2010 Mercedes-benz M Class Owners Manual

authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or other qualified maintenance or repair facility for further inspection or repairs.

Proper use of the vehicle Proper use of the vehicle requires that you are familiar with the following information and rules: Rthe safety precautions in this manual Rthe “Technical data” section in this manual Rtraffic rules and regulations Rmotor vehicle laws and safety standards G Warning! Various warning labels are attached to your vehicle. These warning labels are intended to make you and others aware of various risks. Do not remove any of these warning labels unless explicitly instructed to do so by information on the label itself. Removing warning labels may cause you and others to be unaware of certain risks which may result in an accident and/or personal injury. G Warning! HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you read the HYBRID Supplemental Operating Instructions included in your vehicle literature portfolio. You may otherwise not recognize potential danger.

Problems with your vehicle

If you should experience a problem with your vehicle, particularly one that you believe may affect its safe operation, we urge you to contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have the problem diagnosed and corrected if required. If the matter is not handled to your satisfaction, please discuss the problem with the Mercedes-Benz Center management or, if necessary, contact us at one of the following addresses: In the USA: Customer Assistance Center Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC One Mercedes Drive Montvale, NJ 07645-0350

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Vehicle data recording Information regarding electronic recording devices (Including notice pursuant to California Code § 9951) Please note that your vehicle is equipped with devices that can record vehicle systems data and, if equipped with the Tele Aid system, may transmit some data in certain accidents. This information helps, for example, to diagnose vehicle systems after a collision and to continuously improve vehicle safety. Daimler may access the information and share it with others Rfor safety research or vehicle diagnosis

purposes

Rwith the consent of the vehicle owner or

lessee

Rin response to an official request by law

enforcement or other government agency

Rfor use in dispute resolution involving Daimler, its affiliates or sales/service organization and/or

Ras otherwise required or permitted by law Please check the Tele Aid subscription service agreement for details regarding the information that may be recorded or transmitted via that system.

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24

Introduction

In Canada: Customer Relations Department Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc. 98 Vanderhoof Avenue Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9

Reporting safety defects

For the USA only: The following text is published as required of manufacturers under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.

Reporting safety defects If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your dealer, or Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to www.safercar.gov; or write to: Administrator, NHTSA Headquarters, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, West Building, Washington, DC 20590. You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from www.safercar.gov.

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Exterior view ....................................... 26
Cockpit ................................................. 27
Instrument cluster .............................. 28
Multifunction steering wheel ............. 30
Center console .................................... 31
Overhead control panel ...................... 32
Door control panel .............................. 33

25

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26

Exterior view

Exterior view

i This Operator’s Manual describes all features, standard or optional, potentially available

for your vehicle at the time of purchase. Please be aware that your vehicle might not be equipped with all features described in this manual.

Function : Tailgate

Power tailgate

; Rear window defroster = Rear window wiper/washer

Wiper blade, replacing Wiper blade, cleaning

? Rear lamps A Fuel filler flap B Doors:

Locking and unlocking

C Exterior rear view mirrors D Towing eyes E Front lamps

Page 75
76
183
100
318
264
311
210

70, 306
89
339
311

Function

F Hood G Wipers

Wiper blades, replacing Wiper blades, cleaning

H Windshield:

Wiping with washer fluid Cleaning

I Power tilt/sliding sunroof J Carriers K Tires and wheels

Rims and tires

L Headlamp cleaning system M Front fog lamp

Page 212
98
318
264

99
264
184
187
218
352
96
95

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Cockpit

Cockpit

27

Function

Page

Function

: Cruise control lever:

Cruise control Distronic

; Instrument cluster

= Multifunction steering

wheel ? Horn A Steering wheel gearshift

control

B Gear selector lever C Front Parktronic warning

indicators

D Overhead control panel E Glove box lid release, glove

box lock F Glove box G Power outlet H Center console

I Starter switch J Steering wheel adjustment,

manual

K On-board diagnostics

(OBD) socket

L Hood lock release M Parking brake release N Parking brake pedal O Door control panel P Exterior lamp switch Q Steering wheel adjustment,

electrical Heated steering wheel

R Combination switch:

Turn signals Wipers High beam

141
144
28, 117
30, 119

115
109

161
32

193
192
197
31

Page 79

86

212
107
107
33
93

86
88

95
98
96

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28

Instrument cluster

Instrument cluster

Function $ Brake warning lamp, USA only d ESP® warning lamp · Distance warning lamp3
J Brake warning lamp, Canada only h Combination low tire pressure/TPMS malfunction telltale, USA only

