Page 49 of 360

additional protection to that provide
dbythe
seat belt.
Sid eimpac tair bags will not deploy in side
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.
The side impact air bag on the front-
passenger side is not deployed in the
following situations:
R OCS has detected that the front-passenger
seat is unoccupied.
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
001Aenhanc ethe level
of protection for the head, but not chest or
arms, of the vehicle occupant sonthe side of
the vehicle on which the impact occurs.
Window curtain air bags 001Aare integrated
into the side of the roof frame and deployed
in the area from the A-pillar to the C-pillar.
Window curtain air bags are deployed:
R at the start of an accident with ahigh rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, e.g. in aside impact
R on the side on which an impact occurs R
on th edriver' ssidea nd passenger side, in
the event of avehicl erollover and if the
system determine sthat ai rbag deployment
can offer th evehicle occupants additional
protection to that provide dbytheseat belt
R independently of th euse of th eseat belt
R regardless of whether th efront-pa ssenger
seat is occupied
R independently of th efront air bags
Windo wcurtain air bags 001Awill not deploy in
the even tofimpacts which do not exceed the
system's prese tdeployment thresholds for
vehicle acceleration/deceleration .You will
then be protected by the fastened seat belt. Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
Method of operation G
WARNING
If the 000E0013 indicator lamp illuminates
when an adult or someone larger than asmall
individual is in the front-passenger seat, have
the front passenger reposition himself or
herself in the seat until the 000E0013
indicator lamp goes out.
In the event of acollision, 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 atypical 12-
month-old child in astandard 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 atypical
12-month-old child in astandard child
restraint ,the 000E0013 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 is classified as being empty, Occupant safety
47Safety
Z
Page 50 of 360

the
000E0013 indicator lamp will illuminate
when the engine is started and remain
illuminated, indicating tha tthe 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 atypical 12-
month-old child seated in astandar dchild
restraint or as being asmall individual (such
as ayoung teenager or asmall adult), the
000E0013 indicator lamp willi lluminate for
approximatel y6seconds 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 000E0013 indicator lamp
illuminated, the front-passenger fron tair bag
is deactivated. With the 000E0013indicator
lamp out, the front-passenge rfront air bag is
activated.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat occupant is classifie dasan
adult or someone larger than asmall
individual, the 000E0013indicator lamp will
illuminate for approximatel y6seconds when
the engine is started and then go out,
indicating that the front-passenger fron tair
bag is activated.
If the 000E0013 indicator lamp is illuminated,
the front-passenger fron tair bag is
deactivated and will not be deployed.
If the 000E0013 indicator lamp is not
illuminated, the front-passenger fron tair bag
is activate dand will be deployed:
R in the even tofcertain frontal impacts
R if impact exceeds apreset deployment
threshold
R independently of the side impact air bags
If the front-passenge rfront air bag is
deployed, the rate of inflation will be
influenced by:
R the rate of relevant vehicle deceleratio nas
assessed by th eair bag control unit
R thef ront pa ssenger's weigh tcategor yas
identified by OCS G
WARNING
Accordin gtoacciden tstatistics, childre nare
safe rwhen properly restrained on the rear
seats than on the front-passenger seat. Thus,
we strongly recommendt hat 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,t oddler restraint,orb ooster 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 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 appropriately sized infant
restraint,t oddler restraint,orb ooster 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 achild 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
with the weight of astandard appropriate
child restraint on the front-passenger seat.
R Ac hild in arear-facing child restraint on the
front-passenger seat will be seriously
injured or even killed if the front-passenger
front air bag inflates in acollision 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 achild
in ar ear-facing child restraint in the front-
passenger seat. We therefore strongly
recommendt hat you always place achild 48
Occupant safetySafety
Page 51 of 360

