way can unexpectedlyfail or, inthe case ofan accident, may not absorbthe loadsthatarise as intended.
Ifthe underbody paneling is damaged,flam‐mable materials such as leaves, grass ortwigs can collect betweenthe underbody andthe underbody paneling. These materials mayignite iftheycome into contact withhotparts ontheexhaust system.
#Havethevehiclechecked andrepairedimmediately at aqualified specialistworkshop.
or
#If driving safety is impaired while con‐tinuingyour journey,pullover andstopthevehicle immediately in accordancewiththe traffic conditions, and contactaqualified specialistworkshop.
Declaration of conformityfor wirelessvehi‐cle components
USA:"The wireless devices ofthisvehicle com‐ply withPart15ofthe FCCRules. Operation is
subjecttothefollowing two conditions: 1) Thesedevices may not cause harmful interference, and2) These devices mustaccept any interferencereceived, including interferencethat may causeundesired operation. Changes or modificationsnotexpressly approvedbythe partyresponsiblefor compliance couldvoidthe user's authoritytooperatethe equipment."
Canada:"The wireless devices ofthisvehiclecomply with Industry Canada license-exemptRSSstandard(s). Operation is subjecttothefol‐lowing two conditions: (1) These devices maynot cause interference, and (2) These devicesmustaccept any interference, including interfer‐encethat may cause undesired operation ofthedevice."
USA:"Wirelesscharging systemfor mobile devi‐ces (Model: D-WMI2015A):this device complieswithPart18ofthe FCCRules."
The name and address oftheresponsible partyis:
ContinentalAutomotive Systems US Inc.
2400 Executive Hills Drive
Auburn Hills, MI 48326-2980
UnitedStates of America
Diagnostics connection
The diagnostics connection is only intendedforthe connection of diagnostic devices at aquali‐fied specialistworkshop.
&WARNINGRisk of accident duetocon‐necting devicestothe diagnostics con‐nection
Ifyou connect equipmenttoa diagnosticsconnection inthevehicle, it may affecttheoperation ofvehicle systems.
As aresult,the operating safety ofthevehi‐cle could be affected.
#Only connect equipmenttoa diagnos‐tics connection inthevehicle which isapprovedforyourvehiclebyMercedes-Benz.
General notes23
&WARNINGRisk of accident duetoobjects inthe driver'sfootwell
Objects inthe driver'sfootwell may impedepedal travel or block a depressed pedal.
This jeopardizesthe operating androadsafety ofthevehicle.
#Stowall objects inthevehicle securelysothattheycannotgetintothe driver'sfootwell.
#Always installthefloor mats securelyand as prescribed in ordertoensurethatthere is always sufficientroomforthe pedals.
#Do not use loosefloor mats and do notplacefloor mats ontop of one another.
*NOTEBattery discharging from usingdevices connectedtothe diagnosticsconnection
Using devices atthe diagnostics connectiondrainsthe battery.
#Checkthechargelevel ofthe battery.
#Ifthechargelevel is low,chargethebattery,e.g.bydriving a considerabledistance.
Connecting equipmenttothe diagnostics con‐nection can leadtoemissions monitoring infor‐mation beingreset,forexample. This may leadtothevehiclefailingtomeettherequirements ofthe next emissions inspection duringthe maininspection.
Qualified specialistworkshop
Plug-inhybrid:observethe notes inthe Supple‐ment. Otherwise,you mayfailtorecognize dan‐gers.
An authorized Mercedes-Benz Center is aquali‐fied specialistworkshop. It hasthe necessaryspecial skills,tools andqualificationstocor‐rectly carryouttheworkrequired onyourvehi‐cle. This particularlyappliestosafety-relevantworks.
Always havethefollowingworkcarried out onyourvehicle at aqualified specialistworkshop:
RSafety-relevantwork
RService and maintenancework
RRepairwork
RModifications aswell as installations andconversions
RWorkon electronic components
Mercedes‑Benzrecommends a Mercedes‑Benzservice center.
Correct use ofthevehicle
Ifyouremoveanywarningstickers,you orotherscouldfailtorecognize certain dangers. Leavewarningstickersin position.
Observethefollowing information in particularwhen drivingyourvehicle:
Rthe safety notes inthis manual
Rtechnical dataforthevehicle
Rtrafficrules andregulations
24General notes
QR codeforrescue card
The QR code is secured inthe fuelfillerflap andonthe opposite side onthe B-pillar. Intheeventof an accident,rescue services can usethe QRcodetoquicklyfindthe appropriaterescue cardforyourvehicle. The currentrescue card con‐tainsthe most important information aboutyourvehicle in a compactform, e.g.therouting oftheelectric lines.
