2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SALOON Owners Manual

Limited pr
otection pr ovided byairbags &
WARNING Risk of injury duetomodifi‐
cations tothe co ver of an airbag
If yo u modify the co ver of an airbag or af fix
objects such as sticke rs to it,the airbag may
no longer function cor rectl y. #
Never modify the co ver of an airbag and
do not af fix objects toit. The ins
tallation location of an airbag is identified
by the AIRB AGsymbol (/ page 43). &
WARNING Risk of injury or death dueto
th e use of unsuitable seat co vers
Due tounsuitable seat co vers,th e airbags
cann otprotect vehicle occupants as inten‐
ded.
In addition, the operation of the automatic
front passenger airbag shutoff could be
re stricted. #
You should on lyuse seat co vers that
ha ve been appr oved forth e cor respond‐
ing seats byMercedes-Benz. &
WARNING Risk of injury duetomalfunc‐
tioning sensors in the door
The function of the airbags can be impaired
due tomodifications or incor rect wo rkper‐
fo rm ed on the doors or door trim, or if the
doors are damaged. #
Never modify the doors or parts of the
doors. #
Alw ays ha vewo rkon the doors or door
trim car ried out at a qualified specialist
wo rkshop. &
WARNING Risk of injury duetodeplo yed
airbag
A deplo yed airbag no longer of fers any pro‐
te ction. #
Have theve hicle towe dto aqu alified
specialist workshop in order tohave the
deplo yed airbag replaced. Ha
ve deplo yed airbags replaced immediately. St
atus of the front passenger front airbag Fu
nction of the automatic front passenger
airbag shu toff
The automatic front passenger airbag shutoff is
able todetect whe ther the front passenger seat
is occupied bya person or a child restra int sys‐
te m. The front passenger airbag is enabled or
disabled accordingly. &
WARNING Risk of injury or death dueto
objects under the co-driver seat
Objects trapped under the co-driver seat can
inter fere with the function of the automatic
co-driver airbag shutoff or damage the sys‐
te m. #
Do not store any objects under the co-
driver seat. 46
Occupant saf ety
Internal use only

#
When the co-driver seat is occupied,
make sure that no objects are trapped
under the co-driver seat. When
fitting a child restra int sy stem tothe front
passenger seat, alw ays make sure of thefo llow‐
ing:
R Ensure that thech ild restra int sy stem is posi‐
tioned cor rectly (/ page 57).
R Alwa ys comply wi th thech ild restra int sys‐
te m manufacturer's ins tallation instructions.
R Never place objects (e.g. cushions) under or
behind thech ild restra int sy stem.
R Fully retract the seat cushion length adjust‐
ment.
R The entire base of thech ild restra int sy stem
must alw aysre st on the sitting sur face of the
front passenger seat.
R The backrest of thefo rw ard-facing child
re stra int sy stem must, as far as possible, be
re sting on the seat backrest of the front
passenger seat. R
The child restra int sy stem must not touch the
ro of or be put under stra in by the head
re stra ints. Adjust the seat backrest inclina‐
tion and the head restra int setting accord‐
ing ly. &
WARNING Risk of injury or death dueto
objects between the seat sur face and
th ech ild restra int sy stem
Objects between the sitting sur face and the
ch ild restra int sy stem could af fect the func‐
tion of the automatic co-driver airbag shut‐
off. #
Do not place any objects between the
sitting sur face and thech ild restra int
sy stem. #
The entire base of thech ild restra int
sy stem must alw aysre st on the sitting
sur face of the co-driver seat. #
The backrest of thefo rw ard-facing child
re stra int sy stem must, as far as possi‐
ble, be resting on the seat backrest of
th e co-driver seat. #
Alw ays comply with thech ild restra int
sy stem manufacturer's ins tallation
instructions. A person on
the front passenger seat must
obser vethefo llowing information:
R Fasten seat belts cor rectly (/ page 39).
R Sit in an almost upright seat position with
their back against the seat backrest.
R Sit with their feet resting on thefloor, if pos‐
sible.
The front passenger airbag may otherwise be
disabled bymis take ,fo rex ample, in thefo llow‐
ing situations:
R The front passen ger transfers their weight by
supporting themselves on a vehicle armrest.
R The front passenger sits in such a wayth at
th eir weight is raised from the sitting sur‐
fa ce. Occupant saf
ety47
Internal use only

