Date of printing:

08/12/2022

Online Owner's Manual [In depth | Safety | Occupant safety]

Owner's Manual version: 06-13

Note: The online Owner's Manual is the latest version available. Deviations between this manual and items specific to your vehicle may occur since Mercedes-Benz constantly adapts its vehicles to the latest technology and modifies design and equipment. Please note that this online Owner's Manual does not under any circumstances replace the printed Owner's Manual which is supplied with the vehicle.

Occupant safety

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Contents

Important safety notes
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Airbags
Seat belts

Important safety notes

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WARNING

If the restraint system is modified, it may no longer work as intended. The restraint system may then not perform its intended protective function by failing in an accident or triggering unexpectedly, for example. There is an increased risk of injury.

Never modify parts of the restraint system. Do not attempt to modify the wiring as well as electronic components or their software.

The seat belts, together with SRS (Supplemental Restraint System), are complementary, co-ordinated restraint systems more. They serve to reduce the risk of injury in defined accident scenarios and thus increase occupant safety. However, seat belts and airbags generally do not protect against objects penetrating the vehicle from the outside.

In order for the restraint systems to offer the intended level of protection, make sure that:

  • the seat and the head restraint are set correctly more.

  • the seat belt is being worn correctly more.

  • the airbags can inflate properly if they are deployed more.

  • the steering wheel is correctly set more.

  • the restraint systems have not been modified.

An airbag increases the degree of protection afforded to a vehicle occupant who is wearing a seat belt and is therefore supplemental to the seat belt. Airbags do not replace the need for all vehicle occupants to wear their seat belts correctly at all times. The airbags are not deployed in all types of accidents. For example, if the protective capacity of correctly fastened seat belts is not increased by deploying the airbags, the airbags will not deploy.

Airbag deployment only provides increased protection if the seat belt is worn correctly. The seat belt helps, firstly, to keep the vehicle occupant in the best position in relation to the airbag. Secondly, in a head-on collision, for example, the seat belt restricts movement of the vehicle occupant towards the point of impact.

The airbag system can be adjusted for a person with a physical disability. Consult a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre regarding the details.

Nach oben

SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)

Introduction

SRS consists of:

  • SRS warning lamp mbsymb2_inv_002b.png or mbsymb2_inv_0036.png

  • airbags

  • airbag control unit with crash sensors

  • belt tensioners

  • belt force limiters

SRS reduces the risk of occupants hitting parts of the vehicle interior in the event of an accident. In addition, it can reduce the forces the occupants are subjected to during an accident.

SRS warning lamp

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WARNING

If SRS is malfunctioning, child restraint system components may be triggered unintentionally or might not be triggered at all in the event of an accident with a high rate of vehicle deceleration. There is an increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.

Have SRS checked and repaired immediately at a qualified specialist workshop.

Your instrument cluster may be equipped with either SRS warning lamp mbsymb2_inv_002b.png or mbsymb2_inv_0036.png.

SRS functions are checked regularly when you switch on the ignition and when the engine is running. This allows malfunctions to be quickly identified.

When you switch on the ignition, SRS warning lamp mbsymb2_inv_002b.png or mbsymb2_inv_0036.png lights up in the instrument cluster for approximately 4 seconds.

A malfunction has occurred if SRS warning lamp mbsymb2_inv_002b.png or mbsymb2_inv_0036.png:

  • does not light up when you switch on the ignition, or

  • does not go out within a few seconds of switching on the ignition, or

  • lights up again

Additionally the display shows a message concerning SRS:

  • for vehicles without steering wheel buttons more

  • for vehicles with steering wheel buttons more

Triggering the belt tensioners, belt force limiters and airbags

In the event of a collision, the airbag control unit evaluates important physical data such as the duration, direction and rate of vehicle deceleration or acceleration. Based on the evaluation of this data and with longitudinal deceleration in a collision, the belt tensioners are the first to be triggered by the airbag control unit.

The front airbags are not deployed unless the vehicle's rate of longitudinal deceleration reaches a higher value.

In the first stages of a collision, the airbag control unit evaluates physical data such as duration, direction and rate of vehicle deceleration or acceleration. Based on this evaluation, the control unit determines whether it is necessary to trigger the belt tensioners or deploy the airbags.

