belt MERCEDES-BENZ ML SUV 2008 Owners Manual

4Shift ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.108
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Auxiliary heating . . . . . . . . . . ..184, 306
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Setting (on-board computer) . . . . .128
Auxiliary ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . ..184
Axle load, maximum permissible
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363, 364 B
Ball coupling Folding in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244
Folding out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
BAS (Brake Assist) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..58
Basic display (on-board computer) .120
Battery Changing (auxiliary heating
remote control) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .312
Changing (key ).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311
Changing (KEYLESS GO key) . . . . .311
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .337
Checking (key ).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311
Checking (KEYLESS GO key) . . . . .311
Check lamp (key ).. . . . . . . . . . . . .311
Check lamp (KEYLESS GO key) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69, 311
Disconnecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269
Maintenance (vehicle ).. . . . . . . ..334 Reconnecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.338
Removing/fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .337
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334
Voltage (on-board computer) . . . . .121
Belt force limiters
Activatio n.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Belt height adjustment . . . . . . . . . . ..91
Belt reel (Easy-Pack fix kit) . . . . . . ..200
Belt tensioners Activatio n.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Belt warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Bonnet Bonnet catch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .268
Opening/closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Bonnet release lever
Release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220
Brake
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . .289, 290
Brake Assist
see BAS
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .372
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270
Brake lamps
Adaptive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277
Brake system
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270 Bulb
Brake lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .319
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315, 318
Dipped-beam headlamps . . . . . . . .315
Licence plate lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . .321
Main-beam headlamps . . . . . . . . . .315
Parking lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . .316, 319
Rear foglamp . . . . . . . . . . . . .319, 320
Reversing lamp . . . . . . . . . . .319, 320
Side lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .316
Tail lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .319
Turn signal lamp . . . . . . . . . .318, 319
see Lamp
Bulbs
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .313 C
Calling up a malfunction see Message memory menu
Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
Automatic car wash . . . . . . . . . . . .248
Distronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251
Exhaust tail pipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
High-pressure cleaners . . . . . . . . .248
Parktroni c.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251
Plastic trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250
Rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
Reversing camera . . . . . . . . . . . . .252 Index
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Fuel filter
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270
Fuel line
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295
Fuel tank
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295
Fuse allocation chart . . . . . . . . . . ..344
Fuse box Dashboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . .344
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . .345
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .343 G
Garage door Opening/closing (with the remote
control) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210
Garage door opener . . . . . . . . . . . . ..209
Clearing the memory . . . . . . . . . . .210
Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .373
Programming the remote control . .209
Gear indicator (on-board computer) 121
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts . . . ..348
Glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . ..201
Gradient-climbing capability (max-
imum) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238
Gross vehicle weight, maximum
permissible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363 H
Headlamps Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
Cleaning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Misting up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .301
Headlamps delayed switch-off
see Exterior lighting delayed switch-off
Head restraint
Adjusting (front) . . . . . . . . . . . . .77, 78
Adjusting (rear) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
NECK-PRO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Removing (rear) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Resetting triggered NECK-PRO
head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .310
Heating
see Air conditioning
High-pressure cleaners . . . . . . . . . ..248
Hill start assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
HomeLink ®
see Garage door opener I
Immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Indicator and warning lamp Brakes (red ).. . . . . . . . . . . . .289, 290
Engine diagnostic . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291
ESP ®
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58, 289
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF . . . .50, 286
Reserve fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293 Seat belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.291
SRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41, 290
Tyre pressure monitor . . . . . . . . . .291
Indicator and warning lamps . . . . ..288
Indicator lamp see Indicator and warning lamp
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . ..113
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Selecting the language (on-board
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
Instrument lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . ..114
Interior lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Automatic control system . . . . . . . .97
Delayed switch-off (on-board
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
Emergency lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Manual control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Reading lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Interior motion sensor . . . . . . . . . . ..64
Switching on/off (on-board com-
puter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135
ISOFIX child seat securing system ..53 J
Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .327
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .339
Jump leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .339 Index
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Rain closing feature (sliding/tilt-
ing sunroof) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
Rain sensor Windscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Range (on-board computer) . . . . . ..136
Rear bench seat Folding forward/back . . . . . . . . . .194
Rear foglamp
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278
