Diagnostics connection
The diagnostics connection is only intended forthe connection of diagnostic equipment at aqualified specialist workshop.
GWARNING
If you connect equipment to a diagnostics
connection in the vehicle, it may affect the
operation of vehicle systems. As a result, the
operating safety of the vehicle could be affec-
ted. There is a risk of an accident.
Only connect equipment to a diagnostics con-
nection in the vehicle, which is approved for
your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz.
GWARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the
pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle is
jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Install the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use
loose floormats and do not place floormats on
top of one another.
!If the engine is switched off and equipmenton the diagnostics connection is used, thestarter battery may discharge.
Connecting equipment to the diagnostics con-nection can lead to emissions monitoring infor-mation being reset, for example. This may leadto the vehicle failing to meet the requirements ofthe next emissions test during the main inspec-tion.
Qualified specialist workshop
An authorized Mercedes-Benz Center is a quali-fied specialist workshop. It has the necessaryspecialist knowledge, tools and qualifications tocorrectly carry out the work required on yourvehicle. This is especially the case for work rel-evant to safety.
Observe the notes in the Maintenance Booklet.
Always have the following work carried out at anauthorized Mercedes-Benz Center:
Rwork relevant to safety
Rservice and maintenance work
Rrepair work
Ralterations, installation work and modifica-tions
Rwork on electronic components
Correct use
If you remove any warning stickers, you or oth-ers could fail to recognize certain dangers.Leave warning stickers in position.
Observe the following information when drivingyour vehicle:
Rthe safety notes in this manual
Rtechnical data for the vehicle
Rtraffic rules and regulations
Rlaws and safety standards pertaining to motorvehicles
Problems with your vehicle
If you should experience a problem with yourvehicle, particularly one that you believe mayaffect its safe operation, we urge you to contactan authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immedi-ately to have the problem diagnosed and recti-fied. If the problem is not resolved to your sat-isfaction, please discuss the problem again withan authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or, if nec-essary, contact us at one of the followingaddresses.
In the USA
Customer Assistance Center
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
3 Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada
Customer Relations Department
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
Reporting safety defects
USA only:
Operating safety31
Int roduction
Z
After a malfunction has been rectified, the infor-mation is deleted from the malfunction memoryor is continually overwritten.
When operating the vehicle, situations are con-ceivable in which this technical data, in connec-tion with other information (if necessary, underconsultation with an authorized expert), couldbe traced to a person.
Examples include:
Raccident reports
Rdamage to the vehicle
Rwitness statements
Further additional functions that have been con-tractually agreed upon with the customer allowcertain vehicle data to be conveyed by the vehi-cle as well. The additional functions include, forexample, vehicle location in case of an emer-gency.
COMAND/mbrace
If the vehicle is equipped with COMAND ormbrace, additional data about the vehicle'soperation, the use of the vehicle in certain sit-uations, and the location of the vehicle may becompiled through COMAND or the mbrace sys-tem.
For additional information, please refer to theCOMAND User Manual or Digital Operator'sManual and/or the mbrace Terms and Condi-tions.
Event data recorders
This vehicle is equipped with an event datarecorder (EDR). This vehicle is equipped with anevent data recorder (EDR). The main purpose ofan EDR is to record, in certain crash or nearcrash-like situations, such as an air bag deploy-ment or hitting a road obstacle, data that willassist in understanding how a vehicle's systemsperformed. The EDR is designed to record datarelated to vehicle dynamics and safety systemsfor a short period of time, typically 30 secondsor less.
The EDR in this vehicle is designed to recordsuch data as:
RHow various systems in your vehicle wereoperating
RWhether or not the driver and passengersafety belts were buckled/fastened
RHow far (if at all) the driver was depressing theaccelerator and/or brake pedal and
RHow fast the vehicle was traveling
These data can help provide a better under-standing of the circumstances in which crashesand injuries occur. NOTE: EDR data are recordedby your vehicle only if a non-trivial crash situa-tion occurs; no data are recorded by the EDRunder normal driving conditions and no personaldata (e.g. name, gender, age and crash location)are recorded. However, other parties, such aslaw enforcement could combine the EDR datawith the type of personally identifying data rou-tinely acquired during a crash investigation.
Access to the vehicle and/or the EDR is neededto read data that is recorded by an EDR, andspecial equipment is required. In addition to thevehicle manufacturer, other parties that havethe special equipment, such as law enforce-ment, can read the information by accessing thevehicle or the EDR.