The triggering thresholds for the belt tensioners and airbags are variable and are adapted to the rate of vehicle deceleration. This process is pre-emptive in nature, since the airbags must be deployed at the start of the collision.

The rate of vehicle deceleration or acceleration and the direction of the force are essentially determined by:

  • the distribution of the force during the impact

  • the collision angle

  • the deformation characteristics of the vehicle

  • the characteristics of the object with which the vehicle has collided.

Factors which can only be seen and measured after the collision has occurred do not play a decisive role in the deployment of an airbag, nor do they provide an indication of airbag deployment.

The vehicle may be considerably deformed, e.g. at the bonnet or wings, without an airbag being deployed. This is the case if only relatively easily deformable parts have been hit and the required rate of deceleration has not been reached. It is also possible that airbags may be deployed even though the vehicle is only slightly deformed. This is the case if, for example, very rigid vehicle parts such as the longitudinal body members are hit in an accident and the rate of deceleration is sufficient.

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Not all airbags are deployed in an accident. The various airbag systems work independently of one another.

How the airbag system works is determined by the severity of the accident detected, especially the vehicle deceleration or acceleration, and the apparent type of accident:

  • frontal collision

  • side impact

Nach oben

Airbags

Important safety notes

NEVER use a rearward-facing child restraint on a seat protected by an ACTIVE AIRBAG in front of it, DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the CHILD can occur.

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WARNING

To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries in the event of an accident with a high rate of deceleration, e.g. injuries caused by an airbag deploying within milliseconds or sudden braking, observe the following points:

  • all vehicle occupants must select a seat position which allows them to wear their seat belt correctly and which is as far away from the airbag as possible. The driver's seat position must be such that the vehicle can be driven safely. The distance from the driver's seat to the pedals must be such that the driver is able to depress them fully. The distance between the driver's chest and the centre of the airbag cover must be more than 25 cm. The driver's arms should be slightly bent when holding the steering wheel.

  • vehicle occupants should always wear their seat belt correctly and position their backrest as close to the vertical as possible.

  • adjust the head restraints in such a way that their upper edge is at the same height as the seat occupant's head.

  • move the co-driver's seat as far back as possible, especially if a child is secured in a restraint system on this seat.

  • rearward-facing child restraint systems must not be fitted to the co-driver's seat unless the co-driver's front airbag has been disabled. In Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the co-driver's front airbag is disabled if a child restraint system with automatic child seat recognition is fitted to the co-driver's seat of a vehicle with automatic child seat recognition on the co-driver's seat and if the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning lamp remains lit continuously.

    If the rearward-facing child restraint system does not have automatic child seat recognition, or if your vehicle does not have automatic child seat recognition on the co-driver's seat, children must be secured in a child restraint system on a suitable seat in the rear. If you secure a forward-facing child restraint system to the co-driver's seat, you must move the co-driver's seat as far back as possible.

  • do not lean forwards, e.g. over the padded boss of the steering wheel, particularly when the vehicle is in motion.

  • do not put your feet on the dashboard.

  • only hold the steering wheel by the rim; this allows the airbag to deploy fully. If you hold the inner part of the steering wheel, you could be injured when the airbag deploys.

  • do not lean on the doors from inside the vehicle.

  • make sure that there are no people, animals or objects between the vehicle occupants and the area of deployment of the airbags.

  • do not place any objects between the seat backrest and the door.

  • do not hang any hard objects, e.g. coat hangers, on the grab handles or coat hooks.

Due to the high speed of airbag deployment, it is not possible to entirely rule out the risk of injuries caused by the airbag deploying.

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WARNING

If you modify an airbag cover or affix objects such as stickers to it, the airbag can no longer function correctly. There is an increased risk of injury.

Never modify an airbag cover or affix objects to it.

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WARNING

Unsuitable seat covers may obstruct or even prevent deployment of the airbags integrated into the seats. The airbags may then fail to protect the vehicle occupants as intended. Operation of the automatic child seat recognition may also be impaired. There is an increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.

Use only seat covers which have been specifically approved for the respective seat by Mercedes-Benz.

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WARNING

After the airbag deploys, the airbag parts are hot. There is a risk of injury.

Do not touch the airbag parts. Have a deployed airbag replaced at a qualified specialist workshop as soon as possible.

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After an airbag has been triggered, have your vehicle towed to the next qualified specialist workshop, even if your vehicle is still in running condition.

