2014 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SALOON airbag off

Deployment of belt tensioners and air-
bags
Important safety notes G
WARNING
After the airbag deploys, the airbag parts are
hot. There is a risk of injury.
Do not touch the airbag parts. Have a
deployed airbag replaced at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop as soon as possible. G
WARNING
Pyrotechnic seat belt tensioners that have
been deployed are no longer operational and
are unable to perform their intended protec-
tive function. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
Therefore, have pyrotechnic belt tensioners
which have been triggered immediately
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
the vehicle towed to a qualified specialist
workshop after an accident. Take this into
account, particularly if a seat belt tensioner
was triggered or an airbag was deployed.
An electric motor is used by PRE-SAFE ®
to
trigger the tightening of the seat belt in haz-
ardous situations. This procedure is reversi-
ble.
If the belt tensioners are triggered or an air-
bag is deployed, you will hear a bang, and a
small amount of powder may also be
released. The 6restraint system warning
lamp lights up.
Only in rare cases will the bang affect your
hearing. In general, the powder released is
not hazardous to health but may cause short- term breathing difficulties to persons suffer-
ing from asthma or other pulmonary condi-
tions. Provided it is safe to do so, you should
leave the vehicle immediately or open the
window in order to prevent breathing difficul- ties. Operation During the first stage of a collision, the
restraint system control unit evaluates impor- tant physical data relating to vehicle deceler-
ation or acceleration, such as:
R duration
R direction
R intensity
Based on the evaluation of this data, the
restraint system control unit triggers the seat
belt tensioners in the event of a head-on or
rear collision.
A seat belt tensioner can only be triggered if:
R the ignition is switched on
R the components of the restraint system are
operational; see "Restraint system warning
lamp" (Y page 45)
R the belt tongue has engaged in the belt
buckle of the respective front seat
The seat belt tensioners in the rear compart-
ment are triggered independently of the lock
status of the seat belts.
If the restraint system control unit detects a
high severity of an accident, in certain head-
on collisions, additional components of the
restraint system are deployed independently
of each another:
R front airbags and driver's kneebag
R windowbag, if the system determines that
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
On vehicles with the automatic front-
passenger front airbag deactivation system:
depending on the person in the front-
passenger seat, the front-passenger front air-
bag is either disabled or enabled. The front-
passenger front airbag can only be deployed
in an accident if the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp is lit. Observe the information
on the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps
(Y page 46).
Your vehicle has two-stage front airbags. In
the first deployment stage, the front airbag is
filled with propellant gas to reduce the risk of 60
Occupant safetySafety

injuries. The front airbag is fully deployed if
the second deployment stage is activated
within a few milliseconds.
The activation threshold for the seat belt ten-
sioners and airbags is determined based on
the evaluation of the vehicle's rate of decel-
eration or acceleration at various points in the vehicle. This process is pre-emptive in nature.The triggering/deployment process should
take place in good time at the start of the
collision.
The rate of vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion and the direction of the force are essen-
tially determined by:
R the distribution of forces during the colli-
sion
R the collision angle
R the deformation characteristics of the vehi-
cle
R the characteristics of the object with which
the vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after a collision has occurred do not play a
decisive role in the deployment of an airbag,
nor do they provide an indication of airbag
deployment.
The vehicle may be deformed significantly
without an airbag being deployed. This is the
case if only parts which are relatively easily
deformed are affected and the rate of decel-
eration is not high. Conversely, an airbag may be deployed even though the vehicle suffers
only minor deformation. This is the case if, for
example, very rigid vehicle parts such as lon-
gitudinal body members are hit, and sufficient deceleration occurs as a result. If the restraint system control unit detects a
side impact or if the vehicle overturns, the
applicable components of the restraint sys-
tem are activated independently of each
other depending on the apparent type of acci-
dent. If the system determines that, in this
situation, triggering can offer additional pro-
tection, the seat belt tensioners are also trig-
gered.
R Sidebags on the side on which an impact
occurs, independent from the seat belt ten-
sioner and seat belt usage
Vehicles with the automatic front-
passenger front airbag deactivation sys-
tem: the sidebag on the front-passenger
side (front) deploys under the following
conditions:
- an occupant is detected on the front-
passenger seat or
- the belt tongue is engaged in the belt
buckle of the front-passenger seat
R Windowbag on the side on which an impact
occurs, independent of seat belt usage and
regardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied
R Windowbags on the driver's and front-
passenger side in certain situations if the
vehicle overturns and if the system deter-
mines that deployment can offer additional
protection to that provided by the seat belt
i Not all airbags are deployed in an acci-
dent. The different airbag systems work
independently of each other.
How the airbag system works is deter-
mined by the severity of the accident detec-
ted, especially the vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, and the apparent type of acci- dent:
R frontal collision
R side impact
R overturn Occupant safety
61Safety Z

