2012 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN reset

Window curtain air bags : 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 regardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied
R independently of seat belt use
R if the vehicle overturns and the system
determines that window curtain air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
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 fastened seat belt.
Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
How the Occupant Classification
System works
The Occupant Classification System (OCS)
categorizes the occupant on the front-
passenger seat by means of a weight sensor.
The front-passenger front air bag is
deactivated automatically for certain weight
categories. The 42 indicator
lamp shows you the current status. If the
42 indicator lamp is illuminated,
the front-passenger front air bag is
deactivated.
The system does not deactivate:
R the side impact air bag
R the window curtain air bag
R the Emergency Tensioning Devices
To be classified correctly, the front passenger
must sit:
R with the seat belt fastened correctly
R in a position that is as upright as possible
with their 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 safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use seat
accessories that have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Both the driver and the passenger should
always use the 42 indicator
lamp as an indication of whether or not the
passenger is properly positioned.GWARNING
If the 42 indicator lamp lights up
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 42
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 42 indicator lamp
will illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated, indicating that the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
54Occupant safetySafety

When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat is classified as being empty,
the 42 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
42 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 42 indicator lamp
illuminated, the front-passenger front air bag
is deactivated. With the 42
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 42 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 42 indicator lamp is
illuminated, the front-passenger front air bag
is deactivated and will not be deployed.
If the 42 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 bagsIf 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 OCS
For further information, see "Air bag display
messages" ( Y page 401).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 appropriately sized
child restraint system or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
The infant or child restraint system 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 appropriate 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
Occupant safety55SafetyZ

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 when BAS PLUS intervenes powerfully on
vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS
R if, on vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS, the
radar sensor system detects an imminent
danger of collision in certain situations
R in critical driving situations, e.g. when
physical limits are exceeded 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 the front-passenger seat or the electrically
adjustable outer seats in the rear are
adjusted if they are in an unfavorable
position.
R vehicles with a multicontour seat or active
multicontour seat: the air pressure in the
side bolsters of the seat cushion and
backrest is increased.
R vehicles with multicontour seats in the
rear: the air pressure in the backrest side
bolsters of the outer seats in the rear 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 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 64).
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-
Occupant safety59SafetyZ

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.GWARNING
Seat or head restraint covers can cause a
malfunction when the NECK-PRO head
restraints/NECK PRO luxury head restraints
are activated or when the side impact air bags
are deployed, or they can prevent this
completely. The NECK-PRO head restraints/
NECK PRO luxury head restraints or side
impact air bags can therefore not provide the
intended protection. Do not use any seat or
head restraint covers.
If the NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO
luxury head restraints have been triggered in
an accident, reset the NECK-PRO head
restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
on the driver's and front-passenger seats
( Y page 60). Otherwise, the additional
protection will not be available in the event of
another rear-end collision. NECK-PRO head
restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
that have been triggered are moved forwards
and can no longer be adjusted.
GWARNING
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint so that it is as close
to the head as possible and the center of the
head restraint supports the back of the head
at eye level. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of an
accident or similar situation.
Resetting triggered NECK-PRO head
restraints
Important safety notes
GWARNING
For reasons of safety, have the NECK-PRO
head restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head
restraints checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center after a rear-end
collision.GWARNING
When pushing back the NECK-PRO head
restraint cushion, make sure your fingers do
not become caught between the head
restraint cushion and the cover. Failure to
observe this could result in injuries.
NECK-PRO head restraints
i Resetting the NECK-PRO head restraints
requires a lot of strength. If you have
difficulty resetting the NECK-PRO head
restraints, have this work carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
XPress the base of the NECK-PRO head
restraint cushion back in the direction of
arrow ; as far as it will go.XPush the NECK-PRO head restraint cushion
down into the guide in the direction of
arrow = as far as it will go.XFirmly fold the NECK-PRO head restraint
cushion back 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
60Occupant safetySafety

workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.XRemove resetting tool : from the vehicle
tool kit in the trunk.XSlide resetting tool : into guide ;
between the NECK-PRO luxury head
restraint 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 the NECK-PRO luxury head
restraint cushion back = until it engages.XRepeat this procedure for the second
NECK-PRO luxury head restraint.XPut resetting tool : back into the vehicle
tool kit.
Seat belts
Important 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 when the vehicle is in motion.
i For further information on infants and
children traveling in the vehicle and on
infant and child restraint systems, see
"Children in the vehicle" ( Y page 66).
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.
In the same crash, the possibility of injury or
death is lessened if you are properly wearing
your seat belt. The air bags can only protect
as intended if the occupants are properly
wearing their seat belts.
GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
Damaged seat belts or seat belts that have
been subjected to stress in an accident must
Occupant safety61SafetyZ

