System self-test
The 42 indicator lamp
illuminates when you:
R turn the SmartKey to position 1 or 2 in the
ignition lock
R press the KEYLESS-GO Start-Stop button
once or twice
If an adult occupant is properly sitting on the
passenger seat and the OCS classifies the
occupant as an adult, the 42
indicator lamp illuminates and goes out again
after approximately 6 seconds.
If the seat is not occupied and the OCS
classifies the front-passenger seat as being
unoccupied, the 42 indicator
lamp will illuminate and not go out.
GWarning!
If the 4 2 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 "Problems with the
occupant classification system"
( Y page 47).
GWarning
Never place anything between seat cushion
and child seat (e.g. a pillow), since it reduces
the effectiveness of the OCS. The underside
and rear side child restraint system must be
placed entirely on the seat cushion and the
backrest of the front-passenger seat
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 restraint systems.
46Occupant safetySafety
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Problems with the occupant classification systemProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsUSA only: The
42
indicator lamp
illuminates and
remains illuminated
when the weight of a
typical adult or an
individual that is the
size of a typical adult
has been detected on
the passenger seat; the
system then
determines the
occupant cannot be a
child.The OCS is malfunctioning.XHave the OCS checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.XRead and observe the additional display messages in the
multifunction display ( Y page 231).GWarning
If the 42 indicator lamp illuminates and remains illuminated when the weight of a
typical adult or someone larger than a small individual has been detected on the passenger seat,
the system then determines the occupant cannot be a child. Do not allow any occupant to use
the passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsThe 42
indicator lamp does not
illuminate and/or does
not remain illuminated
when the weight of a
typical 12-month-old
child in a standard child
restraint or less/
unoccupied child
restraint has been
detected on the front-
passenger seat.The OCS is malfunctioning.XMake sure there is nothing between the seat cushion and the
child seat.XCheck the installation of the child restraint system.XMake sure there are no objects applying additional weight onto
the seat.XMake sure there are no objects applying additional weight onto
the seat. Head restraints that press against the roof or books
that are behind or trapped between the seat, for example, apply
force to the seat. OCS senses such forces as additional weight.XIf the 42 indicator lamp does not illuminate, have
the OCS checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not transport a child on the front-
passenger seat until the OCS has been repaired.XRead and observe the additional display messages in the
multifunction display ( Y page 231).Occupant safety47SafetyBA 164.8 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2sboikeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T15:08:44+02:00 - Seite 47Z
GWarning
If the 42 indicator lamp does not illuminate or remains out with the weight of a
typical 12-month-old child in a standard child restraint or less, or is unoccupied, on the front-
passenger seat, do not transport a child on the front-passenger seat until the system has been
repaired.
BabySmart™ air bag deactivation
system
How the air bag deactivation system
functions
The BabySmart™ system is standard
equipment in Canada.
GWarning
Accident statistics show that children
secured in the rear seats are safer than
children secured in the front-passenger seat.
For this reason, Mercedes-Benz strongly
advises that you always secure children in the
rear seats. Regardless of the seat position,
children under 12 years must be secured
correctly in a suitable infant or child restraint
system or booster seat suitable for the size
and weight of the child.
Secure the child restraint system with:
R the seat belt of the vehicle
R the seat belt and a Top Tether belt
R the ISOFIX child seat securing system and
a Top Tether belt.
The child restraint system must be installed
and secured correctly, observing the
manufacturer's installation instructions.
Occupants, in particular children, must sit as
upright as possible, fasten the seat belt
correctly and use a suitable infant restraint
system, child restraint system or booster seat
suitable for the size and weight of the child.
Children can be killed or seriously injured by
an inflating air bag. Observe the following
important information if it is necessary to
carry a child on the front-passenger seat:
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. When the
child restraint system is installed correctly,
the front-passenger front air bag is disabled
in conjunction with the BabySmart™
system installed in the vehicle. If the front-
passenger front air bag is deployed in the
event of a collision, it could hit the child.
This could lead to serious or fatal injuries.
R a child in a rear-facing child restraint on the
passenger seat will be seriously injured or
even killed if the 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 way to completely rule out this risk
is by making sure you never place a child in
a rearward-facing child restraint system on
the front-passenger seat. For this reason,
we strongly advise that you always carry
children in a rearward-facing child restraint
system on a rear seat.
R if it is necessary to install a BabySmart™-
compatible rearward-facing child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat, make
sure the 42 indicator lamp is
illuminated. This indicates that the front-
passenger front air bag is disabled. If the
42 indicator lamp does not
light up or goes out when the child restraint
system is installed, check the anchorages
of the restraint system. Check the
42 indicator lamp regularly
while driving to ensure that the
42 indicator lamp is
illuminated. If the 42 indicator
lamp goes out or remains out, you may only48Occupant safetySafety
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carry a child on the front-passenger seat
once the system has been repaired.
