2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS Owners Manual

The pelvis air bags deploy next to and below
the outer seat cushions. They are deployed:
Ron the side on which an impact occurs
Rat the start of an accident withahigh rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or
acceleration,e.g. inaside impact
Rindependently of the use of the seat belt
Rindependently of the front air bags
Rindependently of the ETDs
If the vehicle rolls over,the pelvis air bags are
generally not deployed. Exception: if the
system detectshigh vehicle deceleration or
acceleration inalateral direction and
determines that deploymentcan offer
additional protection to that providedbythe
seat belt.
Pelvis air bagswill notdeploy 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 pelvis air bag on the front-passenger side
is not deployed in the following situations:
ROCS has detected that the front-passenger
seat is unoccupied.
Rthe front-passenger seat belt is not
fastened.
The pelvis 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 bagsenhancethe level
of protection for the head, but not chest or
arms, of the vehicle occupantsonthe 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 from the A-pillar to the C-pillar.
Window curtain air bags are deployed:
Rat the start of an accident withahigh rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, e.g. inaside impact
Ron the side on which an impactoccurs
Ron the driver'ssideand passenger side, in
the event ofavehiclerollover and if the
system determinesthat airbag deployment
can offer thevehicle occupants additional
protection to that providedbytheseat belt
Rindependently of theuse of theseat belt
Rregardless of whether thefront-passenger
seat is occupied
Rindependently of thefrontair bags
Windowcurtain air bagswill not deploy in
the eventofimpacts which do not exceed the
system'spresetdeployment thresholds for
vehicle acceleration/deceleration. You will
then be protected by the fastened seat belt.
Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
Method of operation
GWARNING
If theindicator lamp illuminates
when an adult or someone larger thanasmall
individual is in the front-passenger seat, have
the front passenger reposition himself or
herself in the seat until the
indicator lamp goes out.
In the event ofacollision, 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 thanatypical 12-
month-old child inastandard child restraint
Occupant safety47
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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 ofatypical
12-month-old child inastandard child
restraint,theindicator 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,
theindicator 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 ofatypical 12-
month-old child seated inastandardchild
restraint or as beingasmall individual (such
asayoung teenager orasmall adult), the
indicator lamp willilluminate for
approximately6seconds when the engine is
started and then,depending on occupant
weight sensor readings from the front-
passenger seat, remain illuminated or go out.
With theindicator lamp
illuminated, the front-passenger frontair bag
is deactivated. With theindicator
lamp out, the front-passengerfront air bag is
activated.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat occupant is classifiedasan
adult or someone larger thanasmall
individual, theindicator lamp will
illuminate for approximately6seconds when
the engine is started and then go out,
indicating that the front-passenger frontair
bag is activated.
If theindicator lamp is illuminated,
the front-passenger frontair bag and the
front-passenger knee bag are deactivated and
will not be deployed.
If theindicator lamp is not
illuminated, the front-passenger frontair bag
and the front-passengerknee bagare
activatedand will be deployed:
Rin the event of certain frontalimpacts
Rif impact exceedsapreset deployment
threshold
Rindependentlyofthe side impact airbag or
pelvis air bag
If thefront-passenger frontair bag is
deployed, therateofinflation will be
influenced by:
Rtherateofrelevantvehicle deceleration as
assessed by the air bag control unit
Rthe frontpassenger's weightcategoryas
identified by OCS
GWARNING
Accordingtoaccidentstatistics, childrenare
saferwhen properly restrained on the rear
seats than on the front-passenger seat. Thus,
we strongly recommendthat 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,toddler restraint,orbooster 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 LATCH-
type (ISOFIX) child seat retaining loops and
Top Tether strap, fully in accordance with the
infant or 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,toddler restraint,orbooster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
Children can be killed or seriously injured by
an inflating air bag.
48Occupant safety
Safety

Note the following important information if it
is necessary to carryachild on the front-
passenger seat:
RYour vehicle is equipped with air bag
technology designed to deactivate the
front-passenger front air bag and the front-
passenger knee bag in yourvehicle when
the system senses the weight ofatypical
12-month-old child or less along with the
weight ofastandardappropriate child
restraint on the front-passenger seat.
RAchild inarear-facing child restraint on the
front-passenger seat will be seriously
injured or even killed if the front-passenger
front air bag inflates inacollision 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 placeachild
inarear-facing child restraint in the front-
passenger seat. We therefore strongly
recommendthat you always placeachild
inarear-facing child restraint on the rear
seat.