in
ar ear-facin gchild restraint on the rear
seat.
R If you install arear-facin gchild restraint on
the front-passenge rseat, make sure the
000E0013 indicator lamp is illuminated,
indicating that the front-passenger fron tair
bag is deactivated. Should the 000E0013
indicator lamp not illuminat eorgoout while
the restraint is installed, please check
installation .Periodically check the
000E0013 indicator lamp while driving to
make sure that the 000E0013indicator
lamp is illuminated. If the 000E0013
indicator lamp goes out or remains out, do
not transport achild on the front-passenger
seat until the system has been repaired.
Ac hild in arear-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 achild in aforward-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 the typical 12-
month-old child, the front-passenger front
air bag may or may not be activated. G
WARNING
If the red 0021SRS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and the 000E0013
indicator lamp light up simultaneously ,the
OCS is malfunctioning. The front passenger
front air bag will be deactivated in this case.
Have the system checked by qualified
technicians as soon as possible. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Ben zCenter.
Only have the seat repaired or replaced at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. In order to ensure proper operation of the air
bag system and OCS:
R
Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R When seated, apassenger should not
position him/herself in such away as to
cause the passenger' sweight to be lifted
from the seat cushion as this may result in
the OCS being unable to correctly
approximat ethe passenger' sweight
category.
R Read and observe all warnings in this
chapter. If the SmartKey is removed from the ignition
lock or is in position 0,PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF indicator lamp 001Adoes not light up.
The Occupant Classification System (OCS)
categorize sthe occupant on the front-
passenge rseat using aweight sensor.
The front-passenger fron tair bag is
deactivated automatically for certain weight
categories.
The PASSENGER AI RBAG OFF indicator lamp
shows yo uthe current status.
The system does not deactivate:
R the side impact ai rbag
R thew indow curtain air bag
R theE me rgency Tensioning Devices Occupant safety
49Safety Z
Page 52 of 360

To be classified correctly, the frontp
assenger
must sit:
R wit hthe seat belt fastened correctly
R in ap ositio nthat 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.
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 PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp as an indication of
whether or not the front passenger is
positioned correctly. Observe also the air bag
displaym essages that can be displayed in the
instrumentc luster (Ypage 219).
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 achild restraint system.
R is occupied by asmall individual, such as a
young teenager or asmall adult.
R is occupied by achild in achild restraint
system whose weight is greater than that
of at ypical twelve montho ld child.
These are examples of when the OCS
deactivates the front-passenger front air bag.
Deactivation takes place although the
collision fulfills the criteria for deploying the
driver's air bag.
For further information ,see "Air bag display
messages" (Y page 219). System self-test G
WARNING
If the 000E0013indicator lamp does not
illuminate, the system is not functioning. You
must contac tanauthorized Mercedes-Benz
Center befor eseatin gany child on the front
passenger seat. G
WARNING
Never place anything betwee nseat cushion
and child seat (e.g. apillow), 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 PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
lights up:
R if you turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock
to position 1or 2
R if an adult is seated properly on the front-
passenger seat and the OCS classifies the
occupant as an adult
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp goes out again after approximately six
seconds.
If the seat is not occupied and the OCS
detects that the front-passenger seat is
empty, the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp will continue to light up. The
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
will not go out.
For further information ,see "Problems with
the Occupant Classification System"
(Y page 51). 50
Occupant safetySafety
Page 53 of 360