Rear-view mirror
Adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
Anti-dazzle (manual) . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
Anti-dazzle mode (automatic) . . . . .86
Rear window
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
Rear window heating . . . . . . . . . . ..182
Malfunction indicator lamp . . . . . .286
Rear window wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..99
Replacing the wiper blade . . . . . . .322
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
Remote control Auxiliary heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Changing the batteries (auxiliary
heating) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .312
Garage door opene r.. . . . . . . . . . .209
Programming (garage door
opener) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
Replacing the wiper blades . . . . . ..321 Reserve
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293
Reserve fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .366
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283
Fuel tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .366
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293
Restraint System
see SRS
Restraint systems
For children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Rev counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Reversing camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..167
Reversing lamp Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279
Roof load, maximum . . . . . . . ..363, 364
Roof rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .190
Run-on time (mobile phone) . . . . . ..207 S
Safety net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197
Seat Adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76, 77, 78
Correct driver's seat position . . . . . .91
Storing settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Seat belt
Adjusting the height . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
Fastening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90, 291 Seat cushion
Removing (rear bench seat) . . . . . .196
Seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Seat ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Malfunction indicator lamp . . . . . .285
Securing a load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
Securing hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
Selector lever Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
Service indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246
Service products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .366
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .372
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .370
Windscreen washer fluid . . . . . . . .372
Settings
Calling up a stored setting . . . . . . . .87
Factory (key ).. . . . . . . . . . . . . .66, 67
Factory (KEYLESS GO) . . . . . . . . . . .68
Factory (on-board computer) . . . . .127
Setting the unit (on-board computer)
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
Shift ranges
Automatic transmission . . . . . . . . .108
Sidebags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Side window Fault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .302
Side windows
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
Opening/closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Resettin g.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101 Index
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15U
Unladen weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363
Unlocking Emergency unlocking . . . . . . . . . . .308
From the inside (central unlocking
button) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Up (display message) . . . . . . . . . . ..121 V
Variable Speedtronic . . . . . . . . . . . ..154
Vehicle Emergency unlocking . . . . . . .308, 309
Individual settings (on-board com-
puter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
Leaving parked up . . . . . . . . . . . . .307
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .342
Transporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .342
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334
Vehicle dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . ..361
Vehicle electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . ..349
Vehicle identification number
(VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .350, 351
Vehicle identification plates . . . . ..350
Vehicle level Display message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .271, 272
Vehicle tool kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
Vehicle weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363 W
Warning and indicator lamp ABS (yellow) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288
LIM (Cruise control) . . . . . . . . . . . .145
LIM (Distronic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
LIM (variable Speedtronic) . . . . . . .154
Warning signal
Audible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293
Warning triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254
Washer fluid Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284
Wearing seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..89
Wheel bolts Tightening torque . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332
Wheel chock
Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .258
Wheels
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224
Interchanging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . .355, 358
Windowbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Windows Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
Cleaning the windscreen . . . . . . . .249
Side windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Windscreen
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
Infrared reflecting . . . . . . . . . . . . .214 Windscreen washer fluid
. . . . . . . ..372
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223, 372
Windscreen washer reservoir Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .372
Windscreen washer system . . . . . ..372
Windscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..98
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .301
Replacing the wiper blades . . . . . .321
Winter diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
Winter driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231, 232
Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
Limiting the speed (on-board com-
puter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156 Index
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Instrument cluster
27Function Page
1 ABS warning lamp
288
2 LIM indicator lamp
154
3
ESP
®
warning lamp 289
4 Display unit for the speed-
ometer
5
Distance warning lamp*
1 61
6 Brake system warning lamp
290
7 Tyre pressure warning
lamp*
2 291
8 Turn signal indicator lamp,
left
94
9 Adjusts the instrument
cluster lighting: dimmer
a Reset button
114
b Adjusts the instrument
cluster lighting: brighter Function Page
c Turn signal indicator lamp,
right
94
d Seat belt warning lamp
291
e Diesel engine: preglow indi-
cator lamp
103
f SRS warning lamp 41,
290 g Engine diagnostics warning
lamp
291
h Main-beam indicator lamp
95
j Rev counter
114
k Fuel gauge
l Fuel filler cap location: cap
is on the right at the rear Function Page
m Reserve tank warning lamp
293
n Total distance recorder
120
o Trip meter
114
p Multi-function display
114
q Gearshift program display
111
r Transmission position dis-
play
108
s Depending on the setting in
the on-board computer:
120
• outside temperature
3
• digital speedometer t Speedometer (the unit can
be changed to miles in the
on-board computer)
128
u Clock
129
1
On vehicles without Distronic* the symbol lights up briefly but has no function.
