2011 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class COUPE warning

RAdjust the front-passenger seat as far back
as possible from the dashboard when the
seat is occupied.
R Occupants, especially children, should
never place their bodies or lean their heads
in the area of the door where the side
impact air bag (Coupe) or the side impact
air bag and the head bag (Cabriolet) inflate.
This could result in serious injuries or death
should the side impact air bags (Coupe) or
side impact air bags and head bag
(Cabriolet) inflate. Always sit as upright as
possible, wear the seat belt properly and
use an appropriately sized child restraint,
infant restraint or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
R Canada only: children under 12 years may
only sit in the front-passenger seat if they
are seated in a child restraint system which
is compatible with BabySmart™ and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. If the child
restraint system is installed properly, the
front-passenger front air bag is deactivated
in conjunction with the BabySmart™
system installed in the vehicle. Otherwise,
the child could be struck by the air bag
when it inflates in a crash. This could lead
to serious or fatal injuries.
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injuries to you or other occupants.
If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you
make the buyer aware of this safety
information. Be sure to give the buyer this
Operator's Manual.GWarning
Accident research shows that the safest place
for children in an automobile is in a rear seat.
A side impact air bag related injury may occur
if occupants, especially children, are not
properly seated or restrained when next to a
side impact air bag which needs to deploy
rapidly in a side impact in order to do its job.
To help avoid the possibility of injury, please
follow these guidelines:(1)Always sit as upright as possible
and use the seat belts properly.
Make sure that children 12 years
old and under use an appropriately
sized child restraint, infant
restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and
weight of the child.(2)Always wear seat belts properly.
The air bags are only deployed if the airbag
control unit detects the need for deployment.
Only in the event of such a situation will they
provide their supplemental protection.
The driver and passenger should always wear
their seat belts. Otherwise, it is not possible
for the air bags to provide their supplemental
protection.
In the event 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 offer supplemental protection but
are not a substitute for seat belts. All vehicle
occupants must fasten their seat belts
regardless of whether your vehicle is
equipped with airbags or not.
It is important for your safety and that of your
passenger to have deployed air bags replaced
and to have any malfunctioning air bags
repaired. This will help to make sure the air
bags continue to perform their protective
function for the vehicle occupants in the
event of a crash.
Front air bags
GWarning
Observe "Important safety notes"
( Y page 36).
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The front air bags increase protection for the
driver's and front-passenger's head and
chest.
Driver's air bag : deploys in front of the
steering wheel; front-passenger air bag ;
deploys in front of and above the glove box.
They are deployed:
Rin the event of certain frontal impacts
Rif the system determines that air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
Rif the seat belt is fastened
Rindependently of other air bags in the
vehicle
If the vehicle overturns, the front air bags are
generally not deployed unless the system
detects high vehicle deceleration in a
longitudinal direction.
Your vehicle has adaptive, two-stage front air
bags. In the event of a collision, the air bag
control unit evaluates the vehicle
deceleration. When the first deployment
threshold is reached, the front air bag is filled
with enough propellant gas to reduce the risk
of injuries. The front air bag is fully deployed
if a second deployment threshold is exceeded
within a few milliseconds.
Vehicles with OCS (USA only): front-
passenger front air bag deployment is also
influenced by the passenger's weight
category as identified by the Occupant
Classification System (OCS) (Y page 42).
Vehicles with OCS (USA only): the lighter the
passenger side occupant, the higher the
vehicle deceleration rate required for second
stage inflation of the front-passenger front air
bag. In the second stage, the front air bags
are inflated with the maximum amount of
propellant gas available.
In impact situations with deceleration or
acceleration values lower than the vehicle
deceleration or acceleration values preset in
the system, the front air bags are not
deployed. You will then be protected by the
seat belt.
! Vehicles with BabySmart™ (Canada only):
do not place any objects which weigh more
than 20 lb (9 kg) on the front-passenger
seat. This could cause the system to
identify the seat as being occupied. In the
event of an accident, the restraint systems
on the front-passenger side are triggered.
Have restraint systems that have been
triggered replaced.
The front-passenger air bag will only deploy
if:
Rthe system, based on the OCS weight
sensor readings, detects that the front-
passenger seat is occupied (USA only).
Rthe 45 indicator lamp in the center
console is not lit, USA: (Y page 42),
Canada: (Y page 47).
Rthe impact exceeds a preset deployment
threshold.
Driver's knee bag
GWarning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 36).
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Driver's knee bag : increases protection for
the driver against the risk of:
Rknee injuries
Rthigh injuries
Rlower leg injuries
Driver's knee bag : inflates beneath the
steering column. If the system determines
that deployment of driver's knee bag : can
offer additional protection to that provided by
the seat belt in the event of a frontal impact,
the system will deploy it together with the
driver's front air bag. Driver's knee bag :
operates best in conjunction with a properly
positioned and fastened seat belt.