RIf you installarear-facing child restraint on
the front-passenger seat, make sure the
indicator lamp is illuminated,
indicating that the front-passenger front air
bag and front-passenger knee bag are
deactivated. Should the
indicator lamp not illuminate or go out while
the restraint is installed, please check
installation. Periodicallycheck the
indicator lamp while driving to
make sure that theindicator
lamp is illuminated. If the
indicator lamp goes out or remains out, do
not transportachild on the front-passenger
seat until the system has been repaired.
Achild inarear-facing child restraint on the
front-passenger seat could be seriously
injured or even killed if the front-passenger
front air bag is deployed.
RIf you placeachild inaforward-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
RFor children larger than the typical 12-
month-old child, the front-passenger front
air bag and the front-passenger knee bag
may or may not be activated.
GWARNING
If the redSRS warning lamp in the
instrumentcluster and the
indicator lamp light up simultaneously,the
OCS is malfunctioning. The front passenger
front air bag and the front passenger knee bag
will be deactivated in this case. Have the
system checked by qualified technicians as
soon as possible. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-BenzCenter.
Only have the seat repaired or replaced at an
authorized Mercedes-BenzCenter.
In order to ensure proper operation of the air
bag system and OCS:
RSit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
RWhen seated,apassenger should not
position him/herself in suchaway as to
cause the passenger'sweight to be lifted
from the seat cushion as this may result in
the OCS being unable to correctly
approximatethe passenger'sweight
category.
RRead and observe all warnings in this
chapter.
Occupant safety49
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If the SmartKey is removed from the ignition
lock or is in position0,PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF indicator lampdoes not light up.
The Occupant Classification System (OCS)
categorizesthe occupant on the front-
passengerseat usingaweight sensor.The
front-passenger front air bag is deactivated
automatically for certain weight categories.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
shows you the current status.
Occupant Classification System (OCS)
categories the occupant on the front-
passenger seat usingaweight sensor.
The front-passenger front air bag and the
front-passenger knee bag are deactivated
automatically for certain weight categories.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
shows you the current status.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp lights up, the front-passenger front air
bag and the front-passenger knee bag are
disabled.
The system does not deactivate:
Rthe side impact air bag
Rthe pelvis air bag
Rthe window curtain air bag
Rthe Emergency Tensioning Devices
To be classified correctly, the front passenger
must sit:
Rwith the seat belt fastened correctly
Rinaposition that is as upright as possible
with their back against the seat backrest
Rwith 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
displaymessages that can be displayed in the
instrumentcluster (Ypage 244).
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:
Ris empty or occupied by the weight of a
typical child up to twelve months old,
seated inachild restraint system
Ris occupied byasmall individual, such as a
young teenager orasmall adult
Ris occupied byachild inachild restraint
system whose weight is greater than that
ofatypical twelve monthold child.
These are examples of when the OCS
deactivates the front-passenger front air bag
and front-passenger knee 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" (Ypage 244).
System self-test
GWARNING
If theindicator lamp does not
illuminate, the system is not functioning. You
must contactanauthorized Mercedes-Benz
50Occupant safety
Safety

Centerbefore seating any child on the front
passenger seat.
GWARNING
Objects between the seat surface and the
child restraint system could affect the
function of the OCS. This could result in the
front-passenger frontair bag not functioning
as intended during an accident. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Do not place any objects between the seat
surface and the child restraint system. Make
sure that the bottom and back of the child
restraint system make full contact with the
front-passenger seat cushion and backrest.
Always comply with the child restraint system
manufacturer's installation instructions.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
lights up:
Rif you turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock
to position1or2
Rif you press the KEYLESS-GO Start/Stop
button onceortwice on vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO
Rif 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
system 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 more information about the OCS, see
"Problems with the Occupant Classification
System"(Ypage 52).
Occupant safety51
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Problems with the Occupant Classification System
GWARNING
If theindicator lamp illuminates and remains illuminated when the weight ofatypical
adult or someone larger thanasmall individual has been detected on the passenger seat, do not
allow any occupant to use the passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
GWARNING
If theindicator lamp does not illuminate or remains out with the weight ofatypical
12-month-old child inastandard child restraint or less, or is unoccupied, on the front-passenger
seat, do not transportachild on the front-passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
ProblemPossiblecauses/consequencesandSolutions
The PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator
lights up and remains
on.
