2011 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-CLASS Owners Manual

In case of other types of impacts and impacts
below air bag deployment thresholds, air
bags will not deploy. The driver and
passengers will then be protected to the
extent possible by a properly fastened seat
belt. A properly fastened seat belt is also
needed to provide the best possible
protection in a rollover.
Air bags are not a substitute for seat belts.
Always wear your seat belt, regardless of
whether or not your vehicle is equipped with
air bags.
It
is important to your safety and that of your
passengers to have deployed air bags
replaced and to have any malfunctioning air
bags repaired. This will help to make sure the
air bags will continue to provide supplemental
crash protection for occupants.
Safety guidelines for the seat belt,
Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD)
and air bag G
Warning!
R Damaged
seat belts or seat belts that have
been subjected to stress in an accident
must be replaced. Their anchoring points
must also be checked. Only use seat belts
installed or supplied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
R Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency
Tensioning Devices (ETDs) contain
perchlorate material, which may require
special handling and regard for the
environment. Check with your local
government’s disposal guidelines.
California residents, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/
Perchlorate/index.cfm.
R Air bags and ETDs are designed to function
on a one-time-only basis. An air bag or ETD
that has deployed must be replaced.
R Do not pass seat belts over sharp edges.
They could tear. R
Do not make any modification that could
change the effectiveness of the seat belts.
R Do

