warning MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2018 MY18 Operator’s Manual

All seat belts except the driver's seat belt are
equipped with a special seat belt retractor to
securely fasten child restraint systems in the
vehicle. Further information can be found under
"Special seat belt retractor" (
Ypage 49).
Releasing seat belts
!Make sure that the seat belt is fully rolled up.
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 fulfill their protective function
and must be replaced. Visit a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
XPress the release button in the belt buckle,
hold the belt tongue firmly and guide the belt
back.
Belt warning for drivers and front pas-
sengers
The 7 seat belt warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster is a reminder that all vehicle occu-
pants must wear their seat belts. It may light up
continuously or flash. In addition, there may be
a warning tone.
Regardless of whether the driver's seat belt has
already been fastened, the 7seat belt warn-
ing lamp lights up for 6 secondsa fter each time
the ignition is switched on. After the engine has
been started, it goes out once the driver has
fastened the seat belt.
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened when the
engine is started, an additional warning tone will sound. This warning tone stops after a maximum
of six seconds or once the driver's seat belt is
fastened.
If the vehicle's speed exceeds 15 mph
(25 km/h) once and the driver's seat belt is not
fastened, a warning tone sounds. The warning
tone sounds for 60 seconds or until the driver's
seat belt is fastened.
If the driver's seat belt is unfastened during the
journey, the seat belt warning is activated again.
Air bags
Introduction
The installation point of an air bag can be rec-
ognized by the SRS/AIRBAG or AIRBAG mark-
ing.
An air bag complements the correctly fastened
seat belt. It is no substitute for the seat belt. The
air bag provides additional protection in appli-
cable accident situations.
Not all air bags are deployed in an accident. The
different air bag systems function independ-
ently from one another (
Ypage 47).
However, no system available today can com-
pletely eliminate injuries and fatalities.
It is also not possible to rule out a risk of injury
caused by an air bag due to the high speed at
which the air bag must be deployed.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you do not sit in the correct seat position,
the air bag cannot protect as intended and
could even cause additional injury when
deployed. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
To avoid hazardous situations, always make
sure that all of the vehicle's occupants:
Rhave fastened their seat belts correctly,
including pregnant women
Rare sitting correctly and maintain the great-
est possible distance to the air bags
Rfollow the following instructions
Always make sure that there are no objects
between the air bag and the vehicle's occu-
pants.
RAdjust the seats properly before beginning
your journey. Always make sure that the seat
is in an almost upright position. The center of
the head restraint must support the head at
about eye level.
RMove the driver's and front-passenger seats
as far back as possible. The driver's seat posi-
tion must allow the vehicle to be driven safely.
ROnly hold the steering wheel on the outside.
This allows the air bag to be fully deployed.
Occupant safety45
Safety
Z

RAlways lean against the backrest while driv-
ing. Do not lean forward or lean against the
door or side window. You may otherwise be in
the deployment area of the air bags.
RAlways keep your feet in the footwell in front
of the seat. Do not put your feet on the dash-
board, for example. Your feet may otherwise
be in the deployment area of the air bag.
RFor this reason, always secure persons less
than 5 ft (1.50m)tall in suitable restraint sys-
tems. Up to this height, the seat belt cannot
be worn correctly.
If a child is traveling in your vehicle, also
observe the following notes:
RAlways secure children under twelve years of age and less than 5 ft (1.50 m)tall in suitable
child restraint systems.
RChild restraint systems should be installed on
the rear seats.
RAlways secure a child in a rearward-facing
child restraint system on a suitable rear seat.
The front-passenger front air bag cannot be
deactivated.
RAlways observe the instructions and safety
notes on "Children in the vehicle"
(
Ypage 49) and on the "Child restraint sys-
tem on the front-passenger seat"
(
Ypage 52) in addition to the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation and oper-
ating instructions.