Side impact air bags
GWarning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 36).
GWarning!
The pressure sensors for side impact air bag
control are located in the doors. Do not
modify any components of the doors or door
trim panels including, for example, the
addition of door speakers.
Improper repair work on the doors or the
modification or addition of components to the
doors create a risk of rendering the side
impact air bags inoperative or causing
unintended air bag deployment. Work on the
doors must therefore only be performed by
qualified technicians. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
GWarning
Only use seat covers which have been tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz for your
vehicle model. Using seat covers or other seat
coverings can cause a malfunction of the side
impact air bags and/or the pelvis air bags.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for availability.
When deployed, the side impact air bags offer
additional protection for the thorax of the
vehicle occupants on the side of the vehicle
on which the impact occurs. However, they
do not protect the:
Rhead
Rneck
Rarms
Example: Coupe
Front side impact air bags : and rear side
impact air bags ; deploy next to the outer
seat cushions.
The side impact air bags are deployed:
Ron the side on which an impact occurs
Rat the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, e.g. in a side impact
Rindependently of seat belt use
Rindependently of the front air bags
Rindependently of the Emergency
Tensioning Devices
Cabriolet: if the vehicle overturns, the side
impact air bags are generally not deployed.
They are deployed if the system detects high
vehicle deceleration or acceleration in a
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lateral direction and determines that side
impact air bag deployment can offer
additional protection to that provided by the
seat belt.
Side air bags : will not deploy in side
impacts with deceleration rates which do not
exceed the system's preset deployment
thresholds for vehicle deceleration or
acceleration. You will then be protected by
the seat belt.
Vehicles with OCS (USA only): if the OCS
detects that the front-passenger seat is not
occupied and the front-passenger seat belt is
not fastened (the belt tongue is not engaged
in the seat belt buckle), the side impact air
bag on the front-passenger side will not
deploy. The side impact air bag on the front-
passenger side will deploy if the front-
passenger seat belt is fastened, regardless of
whether the front-passenger seat is occupied
or not.
! Vehicles with BabySmart™ (Canada only):
do not place any objects which weigh more
than 20 lb (9 kg) on the front-passenger
seat. This could cause the system to
identify the seat as being occupied. In the
event of an accident, the restraint systems
on the front-passenger side are triggered.
Have restraint systems that have been
triggered replaced.
Front head bags (Cabriolet)GWarning
Observe "Important safety notes"
( Y page 36).
Head bags are available in the Cabriolet.
The head bags enhance the level of protection
for the head (but not chest or arms) of the
vehicle occupants in the front of the vehicle
on the side on which the impact occurs.
Head bags : deploy in the area of the side
windows at the front. 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
acceleration, e.g. in a side impact
R independently of seat belt use
R
R if the vehicle overturns and the system
determines that air bag deployment can
offer additional protection to that provided
by the seat belt
R independently of the front air bags
Head bags : will not deploy in side impacts
which do not exceed the system's preset
deployment thresholds for lateral
acceleration/deceleration. You will then be
protected by the fastened seat belt.
Vehicles with OCS (USA only): if OCS detects
that the front-passenger seat is not occupied
and the front passenger seat belt is not
fastened (the belt tongue is not engaged in
the seat belt buckle), the head bag on the
front-passenger side will not deploy. The head
bag on the front-passenger side will deploy if
the front passenger seat belt is fastened,
regardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied or not.
Pelvis air bags
GWarning
Observe "Important safety notes"
( Y page 36).
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GWarning
Only use seat covers which have been tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz for your
vehicle model. Using seat covers or other seat
coverings can cause a malfunction of the side
impact air bags and/or the pelvis air bags.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for availability.
Pelvis air bag deployment enhances the level
of protection of the vehicle occupants on the
side of the vehicle on which the impact
occurs.
Pelvis air bags : deploy next to and below
the outer seat cushions. They are deployed:
Ron the side on which an impact occurs
Rat the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, e.g. in a side impact
Rindependently of seat belt use
Rindependently of the front air bags
Rindependently of the Emergency
Tensioning Devices
Cabriolet: the pelvis air bags are generally not
deployed if the vehicle overturns, unless the
system detects high vehicle deceleration or
acceleration in a lateral direction and
determines that they can offer additional
protection to that provided by the seat belt.
Pelvis air bags : will not deploy in side
impacts with deceleration rates which do not
exceed the system’s preset deployment
thresholds for vehicle deceleration or
acceleration. You will then be protected by
the seat belt.
Vehicles with OCS (USA only): if the OCS
detects that the front-passenger seat is not
occupied and the front-passenger seat belt is
not fastened (the belt tongue is not engaged
in the seat belt buckle), the pelvis air bag on
the front-passenger side will not deploy. The
pelvis air bag on the front-passenger side will
deploy if the front-passenger seat belt is
fastened, regardless of whether the front-
passenger seat is occupied or not.