not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
R No modifications of any kind may be made
to any components or wiring of the SRS.
R Do no change or remove any component or
part of the SRS.
R Do not install additional trim material, seat
covers, badges, etc. over the steering
wheel hub, front passenger front air bag
cover, outboard sides of the seat
backrests, door trim panels, or door frame
trims.
R Do not install additional electrical/
electronic equipment on or near SRS
components and wiring.
R Keep area between air bags and occupants
free of objects (e.g. packages, purses,
umbrellas, etc.).
R Do not hang items such as coat hangers
from the coat hooks or handles over the
door. These items may be thrown around in
the vehicle and cause head and other
injuries when the window curtain air bag is
deployed.
R Air bag system components will be hot after
an air bag has inflated. Do not touch them.
R Never place your feet on the instrument
panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always
keep both feet on the floor in front of the
seat.
R Improper repair work on the SRS creates a
risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or
causing unintended air bag deployment.
Work on the SRS must therefore only be
performed by qualified technicians.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
R For your protection and the protection of
others, when scrapping the air bag unit or
ETD, our safety instructions must be Occupant safety
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followed. These instructions are available
from any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
R Given the considerable deployment speed,
required inflation volume, and the material
of the air bags, there is the possibility of
abrasions or other, potentially more serious
injuries resulting from air bag deployment.
If you sell your vehicle, we strongly
recommend that you inform the subsequent
owner that the vehicle is equipped with SRS.
Also refer them to the applicable section in
the Operator’s Manual.
Front air bags G
Observe Safety notes, see page 37. Driver’s front air bag
: and front passenger
front air bag ; are designed to provide
increased protection for the driver and front
passenger against the risk of injuries to the
head and thorax.
Driver and front passenger front air bag and
driver’s side knee bag are deployed
R in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if the system determines that air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R depending on whether the respective seat
belt is in use
R independently of the side impact air bags
and/or the window curtain air bags The front air bags in this vehicle have been
designed to inflate in two stages. This allows
the air bags to have different rates of inflation.
The rate of inflation is based on the vehicle
deceleration rate as assessed by the air bag
control unit.
The front passenger front air bag deployment
is additionally influenced by the passenger’s
weight category as identified by the Occupant
Classification System (OCS) (
Y page 41).
The lighter the front passenger-side
occupant, the higher the vehicle deceleration
rate required for second stage inflation of the
front passenger front air bag.
The air bags will not deploy in impacts which
do not exceed the system’s preset
deployment thresholds. You will then be
protected by the fastened seat belts.
The front air bags will not deploy in the event
of a rollover unless the vehicle’s rate of
longitudinal deceleration or acceleration
exceeds the preset deployment threshold for
the front air bags.
The front passenger front air bag will only be
deployed if
R the system, based on OCS weight sensor
readings, detects that the front passenger
seat is occupied
R the 04 indicator lamp in the
center console is not lit (Y page 41)
R the impact exceeds a preset deployment
threshold
Knee bag
Knee bag = is designed to provide increased
protection for the driver against the risk of
injuries to the knees, thighs and lower legs.
Knee bag = is located on the driver side
lower instrument panel. It is designed to
operate together with the driver front air bag
in certain frontal impacts if the system
determines that air bag deployment can offer
additional protection to that provided by the
seat belt. Knee bag = operates best in 40
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conjunction with a properly positioned and
fastened seat belt.
Side impact air bags
G
Observe Safety notes, see page 37. Front side impact air bags
: and rear side
impact air bags ; are designed to provide
increased protection for the thorax but not
the head, neck and arms.
The side impact air bags are deployed
R on the impacted side of the vehicle
R in instances with a high rate of lateral
vehicle deceleration or acceleration
R regardless of whether the seat belts on the
impacted side of the vehicle are in use
R independently of the front air bags
R independently of the ETDs
The side impact air bags are not deployed in
side impacts which do not exceed the
system’s deployment threshold.
The side impact air bags will not deploy in the
event of a rollover unless the vehicle’s rate of
lateral deceleration or acceleration exceeds
the preset deployment threshold for the side
impact air bags. G
Warning!
Only use seat covers which have been tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz for your
vehicle model. Using other seat covers may
interfere with or prevent the deployment of
the front side impact air bags. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
availability.
Window curtain air bags G
Observe Safety notes, see page 37. Window curtain air bags
: are designed to
provide increased protection for the head but
not the chest or arms.
Window curtain air bags : are deployed
R on the impacted side of the vehicle
R in instances with a high rate of lateral
vehicle deceleration or acceleration
R independently of the front air bags
R regardless of whether the front passenger
seat is occupied
R in certain vehicle rollovers, if the system
determines that air bag deployment can
offer additional protection to that provided
by the seat belt
Window curtain air bags : are not deployed
in impacts which do not exceed the system’s
deployment threshold.
Window curtain air bags : deploy in the area
indicated by the arrows. Occupant Classification System
The Occupant Classification System (OCS)
activates or deactivates the front passenger
front air bag automatically. The respective
status is based on the classified occupant Occupant safety
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weight category determined by weight sensor
readings from the front passenger seat.
The system does not deactivate
R
the front passenger side impact air bag
R the window curtain air bag
R the Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs)
To
be classified correctly, the front passenger
must sit
R with the seat belt properly fastened
R in a position that is as upright as possible
with the back against the seat backrest
R with the feet on the floor
If the occupant’s weight is transferred to
another object in the vehicle (e.g. by leaning
on armrests), the OCS may not be able to
properly approximate the occupant’s weight
category.
Furthermore, the occupant weight may
appear to increase or decrease due to the
following:
R objects hanging on the seat
R objects lodged underneath the seat
R objects stuffed between the seat and
middle console
R objects stuffed between the seat and door
R other passengers pushing on the seat
R objects applying pressure to the back of
the seat
Always make sure the seat has clearance
in all directions at all times.
If your seat, including the trim cover and
cushion, needs to be serviced in any way, take
the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Only seat accessories approved by
Mercedes-Benz may be used.
Both the driver and the front passenger
should always use the 04
indicator lamp as an indication of whether or
not the front passenger is properly
positioned. G
Warning!
If the 04 indicator lamp
illuminates when an adult or someone larger
than a small individual is in the front
passenger seat, have the front passenger
reposition himself or herself in the seat until
the 04 indicator lamp goes out,
or

check whether objects are caught under or
around the seat.
In the event of a collision, the air bag control
unit will not allow front passenger front air bag
deployment when the OCS has classified the
front passenger seat occupant as weighting
as much as or less than a typical 12-month-
old child in a standard child restraint or if the
front passenger seat is classified as being
empty.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being up to or less than the weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a standard child
restraint, the 04 indicator lamp
will illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated, indicating that the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat is classified as being empty,
the 04 indicator lamp will
illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated, indicating that the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being heavier than the weight of a typical
12-month-old child seated in a standard child
restraint or as being a small individual (such
as a young teenager or a small adult), the
04 indicator lamp will illuminate
for approximately 6 seconds when the engine
is started and then, depending on occupant
weight sensor readings from the seat, remain
illuminated or go out. With the
04 indicator lamp illuminated,
the front passenger front air bag is
deactivated. With the 04 42
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indicator lamp out, the front passenger front
air bag is activated.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat occupant is classified as an
adult or someone larger than a small
individual,
the 04 indicator lamp
will illuminate for approximately 6 seconds
when the engine is started and then go out,
indicating that the front passenger front air
bag is activated.
If the 04 indicator lamp is
illuminated, the front passenger front air bag
is deactivated and will not be deployed.
If the 04 indicator lamp is not
illuminated, the front passenger front air bag
is activated and will be deployed
R in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if impact exceeds a preset deployment
threshold
R independently of the side impact air bags
If the front passenger front air bag is
deployed, the rate of inflation will be
influenced by
R the rate of relevant vehicle deceleration as
assessed by the air bag control unit
R the front passenger’s weight category as
identified by the OCS
For more information on air bag display
messages in the multifunction display, see
(Y page 230). G
Warning!
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front seating
position. Thus, we strongly recommend that
children