Objects in the vehicle interior may prevent
an air bag from functioning correctly. Before
starting your journey and to avoid risks resulting from the speed of the air bag as it deploys, make
sure that:
Rthere are no people, animals or objects
between the vehicle occupants and an air bag
Rthere are no objects between the seat, door
and B-pillar
Rthere are no hard objects, e.g. coat hangers,
hanging on the grab handles or coat hooks
Rno accessories, such as cup holders, are
attached to the vehicle within the deployment
area of an air bag, e.g. to doors or side win-
dows
Rno heavy, sharp-edged or fragile objects are in
the pockets of your clothing. Store such
objects in a suitable place
GWARNING
If you modify the air bag cover or affix objects
such as stickers to it, the air bag can no longer
function correctly. There is an increased risk
of injury.
Never modify an air bag cover or affix objects
to it.
GWARNING
Sensors to control the air bags are located in
the doors. Modifications or work not per-
formed correctly to the doors or door panel-
ing, as well as damaged doors, can lead to the
function of the sensors being impaired. The air
bags might therefore not function properly
anymore. Consequently, the air bags cannot
protect vehicle occupants as they are
designed to do. There is an increased risk of
injury.
Never modify the doors or parts of the doors.
Always have work on the doors or door pan-
eling carried out at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Front air bags
Driver's air bag :deploys in front of the steer-
ing wheel. Front-passenger front air bag ;
deploys in front of and above the glove box and
the center console.
When deployed, the front air bags offer addi-
tional head and thorax protection for the occu-
pants in the front seats.
Side impact air bags
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, some
front seats are equipped with a side impact air
bag; see the AIRBAG label on the outer side of
the seat backrest.
46Occupant safety
Safety

GWARNING
Unsuitable seat covers can obstruct or pre-
vent deployment of the air bags integrated
into the seats. Consequently, the air bags
cannot protect vehicle occupants as they are designed to do. This poses an increased risk
of injury or even fatal injury.
Only use seat covers that have been approved
for your vehicle by the sales organization
named on the inside front cover.
Side impact air bags :deploy next to the outer
bolster of the seat backrest.
When deployed, the side impact air bag offers
additional thorax protection. However, it does
not protect the:
RHead
RNeck
RArms
If the restraint system control unit detects a side
impact, the side impact air bag is deployed on
the side on which the impact occurs.
Window curtain air bags
Window curtain air bags :are integrated into
the side of the roof frame above the front doors. When deployed, the window curtain air bag
enhances the level of protection for the head.
However, it does not protect the chest or arms.
If the restraint system control unit detects a side impact, the window curtain air bag is deployed
on the side on which the impact occurs.
If the system determines that they can offer
additional protection to that provided by the
seat belt, a window curtain air bag may be
deployed in other accident situations
(
Ypage 47).
Deployment of Emergency Tensioning
Devices and air bags
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The air bag parts are hot after an air bag has
been deployed. There is a risk of injury.
Do not touch the air bag parts. Have a
deployed air bag replaced at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop as soon as possible.
GWARNING
A deployed air bag no longer offers any pro-
tection and cannot provide the intended pro-
tection in an accident. There is an increased
risk of injury.
Have the vehicle towed to a qualified special-
ist workshop in order to have a deployed air
bag replaced.
It is important for your safety and that of your
passenger to have deployed air bags replaced
and to have any malfunctioning air bags
repaired. This will help to make sure the air bags
continue to perform their protective function for
the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash.
GWARNING
Emergency Tensioning Devices that have
deployed pyrotechnically are no longer opera-
tional and are unable to perform their inten-
ded protective function. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Have pyrotechnically triggered Emergency
Tensioning Devices replaced immediately at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Occupant safety47
Safety
Z

If Emergency Tensioning Devices are triggered
or air bags are deployed, you will hear a bang,
and some powder may also be released. The
6restraint system warning lamp lights up.
Only in rare cases will the bang affect your hear-
ing. The powder that is released generally does
not constitute a health hazard, but it may cause
short-term breathing difficulties in people with
asthma or other respiratory problems. Provided
it is safe to do so, you should leave the vehicle
immediately or open the window in order to pre-
vent breathing difficulties.
Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning
Devices (ETDs) contain perchlorate material,
which may require special handling and regard
for the environment. National guidelines must
be observed during disposal. In California, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/
Perchlorate/index.cfm.