&
WARNING Risk of injury or death dueto
a disabled front passenger airbag
The front passenger airbag is disabled when
th ePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
is lit.
A person in the front passenger seat could
th en, forex ample, come into con tact with
th eve hicle interior, especially if the person is
sitting too close tothe cockpit.
If th e front passenger seat is occupied,
alw ays ensure that:
R the classification of the person in the
front passenger seat is cor rect and the
front passenger airbag is enabled or disa‐
bled in accordance with the person in the
front passenger seat.
R the front passenger seat has been mo ved
as far back as possible.
R the person is seated cor rectly. #
Both before and during the journe y,
ensure that thest atus of the front
passenger airbag is cor rect. If
th e front passenger seat is occupied, the clas‐
sification of the person or child restra int sy stem
on the front passenger seat take s place af terthe
front passenger airbag shutoff self-test. The
PA SSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps display the
st atus of the front passenger airbag.
Alw ays obser vethe no tes on the function of the
PA SSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps
(/ page 48). Fu
nction of thePA SSENGER AIR BAG indica‐
to r lamps Ve
hicles without automatic front passenger air‐
bag shutoff ha vea special sticke r af fixe dto the
side of the cockpit on the front passenger side
(/ page 67). 48
Occupant safe ty
Internal use only

Self-test of automatic front passenger airbag
shutoff
When
the ignition is switched on, a self-test is
per form ed during which the two PASSENGER
AIR BAG ON and OFF indicator lamps light up
simul taneously.
The status of the front passenger airbag is dis‐
pla yed via thePA SSENGER AIR BAG indicator
lamps af terth e self-tes t:
R ON is lit: the front passenger airbag may
deploy during an accident.
The indicator lamp goes out af ter appro x‐
ima tely 60 seconds.
R ON and OF F are not lit: the front passenger
airbag may deploy during an accident.
R OFF is lit: the front passenger airbag is disa‐
bled. It will then not be deplo yed in theev ent
of an accident.
If th ePA SSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp is
off, on lythePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp sho ws thest atus of the front passenger
airbag. The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp may be lit continuously or be off. If
th ePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
and the6 restra int sy stem warning lamp
light up simultaneousl y,the front passenger seat
may not be used. Also in this case, do not fit a
ch ild restra int sy stem tothe front passenger
seat. Ha vethe automatic front passenger airbag
shutoff checked and repaired immediately at a
qu alified specialist workshop.
St atus display
If th e front passenger seat is occupied, ensure,
bo th before and during the journe y,that thest a‐
tus of the front passenger airbag is cor rect for
th e cur rent situation.
Af terfitting a rear wa rd-facing child restra int
sy stem tothe front passenger seat:
PA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF must be lit continu‐
ousl y. &
WARNING Risk of injury or death when
using a rear wa rd-facing child restra int
sy stem while the front passenger airbag
is enabled
If yo u secure a child in a rear wa rd-facing
ch ild restra int sy stem on the front passenger
seat and thePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indi‐
cator lamp is off, the front passenger airbag
can deploy in theev ent of an accident.
The child could be stru ck bythe airbag.
Alw ays ensure that the front passenger air‐
bag is disabled. The PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF indicator lamp must be lit.
NEVER use a rear wa rd-facing child restra int
sy stem on a seat with an ENABLED FRONT
AIRB AG. This can result in the DEAT H of or
SERIOUS INJU RYtotheCH ILD. When
fitting a child restra int sy stem tothe front
passenger seat, obser vetheve hicle-specific
information (/ page 68).
Depending on thech ild restra int sy stem and the
st ature of thech ild, thePA SSENGER AIR BAG
OFF indicator lamp may be off. In this case, do Occupant saf
ety49
Internal use only

