
Restraint system warning lamp
The functions of the restraint system arechecked after the ignition is switched on and atregular intervals while the engine is running.Therefore, malfunctions can be detected ingood time.
The urestraint system warning lamp on theinstrument cluster lights up when the ignition isswitched on. It goes out no later than a few sec-onds after the vehicle is started. The compo-nents of the restraint system are in operationalreadiness.
A malfunction has occurred if the urestraintsystem warning lamp:
Rdoes not light up after the ignition is switchedon
Rdoes not go out after a few seconds with theengine running
Rlights up again while the engine is running
GWARNING
If the restraint system is malfunctioning,
restraint system components may be trig-
gered unintentionally or may not deploy as
intended during an accident. This can affect
for example the Emergency Tensioning
Device or the air bag. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Have the restraint system checked and
repaired in a qualified specialist workshop as
soon as possible.
PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp CandPASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp Darepart of the Occupant Classification System(OCS).
The indicator lamps display the status of thefront-passenger front air bag.
RPASSENGER AIR BAG ON lights up for 60 sec-onds, subsequently both indicator lamps areoff (PASSENGER AIR BAG ON and OFF): thefront-passenger front air bag is able to deployin the event of an accident.
RPASSENGER AIR BAG OFF lights up: the front-passenger front air bag is deactivated. It willthen not be deployed in the event of an acci-dent.
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.
Depending on the person in the front-passengerseat, the front-passenger front air bag musteither be deactivated or enabled; see the fol-lowing points. You must make sure of this bothbefore and during a journey.
RChildren in a child restraint system:whether the front-passenger front air bag isenabled or deactivated depends on the instal-led child restraint system, and the age andsize of the child. Therefore, be sure to observethe notes on the "Occupant ClassificationSystem (OCS)" (Ypage 51) and on "Chil-dren in the vehicle" (Ypage 59). There youwill also find instructions on rearward andforward-facing child restraint systems on thefront-passenger seat.
RAll other persons:depending on the classi-fication of the person in the front-passengerseat, the front-passenger front air bag is ena-bled or deactivated (Ypage 51). Be sure toobserve the notes on "Seatbelts“ (Ypage 44) and "Air bags"(Ypage 48). There you can also find infor-mation on the correct seat position.
Seat belts
Introduction
Seat belts are the most effective means ofrestricting the movement of vehicle occupantsin the event of an accident or the vehicle rollingover. This reduces the risk of vehicle occupantscoming into contact with parts of the vehicleinterior or being ejected from the vehicle. Fur-thermore, the seat belt helps to keep the vehicle
44Occupant safety
Safety

The seat belt adjustment will apply a certaintightening force if any slack is detected betweenthe vehicle occupant and the seat belt. Do notgrab hold of the seat belt.
You can switch the seat belt adjustment on andoff using the multimedia system. Information onswitching the seat belt adjustment on and offcan be found in the Digital Operating Instruc-tions.
Belt warning for the driver and front
passenger
The vseat belt warning lamp in the instru-ment cluster is a reminder that all vehicle occu-pants must wear their seat belts. It may light upcontinuously or flash. In addition, there may bea warning tone.
Regardless of whether the driver's seat belt hasalready been fastened, the vseat belt warn-ing lamp lights up for six seconds each time theengine is started. If the front doors are closedand the driver's or front-passenger seat belt hasnot been fastened, the vseat belt warninglamp lights up again after the six seconds. Assoon as the driver's and front-passenger seatbelts are fastened or a front door is openedagain, the vseat belt warning lamp goes out.
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened after theengine is started, an additional warning tone willsound. The warning tone switches off after sixseconds or once the driver's seat belt is fas-tened.
If the vehicle's speed exceeds 15 mph(25 km/h)once and the driver's and front-passenger seat belts are not fastened, a warningtone sounds. A warning tone also sounds withincreasing intensity for 60 seconds or until thedriver or front passenger have fastened theirseat belts.
If the driver or front passenger unfasten theirseat belts during the journey, the seat belt warn-ing is activated again.
Air bags
Introduction
The installation point of an air bag can be rec-ognized by the AIRBAG marking.
An air bag complements the correctly fastenedseat belt. It is no substitute for the seat belt. The
air bag provides additional protection in appli-cable accident situations.
Not all air bags are deployed in an accident. Thedifferent air bag systems function independ-ently from one another (Ypage 55).
However, no system available today can com-pletely eliminate injuries and fatalities.
It is also not possible to rule out a risk of injurycaused by an air bag due to the high speed atwhich the air bag must be deployed.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you do not sit in the correct seat position,
the air bag cannot protect as intended and
could even cause additional injury when
deployed. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
To avoid hazardous situations, always make
sure that all of the vehicle's occupants:
Rhave fastened their seat belts correctly,
including pregnant women
Rare sitting correctly and maintain the great-
est possible distance to the air bags
Rfollow the following instructions
Always make sure that there are no objects
between the air bag and the vehicle's occu-
pants.
RAdjust the seats properly before beginningyour journey. Always make sure that the seatis in an almost upright position. The center ofthe head restraint must support the head atabout eye level.
RMove the driver's and front-passenger seatsas far back as possible. The driver's seat posi-tion must allow the vehicle to be driven safely.
ROnly hold the steering wheel on the outside.This allows the air bag to be fully deployed.
RAlways lean against the backrest while driv-ing. Do not lean forward or lean against thedoor or side window. You may otherwise be inthe deployment area of the air bags.
RAlways keep your feet in the footwell in frontof the seat. Do not put your feet on the dash-
48Occupant safety
Safety