Method of operation
During the first stage of a collision, the restraint
system control unit evaluates important physi-
cal data relating to vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration, such as:
Rduration
Rdirection
Rintensity
Based on the evaluation of this data, the
restraint system control unit triggers the Emer-
gency Tensioning Devices during a frontal or
rear collision.
An Emergency Tensioning Device can only be
triggered, if:
Rthe ignition is switched on
Rthe components of the restraint system are
operational. You can find further information
under "Restraint system warning lamp"
(
Ypage 41)
Rthe seat belt buckle tongue has engaged in
the belt buckle of the respective front seat
The Emergency Tensioning Device of the front-
passenger seat is triggered independently of the
lock status of the seat belt. If the restraint system control unit detects a
more severe accident, further components of
the restraint system are activated independ-
ently of each other in certain frontal collision
situations:
RFront air bags
RWindow curtain air bag on the side on which
the impact occurs
The activation threshold of the Emergency Ten-
sioning Devices and the air bags is determined
by evaluating the rate of vehicle deceleration or
acceleration which occurs at various points in
the vehicle. This process is pre-emptive in
nature. Deployment should take place in good
time at the start of the collision.
The rate of vehicle deceleration or acceleration
and the direction of the force are essentially
determined by:
Rthe distribution of forces during the collision
Rthe collision angle
Rthe deformation characteristics of the vehicle
Rthe characteristics of the object with which
the vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after a collision has occurred do not play a deci-
sive role in the deployment of an air bag. Nor do
they provide an indication of air bag deploy-
ment.
The vehicle can be deformed considerably, with-
out an air bag being deployed. This is the case if only parts which are relatively easily deformed
are affected and the rate of deceleration is not
high. Conversely, air bags ma
y be deployed even
though the vehicle suffers only minor deforma-
tion. This is the case if, for example, very rigid
vehicle parts such as longitudinal body mem-
bers are hit, and sufficient deceleration occurs
as a result.
If the restraint system control unit detects a side
impact or if the vehicle rolls over, the applicable
components of the restraint system are
deployed independently of each other depend-
ing on the apparent type of accident.
RSide impact air bag on the side of impact,
independently of the Emergency Tensioning
Device and the use of the seat belt
RWindow curtain air bag on the side of impact,
independently of the use of the seat belt and
independently of whether the front-
passenger seat is occupied
48Occupant safety
Safety

REmergency Tensioning Devices, if the systemdetermines that deployment can offer addi-
tional protection in this situation
RWindow curtain air bags on the driver's and
front-passenger side in certain situations
when the vehicle rolls over, if the system
determines that deployment can offer addi-
tional protection to that provided by the seat
belt
iNot all air bags are deployed in an accident.
The different air bag systems work independ- ently of each other.
How the air bag system works is determined
by the severity of the accident detected,
especially the vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration and the apparent type of accident:
RFrontal collision
RSide impact
RRollover
Children in the vehicle
Important safety notes
Accident statistics show that children secured
in the rear seats are safer than children secured
in the front-passenger seat. For this reason, we
strongly advise that you install a child restraint
system on a rear seat. Children are generally
better protected there.
If a child younger than twelve years old and
under 5 ft (1.50 m) in height istraveling in the
vehicle:
Ralways secure the child in a child restraint
system suitable for this vehicle. The child
restraint system must be appropriate to the
age, weight and size of the child
Rbe sure to observe the instructions and safety
notes in this section in addition to the child
restraint system manufacturer's installation
instructions
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
Rstart the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
GWARNING
If persons, particularly children are subjected to prolonged exposure to extreme heat or
cold, there is a risk of injury, possibly even
fatal. Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is subjected to
direct sunlight, parts may get very hot. Chil-
dren may burn themselves on these parts,
particularly on the metal parts of the child
restraint system. There is a risk of injury.
If you leave the vehicle, taking the child with
you, always ensure that the child restraint
system is not exposed to direct sunlight. Pro- tect it with a blanket, for example. If the child
restraint system has been exposed to direct
sunlight, let it cool down before securing the
child in it. Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle.
