2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS COUPE airbag

Objects in the vehicle interior may pre-
vent the airbag from functioning cor-
rectly. Before starting your journey and to
avoid risks resulting from the speed of the
airbag as it deploys, make sure that:
R there are no people, animals or objects
between the vehicle occupants and an air-
bag.
R there are no objects between the seat, door
and B-pillar.
R no hard objects, e.g. coat hangers, hang on
the grab handles or coat hooks.
R no accessories, such as cup holders, are
attached to the vehicle within the deploy-
ment area of an airbag, e.g. to doors, side
windows, rear side trim or side walls.
R no heavy, sharp-edged or fragile objects
are in the pockets of your clothing. Store
such objects in a suitable place. G
WARNING
If you modify an airbag cover or affix objects
such as stickers to it, the airbag can no longer function correctly. There is an increased risk
of injury.
Never modify an airbag cover or affix objects
to it. G
WARNING
Sensors to control the airbags are located in
the doors. Modifications or work not per-
formed correctly to the doors or door panel-
ling, as well as damaged doors, can lead to the function of the sensors being impaired. The
airbags might therefore not function properly any more. Consequently, the airbags cannot
protect vehicle occupants as they are
designed to do. This poses an increased risk
of injury.
Never modify the doors or parts of the doors.
Always have work on the doors or door pan-
elling carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop. Front airbags
Driver's airbag
:deploys in front of the
steering wheel; front-passenger front air-
bag ;deploys in front of and above the glove
compartment.
When deployed, the front airbags offer addi-
tional head and thorax protection for the
occupants in the front seats.
The permanently lit PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp shows you that the front-
passenger front airbag is deactivated
(Y page 43).
Driver's kneebag Driver's kneebag
:deploys under the steer-
ing column. The driver's kneebag is triggered
together with the front airbag.
The driver's kneebag offers additional thigh,
knee and lower leg protection for the occu-
pant in the driver's seat.
i The driver's kneebag is only available in
certain countries. Occupant safety
49Safety Z

Sidebags
G
WARNING
Unsuitable seat covers may obstruct or even
prevent deployment of the airbags integrated into the seats. The airbags may then fail to
protect the vehicle occupants as intended.
Operation of the automatic child seat recog-
nition may also be impaired. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Use only seat covers which have been specif-
ically approved for the respective seat by
Mercedes-Benz. Example: Coupé
Front sidebags :and rear sidebags ;
deploy next to the outer bolster of the seat
backrest.
When deployed, the sidebag offers additional thorax protection. However, it does not pro-
tect the:
R head
R neck
R arms
In the event of a side impact, the sidebag is
deployed on the side on which the impact
occurs.
Pelvisbags G
WARNING
Unsuitable seat covers may obstruct or even
prevent deployment of the airbags integrated into the seats. The airbags may then fail to
protect the vehicle occupants as intended. Operation of the automatic child seat recog-
nition may also be impaired. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Use only seat covers which have been specif- ically approved for the respective seat by
Mercedes-Benz. Example: CLS Coupé, pelvisbag on the driver's side
Pelvisbags :deploy below next to the outer
seat cushions.
When activated, the pelvisbag enhances the
level of protection of the vehicle occupants
on the side of the vehicle on which the impact
occurs.
The pelvisbag is deployed on the side of the
impact.
i Pelvisbags are only available in certain
countries.
Windowbags Example: Coupé
Windowbags :are integrated into the side
of the roof frame and deployed in the area
from the A-pillar to the C-pillar. 50
Occupant safetySafety