Page

299
301

302

299

223, 304

Function

Page

: # Left turn signal

indicator lamp

; To dim instrument cluster

illumination

= Reset button for:

Trip odometer Settings

? To brighten instrument

cluster illumination

A ! Right turn signal

indicator lamp

B Clock C Speedometer with: ! Antilock Brake System (ABS) indicator lamp È Variable speed limiter indicator lamp2

118

118
129

118

132

298

2 Lamp without function. It illuminates when the ignition is on. It should go out when the engine is running. 3 Vehicles without Distronic: Warning lamp without function. It illuminates when the ignition is on. It should

go out when the engine is running.

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Instrument cluster

29

Page

303

Function Fuel gauge with: Fuel tank reserve warning lamp 8 Fuel filler flap indicator: The fuel filler flap is located on the rear right- hand side.

G Multifunction display with:

Outside temperature indicator or digital speedometer (depending on selected setting in the control system) Transmission position indicator Gear range indicator Automatic transmission program mode indicator Rear window wiper indicator Downhill Speed Regulator (DSR) indicator Off-road driving program indicator

123, 131

112
114

114

100

153

155

Function

D Multifunction display with:

Trip odometer Main odometer

E Tachometer with:

7 Seat belt telltale

% Preglow indicator lamp, diesel engine only or é Recuperative Brake System (RBS) warning lamp, ML 450 HYBRID only4
+ Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) indicator lamp L Low-beam headlamp indicator lamp ; Engine malfunction indicator lamp, Canada only ! Engine malfunction indicator lamp, USA only K High-beam headlamp indicator lamp

Page

118
121

51, 300

104

36, 301

93

303

303

96

4 See separate HYBRID Supplemental Operating Instructions.

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Page

126

139

126

139

Function Press button & or * briefly: to move within a menu to select previous or next track, scene or stored station within Audio/DVD menu to switch to the phone book and select a name or number within Telephone menu Press and hold button & or *: to select previous or next track with quick search or to select previous or next station in station list or wave band within Audio/ DVD menu to start the quick search in the phone book within Telephone menu Press button A to turn the Voice Control System off6, see separate operating instructions.

30 Multifunction steering wheel

Multifunction steering wheel

Page 121

139
139

139
139
139

130

Function

: Multifunction display ; Press button ~:

to end a call to reject an incoming call Press button 6: to answer a call to dial5
to redial5
Press button W or X: to select submenus in the Settings menu to set values to set the volume Press button ? to turn the Voice Control System on6, see separate operating instructions.

= Press button V or U

to select next/previous menu.

119

5 Function only available in telephone menu. 6 Vehicles without Voice Control System: Button without function.

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Center console

31

Function Front passenger front air bag off indicator lamp (Canada only)

D Storage compartment E Alarm system indicator

lamp

F Electronic Stability

Program (ESP®) switch

G Adaptive Damping System

(ADS) switch

H Seat ventilation, driver’s

side

I Seat heating, driver’s side J Switch for Downhill Speed

Regulation (DSR) ML 450 HYBRID: Parktronic system deactivation switch

K Hazard warning flasher

switch

L Switch for off-road driving

program ML 63 AMG: Program mode selector switch for automatic transmission ML 450 HYBRID: Program mode selector switch for automatic transmission7

Page

46, 305
192

67

64

156

85
86

152

160

96

155

115

Center console Upper part

Function

Page

: COMAND system, see

separate operating instructions

; Climate control system Rear window defroster

= Seat heating, front

passenger side

? Seat ventilation, front

passenger side

A Parktronic system deactivation switch ML 450 HYBRID: Fuel filler flap switch7

B Vehicle level control switch C Front passenger front air

bag off indicator lamp (USA only)

165
183

86

85

162

156

42, 305

7 See separate HYBRID Supplemental Operating Instructions.

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32 Overhead control panel

Lower part

Overhead control panel

Function

Page

Function

Page

: Ashtray with storage

compartment Cigarette lighter

; Cup holder = Front armrest storage

compartment

? Removable card/ticket

holder

196
196
194

192

194

: Left front reading lamp on/

off

; Automatic interior lighting = Rear interior lighting on/off ? Front interior lighting on/

off

A Right reading lamp on/off B Front right interior lamp C Power tilt/sliding sunroof

switch

D SOS button (Tele Aid

system)