PRE-SAFE®takes the following measuresdepending on the hazardous situation detected:
Rthe front seat belts are pre-tensioned.
Rif the vehicle skids, the side windows and thesliding sunroof are closed.
Rvehicles with the memory function for thefront-passenger seat: the front-passengerseat is adjusted if it is in an unfavorable posi-tion.
If the hazardous situation passes without result-
ing in an accident, PRE-SAFE®slackens the belt
pre-tensioning. All settings made by PRE-SAFE®
can then be reversed.
If the seat belt pre-tensioning is not reduced:
XMove the seat backrest or seat back slightlywhen the vehicle is stationary.The seat belt pre-tensioning is reduced andthe locking mechanism is released.
The seat-belt adjustment is an integral part of
the PRE-SAFE®convenience function. Informa-tion about the convenience function can befound under "Belt adjustment" (Ypage 47).
PRE-SAFE®PLUS (anticipatory occu-
pant protection system PLUS)
Introduction
PRE-SAFE®PLUS is only available in vehicleswith the Driving Assistance package.
Using the radar sensor system, PRE-SAFE®
PLUS is able to detect that a frontal or rear-endcollision is imminent. In certain hazardous sit-
uations, PRE-SAFE®PLUS takes pre-emptivemeasures to protect the vehicle occupants.
Important safety notes
The intervention of PRE-SAFE®PLUS cannotprevent an imminent collision.
The driver is not warned about the intervention
of PRE-SAFE®PLUS.
PRE-SAFE®PLUS does not intervene:
Rif the vehicle is backing up
Rwhen the vehicle is towing a trailer and thereis a risk of a rear-end collision
When driving, or when parking or exiting a park-ing space using Active Parking Assist, PRE-
SAFE®PLUS will not apply the brakes.
Function
PRE-SAFE®PLUS intervenes in certain situa-tions if the radar sensor system detects animminent frontal or rear-end collision.
PRE-SAFE®PLUS takes the following measuresdepending on the hazardous situation detected:
Rif the radar sensor system detects that ahead-on collision is imminent, the seat beltsare pre-tensioned.
Rif the radar sensor system detects that a rear-end collision is imminent:
-the brake pressure is increased if the driverapplies the brakes when the vehicle is sta-tionary.
-the seat belts are pre-tensioned.
The PRE-SAFE®PLUS braking application is can-celed:
Rif the accelerator pedal is depressed when agear is engaged
Rif the risk of a collision passes or is no longerdetected
Rif Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC indicatesan intention to intervene
If the hazardous situation passes without result-ing in an accident, the original settings arerestored.
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
Rvehicles with a memory function: the electri-cally adjustable steering wheel is raised whenthe driver's door is opened
Rthe engine is switched off and the fuel supplyis cut off
Rvehicles with mbrace: automatic emergencycall
58Occupant safety
Safety

Children in the vehicle
Important safety notes
Accident statistics show that children securedin the rear seats are safer than children securedin the front-passenger seat. For this reason,Mercedes-Benz strongly advises that you installa child restraint system on a rear seat. Childrenare generally better protected there.
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 and safetynotes in this section in addition to the childrestraint system manufacturer's installationinstructions.
Ralways observe the instructions and safetynotes on the "Occupant classification system(OCS)". (Ypage 51)
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of the
parking positionP.
Rstart the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
GWARNING
If persons, particularly children are subjected
to prolonged exposure to extreme heat or
cold, there is a risk of injury, possibly even
fatal. Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is subjected to
direct sunlight, parts may get very hot. Chil-
dren may burn themselves on these parts,
particularly on the metal parts of the child
restraint system. There is a risk of injury.
If you leave the vehicle, taking the child with
you, always ensure that the child restraint
system is not exposed to direct sunlight. Pro-
tect it with a blanket, for example. If the child
restraint system has been exposed to direct
sunlight, let it cool down before securing the
child in it. Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle.
Always ensure that all vehicle occupants havetheir seat belts fastened correctly and are sittingproperly. Particular attention must be paid tochildren.
Observe the safety notes on the seat belt(Ypage 45)and the notes on correct use of seatbelts (Ypage 46).
A booster seat may be necessary to achieveproper seat belt positioning for children over40 lbs(18 kg) until they reach a height where athree-point seat belt can be properly fastenedwithout a booster seat.
Special seatbelt retractor
GWARNING
If the seat belt is released while driving, the
child restraint system will no longer be
secured properly. The special seat belt retrac-
tor is disabled and the inertia real draws in a
portion of the seat belt. The seat belt cannot
be immediately refastened. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying atten-
tion to road and traffic conditions. Reactivate
the special seat belt retractor and secure the
child restraint system properly.
All seat belts in the vehicle, except the driver'sseat belt, are equipped with a special seat beltretractor. When activated, the special seat beltretractor ensures that the seat belt cannotslacken once the child seat is secured.
Children in the vehicle59
Safety
Z

Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information aboutthe following driving safety systems:
RABS (Anti-lockBrakingSystem)(Ypage 65)
RBAS (BrakeAssistSystem) (Ypage 66)
RActive Brake Assist (Ypage 66)
RESP®(ElectronicStabilityProgram)(Ypage 68)
REBD (ElectronicBrake forceDistribution)(Ypage 72)
RADAPTIVE BRAKE (Ypage 72)
RActive Brake Assist with cross-traffic function(Ypage 72)
RSTEER CONTROL (Ypage 75)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you areinattentive, the driving safety systems can nei-ther reduce the risk of an accident nor overridethe laws of physics. Driving safety systems aremerely aids designed to assist driving. You areresponsible for maintaining the distance to thevehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking ingood time, and for staying in lane. Always adaptyour driving style to suit the prevailing road andweather conditions and maintain a safe distancefrom the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described only workas effectively as possible when there is ade-quate contact between the tires and the roadsurface. Pay particular attention to the informa-tion regarding tires, recommended minimumtire tread depths etc. in the "Wheels and tires"section (Ypage 330).
In wintry driving conditions, always use wintertires (M+S tires)and if necessary, snow chains.Only in this way will the driving safety systemsdescribed in this section work as effectively aspossible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way thatthe wheels do not lock when you brake. Thisallows you to continue steering the vehicle whenbraking.
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 conditions.ABS works on slippery surfaces, even when youonly brake gently.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 65).
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 alsobecome inoperative. Observe the informationon the ABS warning lamp (Ypage 259) and dis-play messages which may be shown in theinstrument cluster (Ypage 228).
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 as areminder to take extra care while driving.
Driving safety systems65
Safety
Z

multimedia system; see the Digital Operator'sManual.
You will receive visual and acoustic locking con-firmation if all components were able to belocked.
When the locator lighting is activated via themultimedia system, it lights up when it is darkafter the vehicle is unlocked with the SmartKey;see the Digital Operator's Manual.
XTo open the tailgate automatically fromoutside the vehicle:press and hold the Tbutton until the tailgate opens.
XTo close the tailgate automatically fromoutside the vehicle:if the SmartKey is loca-ted in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle,press the Tbutton on the SmartKey.When the tailgate closes you can then releasethe button.
KEYLESS-GO
General notes
Bear in mind that the engine can be started byany of the vehicle occupants if there is a Smart-Key in the vehicle (Ypage 133).
Locking/unlocking centrally
You can start, lock or unlock the vehicle usingKEYLESS-GO. To do this, you only need carry theSmartKey with you. You can combine the func-tions of KEYLESS-GO with those of a conven-tional SmartKey. Unlock the vehicle by usingKEYLESS-GO, for instance, and lock it using the 7button on the SmartKey.
The driver's door and the door at which the han-dle is used, must both be closed. The SmartKeymust be outside the vehicle. When locking orunlocking with KEYLESS-GO, the distancebetween the SmartKey and the correspondingdoor handle must not be greater than 3 ft (1 m).
A brief radio connection between the vehicleand the SmartKey determines whether a validSmartKey is in, or in the direct vicinity of, thevehicle. This occurs, for example:
Rwhen starting the engine
Rwhile driving
Rwhen using HANDS-FREE ACCESS
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 Cor D.
Make sure that you do not touch the innersurface of the door handle.
XConvenience closing feature:touchrecessed sensor surface Dfor an extendedperiod.
Further information on the convenience clos-ing feature (Ypage 91).
XTo unlock the tailgate:push the top of staron the tailgate.
Deactivating and activating
If you do not intend to use a SmartKey for anextended period of time, you can deactivate theKEYLESS-GO function of the SmartKey. TheSmartKey will then use very little power, therebyconserving battery power. For the purposes ofactivation/deactivation, the vehicle must not benearby.
XTo deactivate:press the 7button on theSmartKey twice in rapid succession.The battery check lamp (Ypage 80) of theSmartKey flashes twice briefly and lights uponce, then KEYLESS-GO is deactivated.
XTo activate:press any button on the Smart-Key.
or
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.KEYLESS-GO and all of its associated featuresare available again.
78SmartKey
Opening and closing