2012 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-Class Page 1

Overhead control panelFunctionPage:u Switches the rear
interior lighting on/off
111
;| Switches the
automatic interior lighting
control on/off
111
=p Switches the right-
hand reading lamp on/off
111
?ï Button for MB Info call
(mbrace system)
271
A3 Opens/closes the
sliding sunroof
89
BG SOS button (mbrace
system)
269
CRear-view mirror101FunctionPageDIntegrated electronic
compass
277
EButtons for the garage door
opener
274
FMicrophone for mbrace
(emergency call system),
telephone and the Voice
Control System 2GF
Roadside Assistance
button (mbrace system)
270
Hp Switches the left-
hand reading lamp on/off
111
Ic Switches the front
interior lighting on/off
1112 Observe the additional operating instructions.Overhead control panel33At a glance

Door control panelFunctionPage:r45=
Stores settings for the seat,
exterior mirrors and
steering wheel
102
;Adjusts the seat electrically94=%& Unlocks/locks
the vehicle
80
?Opens the door80A7 Zö\
Adjusts and folds the
exterior mirrors in/out
electrically
100
BW Opens/closes the
side windows
86
Cn Activates/
deactivates the override
feature for the side
windows in the rear
compartment
59
Do Opens the trunk lid8434Door control panelAt a glance

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops ( Y page 22).
Occupant safety
Overview of occupant safety
In this section, you will learn the most
important facts about the restraint system
components of the vehicle.
The restraint system consists of:
R seat belts
R child restraint systems
R LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat anchors
Additional protection is provided by:
R SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
R NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO
luxury head restraints
R PRE-SAFE ®
R Air bag system components with:
- PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
- front-passenger seat with Occupant
Classification System (OCS)
The different air bag systems work
independently of each other. The protective
functions of the system work in conjunction
with each other. Not all air bags are deployed
in an accident.
GWARNING
Modifications to or work improperly
conducted on restraint system components
or their wiring, as well as tampering with
interconnected electronic systems, can lead
to the restraint systems no longer functioning
as intended.
Air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices
(ETDs), for example, could deploy
inadvertently or fail to deploy in accidents
although the deceleration threshold for air
bag deployment is exceeded. Therefore,
never modify the restraint systems. Do not
tamper with electronic components or their
software.
i See "Children in the vehicle"
( Y page 55) for more information on
infants and children traveling with you in
the vehicle and restraints for infants and
children.
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Introduction
SRS consists of:
R the 6 SRS warning lamp
R air bags
R air bag control unit (with crash sensors)
R Emergency Tensioning Devices
R belt force limiters
SRS reduces the risk of occupants coming
into contact with the vehicle's interior in the
event of an accident. It can also reduce the
effect of the forces to which occupants are
subjected during an accident.
SRS warning lamps
SRS functions are checked regularly when
you switch on the ignition and when the
engine is running. Therefore, malfunctions
can be detected in good time.
The 6 SRS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out no later than a few seconds
after the engine is started.
36Occupant safetySafety

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
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 front air
bag ; deploys in front of and above the glove
box.
They 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 if the seat belt is fastened
R independently 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. In the first deployment stage,
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.
The deployment of the front-passenger front
air bag is also influenced by the weight
category of the front passenger, which is
determined by the Occupant Classification
System (OCS) ( Y page 43).
The lighter the passenger side occupant, the
higher the vehicle deceleration rate required
(predicted at the start of the impact) 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.
The front air bags are not deployed in
situations where a low impact severity is
predicted. You will then be protected by the
fastened seat belt.
The front-passenger front air bag will only
deploy if:
R the system, based on the OCS weight
sensor readings, detects that the front-
passenger seat is occupied.
R the 45 indicator lamp in the center
console is not lit, ( Y page 43).
R the air bag control unit predicts a high
impact severity.
Knee bagsGWARNING
Observe "Important safety notes"
( Y page 38).
40Occupant safetySafety