A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the
passenger seat will be seriously injured or
even killed if the passenger front air bag
inflates.
R when securing a child in a front-facing child
restraint system on the front-passenger
seat, you must:
- move the front-passenger seat as far
back as possible
- use a child restraint system that is
suitable for the age, size and weight of
the child
- observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions in order to install and secure
the child restraint system correctly.GWarning
When using a BabySmart™-compatible child
restraint system on the front-passenger seat,
the front-passenger front air bag is only
disabled if the 42 indicator lamp
is illuminated.
Always check the 42 indicator
lamp if you are using a BabySmart™-
compatible child restraint system on the
front-passenger seat. If the 42
indicator lamp does not light up or goes out
when the child restraint system is installed,
check the anchorages of the restraint system.
If the 42 indicator lamp remains
out, do not use the BabySmart™ child
restraint system to carry a child on the front-
passenger seat until the system has been
repaired.
GWarning
The BabySmart™ air bag disabling system
ONLY works with specially adapted child
restraint systems. It does not work with child
restraint systems that are not compatible with
BabySmart™.
Never place anything between the seat
cushion and the child restraint system (e.g. a
cushion), as this reduces the effectiveness of
the BabySmart™ air bag deactivation system.
The underside of the child restraint system
must lie against the seat cushion of the front-
passenger seat. In the event of an accident,
an incorrectly installed child restraint system
could injure the child instead of offering
protection.
Observe the manufacturer's instructions
when installing special child restraint
systems.
Special child restraint systems which are
compatible with BabySmart™ are necessary
for deactivating the front-passenger front air
bag. When the special child restraint system
which is compatible with BabySmart™ is
installed correctly and is recognized by the
sensor system in the front-passenger seat,
the front-passenger front air bag is
deactivated. In this case, 42
indicator lamp : illuminates. If you have any
questions regarding the special child
restraint systems which are compatible with
BabySmart™, consult an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
If the key has been removed from the ignition
lock or is in position 0, indicator lamp
42 : does not light up.
The system does not disable:
R the side impact air bag
R the window curtain air bag
R the Emergency Tensioning Device/belt
buckle tensioner (ETD)
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Problems with the air bag deactivation systemProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsCanada only: The
42
indicator lamp is
illuminated constantly.A special BabySmart™ compatible child restraint system is
installed on the front-passenger seat.
The front-passenger front air bag is thus deactivated.A BabySmart™-compatible child restraint system is not installed
on the front-passenger seat. The BabySmart™ system is
malfunctioning.XHave the BabySmart™ system checked as soon as possible at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.GWarning
If the 42 indicator lamp illuminates and remains illuminated when the weight of a
typical adult or someone larger than a small individual has been detected on the passenger seat,
the system then determines the occupant cannot be a child. Do not allow any occupant to use
the passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsCanada only: The
42
indicator lamp does not
illuminate or does not
remain illuminated with
a BabySmart™
compatible child
restraint system
properly installed on
the front-passenger
seat.The BabySmart™ system is malfunctioning.XMake sure there is nothing between the seat cushion and the
child restraint system.XCheck the installation of the child restraint system.XIf the 42 indicator lamp does not illuminate, have
the BabySmart™ system checked as soon as possible at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not transport a child on the front-passenger seat until the
BabySmart™ system has been repaired.PRE-SAFE ®
systemGWarning!
The PRE-SAFE ®
system is intended to reduce
the effects of an accident on vehicle
occupants who are wearing their seat belt
properly. Despite your vehicle being equipped
with the PRE-SAFE ®
system, the possibility of
personal injuries occurring as a result of an
accident cannot be eliminated. Therefore,
always drive carefully and adjust your driving
to the prevailing road, weather, and traffic
conditions.
PRE-SAFE ®
takes pre-emptive measures to
protect you in certain hazardous situations.
PRE-SAFE ®
intervenes:
R in emergency braking situations, if the BAS
Brake Assist System intervenes
R in critical driving situations, e.g. if the
vehicle understeers or oversteers severely
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XTilt the top of the NECK-PRO head restraint
cushion forwards in the direction of
arrow :.XPush the NECK-PRO head restraint cushion
down as far as it will go in the direction of
arrow ;.XFirmly push the NECK-PRO head restraint
cushion backwards in the direction of
arrow = until it engages.XRepeat this procedure for the second
NECK-PRO head restraint.
NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
i If you have difficulty resetting the NECK-
PRO luxury head restraints, have this work
carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
XRemove the resetting tool : from the
vehicle document wallet.XInsert resetting tool : into guide ;
between the NECK-PRO luxury headrestraint cushion and the rear cover of the
head restraint.XPush resetting tool : downwards until you
hear the head restraint deployment
mechanism engage.XPull out resetting tool :.XFirmly press back the NECK-PRO luxury
head restraint cushion until it engages =.XRepeat this procedure for the second
NECK-PRO luxury head restraint.XReplace resetting tool : into the vehicle
document wallet.