Airbag deployment slows down and restricts the movement of the vehicle occupant.

If an airbag is deployed, you will hear a bang and powder may also be released. SRS warning lamp mbsymb2_inv_002b.png or mbsymb2_inv_0036.png lights up.

Only in rare cases will the bang affect your hearing. The powder could cause short-term breathing difficulties in people with asthma or other respiratory problems. In order to prevent breathing difficulties, you should leave the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. You can also open the window to allow fresh air to enter the interior. The powder does not constitute a health hazard and does not indicate that there is a fire in the vehicle. The powder is generally not hazardous to health.

Use only seat covers approved by Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model. The seat covers must have tear release seams for thoraxbags. Otherwise the thoraxbag will not correctly deploy and afford the intended protection potential in an accident.

Suitable seat covers are available from a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre, for example.

The airbag installation locations are identified by the label SRS/AIRBAG or AIRBAG.

Front airbags

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Do not place heavy objects on the front-passenger seat. This could cause the system to identify the seat as being occupied. In the event of an accident, the restraint systems on the front-passenger side may be triggered and have to be replaced.

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Driver's airbag mbsymb6_inv_003a.png inflates in front of the steering wheel; co-driver's airbag mbsymb6_inv_003b.png inflates in front of and above the glove compartment. If your vehicle is fitted with a co-driver's double airbag, it will inflate in front of and above the centre console.

The front airbags increase the degree of protection afforded to the driver and co-driver against head and chest injuries.

The airbags are deployed:

  • in the initial stages of an accident with a high rate of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in a longitudinal direction

  • if the system determines that airbag deployment can offer additional protection to that provided by the seat belt

  • depending on the use of the seat belt

  • independently of other airbags in the vehicle

If the vehicle overturns, the front airbags are generally not deployed. The front airbags are deployed if it is detected that the vehicle is decelerating rapidly in the longitudinal direction.

Vehicles with automatic child seat recognition in the co-driver seat: co-driver airbag mbsymb6_inv_003b.png is activated only if the co-driver seat is detected as occupied. The mbsymb2_inv_0032.png mbsymb2_inv_0034.png indicator lamp below the hazard warning lamp does not light up more. This means that a child restraint system without automatic child seat recognition has been fitted or that a child restraint system with automatic child seat recognition has not been fitted incorrectly.

Thoraxbags

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WARNING

Use only seat covers approved by Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model. The seat covers must have tear release seams for thoraxbags. Otherwise the thoraxbag will not correctly deploy and afford the intended protection potential in an accident. There is a danger of injury.

Suitable seat covers are available from a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre, for example.

images/img0bb690e9351f1514791fa052d2fd1c9b_1_--_--_JPG72.jpg

Thoraxbags mbsymb6_inv_003a.png are only installed for individual seats in the outer seat cushions of the driver's and co-driver's seats.

When activated, thoraxbags mbsymb6_inv_003a.png increase protection for the chest area of the occupants facing the impact. However, they do not protect:

  • the head

  • the neck

  • the arms

Thoraxbags mbsymb6_inv_003a.png are deployed:

  • on the side on which the impact occurs

  • at the start of an accident with a high rate of lateral vehicle deceleration or acceleration, e.g. in a side impact

  • whether or not the seat belt is fastened

  • independently of the front airbags

  • independently of the belt tensioner

Vehicles with automatic child seat recognition in the co-driver seat: the co-driver thoraxbag is also activated when the mbsymb2_inv_0032.png mbsymb2_inv_0034.png indicator lamp below the hazard warning lamps switch lights up more. That is, the co-driver thoraxbag is also deployed if a child restraint system with automatic child seat recognition has been installed.

Windowbags

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Windowbags mbsymb6_inv_003a.png enhance protection for the head (but not the chest or arms) of the vehicle occupants on the side of the vehicle on which the impact occurs.

The windowbags are integrated into the side of the roof frame above the front doors.

Windowbags mbsymb6_inv_003a.png are deployed:

  • on the side on which the impact occurs

  • at the start of an accident with a high rate of lateral vehicle deceleration or acceleration, e.g. in a side impact

  • whether or not the seat belt is fastened

  • regardless of whether the co-driver's seat is occupied

  • independently of the front airbags

  • independently of the belt tensioner

Nach oben

Seat belts

Important safety notes

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WARNING

Airbags provide additional protection, but are not a substitute for the seat belts. To reduce the risk of serious or even fatal injuries, make sure that all occupants - in particular, pregnant women - wear their seat belt correctly at all times and have adopted a normal sitting position, and that their seat backrest is positioned as close to the vertical as possible.