not
fit th ere ar wa rd-facing child restra int sy stem
to the front passenger seat.
Ins tead, fit th ere ar wa rd-facing child restra int
sy stem toa suitable rear seat.
Af terfitting a forw ard-facing child restra int
sy stem tothe front passenger seat: depend‐
ing on thech ild restra int sy stem and thest ature
of thech ild, PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF may be lit
continuously or be off. Alw ays obser vethefo l‐
lowing information. &
WARNING Risk of injury or death dueto
incor rect positioning of thefo rw ard-
fa cing child restra int sy stem
If yo u secure a child in a forw ard-facing child
re stra int sy stem on the front passenger seat
th at is positioned too close tothe cockpit, in
th eev ent of an accident, thech ild could:
R come into con tact with th eve hicle inte‐
ri or if thePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indi‐
cator lamp is lit, forex ample
R bestru ck bythe airbag if thePA SSENGER
AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is off. #
Alw ays mo vethe front passenger seat
as far back as possible and fully retract
th e seat cushion length adjustment.
While doing so, alw ays make sure that
th e shoulder belt stra p is cor rectly
ro uted from the seat belt outlet of the
ve hicle tothe shoulder belt guide on
th ech ild restra int sy stem. The shoulder
belt stra p must be routed forw ards and
down wards from the seat belt outlet. If
necessar y,adjust the seat belt outlet
and the front passenger seat accord‐
ingly. #
Alw ays comply with thech ild restra int
sy stem manufacturer's ins tallation
instructions. When
fitting a child restra int sy stem tothe front
passenger seat, obser vetheve hicle-specific
information (/ page 68).
If a person is sitting on the front passenger
seat: PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF may be lit con‐
tinuously or be off, depending on the person's
st ature. A person on
the front passenger seat must
alw ays obser vethefo llowing information:
R Ifth e front passenger seat is occupied byan
adult or a person with a stature cor respond‐
ing tothat of an adult, thePA SSENGER AIR
BA G OFF indicator lamp must be off. This
indicates that the front passenger airbag is
enabled.
If th ePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is lit continuousl y,an adult or person
with a build cor responding tothat of an adult
must not use the front passenger seat.
Ins tead, they should use a rear seat.
R Ifth e front passenger seat is occupied by a
person of smaller stature (e.g. a teenager or
small adult), thePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp is either lit continuously or
re mains off, depending on the classification.
- Ifth ePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is off: mo vethe front passenger
seat as far back as possible, or the per‐
son of smaller stature should use a rear
seat. 50
Occupant saf ety
Internal use only

-
Ifth ePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is lit continuously: the person of
smaller stature should not use the front
passenger seat. &
WARNING Risk of injury or death when
th ePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is lit
If th ePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp remains lit af terth e self-test, the front
passenger airbag is disabled.
If th e front passenger seat is occupied,
alw ays ensure that:
R The classification of the person in the
front passenger seat is cor rect and the
front passenger airbag is enabled or disa‐
bled in accordance with the person in the
front passenger seat.
R The person is sea ted proper lywith a cor‐
re ctly fastened seat belt.
R The front passenger seat has been mo ved
as far back as possible. Be sure
toalso obse rveth efo llowing fur ther
re lated subjects:
R Child restra int sy stem on the front passenger
seat (/ page 68)
R Suitable positioning of thech ild restra int sys‐
te m (/ page57) PRE-SAFE
®
sy stem PRE-
SAFE®
(anticipa tory occupant pr otec‐
tion) PRE-
SAFE®
is able todetect cer tain critical driv‐
ing situations and implement pre-em ptive meas‐
ures toprotect theve hicle occupants.
PRE-SAFE ®
can implement thefo llowing meas‐
ures independently of each other:
R Tightening the seat belts on the driver's seat
and front passenger seat.
R Closing the side windo ws.
R Vehicles with sliding sunroof: closethe
sliding sunroof. R
Vehicles with memory function: movethe
front passenger seat toa more favo urable
seat position.
R Vehicles with multicontour seat: increase
th e air pressure in the seat side bols ters of
th e seat backrest.
R PRE-SAFE ®
Sound: pr ovided that the multi‐
media sy stem is switched on, generates a
brief noise signal tostimulate the innate pro‐
te ctive mechanism of a person's hea ring.
* NO
TEDama gecaused byobjects in the
fo ot we ll or behind the seat The automatic adjustment of
the seat posi‐
tion may result in damage tothe seat and/or
th e object. #
Stow objects in a suitable place. Re
versing the PRE- SAFE®
sy stem measures If an accident did not occur,
the pre-em ptive
measures that we retak en are reve rsed. Occupant saf
ety51
Internal use only