Further information can be obtained at http://www.mercedes-benz.de/qr-code.
Datastorage
Electronic control units
Electronic control units are installed inyourvehi‐cle. Some ofthese are necessaryforthe safeoperation ofyourvehicle, while some assistyouwhen driving (driver assistance systems). Inaddition,yourvehicle provides comfortandentertainment functions, which are also madepossiblebyelectronic control units.
Electronic control units contain datamemorieswhichcantemporarily or permanentlystore
technical information aboutthevehicle's operat‐ingstate, component loads, maintenancerequirements andtechnicalevents or malfunc‐tions.
Ingeneral,this information documentsthestateof a component part, a module, a system orthesurroundings such as:
Roperatingstatus of system components (e.g.fill levels, batterystatus, tire pressure)
Rstatus messages concerningthevehicle orits individual components (e.g. number ofwheelrevolutions/speed, longitudinal accel‐eration, lateral acceleration, display offas‐tened seat belts)
Rmalfunctions orfaults in important systemcomponents (e.g. lights, brakes)
Rinformation onevents leadingtovehicledamage
Rsystemreactions in special driving situations(e.g. airbag deployment, intervention ofsta‐bility control systems)
Rambient conditions (e.g.temperature,rainsensor)
In additiontoprovidingthe actual control unitfunction,this data assiststhe manufacturer indetecting andrectifying malfunctions and opti‐mizingvehicle functions. The majority ofthisdata istemporary and is only processed inthevehicle itself. Only a small portion ofthe data isstored intheevent or malfunction memory.
Whenyourvehicle is serviced,technical datafromthevehicle can beread outbyservice net‐workemployees (e.g.workshops, manufactur‐ers) orthird parties (e.g. breakdown services).Services includerepair services, maintenanceprocesses,warranty claims andquality assur‐ance measures,forexample. Theread out is per‐formed viathe legally prescribed portforthediagnostics connection inthevehicle. Therespective service network locations orthirdparties collect, process and usethe data. Theydocumenttechnicalstatuses ofthevehicle,assist infinding malfunctions and improvingquality and are transmittedtothe manufacturer,if necessary.Furthermore,the manufacturer issubjecttoproduct liability.Forthis,the manu‐facturerrequirestechnical datafromvehicles.
26General notes
manufacturer in a suitable place (e.g. Operator'sManual,website ofthe manufacturer) along withtherelevant dataprotection information.Per‐sonal data may be usedforthe provision ofonline services. Data isexchanged via a secureconnection, e.g.the manufacturer's designatedIT systems.Personal data is collected, pro‐cessed and used viathe provision of servicesexclusively onthe basis of legal permissions orwith prior consent.
The services and functions (sometimes subjecttoafee) can usually be activated or deactivated.In some cases,this also appliestothe entirevehicle's data connection. Thisexcludes, in par‐ticular, legally prescribed functions and services.
Third party servicesIf it is possibletouse online services fromotherproviders,these services are subjecttothe dataprotection andterms of use oftheresponsibleprovider. The manufacturer has no influence onthe contentexchanged.
Please inquire,therefore, aboutthe type, scopeand purpose ofthe collection and use of per‐
sonal data as part ofthird party services fromtheirrespective provider.
COMAND/mbrace
Ifthevehicle is equipped withCOMAND ormbrace, additional data aboutthevehicle's oper‐ation,the use ofthevehicle in certain situations,andthe location ofthevehicle may be compiledthroughCOMAND orthe mbrace system.
For additional information pleaserefertothechapter Multimedia system and/orthe mbraceTerms and Conditions.
Event datarecorders
USA only:
Thisvehicle is equipped with anevent datarecorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR istorecord, in certain crash or near crash-like sit‐uations, such as an airbag deployment or hittingaroad obstacle, datathat will assist in under‐standing how avehicle's systems performed.The EDR is designedtorecord datarelatedto
vehicle dynamics and safety systemsfor a shortperiod of time, typically 30 seconds or less.
