
Fig. 31 An unbelted driver is thrown forward. 
 
Fig. 32 The unbelted rear passenger is thrown forward and strikes the belted driver. 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Many people believe that the occupants can brace their weight with their hands in a minor collision. 
This is not true. 
Even at low speeds, the forces acting on the body in a collision are so great that it is not possible to 
brace yourself with your arms and hands. In a frontal collision, vehicle occupants who have not 
fastened their seat belts will be thrown forward and will make unchecked contact with parts of the 
vehicle interior, e.g. the steering wheel, dash panel, or windscreen Fig. 31 
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts. Airbags provide only additional protection 
when deployed. Airbags will not be triggered in all kinds of accidents. Even if the vehicle is equipped 
with an airbag system, all vehicle occupants, including the driver, must fasten their seat belt and 
wear it correctly while the vehicle is in motion. This will reduce the risk of severe or fatal injuries in 
the event of an accident regardless of whether an airbag is fitted for the seat. 
An airbag can be triggered only once. To achieve the best possible protection, the seat belt must 
always be worn properly so that you will be protected in accidents in which no airbag is deployed. 
Any vehicle occupants not wearing a seat belt can be thrown out of the vehicle and sustain more 
severe or even fatal injuries as a result. 
It is also important for the rear seat occupants to wear seat belts properly, as they could otherwise 
be thrown forwards violently in an accident. Rear seat passengers who are not wearing seat belts 
endanger not only themselves and the driver, but also other people in the vehicle Fig. 32  

 
 
Fig. 33 Driver restrained by a properly worn seat belt during a sudden braking manoeuvre. 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Properly worn seat belts can make a major difference. When worn correctly, seat belts hold the 
vehicle occupants in the correct sitting positions and considerably reduce the kinetic energy in the 
event of an accident. Seat belts also help to prevent uncontrolled movements that could lead to 
severe injuries. In addition, wearing seat belts properly reduces the risk of being thrown from the 
vehicle Fig. 33 
Passengers wearing seat belts correctly benefit greatly from the ability of the belts to reduce the 
kinetic energy. The front crumple zones and other passive safety features (such as the airbag 
system) are also designed to reduce kinetic energy. The amount of energy generated will thus 
decrease, thereby reducing the risk of injury. 
The examples describe frontal collisions. Of course, properly worn seat belts also substantially 
reduce the risk of injury in all other types of accidents. This is why seat belts must be fastened 
before every trip even if you are just driving round the corner. Ensure that all passengers also wear 
their seat belts properly. 
Accident statistics have shown properly worn seat belts to be an effective means of substantially 
reducing the risk of injury and improving the chances of survival in a serious accident. Furthermore, 
properly worn seat belts improve the protection provided by airbags in the event of an accident. For 
this reason, wearing a seat belt is required by law in most countries. 
Although the vehicle is equipped with airbags, the seat belts must be fastened and worn. For 
example, the front airbags will be triggered only in certain types of frontal collision. The front airbags 
will not be triggered as a result of minor frontal collisions, minor side collisions, rear collisions, 
rollover or accidents in which the airbag trigger threshold in the control unit is not exceeded. 
Therefore, always wear your seat belt and ensure that your passengers have fastened their seat 
belts properly before you drive off! 
Using seat belts 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Checklist  

damaging the trim. 
 
WARNING 
Incorrect seat belt routing can cause severe or fatal injuries in the event of an accident. 
The seat belts offer best protection only when the backrests are in an upright position and the seat 
belts have been fastened properly according to the occupant's size. 
Unfastening seat belts while the vehicle is in motion can lead to severe or fatal injuries in the event 
of an accident or sudden braking manoeuvre. 
Seat belt routing 
 
Fig. 36 Correct seat belt routing and head restraint adjustment. 
 