The person on the
front-passenger seat:
Rhas the weight of a
typical adult
Rhas been determined
by the system not to
beachild
The COS is malfunctioning.
XMake sure that the front passenger is sitting inacorrect,upright
position.
XHave the COS checked as soon as possible ataqualified
specialist workshop.
XObserve the additional displaymessages in the multifunction
display(Ypage 244).
52Occupant safety
Safety

ProblemPossible causes/consequences andSolutions
The PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator
lamp does not light up
and/or does not stay
on.
The front-passenger
seat is:
Runoccupied
Roccupied with the
weight ofachild up
to twelve months old
inachild restraint
system
The COS is malfunctioning.
XMake sure there is nothingbetween the seat cushion and the
child seat.
XMake sure that the backrest and base of the child restraint
system rest on the front-passenger seat. If necessary, adjust
the position of the front-passenger seat.
XWhen 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 pulledtoo tightly.
XCheck the installation of the child restraint system.
XMake sure that no objectsare applying additionalweight onto
the seat.
XIf the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp remains off, have
the COS checked immediatelyataqualified specialist
workshop. Do not transportachild on the front-passenger seat
until the COS has been repaired.
XObservethe additional display messages in the multifunction
display (Ypage 244).
NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-
PRO luxuryhead restraints
Importantsafetynotes
GWARNING
The function of the head restraint may be
impaired if you:
Rattach objects such as coat hangers to the
head restraints, for example
Ruse head restraint covers
If you do so, the head restraintscannot fulfill
their intended protective function in the event
of an accident. In addition, objects attached
to the head restraintscould endanger other
vehicle occupants. There is an increased risk
of injury.
Do not attach any objects to the head
restraintsand do not use head restraint
covers.
NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO luxury
head restraintsincrease protection of the
driver'sand front-passenger's head and
neck. In the event ofarear collision of a
certain severity, the NECK-PRO head
restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
on the driver'sand the front-passenger seats
are moved forwards and upwards. This
provides better head support.
If the NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO
luxury head restraintshave been triggered in
an accident, reset the NECK-PRO head
restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
on the driver'sand front-passenger seats
(Ypage 54). 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.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
the NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO
luxury head restraintschecked ataqualified
specialist workshop afterarear-end collision.
Occupant safety53
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Resetting triggeredNECK-PROhead
restraints/NECK-PROluxuryhead
restraints
NECK-PROheadrestraints
NECK-PRO head restraints
XTilt thetopof theNECK-PRO head restraint
cushion forwards in thedirection of
arrow.
XPush theNECK-PRO head restraint cushion
down in thedirection of arrowas far as
it will go.
XWithyour handflat,firmly push theNECK-
PRO head restraint cushion backwards in
thedirection of arrow$until it engages.
XRepeat this procedure for thesecond
NECK-PRO head restraint.
NECK-PROluxuryheadrestraints
NECK-PRO luxuryhead restraints
XRemoveresettingtoolfrom thevehicle
documentwallet.
XSlideresettingtoolintoguide
between theNECK-PRO luxuryhead
restraint and therear cover of thehead
restraint.
XPush resettingtooldownwards until you
hear thehead restraint deployment
mechanism engage.
XPull out resettingtool.
XWithyour handflat,firmly push theNECK-
PRO luxuryhead restraint cushion
backwards in thedirection of arrow$until
it engages.
XRepeat this procedure for thesecond
NECK-PRO luxuryhead restraint.
XPut resettingtoolback intothevehicle
documentwallet.
iIf you have difficultyresettingtheNECK-
PRO luxuryhead restraints, have this work
carried out ataqualified specialist
workshop.
PRE-SAFE®(anticipatoryoccupant
protection system)
!Makesure that there are no objectsinthe
footwell or behindtheseatswhen resetting
the seats. There isarisk that the seats
and/or the objectscould be damaged.
PRE-SAFE®takes preemptive measures to
protect occupants in certain hazardous
situations. Despite your vehicle being
equipped with the PRE-SAFE®system, the
possibility of personal injuries occurring as a
result of an accident cannot be eliminated.
Always adapt your driving style to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditionsand
maintainasafe distance from the vehicle in
front.Drive carefully.
PRE-SAFE®intervenes:
Rif BAS intervenes, e.g. in emergency
braking situations.
Rif BAS PLUS intervenes powerfully—on
vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS.
54Occupant safety
Safety