2014 Mercedes-Benz B-CLASS Owner’s Manual

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class is a great example of how committed the brand is to innovation. It combines cutting-edge technology, great flexibility, and an elegant design in a small package. With its arrival on the luxury car market, the B-Class ushers in a new era of driving that goes beyond what people usually think is possible. The B-Class has a smooth, understated exterior that gives it an air of luxury and hints at the high-tech engineering that lies beneath. When you go inside, you’ll find a carefully made space that blends comfort, style, and practicality. The roomy cabin is comfortable for both the driver and the guests. It has a variety of modern amenities and easy-to-use controls to meet every need. As a true example of Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to sustainability, the 2014 B-Class comes with a wide range of powertrain choices. These include efficient gasoline and diesel engines that make driving fun and good for the environment. But the B-Class doesn’t stop there. It pushes the limits of eco-mobility with the revolutionary B-Class Electric Drive, which lets you drive without making any pollution and without giving up any speed.

Overhead control panel

1. Switches the rear compartment interior lighting on/off
2. Switches the right-hand reading lamp on/off
3. Switches the front interior lighting/automatic interior lighting control off
4. MB Info call button (mbrace system)
5. Rear-view mirror
6. Buttons for the garage door opener
7. SOS button (mbrace system)
8. Roadside Assistance call button (mbrace sys-tem)
9. Switches the front interior lighting on
10. Switches the left-hand reading lamp on/off

Useful information

This Operator’s Manual describes all models and all standard and optional equip-ment of your vehicle available at the time of publication of the Operator’s Manual. Country-specific differences are possible. Bear in mind that your vehicle may not fea-ture all functions described here. This also applies to safety-relevant systems and functions.
Read the information on qualified specialist workshops: (Y page 24).

Occupant safety
Restraint system: introduction
The restraint system reduces the risk of vehi-cle occupants coming into contact with parts of the vehicle’s interior in the event of an accident. The restraint system can also reduce the forces to which vehicle occupants are subjected during an accident.
The restraint system comprises:

• Seat belt system
• Air bags
• Child restraint system
• Child seat securing systems
  The components of the restraint system work in conjunction with each other. They can only deploy their protective function if, at all times, all vehicle occupants:
• have fastened their seat belts correctly (Y page 43)
• have adjusted their seat and head restraint properly (Y page 87).

As the driver, you also have to make sure that the steering wheel is adjusted correctly. Observe the information relating to the cor-rect driver’s seat position (Y page 86). You also have to make sure that an air bag can inflate properly if deployed (Y page 46). An air bag supplements a correctly worn seat belt. As an additional safety device, the air bag increases the level of protection for vehi-cle occupants in the event of an accident. For example, if, in the event of an accident, the protection offered by the seat belt is sufficient, the air bags are not deployed. When an accident occurs, only the air bags that increase protection in that particular accident situation are deployed. However, seat belts and air bags generally do not protect against objects penetrating the vehicle from the out-side.
Information on restraint system operation can be found under “Triggering of the Emergency Tensioning Device and air bags” (Y page 54).
For more information about children traveling with you in the vehicle and on child restraint systems, see “Children in the vehicle” (Y page 56).

Important safety notes 
WARNING Modifications to the restraint system may cause it to no longer work as intended. The restraint system may then not perform its intended protective function and may fail in an accident or trigger unexpectedly, for example. This poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Never modify parts of the restraint system. Never tamper with the wiring, the electronic components or their software.
If it is necessary to modify an air bag system to accommodate a person with disabilities, con-tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for details. USA only: for further information con-tact our Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1‑800‑367‑6372).