be placed in the rear seats whenever
possible. Regardless of seating position,
children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an appropriate
infant restraint, toddler restraint, or booster
seat recommended for the size and weight of
the child. The infant or child restraint must be properly
secured with the vehicle’s seat belt, the seat
belt

and top tether strap, or lower anchors and
top tether strap, fully in accordance with the
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.
Occupants, especially children, should always
sit as upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriately sized infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
Children can be killed or seriously injured by
an inflating air bag. Note the following
important information when circumstances
require you to place a child in the front
passenger seat:
R Your vehicle is equipped with air bag
technology designed to deactivate the front
passenger front air bag in your vehicle
when the system senses the weight of a
typical 12-month-old child or less along
with the weight of a standard appropriate
child restraint on the front passenger seat.
R A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the
front passenger seat will be seriously
injured or even killed if the front passenger
front air bag inflates in a collision which
could occur under some circumstances,
even with the air bag technology installed
in your vehicle. The only means to
completely eliminate this risk is to never
place a child in a rear-facing child restraint
in the front seat. We therefore strongly
recommend that you always place a child
in a rear-facing child restraint in a backseat.
R If you must install a rear-facing child
restraint on the front passenger seat
because circumstances require you to do
so, make sure the 04
indicator lamp is illuminated, indicating
that the front passenger front air bag is
deactivated. Should the 04
indicator lamp not illuminate or go out while
the restraint is installed, please check
installation. Periodically check the Occupant safety
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04 indicator lamp while
driving to make sure the 04
indicator lamp is illuminated. If the
04 indicator lamp goes out or
remains out, do not transport a child on the
front passenger seat until the system has
been repaired.
A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the
front passenger seat will be seriously
injured or even killed if the front passenger
front air bag inflates.
R If you have to place a child in a forward-
facing child restraint on the front passenger
seat, move the seat as far back as possible,
use the proper child restraint
recommended for the age, size and weight
of the child, and secure child restraint with
the vehicle’s seat belt according to the child
seat manufacturer’s instructions. For
children larger than the typical 12-month-
old child, the front passenger front air bag
may or may not be activated.
Deployment of the driver front air bag does
not mean that the front passenger front air
bag also should have deployed.
The OCS may have determined
R that the seat was empty or occupied by the
weight up to or less than that of a typical
12-month-old child seated in a standard
child restraint – both of which are instances
where the system suppresses deployment
of the front passenger front air bag even
though the impact met the criteria and was
of sufficient severity to deploy the driver
front air bag
R that the seat was occupied by a small
individual (such as a young teenager or a
small adult) or a child who weighs more
than the weight of a typical 12-month-old
child in a standard child restraint – both of
which are instances where the system may
suppress deployment of the front
passenger front air bag even though the
impact met the criteria and was of sufficient severity to deploy the driver front
air bag
04 indicator lamp
: will be
illuminated, except with the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch or with the
starter switch in position 0. G
Warning!
If the red SRS indicator lamp + in the
instrument cluster and the 04
indicator lamp are lit at the same time, there
is a malfunction in the OCS. The front
passenger front air bag will be deactivated in
this case. Have the system checked by
qualified technicians as soon as possible.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Only have the seat repaired or replaced at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
In order to ensure proper operation of the air
bag system and OCS:
R Do not place more than 4.4 lb (2 kg) into
the storage bag on the back of the front
passenger seat. Otherwise, the OCS may
not be able to properly approximate the
occupant weight category.
R Do not place objects under and/or around
the front passenger seat.
R Do not hang anything from or attach any
items to the seats.
R Do not stuff objects such as books between
the front passenger seat and the center
console or front passenger door. 44
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R
Do not move the front passenger seat
backwards against stiff objects.
R Sit
with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R While seated, an occupant should not
position him/herself in such a way as to
cause the occupant’s weight to be lifted
from the seat bottom as this may result in
the OCS being unable to correctly
approximate the occupant’s weight
category.
R Read and observe all warnings in this
chapter.
OCS Self-test After turning the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position 1 or 2 or pressing the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button once or
twice, the 04 indicator lamp
illuminates. If an adult occupant is properly
sitting on the front passenger seat and the
system classifies the occupant as an adult,
the 04 indicator lamp will
illuminate and go out after approximately
6 seconds.
If the seat is not occupied and the system
classifies the front passenger seat as being
empty, the 04 indicator lamp
will illuminate and not go out. G
Warning!
If the 04
indicator lamp does not
illuminate, the system is not functioning. You
must contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center before seating any child on the front
passenger seat.
For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section ( Y page 260). G
Warning!
Never place anything between seat cushion
and child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces
the