Function
PRE-SAFE
®
PLUS intervenes in certain situa-
tions if the radar sensor system detects an
imminent head-on or rear-end collision.
PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS takes the following meas-
ures depending on the hazardous situation
detected:
R If the radar sensor system detects that a
head-on collision is imminent, the seat
belts are pre-tensioned.
R If the radar sensor system detects that a
rear-end collision is imminent:
- the rear hazard warning lamps are acti-
vated and flash at a higher frequency.
- the brake pressure is increased if the
driver applies the brakes when the vehi-
cle is stationary.
- the seat belts are pre-tensioned.
The PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS braking application is
cancelled:
R if the accelerator pedal is depressed when
a gear is engaged
R if the risk of a collision passes or is no lon-
ger detected
R if DISTRONIC PLUS indicates an intention
to pull away
If the hazardous situation passes without
resulting in an accident, the original settings
are restored. Automatic measures after an acci-
dent
Immediately after an accident, the following
measures are implemented, depending on
the type and severity of the impact:
R the hazard warning lamps are activated
R the emergency lighting is activated
R the vehicle doors are unlocked
R the front side windows are lowered
R vehicles with a memory function: the elec-
trically adjustable steering wheel is raised
R the engine is switched off R
vehicles with the Mercedes-Benz emer-
gency call system: automatic emergency
call
R vehicles with the hybrid drive system: the
hybrid system is deactivated Children in the vehicle
Important safety notes
Accident statistics show that children
secured in the rear seats are safer than chil-
dren secured in the front-passenger seat. For this reason, Mercedes-Benz strongly advises
that you install a child restraint system on a
rear seat. Children are generally better pro-
tected there.
If a child younger than 12 years old and under 1.50 m in height is travelling in the vehicle:
R always secure the child in a child restraint
system suitable for Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cles. The child restraint system must be
appropriate to the age, weight and size of
the child
R be sure to observe the instructions and
safety notes in this section in addition to
the child restraint system manufacturer's
installation instructions
R always pay attention to the instructions
and safety notes on the automatic front-
passenger front airbag deactivation system
(Y page 54) G
WARNING
If you leave children unattended in the vehi-
cle, they may be able to set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake
R shift the automatic transmission out of park
position Por shift manual transmission into
neutral
R start the engine
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury. Children in the vehicle
63Safety
Z

Vehicles with the automatic front-passenger
front airbag deactivation system: if it is abso- lutely necessary to fit a child restraint systemto the front-passenger seat, always observe
the information on "Automatic front-
passenger front airbag deactivation system"
(Y page 54).
You can thus avoid the risks that could arise
as a result of:
R a child restraint system that is not detected
by the automatic front-passenger front air- bag deactivation system
R the unintentional disabling of the front-
passenger front airbag
R the unsuitable positioning of the child
restraint system, e.g. too close to the dash-
board Please observe the warning notice on the
front-passenger sun visor, see the illustra-
tion. G
WARNING
If you secure a child on the co-driver's seat in a rearward-facing child restraint system and
the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp
lights up, the co-driver's airbag could be
deployed in the event of an accident. The childcould be struck by the airbag. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
In this case, always ensure that the co-driver's
airbag is disabled. The PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF indicator lamp must light up.
NEVER use a rearward facing child restraint
on a seat protected by an ACTIVE AIRBAG in front of it, DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the
CHILD can occur.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp
is lit, the front-passenger front airbag is ena-
bled (Y page 46).
Vehicles without the automatic front-
passenger front airbag deactivation
system If the front-passenger seat of your vehicle is
not equipped with the automatic front-
passenger front airbag deactivation system,
this is indicated by a special sticker. The
sticker is affixed to the side of the dashboard
on the front-passenger side. The sticker is
visible when you open the front-passenger
door.
In this case, always fit the rearward-facing
child restraint system to a suitable rear seat
(Y page 68).
Observe the following information under
"Rearward-facing child restraint system" and
"Forward-facing child restraint system" as
well as information on the suitable position-
ing of the child restraint system
(Y page 68).
Rearward-facing child restraint system If it is absolutely necessary to fit a rearward-
facing child restraint system to the front-
passenger seat, always make sure that the
front-passenger front airbag is disabled. Only
if the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is permanently lit (Y page 46) is the
front-passenger front airbag disabled. Children in the vehicle
67Safety Z