Window curtain air bags
GWarning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 36).
Window curtain air bags are available in the
Coupe.
The window curtain air bags 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 window curtain air bags are integrated
into the side of the roof frame and deploy in
the area extending from the front door (A-
pillar) to the rear sidewall (C-pillar).
Window curtain air bags : are deployed:
Ron the side on which an impact occurs
Rat the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, e.g. in a side impact
Rregardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied
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Rindependently of seat belt use
R independently of the front air bags
Window curtain air bags : will not deploy in
impacts with deceleration rates which do not
exceed the system’s preset deployment
thresholds for vehicle deceleration or
acceleration. You will then be protected by
the seat belt.
Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
How the occupant classification
system works
The Occupant Classification System (OCS) is
standard equipment in the USA.
OCS categorizes the occupant on the front-
passenger seat by means of a weight sensor.
The front-passenger front air bag is
automatically deactivated for certain weight
categories. The respective status can be
recognized by the 45 indicator lamp.
With the 45 indicator lamp
illuminated, the front-passenger front air bag
is deactivated.
The system does not deactivate:
R the side impact air bag
R the pelvis air bag
R the window curtain air bag (Coupe)
R the front-passenger head bag (Cabriolet)
R the Emergency Tensioning Devices
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 their feet on the floor
If the front-passenger's weight is transferred
to another object in the vehicle (e.g. by
leaning on armrests), OCS may not be able to
approximate the occupant's weight category.
If the front passenger seat, the seat cover, or
the seat cushion are damaged, have the
necessary repair work carried out at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use seat
accessories that have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Both the driver and the front passenger
should observe the 45 indicator lamp
to determine whether or not the front
passenger is positioned correctly.GWarning
If the 45 indicator lamp illuminates
when an adult or someone larger than a small
individual is in the passenger seat, have the
passenger position him/herself in the seat
until the 45 indicator lamp goes out.
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 weighing 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 45 indicator lamp will
illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated. This indicates that the
front passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat is classified as being empty,
the 45 indicator lamp will illuminate
when the engine is started and remain
illuminated. This indicates 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
45 indicator lamp will illuminate for
approximately 6 seconds when the engine is
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started. Depending on occupant weight
sensor readings from the seat, it will then
remain illuminated or go out. With the
45 indicator lamp illuminated, the
front passenger front air bag is deactivated.
With the 45 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 45 indicator lamp will
illuminate for approximately six seconds
when the engine is started and then go out.
This indicates that the front passenger front
air bag is activated.
If the 45 indicator lamp is illuminated,
the front passenger front air bag is
deactivated and will not be deployed.
If the 45 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 the impact exceeds a predetermined
triggering threshold
R Coupe: independent of the side impact air
bag or pelvis air bag
R Cabriolet: independent of the side impact
air bag, pelvis air bag or head bag
If the front passenger front air bag is
deployed, the rate of inflation will be
influenced by
R the rate of vehicle deceleration as assessed
by the air bag control unit
R the front passenger's weight category as
identified by the OCS
For further information, see the section
regarding air bag display messages
( Y page 218).GWarning
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained on the rear
seats than on the front-passenger seat. 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 eliminate
this risk completely is never to place a child
in a rear-facing child restraint in the front-
passenger seat. We therefore strongly
recommend that you always place a child
in a rear-facing child restraint on the rear
seat.
R If you install a rear-facing child restraint on
the front-passenger seat, make sure the
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indicating that the front-passenger front air
bag is deactivated. Should the 45
indicator lamp not illuminate or go out while
the restraint is installed, please check
installation. Periodically check the
45 indicator lamp while driving to
make sure that the 45 indicator
lamp is illuminated. If the 45
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 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
- secure child restraint with the vehicle's
seat belt according to the child seat
manufacturer's instructions
R 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 should also have deployed.
OCS may have determined:
R that the seat was unoccupied or occupied
by a weight of up to or less than that of a
typical 12-month-old child seated in a
standard child restraint
R that the seat was occupied by a small
individual (e.g. a young teenager or a small
adult) or a child who weighs more than a
typical 12-month-old child in a standard
child restraint system
These are examples of when OCS deactivates
the front-passenger front air bag. The air bag
is deactivated despite the impact fulfilling the
criteria for deploying the driver's front air bag.
If the SmartKey has been removed from the
ignition lock or is in position 0, indicator lamp
45 : does not light up.
GWarning
If the red 6 SRS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and the 45
indicator lamp light up simultaneously, the
OCS is malfunctioning. 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 Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R When seated, a passenger should not
position him/herself in such a way as to
cause the passenger's weight to be lifted
from the seat cushion as this may result in
the OCS being unable to correctly
approximate the passenger's weight
category.
R Read and observe all warnings in this
chapter.
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