When deployed, the windowbag enhances the
level of protection for the head. However, it
does not protect the chest or arms.
In the event of a side impact, the windowbag
is deployed on the side on which the impact
occurs.
If the system determines that they can offer
additional protection to that provided by the
seat belt, a windowbag may be deployed in
other accident situations (Y page 51).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 after an
accident, you have your vehicle towed to a
qualified specialist workshop. This is particu- larly important after the seat belt tensioners
have been triggered or after airbags have
been 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 belt tensioners are triggered or the airbags
are deployed, you will hear a bang, and a small amount of powder may also be released. The
6 restraint system warning lamp lights up.
Only in rare cases will the bang affect your
hearing. The powder that is released gener-
ally does not constitute a health hazard but
can cause short-term breathing difficulties for people with asthma or breathing problems. If
it is safe to do so, leave the vehicle immedi-
ately or open a window to avoid experiencing potential breathing difficulties.
Mode of 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 seat belt tensioner is triggered by the restraint
system control unit in the event of a frontal or
rear collision.
The belt tensioner can only be triggered if:
R the ignition is switched on
R the components of the restraint system are
operational; see the "Restraint system
warning lamp" section (Y page 43)
R the seat belt buckle tongue is engaged in
the belt buckle on your front seat
The belt tensioners in the rear compartment
are triggered independently of the lock status of the seat belts.
In certain frontal collision situations, further
components of the restraint system are acti-
vated independently of each other if the
restraint system control unit determines that the accident is severe:
R front airbags and driver's kneebag
R windowbag, if it is determined that it can
offer additional protection to the seat belt
for vehicle occupants
Depending on the classification of the person in the front-passenger seat, the front- Occupant safety
51Safety Z

passenger front airbag is disabled or enabled.
Only when the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indi-cator lamp is not lit, can the co-driver's airbag
be deployed in the event of an accident.
Observe the information on the PASSENGER
AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp (Y page 43).
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
injuries. The front airbag is fully deployed if a second deployment threshold is reached
within a few milliseconds.
The evaluation of the activation threshold for
a seat belt tensioner and airbag involves an
assessment of the deceleration or accelera-
tion dynamics that occur at different points
on the vehicle. This process functions pre-
emptively. Deployment must take place
promptly at the beginning 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 the force during the
impact
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 the 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 can be substantially deformed
without the driver's airbag being deployed.
This is the case if only relatively easily deform-
able vehicle parts are affected by the collision
and a high deceleration threshold is not
reached. On the other hand, airbags may be
deployed even though the vehicle only dis-
plays minor deformation. This is the case if,
for example, very rigid vehicle parts such as
longitudinal body members are hit, and suffi-
cient deceleration occurs as a result. When the restraint system control unit
detects a side impact or determines that the
vehicle has overturned, the corresponding
components of the restraint system are acti-
vated independently of each other, depend-
ing on the type of accident that has occurred.
If the system determines in this situation that
it can offer additional protection for vehicle
occupants, the seat belt tensioners are also
triggered.
R Sidebags and pelvisbag on the side on
which impact occurs, independent of the
belt tensioner and seat belt use
Vehicles with automatic child seat recog-
nition in the co-driver's seat: the sidebag
and pelvisbag on the co-driver's side
deploy under the following conditions:
- an occupant is detected on the co-driv-
er's seat, or
- the seat belt buckle tongue is engaged in
the belt buckle on the co-driver's seat
R The windowbag on the side on which
impact occurs, independent of seat belt
use and regardless of whether the co-driv-
er's seat is occupied
R Windowbags on the driver's and co-driver's
sides in certain situations where the vehicle
overturns, if it is determined that they can
offer additional protection to the seat belt
for vehicle occupants
i Not all airbags are deployed in an acci-
dent. The various airbag systems work
independently of one another.
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 52
Occupant safetySafety