2 Only on vehicles with tyre pressure monitor*.
3 Vehicles for the United Kingdom: the outside temperature is always displayed in the digital speedometer. At a glance
* optional
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Instrument cluster
29Function Page
1 ABS warning lamp
288
2 LIM indicator lamp
154
3
ESP
®
warning lamp 289
4 Display unit for the speed-
ometer
5
Distance warning lamp*
4 61
6 Brake system warning lamp
290
7 Tyre pressure warning
lamp*
5 291
8 Turn signal indicator lamp,
left
94
9 Adjusts the instrument
cluster lighting: dimmer
a Reset button
114
b Adjusts the instrument
cluster lighting: brighter
c Turn signal indicator lamp,
right
94 Function Page
d Seat belt warning lamp
291
e Diesel engine: preglow indi-
cator lamp
103
f SRS warning lamp 41,
290 g Engine diagnostics warning
lamp
291
h Main-beam indicator lamp
95
j Rev counter
114
k Fuel gauge
l Fuel filler cap location: cap
is on the right at the rear
m Reserve tank warning lamp
293
n Total distance recorder
120
o Trip meter
114
p Multi-function display
114
q Gearshift program display
111 Function Page
r Transmission position dis-
play
108
s Depending on the setting in
the on-board computer:
120
• outside temperature
6
• digital speedometer t Speedometer
128
u Clock
129
4
On vehicles without Distronic* the symbol lights up briefly but has no function.
5 Only on vehicles with tyre pressure monitor*.
6 Vehicles for the United Kingdom: the outside temperature is always displayed in the digital speedometer. At a glance
* optional
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Occupant safety
40 Occupant safety
Notes on occupant safety
Seat belts, together with belt tensioners, belt
force limiters and airbags, are coordinated
restraint systems. They reduce the risk of
injury in defined accident situations and
thereby increase occupant safety. However,
seat belts and airbags generally do not pro-
tect against objects penetrating the vehicle
from the outside.
To ensure that the restraint systems can
deliver their full potential protection, you
should ensure that:
R the seat and head restraint are adjusted
properly (Y page 76)
R the seat belt has been fastened properly
(Y page 89)
R the airbags can inflate properly if they are
deployed (Y page 43)
R the steering wheel is adjusted properly
(Y page 83)
R the restraint systems have not been modi-
fied
i An airbag increases the protection of
vehicle occupants wearing a seat belt.
However, airbags are only an additional restraint system which complements, but
does not replace, the seat belt. All vehicle
occupants must wear their seat belt cor-
rectly at all times, even if the vehicle is
equipped with airbags. This is because - on
the one hand - airbags are not deployed in
all types of accident, as in some situations
airbag deployment would not increase the
protection afforded to vehicle occupants,
provided they are wearing their seat belt
correctly. On the other hand, airbag deploy-
ment only provides increased protection if
the seat belt is worn correctly because:
R
the seat belt helps to keep the vehicle
occupant in the best position in relation
to the airbag
R for example, in a head-on collision, the
seat belt can more adequately prevent
the occupant from being propelled
towards the force of the impact, and is
thus better suited to prevent injury
Therefore, in accident situations where an
airbag is deployed, it only provides protec-
tion in addition to the seat belt if the seat
belt is being worn correctly. G
Risk of accident and injury
Always have maintenance work carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop which has the necessary specialist knowledge
and tools to carry out the work required.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this
purpose.
