or ESP®is deactivated,
press button :.
The å ESP
®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. The ÷ON
message appears on the multifunction dis-
play.
Characteristics of activated SPORT han-
dling mode
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one or
more wheels start to spin, the ÷ESP®warn-
ing lamp in the instrument cluster flashes. ESP®
only stabilizes the vehicle to a limited degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
RESP®only improves driving stability to a limi-
ted degree
Rtraction control is still activated
Rengine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut for
better traction on loose surfaces.
RESP®still provides support when you brake
firmly
Characteristics when 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
®will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP®:
RESP®no longer improves driving stability
Rengine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin
62Driving safety systems
Safety

When the locator lighting is activated via the
multimedia system, it lights up when it is dark
after the vehicle is unlocked with the SmartKey.
Information on activating and deactivating the
locator lighting can be found in the Digital Oper-
ator's Manual.
XTo open the tailgate:press and hold the
F button until the tailgate opens.
KEYLESS-GO
General notes
Bear in mind that the engine can be started by
any of the vehicle occupants if there is a Smart-
Key in the vehicle (
Ypage 107).
Locking/unlocking centrally
You can start, lock or unlock the vehicle using
KEYLESS-GO. To do this, you only need carry the
SmartKey with you. You can combine the func-
tions of KEYLESS-GO with those of a conven-
tional SmartKey. Unlock the vehicle by using
KEYLESS-GO, for instance, and lock it using the
& button on the SmartKey.
The driver's door and the door at which the han-
dle is used, must both be closed. The SmartKey
must be outside the vehicle. When locking or
unlocking with KEYLESS-GO, the distance
between the SmartKey and the corresponding
door handle must not be greater than 3 ft (1 m).
A check which periodically establishes a radio
connection between the vehicle and the Smart-
Key determines whether a valid SmartKey is in
the vehicle. This occurs, for example:
Rwhen starting the engine
Rwhile driving
Rwhen using the tailgate unlocking sensor
Rwhen the external door handles are touched
Rduring convenience closing
XTo unlock the vehicle: touch the inner sur-
face of the door handle.
XTo lock the vehicle: touch sensor surface :
or ;.
Make sure that you do not touch the inner
surface of the door handle.
XConvenience closing feature: touch
recessed sensor surface ;for an extended
period.
Further information on the convenience clos-
ing feature (
Ypage 77).
Deactivating and activating
If you do not intend to use the vehicle for a lon-
ger period of time, you can deactivate KEYLESS-
GO. The SmartKey will then use very little power,
thereby conserving battery power. For the pur-
poses of activation/deactivation, the vehicle
must not be nearby.
XTo deactivate: press the&button on the
SmartKey twice in rapid succession.
The indicator light on the SmartKey flashes
twice briefly then one long flash, then KEY-
LESS-GO is deactivated (
Ypage 68).
XTo activate: press any button on the Smart-
Key.
or
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
KEYLESS-GO and all of its associated features
are available again.
KEYLESS-GO start function
Bear in mind that the engine can be started by
any of the vehicle occupants if there is a Smart-
Key in the vehicle (
Ypage 107).
66SmartKey
Opening and closing

HEnvironmental note
Batteries contain dangerous
substances. It is against the
law to dispose of them with
the household rubbish. They
must be collected separatelyand recycled to protect the
environment.
Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally friendly
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or a special
collection point for used bat-
teries.
The SmartKey batteries contain perchlorate
material, which may require special handling
and regard for the environment. National guide-
lines must be observed during disposal. In Cal-
ifornia, see www.dtsc.ca.gov/
HazardousWaste/Perchlorate/index.cfm .
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have the
batteries replaced at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Checking the battery
XPress the &or% button.
The battery is working properly if battery
check lamp :lights up briefly.
The battery is discharged if battery check
lamp :does not light up briefly.
XChange the battery (Ypage 68). If the SmartKey battery is checked within the
signal reception range of the vehicle, pressing
the
& or% button:
Rlocks or
Runlocks the vehicle
iYou can get a battery at any qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Replacing the battery
You require a CR 2025 3 V cell battery.
XTake the mechanical key out of the SmartKey
(Ypage 67).
XPress mechanical key ;into the SmartKey
opening in the direction of the arrow until bat-
tery compartment cover :opens. Do not
hold battery compartment cover :closed
while doing so.
XRemove battery compartment cover :.
XRepeatedly tap the SmartKey against your
palm until battery=falls out.
XInsert the new battery with the positive ter-
minal facing upwards. Use a lint-free cloth to
do so.
XMake sure that the surface of the battery is
free of lint, grease and other contaminants.
68SmartKey
Opening and closing