Fig. 37 Correct seat belt routing for pregnant women. 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Seat belts will offer an optimum level of protection during an accident only when they are routed 
correctly. Correct seat belt routing reduces the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Correct seat belt 
routing also holds the vehicle occupants in position so that a deployed airbag can offer the 
maximum level of protection. This is why you must always fasten your seat belt and ensure that the 
seat belt routing is correct Fig. 36 
An incorrect sitting position can cause severe or fatal injuries 
Correct seat belt routing  

neck, over or under the arm or behind the back. 
The lap part of the seat belt must always lie across the pelvis, never across the stomach. 
The seat belt must always lie flat and snugly on the body. Tighten the belt slightly if necessary. 
For pregnant women, the seat belt must be positioned evenly over the chest and as low as possible 
over the pelvis. It must also lie flat so that no pressure is exerted on the abdomen this applies in 
every stage of pregnancy Fig. 37 
Adjusting seat belt routing to body size 
The following equipment can be used to adjust the seat belt routing: 
Seat belt height adjuster for the front seats Seat belt height adjuster 
Height-adjustable front seats Sitting position 
 
WARNING 
Incorrect seat belt routing can cause severe injuries in the event of an accident or a sudden braking 
or driving manoeuvre. 
The seat belts offer best protection only when the backrests are in an upright position and the seat 
belts have been fastened properly. 
The seat belt itself or a loose seat belt can cause serious injuries if the seat belt shifts from harder 
body parts in the direction of softer body parts (e.g. stomach). 
The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie on the centre of the shoulder and never under the arm or 
across the neck. 
The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the upper body. 
The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis and never across the stomach. The seat belt 
must lie flat and snugly on the pelvis. Tighten the belt slightly if necessary. 
For pregnant women, the lap part of the seat belt must be as low as possible over the pelvis and lie 
flat around the round stomach. 
Do not twist the belt webbing while the seat belt is being worn. 
Never hold the seat belt away from the body by hand. 
The belt webbing should not lie over hard or fragile objects, such as glasses, pens or keys. 
Never use seat belt clips, retaining rings or similar items to alter the seat belt routing. 
 
If a person's physical build prevents them from routing the seat belt properly, contact a qualified 
workshop to find out about any special modifications so that the seat belts and airbags can provide  

purpose. 
Seat belt height adjuster 
 
Fig. 38 Next to the front seats: seat belt height adjuster. 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
The seat belt height adjusters for the front seats can be used to adjust the position of the seat belt 
on the shoulder so that it can be fastened properly: 
Push the shoulder belt guide together in the direction of the arrows and hold Fig. 3
Push the shoulder belt guide up or down so that the seat belt runs over the middle of the shoulder 
Seat belt routing 
Release the shoulder belt guide. 
Pull sharply on the seat belt to check whether the shoulder belt guide is engaged securely. 
 
WARNING 
Never adjust the seat belt height when the vehicle is in motion. 
Belt retractor, belt tensioner, belt tension limiter 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
The seat belts in the vehicle are part of the vehicle safety concept Airbag systemand include the 
following important functions: 
Belt retractor 
Every seat belt is equipped with a belt retractor on the shoulder part of the belt. Full freedom of 
movement is guaranteed when the shoulder belt is pulled slowly or when the vehicle is travelling at 
normal speeds. However, the belt retractor is locked if the belt is pulled out quickly or during sudden 
braking, on inclines, in bends and during acceleration. 
Belt tensioner  

They tighten the seat belts against the direction in which they are pulled. Any slack in the seat belt is 
retracted, which can reduce the forward movement of the vehicle occupants and their movement in 
the direction of the impact. The belt tensioner works together with the airbag system. If the vehicle 
rolls over, the belt tensioners will not be activated if the side airbags are not triggered. 
Fine dust may be produced when belt tensioners are triggered. This is quite normal and does not 
mean there is a fire in the vehicle. 
Belt tension limiter 
The belt tension limiter reduces the pressure exerted by the seat belt on the body in an accident. 
 
