Page 53 of 462

If the key is removed from the ignition lock or
is in position 0, PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
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.
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp :
shows you the current status. If PASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp :is lit, the front-
passenger front air bag is disabled.
The system does not deactivate:
R the side impact air bag
R the window curtain air bag
R the ETDs
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.
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
display messages that can be displayed in the
instrument cluster (Y page 301).
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.
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.
System self-test G
WARNING
If the 45indicator lamp does not
illuminate, the system is not functioning. You
must contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center before seating any child on the front
passenger seat. G
WARNING
Objects between the seat surface and the
child restraint system could affect the
function of the OCS. This could result in the
front-passenger front air 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. Occupant safety
51Safety
Z
Page 303 of 462

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Front Passenger
Front Passenger
Airbag Disabled Airbag Disabled
See Operator's See Operator's
Manual Manual The front-passenger air bag is disabled during the journey, even
though:
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 system may
interpret the occupant's weight as lower than it actually is.
G WARNING
The front-passenger air bag does not deploy during an accident.
There is 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 ( Ypage 188).
X Switch the ignition off.
X Have the occupant get out of the vehicle.
X Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front-passenger door and
switch on the ignition.
X Observe the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp in the
center console and the multifunction display and check the
following:
Seat unoccupied and ignition switched on:
R the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp must light up and
remain lit. If the indicator lamp is on, OCS has disabled the front-
passenger air bag ( Ypage 49).
R the Front Passenger Airbag Enabled See Operator's
Front Passenger Airbag Enabled See Operator's
Manual Manual orFront Passenger Airbag Disabled See
Front Passenger Airbag Disabled See
Operator's Manual
Operator's Manual display messages must not be shown in
the multifunction display.
X Wait for a period of at least 60 seconds until the necessary
system checks have been completed.
X Make sure that the display messages do not appear in the
multifunction display.
If these conditions are fulfilled, the front-passenger seat can be
occupied again. Whether the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp remains lit or goes out depends on how OCS classifies the
occupant.
If the conditions are not fulfilled, the system is not operating
correctly.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. Display
messages
301On-board computer and displays Z
Page 304 of 462

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Front Passenger
Front Passenger
Airbag Enabled Airbag Enabled
See Operator's See Operator's
Manual Manual The front-passenger air bag is enabled during the journey, even
though:
R
a child, a small adult or an object weighing less than the
system's weight threshold is located on the front-passenger
seat
or
R the front-passenger seat is unoccupied
The system may detect objects or forces applying additional
weight on the seat.
G WARNING
The air bag may deploy unintentionally.
There is 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 ( Ypage 188).
X Switch the ignition off.
X Open the front-passenger door.
X Remove the child and the child restraint system from the front-
passenger seat.
X Make sure that there are no objects on the seat adding to the
weight.
The system may otherwise detect the additional weight and
interpret the seat occupant's weight as greater than it actually
is.
X Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front-passenger door and
switch on the ignition.
X Observe the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp in the
center console and the multifunction display and check the
following:
Seat unoccupied and ignition switched on:
R the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp must light up and
remain lit. When the indicator lamp is on, OCS (Occupant
Classification System) has disabled the front-passenger air bag
(Y page 49).
R the Front Passenger Airbag Enabled See Operator's Front Passenger Airbag Enabled See Operator's
Manual
Manual orFront Passenger Airbag Disabled See
Front Passenger Airbag Disabled See
Operator's Manual
Operator's Manual display messages must not be shown in
the multifunction display. 302
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays