2008 Mercedes-benz CL Class Owners Manual

앫 Do not make any modification that could

change the effectiveness of the seat belts.

앫 Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may severely weaken them. In a crash they may not be able to provide ade- quate protection.

Safety and Security Occupant safety

i Air bags are designed to deploy only in cer- tain frontal impacts (front air bags, driver-side knee bag), and in side impacts (side impact and window curtain air bags) which exceed preset thresholds, and in certain rollovers (window cur- tain air bags). Only during these events will they provide their supplemental protection. The driver and passengers should always wear their seat belts. Otherwise it is not possible for air bags to provide their supplemental protec- tion. In case of other types of impacts and impacts be- low air bag deployment thresholds, air bags will not deploy. The driver and passenger will then be protected to the extent possible by a properly fastened seat belt. A properly fastened seat belt is also needed to provide the best possible pro- tection in a rollover. We caution you not to rely on the presence of the air bags in order to avoid wearing your seat belt. It is important to your safety and that of your pas- sengers that you replace deployed air bags and repair any malfunctioning air bags to make sure the vehicle will continue to provide supplemental crash protection for occupants.

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앫 No modifications of any kind may be made to any components or wiring of the SRS. This includes changing or re- moving any component or part of the SRS, the installation of additional trim material, badges, etc. over the steering wheel hub, front passenger front air bag cover, outboard sides of the seat back- rests, door trim panels, or door frame trims, and installation of additional electrical/electronic equipment on or near SRS components and wiring. Keep area between air bags and occupants free from objects (e.g. packages, purs- es, umbrellas, etc.).

앫 Do not hang items such as coat hangers from the coat hooks or handles over the door. These items may turn into projec- tiles and cause head and other injuries when the window curtain air bag is deployed.

앫 Air bag system components will be hot

after an air bag has inflated. Do not touch.

앫 Never place your feet on the instrument panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always keep both feet on the floor in front of the seat.

앫 In addition, improper repair work on the SRS creates a risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or causing unintended air bag deployment. Work on the SRS must therefore only be performed by qualified technicians. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

앫 For your protection and the protection of others, when scrapping the air bag unit or emergency tensioning device, our safety instructions must be fol- lowed. These instructions are available from any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

앫 Given the considerable deployment

speed, required inflation volume, and the textile structure of the air bags, there is the possibility of abrasions or other, potentially more serious injuries resulting from air bag deployment.

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Warning!

Only use seat covers which have been tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model. Using other seat covers may interfere with or prevent the deployment of the front side impact air bags or the rear side impact air bags. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for avail- ability.

When you sell your vehicle we strongly urge you to give notice to the subsequent owner that it is equipped with an SRS by alerting them to the applicable section in the Operator’s Manual.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

Front air bags

1 Driver air bag 2 Front passenger front air bag 3 Knee bag Driver and front passenger front air bags are deployed: 앫 in the event of certain frontal impacts 앫 if impact exceeds a preset deployment

threshold

앫 independently of the side impact air

bags

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i The front air bags in this vehicle have been designed to inflate in two stages. This allows the air bag to have different rates of inflation that are based on the rate of relevant vehicle decelera- tion as assessed by the air bag control unit. On the front passenger side, the front air bag de- ployment is additionally influenced by the pas- senger’s weight category as identified by the Occupant Classification System (OCS) (컄 page 48). The lighter the front passenger side occupant, the higher the vehicle deceleration rate required for the second stage inflation of the air bag.

The air bags will not deploy in impacts which do not exceed the system’s deploy- ment thresholds. You will then be protec- ted by the fastened seat belts.

The front passenger front air bag will only be deployed if: 앫 the system, based on OCS weight sen-

sor readings, senses that the front passenger seat is occupied

앫 the 59 indicator lamp in

the center console is not lit (컄 page 51)

앫 the impact exceeds a preset deploy-

ment threshold

Knee bag The knee bag 3 is located on the driver-side lower instrument panel. It is designed to operate together with the driver air bag in certain frontal impacts exceeding a preset threshold. The knee bag 3 operates best in conjunction with a properly positioned and fastened seat belt.

The front passenger side impact air bag 1 will not deploy if the OCS senses that the front passenger seat is empty and the front passenger seat belt is not fastened (latch plate is not inserted into the buckle). With an empty front passenger seat and the seat belt fastened (latch plate properly in- serted into buckle) the front passenger side impact air bag will deploy regardless of the empty seat. The side impact air bags are not deployed in side impacts which do not exceed the system’s deployment threshold.

Side impact air bags

1 Front side impact air bag 2 Rear side impact air bag The side impact air bags are deployed: 앫 in side impacts exceeding a preset de-

ployment threshold

앫 on the impacted side of the vehicle 앫 independently of the front air bags

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Window curtain air bags

1 Window curtain air bag The side window curtain air bags are de- ployed: 앫 in side impacts exceeding a preset de-

ployment threshold

앫 on the impacted side of the vehicle 앫 independently of the front air bags 앫 in certain vehicle rollovers The side window curtain air bags are not deployed in side impacts which do not ex- ceed the system’s deployment threshold. The window curtain air bags fill up the area indicated by the arrows.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

Occupant Classification System

The Occupant Classification System (OCS) automatically turns the front passenger front air bag on or off based on the classi- fied occupant weight category determined by weight sensor readings from the front passenger seat.

i The system does not deactivate the front passenger side impact air bag, the window cur- tain air bag and the emergency tensioning de- vice.

Occupants must sit properly belted in a po- sition that is as upright as possible with their back against the seat backrest and feet on the floor to be correctly classified. If the occupant’s weight is transferred to another object in the vehicle (e.g. by lean- ing on armrests), the OCS may not be able to properly approximate the occupant’s weight category.

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Furthermore, the occupant weight may ap- pear to increase or decrease due to the fol- lowing: objects hanging on the seat, lodged underneath the seat, stuffed be- tween the seat and middle console or the seat and door, other passengers pushing on the seat or objects applying pressure to the back of the seat.

i If your seat, including your trim cover and cushion needs to be serviced in any way, take the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Only seat accessories approved by Mercedes-Benz may be used.

Both driver and the front passenger should always use the 59 indicator lamp as an indication of whether or not the front passenger is properly positioned.

Warning!

If the 59 indicator lamp illumi- nates when an adult or someone larger than a small individual is in the front passenger seat, have the front passenger re-position himself or herself in the seat until the 59 indicator lamp goes out, or check whether objects are caught under or around the seat.

More information about air bag display mes- sages (컄 page 622). In the event of a collision, the air bag control unit will not allow front passenger front air bag deployment when the OCS classified the front passenger seat occupant as being up to or less than the weight of a typical 12-month-old child in a standard child re- straint or if the front passenger seat is sensed as being empty.

When the OCS senses that the front passen- ger seat occupant is classified as being up to or less than the weight of a typical 12-month-old child in a standard child restraint, the 59 indicator lamp will illuminate when the engine is start- ed and remain illuminated, indicating that the front passenger front air bag is deacti- vated.

When the OCS senses that the front passen- ger seat is classified as being empty, the 59 indicator lamp will illumi- nate when the engine is started and remain illuminated, indicating that the front passenger front air bag is deactivated.

When the OCS senses that the front passen- ger seat occupant is classified as being heavier than the weight of a typical 12-month-old child seated in a standard child restraint or as being a small individual (such as a young teenager or a small adult), the 59 indicator lamp will illu- minate for approximately 6 seconds when the engine is started and then, depending on occupant weight sensor readings from

the seat, remain illuminated or go out. With the 59 indicator lamp illumi- nated, the front passenger front air bag is deactivated. With the 59 indi- cator lamp out, the front passenger front air bag is activated.

When the OCS senses that the front passen- ger seat occupant is classified as an adult or someone larger than a small individual, the 59 indicator lamp will illumi- nate for approximately 6 seconds when the engine is started and then go out, indicating that the front passenger front air bag is activated.

If the 59 indicator lamp is illu- minated, the front passenger front air bag is deactivated and will not be deployed.

If the 59 indicator lamp is not illuminated, the front passenger front air bag is activated and will be deployed: 앫 in the event of certain frontal impacts 앫 if impact exceeds a preset deployment

threshold

Safety and Security Occupant safety

앫 independently of the side impact air

bags

If the front passenger air bag is deployed, the rate of inflation will be influenced by: 앫 the rate of relevant vehicle deceleration as assessed by the air bag control unit 앫 front passenger’s weight category as

identified by the Occupant Classification System (OCS).

Warning!

According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seat- ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend that children be placed in the rear seats whenever possible. Regardless of seating position, children 12 years old and under must be seated and properly secured in an appropriate infant or child restraint recommended for the size and weight of the child.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

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The infant or child restraint must be properly secured with the vehicle’s seat belt, the seat belt and top tether strap, or lower anchors and top tether strap, fully in accordance with the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.

Children can be killed or seriously injured by an inflating air bag. Note the following im- portant information when circumstances re- quire you to place a child in the front passenger seat: 앫 Your vehicle is equipped with air bag

technology designed to turn off the front passenger front air bag in your vehicle when the system senses the weight of a typical 12-month-old child or less along with the weight of a standard appropri- ate child restraint on the front passen- ger seat.

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앫 A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the front passenger seat will be serious- ly injured or even killed if the front passenger front air bag inflates in a collision which could occur under some circumstances, even with the air bag technology installed in your vehicle. The only means to completely eliminate this risk is to never place a child in a rear-facing child restraint in the front seat. We therefore strongly recommend that you always place a child in a rear- facing child restraint in the back seat. 앫 If you must install a rear-facing child restraint on the front passenger seat because circumstances require you to do so, make sure that the 59 indicator lamp is illumi- nated, indicating that the front passen- ger front air bag is deactivated. Should the 59 indicator lamp not illuminate or go out while the restraint is installed, please check installation. Peri- odically check the 59 indi- cator lamp while driving to make sure the 59 indicator lamp is il- luminated.

If the 59 indicator lamp goes out or remains out, do not trans- port a child on the front passenger seat until the system has been repaired. A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the front passenger seat will be serious- ly injured or even killed if the front pas- senger front air bag inflates.

앫 If you have to place a child in a

forward-facing child restraint on the front passenger seat, move the seat as far back as possible, use the proper child restraint recommended for the age, size and weight of the child, and se- cure child restraint with the vehicle’s seat belt according to the child seat manufacturer’s instructions. For children larger than the typical 12-month-old child, the front passenger front air bag may or may not be activated (컄 page 49).

i Deployment of the driver front air bag does not mean that the front passenger front air bag also should have deployed. The Occupant Classification System (컄 page 48) may have determined: 앫 that the seat was empty or occupied by the

weight up to or less than that of a typical 12-month-old child seated in a standard child restraint – both instances where the system suppresses deployment of the front passenger front air bag even though the im- pact met the criteria and was of sufficient severity to deploy the driver front air bag.

앫 that the seat was occupied by a small individ-

ual (such as a young teenager or a small adult) or a child weighing more than the weight of a typical 12-month-old child in a standard child restraint – instances where the system may suppress deployment of the front passenger front air bag even though the impact met the criteria and was of suffi- cient severity to deploy the driver front air bag.

The 59 indicator lamp is lo- cated on the dashboard to the right of the instrument cluster.

1 Front passenger front air bag off indica-

tor lamp

The 59 indicator lamp 1 will be illuminated, except with the SmartKey removed from the starter switch or with the starter switch in position 0 (컄 page 366).

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Warning!

If the = indicator lamp and the 59 indicator lamp are lit at the same time, there is a malfunction in the Occupant Classification System. The front passenger front air bag will be deactivated in this case.

Have the system checked as soon as possi- ble by qualified technicians. Contact an au- thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Only have the seat repaired or replaced by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

In order to ensure proper operation of the air bag system and OCS: 앫 Do not place more than 4.4 lbs (2 kg)

into the ruffled storage bag on the back of the front passenger seat. Otherwise, the OCS may not be able to properly approximate the occupant weight category.

앫 Do not place objects under and/or

around the front passenger seat.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

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앫 Do not hang anything from or attach any

items to the seats.

앫 Do not stuff objects such as books be- tween the middle console and the front passenger seat.

앫 Do not move the front passenger seat

backwards against stiff objects.

앫 Sit properly belted in a position that is as upright as possible with your back against the seat backrest. While seated, an occupant should not position him/herself in such a way as to cause the occupant’s weight to be lifted from the seat bottom as this may result in the OCS being unable to correctly ap- proximate the occupant’s weight category.

앫 Do not lift yourself from the seat as this may cause the OCS to be unable to cor- rectly approximate the occupant weight category.

앫 Read and observe all warnings in this

chapter.

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Self-test Occupant Classification System After turning the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 1 or 2 or pressing the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button once or twice (컄 page 366), the 59 indicator lamp 1 located in the dash- board illuminates. If an adult occupant is properly sitting on the front passenger seat and the system senses the occupant as being an adult, the 59 indi- cator lamp will illuminate and go out after approximately 6 seconds. If the seat is not occupied and the system senses the front passenger seat as being empty, the 59 indicator lamp will illuminate and not go out.

Warning!

If the 59 indicator lamp should not illuminate, the system is not functioning. You must contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center before seating any child on the front passenger seat.

For more information, see the “Practical hints” section (컄 page 620).

Warning!

Never place anything between seat cushion (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the effective- ness of the Occupant Classification System. The bottom of the child seat must make full contact with the passenger seat cushion. An incorrectly mounted child seat could cause injuries to the child in case of an accident, instead of increasing protection for the child.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation of child seats.

Seat belts

The use of seat belts and infant and child restraint systems is required by law in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories and all Canadian provinces. Even where this is not the case, all vehicle occupants should have their seat belts fas- tened whenever the vehicle is in motion. For more information, see “Fastening the seat belts” (컄 page 388).

i For information on infants and children trav- eling with you in the vehicle and restraint sys- tems for infants and children, see “Children in the vehicle” (컄 page 57).

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Warning!

Warning!

Always fasten your seat belt before driving off. Always make sure all of your passengers are properly restrained, including those sit- ting in the rear.

Failure to wear and properly fasten and po- sition your seat belt greatly increases your risk of injuries and their likely severity in an accident. You and your passengers should always wear seat belts.

If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can be considerably more severe without your seat belt properly buckled.

Without your seat belt buckled, you are much more likely to hit the interior of the ve- hicle or be ejected from it. You can be seri- ously injured or killed.

In the same crash, the possibility of injury or death is lessened if you are properly wearing your seat belt. Air bags can only protect as they are designed if the occupants are prop- erly wearing their seat belts.

Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat backrest in an excessively reclined position as this can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt would apply force at the ab- domen or neck. That could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint when the wearer is in a position that is as upright as possible and the belt is properly positioned on the body.

Warning!

Never let more people ride in the vehicle than there are seat belts available. Make sure everyone riding in the vehicle is cor- rectly restrained with a separate seat belt. Never use a seat belt for more than one per- son at a time.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

Warning!

Warning!

Damaged seat belts or seat belts that were highly stressed in an accident must be re- placed and their anchoring points must also be checked.

Only use seat belts which have been approved by Mercedes-Benz.

Do not make any modifications to the seat belts. This can lead to unintended activation of the ETDs or to failure.

Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may severely weaken them. In a crash they may not be able to provide adequate protection.

Have all work carried out only by qualified technicians. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY 앫 Seat belts can only work when used

properly. Never wear seat belts in any other way than as described in this sec- tion, as that could result in serious inju- ries in case of an accident.

앫 Each occupant should wear their seat

belt at all times, because seat belts help reduce the likelihood of and potential severity of injuries in accidents, includ- ing rollovers. The integrated restraint system includes SRS (driver air bag, driver-side knee bag, passenger front air bag, side impact air bags, window cur- tain air bags for side windows), ETD (seat belt emergency tensioning device with seat belt force limiters), and front seat knee bolsters. The system is de- signed to enhance the protection of- fered to properly belted occupants in certain frontal (front air bags, driver-side knee bag and ETD with seat belt force limiters) and side (side impact and win- dow curtain air bags) impacts

54

which exceed preset deployment thresholds and in certain rollovers (win- dow curtain air bags and ETD).

앫 Never wear the shoulder belt under your arm, against your neck or off your shoul- der. In a frontal crash, your body would move too far forward. That would in- crease the chance of head and neck in- juries. The seat belt would also apply too much force to the ribs or abdomen, which could severely injure internal or- gans such as your liver or spleen.

앫 Never wear seat belts over rigid or

breakable objects in or on your clothing, such as eyeglasses, pens, SmartKeys, etc., as these might cause injuries.

앫 Position the lap belt as low as possible on your hips and not across the abdo- men. If the seat belt is positioned across your abdomen, it could cause serious in- juries in a crash.

앫 Never use a seat belt for more than one person at time. Do not fasten a seat belt around a person and another person or other objects.

앫 Seat belts should not be worn twisted.

In a crash, you wouldn’t have the full width of the seat belt to distribute im- pact forces. The twisted seat belt against your body could cause injuries. 앫 Pregnant women should also always use a lap-shoulder belt. The lap belt portion should be positioned as low as possible on the hips to avoid any possible pres- sure on the abdomen.

앫 Never place your feet on the instrument panel, dashboard or on the seat. Always keep both feet on the floor in front of the seat.

앫 When using a seat belt to secure infant

or toddler restraints or children in booster seats, always follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Enhanced seat belt reminder system When the engine is started, the seat belt telltale < will always illuminate for 6 seconds to remind you and your passengers to fasten your seat belts. If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened when the engine is started, an additional warning chime will also sound for a maximum of 6 seconds or until the driver’s seat belt is fastened. If after these 6 seconds the driver’s or the front passenger’s seat belt (with the front passenger seat occupied) is not fastened with both doors closed, 앫 the seat belt telltale < remains illuminated for as long as either the driver’s or front passenger’s seat belt is not fastened.

앫 and if the vehicle speed once exceeds

15 mph (25 km/h), the seat belt telltale < starts flashing and a warning chime sounds with increasing intensity for a maximum of 60 seconds or until the driver’s and the

front passenger’s seat belt are fas- tened. If you and/or your passenger re- lease the seat belt during driving, the seat belt telltale < starts flashing and the warning chime sounds as de- scribed before. If the driver’s or the front passenger’s seat belt remains unfastened after 60 seconds, the warning chime stops sounding, the seat belt telltale < stops flashing but continues to be illu- minated. After a vehicle standstill, the warning chime is reactivated and the seat belt telltale < is flashing again if the ve- hicle speed once exceeds 15 mph (25 km/h).

The seat belt telltale < will only go out if both the driver’s and the front passen- ger’s seat belt (with the front passenger seat occupied) are fastened, or the vehicle is standing still and a door is opened. For more information, see “Practical hints” (컄 page 615).

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD), seat belt force limiter The seat belts for the front and rear seats are equipped with emergency tensioning devices and seat belt force limiters. The ETD is designed to activate in the following cases: 앫 in frontal or rear-end impacts exceed- ing the system deployment threshold

앫 in side impacts exceeding the system’s preset deployment threshold on the far side of the impact

앫 in certain vehicle rollovers 앫 if the restraint systems are operational

and functioning correctly, see = indicator lamp (컄 page 617)

i The ETDs for the front seats will only acti- vate if the front seat belt is fastened (latch plate properly inserted into buckle). The ETDs for the rear seats will activate with or without the respective seat belt fastened.

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In an impact, emergency tensioning devices remove slack from the seat belts in such a way that the seat belts fit more snugly against the body. Seat belt force limiters, when activated, are employed to help reduce the peak force exerted by the seat belts on occupants during a crash.

Warning!

A pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD) that was activated must be replaced.

When disposing of the pyrotechnic emer- gency tensioning device, our safety instruc- tions must be followed. These are available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Automatic comfort-fit feature seat belt An automatic comfort-fit feature for the front seats reduces the retracting force of the seat belts when they are in normal use.

Preventive occupant safety (PRE-SAFE®)

Warning!

The PRE-SAFE® system is intended to re- duce the effects of an accident on properly seat-belted vehicle occupants. Despite having the PRE-SAFE® system in your vehi- cle, the possibility of injuries occurring as a result of an accident cannot be eliminated. Therefore, you should always drive carefully and adjust your driving to the prevailing road, weather, and traffic conditions.

Your vehicle automatically takes preven- tive measures to better protect the occu- pants in the following hazardous situations.

Safety and Security Occupant safety

PRE-SAFE® takes action in the following in- stances: 앫 Emergency braking maneuver and the Brake Assist System (BAS) (컄 page 67) is activated or when BAS Plus* (컄 page 68) is strongly inter- vening.

앫 Critical dynamic driving situations, e.g.

when the vehicle is understeering or oversteering because it has exceeded its physical limitations.

앫 Evasive steering maneuvers at speeds

above 20 mph (30 km/h).

When you are driving faster than 20 mph (30 km/h), PRE-SAFE® takes the following measures in such situations: 앫 If the OCS senses that the front pas-

senger seat is occupied and the seat is in an unfavorable position, it will be adjusted to a better position.

앫 The system increases the air pressure in the air pockets (on the sides of the seat cushion and backrest) of the drive-dynamic multicontour front seats*.

앫 If the vehicle is understeering or over- steering, the tilt/sliding sunroof and the front side windows also close until only a small gap remains.

Once the hazardous situation is over with- out an accident occurring, PRE-SAFE® de- creases the air pressure in the air pockets of the drive-dynamic multicontour front seats*. You can readjust all of the settings made by PRE-SAFE®.

i If the closing procedure of the tilt/sliding sunroof or side windows is blocked, the tilt/slid- ing sunroof or side windows will stop and open slightly.

If the seat belts do not release: 왘 Adjust the backrest or seat slightly to the rear until the seat belt tension is di- minished. The locking mechanism releases.

! When moving the seat, make sure there are no items in the footwell or behind the seats. Oth- erwise you could damage the seats.

Children in the vehicle

If an infant or child is traveling with you in the vehicle: 왘 Secure the child using an infant or child

restraint appropriate to the age and size of the child.

왘 Make sure the infant or child is

properly secured at all times while the vehicle is in motion.

Warning!

Do not leave children unattended in the ve- hicle, even if they are secured in a child re- straint system. The children could 앫 injure themselves on parts of the vehicle 앫 be seriously or fatally injured through excessive exposure to extreme heat or cold

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

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Do not expose the child restraint system to direct sunlight. The child restraint system’s metal parts, for example, could become very hot, and the child could be burned on these parts.

If children open a door, they could 앫 injure other persons 앫 get out of the car and injure themselves

or be injured by following traffic

Unsecured or improperly positioned cargo increases a child’s risk of injury in the event of 앫 strong braking maneuvers 앫 sudden changes of direction 앫 an accident

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Infant and child restraint systems We recommend all infants and children be properly restrained at all times while the vehicle is in motion. All lap-shoulder belts except the driver’s seat belt have special seat belt retractors for secure fastening of child restraints. To fasten a child restraint, follow child restraint instructions for mounting. Then pull the shoulder seat belt out completely and let it retract. During seat belt retrac- tion, a ratcheting sound can be heard to in- dicate that the special seat belt retractor is activated. The seat belt is now locked. Push down on child restraint to take up any slack. To deactivate, release seat belt buckle and let seat belt retract completely. To deacti- vate the special seat belt retractor for the front passenger seat, the front passenger seat must be in the most backward posi- tion. The seat belt can again be used in the usual manner.

Warning!

Never release the seat belt buckle while the vehicle is in motion, since the special seat belt retractor will be deactivated.

i Information on child seats with anchor fit- tings for tether anchorages (컄 page 61). For information on LATCH-type child seat an- chors (컄 page 61). The use of infant or child restraints is required by law in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories, and all Canadian provinces. Infants and small children should be seat- ed in an appropriate infant or child restraint system properly secured in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions for the child restraint, that complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213 and 225 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213 and 210.2.

A statement by the child restraint manu- facturer of compliance with these standards can be found on the instruction label on the restraint and in the instruction manual provided with the restraint. When using any infant restraint, toddler re- straint, or booster seat be sure to carefully read and follow all manufacturer’s instruc- tions for installation and use. Please read and observe warning labels af- fixed to the inside of the vehicle and to infant or child restraints.

Warning!

According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seat- ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend that children be placed in the rear seats whenever possible. Regardless of seating position, children 12 years old and under must be seated and properly secured in an appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat recommended for the size and weight of the child.

The infant or child restraint must be properly secured with the vehicle’s seat belt, the seat belt and top tether strap, or lower anchors and top tether strap, fully in accordance with the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.

Occupants, especially children, should al- ways sit as upright as possible, properly use the seat belts and use an appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat recommended for the size and

Safety and Security Occupant safety

weight of the child. Children can be killed or seriously injured by an inflating air bag. Note the following important information when circumstances require you to place a child in the front passenger seat: 앫 Your vehicle is equipped with air bag

technology designed to turn off the front passenger front air bag in your vehicle when the OCS senses the weight of a typical 12-month-old child or less along with the weight of a standard appropriate child restraint on the front passenger seat.

앫 A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the front passenger seat will be serious- ly injured or even killed if the front passenger front air bag inflates in a collision which could occur under some circumstances, even with the air bag technology installed in your vehicle. The only means to completely eliminate this risk is to never place a child in a rear-fac- ing child restraint in the front seat. We therefore strongly recommend that you always place a child in a rear-facing child restraint in the back seat.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

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앫 If you must install a rear-facing child

앫 If you have to place a child in a for-

restraint on the front passenger seat be- cause circumstances require you to do so, make sure that the 59 indicator lamp is illuminated, indicating that the front passenger front air bag is deactivated. Should the 59 indicator lamp not illu- minate or go out while the restraint is in- stalled, please check installation. Periodically check the 59 indicator lamp while driving to make sure the lamp is illuminated. If the 59 indicator lamp goes out or remains out, do not transport a child on the front passenger seat until the system has been repaired. A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the front passenger seat will be serious- ly injured or even killed if the front pas- senger front air bag inflates.

ward-facing child restraint on the front passenger seat, move the seat as far back as possible, use the proper child restraint recommended for the age, size and weight of the child, and secure child restraint with the vehicle’s seat belt ac- cording to the child seat manufacturer’s instructions. For children larger than the typical 12-month-old child, the front passenger front air bag may or may not be activated (컄 page 49).

Warning!

Infants and small children should never share a seat belt with another occupant. During an accident, they could be crushed between the occupant and seat belt.

A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is significantly increased if the child restraints are not properly secured in the vehicle and/or the child is not properly secured in the child restraint.

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Children too big for a toddler restraint must ride in seats using regular seat belts. Posi- tion shoulder belt across chest and shoul- der, not face or neck. A booster seat may be necessary to achieve proper seat belt posi- tioning for children over 41 lbs until they reach a height where a lap/shoulder belt fits properly without a booster.

When the child restraint is not in use, remove it from the vehicle or secure it with the seat belt to prevent the child restraint from becoming a projectile in the event of an accident.

Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, even if the children are secured in a child restraint system. Unsupervised chil- dren in a child restraint system may use vehicle equipment and may cause an acci- dent and/or serious personal injury.

Installation of infant and child restraint systems This vehicle is equipped with tether an- chorages for a top tether strap at each of the rear seating positions.

Head restraints must be positioned such that the top tether strap can pass freely between the head restraint and top of seat back. 왘 Make sure the tether strap is not

twisted.

1 Cover of top anchorage ring 왘 Remove cover 1 from anchorage ring. 왘 Store cover 1 in a convenient place

(e.g. glove box).

왘 Guide tether strap between head re-

straint and top of seat back.

2 Hook 3 Anchorage ring 왘 Securely fasten hook 2, which is part

of the tether strap, to anchorage ring 3.

i For safety reasons, make sure hook 2 has attached to ring 3 beyond the safety catch, as illustrated.

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Once the top tether anchorage hook is at- tached, the child restraint itself can be se- cured. Tighten the top tether strap according to the child restraint manufac- turer’s instructions. 왘 Reinstall cover after removing the

tether strap.

Child seat anchors – LATCH type This vehicle is equipped with two LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) type anchors (at each of the rear seats) for the installation of a LATCH child seat with the matching anchor fittings.

Warning!

Children too big for a toddler restraint must ride in seats using regular seat belts. Posi- tion. Position shoulder belt across chest and shoulder, not face or neck. A booster seat may be necessary to achieve proper seat belt positioning for children over 41 lbs until they reach a height where a lap/shoulder belt fits properly without a booster.

컄컄

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

컄컄

Install child seat according to manufactur- er’s instructions.

The child seat must be firmly attached to the right and left side anchors.

An incorrectly mounted child seat may come loose during an accident which could result in serious injury or death to the child.

Damaged or impact damaged child seats or child seat mounting fittings must be re- placed.

Do not leave children unattended in the ve- hicle, even if the children are secured in a child restraint system.

If you have not installed a child seat, the LATCH anchors are hidden by an uphol- stery cover.

1 Indicates the position of the anchors 2 Anchors 3 Upholstery cover 4 Installation device

왘 Fold upholstery cover 3 upward. 왘 Turn installation device 4 to a vertical

position so that upholstery cover 3 does not fold down.

왘 Install child seat according to the

manufacturer’s instructions. A rigid connection is established be- tween the child seat and the body of the vehicle.

i The child seat must be firmly attached to the right and left side anchor fittings. Non-LATCH type child seats may also be used and can be installed using the vehicle’s seat belt system. Install child seat according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

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Blocking of rear side window operation

왘 Activating: Press switch 1.

You can block the rear side window opera- tion (for instance when you have children riding in the rear passenger compartment). The override switch is located on the door control panel of the driver’s door.

1 Override switch 2 Indicator lamp

Indicator lamp 2 comes on. The rear side windows can no longer be operat- ed using the respective switch located in the rear trim panels.

Warning!

Activate the override switch when children are riding in the back seats of the vehicle.

The children may otherwise injure them- selves, e.g. by becoming trapped in the win- dow opening.

When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* from the starter switch, take it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat- tended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised ac- cess to a vehicle could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

Safety and Security Occupant safety

i Operation of the rear side windows with the switches located in the driver’s door is still pos- sible. 왘 Deactivating: Press switch 1 again. Indicator lamp 2 goes out. The rear side windows can be operated using the respective switch located in the rear trim panels.

63

Safety and Security Panic alarm

1 Â button

64

i USA only: This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interfer-

ence, and

(2) this device must accept any interference re-

ceived, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Any unauthorized modification to this device could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

i Canada only: This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference re-

ceived, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. Any unauthorized modification to this device could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Activating

왘 Press and hold  button for at least

1 second. An audible alarm and flashing exterior lamps will operate briefly.

Deactivating

왘 Press  button again. or 왘 Insert the SmartKey or the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* in starter switch.

or 왘 Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop

button (컄 page 366). The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be inside the vehicle.

왔 Driving safety systems This section contains information about Adaptive Brake Lights as well as the follow- ing driving safety systems: 앫 ABS (Antilock Brake System) 앫 Adaptive Brake 앫 BAS (Brake Assist System) 앫 BAS Plus* (Brake Assist System Plus) 앫 EBP (Electronic Brake Proportioning) 앫 ESP® (Electronic Stability Program) 앫 PRE-SAFE® Brake* (Preventive Occu-

pant Safety Brake)

Safety and Security Driving safety systems

Warning!

ABS

The following factors increase the risk of ac- cidents: 앫 Excessive speed, especially in turns 앫 Wet and slippery road surfaces 앫 Following another vehicle too closely The driving safety systems described in this section cannot reduce these risks or pre- vent the natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle.

Always adapt your driving style to the pre- vailing road and weather conditions and keep a safe distance to other road users and objects on the street.

i In winter operation, the maximum effective- ness of the ABS, Adaptive Brake, BAS, BAS Plus*, EBP and ESP® only achieved with winter tires (컄 page 590), or snow chains as re- quired.

Warning!

Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm, steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump- ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of the ABS and significantly reduces braking effectiveness.

The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates the brake pressure so that the wheels do not lock during braking. This allows you to maintain the ability to steer your vehicle. The ABS is functional above a speed of ap- proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent of road surface conditions. On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re- spond even to light brake pressure. The - indicator lamp in the instrument cluster (컄 page 30) comes on when you switch on the ignition (컄 page 365). It goes out when the engine is running.

65

Safety and Security Driving safety systems

Braking At the instant one of the wheels is about to lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in the regulating mode. 왘 Keep firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while experiencing the pul- sation.

Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure yields the advantages provided by the ABS, namely braking power and the ability to steer the vehicle. The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica- tion of hazardous road conditions and functions as a reminder to take extra care while driving.

Emergency brake maneuver 왘 Keep continuous full pressure on the

brake pedal.

66

Warning!

Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.

When the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS, BAS Plus* and ESP® are also switched off.

When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels may lock during hard braking, reducing steering capability and extending the brak- ing distance.

The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or dan- gerous manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of others.

For more information, see “Practical hints” (컄 page 608).

Warning!

Adaptive Brake

The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase braking or steering efficiency beyond that afforded by the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction afforded. The ABS cannot prevent acci- dents, including those resulting from exces- sive speed in turns, following another vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning.

Adaptive Brake provides a high level of braking safety as well as increased braking comfort. It is coupled with ABS, ESP® and BAS. Adaptive Brake takes driver and vehi- cle characteristics into consideration, thus achieving an optimal braking effect.

Adaptive Brake Lights (CL 600 and CL 65 AMG, USA only)

The brake lamps flash in quick intervals while you are braking in order to signal to cars behind you that 앫 you are braking strongly at a speed of

more than 30 mph (50 km/h)

앫 you are braking with the aid of BAS or

BAS Plus*

If you bring the car to a complete stop by hard braking at a speed of more than 40 mph (70 km/h), the hazard warning flasher automatically comes on as soon as the vehicle is at a standstill. While the vehi- cle is stationary, the brake lamps are con- tinuously lit up. Once you drive faster than 6 mph (10 km/h) afterward, the hazard warning flasher goes out.

BAS

The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in emergency situations. If you apply the brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically provides full brake boost, thereby poten- tially reducing the braking distance. 왘 Apply continuous full braking pressure until the emergency braking situation is over. The ABS will prevent the wheels from locking.

When you release the brake pedal, the brakes function again as normal. The BAS is then deactivated.

Warning!

When the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake system is still functioning normally, but with- out the additional brake boost available that BAS would normally provide in an emergen- cy braking maneuver. Therefore, the braking distance may increase.

Safety and Security Driving safety systems

Warning!

The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase braking efficiency beyond that af- forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction afforded. The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including those resulting from excessive speed in turns, fol- lowing another vehicle too closely, or hydro- planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.

The capabilities of a BAS equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or dan- gerous manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of others.

For more information, see “Practical hints” section (컄 page 608).

67

Safety and Security Driving safety systems

BAS Plus*

The Brake Assist System Plus (BAS Plus) operates in emergency braking situations and uses radar sensors* to assess the traf- fic situation. BAS Plus assists you in brak- ing at speeds above approximately 20 mph (30 km/h). When travelling in Canada in a vehicle not registered in Canada, you must switch off the radar sensor system* (컄 page 302). Canadian law does not permit the use of the radar sensor system* (컄 page 302) for vehicles from outside of Canada. When you switch off the radar sensor system*, the following functions are deactivated: 앫 BAS Plus 앫 DISTRONIC Plus* (컄 page 443) 앫 Park Assist* (컄 page 467) 앫 PRE-SAFE® Brake* (컄 page 75)

68

i USA only: This device has been approved by the FCC as a “Vehicular Radar System”. The radar sensor is intended for use in an automotive radar system only. Removal, tampering, or altering of the de- vice will void any warranties, and is not permitted by the FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in any non-approved way. Any unauthorized modification to this device could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

i Canada only: This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference re-

ceived, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Removal, tampering, or altering of the device will void any warranties, and is not permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in any non-approved way. Any unauthorized modification to this device could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Warning!

BAS Plus is a convenience system designed to assist the driver during vehicle operation. The responsibility for the vehicle speed and the distance to the vehicle ahead, including most importantly brake operation to assure safe stopping distance, always remains with the driver.

Always pay attention to traffic conditions even while BAS Plus is switched on. Other- wise, you may not be able to recognize dangerous situations until it is too late and could cause an accident resulting in person- al or fatal injury to you or others.

BAS Plus detects obstacles that are in your driving path for a sufficient period of time to permit the system to recognize these obstacles. If you approach the detected obstacle quickly, BAS Plus calculates the level of brake power boost appropriate for the circumstance to supply when the driv- er applies the brakes.

When you step quickly on the brake pedal in an emergency braking situation, BAS Plus automatically regulates the brake power boost to a level that is suit- able for the traffic situation. If BAS Plus requires a particularly high brake power boost, PRE-SAFE® is activat- ed at the same time. 왘 Keep constant pressure on the brake pedal until the emergency braking situ- ation is over. During this process, ABS prevents the wheels from locking up.

The brakes will resume normal operation after 앫 the brake pedal is released 앫 no obstacles are detected in your path 앫 the system no longer senses a risk of a

collision

BAS Plus is deactivated. BAS Plus can react to stationary obstacles such as standing or parked vehicles at road speeds of up to approximately 40 mph (70 km/h). BAS Plus can only assist you when the radar sensors are switched on and func- tional. You can check whether the sensors are active by switching on DISTRONIC Plus* (컄 page 443) or using the “Radar Sensors” menu (컄 page 302) in the instru- ment cluster control system.

Safety and Security Driving safety systems

Warning!

BAS Plus will only respond with brake assis- tance if it has clearly detected an object. De- tection can be impeded by 앫 dirty or covered sensors 앫 snowfall or heavy rain 앫 disturbance from other radar sources 앫 strong radar reflection such as in park-

ing garages

BAS Plus uses radar signals that are not re- flected well by narrow objects and absorp- tive materials. For this reason BAS Plus will not react to 앫 persons and animals 앫 approaching traffic or cross-traffic BAS Plus may not detect narrow vehicles driving in front of you, such as motorcycles and vehicles driving offset from your vehicle center.

69

Safety and Security Driving safety systems

After a hard collision or damage to the front of the vehicle from an accident, have the adjustment and operation of the radar sensors checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. If BAS Plus is not available due to a radar sensor malfunction, the braking system will continue to function normally with full brake boost and full standard BAS function.

70

EBP

ESP®

The Electronic Brake Proportioning (EBP) enhances braking effectiveness by allow- ing the rear brakes to supply a greater pro- portion of the braking effort in straight line braking without a loss of vehicle stability.

Warning!

When the EBP is malfunctioning, the ABS, BAS, BAS Plus* and ESP® are also switched off.

If the EBP is malfunctioning, the brake sys- tem will still function with full brake boost. However, the rear wheels could lock up dur- ing emergency braking situations, for exam- ple. You could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. Adapt your driving style to the changed driving characteristics.

The Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) is operational as soon as the engine is run- ning and monitors the vehicle’s traction (force of adhesive friction between the tires and the road surface) and handling. The ESP® recognizes when a wheel is spin- ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap- plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and by limiting the engine output, the ESP® works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP® is especially useful while driving off and on wet or slippery road surfaces. The ESP® also stabilizes the vehicle during braking and steering maneuvers. The ESP® warning lamp v in the instru- ment cluster flashes when the ESP® is en- gaged. The ESP® warning lamp v in the instru- ment cluster comes on when you switch on the ignition (컄 page 365). It goes out when the engine is running.

Safety and Security Driving safety systems

Warning!

Warning!

i DISTRONIC Plus* and cruise control are switched off when the ESP® engages.

Never switch off the ESP® when you see the ESP® warning lamp v flashing in the in- strument cluster. In this case proceed as fol- lows: 앫 While driving off, apply as little throttle

as possible.

앫 While driving, ease up on the accelera-

tor.

앫 Adapt your speed and driving style to

the prevailing road conditions.

Failure to observe these guidelines could cause the vehicle to skid. The ESP® cannot prevent accidents result- ing from excessive speed.

The ESP® cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded. The ESP® cannot prevent accidents, including those resulting from excessive speed in turns, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca- pabilities of an ESP® equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or danger- ous manner which could jeopardize the us- er’s safety or the safety of others.

i The ESP® will only function properly if you use wheels of the recommended tire size (컄 page 727).

! Because the ESP® operates automatically, the engine and ignition must be shut off (SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or 1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button* in position 0 or 1) when 앫 the electronic parking brake is being tested

on a brake test dynamometer

앫 the vehicle is being towed with the

front/rear axle raised

Active braking action through the ESP® may oth- erwise seriously damage the brake system.

For more information, see “Practical hints” section (컄 page 614) and (컄 page 622).

71

Safety and Security Driving safety systems

Electronic traction system The electronic traction system is a compo- nent of ESP®. The electronic traction system improves the vehicle’s ability to utilize available trac- tion, especially under slippery road condi- tions by applying the brakes to a spinning wheel. When you switch off the ESP®, the elec- tronic traction system is still enabled.

Switching off the ESP® (except CL 63 AMG)

Warning!

The ESP® should not be switched off during normal driving other than in the circum- stances described below. Disabling of the system will reduce vehicle stability in stan- dard driving maneuvers.

Warning!

If you are driving too fast, the electronic traction system cannot reduce the risk of an accident.

The electronic traction system cannot pre- vent the natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle.

To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off the ESP® in driving situations where it would be advantageous to have the drive wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for better grip such as: 앫 when driving with snow chains 앫 in deep snow 앫 in sand or gravel

Warning!

Switch on the ESP® immediately if the afore- mentioned circumstances do not apply any- more. Otherwise the ESP® will not stabilize the vehicle when it is starting to skid or a wheel is spinning.

When you switch off the ESP® 앫 the ESP® does not stabilize the vehicle 앫 the engine output is not limited, which

allows the drive wheels to spin and thus cut into surfaces for better grip

앫 the electronic traction system will still

apply the brakes to a spinning wheel 앫 the ESP® continues to operate when

you are braking

앫 you cannot activate the cruise control

or the DISTRONIC Plus*

72

i When the ESP® is switched off and one or more drive wheels are spinning, the ESP® warn- ing lamp v in the instrument cluster flashes. However, the ESP® will then not stabilize the vehicle.

1 ESP® off/on 왘 Press ESP® switch 1 until the ESP® warning lamp v in the instrument cluster comes on. The ESP® is switched off.

Safety and Security Driving safety systems

Warning!

Switching off the ESP® (CL 63 AMG only)

When the ESP® warning lamp v is illumi- nated continuously, the ESP® is switched off.

Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail- ing road conditions and to the non-operating status of the ESP®.

! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an extended period with the ESP® switched off. This may cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

Warning!

The ESP® should not be switched off during normal driving. Disabling of the system will result in the following: 앫 no restriction to engine torque 앫 loss of system supported traction

control

“ESP® OFF” is designed for driving on closed tracks when the natural oversteer and un- dersteer characteristics are desired and re- quires a highly skilled and experienced driver able to handle these critical driving situations.

You could lose control of your vehicle and cause an accident.

Please be aware of these limits when you switch off the ESP®. Do not switch off the ESP® when a spare wheel is mounted.

73

Safety and Security Driving safety systems

When you switch off the ESP® 앫 the ESP® does not stabilize the vehicle 앫 the engine output is not limited, which

allows the drive wheels to spin and thus cut into surfaces for better grip

앫 the traction control will still apply the

brakes to a spinning wheel

앫 the ESP® operates while you are

braking

앫 you cannot activate the cruise control

or the Distronic*

앫 the cruise control or Distronic* switch

off if currently activated

i When the ESP® is switched off and one or more drive wheels are spinning, the ESP® warn- ing lamp v in the instrument cluster flashes. However, the ESP® will then not stabilize the vehicle.