guide on the child restraint system
(Y
page 68).
X Move the front-passenger seat as far back
as possible and fully retract the seat cush-
ion length.
X Move the backrest to an almost vertical
position.
The entire base of the child restraint sys-
tem must always rest on the seat cushion of the front-passenger seat. The backrest of
the forward-facing child restraint system
must, as far as possible, be resting on the
backrest of the front-passenger seat. The
child restraint system must not touch the
roof or be put under strain by the head
restraint. Adjust the angle of the seat back- rest and the head restraint position accord-
ingly. Also observe the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
X Move the seat cushion angle to the highest,
most vertical position.
Suitability of the seats for attaching
belt-secured child restraint systems If you use a baby car seat of category 0 or 0+
or a rearward-facing child restraint system of category I on a rear seat, you must adjust the
driver's or front-passenger seat so that the
seat does not touch the child restraint sys-
tem.
If you use a forward-facing child restraint sys-
tem from category I, you must, where possi- ble, dismantle the head restraint of the
respective seat (Y page 122). The backrest of
the child restraint system must, as far as pos- sible, lie flat against the backrest of the seat.
Always observe the notes in the "Child
restraint system" section (Y page 64) and the
child restraint system manufacturer's instal-
lation instructions.
When you remove the child restraint system,
you must immediately replace the head
restraint (Y page 121). All vehicle occupants
must adjust their head restraints correctly
before beginning the journey. Legend for the table:
XS
eat which is unsuitable for children in
this weight category
US uitable for child restraint systems in the
"Universal" category that are approved
for use in this weight category
UF Suitable for forward-facing child restraint systems that belong to the "Uni-
versal" category and are approved for
use in this weight category
LS uitable for child restraint systems as
recommended; see the table "Recom-
mended child restraint systems"
(Y page 71). Suitable for semi-univer-
sal child restraint systems if the vehicle
and the seat are listed in the child
restraint system manufacturer's vehicle
model list.
(▲) The vehicle is equipped with automatic front-passenger front airbag deactiva-
tion. The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indi-
cator lamp must be lit.
(♦) Child restraint systems with a supporting bracket are not suitable for this seat.
Front-passenger seat Weight cat-
egories The front-
passenger
front air-
bag is ena-
bled. The front-
passenger
front air-
bag is disa-
bled. (▲)
Category 0:
up to 10 kg X U, L
Category
0+: up to
13 kg
X U, L
Category I:
9 to 18 kg
UF, L U, L
Category II:
15 to 25 kg U, L U, L
Category
III: 22 to
36 kg
U, L U, LChildren in the vehicle
69Safety Z