E Interior rear view mirror F Reading lamps G Garage door opener

97
97
97

97
97
97

184

201
89
97
204

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Door control panel

33

Function

Page

Door control panel

H Hands-free microphone for

Tele Aid (emergency call system), telephone and Voice Control System, see separate operating instructions

I Front left interior lamp

97

Function

: Inside door handle ; Central locking/unlocking

switch

= Exterior rear view mirror

adjustment

? Selection buttons for

exterior rear view mirror adjustment Power-folding exterior rear view mirrors

A Switches for opening/

closing front and rear door windows

B Rear door window override

switch

C Remote tailgate switch,

power tailgate

Page 74

75

89

89

91

100

60

78

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Vehicle equipment .............................. 36
Occupant safety .................................. 36
Panic alarm .......................................... 61
Driving safety systems ....................... 61
Anti-theft systems .............................. 66

35

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36 Occupant safety

Vehicle equipment

i This Operator’s Manual describes all

features, standard or optional, potentially available for your vehicle at the time of purchase. Please be aware that your vehicle might not be equipped with all features described in this manual.

Occupant safety Introduction In this section you will learn the most important facts about the restraint system components of the vehicle. The restraint systems are: RSeat belts RChild restraints RLower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren

(LATCH)

Additional protection potential is provided by: RSupplemental Restraint System (SRS) with

- Air bags - Air bag control unit (with crash sensors) - Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD) for

seat belts

- Seat belt force limiter

RNECK-PRO active front head restraints RPreventive occupant safety (PRE-SAFE®) RAir bag system components with

- Front passenger front air bag off

indicator lamp

- USA only: Front passenger seat with

Occupant Classification System (OCS) - Canada only: Front passenger seat with BabySmart™ air bag deactivation system Although the systems are independent, their protective functions work in conjunction with each other.

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G Warning! Modifications to or work improperly conducted on restraint system components or their wiring, as well as tampering with interconnected electronic systems, can lead to the restraint systems no longer functioning as intended. Air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs), for example, could deploy inadvertently or fail to deploy in accidents although the deceleration threshold for air bag deployment is exceeded. Therefore, never modify the restraint systems. Do not tamper with electronic components or their software.

i See “Children in the vehicle” (Y page 55) for information on Rinfants and children traveling with you in

the vehicle

Rrestraint systems for infants and children

SRS indicator lamp The SRS system conducts a self-test when the ignition is switched on and in regular intervals while the engine is running. This facilitates detection of system malfunctions. The SRS indicator lamp + in the instrument cluster comes on when the ignition is switched on. It goes out no later than a few seconds after the engine has been started. The SRS components are in operational readiness when the SRS indicator lamp + is not lit while the engine is running. A malfunction in the system has been detected if the SRS indicator lamp + Rfails to go out after approximately

4 seconds after the engine was started

Rdoes not come on at all Rcomes on after the engine was started or

while driving

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G Warning! The SRS self-check has detected a malfunction when the SRS indicator lamp +: Rdoes not come on at all Rdoes not go out after 4 seconds after the

engine was started

Rcomes on while driving For your safety, we strongly recommend that you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have the system checked. Otherwise the SRS may not be activated when needed in an accident, which could result in serious or fatal injury. The SRS might also deploy unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could also result in injury as well. In addition, improper 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. If it is necessary to modify an air bag system to accommodate a person with disabilities, contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. USA only: Call our Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) for details.

Air bags G Warning! Air bags are designed to reduce the potential of injury and fatality in certain Rfrontal impacts (front air bags) Rside impacts (side impact air bags and

window curtain air bags)

Rrollovers (window curtain air bags) However, no system available today can completely eliminate injuries and fatalities.