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WARNING

A seat belt which is not worn, which is worn incorrectly, or which has not been engaged in the seat belt buckle correctly, cannot perform its intended protective function. Under certain circumstances, this could result in severe or even fatal injury. For this reason, make sure that all occupants - in particular, pregnant women - always wear their seat belts correctly.

Make sure that the seat belt:

  • is routed as low as possible across your pelvic area, i.e. across your hip joints and not across your abdomen

  • fits snugly

  • is not twisted

  • is routed across the middle of your shoulder

  • is not routed across your neck or under your arm

  • fits snugly across your pelvic area by pulling upwards on the shoulder section of the seat belt

Do not secure any objects with a seat belt if the seat belt is being worn by one of the vehicle's occupants.

Avoid wearing bulky clothing, e.g. a winter coat.

Do not route the belt strap across sharp or fragile objects, including objects that are on or in your clothing, such as spectacles, pens and keys. Otherwise the seat belt strap could be damaged and you or other occupants could be injured in an accident.

Only one person must use each seat belt at any one time.

Children must never travel in the vehicle sitting on the lap of another vehicle occupant. It would not be possible to restrain the child, and the child and other vehicle occupants could be injured seriously or even fatally in the event of sharp braking.

Persons under 1.50 m in height and children under 12 years of age cannot wear the seat belts properly. They therefore require additional suitable restraint systems fitted on appropriate seats for protection in an accident. Always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions when fitting a child restraint system.

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WARNING

The seat belt does not offer the intended level of protection if you have not moved the backrest to an almost vertical position. When braking or in the event of an accident, you could slide underneath the seat belt and sustain abdomen or neck injuries, for example. This poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.

Adjust the seat properly before beginning your journey. Always ensure that the backrest is in an almost vertical position and that the shoulder section of your seatbelt is routed across the centre of your shoulder.

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WARNING

Seat belts cannot protect as intended, if:

  • they are damaged, have been modified, are extremely dirty, bleached or dyed

  • the seat belt buckle is damaged or extremely dirty

  • modifications have been made to the belt tensioners, belt anchorages or inertia reels

Damage caused to safety belts in an accident may not be visible, e.g. by splinters of glass. Modified or damaged seat belts can tear or fail, for example in the event of an accident. Modified seat belt tensioners may be deployed unintentionally or fail to be deployed when required. There is an increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.

Never modify safety belts, seat belt tensioners, seat belt anchorages and inertia reels. Ensure that seat belts are not damaged or worn and are clean. After an accident, have the seat belts checked immediately at a qualified specialist workshop.

Mercedes-Benz recommends using seat belts approved by Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle.

Always have damaged seat belts or seat belts that have been subjected to a load in an accident replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.

Please observe the care instructions on cleaning seat belts more.

Seat belts are the most effective means of restraining the movement of vehicle occupants in the event of an accident. This reduces the risk of vehicle occupants coming into contact with parts of the vehicle interior.

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Many countries have legal regulations concerning the use of seat belts and child restraint systems.

Fastening/unfastening the seat belts

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WARNING

You could lose control of the vehicle while driving if you:

  • adjust the driver's seat, steering wheel or mirrors

  • fasten the seat belt

There is a risk of an accident.

Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steering wheel and mirrors and fasten your seat belt before starting the engine.

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Make sure that the seat belt is completely retracted. Otherwise, the seat belt or belt tongue will be trapped in the door or in the seat mechanism. This could damage the door, the door trim panel and the seat belt. Damaged seat belts can no longer perform their protective function and must be replaced in a qualified specialist workshop.

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To fasten the seat belt: adjust the seat and move the backrest to an almost vertical position more.

Pull the seat belt smoothly through belt sash guide mbsymb6_inv_003b.png.

Without twisting it, guide the shoulder section of the seat belt across the middle of your shoulder and the lap section across your hips.

Engage belt tongue mbsymb6_inv_003d.png in seat belt buckle mbsymb6_inv_0041.png.

The upper section of the seat belt must be routed centrally over the shoulders. Adjust the seat belt to the appropriate height as necessary.