be replaced and their anchoring points must
also 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.
Correct use of the seat beltsGWARNING
USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY
R Seat belts can only work 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 the
event 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, front-passenger
front air bag, side impact air bags, window
curtain air bags for the side windows),
Emergency Tensioning Devices, 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
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, across 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.
R Position 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. Always62Occupant safetySafety

XMake sure that all the side windows and the
sliding sunroof or panorama roof with
power tilt/sliding panel are closed.XTo interrupt convenience closing:
release recessed sensor surface : on the
door handle.
On vehicles with roller sunblinds:
XTouch the recessed sensor surface on the
door handle again until the roller sunblinds
close.XTo interrupt the roller sunblind closing
procedure: pull the exterior door handle
and hold it firmly.
Resetting the side windows
You must reset each side window if:
R a side window cannot be closed
automatically
R a side window opens again slightly after
being closed manually
XClose all the doors.XTurn the SmartKey to position 1 or 2 in the
ignition lock.XPull the corresponding switch on the door
control panel until the side window is
completely closed. ( Y page 96)XHold the switch for an additional second.
If the side window opens again slightly:
XImmediately pull the corresponding switch
on the door control panel until the side
window is completely closed ( Y page 96).XHold the switch for an additional second.XIf the corresponding side window remains
closed after the button has been released,
the side window has been reset correctly.
If this is not the case, repeat the steps
above again.Problems with the side windows
Problem: a side window cannot be closed
because it is blocked by objects, e.g.
leaves in the window guide.XRemove the objects.XClose the side window.
Problem: a side window cannot be closed
and you cannot see the cause.
GWARNING
Closing the side windows with increased force
or without the anti-entrapment feature could
lead to serious or even fatal injury. Make sure
that nobody can become trapped when
closing the side windows.
If a side window is obstructed during closing
and reopens again slightly:
XImmediately after the window blocks, pull
the corresponding switch again until the
side window has closed.
The side window is closed with increased
force.
If a side window is obstructed again during
closing and reopens again slightly:
XImmediately after the window blocks, pull
the corresponding switch again until the
side window has closed.
The side window is closed without the anti-
entrapment feature.GWARNING
Pulling and holding the switch to close the
door window immediately after it had been
blocked two times will cause the door window
to close without the anti-entrapment feature
for as long as you hold the switch.
Sliding sunroof
Important safety notes
Your vehicle may be equipped with a sliding
sunroof or a panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel. In the following section, the
98Sliding sunroofOpening/closing

The automatic raising feature is available
only when the sliding sunroof is closed.
The automatic opening feature is available
only when the sliding sunroof is not raised.
The sun protection cover automatically opens
along with the sliding sunroof. You can open
or close the sun protection cover manually
when the sliding sunroof is raised or closed.
Resetting
Reset the sliding sunroof if it does not move
smoothly.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XRaise the sliding sunroof fully at the rear
( Y page 99).XKeep the 3 switch pressed for another
second.XMake sure that the sliding sunroof can be
fully opened and closed again (Y page 99).XIf this is not the case, repeat the steps
above again.
! If the sliding sunroof still cannot be
opened or closed fully after resetting,
contact a qualified specialist workshop.
Operating the panorama roof with
power tilt/sliding panel
Opening and closing
Overhead control panel
:To raise;To open=To close/lower
The panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel can only be operated when the roller
sunblind is open.
i If the front roller sunblind is closed, it
opens first when the panorama roof with
power tilt/sliding panel is raised.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 1 or 2 in the
ignition lock.XPush or pull the 3 switch in the
corresponding direction.
i If you press the 3 switch beyond the
point of resistance, an automatic opening/
closing process is started in the
corresponding direction. You can stop
automatic operation by operating the
switch again.
Operating the roller sunblinds for the
panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel
General notes
The roller sunblinds shield the vehicle interior
from sunlight. The front roller sunblind can
only be opened and closed when the
100Sliding sunroofOpening/closing