Occupant safety

37

Deployment of the air bags temporarily releases a small amount of dust from the air bags. This dust, however, is neither harmful to your health, nor does it indicate a fire in the vehicle. The dust might cause some temporary breathing difficulty for people with asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid this, you may wish to get out of the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have any breathing difficulty but cannot get out of the vehicle after the air bag inflates, then get fresh air by opening a window or door. G Warning! To reduce the risk of injury when the front air bags inflate, it is very important for the driver and front passenger to always be in a properly seated position and to wear their respective seat belt. For maximum protection in the event of a collision always be in normal seated position with your back against the seat backrest. Fasten your seat belt and make sure it is properly positioned on your body. Since the air bag inflates with considerable speed and force, a proper seating position and correct positioning of the hands on the steering wheel will help to keep you at a safe distance from the air bag. Occupants who are not wearing their seat belt, are not seated properly or are too close to the air bag can be seriously injured or killed by an air bag as it inflates with great force instantaneously: RSit with the seat belt properly fastened in a position that is as upright as possible with your back against the seat backrest. RMove the driver’s seat as far back as

possible, still permitting proper operation of vehicle controls. The distance from the center of the driver’s chest to the center of the air bag cover on the steering wheel must be at least 10 inches (25 cm) or more. You should be able to accomplish this by adjusting the seat and steering wheel. If

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38 Occupant safety

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you have any difficulties, please contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

RDo not lean your head or chest close to the

steering wheel or dashboard.

RKeep hands on the outside of the steering wheel rim. Placing hands and arms inside the rim can increase the risk and potential severity of hand/arm injury when the driver front air bag inflates.

RAdjust the front passenger seat as far as

possible rearward from the dashboard when the seat is occupied.

ROccupants, especially children, should

never place their bodies or lean their heads in the area of the door where the side impact air bag inflates. This could result in serious injuries or death should the side impact air bag be deployed. Always sit as upright as possible, wear the seat belt properly and use an appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat recommended for the size and weight of the child.

RCanada only: Children 12 years old and under must never ride in the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart™ compatible child seat, which operates with the BabySmart™ air bag deactivation system installed in the vehicle to deactivate the front passenger front air bag when it is installed properly. Otherwise they will be struck by the air bag when it inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal injury will result.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in severe injuries to you or other occupants. If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you make the buyer aware of this safety information. Be sure to give the buyer this Operator’s Manual. G Warning! Accident research shows that the safest place for children in an automobile is in a rear seat.

There is a possibility for a side impact air bag- related injury if occupants, especially children, are not properly seated or restrained when next to a side impact air bag which needs to deploy rapidly in a side impact in order to do its job. To help avoid the possibility of injury, please follow these guidelines:

(1)

(2)

Always sit as upright as possible, wear the seat belt properly, and for children 12 years old and under, use an appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat recommended for the size and weight of the child. Always wear seat belts properly.

Air bags are designed to deploy only in certain Rfrontal impacts (front air bags) Rside impacts (side impact and window

curtain air bags) if the system determines the need for air bag deployment

Rrollovers (window curtain air bags) Only in the event of such a situation will they provide their supplemental protection. The driver and passengers should always wear their seat belts. Otherwise it is not possible for the air bags to provide their supplemental protection. In case of other types of impacts and impacts below air bag deployment thresholds, air bags will not deploy. The driver and passengers 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 protection in a rollover. Air bags are not a substitute for seat belts. Always wear your seat belt, regardless of whether or not your vehicle is equipped with air bags. It is important to your safety and that of your passengers to have deployed air bags replaced and to have any malfunctioning air

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bags repaired. This will help to make sure the air bags will continue to provide supplemental crash protection for occupants.

Safety guidelines for the seat belt, Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD) and air bag G Warning! RDamaged seat belts or seat belts that have been subjected to stress in an accident must be replaced. Their anchoring points must also be checked. Only use seat belts installed or supplied by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

RAir bags and pyrotechnic Emergency

Tensioning Devices (ETDs) contain perchlorate material, which may require special handling and regard for the environment. Check with your local government’s disposal guidelines. California residents, see www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/ Perchlorate/index.cfm.

RAir bags and ETDs are designed to function on a one-time-only basis. An air bag or ETD that has deployed must be replaced. PRE- SAFE® has electrically operated reversible pre-tensioners in addition to the pyrotechnic ETDs.

RDo not pass seat belts over sharp edges.

They could tear.

RDo not make any modification that could

change the effectiveness of the seat belts. RDo not bleach or dye seat belts as this may severely weaken them. In a crash they may not be able to provide adequate protection. RNo modifications of any kind may be made

to any components or wiring of the SRS.

RDo no change or remove any component or

part of the SRS.

RDo not install additional trim material, seat

covers, badges, etc. over the steering wheel hub, front passenger front air bag

Occupant safety

39

cover, outboard sides of the seat backrests, door trim panels, or door frame trims.