The seat belt should:
R fit snugly across your body
R be routed across the middle of your shoul-
der
R be routed across your hips in the pelvic
area
X Before starting off, adjust the rear-view mir-
ror and the exterior mirrors so that you
have a good view of the road and traffic
conditions (Y page 128).
X Vehicles with memory function: you can
store the seat, steering wheel, exterior mir-
ror and head-up display settings with the
memory function (Y page 131). Seats
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If children adjust the seats, they could
become trapped, especially if they are unat-
tended. There is a risk of injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave
children unattended in the vehicle.
The seats can still be adjusted when there is
no key in the ignition lock. G
WARNING
When adjusting a seat, you or another vehicle occupant could become trapped by the guiderail of the seat, for instance. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure that no one has any part of their
body within the sweep of the seat when
adjusting it.
Observe the safety notes on "Airbags"
(Y page 51) and "Children in the Vehicle"
(Y page 63). G
WARNING
If the driver's seat is not engaged, it can move unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion. This could cause you to lose control of the
vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Always make sure that the driver's seat is
engaged before starting the engine.
G
WARNING
You could lose control of the vehicle while
driving if you:
R adjust the driver's seat, steering wheel or
mirrors
R fasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirrors and fasten your seat
belt before starting the engine. G
WARNING
If you adjust the seat height carelessly, you or other vehicle occupants could be trapped andthereby injured. Children in particular could
accidentally press the electrical seat adjust-
ment buttons and become trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
While moving the seats, make sure that your
hands or other body parts do not get under the
lever assembly of the seat adjustment sys-
tem. G
WARNING
The head restraints cannot provide the inten-
ded protection unless they are fitted and
adjusted correctly. There is an increased risk of injury to the head and neck in the event of
an accident or sudden braking, for example.
Always drive with the head restraints fitted.
Ensure that the centre of the head restraints
support the back of each vehicle occupant's
head at eye level before driving off. G
WARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended level of protection if you have not moved the back-
rest to an almost vertical position. When brak-
ing or in the event of an accident, you could
slide underneath the seat belt and sustain Seats
119Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
Z

Combination switch
Turn signals :
Main-beam headlamps
; Turn signal, right
= Headlamp flasher
? Turn signal, left
X To indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow ;or?.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
X To indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow ;or?.
Main-beam headlamps X
To switch on the main-beam head-
lamps: turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to LorÃ.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of arrow :.
In the Ãposition, the main-beam head-
lamps are only switched on when it is dark
and the engine is running.
The blue Kindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up when the main-beam headlamps are switched on.
X To switch off the main-beam head-
lamps: move the combination switch back
to its normal position.
The blue Kindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out. If Adaptive Highbeam Assist is active, it con-
trols activation and deactivation of the main-
beam headlamps (Y page 139).
Headlamp flasher X
To switch on: turn the key in the ignition
lock to position 1or 2, or start the engine.
X Pull the combination switch in the direction
of arrow =. Hazard warning lamps
X
To switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button :.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on a turn signal using the combination switch,
only the turn signal lamp on the corre-
sponding side of the vehicle will flash.
X To switch off the hazard warning lamps:
press button :.
The hazard warning lamps switch on auto-
matically if:
R an airbag is deployed or
R the vehicle decelerates rapidly from a
speed of above 70 km/h and comes to a
standstill
The hazard warning lamps switch off auto-
matically if the vehicle reaches a speed of
above 10 km/h again after a full brake appli- cation.
The hazard warning lamps continue to oper-
ate even if the ignition is switched off. Exterior lighting
137Lights and windscreen wipers Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Front-passenger
Front-passenger
airbag disabled airbag disabled
See Owner's Manual See Owner's Manual The front-passenger front airbag is disabled during the journey
although:
R an adult
or
R a person larger than a certain size is occupying the front-
passenger seat
If additional forces are applied to the seat, the weight the system
detects may be too low.
G WARNING
The front-passenger front airbag does not deploy during an acci-
dent.
This poses an increased risk of injury. X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 207).
X Switch the ignition off.
X Have the occupant on the front-passenger seat step out of the
vehicle.
X Make sure that the seat is unoccupied, close the front-
passenger door and switch on the ignition.
X Observe the PASSENGER AIRBAG indicator lamps in the centre
console and the multifunction display and check the following:
Seat unoccupied and ignition switched on:
R the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF and PASSENGER AIR BAG ON
indicator lamps must light up simultaneously for approx-
imately six seconds.
R the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp must then light
up and remain lit. If the indicator lamp is on, the automatic
front-passenger front airbag deactivation system has disa-
bled the front-passenger front airbag (Y page 54).
R the display messages Front-passenger
Front-passenger airbag airbagenabled
enabled
See
See Owner's
Owner's Manual
ManualorFront-passenger
Front-passenger airbag
airbag disa‐
disa‐
bled See Owner's Manual
bled See Owner's Manual must not appear in the multi-
function display.
X Wait for a period of at least 60 seconds until the necessary sys-
tem checks have been completed.
X Make sure that the display messages do not appear in the mul-
tifunction display.
If these conditions are met, the front-passenger seat can be occu- pied again. Whether the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF or ON indicator
lamp remains lit or goes out depends on how the automatic front- Display
messages
327On-board computer and displays Z