EDR data may be used in civil and criminal mat-ters as a tool in accident reconstruction, acci-dent claims and vehicle safety. Since the CrashData Retrieval CDR tool that is used to extractdata from the EDR is commercially available,Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC ("MBUSA") expresslydisclaims any and all liability arising from theextraction of this information by unauthorizedMercedes-Benz personnel.
MBUSA will not share EDR data with otherswithout the consent of the vehicle owners or, ifthe vehicle is leased, without the consent of thelessee. Exceptions to this representationinclude responses to subpoenas by law enforce-ment; by federal, state or local government; inconnection with or arising out of litigation involv-ing MBUSA or its subsidiaries and affiliates; or,as required by law.
Warning: The EDR is a component of theRestraint System Module. Tampering with, alter-ing, modifying or removing the EDR componentmay result in a malfunction of the Restraint Sys-tem Module and other systems.
State laws or regulations regarding EDRs thatconflict with federal regulation are pre-empted.This means that in the event of such conflict, thefederal regulation governs. As of February 2013,13 states have enacted laws relating to EDRs.
Data stored in the vehicle33
Introduction
Z
Information on copyright
Free and open-source software
Information on license for free and open-sourcesoftware used in your vehicle can be found onthe data carrier in your vehicle document walletand, including updates, on the following web-site:
http://www.mercedes-benz.com/opensource
Registered trademarks
Registered trademarks:
RBluetooth®is a registered trademark of Blue-tooth SIG Inc.
RDTS™ is a registered trademark of DTS, Inc.
RDolby®and MLP™ are registered trademarksof DOLBY Laboratories.
RBabySmart™, ESP®and PRE-SAFE®are reg-istered trademarks of Daimler AG.
RHomeLink®is a registered trademark of John-son Controls.
RiPod®and iTunes®are registered trademarksof Apple Inc.
RBurmester®is a registered trademark ofBurmester Audiosysteme GmbH.
RMicrosoft®and Windows media®are regis-tered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
RSIRIUS®is a registered trademark of SiriusXM Radio Inc.
RHD Radio™ is a registered trademark of iBiq-uity Digital Corporation.
RGracenote®is a registered trademark ofGracenote, Inc.
RZAGAT Survey®and related brands are regis-tered trademarks of Zagat Survey, LLC.
34Information on copyright
Int roduction
The front-passenger front air bag will onlydeploy if:
Rthe system, based on the OCS weight sensorreadings, detects that the front-passengerseat is occupied (Ypage 51). ThePASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp isnot lit (Ypage 51)
Rthe restraint system control unit predicts ahigh accident severity
Driver's knee bag
Driver's knee bag Cdeploys under the steeringcolumn. The driver's knee bag is deployedtogether with the front air bag.
The driver's knee bag offers additional thigh,knee and lower leg protection for the occupantin the driver's seat.
Side impact air bags
GWARNING
Unsuitable seat covers can obstruct or pre-
vent deployment of the air bags integrated
into the seats. Consequently, the air bags
cannot protect vehicle occupants as they are
designed to do. In addition, the operation of
the occupant classification system (OCS)
could be adversely affected. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
You should only use seat covers that have
been approved for the respective seat by
Mercedes-Benz.
Front side impact air bags Cand rear sideimpact air bags Ddeploy next to the outer bol-ster of the seat backrest.
When deployed, the side impact air bag offersadditional thorax protection. However, it doesnot protect the:
Rhead
Rneck
Rarms
If the restraint system control unit detects a sideimpact, the side impact air bag is deployed onthe side on which the impact occurs.
The side impact air bag on the front passengerside deploys under the following conditions:
Rthe OCS system detects that the frontpassenger seat is occupied or
Rthe seat belt buckle tongue is engaged in thebelt buckle of the front passenger seat
If the belt tongue is engaged in the belt buckle,the side impact air bag on the front passengerside deploys if an appropriate accident situationoccurs. In this case, deployment is independentof whether the front passenger seat is occupiedor not.
Window curtain air bags
50Occupant safety
Safety
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp isoff, only the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicatorlamp shows the status of the front-passengerfront air bag. The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFFindicator lamp may be lit continuously or be off.
If the status of the front-passenger front air bagchanges while the vehicle is in motion, an air bagdisplay message appears in the instrument clus-ter (Ypage 237). When the front-passengerseat is occupied, always pay attention to thePASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp. Beaware of the status of the front-passenger frontair 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. It will not be deployed in the event of
an accident and cannot perform its intended
protective function. A person in the front-
passenger seat could then, for example, come
into contact with the vehicle's interior, espe-
cially if the 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.
