Depending on the type and severity of an accident, a number of measures can be taken to prevent further damage being caused and assist with the task of rescuing the occupants: the engine can be turned off automatically and the fuel supply cut off. The hazard warning lights and emergency interior lights can be automatically activated. The side windows also can be lowered automatically to ventilate the interior compartment after the front airbags are deployed.

Various precautions have also been taken to assist the work of emergency services. The door locking mechanism can be released automatically after an accident, for example. Crash joints between the wing and door can speed up rescue work by allowing the doors to be opened more easily after a frontal collision. Cutting points are marked on the front and rear windscreens to assist rescuers if they need to cut through the A and C-pillars. To complete its comprehensive safety philosophy, Mercedes-Benz has also developed multilingual rescue guides (accessible worldwide on the Internet) to provide additional information for rescue services.