The rate of vehicle deceleration or accelera-tion and the direction of the force are essen-tially determined by:
Rthe distribution of forces during the collision
Rthe collision angle
Rthe deformation characteristics of the vehi-cle
Rthe characteristics of the object with whichthe vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be seen and measuredafter a collision has occurred do not play adecisive role in the deployment of an air bag.Nor do they provide an indication of air bagdeployment.
The vehicle can be deformed considerably,without an air bag being deployed. This is thecase if only parts which are relatively easilydeformed are affected and the rate of deceler-ation is not high. Conversely, air bags may bedeployed even though the vehicle suffers onlyminor deformation. This is the case if, forexample, very rigid vehicle parts such as longi-tudinal body members are hit, and sufficientdeceleration occurs as a result.
If the restraint system control unit detects aside impact or if the vehicle rolls over, theapplicable components of the restraint systemare deployed independently of each otherdepending on the apparent type of accident.
RSide impact air bags on the side where theimpact takes place, independently of theEmergency Tensioning Device and the useof the seat belt on the driver's seat andouter seats in the second row
The side impact air bag on the frontpassenger side deploys under the followingconditions:
-the OCS system detects that the frontpassenger seat is occupied or
-the seat belt buckle tongue is engaged inthe belt buckle of the front passengerseat
RWindow curtain air bag on the side ofimpact, independently of the use of the seatbelt and independently of whether the front-passenger seat is occupied
REmergency Tensioning Devices, if the sys-tem determines that deployment can offeradditional protection in this situation
RWindow curtain air bags on the driver's andfront-passenger side in certain situationswhen the vehicle rolls over, if the system
determines that deployment can offer addi-tional protection to that provided by theseat belt
iNot all air bags are deployed in an acci-dent. The different air bag systems workindependently of each other.
How the air bag system works is determinedby the severity of the accident detected,especially the vehicle deceleration or accel-eration and the apparent type of accident:
RHead-on collision
RSide impact
RRollover
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent
Immediately after an accident, the followingmeasures are implemented, depending on thetype and severity of the impact:
Rthe hazard warning lamps are switched on
Rthe emergency lighting is activated
Rthe vehicle doors are unlocked
Rthe front side windows are lowered
Rthe engine is switched off and the fuel sup-ply is cut off
Rvehicles with Mercedes me connect: auto-matic emergency call
Children in the vehicle
Important safety notes
Accident statistics show that children securedin the rear seats are safer than childrensecured in the front-passenger seat. For thisreason, Mercedes-Benz strongly advises thatyou install a child restraint system on a rearseat. Children are generally better protectedthere.
If a child younger than twelve years old andunder 5 ft (1.50 m) in height is traveling in thevehicle:
Ralways secure the child in a child restraintsystem 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 andsafety notes in this section in addition to the
Children in the vehicle53
Safety
Z
All child restraint systems must meet the fol-lowing standards:
RU.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards213 and 225
RCanadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards213 and 210.2
Confirmation that the child restraint systemcorresponds to the standards can be found onan instruction label on the child restraint sys-tem. This confirmation can also be found inthe installation instructions that are includedwith the child restraint system.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle inte-rior and on the child restraint system.
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
securing system
GWARNING
For LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint sys-
tems in which the child is secured using the
safety belt integrated in the child restraint
system, the maximum permissible weight of
the child and child restraint system together
is 73 lbs (33 kg).
If the child and the child restraint system
together weigh more than 73 lbs (33 kg), the
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint system
with integrated safety belt no longer offers
sufficient protection. The LATCH-type (ISO-
FIX) child seat securing system may be over-
loaded, and the child may not be restrained
in an accident, for example. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
If the child and the child restraint system
together weigh more than 73 lbs (33 kg),
use only a LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system in which the child is also
secured with the vehicle seat belt. Also
secure the child restraint system with the
Top Tether belt, if available.
Regularly check that the permissible grossweight of the child together with the childrestraint system is still maintained.
Always comply with the manufacturer's instal-lation and operating instructions for the childrestraint system used.
Before every trip, make sure that the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint system is engagedcorrectly in both LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securingrings
!When installing the child restraint system,make sure that the seat belt for the middleseat does not get trapped. The seat beltcould otherwise be damaged.
XInstall the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) childrestraint system on both LATCH-type (ISO-FIX) securing rings C.
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) is a standardized secur-ing system for specially designed childrestraint systems on the rear seats. LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing rings for two LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint systems are instal-led on the left and right of the rear seats.
Non-LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seats may alsobe used and can be installed using the vehi-cle's seat belt system. Install the child seataccording to the manufacturer's instructions.
Top Tether
Introduction
Top Tether provides an additional connectionbetween the child restraint system securedwith a LATCH-type (ISOFIX) system and thevehicle. This helps reduce the risk of injuryeven further. If the child restraint system isequipped with a Top Tether belt, this shouldalways be used.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the rear seat backrests are not locked,
they could fold forwards in the event of an
56Children in the vehicle
Safety
Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information aboutthe following driving safety systems:
RABS (Anti-lockBrakingSystem)(Ypage 60)
RBAS (BrakeAssistSystem) (Ypage 61)
RActive Brake Assist (Ypage 61)
RESP®(ElectronicStabilityProgram)(Ypage 63)
REBD (ElectronicBrake forceDistribution)(Ypage 67)
RADAPTIVE BRAKE (Ypage 67)
RSTEER CONTROL (Ypage 67)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if youare inattentive, the driving safety systems canneither reduce the risk of an accident noroverride the laws of physics. Driving safetysystems are merely aids designed to assistdriving.