G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is placed in direct sunlight, the parts could become very hot.
Children could be suffer burns by touching
these parts, in particular on the metallic parts
of the child restraint system. There is a risk of injury.
If you and your child leave the vehicle, always
make sure that the child restraint system is
not in direct sunlight. Cover it with a blanket, for example. If the child restraint system has
been exposed to direct sunlight, leave it to
cool down before securing the child in it.
Never leave children unattended in the vehi-
cle.
Always ensure that all vehicle occupants have their seat belts fastened correctly and are sit-
ting properly. Particular attention must be
paid to children.
Observe the safety notes on the seat belt
(Y page 44) and the notes on correct use of
seat belts (Y page 45). Child restraint system
Observe the instructions for correct use of
the child restraint system (Y page 63).
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use a child restraint sys-
tem recommended by Mercedes-Benz
(Y page 66). G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is incorrectly fit-
ted on the seat position suitable for this pur-
pose, it cannot perform its intended protec-
tive function. In the event of an accident,
sharp braking or a sudden change in direction, the child may not be held securely. There is an
increased risk of serious or even fatal injuries.
Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions and the correct use for the child
restraint system. Make sure that the entire
surface of the child restraint system is resting
on the seat surface. Never place objects under or behind the child restraint system,
e.g. cushions. Only use child restraint sys-
tems with the original cover designed for
them. Only replace damaged covers with gen- uine covers. G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is fitted incor-
rectly or is not secured, it can come loose in
the event of an accident, heavy braking or a
sudden change in direction. The child
restraint system could be thrown about, strik- ing vehicle occupants. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always fit child restraint systems properly,
even if they are not being used. Make sure
that you observe the child restraint system
manufacturer's installation instructions.
You will find further information on stowing
objects, luggage or loads under "Loading
guidelines" (Y page 300). G
WARNING
Child restraint systems or their securing sys-
tems that have been damaged or subjected to a load in an accident cannot perform their
intended protective function. In the event of
an accident, sharp braking or a sudden
change in direction, the child may not be held securely. There is an increased risk of serious
or even fatal injuries.
Immediately replace child restraint systems
that have been damaged or subjected to a
load in an accident. Have the child restraint
securing systems checked in a qualified spe-
cialist workshop before fitting a child restraint
system again.
If it is absolutely necessary to carry a child on the front-passenger seat, be sure to observe
the information on "Child restraint systems
on the front-passenger seat" (Y page 61).
You can also find information on disabling the
front-passenger front airbag.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle inte- rior and on the child restraint system. 56
Children in the vehicleSafety

X
Move head restraint :upwards.
X Remove luggage compartment cover ;
(Y page 306).
X Fit the ISOFIX child restraint system with
Top Tether. Always comply with the child
restraint system manufacturer's installa-
tion instructions when doing so.
X Route Top Tether belt Bunder head
restraint :between the two head restraint
bars.
X Hook Top Tether hook Ainto Top Tether
anchorage ?on the back of rear seat
backrest =.
X Make sure that Top Tether belt Bis not
twisted.
X Tension Top Tether belt B. Always comply
with the child restraint system manufactur- er's installation instructions when doing so.
X If necessary, move head restraint :back
down again slightly (Y page 108). Make
sure that you do not interfere with the cor-
rect routing of Top Tether belt B.
X Fit luggage compartment
cover ;(Ypage 306). Automatic child seat recognition on
the front-passenger seat
The sensor system for child restraint systems
in the front-passenger seat detects whether a special Mercedes-Benz child restraint system
with a transponder for automatic child seat
recognition has been fitted. In this case, the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp lights up and remains lit. The front-passenger
front airbag is disabled.
i If the front-passenger front airbag is dis-
abled by the automatic child seat recogni-
tion, the following remain enabled on the
front-passenger side:
R the sidebag
R the pelvisbag
R the windowbag
R the belt tensioner G
WARNING
If you secure a child in a child restraint system on the front-passenger seat and the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is
off, the front-passenger front airbag can
deploy in the event of an accident. The child
could be struck by the airbag. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Make sure that the front-passenger front air-
bag has been disabled. The PASSENGER AIR- BAG OFF indicator lamp must be lit. G
WARNING
If the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is lit, the front-passenger front airbag is disa-
bled. It will not be deployed in the event of an
accident and cannot perform its intended pro-
tective function. A person in the front-
passenger seat could then, for example, come
into contact with the vehicle's interior, espe-
cially if the person is sitting too close to the
dashboard. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
In this case the front-passenger seat may not be used. Only suitable rearward-facing or
forward-facing child restraint systems may be installed on the front-passenger seat. Always
observe the information about suitable posi-
tioning of the child restraint system in this
Owner's Manual as well as the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions. Children in the vehicle
59Safety Z