Restraint system warning lamp
The functions of the restraint system are checked after the ignition is switched on and at regular intervals while the drive system is running. Therefore, malfunctions can be detected in good time.
The 6 restraint system warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights up when the igni-tion is switched on. It goes out no later than a few seconds after the drive system is started. The components of the restraint system are in operational readiness.
A malfunction has occurred if the6 restraint system warning lamp:

• does not light up after the ignition is switched on
• does not go out after a few seconds with the drive system running
• lights up again while the drive system is running

DANGER
If the restraint system is malfunctioning, individual restraint system components may be triggered unintentionally or might not be trig-  gered at all in the event of an accident with a high rate of vehicle deceleration. This could affect Emergency Tensioning Devices or air bags, for example. The vehicle’s high-voltage electrical system may also not be deactivated as intended in the event of an accident. You could suffer an electric shock if you touch the damaged components of the vehicle’s high-voltage electrical system. This poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal injury. Have the restraint system checked and repaired immediately at a qualified specialist workshop. Immediately switch off the ignition and remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock after an accident.

High-voltage battery

In particular, the function of the radar sensors can be impaired in the case of:

• there is dirt on the sensors or anything else covering the sensors
• there is snow or heavy rain
• there is interference by other radar sources
• there are strong radar reflections, for example in parking garages
• a narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a motorbike
• a vehicle traveling in front on a different line relative to the center of your vehicle
  Following damage to the front end of the vehi-cle, have the configuration and operation of the radar sensors checked at a qualified spe-cialist workshop. This also applies to colli-sions at slow speeds where there is no visible damage to the front of the vehicle.
  If the radar sensors are not available, the sys-tem switches automatically to level D with moderate recuperation. Have the radar sensors checked at a qualified specialist workshop.

Automatic adjustment of recuperation on downhill gradients 
The vehicle can detect steep downhill gradients. To reduce acceleration downhill and to charge the high-voltage battery, recuperation is increased steplessly. This is comparable to the engine brake in a combustion engine when you downshift a gear on a downhill gradient.
Automatic adjustment of recuperation on downhill gradients is available in level DAUTO or on vehicles without steering wheel paddle shifters in level D.

Intelligent recuperation
The vehicle uses the map and camera data of Traffic Sign Assist in addition to the sensors of COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS during radar-based recuperation (DAUTO). The rate of recuperation is then automatically adjusted to the current traffic situation, taking the current and future maximum speed into account.

Maintenance

ASSYST PLUS
Service messages
The ASSYST PLUS service interval display informs you of the next service due date. For information on the type of service and service intervals, see the separate Mainte-nance Booklet.
You can obtain further information from an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or at http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).
The multifunction display shows a service message for several seconds, e.g.:

• SerServicvicee AA inin …. DayDayss
• SerServicvicee AA DueDue
• SerServicvicee AA ExcExceedeededed byby …. DayDayss

Depending on the operating conditions of the vehicle, the remaining time or distance until the next service due date is displayed.
The letter AA or BB, possibly in connection with a number or another letter, indicates the type
of service. AA stands for a minor service and BB for a major service.
You can obtain further information from an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The ASSYST PLUS service interval display does not take into account any periods of time during which the battery is disconnec-ted.
Maintaining the time-dependent service schedule:
Note down the service due date displayed in the multifunction display before discon-necting the battery. or
After reconnecting the battery, subtract the battery disconnection periods from the service date shown on the display.

Information about Service
Resetting the ASSYST PLUS service inter-val display
If the ASSYST PLUS service interval dis-play has been inadvertently reset, this set-ting can be corrected at a qualified special-ist workshop.
Have service work carried out as described in the Maintenance Booklet. This may oth-erwise lead to increased wear and damage to the major assemblies or the vehicle.

A qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, will reset the ASSYST PLUS service interval display after the service work has been carried out. You can also obtain further information on maintenance work, for example.

Special service requirements
The specified maintenance interval takes only the normal operation of the vehicle into account. Under arduous operating conditions or increased load on the vehicle, maintenance work must be carried out more fre-quently, for example:

• regular city driving with frequent intermediate stops
• if the vehicle is primarily used to travel short distances
• use in mountainous terrain or on poor road surfaces
• if the engine is often left idling for long periods
  Under arduous operating conditions, the tires must be checked more often. Further information can be obtained at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Driving abroad
An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network is also available in other countries. You can obtain further information from any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

FAQ