The EDR inthisvehicle is designedtorecordsuchdata as:
RHowvarious systems inyourvehiclewereoperating
RWhether or notthe driver and frontpassenger seat beltswerebuckled/fastened
RHowfar (if at all)the driverwas depressingthe accelerator and/or brake pedal and
RHowfast thevehiclewas traveling
This data can help provide a better understand‐ing ofthe circumstances in which accidents andinjuries occur.NOTE: EDR data isrecordedbyyourvehicle only if a non-trivial crash situationoccurs; no data isrecordedbythe EDR undernormal driving conditions and no personal data(e.g. name,gender,age and accident location) isrecorded. However,other parties, such as lawenforcement, could combine EDR data withthetype of personally identifying dataroutinelyacquired during a crash investigation.
28General notes
Restraint system
Protectionbytherestraint system
Therestraint system includesthefollowing com‐ponents:
RSeat belt system
RAirbags
RChildrestraint system
RChild seat securing system
Therestraint system canreducetherisk ofvehi‐cle occupants coming into contact with parts ofthevehicle's interior intheevent of an accident.Therestraint system can alsoreducetheforcestowhichvehicle occupants are subjected intheevent of an accident.
Only a seat belt which isworncorrectly can pro‐videthe intended level of protection. Dependingonthe detected accident situation, EmergencyTensioning Devices and/or airbags supplement acorrectlywornseat belt. EmergencyTensioningDevices and/or airbags are not deployed ineveryaccident.
Fortherestraint systemtoprovide its full protec‐tion, each occupant must observethefollowing:
RFastenthe seat belt correctly.
RBe in an almost upright position withtheirback againstthe seat backrest.
RSit withtheirfeetresting onthefloor, if pos‐sible.
RAlways secure persons under 5ft(1.50 m)tall in an additionalrestraint system suitablefor Mercedes-Benzvehicles.
However,no systemavailabletoday can com‐pletelyeliminate injuries andfatalities ineveryaccident situation. In particular,the seat beltand airbaggenerally do not protect againstobjects penetratingthevehicle fromthe outside.Therisk of an injuryresulting from airbagdeployment also cannot beruled out entirely.
Reducedrestraint system protection
&WARNINGRisk of injuryor death frommodificationstotherestraint system
Therestraint system can no longer functioncorrectly after alterations havebeen made.
Therestraint system maythen not protectthevehicle occupants as intendedbyfailingin an accident or triggering unexpectedly,forexample
#Never alterthe parts oftherestraintsystem.
#Nevertamper withthe wiring or anyelectronic component parts ortheirsoftware.
If it is necessarytomodifythevehicletoaccom‐modate a person with disabilities, contact anauthorized Mercedes-Benz Centerfor details.
USA only:for details, contact our CustomerAssistance Center on 1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1‑800‑367‑6372).
Occupant safety31
Seat belts
Protection providedbythe seat belt
Alwaysfastenyour seat belt correctlybeforestarting a journey.A seat belt can only providethe best level of protection if it isworncorrectly.
&WARNINGRisk of injuryor death duetoincorrectlyfastened seat belt
Ifthe seat belt is notworncorrectly, it can‐not performits intended protective function.
In addition, an incorrectlyfastened seat beltcan also cause injuries,forexample, intheevent of an accident or when braking orchanging direction suddenly.
#Always ensurethat allvehicle occu‐pants havetheir seat beltsfastenedcorrectly and are sitting properly.
Always observethe instructions aboutthe cor‐rect driver's seat position and adjustingthe seat(→page 92).
In orderforthe correctlywornseat belttopro‐videthe intended level of protection, eachvehi‐cle occupant must observethefollowing infor‐mation:
RThe seat belt must not be twisted and mustfit tightly and snugly acrossthe body.
RThe seat belt must berouted acrossthe cen‐ter ofthe shoulder and as low down acrossthe hips as possible.
RThe shoulder section ofthe seat belt shouldnottouchyour necknor berouted underyour arm or behindyour back.
RAvoidwearing bulky clothing, e.g. a wintercoat.
RPushthe lap belt down asfar as possibleacrossyour hips and pull tight withthe shoul‐der section ofthe belt. Neverroutethe lapbelt acrossyour abdomen.
RNeverroutethe seat belt across sharp, poin‐ted, abrasive or fragile objects.
ROnly one person should use each seat belt atany one time. Never allowbabies andchil‐drentotravel sitting onthe lap of anothervehicle occupant.
RNever secure objects with a seat belt iftheseat belt is also being usedbyone ofthevehicle's occupants. Always observetheinstructionsfor loadingthevehicle whensecuring objects, luggage or loads(→page121).