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
started and then, depending on occupant
weight sensor readings from the front-
passenger seat, 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 6 seconds when
the engine is started and then go out,
indicating that the front-passenger front air
bag is activated.
If the 45 indicator lamp is illuminated,
the front-passenger front air bag and the
front-passenger knee bag are deactivated and
will not be deployed.
If the 45 indicator lamp is not
illuminated, the front-passenger front air bag
and the front-passenger knee bag are
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 bag or
pelvis air bag
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 OCS
For further information, see "Air bag display
messages" ( Y page 223).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 ISOFIX
child seat retaining loops and Top Tether
strap, fully in accordance with the infant or
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 if it
is necessary to carry a child on the front-
passenger seat:
R Your vehicle is equipped with air bag
technology designed to deactivate the
front-passenger front air bag and the front-
passenger knee 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-
44Occupant safetySafety

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.
System self-test
The 45 indicator lamp illuminates
when you:
R turn the SmartKey to position 1 or 2 in the
ignition lock
R on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, press the
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 45 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 45 indicator lamp
will illuminate and not go out.
GWARNING
If the 4 5 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

Problems with the occupant classification systemProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsThe 45
indicator lamp
illuminates and
remains illuminated.
The person on the
front-passenger seat:
R has the weight of a
typical adult
R has been determined
by the system not to
be a child.The OCS is malfunctioning.XHave the OCS checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display ( Y page 223).GWARNING
If the 45 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, do not
allow any occupant to use the passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsThe 45
indicator lamp does not
illuminate and/or does
not remain illuminated.
The front-passenger
seat is:
R unoccupied
R occupied with a
weight up to or less
than a typical 12-
month-old child in a
standard child
restraint systemThe 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 that no objects are applying additional weight onto
the seat.XIf the 45 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 as long as the OCS is not functioning.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display ( Y page 223).GWARNING
If the 45 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.
Occupant safety47SafetyZ

PRE-SAFE®
(preventative occupant
protection)GWARNING
The PRE-SAFE ®
system reduces the impact of
an accident on vehicle occupants, as long as
their seat belts have been fastened correctly.
Although your vehicle is equipped with a PRE-
SAFE ®
system, the possibility of injury in the
event of an accident cannot be ruled out. You
should therefore always drive carefully and
adapt your driving style to the prevailing road,
weather and traffic conditions.
PRE-SAFE ®
takes preemptive measures to
protect occupants in certain hazardous
situations.
PRE-SAFE ®
intervenes:
R in emergency braking situations, e.g. if BAS
is activated or, in vehicles with DISTRONIC
PLUS, BAS PLUS intervenes powerfully
R if the radar sensor system detects an
imminent danger of collision in certain
situations (on vehicles with DISTRONIC
PLUS)
R in critical driving situations, e.g. when
physical limits are exceed and the vehicle
understeers or oversteers severely
PRE-SAFE ®
takes the following measures
depending on the hazardous situation
detected:
R the front seat belts are pre-tensioned.
R it adjusts the front-passenger seat if it is in
an unfavorable position.
R vehicles with a multicontour seat or an
active multicontour seat: the air pressure
in the side bolsters on the seat cushion and
the side bolsters on the backrest is
increased.
R if the vehicle skids, the sliding sunroof/
panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel and the side windows are closed so
that only a small gap remains.
If the hazardous situation passes without
resulting in an accident, PRE-SAFE ®
slackens
the belt pretensioning. The air pressure in the
side bolsters on the multicontour seat/active
multicontour seat is reduced again. All
settings made by PRE-SAFE ®
can then be
reversed.
If the seat belts are not released:XMove the backrest or seat back slightly, but
only when the vehicle is stationary.
The belt pretensioning is reduced and the
locking mechanism is released.GWARNING
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
as you adjust the seat.
! Make sure that there are no objects in the
footwell or behind the seats when resetting
the seats. There is a risk that the seats
and/or the objects could be damaged.
More information about seat-belt
adjustment, a convenience function
integrated into PRE-SAFE ®
, can be found in
the "Seat-belt adjustment" section
( Y page 53).
NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-
PRO luxury head restraints
NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO luxury
head restraints increase protection of the
driver's and front-passenger's head and
neck. In the event of a rear collision of a
certain severity, the NECK-PRO head
restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
on the driver's and front-passenger seats are
moved forwards and upwards. This provides
better head support.
GWARNING
Do not attach any objects (e.g. a coat hanger)
to the NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO
luxury head restraints. Otherwise, the NECK-
PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head
restraints may not function properly and in
the event of a rear-end collision may not offer
the protection they are designed to provide.
48Occupant safetySafety