Always ensure that all vehicle occupants have
their seat belts fastened correctly and are sitting
properly. Particular attention must be paid to
children.
Observe the safety notes on the seat belt
(
Ypage 42) and the notes on correct use of seat
belts (Ypage 43).
A booster seat may be necessary to achieve
proper seat belt positioning for children over
41 lb s(18 kg) until they reach a height where a
three-point seat belt can be properly fastened
without a booster seat.
Special seatbelt retractor
GWARNING
If the seat belt is released while driving, the
child restraint system will no longer be
Children in the vehicle49
Safety
Z

secured properly. The special seat belt retrac-tor is disabled and the inertia real draws in a
portion of the seat belt. The seat belt cannot
be immediately refastened. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying atten-
tion to road and traffic conditions. Reactivate
the special seat belt retractor and secure the
child restraint system properly.
All seat belts in the vehicle, except the driver's
seat belt, are equipped with a special seat belt
retractor. When activated, the special seat belt
retractor ensures that the seat belt cannot
slacken once the child seat is secured.
Installing a child restraint system:
XMake sure you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
XPull the seat belt smoothly from the belt out-
let.
XEngage seat belt tongue in belt buckle.
Activating the special seat belt retractor:
XPull the seat belt out fully and let the inertia
reel retract it again.
While the seat belt is retracting, you should
hear a ratcheting sound. The special seat belt
retractor is enabled.
XPush the child restraint system down so that
the seat belt is tight and does not loosen.
Removing the child restraint system and deac-
tivating the special seat belt retractor:
XMake sure you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
XPress the release button of the seat belt
buckle and guide the seat belt tongue back
towards the belt sash guide.
The special seat belt retractor is deactivated.
Child restraint system
The use of seat belts and child restraint systems
is required by law in:
Rall 50 states
Rthe U.S. territories
Rthe District of Columbia
Rall Canadian provinces You can obtain further information about the
correct child restraint system from any author-
ized Sprinter Dealer.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor-
rectly on a suitable seat, it cannot protect as
intended. The child cannot then be restrained
in the event of an accident, heavy braking or
sudden changes of direction. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Make sure that you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions and the notes on use. Please ensure,
that the base of the child restraint system is
always resting completely on the seat cush-
ion. Never place objects, e.g. cushions, under or behind the child restraint system. Only use
child restraint systems with the original cover
designed for them. Only replace damaged
covers with genuine covers.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor-
rectly or is not secured, it can come loose in
the event of an accident, heavy braking or a
sudden change in direction. The child
restraint system could be thrown about, strik-
ing vehicle occupants. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always install child restraint systems prop-
erly, even if they are not being used. Make
sure that you observe the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instructions.
You will find further information on stowing
objects, luggage or loads under "Loading guide-
lines" (
Ypage 213).
GWARNING
Child restraint systems or their securing sys-
tems which have been damaged or subjected
to a load in an accident can no longer protect
as intended. The child cannot then be
restrained in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction. There is an increased risk of injury, possibly even
fatal.
50Children in the vehicle
Safety

Replacechild restrain tsystems whic hhav e
been damaged or subjecte dto aload in an
acciden tas soo nas possible. Hav eth esecur-
ing systems on th echild restrain tsystem
checke dat aqualified specialist workshop,
before you instal l achild restrain tsystem
again .
The securin gsystems of child restrain tsystems
are:
Rth eseat belt system
Rth eLATCH-type (ISOFIX) securin grings
Rth eTop Tether anchorage
iIf it is absolutely necessar yto instal l achild
restrain tsystem on th efront-passenger seat ,
always observ eth einformation on "Child
restrain tsystems on th efront-passenger
seat " (
Ypage 52) .
All child restrain tsystems mus tmee tth efol -
lowin gstandards :
RU.S. Federal Motor Vehicl eSafet yStandards
21 3and 22 5
RCanadian Motor Vehicl eSafet yStandards
21 3and 210. 2
Confirmation that th echild restrain tsystem cor-
responds to th estandards can be foun don an
instruction label on th echild restrain tsystem.
