2013 MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS FAMILY TOURER warning

If you sell yourv
ehicle, it is important that you
make the buyer aware of this safety
information. Be sure to give the buyer this
Operator's Manual. G
WARNING
Accident research shows that the safest place
for children in an automobile is in a rear seat.
As ide impact air bag related injury may occur
if occupants, especially children, are not
properly seated or restraine dwhen 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.
If the air bags are deployed, you will hear a
bang, and a small amount of powder may also
be released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that is
released generally does not constitute a
health hazard. The +SRS warning lamp
lights up.
The air bags are deployed if the air bag control
unit detects the need for deployment.O nly in
the event of such a situatio nwill the air bags
provide their supplemental protection.
If the drive rand front passenge rdo not wear
their seat belts, 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, the air bags will not deploy. The
driver and passengers will then be protected
to the extentp ossible by a properly fastened
seat belt. Aproperly fastened seat belti s alsoneeded to provide the best possible
protection in a rollover.
Air bags provide additional protection; they
are not, however, a substitute for seat belts.
All vehicle occupants must fasten their seat
belts regardless of whether your vehicle is
equipped with air bags or not.
It is important for your safety and that of your
passengers 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
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.
The front air bags increase protection for the
driver's and front-passenger's head and
chest.
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 depending on whether the seat belt is being
used
R independently of other air bags in the
vehicle
If the vehicle overturns, the front air bags are
generally not deployed. If the system detects 44
Occupant safetySafety

high vehicle deceleration in
alongitudinal
direction, the front air bags are deployed.
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 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 46).
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.
Front-passenger front air bag ;will only
deploy if:
R the system, based on the OCS weight
sensor readings, has detected that the
front-passenger seat is occupied.
R the 42 indicator lamp on the
center console is not lit (Y page 46).
R the air bag control unit predicts a high
impact severity.
Side impact air bags G
WARNING
Only use seat covers which have been tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz for your
vehicle model. Using other seat covers may
interfere with or prevent the deployment of
the side impact air bags. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
availability.
G
WARNING
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. Fronts
ide impac tair bags :and side impact
air bags in the 2nd row of seats ;inflate next
to the outer seat cushion.
When deployed, the side impac tair bags offer
additional protection for the thorax of the
vehicle occupants on the side of the vehicle
on which the impac toccurs .However, they
do not protect the:
R head
R neck
R arms
The side impact 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 aside impact Occupant safety
45Safety Z

R
regardless of whethe rthe seat belt on the
driver's seat and the outer seats of the 2nd
row of seats is used
R independently of the front air bags
R independently of the ETDs
If the vehicle rolls over, the side impact air
bags are generally not deployed. side impact
air bags are deployed if the system detects
high vehicle deceleration or acceleration in a
lateral direction, or also if the vehicle rolls
over, and the system determines that side
impact air bag deployment can offer
additional protection to that provided by the
seat belt.
Side impact air 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.
The side impact air bag on the front-
passenger side is not deployed in the
following situations:
R the OCS system detects that the front-
passenger seat is not occupied, and
R the front-passenger seat belt is not
fastened.
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.
Window curtain air bags 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 side window (D-pillar).
Window curtain air bags are deployed:
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, e.g. in aside impact
R on the side on which an impac toccurs
R on the driver's side and passenger side, in
the event of a vehicle rollover and if the
system determines that ai rbag deployment
can offer the vehicle occupants additional
protection to that provided by the seat belt
R independently of the use of the seat belt
R regardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied
R independently of the fron tair bags
Window curtain air bags will not deploy in
impacts which do not exceed the system's
prese tdeployment thresholds for lateral
acceleration/deceleration .You will then be
protected by the fastened seat belt. Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
Method of operation G
WARNING
If the 42 indicator lamp
illuminates 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,
or check whether objectsa re caught under or
around the seat.
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 46
Occupant safetySafety

front passenger seato
ccupant as weighing as
much as or less than a typical 12-month-old
child in a standard child restraint or if the front
passenger sea tis 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. 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 42 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 astandard child
restraint or as being a small individual (such
as a young teenager or asmall adult), the
42 indicator lamp will illuminate
for approximately 6seconds when the engine
is started. Depending on occupant weight
sensor readings from the seat, it will then
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 six seconds
when the engine is started and then go out.
This indicates that the fron tpassenger front
air bag is activated.
If the 42 indicator lamp is
illuminated, the fron tpassenger fron tair bag
is deactivated and will not be deployed. If the
24 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 independently of the side impact air bags
If the front passenger front air bag is
deployed, the rate of inflation will be
influenced by
R the rate of vehicle deceleratio nas assessed
by the air bag control unit
R the front passenger's weight category as
identified by the OCS G
WARNING
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. Occupant safety
47Safety
Z