RDo not install additional electrical/

electronic equipment on or near SRS components and wiring.

RKeep area between air bags and occupants

free of objects (e.g. packages, purses, umbrellas, etc.).

RDo not hang items such as coat hangers from the coat hooks or handles over the door. These items may be thrown around in the vehicle and cause head and other injuries when the window curtain air bag is deployed.

RAir bag system components will be hot after an air bag has inflated. Do not touch them.

RNever place your feet on the instrument panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always keep both feet on the floor in front of the seat.

RImproper 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.

RFor your protection and the protection of others, when scrapping the air bag unit or ETD, our safety instructions must be followed. These instructions are available from any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

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

If you sell your vehicle, we strongly recommend that you inform the subsequent owner that the vehicle is equipped with SRS. Also refer them to the applicable section in the Operator’s Manual.

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40 Occupant safety

Front air bags G Observe Safety notes, see page 37.

Driver’s front air bag : and front passenger front air bag ; are designed to provide increased protection for the driver and front passenger against the risk of injuries to the head and thorax. Driver and front passenger front air bags are deployed Rin the event of certain frontal impacts Rif the system determines that air bag

deployment can offer additional protection to that provided by the seat belt

Rdepending on whether the respective seat

belt is in use

Rindependently of the side impact air bags

and/or the window curtain air bags

The front air bags in this vehicle have been designed to inflate in two stages. This allows the air bags to have different rates of inflation. The rate of inflation is based on the vehicle deceleration rate as assessed by the air bag control unit. Vehicles with OCS, USA only: The front passenger front air bag deployment is additionally influenced by the passenger’s weight category as identified by the Occupant Classification System (OCS) (Y page 42). Vehicles with OCS, USA only: The lighter the front passenger-side occupant, the higher the vehicle deceleration rate required for second stage inflation of the front passenger front air bag.

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The air bags will not deploy in impacts which do not exceed the system’s preset deployment thresholds. You will then be protected by the fastened seat belts. The front air bags will not deploy in the event of a rollover unless the vehicle’s rate of longitudinal deceleration or acceleration exceeds the preset deployment threshold for the front air bags. The front passenger front air bag will only be deployed if Rvehicles with OCS, USA only: the system,

based on OCS weight sensor readings, detects that the front passenger seat is occupied

Rthe 42 indicator lamp in the

center console is not lit (USA only: (Y page 42), Canada only: (Y page 46))

Rthe impact exceeds a preset deployment

threshold

! Vehicles with BabySmart™ air bag

deactivation system (Canada only): Do not place objects heavier than 20 lb (9 kg) on the front passenger seat. This could cause the front or side impact air bag on the front passenger side to deploy in a crash which exceeds the system’s deployment threshold.

Side impact air bags G Observe Safety notes, see page 37. G Warning! The pressure sensors for side impact air bag control are located in the doors. Do not modify any components of the doors or door trim panels including, for example, the addition of door speakers. Improper repair work on the doors or the modification or addition of components to the doors create a risk of rendering the side impact air bags inoperative or causing unintended air bag deployment. Work on the

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doors must therefore only be performed by qualified technicians. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Front side impact air bags : and rear side impact air bags ; are designed to provide increased protection for the thorax but not the head, neck and arms. The side impact air bags are deployed Ron the impacted side of the vehicle Rin instances with a high rate of lateral

vehicle deceleration or acceleration

Rregardless of whether the seat belts on the

impacted side of the vehicle are in use

Rindependently of the front air bags Rindependently of the ETDs Vehicles with OCS (USA only): The front passenger side impact air bag will not deploy if the OCS senses that the front passenger seat is empty and the front passenger seat belt is not fastened. With the front passenger seat empty and the seat belt fastened, the front passenger side impact air bag will deploy independently of the empty seat. Whether a seat belt is recognized as fastened depends on whether or not the latch plate is properly inserted into the buckle. The side impact air bags are not deployed in side impacts which do not exceed the system’s deployment threshold. The side impact air bags will not deploy in the event of a rollover unless the vehicle’s rate of lateral deceleration or acceleration exceeds

Occupant safety

41

the preset deployment threshold for the side impact air bags. ! Vehicles with BabySmart™ air bag

deactivation system (Canada only): Do not place objects heavier than 20 lb (9 kg) on the front passenger seat. This could cause the front or side impact air bag on the front passenger side to deploy in a crash which exceeds the system’s deployment threshold. G 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 side impact air bags. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for availability.