This confirmation can also be foun din th einstal -
lation instruction sthat are included wit hth e
child restrain tsystem.
Observ eth ewarning labels in th evehicl einte-
rio rand on th echild restrain tsystem.
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat secur-
ing system
GWARNIN G
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restrain tsystems
do no toffer sufficien tprotection for children
whos eweigh tcombined wit hth echild
restrain tsystem is greate rthan 65 lbs (29 kg)
and who are secured usin gth esafet ybelt
integrate din th echild restrain tsystem. In th e
event of an accident, achild might no tbe
restrained correctly. This poses an increased
ris kof injury or eve nfatal injury.
If th echild and th echild restrain tsystem
together weigh mor ethan 65 lbs (29 kg), only
use LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restrain tsys-
tems wit hwhic hth echild is also secured wit h
th evehicl eseat belt .Als osecure th echild
restrain tsystem wit hth eTop Tether belt ,if
available.
Always comply wit hth emanufacturer' sinstal -
lation and operating instruction sfor th echild
restrain tsystem used .
Befor eevery trip, mak esur ethat th eLATCH -
typ e(ISOFIX) child restrain tsystem is engage d
correctl yin bot hLATCH-type (ISOFIX) securin g
rings
!When installin gth echild restrain tsystem,
mak esur ethat th eseat belt for th emiddle
seat does no tget trapped .The seat belt could
otherwise be damaged.
XInstall th eLATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restrain t
system on bot hLATCH-type (ISOFIX) securin g
rings :.
ISOFIX is astandardize dsecurin gsystem for
specially designed child restrain tsystems on
th erear seats. LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securin g
rings :for aLATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restrain tsystem are installed between th eseat
cushion and th eseat backrest :
Ron theouter lef tand right seat on rear bench
seat swit h 3 seat s
Ron th eouter lef tseat on rear bench seat swit h
2 seat s
Non-LATCH-typ e(ISOFIX) child seat smay also
be used and can be installed usin gth evehicle's
seat belt system. Install th echild seat according
to th emanufacturer' sinstructions.
Children in the vehicle51
Safety
Z

Top Tether
Introduction
Top Tether provides an additional connection
between the child restraint system secured with
a LATCH-type (ISOFIX) system and the vehicle.
This helps reduce the risk of injury even further.
If the child restraint system is equipped with a
Top Tether belt, this should always be used.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the Top Tether belt has been incorrectly
secured, e.g. to an eyelet in the cargo com-
partment, the child restraint system is not
correctly kept in place. It therefore cannot
perform its intended protective function in the
event of an accident. There is an increased
risk of injury.
Only secure the Top Tether hook to the Top
Tether anchorage intended for this purpose.
Top Tether anchorages
Example: rear bench seat with three seats
Top Tether anchorages ;are on the bench seat
legs on the rear side of the respective rear bench
seat.
XMove head restraint :up.
XInstall the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint
system with Top Tether. Always comply with
the child restraint system manufacturer's
installation instructions when doing so.
XRoute Top Tether belt ?under head
restraint :between the two head restraint
bars.
XHook Top Tether hook =into Top Tether
anchorage ;.
Make sure that:
RTop Tether hook =is hooked into Top
Tether anchorage ;as shown.
RTop Tether belt ?is not twisted
XTension Top Tether belt ?. Always comply
with the child restraint system manufactur-
er's installation instructions when doing so.
XIf necessary, move the head restraint back
down again slightly (Ypage 78). Make sure
that you do not interfere with the correct rout-
ing of Top Tether belt ?.
Child restraint system on the front-
passenger seat
General notes
Accident statistics show that children secured
in the rear seats are safer than children secured
in the front-passenger seat. For this reason,
Mercedes-Benz strongly advises that you install
the child restraint system on a rear seat.
Rearward-facing child restraint system
The front-passenger front air bag cannot be
deactivated. Always install a rearward-facing
child restraint system on a suitable rear seat.
Always observe the child restraint system man-
52Children in the vehicle
Safety

ufacturer's installation and operating instruc-
tions.