In particular, work relevant to safety or on
safety-related systems must be carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop. If this
work is not carried out correctly, the oper-
ating safety of your vehicle may be affec-
ted. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
G
Risk of injury
The restraint system may not work as inten-
ded if the following components have been
modified or work on these components has
not been performed correctly:
R restraint system, consisting of the seat
belts and anchorages, belt tensioners,
belt force limiters, airbags
R wiring
R networked electronic systems
Airbags or belt tensioners could then fail,
e.g. in the event of an accident in which the
deceleration force would normally be high
enough to trigger the systems, or they
could be triggered unintentionally. Never Safety
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Occupant safety
41carry out any modifications on the restraint
systems.
Never tamper with electronic components
and their software.
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
The SRS reduces the risk of occupants com-
ing into contact with the vehicle's interior in
the event of an accident. It can also reduce
the forces to which occupants are subjected
during an accident.
The SRS consists of:
R The 1 warning lamp
R belt tensioners
R belt force limiters
R airbags
The 1 1 warning lamp The SRS functions are checked regularly
when you turn on the ignition and when the
engine is running. Malfunctions can therefore
be detected in good time.
The
1 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out no later than a few seconds
after the engine is started. G
Risk of injury
If SRS is malfunctioning, individual systems
may be activated unintentionally or not be
deployed in the event of an accident with
heavy braking.
A malfunction has occurred if the 1
warning lamp:
R does not light up when you switch on the
ignition
R does not go out after the engine has been
running for a few seconds
R lights up again once the engine is running
In this case, have SRS checked immedi-
ately at a qualified specialist workshop.
Triggering of belt tensioners, belt force
limiters and airbags In the event of a collision, the sensor in the
airbag control unit evaluates important phys-
ical data such as duration, direction and force
of the vehicle deceleration or acceleration.
Based on the evaluation of this data and
depending on the vehicle's rate of longitudi-
nal deceleration in a collision, in the first
stage the airbag control unit pre-emptively
triggers the belt tensioners.i
The front belt tensioners can only be trig-
gered if the belt tongue is correctly
engaged in the seat belt buckle.
The front airbags are only deployed if there is
an even higher rate of vehicle deceleration in
a longitudinal direction.
Your vehicle has adaptive, dual stage front
airbags. When the first activation threshold is
reached, the front airbag is filled with enough
propellant gas to reduce the risk of injuries.
The front airbag is only fully inflated if a sec-
ond threshold is reached within a few milli-
seconds, due to the control unit having
detected further deceleration.
Criteria for triggering belt tensioners and
airbags
In the first stage of a collision, the airbag con-
trol unit evaluates the duration and direction
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in
order to determine whether it is necessary to
trigger the belt tensioner and/or airbag.
The belt tensioner and airbag triggering
thresholds are variable and are adapted to the
rate of deceleration of the vehicle. This proc-
ess is pre-emptive in nature as the airbag
must be deployed during – and not at the end
of – the collision. Safety
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Occupant safety
42
i
Airbags are not deployed in all types of
accidents. They are controlled by complex
sensor technology and evaluation logic.
This process is pre-emptive in nature as
airbag deployment must take place during
the impact and must be adapted to provide
calculated, additional protection for the
vehicle occupants. Not all airbags are
deployed in an accident.
The different airbag systems work inde-
pendently of each other. However, the
deployment of each individual system will
depend on the type of accident determined
by the control system in the first stages of
the collision (head-on collision, side impact
and overturn) and the extent of the acci-
dent (in particular, the vehicle's rate of
deceleration or acceleration).
The rate of vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion and the direction of the force are basi-
cally determined by:
R the distribution of forces during the colli-
sion
R the collision angle R
the deformation characteristics of the vehi-
cle
R the characteristics of the object with which
the vehicle has collided, e.g. the other vehi-
cle
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after a collision has occurred do not play a
decisive role in the deployment of an airbag,
nor do they provide an indication of it.