If necessary, pull upwards on the shoulder section of the seat belt to tighten the belt across your body.

To raise the seat belt: slide belt sash guide mbsymb6_inv_003b.png upwards.

Belt sash guide mbsymb6_inv_003b.png engages in various positions.

To lower the seat belt: press and hold release button mbsymb6_inv_003a.png.

Adjust belt sash guide mbsymb6_inv_003b.png to the appropriate height.

Let go of release button mbsymb6_inv_003a.png and make sure that belt sash guide mbsymb6_inv_003b.png has engaged.

To release the seat belt: press release button mbsymb6_inv_003f.png on seat belt buckle mbsymb6_inv_0041.png.

Guide seat belt to belt sash guide mbsymb6_inv_003b.png.

Belt warning for drivers and co-drivers

The mbsymb2_inv_0037.png warning lamp in the instrument cluster is a reminder for all occupants to fasten their seat belts. It may light up continuously or flash. A warning tone may also sound.

The mbsymb2_inv_0037.png warning lamp goes out and the warning tone stops as soon as the driver's and the co-driver's seat belts have been fastened.

Only for certain countries: regardless of whether the driver and co-driver have fastened their seat belts, the mbsymb2_inv_0037.png warning lamp lights up for 6 seconds each time the engine is started. It then goes out if the driver and co-driver have already fastened their seat belts.

Belt tensioners, belt force limiters

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WARNING

Pyrotechnic seat belt tensioners that have been deployed are no longer operational and are unable to perform their intended protective function. This poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.

Therefore, have pyrotechnic belt tensioners which have been triggered immediately replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.

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If the co-driver's seat is not occupied, do not engage the seat belt tongue in the buckle on the co-driver's seat. Otherwise, the belt tensioner could be triggered in the event of an accident and would have to be replaced.

In order to ensure that the pyrotechnic seat belt tensioners have not been triggered, always have the seat belts checked after an accident.

If the belt tensioners have been triggered, they must be replaced.

The driver's and co-driver's seat belts are equipped with belt tensioners and belt force limiters. The belt tensioners are belt inertia-reel tensioners which are mounted on the inside of the B-pillar together with the belt force limiters. The seat belt for the middle seat is only fitted with a belt tensioner and belt force limiter for the twin co-driver's seat in vehicles with a co-driver's double airbag.

Belt tensioners tighten the seat belts in an accident, pulling them close against the seat occupant's body.

Belt tensioners do not correct an incorrect seat position or incorrectly worn seat belts.

Belt tensioners do not pull occupants back towards the backrest.

When activated, the belt force limiters reduce the force exerted by the seat belt on the driver or co-driver.

The belt force limiters are synchronised with the front airbags, which absorb part of the deceleration force, resulting in the force exerted on the occupant being distributed over a greater area.

The belt tensioners can only be activated if the ignition is on and the restraint systems are ready for operation; see "SRS warning lamp" more.

The belt tensioners are triggered depending on the type and severity of an accident:

  • in the event of a head-on or rear-end collision if the vehicle decelerates or accelerates rapidly in a longitudinal direction during the initial stages of the impact.

  • in the event of a side impact if the vehicle decelerates or accelerates rapidly in a lateral direction and the vehicle is equipped with thorax sidebags and/or windowbags.

If the belt tensioners are triggered, you will hear a bang and a small amount of powder may momentarily also be released. SRS warning lamp mbsymb2_inv_002b.png or mbsymb2_inv_0036.png lights up.

Only in rare cases will the bang affect your hearing. The powder could cause short-term breathing difficulties in people with asthma or other respiratory problems. In order to prevent breathing difficulties, you should leave the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. You can also open the window to allow fresh air to enter the interior. The powder does not constitute a health hazard and does not indicate that there is a fire in the vehicle. The powder is generally not hazardous to health.

Nach oben

Notes

Date of printing:

08/12/2022

Online Owner's Manual [In depth | Safety | Occupant safety]

Owner's Manual version: 06-13

Note: The online Owner's Manual is the latest version available. Deviations between this manual and items specific to your vehicle may occur since Mercedes-Benz constantly adapts its vehicles to the latest technology and modifies design and equipment. Please note that this online Owner's Manual does not under any circumstances replace the printed Owner's Manual which is supplied with the vehicle.