Forward-facing child restraint system
If it isabsolute lynecessary to install a forward-
facing ch ildrestraint system on the front-
passenger seat, always move the front-
passenger seat as far back as possible. The
entire base of the ch ildrestraint system must
always rest on the seat cushion of the front-
passenger seat. The backrest of the ch ild
restraint system must lieas flat as possible
against the backrest of the front-passenger
seat. The ch ildrestraint system must not be
subjected to a load bythe head restraint. Adjust
the head restraint position accordingly. Always
make sure that the shoulder beltstrap iscor-
rectly routed from the veh icle beltoutlet to the
shoulder beltguide on the ch ildrestraint sys-
tem. The shoulder beltstrap must berouted
forward and downfrom the veh icle beltoutlet.If
necessary, adjust the veh icle beltoutlet and the
front-passenger seat accordingly.
Alwa ys observe the ch ildrestraint system man-
ufacturer's installation and operating instruc-
tions.
Override features/Child-proof locks
Important safety notes
GWAR NING
If ch ildr en are traveling inthe veh icle, they
co uld:
Ropen doors, thus endangering other people
or road users
Rexit the veh icleand becaught byoncoming
traff ic
Roperate veh icle equipment and become
trapped
There isa risk of an acc ident and injury.
Alwa ys activate the ch ild-proof locks and
overr idefeature ifch ildr en are traveling inthe
veh icle. When leaving the veh icle, always take
the key with you and lock the veh icle. Never
leave ch ildren unattended inthe veh icle.
Child- proof locks for rear doors (
Ypage 54).
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it inmotion by, for example:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
Rstart the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
Sm artKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave ch ildren unsupervised in the vehicle.
GWARNING
If persons, particularly ch ildren are subjected
to prolonged exposure to extreme heat or
cold, there is a risk of injury, possibly even
fatal. Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system issubjected to
direct sunlight, parts may get very hot. Chil-
dren may burn thems elves on these parts,
particular lyon the metal parts of the child
restraint system. There is a risk of injury.
If you leave the vehicle, taking the child with
you, always ensure that the child restraint
system isnot exposed to direct sunlight. Pro-
tect it wit h a blanket, for example. If the child
restraint system has been exposed to direct
sunlight, let it cool down before securing the
child in it. Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle.
Children in the vehicle53
Safety
Z

Child-proof locks for the rear door
Rear door
:
Child safety bolt
2Door secured – then make sure that the
child-proof locks are working properly.
3Door released
The child-proof lock on the doors enable you to
secure each door individually.
A door with an activated child-proof lock cannot
be opened from the inside. If the vehicle is
unlocked, the door can be opened from the out-
side.
Pets in the vehicle
GWARNING
If you leave animals unattended or unsecured
in the vehicle, they could press buttons or
switches, for example.
As a result, they could:
Ractivate vehicle equipment and become
trapped, for example
Ractivate or deactivate systems, thereby
endangering other road users
Unsecured animals could also be flung around
the vehicle in the event of an accident or sud-
den steering or braking, thereby injuring vehi-
cle occupants. There is a risk of an accident
and injury.
Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle. Always secure animals properly during
the journey, e.g. use a suitable animal trans-
port box.
Driving safety systems
Overview
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
RABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
RASR (Acceleration SkidControl)
RBAS (B rakeAssist System)
REBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution)
RESP®(Electronic StabilityProgram)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you are
inattentive, the driving safety systems can nei-
ther reduce the risk of accident nor override the
laws of physics. Driving safety systems are
merely aids designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, braking in good time
and for staying in your lane. Always adapt your
driving style to the prevailing road and weather
conditions and maintain a sufficient, safe dis-
tance from other road users. Drive carefully.
Please note that the driving safety systems
described only work optimally when:
Rthere is adequate contact between the tires
and the road surface
Ryou use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary, when the road conditions
are wintry
Pay particular attention to the information
regarding tires, tire tread and winter operation
under "Wheels and tires" (
Ypage 248).
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes
Observe the important safety guidelines for the
driving safety system (Ypage 54).
GWARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
54Driving safety systems
Safety