GWARNING
If you secure a child in a rearward-facing child
restraint system on the front-passenger seat
and the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is off, the front-passenger front air bag
can deploy in the event of an accident. The
child could be struck by the air bag. This poses
an increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Make sure that the front-passenger front air
bag has been deactivated. The PASSENGER
AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp must be lit.
NEVER use a rearward-facing child restraint
on a seat protected by an ACTIVE FRONT AIR-
BAG in front of it; DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY
to the child can occur.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lampstays off, do not install a rearward-facing childrestraint system on the front-passenger seat.You can find more information on OCS under"Problems with the Occupant Classification Sys-tem" (Ypage 54).
GWARNING
If you secure a child in a forward-facing child
restraint system on the front-passenger seat
and you position the front-passenger seat 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 OFF indicator lamp is off
This poses an increased risk of injury or even
fatal injury.
Always move the front-passenger seat as far
back as possible and fully retract the seat
cushion length. Always make sure that the
shoulder belt strap is correctly routed from
the vehicle belt sash guide to the shoulder
belt guide on the child restraint system. The
shoulder belt strap must be routed forwards
and downwards from the vehicle belt sash
guide. If necessary, adjust the vehicle belt
sash guide and the front-passenger seat
accordingly. Always observe the child
restraint system manufacturer's installation
instructions.
If OCS determines that:
RThe front-passenger seat is unoccupied, thePASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamplights up after the system self-test and
52Occupant safety
Safety
remains lit. This indicates that the front-passenger front air bag is deactivated.
RThe front-passenger seat is occupied by achild of up to twelve months old, in a standardchild restraint system, the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp lights up after thesystem self-test and remains lit. This indi-cates that the front-passenger front air bag isdeactivated.
But even in the case of a twelve-month-oldchild, in a standard child restraint system, thePASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp cango out after the system self-test. This indi-cates that the front-passenger front air bag isactivated. The result of the classification isdependent on, among other factors, the childrestraint system and the child's stature. It isrecommended that you install the childrestraint system on a suitable rear seat.
RThe front-passenger seat is occupied by aperson of smaller stature (e.g. a teenager orsmall adult), the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFFindicator lamp lights up and remains lit afterthe system self-test depending on the resultof the classification or, alternatively, goes out.
-If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicatorlamp is off, move the front-passenger seatas far back as possible. Alternatively, a per-son of smaller stature can sit on a rear seat.
-If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicatorlamp is lit, a person of smaller statureshould not use the front-passenger seat.
RThe front-passenger seat is occupied by anadult or a person of adult stature, thePASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lampgoes out after the system self-test. This indi-cates that the front-passenger front air bag isactivated.
If children are traveling in the vehicle, be sure toobserve the notes on "Children in the vehicle"(Ypage 59).
When the Occupant Classification System(OCS) is malfunctioning, the red urestraintsystem warning lamp on the instrument clusterand the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicatorlamp light up simultaneously. The front-passenger front air bag is deactivated in thiscase and does not deploy during an accident.Have the Occupant Classification System (OCS)checked and repaired immediately at a qualifiedspecialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz recom-mends that you use an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this purpose.
If the front-passenger seat, the seat cover or theseat cushion are damaged, have the necessaryrepair work carried out at a qualified specialistworkshop. Mercedes-Benz recommends thatyou use an authorized Mercedes-Benz Centerfor this purpose.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-mends that you only use seat accessories thathave been approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If the driver's air bag deploys, this does notmean that the front-passenger front air bag willalso deploy. The Occupant Classification Sys-tem (OCS) categorizes the occupant on thefront-passenger seat. Depending on that result,the front-passenger front air bag is either ena-bled or deactivated.
Self-check
GDANGER
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF and
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamps do
not both light up during the self-test, the sys-
tem is malfunctioning. The front-passenger
front air bag might be triggered unintention-
ally or might not be triggered at all in the event
of an accident with high deceleration. 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 a child restraint system
on the front-passenger seat. Have the Occu-
pant Classification System (OCS) checked
and repaired immediately at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
GWARNING
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp remains lit after the self-test, the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated. 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 a person 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-
Occupant safety53
Safety
Z
and to have any malfunctioning air bagsrepaired. This will help to make sure the air bagscontinue to perform their protective function forthe 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 hazardoussituations. This procedure is reversible.
If Emergency Tensioning Devices are triggeredor air bags are deployed, you will hear a bang,and some powder may also be released. The urestraint system warning lamp lights up.
Only in rare cases will the bang affect your hear-ing. The powder that is released generally doesnot constitute a health hazard, but it may causeshort-term breathing difficulties in people withasthma or other respiratory problems. Providedit is safe to do so, you should leave the vehicleimmediately or open the window in order to pre-vent breathing difficulties.
Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency TensioningDevices (ETDs) contain perchlorate material,which may require special handling and regardfor the environment. National guidelines mustbe observed during disposal. In California, seewww.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/Perchlorate/index.cfm.
Method of operation
During the first stage of a collision, the restraintsystem 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, therestraint system control unit triggers the Emer-gency Tensioning Devices during a head-on orrear-end collision.
An Emergency Tensioning Device can only betriggered, if:
Rthe ignition is switched on
Rthe components of the restraint system areoperational. You can find further informationunder "Restraint system warning lamp"(Ypage 44)
Rthe seat belt buckle tongue has engaged inthe belt buckle of the respective front seat
The Emergency Tensioning Devices in the rearpassenger compartment are triggered inde-pendently of the lock status of the seat belts.
If the restraint system control unit detects amore severe accident, further components ofthe restraint system are activated independ-ently of each other in certain frontal collisionsituations:
RFront air bags and driver's knee bag
RWindow curtain air bag, if the system deter-mines that deployment can offer additionalprotection to that provided by the seat belt
Depending on the person in the front-passengerseat, the front-passenger front air bag is eitherdisabled or enabled. The front-passenger frontair bag can be deployed in an accident only if thePASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is off.Observe the information on the PASSENGER AIRBAG indicator lamps (Ypage 44).
Your vehicle has two-stage front air bags. At thefirst deployment threshold the front air bag fillswith gas. If the second deployment threshold isthen reached within a few milliseconds, the frontair bag is filled with the maximum quantity ofgas.
The activation threshold of the Emergency Ten-sioning Devices and the air bags is determinedby evaluating the rate of vehicle deceleration oracceleration which occurs at various points inthe vehicle. This process is pre-emptive innature. Deployment should take place in goodtime at the start of the collision.
The rate of vehicle deceleration or accelerationand the direction of the force are essentiallydetermined by:
Rthe distribution of forces during the collision
Rthe collision angle
Rthe deformation characteristics of the vehicle
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 a deci-sive role in the deployment of an air bag. Nor do
56Occupant safety
Safety
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 ifonly parts which are relatively easily deformedare affected and the rate of deceleration is nothigh. Conversely, air bags may be deployed eventhough the vehicle suffers only minor deforma-tion. This is the case if, for example, very rigidvehicle parts such as longitudinal body mem-bers are hit, and sufficient deceleration occursas a result.
If the restraint system control unit detects a sideimpact or if the vehicle rolls over, the applicablecomponents of the restraint system aredeployed independently of each other depend-ing on the apparent type of accident.
RSide impact air bags on the side where theimpact takes place, independently of theEmergency Tensioning Device and the use ofthe seat belt on the driver's seat and outerseats in the second row
The side impact air bag on the front-passenger side deploys under the followingconditions:
-the OCS system detects that the front-passenger seat is occupied or
-the seat belt buckle tongue is engaged inthe belt buckle of the front-passenger seat
RWindow curtain air bag on the side of impact,independently of the use of the seat belt andindependently of whether the front-passenger seat is occupied
RFront Emergency Tensioning Devices, if thesystem determines that deployment can offeradditional protection for the vehicle occu-pants in this situation
RRear passenger compartment EmergencyTensioning Devices in certain situations if thevehicle rolls over
RWindow curtain air bags on the driver's andfront-passenger side in certain situationswhen the vehicle rolls over, if the systemdetermines that deployment can offer addi-tional protection to that provided by the seatbelt
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 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
PRE-SAFE®(anticipatory occupant
protection system)
Introduction
In certain hazardous situations, PRE-SAFE®
takes pre-emptive measures to protect the vehi-cle occupants.
Important safety notes
!Make sure that there are no objects in thefootwell or behind the seats. There is a dangerthat the seats and/or objects could be dam-
aged when PRE-SAFE®is activated.
Despite your vehicle being equipped with the
PRE-SAFE®system, the possibility of personalinjuries occurring as a result of an accident can-not be eliminated. Always adapt your drivingstyle to suit the prevailing road and weatherconditions and maintain a safe distance fromthe vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
Function
PRE-SAFE®intervenes:
Rin emergency braking situations, e.g. whenBAS is activated
Rin critical driving situations, e.g. when physi-cal limits are exceeded and the vehicle under-steers or oversteers severely
Rvehicles with the Driving Assistance package:when a driver assistance system intervenespowerfully or the radar sensor system detectsan imminent danger of collision in certain sit-uations
Occupant safety57
Safety
Z