Window curtain air bags G Observe Safety notes, see page 37.

Window curtain air bags : are designed to provide increased protection for the head but not the chest or arms. Window curtain air bags : are deployed Ron the impacted side of the vehicle Rin instances with a high rate of lateral

vehicle deceleration or acceleration Rindependently of the front air bags

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42 Occupant safety

Rregardless of whether the front passenger

seat is occupied

Rin certain vehicle rollovers, if the system determines that air bag deployment can offer additional protection to that provided by the seat belt

Window curtain air bags : are not deployed in impacts which do not exceed the system’s deployment threshold. Window curtain air bags : deploy in the area indicated by the arrows.

Occupant Classification System The Occupant Classification System (OCS) is standard equipment in USA. The OCS activates or deactivates the front passenger front air bag automatically. The respective status is based on the classified occupant weight category determined by weight sensor readings from the front passenger seat. The system does not deactivate Rthe front passenger side impact air bag Rthe window curtain air bag Rthe Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs) To be classified correctly, the front passenger must sit Rwith the seat belt properly fastened Rin a position that is as upright as possible

with the back against the seat backrest

Rwith the feet on the floor If the occupant’s weight is transferred to another object in the vehicle (e.g. by leaning 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 appear to increase or decrease due to the following: Robjects hanging on the seat Robjects lodged underneath the seat Robjects stuffed between the seat and

middle console

Robjects stuffed between the seat and door Rother passengers pushing on the seat Robjects applying pressure to the back of

the seat Always make sure the seat has clearance in all directions at all times.

If your seat, including the 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 the driver and the front passenger should always use the 42
indicator lamp as an indication of whether or not the front passenger is properly positioned. G Warning! If the 42 indicator lamp illuminates when an adult or someone larger than a small individual is in the front passenger seat, have the front passenger reposition himself or herself in the seat until the 42 indicator lamp goes out, or check whether objects are caught under or around the seat. In the event of a collision, the air bag control unit will not allow front passenger front air bag deployment when the OCS has classified the front passenger seat occupant as weighting as much as or less than a typical 12-month- old child in a standard child restraint or if the front passenger seat is classified as being empty.

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When the OCS senses that the front passenger 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 42 indicator lamp will illuminate 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 passenger seat is classified as being empty, the 42 indicator lamp will illuminate 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 passenger 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 42 indicator lamp will illuminate 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 42 indicator lamp illuminated, the front passenger front air bag is deactivated. With the 42
indicator lamp out, the front passenger front air bag is activated. When the OCS senses that the front passenger seat occupant is classified as an adult or someone larger than a small individual, the 42 indicator lamp will illuminate for approximately 6 seconds when the engine is started and then goes out, indicating that the front passenger front air bag is activated. If the 42 indicator lamp is illuminated, the front passenger front air bag is deactivated and will not be deployed.

Occupant safety

43

If the 42 indicator lamp is not illuminated, the front passenger front air bag is activated and will be deployed Rin the event of certain frontal impacts Rif impact exceeds a preset deployment

threshold

Rindependently of the side impact air bags If the front passenger front air bag is deployed, the rate of inflation will be influenced by Rthe rate of relevant vehicle deceleration as

assessed by the air bag control unit

Rthe front passenger’s weight category as

identified by the OCS

For more information on air bag display messages in the multifunction display, see (Y page 275). G Warning! According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating 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 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 always sit as upright as possible, wear the seat belt properly and use an appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat recommended for the size and weight of the child.

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44 Occupant safety

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: RYour vehicle is equipped with air bag

technology designed to deactivate 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 appropriate child restraint on the front passenger seat. RA child in a rear-facing child restraint on the

front passenger seat will be seriously 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 a backseat.

RIf you must install a rear-facing child restraint on the front passenger seat because circumstances require you to do so, make sure the 42
indicator lamp is illuminated, indicating that the front passenger front air bag is deactivated. Should the 42
indicator lamp not illuminate or go out while the restraint is installed, please check installation. Periodically check the 42 indicator lamp while driving to make sure the 42
indicator lamp is illuminated. If the 42 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 seriously

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injured or even killed if the front passenger front air bag inflates.

RIf 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 secure 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.