The vehicle may be deformed significantly,
e. g. on the bonnet or the wing, without an
airbag being deployed. This is the case if only
parts which are relatively easily deformed are
affected and the necessary deceleration does
not occur. Conversely, airbags may be
deployed even though the vehicle suffers only
minor deformations. This is the case if, for
example, very rigid vehicle parts such as lon-
gitudinal body members are affected and suf-
ficient deceleration occurs as a result.
Belt tensioners, belt force limiters The front seat belts and the outer seat belts
in the 2nd row are equipped with belt ten-
sioners. The front seat belts are also fitted
with belt buckle tensioners.
!
Do not engage the seat belt tongue in the
buckle on the front-passenger seat if the seat is not occupied. Otherwise the belt
tensioner could be activated in an emer-
gency.
If the seat belt is also equipped with a belt
force limiter, the force exerted by the seat
belt on the seat occupant is reduced.
Belt tensioners tighten the seat belts in an
accident, pulling them close against the body.
i Belt tensioners do not correct incorrect
seat positions or incorrectly fastened seat
belts.
Belt tensioners do not pull occupants back
towards the backrest.
The front belt force limiters are synchronised
with the front airbags, which distribute the
forces exerted by the belt force limiters on
the occupant over a greater area.
The belt tensioners/belt buckle tensioners
are triggered when the ignition is switched
on:
R only if the restraint systems are operational
(the 1 warning lamp lights up after the
ignition is switched on and goes out once
the engine is running)(Y page 41)
R for each three-point seat belt in the front of
the vehicle when the belt tongue is
engaged in the buckle Safety
164_AKB; 5; 5, en-GB
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Occupant safety
43
R
in the event of a head-on or rear-end colli-
sion if the vehicle decelerates or acceler-
ates rapidly in a longitudinal direction
during the initial stages of impact
R in certain situations if the vehicle over-
turns, and the system determines that it
can provide additional protection
If the airbags are deployed, you will hear a
bang and a small amount of powder may also
be released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that escapes
does not generally constitute a health hazard.
The 1 warning lamp lights up.
i If the belt buckle tensioners have been
triggered on the front seats, the buckle will
be pulled down and will be almost flush with
the upper edge of the seat. The 1warn-
ing lamp comes on. G
Risk of injury
The belt buckle tensioners on the front
seats only function if the belt buckles can
be pulled down without obstruction. They
must not be restricted in any way. For this
reason, do not hold the belt buckles and do
not place any objects under the belt buck-
les. Otherwise, the tensioning of the belt by
the buckle is restricted or will not function and will not provide any additional protec-
tion. G
Risk of injury
If the seat belt tensioners have been trig-
gered, they provide no additional protec-
tion in the event of another accident.
Therefore, have belt tensioners which have
been triggered replaced at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Comply with safety regulations when dis-
posing of belt tensioners. Any Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre can provide details of
these regulations.
Airbags Airbag deployment slows down and restricts
the movement of the vehicle occupant.
If the airbags are deployed, you will hear a
bang and a small amount of powder may also
be released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that escapes
does not generally constitute a health hazard.
The 1 warning lamp lights up.
The SRS/AIRBAG identification indicates the
location of the airbags. G
Risk of injury
Airbags provide additional protection; they
are not, however, a substitute for seat
belts.
Observe the following notes to reduce the
risk of serious or even fatal injury if an air-
bag is deployed:
R all vehicle occupants — in particular preg-
nant women — must wear their seat belt
correctly at all times and lean back
against the backrest, which should be
positioned as close to the vertical as pos-
sible. The head restraint must support
the back of the head at about eye level.
R always secure children less than 1.50 m
tall or under 12 years of age in suitable
child restraint systems.
R all vehicle occupants must select a seat
position that is as far away from the air-
bag as possible. The driver's seat posi-
tion must allow the vehicle to be driven
safely. The driver's chest should be as far
away from the middle of the driver's front
airbag cover as possible.
R move the front-passenger seat as far
back as possible, especially if a child is Safety
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