All safety regulations must be observed when the vehicle or components of the system are 
scrapped. Qualified workshops are familiar with these regulations Service and disposal of belt 
tensioners 
Service and disposal of belt tensioners 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Seat belts may become damaged during any work on the belt tensioners or while removing or 
refitting any vehicle parts in conjunction with any other repair work. This damage will not always be 
noticeable. The consequence may be that the belt tensioners could function incorrectly, or not 
function at all, in the event of an accident. 
Regulations must be observed to ensure that the effectiveness of the belt tensioner is not reduced 
and that removed parts do not cause any injuries or environmental pollution. Qualified workshops 
are familiar with these regulations. 
 
WARNING 
The risk of severe or fatal injuries may be increased if the seat belts, belt retractors and belt 
tensioners are not used correctly or if they are repaired by a non-professional. As a result, the belt 
tensioners may not be triggered when they should be, or they may be triggered unexpectedly. 
Any repairs, adjustments or removal and refitting of parts in the belt tensioners or seat belts should 
always be carried out by a qualified workshop and never by yourself Accessories, modifications, 
Belt tensioners and belt retractors cannot be repaired. They must be replaced. 
 
The airbag modules and belt tensioners may contain perchlorate. Observe the applicable legislation 
regarding disposal. 
Proactive occupant protection system  

The proactive occupant protection system is an assistance system that initiates measures to protect 
vehicle occupants in dangerous situations. However, the system cannot prevent a collision. 
The full range of functions of the proactive occupant protection system will be available only if the 
function has been activated in the Infotainment system, no special driving profile has been selected 
and there are no malfunctions Driving profile selecFunction 
limitations 
Basic functions 
Depending on country-specific legal requirements and also on the vehicle equipment, the following 
functions may be initiated, either individually or jointly, in critical situations (e.g. emergency braking 
or in the case of oversteering or understeering) as of a speed of approximately 30 km/h (19 mph): 
Reversible tensioning of the fastened front seat belts. 
Depending on the critical driving situation, the seat belts can be tensioned separately or together. 
Additional information for vehicles with an area monitoring system (Front Assist) 
In vehicles fitted with the area monitoring system (Front Assist) Area monitoring system (Front 
Assist)
limits. The system can trigger the proactive occupant protection system if it detects a probable 
collision or initiates strong braking. 
Function limitations 
The proactive occupant protection system will not be available, or will be available only to a limited 
extent, in the following situations: 
If there is a fault in the ESC, belt tensioner Seat beltsor airbag control unit Airbag system 
 
WARNING 
The intelligent technology of the proactive occupant protection system cannot overcome the laws of 
physics, and functions only within the limits of the system. Never let the extra convenience afforded 
by the proactive occupant protection system tempt you into taking any risks when driving. The 
system cannot prevent a collision. The system is not a substitute for the full concentration of the 
driver. 
Adapt your speed and distance from the vehicles ahead to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic 
conditions. 
The system cannot detect objects in all situations. 
The proactive occupant protection system does not react to people, animals, objects crossing in 
front of the vehicle, or objects which are hard to detect.  

cts such as safety barriers, tunnel entrances, heavy rain and ice can impair the 
performance of the proactive occupant protection system and thus prevent it from detecting a 
collision risk. 
Incorrect system activation can occur. 
 
WARNING 
Accidents and injuries can occur if the driver is distracted. 
Never change settings in the Infotainment system when the vehicle is in motion. 
 
WARNING 
Failure to observe illuminated warning lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle breaking 
down in traffic, and can cause accidents and serious injury. 
Never ignore any illuminated warning lamps or text messages. 
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so. 
 
NOTICE 
Failure to observe illuminated indicator lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle being 
damaged. 
Airbag system 
 Introduction 
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects: 
Types of front passenger front airbag system
Indicator lamp
Description and function of the airbags
Front airbags
Switching the front passenger front airbag on and off
The vehicle is equipped with a front airbag for the driver and front passenger. The front airbags can 
provide front seat occupants with additional chest and head protection if the seat, seat belts, head 
restraints and, in the case of the driver, steering wheel are adjusted and used correctly. Airbags are 
designed only for additional protection. The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts. Seats 
belts must always be worn, even when the front seats are equipped with airbags.