You are responsible for maintaining the dis-tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed,for braking in good time, and for staying inlane. Always adapt your driving style to suitthe prevailing road and weather conditions andmaintain a safe distance from the vehicle infront. Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described onlywork as effectively as possible when there isadequate contact between the tires and theroad surface. Please pay special attention tothe notes on tires, recommended minimumtire tread depths, etc. (Ypage 305).
In wintry driving conditions, always use wintertires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snowchains. Only in this way will the driving safetysystems described in this section work aseffectively as possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a waythat the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the vehi-cle when braking.
The %ABS warning lamp in the instrumentcluster lights up when the ignition is switchedon. It goes out when the engine is running.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface condi-tions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, evenwhen you only brake gently.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 60).
GWARNING
If ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels could
lock when braking. The steerability and
braking characteristics would be severely
affected. There is an increased danger of
skidding 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 alsobecome inoperative. Observe the informationon the ABS warning lamp (Ypage 233) anddisplay messages which may be shown in theinstrument cluster (Ypage 204).
Braking
XIf ABS intervenes:continue to depress thebrake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-uation is over.
XTo make a full brake application:depressthe brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel apulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indicationof hazardous road conditions, and functions asa reminder to take extra care while driving.
Off-road ABS
An ABS system specifically suited to off-roadterrain is activated automatically once the off-road program is activated (Ypage 170).
At speeds below 20 mph (30 km/h), the frontwheels lock cyclically during braking. The dig-ging-in effect achieved in the process reduces
60Driving safety systems
Saf ety
Situation-dependent braking assis-
tance
General information
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 60).
With the help of the radar sensor system,Active Brake Assist can detect obstacles thatare in the path of your vehicle for an extendedperiod of time.
If Active Brake Assist detects a risk of collisionwith the vehicle in front, it calculates the brakepressure necessary to avoid a collision. If youapply the brakes forcefully, situation-depend-ent braking assistance adapts to the situationand automatically increases the brake pres-sure to a degree appropriate to the traffic sit-uation.
Situation-dependent braking assistance pro-vides braking assistance in hazardous situa-tions at speeds above 4 mph (7 km/h). It usesradar sensor technology to assess the trafficsituation.
Situation-dependent braking assistance iscapable of reacting to moving objects thathave already been detected as such at leastonce over the period of observation, up tovehicle speeds of around 155 mph(250 km/h).
Situation-dependent braking assistance canalso detect stationary objects, up to vehiclespeeds of around 44 mph (70 km/h).
XKeep the brake pedal depressed until theemergency braking situation is over.ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will work normally again if:
Ryou release the brake pedal
Rthere is no longer any danger of a collision
Rno obstacle is detected in front of your vehi-cle
Situation-dependent braking assistance is thendeactivated.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion for driving safety systems (Ypage 60).
GWARNING
Active Brake Assist does not react:
Rto persons, bicycles, motorcycles or ani-
mals
Rto approaching vehicles
Rto cross traffic
Ron bends
As a result, Active Brake Assist cannot inter-
vene in all critical situations. There is a risk
of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be prepared to brake.
GWARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist cannot always clearly
identify objects and complex traffic situa-
tions.
In such cases, Adaptive Brake Assist might:
Rintervene unnecessarily
Rnot intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake. Terminate
the intervention in a non-critical driving sit-
uation.
Due to the nature of the system, complex butnon-critical driving conditions may also causeActive Brake Assist to intervene.
Even if Active Brake Assist is not available dueto a malfunction in the radar sensor system,the brake system is still available with fullbrake boosting effect and BAS.
ESP®(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 60).
ESP®monitors driving stability and traction,i.e. power transmission between the tires andthe road surface.
If ESP®detects that the vehicle is deviatingfrom the direction desired by the driver, one ormore wheels are braked to stabilize the vehi-
Driving safety systems63
Safety
Z
cle. The engine output is also modified to keepthe vehicle on the desired course within physi-
cal limits. ESP®assists the driver when pulling
away on wet or slippery roads. ESP®can alsostabilize the vehicle during braking.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 60).
ETS traction control is part of ESP®. On vehi-
cles with 4MATIC, 4ETS is part of ESP®.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-vidually if they spin. This enables you to pullaway and accelerate on slippery surfaces, forexample if the road surface is slippery on oneside. In addition, more drive torque is transfer-red to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP®.
Off-road 4ETS (Electronic Traction Sys-
tem)
A 4ETS system specifically suited to off-roadterrain is activated automatically once the off-road program is activated (Ypage 170).
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 60).
GWARNING
If ESP®is malfunctioning, ESP®is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an acci-
dent.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP®checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Vehicles without 4MATIC:when towing yourvehicle with the front axle raised, it is impor-
tant that you observe the notes on ESP®
(Ypage 299).
If the
Only deactivate ESP®in the situations
described in the following.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cuttingaction for better traction on loose surfaces.
It may be best to deactivate ESP®in the fol-lowing situations:
Rwhen using snow chains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
iActivate ESP®as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP®willotherwise not be able to stabilize the vehicleif the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel startsto spin.
!Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP®deactivated. Youcould otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP®
You can deactivate or activate ESP®via theon-board computer (Ypage 197).
ESP®deactivated:
The