Yo
u will need toper form certain settings your‐
self. #
Ifth e seat belt pre-tensioning is not reduced,
mo vethe seat backrest back slightl y.
The locking mechanism releases. Fu
nction of PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS (anticipatory
occupant pr otection plus) PRE-
SAFE®
PLUS can de tect cer tain impacts,
particular lyan imminent rear impact, and take
pre-em ptive measures toprotect theve hicle
occupants. These measures cannot necessarily
pr eve nt an imminent impact.
PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS can implement thefo llowing
measures independently of each other:
R Tightening the seat belts on the driver's seat
and front passenger seat.
R Activating there ar hazard warning lights at a
higher flashing frequenc y.
R Increasing brake pressure when theve hicle
is stationar y.This brake application is cancel‐
led automatically when theve hicle pulls
aw ay. If an accident did not occur,
the pre-em ptive
measures that we retake n are reve rsed.
Sy stem limits
The sy stem will not initiate any action in thefo l‐
lowing situations:
R when reve rsing
or
R when theve hicle is towing a trailer and there
is a risk of a rear impact
The sy stem will not initiate any braking applica‐
tion in thefo llowing situations:
R whilst driving
or
R when entering or exiting a parking space
while using Active Parking Assist Safely transporting
children in theve hicle Alw
ays obser vewhen children are tr avelling
in theve hicle %
Also strictly obser vethe saf ety no tesfo rthe
specific situation. In this wa yyo u can recog‐ nise po
tential risks and avoid dangers if chil‐
dren are tr avelling in theve hicle
(/ page 53).
Be diligent
Bear in mind that negligence when securing a
ch ild in thech ild restra int sy stem may ha veseri‐
ous consequences. Alw ays be diligent in secur‐
ing a child carefully before everyjou rney.
To impr oveprotection forch ildren younger than
12 years old or under 1.50 m in height,
Mercedes-Benz recommends you obse rvethe
fo llowing information:
R Alw ays secure thech ild in a child restra int
sy stem suitable forth is Mercedes-Benz vehi‐
cle.
R The child restra int sy stem must be appropri‐
ate tothe age, weight and size of thech ild.
R The vehicle seat must be suitable forfitting a
ch ild restra int sy stem (/ page57).
Ac cident statistics show that children secured
on there ar seats are general lysafer than chil‐
dren secured on the front seats. Forth is reason, 52
Occupant saf ety
Internal use only

Mercedes-Benz
stronglyadvises that youfit a
ch ild restra int sy stem toare ar seat.
The generic term ch ildrestra int sy stem
The generic term child restra int sy stem is used
in this Owner's Manual. A child restra int sy stem
is, forex ample:
R a baby car seat
R are ar wa rd-facing child seat
R afo rw ard-facing child seat
R ach ild boos ter seat with a backrest and seat
belt guide
Mercedes-Benz recommends using a child
boos ter seat with a backrest.
The child restra int sy stem must be appropriate
to the age, weight and size of thech ild.
Obser velaws and legal requ irements
Alw ays obser vethe legal requirements when
using a child restra int sy stem in theve hicle.
Make sure that thech ild restra int sy stem is
appr oved in accordance with theva lid test speci‐
fi cations and guidelines. Further information can
be obtained at a qualified specialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you use a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre forth is purpose.
Only use appr oved child restra int sy stems
Only child restra int sy stems that meet thefo l‐
lowing UNECE standards are permit tedfo r use in
th eve hicle:
R UN-R44
R UN-R129 (i-Size child restra int sy stems)
Information on child restra int sy stem appr oval
categories and de tails on the appr oval label on
th ech ild restra int sy stem (/ page57). De
tecting risks, avoiding dan ger Securing sy
stems forch ild restra int sy stems
in theve hicle
Only use thefo llowing securing sy stems forch ild
re stra int sy stems:
R the ISOFIX or i-Size securing rings
R theve hicle's seat belt sy stem
R theTo pTe ther anchorages Fitting an ISOFIX or an i-Size
child restra int sys‐
te m is prefer red.
Simply attaching tothe securing rings on the
ve hicle can reduce therisk of fitting thech ild
re stra int sy stem incor rectly.
When secu ring a child with the integrated seat
belt of the ISOFIX or i-Size child restra int sys‐
te m, alw ays comply with the permissible gross
we ight forth ech ild and child restra int sy stem
(/ page 61).
Ad vantage of a rear wa rd-facing child
re stra int sy stem
It is preferable totranspo rta baby or a small
ch ild in a suitable rear wa rd-facing child restra int
sy stem. In this case, thech ild sits in the oppo‐
site direction tothe direction of tr avel and faces
ba ckwa rds.
Babies and small children ha vecompa ratively
we ak neck muscles in relation tothe size and
we ight of their head. The risk of injury tothe cer‐
vical spine during an accident can be reduced in
a re ar wa rd-facing child restra int sy stem. Occupant saf
ety53
Internal use only