74

1 ESP® off/on 왘 With the engine running, press ESP®

switch 1 until the ESP® warning lamp v in the instrument cluster comes on. The ESP® is switched off.

Warning!

When the ESP® warning lamp v is illuminated continuously, the ESP® is switched off or is not operational due to a malfunction. Vehicle stability in standard driving maneuvers reduces.

Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail- ing road conditions and to the non-operating status of the ESP®.

! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an ex- tended period with the ESP® switched off. This may cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

Switching on the ESP® 왘 Press ESP® switch 1.

The ESP® warning lamp v in the in- strument cluster goes out. You are now again in normal driving mode with the ESP® switched on.

PRE-SAFE® Brake* (vehicles with DISTRONIC Plus* only)

PRE-SAFE® Brake* can assist you in mini- mizing the risk of a rear-end collision with a vehicle in front of you and in reducing the severity of an accident. At speeds over ap- proximately 20 mph (30 km/h), it will 앫 warn you of a possible collision 앫 automatically begin to brake the vehi-

cle lightly in a speed range of up to 112 mph (180 km/h)

앫 activate preventative occupant safety

measures (PRE-SAFE®) (컄 page 56)

Warning!

PRE-SAFE® Brake is a convenience system designed to assist the driver during vehicle operation. The responsibility for the vehicle speed and the distance to the vehicle ahead, including most importantly brake operation to assure safe stopping distance, always re- mains with the driver.

Always pay attention to traffic conditions even while PRE-SAFE® Brake is switched on. Otherwise, you may not be able to recognize dangerous situations until it is too late and could cause an accident resulting in person- al or fatal injury to you or others.

PRE-SAFE® Brake will only assist you by automatically initiating braking if the driver and front passenger have their seat belts fastened. Using the radar sensors, PRE-SAFE® Brake detects obstacles that are in your driving path for a sufficient period of time for the system to recognize it. If you approach a vehicle and PRE-SAFE® Brake has estab- lished that the distance to the vehicle ahead at your current speed is so close that PRE-SAFE® Brake will not be capable of slowing the vehicle sufficiently, the sys- tem will initially warn you visually and acoustically.

Safety and Security Driving safety systems

When travelling in Canada in a vehicle not registered in Canada, you must switch off the radar sensor system* (컄 page 302). Canadian law does not permit the use of the radar sensor system* (컄 page 302) for vehicles from outside of Canada. When you switch off the radar sensor system*, the following functions are deactivated: 앫 BAS Plus* (컄 page 68) 앫 DISTRONIC Plus* (컄 page 443) 앫 Park Assist* (컄 page 467) 앫 PRE-SAFE® Brake

i USA only: This device has been approved by the FCC as a “Vehicular Radar System”. The radar sensor is intended for use in an automotive radar system only. Removal, tampering, or altering of the de- vice will void any warranties, and is not permitted by the FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in any non-approved way. Any unauthorized modification to this device could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

75

Safety and Security Driving safety systems

i Canada only: This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference re-

ceived, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Removal, tampering, or altering of the device will void any warranties, and is not permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in any non-approved way. Any unauthorized modification to this device could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

76

When the distance to the forward vehicle is too small, the distance warning lamp l comes on in the instrument cluster. If you approach the forward vehicle very quickly, you will hear a warning tone. If you do not apply the brakes yourself or maneuver around a sensed obstacle, the vehicle will automatically initiate light braking. PRE-SAFE® (컄 page 56) is activat- ed when the distance to the vehicle ahead at your current speed is so close that PRE-SAFE® Brake will not be capable of slowing the vehicle sufficiently.

Warning!

PRE-SAFE® Brake will only respond with brake assistance if it has clearly detected an object. Detection can be impeded by 앫 dirty or covered sensors 앫 snowfall or heavy rain 앫 disturbance from other radar sources 앫 strong radar reflection such as in park-

ing garages

PRE-SAFE® Brake uses radar signals that are not reflected well by narrow objects and absorptive materials. For this reason BAS Plus will not react to 앫 persons and animals 앫 approaching traffic or cross-traffic PRE-SAFE® Brake may not detect narrow ve- hicles driving in front of you, such as motor- cycles and vehicles driving offset from your vehicle center.

To maintain the proper distance to the ve- hicle in front of you and thus prevent a rear-end collision, you must apply the brakes yourself. 왘 Immediately brake the vehicle to avoid

a collision. Under no circumstances should the driver await the intermittent warning sound before braking. See the follow- ing warning note. The intermittent warning sound ceases and the distance warning lamp l goes out when the necessary distance to the vehicle ahead is again established.

Warning!

PRE-SAFE® Brake brakes your vehicle with a maximum of 13 ft/s2 (4 m/s2). This corre- sponds to about 40% of the maximum decel- eration ability of your vehicle. This automatic braking is intended only to ini- tiate the braking if the driver has not already done so. The driver must apply the brakes in order to prevent a collision. PRE-SAFE® Brake applies the brake pedal automatically which results in the brake pedal moving. Therefore keep driver’s foot area clear at all times, including the area un- der the brake pedal. Objects stored in this area may impair pedal movement which could interfere with the braking ability of the PRE-SAFE® Brake.

Do not place your foot under the brake pedal – your foot could become caught.

Safety and Security Driving safety systems

Warning!

An intermittent warning sounds and the dis- tance warning lamp l in the instrument cluster is illuminated if PRE-SAFE® Brake calculates that the distance to the vehicle ahead and your vehicle’s current speed indi- cate that PRE-SAFE® Brake will not be capa- ble of slowing the vehicle sufficiently to maintain the preset following distance, which creates a danger of a collision.

Immediately brake your vehicle to increase the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle driving in front of you. The warning sound is intended as a final caution that you have not interceded with your own braking inputs to avoid a potentially dangerous situ- ation. Do not wait for the operation of the warning signal to intercede with your own braking, as that will result in potentially dan- gerous emergency braking which will not al- ways result in an impact being avoided.

Tailgating increases the risk of an accident.

77

i PRE-SAFE® Brake will remain passive while DISTRONIC Plus* is switched on (컄 page 443). After a hard collision or damage to the front of the vehicle from an accident, have the settings and operation of the radar sensors checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Safety and Security Driving safety systems