2009 MERCEDES-BENZ CL COUPE Owners Manual

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. For example, this is the
case if very rigid vehicle parts such as longi-
tudinal body members are affected and suf-
ficient deceleration occurs as a result.
Belt tensioners, belt force limiters The seat belts are fitted with belt tensioners.
! Do not engage the seat belt tongue in the
buckle on the front-passenger seat if the
seat is not occupied. The belt tensioners could otherwise be triggered in an acci-
dent.
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 a pro-
portion of the deceleration forces exerted on
the occupant over a greater area.
The front seat belts have an automatic com-
fort-fit feature. This reduces the retraction
force of the seat belts, which results in
increased seat belt comfort.
The belt tensioners cannot be triggered when
the ignition is switched on unless:
R the restraint systems are operational; see
6 SRS warning lamp.
R the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
each lap-shoulder belt in the front of the
vehicle.
Depending on the type and severity of an
accident, the belt tensioners may be trig-
gered:
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 dur-
ing the initial stages of impact
R in the event of a side impact if the vehicle
is subjected to high lateral acceleration/
deceleration
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 38
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affect your hearing. The powder that escapes
does not generally constitute a health hazard.
The 6 SRS warning lamp lights up. G
Risk of injury
If the seat belt tensioners have been trig-
gered, they provide no additional protection
in the event of another accident. Therefore,
have belt tensioners which have been trig-
gered replaced at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Comply with safety regulations when dispos-
ing 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 6 SRS 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 airbag 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 possible. 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 airbag
as possible. The driver's seat position 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 secured
in a child restraint system on the seat.
R vehicle occupants – in particular, children
– must not lean their head into the area of
the window in which the sidebag/window-
bag is deployed.
R rearward-facing child restraint systems
must not be fitted to the front-passenger
seat unless the front-passenger front air-
bag has been disabled. The front-passenger
front airbag of a vehicle fitted with auto-
matic child seat recognition* is only disa-
bled when a child restraint system with
automatic child seat recognition is fitted to
the front-passenger seat. The 4
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning lamp
must be continuously lit.
If the front-passenger seat of your vehicle
does not have automatic child seat recog-
nition*, or your rearward-facing child
restraint system does not have automatic
child seat recognition, children must be
secured in a child restraint system on a
suitable seat in the rear. If you secure a
forward-facing child restraint system to the
front-passenger seat, you must move the
front-passenger seat as far back as possi-
ble.
R make sure there are no heavy or sharp-
edged objects in pockets of clothing.
R do not lean forwards, e.g. over the cover of
the driver's/front-passenger front airbag,
particularly when the vehicle is in motion.
R do not put your feet on the dashboard. Occupant safety
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R
only hold the steering wheel by the rim. This
allows the airbag to inflate fully. You could
be injured if the airbag is deployed and you
are holding the inside of the steering wheel.
R do not lean on the doors from inside the
vehicle.
R make sure that there are no people, ani-
mals or objects between the vehicle occu-
pants and the area of deployment of the
airbag.
R do not place any objects between the seat
backrest and the door.
R do not hang any hard objects, for example,
coat hangers, on the grab handles or coat
hooks.
R do not attach accessories, e.g. cup holders,
to the doors.
It is not possible to rule out a risk of injuries
caused by an airbag due to the high speed at
which the airbag is required to deploy. G
Risk of injury
The airbag's functionality can only be guaran-
teed if the following parts are not covered and
no badges or stickers are attached to them:
R padded steering wheel boss
R front-passenger front airbag cover
R outer side of front seats
R side panel next to the rear seat backrest G
Risk of injury
When an airbag deploys, a small amount of
powder is released. The powder may cause
short-term breathing difficulties to persons
suffering from asthma or other pulmonary
conditions.
In order to prevent potential breathing diffi-
culties, you should leave the vehicle as soon
as it is safe to do so. You can also open the
window to allow fresh air to enter the interior.
The powder generally does not constitute a
health hazard and does not indicate that there
is a fire in the vehicle. G
Risk of injury
The airbag parts are hot after the airbag has
been deployed. Do not touch them; other-
wise, you may burn yourself.
Have the airbags checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. Otherwise, occupants are
not protected by the airbags in the event of
another accident.
Front airbags
The front airbags are designed to increase
protection for the driver's and front passeng-
er's head and chest. Driver's front airbag
:deploys in front of the
steering wheel; front-passenger front air-
bag ;deploys in front of and above the glove
compartment. They are deployed:
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in a
longitudinal direction
R if the system determines that airbag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R if the seat belt is fastened
R independently of other airbags in the vehi-
cle
R if the vehicle overturns, but only if the sys-
tem detects high vehicle deceleration in a
longitudinal direction
On vehicles with automatic child seat recog-
nition in the front-passenger seat*, front-
passenger front airbag ;is only deployed
when the 4PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
warning lamp next to the instrument cluster 40
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is not lit (Y
page 44). This means that a child
restraint system with automatic child seat
recognition *has not been fitted to the front-
passenger seat or has been fitted incorrectly.