Problems with the Occupant Classification System
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
000B Solutions
The PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator
lights up and remains
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 achild The OCS is malfunctioning.
X
Make sure that the front passenger is sittinginac orrect, upright
position.
X Have the OCS checked as soon as possible at aqualified
specialist workshop.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display (Y page 219). G
WARNING
If the 000E0013 indicator lamp illuminates and remains illuminated when the weight of atypical
adult or someone larger than asmall individual has been detected on the passenger seat, do not
allow any occupant to use the passenger seat until the system has been repaired. Problem Possible causes/consequences and
000B Solutions
The PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator
lamp does not light up
and/or stays on.
The front-passenger
seat is:
R
unoccupied
R occupied with the
weight of achild up
to twelve months old
in ac hild restraint
system The OCS is malfunctioning.
X
Make sure there is nothingb etween the seat cushion and the
child seat.
X Make sure that the backrest and base of the child restraint
system are resting securely on the front-passenger seat. If
necessary, adjust the position of the front-passenger seat.
X When installing the child restraint system, make sure that the
seat belt is tight. Do not pull the seat belt tight with the front-
passenger seat adjustment .This could result in the seat belt
being pulledt oo tightly.
X Check the installation of the child restraint system.
X Make sure that no objectsa re applying additionalweight onto
the seat.
X If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp remains off, have
the OCS checked immediatel yataqualified specialist
workshop. Do not transport achild on the front-passenger seat
until the OCS has been repaired.
X Observ ethe additional display messages in the multifunction
display ( Ypage 219). Occupant safety
51Safety Z
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G
WARNING
If the 000E0013 indicator lamp does not illuminate or remains out with the weight of atypical
12-month-old child in astandar dchild restraint or less ,orisunoccupied,ont he front-passenger
seat, do not transport achild on the front-passenger seat until the system has been repaired. Seat belts
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended level
of protection if the backrest is not in the
upright position. When braking or in the event
of an accident, you could slide underneath the
seat belt and sustain abdomen or neck
injuries, for example. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Adjust the seat properly before beginning
your journey. Always make sure that the seat
is in the upright position. G
WARNING
Seat belts cannot protect as intended, if:
R they are damaged, extremely dirty,
bleached or dyed
R the seat belt buckle is damaged or
extremely dirty
R the EmergencyT ensioning Devices or the
belt anchorage has been modified.
Damage caused to seat belts in an accident
may not be visible, e.g. by splinters of glass.
Modified or damaged seat belts can tear or
fail, for example in the event of an accident.
Modified EmergencyT ensioning Devices may
be deployed unintentionally or fail to be
deployed when required. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Never modify seat belts, Emergency
Tensioning Devices, seat belt anchorages and
inertia reels. Ensure that seat belts are not
damaged or worn and are clean.
Only use seat belts that have been approved
for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz. The use of seat belts and infant and child
restraint systems is required by law in:
R
all 50 states
R the U.S. territories
R the DistrictofC olumbia
R all Canadia nprovinces
Even where this is not required by law,a ll
vehicl eoccupants should correctly fasten
their seat belts before starting the journey.
i See "Children in the vehicle"
(Y page5 6) for further information on
infants and children traveling in the vehicle
as wellasonc hild restraint systems.
Proper use of the seat belts G
WARNING
USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY
R Seat belts can only work when used
properly.N ever 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 severit yof
injuries in accidents, including rollovers.
The integrated restraint system includes
SRS (driver fron tair bag, driver's side knee
bag, front-passenge rfront air bag,s ide
impact air bags, windo wcurtain air bagsf or
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,
driver' sside knee bag and ETDs) and side
(sid eimpact air bags, windo wcurtain air 52
Occupant safetySafety
Page 55 of 360

bags, and ETDs) impact
swhich 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 nec koroff yourshoulder.
In af rontal 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.N ever 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
ac rash.
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 alway sfitted
snugly. Take special care of this when
wearing loose clothing.
R Never use aseat belt for more than one
person at atime. Do not fasten aseat belt
around aperson 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 distribut eimpact forces.
The twisted seat belt against yourb ody
could cause injuries.
R Pregnant women should also alwaysu se 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 aposition 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 aseat belt to secure infant
restraints, toddler restraints, or children in
booster seats, alwaysf ollow the child seat
manufacturer' sinstructions. G
WARNING
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 belts 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 recommen dthat 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.
Ac hild'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. Occupant safety
53Safety Z
Page 56 of 360

X
Adjust the sea tand mov ethe backres tto
an almos tvertical position (Y page 92).
X Pull the seat belt smoothly through belt
sash guide 001A.
X Without twisting it, guide the shoulder
section of the seat belt across the middle
of your shoulder and the lap section across
your pelvis.
X Engage belt tongue 0010in buckle 0023.
X If necessary, adjust the seat belt to the
appropriate height (Y page 54).
X If necessary, pull upwards on the shoulder
section of the seat belt to tighten the belt
across your body.
Information on releasing the seat belt with
release button 0021(Ypage 54).
Belt height adjustment You can adjust the seat belt height on the
fron
tseats. Adjust the belt to aheight that
allows the upper part of the seat belt to be
routed across the center of your shoulder.
X To raise: slide the belt sash guide upwards.
The belt sash guide engages in various
positions.
X To lower: press and hold belt sash guide
release 001A.
X Slide the belt sash guide downwards.
X Release belt sash guide release 001Aand
make sure that the belt sash guide has
engaged.
Using the seat belt for the center rear-
compartment seat If the left-hand rear seat backrest is folded
down and back up again, the rear center seat
belt may lock. The seat belt can then not be
pulled out.
X
To release the rear center seat belt: pull
the seat belt out approximately 1in
(25 mm) at the belt outlet on the backrest
and then release it again.
The seat belt is retracted and released.
Releasing seat belts !
Make sure that the seat belt is fully rolled
up. Otherwise, the seat belt or belt tongue
will be trapped in the door or in the seat
mechanism. This could damage the door,
the door trim panel and the seat belt.
Damaged seat belts can no longer fulfill
their protective function and must be
replaced. Visit aqualified specialist
workshop. 54
Occupant safetySafety