Seat belts
Important safety notes
The use of infant or child restraint systems is
required by law in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, the U.S. territories and all
Canadian provinces.
Even if this is not the case, all vehicle
occupants should have their seat belts
fastened when the vehicle is in motion.
i See "Children in the vehicle"
( Y page 59) for further information on
infants and children traveling in the vehicle
as well as on child restraint systems.
GWarning!
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.
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RPosition the lap belt as low as possible on
your hips and not across the abdomen. If
the lap belt is positioned across your
abdomen, it could cause serious injuries in
a crash.
R Never wear seat belts over rigid or
breakable objects in or on your clothing,
such as eyeglasses, pens, keys etc., as
these might cause injuries.
R Make sure the seat belt is always routed
snugly. Take special care of this when
wearing loose clothing.
R Never use a seat belt for more than one
person at a time. Do not fasten a seat belt
around a person and another person or
other objects at the same time.
R Seat belts should not be worn twisted. In a
crash, you would not have the full width of
the seat belt to distribute impact forces.
The twisted seat belt against your body
could cause injuries.
R Pregnant women should also always use a
lap-shoulder belt. The lap belt portion
should be positioned as low as possible on
the hips to avoid any possible pressure on
the abdomen.
R Place the seat backrest in a position that is
as upright as possible.
R Check your seat belt during travel to make
sure it is properly positioned.
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 When using a seat belt to secure infant
restraints, toddler restraints, or children in
booster seats, always follow the child seat
manufacturer's instructions.GWarning
Do not pass seat belts over sharp edges. They
could tear.
Do not allow the seat belt to get caught in the
door or in the seat adjustment mechanism.
This could damage the seat belt.
Never attempt to make modifications to seat
belts. This could impair the effectiveness of
the seat belts.
Fastening seat beltsGWarning
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 seat whenever possible.
Regardless of seating position, children 12
years old and under must be seated and
properly secured in an appropriately sized
child restraint system or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child. For additional information, see the
"Children in the vehicle" section.
A child's risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
GWarning
Canada only: children 12 years old and under
may ride on the front seat if a BabySmart™
compatible child restraint system is installed
on the front-passenger seat. Use only
Mercedes-Benz approved BabySmart™
compatible child restraint systems. A
BabySmart™ compatible child restraint
system will deactivate the front-passenger
front air bag when installed properly. The
front-passenger front air bag will not be
deactivated if the child restraint systems that
are installed are not BabySmart™ compatible
or if BabySmart™ compatible child restraint
systems are not installed correctly. If the
front-passenger front air bag is deployed in a
collision, the child could be struck by the air
bag. This could lead to serious or fatal injury.
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XAdjust the seat and move the backrest to
an almost vertical position ( Y page 94).XPull the seat belt smoothly through belt
sash guide :.XWithout twisting it, place the shoulder
section of the seat belt over the center of
the shoulder and the lap section across the
hips.XEngage belt tongue ; in buckle =.
Seat belt adjustment: if necessary, the
driver's and front-passenger seat belts
automatically adjust to the upper body
( Y page 56).XIf necessary, adjust the seat belt to the
appropriate height ( Y page 56).XIf necessary, pull upwards on the shoulder
section of the seat belt to tighten the belt
across your body.
All seat belts in the vehicle, except the
driver's seat belt, are equipped with a special
seat belt retractor to secure child restraint
systems properly. For further information on
"Special seat belt retractors", see
( Y page 61).
For more information about releasing the seat
belt with release button ?, see "Releasing
seat belts" ( Y page 57).
Seat belt adjustment
The belt adjustment function adjusts the
driver's and front-passenger seat belt to the
upper body of the occupants. The belt strap
is tightened slightly when:
R you engage the belt tongue in the belt
buckle and you then turn the SmartKey to
position 2 in the ignition lock.
R the SmartKey is in position 2 in the ignition
lock and you then engage the belt tongue
in the buckle.
The seat-belt adjustment will apply a certain
tightening force if any slack is detected
between the occupant and the seat belt. Do
not hold on to the seat belt tightly while it is
adjusting. You can switch the belt adjustment
on and off in the on-board computer
( Y page 225).
Seat belt outlet height adjustment
You can adjust the seat belt height on the
driver's seat and the front-passenger seat.
Adjust the belt to a height that allows the
upper part of the seat belt to be routed across
the center of your shoulder.
XTo raise: slide the belt sash guide upwards.
The belt sash guide engages in various
positions.XTo lower: press and hold belt sash guide
release :.56Occupant safetySafety
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