Sidebags G
Risk of injury
If you wish to use seat covers, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that, for safety reasons, you
only use seat covers that have been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
The seat covers must have a special tear seam
for sidebags. Otherwise, a head/thorax air-
bag cannot deploy correctly and would fail to
provide the intended protection in the event
of an accident. Appropriate seat covers can
be obtained from a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre. G
Risk of injury
Sensors to control the airbags are located in
the doors. Therefore, do not make any modi-
fications to the doors or door trims, e.g. ret-
rofitting loudspeakers. Damage to the doors
can affect operation of the sidebags.
The purpose of sidebag deployment is to
enhance the level of protection for the thorax
(but not the head, neck or arms) of the vehicle
occupants on the side of the vehicle on which
the impact occurs. Front sidebags
:and rear sidebags ;
deploy next to the outer seat cushion. They
are deployed: R
on the side on which an impact occurs
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion, e.g. in a side impact
R independently of the seat belt use
R independently of the front airbags
R independently of the belt tensioners
R if the vehicle overturns, but only if the sys-
tem detects high vehicle deceleration in a
lateral direction and determines that side-
bag deployment can offer additional pro-
tection to that provided by the seat belt
Windowbags
The purpose of the windowbags is to enhance
the level of protection for the head (but not
chest or arms) of the vehicle occupants on
the side of the vehicle on which the impact
occurs.
The windowbags are integrated into the side
of the roof frame and run from the front door
(A-pillar) to the rear side wall (C-pillar). Windowbags
:are deployed:
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in a
lateral direction
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R independently of the front airbags
R regardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied
R if the vehicle overturns and the system
determines that windowbag deployment Occupant safety
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can offer additional protection to that pro-
vided by the seat belt
PRE-SAFE
®
system
PRE-SAFE ®
system takes pre-emptive meas-
ures to protect you in certain hazardous sit-
uations.
PRE-SAFE ®
intervenes in the event of:
R emergency braking situations, e.g. if Brake
Assist BAS is activated or Brake Assist BAS
PLUS* intervenes powerfully
R critical situations involving driving dynam-
ics, e.g. if the vehicle oversteers or under-
steers significantly due to physical limits
being exceeded
If you are driving faster than approximately
30 km/h, PRE-SAFE ®
may take the following
measures in these situations:
R it adjusts the front-passenger seat if this is
in an unfavourable position.
R on vehicles with multicontour seat* or
active multicontour seat*: it increases the
air pressure in the seat side cushions and
the backrest side cushions.
R if the vehicle skids, it closes the sliding/
tilting sunroof *and the front side windows
so that only a small gap remains.
Once the hazardous situation has passed, you
can reverse all settings made by PRE-SAFE ®
.
On vehicles with a multicontour seat* or an
active multicontour seat*, the air pressure in
the side bolsters is then reduced. G
Risk of injury
When adjusting the seat, make sure that
nobody can become trapped.
! When you move the seats, make sure that
there are no objects in the footwell or
behind the seats. Otherwise, you could
damage the seats and the objects. Children in the vehicle
If a child is travelling in your vehicle, secure
the child using a child restraint system which
is appropriate to the size and age of the child
and which is recommended for Mercedes-
Benz vehicles. You should fit the restraint sys-
tem to a suitable rear seat. Ensure that the
child is secured throughout the trip.
You can obtain information about the correct
child restraint system from any Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre.
i It is advisable to use Mercedes-Benz care
products to clean child restraint systems.
Information about this can be obtained
from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. G
Risk of injury
Do not leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system. Children could injure them-
selves on parts of the vehicle. They could also
be seriously or even fatally injured by pro-
longed exposure to extreme heat or cold.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. Parts of the child restraint sys-
tem could heat up and the child could burn
herself/himself on them.
If a child opens a door, the child or other per-
sons could be injured as a result. The child
could get out and be injured in the process or
be injured by a passing vehicle.
Please also observe the information on HOLD.
Relevant information can be found in the
index. G
Risk of injury
An unsecured or an incorrectly positioned
load increases the risk of injury for the child
and all other occupants during:
R an accident
R a braking manoeuvre
R a sudden change of direction 42
Occupant safetySafety
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Do not carry heavy or hard objects inside the
vehicle unless they are secured. Further infor-
mation can be found in the index under "Load-
ing and unloading" and "Features".
Child restraint systems Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use the child restraint systems listed on
(Y
page 45). G
Risk of injury
To reduce the risk of serious or even fatal
injury to the child in the event of a sudden
change in direction, braking or an accident:
R children less than 1.50 m tall and under
twelve years of age must always be secured
in special child restraint systems on a suit-
able vehicle seat. This is necessary
because the seat belts are not designed for
children of this size.