effectiveness of the OCS. The bottom and
back of the child seat must make full contact with the passenger seat cushion and
backrest.
If necessary, adjust the tilt of the passenger
seat backrest.
An

incorrectly mounted child seat could cause
injuries to the child in case of an accident,
instead of increasing protection for the child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of child seats. Seat belts
Safety notes The use of seat belts and infant and child
restraint systems is required by law in all 50
states, the District of Columbia, the U.S.
territories and all Canadian provinces.
Even where this is not the case, all vehicle
occupants should have their seat belts
fastened whenever the vehicle is in motion.
i
See “Children in the vehicle”
(Y page 52) for information on
R infants

and children traveling with you in
the vehicle
R restraint systems for infants and children G
Warning!
Always fasten your seat belt before driving off.
Always make sure all of your passengers are
properly

restrained. You and your passengers
should always wear seat belts.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and
position your seat belt greatly increases your
risk of injuries and their likely severity in an
accident.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can
be considerably more severe without your
seat belt properly buckled. Without your seat
belt buckled, you are much more likely to hit
the interior of the vehicle or be ejected from
it. You can be seriously injured or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility of injury or
death is lessened if you are properly wearing Occupant safety
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your seat belt. The air bags can only protect
as intended if the occupants are properly
wearing their seat belts.
G
Warning!
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide under
the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under
it, the seat belt would apply force at the
abdomen or neck. That could cause serious
or even fatal injuries. The seat backrest and
seat belt provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a position that is as upright as
possible and the seat belt is properly
positioned on the body. G
Warning!
Never let more people ride in the vehicle than
there are seat belts available. Make sure
everyone riding in the vehicle is correctly
restrained with a separate seat belt. Never
use

a seat belt for more than one person at a
time. G
Warning!
Damaged seat belts or seat belts that have
been
subjected to stress in an accident must
be replaced. Also, the seat belt anchoring
points must be checked.
Only use seat belts which have been approved
by Mercedes-Benz.
Do not make any modifications to the seat
belts. This can lead to unintended activation
of the ETDs or to their failure to activate when
necessary.
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
Have all work carried out only by qualified
technicians. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Proper use of seat belts G
Warning!
USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY
R Seat belts can only protect when used
properly.

Never wear seat belts in any other
way than as described in this section, as
that could result in serious injuries in case
of an accident.
R Each occupant should wear their seat belt
at all times, because seat belts help reduce
the likelihood of and potential severity of
injuries in accidents, including rollovers.
The integrated restraint system includes
SRS (driver front air bag, driver side knee
bag, front passenger front air bag, side
impact air bags, window curtain air bags for
door windows), Emergency Tensioning
Devices (ETDs), seat belt force limiters, and
front seat knee bolsters.
The system is designed to enhance the
protection offered to properly belted
occupants in certain frontal (front air bags,
driver’s side knee bag, and ETDs) and side
(side impact air bags, window curtain air
bags, and ETDs) impacts which exceed
preset deployment thresholds and in
certain rollovers (window curtain air bags
and ETDs).
R Never wear the shoulder belt under your
arm, against your neck or off your shoulder.
In a frontal crash, your body would move
too far forward. That would increase the
chance of head and neck injuries. The seat
belt would also apply too much force to the
ribs or abdomen, which could severely
injure internal organs such as your liver or
spleen.
Adjust the seat belt so that the shoulder
section is located as close as possible to
the middle of the shoulder. It should not
touch the neck. Never pass the shoulder
portion of the seat belt under your arm. For
this purpose, you can adjust the height of
the seat belt outlet. 46
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