Also ensurethat no objects, e.g. a cushion,areever placed between a person andtheseat.
The seat belts onthefollowing seats are equip‐ped with a special seat beltretractor:
Rfront-passenger seat
RRear seats
Activate or deactivatethe special seatbeltretractor (→page53).
Ifchildren are traveling inthevehicle, be suretoobservethe instructions and safety notes on"Children inthevehicle" (→page 48).
34Occupant safety
Reduced seat belt protection
&WARNINGRisk of injuryor death duetoincorrect seat position
The seat belt does not offerthe intendedlevel of protection ifyou havenot movedtheseat backresttoan almostvertical position.
When braking or intheevent of an accident,you could slide underneaththe seat belt andsustain abdominal or neck injuries,forexam‐ple.
#Adjustthe seat properlybefore begin‐ningyour journey.
#Always ensurethatthe seat backrest isin an almostvertical position andthatthe shoulder section ofyour seat belt isrouted acrossthe center ofyour shoul‐der.
&WARNINGRisk of injuryor death whenadditionalrestraint systems are not usedfor persons with a smaller build
Persons under 5ft(1.50 m)tall cannotwearthe seat belt correctly without a suitableadditionalrestraint system.
Ifthe seat belt is notworncorrectly, it can‐not performits intended protective function.In addition, an incorrectlyfastened seat beltcan also cause injuries,forexample, intheevent of an accident or when braking orchanging direction suddenly.
#Always secure persons under 5ft(1.50 m)tall in a suitablerestraint sys‐tem.
&WARNINGRisk of injuryor death duetoblocked seat belt buckle or seat beltanchorage
Objects nexttothe front seatthat blocktheseat belt buckle orthe moving seat beltanchorage onthe front seat impairthe func‐tion ofthe EmergencyTensioning Devices.
The EmergencyTensioning Devices can,then, not function as intended andthe seatbelt can no longer providethe intended pro‐tection.
#Beforestartingthe journey,make surethatthere are no objects aroundtheseat belt buckle or betweenthe frontseat and door.
&WARNINGRisk of injuryor death duetodamaged or modified seat belts
Seat belts cannotprovide protection inthefollowing situations:
RIfthe seat belts are damaged, modified,extremelydirty, bleached or dyed
RIfthe seat belt buckle is damaged orextremelydirty
RIfthe EmergencyTensioning Devices,seat belt anchorages or seat beltretrac‐torshavebeen modified
Seat belts may be damaged in an accident,althoughthe damage may not be visible, e.g.duetosplinters ofglass.
Occupant safety35
Potential protection from each airbag:
AirbagPotential protectionfor…
Knee airbag Thigh, knee and lower leg
Driver's airbag,front passengerfront airbag
Head andribcage
Window curtainairbagHead
Side impact air‐bagRibcage, also pelvisforfront seat occupants
The front passenger front airbag can only bedeployed in an accident ifthePASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is off. Ifthe frontpassenger seat is occupied, make sure, bothbefore and duringthe journey,thatthestatus ofthe front passenger front airbag is correct(→page43).
*NOTEImportant pointstoremember ifthe front passenger seat is unoccupied
In an accident,the components oftherestraint system may deploy unnecessarilyonthe front passenger side if:
RThere are heavy objects onthe frontpassenger seat.
RThe seat belttongue is engaged intheseat belt buckle ofthe front passengerseat andthe front passenger seat isunoccupied.
#Stowobjects in a suitable place.
#Only one person should use each seatbelt at any one time.
Cushionbag intherecliningrear seatIfthe seat backrest inclination is significant,thecushionbag provides additional occupant protec‐tion intheevent of a frontal impact. When acti‐vated,the cushionbag deploysunderthe seatcushion. This helps preventthevehicle occupantfrom slipping offthe seat cushion.
Ifyou install achildrestraint system ontherecliningrear seat, always observethe additionalnotes (→page 48).
Protectionbythe airbags
Depending onthe accident situation, an airbagmay supplementthe protection offeredbya cor‐rectlyfastened seat belt.
&WARNINGRisk of injuryor death duetoincorrect seat position
Ifyou deviate fromthe correct seat position,the air bag cannotperformits intended pro‐tective function and deployment mayevencause further injuries.
Toavoid hazardous situations, always makesurethat allvehicle occupants:
RHavetheir seat beltfastened correctly,including pregnantwomen.
RAre seated properlyandthat distancetothe air bags is as largeas possible.
RObservethefollowing information.
Occupant safety39