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 fronta ir 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-passenge rseat.
R Ac hild 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
42 indicator lamp is
illuminated, indicating that the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
Should the 42 indicator lamp
not illuminate or go out while the restraint
is installed, please check installation.
Periodically check the 42
indicator lamp while driving to make sure
the 42 indicator lamp is
illuminated. If the 42indicator
lamp goes out or remains out, do not
transport a child on the front-passenger
seat until the system has been repaired.
Ac hild 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 a typical 12-month-
old child, the front-passenger front air bag
can be activated or deactivated. G
WARNING
If the red +SRS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and the 42
indicator lamp light up simultaneously, OCS is
malfunctioning. The front-passenger air bag is
deactivated in this case. Have the system
checked as soon as possible by qualified
technicians. Consult an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
Only have the seat repaired at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
In order to ensure correct operation of the air
bag system and OCS:
R do not place any objects with a total weight
of more than 4.4 lb (2kg) in the parcel net
on the back of the front-passenger seat.
OC Sm ay otherwise be unable to correctly
assess the occupant's weigh tcategory.
R do no tplace any object sunde rorn ear the
front-passenger seat.
R do not hang or fasten any objects on the
seats.
R do not store any objects, such as books,
between the front-passenger seat and the
center console or the front-passenger door.
R do not slide the front-passenger seat
backwards against any hard objects.
R sit with the seat belt fastened correctly and
in a position that is as upright as possible
with your back against the backrest. 48
Occupant safetySafety

R
while seated, an occupant should not
position him/herself in such a way as to
cause the occupant's weight to be lifted
fro mt he seat cushion as this may result in
the OCS being unable to correctly
approximate the occupant's weight
category.
R read and observe all warnings in this
section. If the SmartKey has been removed from the
ignition lock or is in position
0,
42 indicator lamp:does not
light up.
The Occupant Classification System (OCS)
categorizes the occupant on the front-
passenger seat using a weight sensor. The
front-passenger front air bag is deactivated
automatically for certain weight categories.
42 indicator lamp:shows you
the current status. If
42 indicator lamp:lights up,
the front-passenger air bag is disabled.
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 The OCS weight sensor reading is affected if
the occupant's weight is transferred, e.g. by
leaning on the armrest.
In addition, the occupant weight may appear
to increase or decrease due to the following:
R
objects hanging on the seat
R objects lodged underneath the seat
R objects lodged between the seat and the
center console
R objects lodged between the seat and the
door
R other passengers exerting weight on the
seat
R objects applying pressure to the back of
the seat
Make sure that the seat always has clearance
in all directions.
If the front-passenger seat, the seat cover or
the seat cushion are damaged, have the
necessary repair work carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use seat
accessories that have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Both the driver and the front passenger
should always observe the 42
indicator lamp to determine whether or not
the front passenger is positioned correctly.
Also observe the air bag display messages,
which appearint he instrumentcluster
(Y page 220).
If the driver's air bag deploys, this does not
mean that the front-passenger front air bag
will also deploy.
The OCS may have detected that the seat:
R is empty or occupied by the weight of a
typical child up to twelve months old,
seated in a child restraint system
R is occupied by a small individual, such as a
young teenager or a small adult
R is occupied by a child in a child restraint
system whose weight is greater than that
of a typical twelve month old child. Occupant safety
49Safety Z

These are examples of when the OCS
deactivates the front-passenger fronta
ir bag.
Deactivation takes place although the
collision fulfills the criteria for deploying the
driver's air bag.
System self-test G
WARNING
If the 42indicator lamp does
not illuminate, the system is not functioning.
You must contac tanauthorized Mercedes-
Benz Center before seating any child on the
fron tpassenger seat. G
WARNING
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.
The 42 indicator lamp lights up:
R if you turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock
to position 1or 2
R if you press the KEYLESS-GO Start/Stop
button once or twice on vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO
R if an adulti s seated properly on the front-
passenger seat and the OCS classifies the
occupant as an adult
The 42 indicator lamp goes
out after approximately six seconds.
If the seat is not occupied and the OCS
detects that the front-passenger seat is
empty, the 42 indicator lamp
will continue to light up. The 42
indicator lamp will not go
out.
For more information aboutt he OCS, see
"Problems with the Occupant Classification
System" (Y page 51). 50
Occupant safetySafety

Problems with the Occupant Classification System
G
WARNING
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. G
WARNING
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. Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The
42
indicator lamp lights up
and stays on.
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.
X
Have the OCS checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop.
X Observe the additional messages in the multifunction display
(Y page 220). Occupant safety
51Safety Z