Virtually no other area inspires Mercedes-Benz engineers more than researching new safety technologies. They passed their first key safety milestone as early as the 1950s with the development of the passenger safety cell, invented by Béla Barényi. Today it is one of numerous elements of an integrated safety concept that edges Mercedes-Benz vehicles closer to our vision of accident-free driving.
Most accidents start long before the actual collision: with a lapse in concentration, poor visibility or an unanticipated hazard. So we have fitted the C-Class with innovative safety and assistance systems which promote relaxed motoring and help the driver to bring critical situations under control.
The ATTENTION ASSIST function is particularly helpful on long journeys and when driving at night; the system warns the driver if it detects signs of failing attention and increasing weariness. Between 80 and 180 km/h, ATTENTION ASSIST warns the driver visually and audibly as soon as it detects any signs of drowsiness or inattention. The background: sensors analyse driving behaviour to detect any changes compared with the previously determined individual driver profile. | |
If you make an emergency stop from an initial speed of more than 50 km/h the adaptive brake lights flash 5.5 times per second. This flashing of the brake lights warns the vehicles behind you, which can give them more time to react. If the vehicle is braked to a complete stop from a speed in excess of 70 km/h, the hazard warning lamps are also switched on. | |
The standard-fit ADAPTIVE BRAKE system improves ride comfort and safety by helping to perform critical braking manoeuvres with the basic function of the ABS anti-lock braking system while convenience functions make it easier to master challenging driving situations.
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The PARKTRONIC parking aid including Parking guidance assists the driver when looking for a parking place and makes it easier to park by giving concrete steering instructions. Ultrasonic sensors in the side front bumper measure the length of parking spaces parallel to the car automatically if the car drives past at a speed of 35 km/h or less. Parking Guidance starts once a suitable space has been found and reverse gear has been engaged. It gives the driver visual and audible directions via the instrument cluster regarding the correct steering angle as well as the turn-in and turn-back points. | |
The Driving Assistance Package Plus makes an active contribution to safety in everyday driving situations. The proximity control, lane-change control and blind spot warning functions together with the brake system optimisation all contribute decisively to safe travel and a safe arrival.
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Speed Limit Assist is a component of the optional COMAND Online system and uses an integrated camera to identify the speed limits displayed on road signs and show the permitted maximum speed on the central display. The system also compares identified speed limits against the data stored in the navigation system. | |
The Intelligent Light System – as an active component of the safety concept – ensures the best possible visibility in all weather conditions and the most diverse traffic situations. When encountering oncoming traffic, in curves, fog or on free stretches of road the system adjusts to the situation adapting the characteristics of the light individually. In the "country light" mode the light from the low-beam headlamps is distributed such that the edge of the carriageway is significantly better illuminated than with conventional headlamps. | |
The rear-view camera offers convenience and added safety. Integrated in the boot lid, the camera transmits an image of the area behind the vehicle to the COMAND screen. The camera image not only makes parking easier but also aids in manoeuvring on difficult terrain. | |
The Lane Tracking package make a decisive contribution to road safety: the Lane Keeping Assist function can detect the unintentional crossing of lane markings and warns the driver, while the Blind Spot Assist system monitors the critical sectors to the right and left of the vehicle.
The Lane Tracking package is only available in conjunction with the comfort multifunction steering wheel and Becker® MAP PILOT or COMAND Online. |
The optionally available PRE-SAFE® occupant protection system can detect critical handling situations and if necessary preventively activate reversible safety systems which help to reduce the risk of injury to the vehicle occupants. To do this, PRE-SAFE® continually monitors the sensor data from systems such as the ESP® and BAS, and it can recognise, for instance, vehicle understeer or oversteer as well as emergency stops.
If the typical characteristics of a critical driving situation are identified, safety systems can respond within a fraction of a second. The motor-driven belt tensioners are activated, the electrically adjustable front-passenger seat with (optional) Memory Package is moved to a more "favourable" crash position, and the side windows and (optional) sliding sunroof are closed automatically.
Numerous occupant protection systems can significantly reduce the risk of injury during an accident. Examples include the NECK-PRO head restraint, a standard feature on the front seats: when the sensor detects an impact from the rear, it thrusts the head restraint forward and upward in a matter of milliseconds to reduce the gap between it and the occupant's head.
The C-Class is also equipped with adaptive belt tensioners for the front seats, belt tensioners for the outer rear seats and with numerous airbags, including two-stage driver/front-passenger airbags, front sidebags (rear sidebags are optional), driver kneebag, and windowbags extending across all seat rows. The windowbag protection zone covers virtually the entire area of the side windows.
The sidebags and windowbags are controlled by pressure sensors: if the door deforms due to a side impact, the air pressure between the door panelling and the interior of the door increases. This change is registered by the sensors, which help the control system to trigger the airbags.
Protection also extends to other road users, however, thanks to features such as smooth body surfaces with a generous degree of predefined yield.
To reduce consequential damage after an accident and support the work of the rescue services, a number of different actions are initiated, depending on the type and severity of the accident:
To complete its holistic safety philosophy, Mercedes-Benz has also published multilingual rescue guidelines (accessible worldwide on the internet) as a preventive measure for rescue services.
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