This means that you could misjudge the dis-
tance from road users traveling behind, e.g.
when changing lane. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
For this reason, always make sure of the
actual distance from the road users traveling
behind by glancing over your shoulder.
Adjusting the exterior mirrors
XSelect key position1or2 with the Start/
Stop button.
XExterior mirror on the front-passenger side:
press button ;.
Exterior mirror on the front-passenger side:
press button :.
The indicator lamp lights up in the button that
has been pressed.
The indicator lamp goes out again after some
time. You can adjust the selected mirror using
button =as long as the indicator lamp is lit.
XPress button =up, down, or to the left or
right until you have adjusted the exterior mir-
ror to the correct position. You should have a
good overview of traffic conditions.
The convex exterior mirrors provide a larger field of vision.
After the engine has been started, the exterior
mirrors are automatically heated if the rear win-
dow heating is switched on and the outside tem-
perature is low.
Folding the exterior mirrors in or out
electrically
XSelect key position 1or2 with the Start/
Stop button.
XBriefly press button ?.
Both exterior mirrors fold in or out.
iMake sure that the exterior mirrors are
always folded out fully while driving. They
could otherwise vibrate.
iIf you are driving faster than 30 mph
(48 km/h), you can no longer fold in the exte-
rior mirrors.
Resetting the exterior mirrors
If the battery has been disconnected or com-
pletely discharged, the exterior mirrors must be
reset. The exterior mirrors will otherwise not
fold in when you select the Automatic
MirrorFoldingfunction in the multimedia system.
XSelect key position1with the Start/Stop
button.
XBriefly press button ?.
Folding the exterior mirrors in or out
automatically
When theAutomatic Mirror Foldingfunc-
tion is activated in the multimedia system:
Rthe exterior mirrors fold in automatically as
soon as you lock the vehicle from the outside
Rthe exterior mirrors fold out automatically
again as soon as you unlock the vehicle
iIf the exterior mirrors have been folded in
manually, they do not fold out.
Mirrors87
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
Z

Exterior lighting
General notes
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you drive with the lights switched on
even during the daytime. In some countries,
operation of the headlamps varies due to legal
requirements and self-imposed obligations.
Setting the exterior lighting
Setting options
Exterior lighting can be set using the:
Rlight switch
Rcombination switch (Ypage 92)
Light switch
Operation
1 WLeft-hand standing lamps
2XRight-hand standing lamps
3TParking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lighting
4ÃAutomatic headlamp mode, controlled
by the light sensor
5 LLow-beam/high-beam headlamps
BRRear fog lamp
If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on.
XTurn the light switch to the Ãposition.
The exterior lighting, except the side/parking
lamps, switches off automatically in the follow-
ing situations:
Rthe engine is switched off with the Start/Stop button
Rthe driver's door is opened
Automatic headlamp mode
GWARNING
When the light switch is set to Ã, the low-
beam headlamps may not be switched on
automatically if there is fog, snow or other
causes of poor visibility due to the weather
conditions such as spray. There is a risk of an
accident.
In such situations, turn the light switch to
L.
The automatic headlamp mode is only an aid.
The driver is responsible for the vehicle's light-
ing at all times.
à is the preferred light switch position.
The light setting is automatically selected
according to the brightness of the ambient light,
but not in the event of poor visibility due to
weather conditions such as fog, snow or spray.
RIf the Start/Stop button is pressed once:
depending on the brightness of the ambient
light, the parking lamps will switch on or off
automatically.
RIf you have switched on the Daytime Run‐ning Lightsfunction via the on-board com-
puter, the daytime running lamps or the park-
ing lamps and low-beam headlamps will
switch on or off automatically while the
engine is running.
XTo switch on automatic headlamp mode:
turn the light switch to the Ãposition.
Canada only:
The daytime running lamps improve the visibility of your vehicle during the day. The daytime run-
ning lamps function is required by law in Can-
ada. It cannot therefore be deactivated.
When the engine is running and the vehicle is
stationary: if you move the selector lever from a
driving position to position j, the daytime run-
ning lamps and low-beam headlamps go out
after three minutes.
When the engine is running, the vehicle is sta-
tionary and in bright ambient light: if you turn the
light switch to the Tposition, the daytime
running lamps and parking lamps switch on.
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to the Lposition, the manual settings
take precedence over the daytime running
lamps.
USA only:
Exterior lighting91
Lights and windshield wipers
Z