R do not secure children less than 1.50 m tall
or under twelve years of age on the front-
passenger seat. Exception: the child is
secured in a vehicle with automatic child
seat recognition on the front-passenger
seat* and is secured in a child restraint
system with automatic child seat recogni-
tion.
R if you secure a forward-facing child
restraint system to the front-passenger
seat, you must move the front-passenger
seat as far back as possible.
R children must never travel sitting on the lap
of another occupant. Due to the forces
occurring in the event of a sudden change
of direction, heavy braking or an accident,
it would not be possible to restrain the
child. The child could be thrown against
parts of the vehicle interior and be seriously
or even fatally injured. G
Risk of injury
The child restraint system cannot perform its
protective function if it is not correctly fitted to a suitable vehicle seat. The child cannot be
restrained in the event of a sudden change of
direction, heavy braking or an accident. This
may lead to serious or even fatal injuries. For
this reason, when fitting a child restraint sys-
tem, observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions and the correct use of the child
restraint system.
Child restraint systems should be fitted to the
rear seats. Children are generally better pro-
tected there.
The entire base of the child restraint system
must always rest on the seat cushion. Never
place objects, e.g. a cushion, under the child
restraint system.
Only use child restraint systems with their
original covers. Only replace damaged covers
with genuine Mercedes-Benz covers.
For safety reasons, you should only use child
restraint systems which have been approved
for use in Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Child seat on the front-passenger seat Warning on the front-passenger sun visor Occupant safety
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Warning symbol for a rearward-facing child
restraint system G
Risk of injury
If the front-passenger front airbag is not dis-
abled:
R a child secured in a child restraint system
on the front-passenger seat could be seri-
ously and even fatally injured by the front-
passenger front airbag deploying. This is
especially a risk if the child is in the imme-
diate vicinity of the front-passenger front
airbag when it deploys.
R a child must never be secured on the front-
passenger seat in a rearward-facing child
restraint system. Only secure a rearward-
facing child restraint system on a suitable
rear seat.
R always move the front-passenger seat to
the rearmost position if you secure a child
in a forward-facing child restraint system
on the front-passenger seat.
The front-passenger front airbag is not disa-
bled:
R on vehicles without automatic child seat
recognition in the front-passenger seat*.
R on vehicles without automatic child seat
recognition on the front-passenger seat*, if
no special child restraint system with auto-
matic child seat recognition has been fitted
to the front-passenger seat.
R on vehicles with automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat*, if the
4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp is not lit.
To alert you to this danger, a corresponding
warning sticker is located on the dashboard
and on both sides of the sun visor on the front-
passenger side.
Information about recommended child
restraint systems is available at any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Automatic child seat recognition on the
front-passenger seat* The sensors for the automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat detect
whether a special Mercedes-Benz child seat
with automatic child seat recognition has
been fitted. In such cases, 4PASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF warning lamp :lights up. The
front-passenger front airbag is disabled. G
Risk of injury
If the 4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp does not light up when the child restraint
system is fitted, the front-passenger front air-
bag has not been disabled. If the front-
passenger front airbag is deployed, the child
could be seriously or even fatally injured.
Proceed as follows:
R do not use a rearward-facing child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat.
R fit a rearward-facing child restraint system
on a suitable rear seat.
or 44
Occupant safetySafety
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R
only use a forward-facing child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat and
move the front-passenger seat to its rear-
most position.
R have the automatic child seat recognition
checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
To ensure that the automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat func-
tions correctly, never place objects (such as
a cushion) under the child restraint system.
The entire base of the child restraint system
must always rest on the seat cushion. An
incorrectly fitted child restraint system can-
not perform its intended protective function
in the event of an accident, and could lead to
injuries.
i The windowbag, the sidebag and the belt
tensioner on the front-passenger side are
still active even if the front-passenger front
airbag is disabled by the automatic child-
seat recognition on the front-passenger
seat. G
Risk of injury
Do not place electronic devices on the front-
passenger seat, e.g.:
R laptops, when switched on
R mobile phones
R cards with transponders, e.g. ski passes or
access cards
Signals from electronic equipment can cause
interference in the automatic child seat rec-
ognition sensor system. This could lead to a
system malfunction. This may cause the
4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning lamp
to light up without there being a child seat
with automatic child seat recognition fitted.
This means that the front-passenger front air-
bag does not deploy during an accident. It is
also possible that the 4PASSENGER AIR-
BAG OFF warning lamp will not light up briefly
if you turn the key in the ignition lock to posi-
tion 2.
Suitable positioning of the child restraint system Weight categories and ages Group 0: up to 10 kg
up to approximately
9 months Group 0+: up to 13 kg
up to approximately
18 months
Child restraint system on the
front-passenger seat
As recommended
2 As recommended
2 Child restraint system on the
left-hand and right-hand rear
seats
Universal or as recommen-
ded Universal or as recommen-
ded
2
Only use child restraint systems with automatic child seat recognition. Occupant safety
45Safety
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