Deployment of the driver front air bag does not mean that the front passenger front air bag also should have deployed. The OCS may have determined Rthat 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 of which are instances where the system suppresses deployment of the front passenger front air bag even though the impact met the criteria and was of sufficient severity to deploy the driver front air bag

Rthat the seat was occupied by a small

individual (such as a young teenager or a small adult) or a child who weighs more than the weight of a typical 12-month-old child in a standard child restraint – both of which are instances where the system may suppress deployment of the front passenger front air bag even though the impact met the criteria and was of sufficient severity to deploy the driver front air bag

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45

RSit with the seat belt properly fastened in a position that is as upright as possible with your back against the seat backrest. RWhile 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 approximate the occupant’s weight category.

RRead and observe all warnings in this

chapter.

OCS Self-test After turning the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 1 or 2 or pressing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button once or twice, the 42 indicator lamp illuminates. If an adult occupant is properly sitting on the front passenger seat and the system classifies the occupant as an adult, the 42 indicator lamp will illuminate and go out after approximately 6 seconds. If the seat is not occupied and the system classifies the front passenger seat as being empty, the 42 indicator lamp will illuminate and not go out. G Warning! If the 42 indicator lamp does 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 (Y page 305). G Warning! Never place anything between seat cushion and child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the effectiveness of the OCS. The bottom and back of the child seat must make full contact with the passenger seat cushion and backrest.

42 indicator lamp : will be illuminated, except with the SmartKey removed from the starter switch or with the starter switch in position 0. G Warning! If the red SRS indicator lamp + in the instrument cluster and the 42
indicator lamp are lit at the same time, there is a malfunction in the OCS. The front passenger front air bag will be deactivated in this case. Have the system checked by qualified technicians as soon as possible. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Only have the seat repaired or replaced at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. In order to ensure proper operation of the air bag system and OCS: RDo not place more than 4.4 lb (2 kg) into

the parcel net on the back of the front passenger seat. Otherwise, the OCS may not be able to properly approximate the occupant weight category.

RDo not place objects under and/or around

the front passenger seat.

RDo not hang anything from or attach any

items to the seats.

RDo not stuff objects such as books between

the front passenger seat and the center console or front passenger door.

RDo not move the front passenger seat

backwards against stiff objects.

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If necessary, adjust the tilt of the passenger seat backrest. 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.

BabySmart™ air bag deactivation system The BabySmart™ air bag deactivation system is standard equipment in Canada. G Warning! According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating 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 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 always sit as upright as possible, wear the seat belt properly and use an appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat recommended for the size and 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: RChildren 12 years old and under must never ride in the front seat, except in a Mercedes- Benz authorized BabySmart™ compatible

child seat, which operates with the BabySmart™ system installed in the vehicle to deactivate the front passenger front air bag when it is installed properly. Otherwise they will be struck by the air bag when it inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal injury will result.

RA child in a rear-facing child restraint on the

front passenger seat will be seriously 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 a backseat.

RIf you must install a BabySmart™

compatible rear-facing child restraint on the front passenger seat because circumstances require you to do so, make sure the 42 indicator lamp is illuminated, indicating that the front passenger front air bag is deactivated. Should the 42 indicator lamp not illuminate or go out while the restraint is installed, please check installation. Periodically check the 42
indicator lamp while driving to make sure the 42 indicator lamp is illuminated. If the 42 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 seriously injured or even killed if the front passenger front air bag inflates.

RIf 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

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of the child, and secure child restraint with the vehicle’s seat belt according to the child seat manufacturer’s instructions. G Warning! When using a BabySmart™ compatible child seat on the front passenger seat, the front passenger front air bag will not deploy only if the 42 indicator lamp remains illuminated. Please be sure to check the 42
indicator lamp every time you use a BabySmart™ compatible child seat on the front passenger seat. Should the 42 indicator lamp go out while the restraint is installed, please check installation. If the 42 indicator lamp remains out, do not use the BabySmart™ restraint to transport a child on the front passenger seat until the system has been repaired.

Special BabySmart™ compatible child seats, designed for use with the Mercedes-Benz system, are required for use with the BabySmart™ air bag deactivation system. Please contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for information on availability. With the special child seat installed properly, the front passenger front air bag will not deploy. The 42 indicator lamp : will be illuminated, except with the SmartKey removed from the starter switch or with the starter switch in position 0.

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47

The system does not deactivate Rthe side impact air bag