G
WARNING
If you secure a child in a forward-facing child
restraint system on the front-passenger seat
and you position the front-passenger seat too close to the dashboard, in the event of an
accident, the child could:
R come into contact with the vehicle's inte-
rior if the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indi-
cator lamp is lit, for example
R be struck by the airbag if the PASSENGER
AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is off
This poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Move the front-passenger seat as far back as
possible. Always make sure that the shoulder belt strap is correctly routed from the vehicle
belt sash guide to the shoulder belt guide on
the child restraint system. The shoulder belt
strap must be routed forwards and down-
wards from the vehicle belt sash guide. If nec-
essary, adjust the vehicle belt sash guide and the front-passenger seat accordingly. Always
observe the information about suitable posi-
tioning of the child restraint system in this
Owner's Manual as well as the child restraint system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
i Ensure that your vehicle is equipped with
automatic child seat recognition for the
front-passenger seat (Y page 61). If this
is not the case, always fit the child restraint
system on a suitable rear seat
(Y page 63). PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
:
shows you whether the front-passenger front airbag is disabled.
X Turn the key to position 1or 2in the ignition
lock, or press the Start/Stop button once
or twice on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO.
The system carries out a self-diagnosis.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
must light up for approximately six seconds.
If, after the system self-test, the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
R is lit, the front-passenger front airbag is
disabled. They will then not be deployed in
the event of an accident.
R is not lit, the sensor system did not detect
a child restraint system with transponder
for automatic child seat recognition. If, in
the case of an accident, all deployment cri-
teria are met, the front-passenger front air-
bag is deployed. G
WARNING
Electronic devices on the front-passenger
seat can affect the function of the automatic
child seat recognition, for example:
R laptop
R mobile phone
R transponder cards such as ski passes or
access passes
The front-passenger front airbag could deploy unintentionally or not function as intended
during an accident. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Do not place any of the devices mentioned
above or similar devices on the front-
passenger seat. Be aware of the status of thefront-passenger front airbag both before and
during the journey. 60
Children in the vehicleSafety

Child restraint system on the front-
passenger seat
General 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.
Vehicles with automatic child seat recogni-
tion on the front-passenger seat: if it is abso- lutely necessary to fit a child restraint systemto the front-passenger seat, always observe
the information on the "Automatic child seat
recognition on the front-passenger seat"
(Y page 59).
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 child seat recognition
sensor 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 in a child restraint system on the front-passenger seat and the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is off, the front-passenger front airbag can
deploy in the event of an accident. The child
could be struck by the airbag. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Make sure that the front-passenger front air-
bag has been disabled. The PASSENGER AIR-
BAG OFF indicator lamp must be lit.
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.
Vehicles without automatic child seat
recognition on the front-passenger seat If the front-passenger seat of your vehicle is
not equipped with automatic child seat rec-
ognition, this is indicated by a special sticker. The sticker is affixed to the side of the dash-
board on the front-passenger side. The
sticker is visible when you open the front-
passenger door.
If you turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock, the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp lights up briefly. It has no function, how-ever, and does not indicate that the front-
passenger seat is equipped with automatic
child seat recognition.
In this case, always fit the rearward-facing
child restraint system to a suitable rear seat
(Y page 63).
Observe the following information under
"Rearward-facing child restraint system" and
"Forward-facing child restraint system" as
well as information on the suitable position- Children in the vehicle
61Safety Z