2015 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS CABRIOLET airbag disable

Restraint system warning lamp
The functions of the restraint system are
checked after the ignition is switched on and at
regular intervals while the engine is running.
Therefore, malfunctions can be detected in
good time.
The 6 restraint system warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the ignition is switched on. It goes out no later than a few sec-
onds after the vehicle is started. The compo-
nents of the restraint system are in operational
readiness.
A malfunction has occurred if the 6restraint
system warning lamp:
R does not light up after the ignition is switched
on
R does not go out after a few seconds with the
engine running
R lights up again while the engine is running G
WARNING
If the restraint system is malfunctioning,
restraint system components may be trig-
gered unintentionally or might not be trig-
gered at all in the event of an accident with a high rate of vehicle deceleration. This can
effect belt tensioners or airbags, for example. There is an increased risk of serious or even
fatal injuries.
Have the restraint system checked and
repaired immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
:is
part of the automatic child seat recognition on
the front-passenger seat.
A permanently lit PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp informs you that the front-
passenger front airbag is disabled.
Depending on the person in the front-passenger seat, the front-passenger front airbag must
either be disabled or enabled; see the following
points. You must make sure of this both before
and during a journey.
R Children in a child restraint system:
whether the front-passenger front airbag is
enabled or disabled depends on the installed
child restraint system, and the age and size of the child. Therefore, it is imperative to
observe the notes on "Children in the vehicle"
(Y page 49). There you will also find infor-
mation on rearward or forward-facing child
restraint systems on the front-passenger
seat.
R All other persons: the PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF indicator lamp must be off. Be sure to
observe the notes on "Seat belts"
(Y page 38) and "Airbags" (Y page 42).
There you can also find information on the
correct seat position.
Observe the information on automatic child seat recognition in the front-passenger seat
(Y page 51). Seat belts
Introduction A correctly worn seat belt is the most effective
means of restraining the movement of vehicle
occupants in the event of a collision or if the
vehicle overturns. This reduces the risk of vehi- cle occupants coming into contact with parts of
the vehicle interior or being ejected from it. The
seat belt also helps to keep the vehicle occu-
pants in the best position in relation to the air-
bag being deployed.
The seat belt system consists of:
R seat belts
R belt tensioners for the front seat belts and the
outer seat belts in the rear
R belt force limiters for the front seat belts and
the outer seat belts in the rear 38
Occupant safetySafety

If a child is travelling in your vehicle, also
observe the following notes:
R Always secure children under twelve years of
age and less than 1.50 mtall in suitable child
restraint systems.
R Child restraint systems should be fitted to the
rear seats.
R Only secure a child to the front-passenger
seat when the front-passenger front airbag is
disabled, and only then in a rearward-facing
child restraint system. If the PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp is permanently lit, the
front-passenger front airbag is disabled
(Y page 38).
R Always observe the instructions and safety
notes on "Children in the vehicle"
(Y page 49) and on the "Child restraint sys-
tem on the front-passenger seat"
(Y page 53) in addition to the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation and oper-
ating instructions.
Objects in the vehicle interior may prevent
the airbag from functioning correctly. 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 airbag.
R there are no objects between the seat, door
and B-pillar.
R no hard objects, e.g. coat hangers, are hang-
ing on the grab handles or coat hooks.
R no accessories, such as cup holders, are
attached to the vehicle within the deployment
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 steer-
ing wheel. Front-passenger front airbag ;
deploys in front of and above the glove com-
partment.
When deployed, the front airbags offer addi-
tional head and thorax protection for the occu-
pants in the front seats.
A permanently lit PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp informs you that the front-
passenger front airbag is disabled (Y page 38).
Driver's kneebag Occupant safety
43Safety Z

Operation
During the first stage of a collision, the restraint
system control unit evaluates important physi-
cal data relating to vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration, 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. You can find further information
under: "Restraint system warning lamp"
(Y page 38)
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 accident, in certain head-on collisions,
additional components of the restraint system
are deployed independently of each other:
R front airbags and driver's kneebag
R headbag, if the system determines that
deployment can offer additional protection to
that provided by the seat belt
Depending on the person in the front-passenger seat, the front-passenger front airbag is either
disabled or enabled. The front-passenger front
airbag can only be deployed in an accident if the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is off. Observe the information on the PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp (Y page 38).
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 the second
deployment stage is activated within a few mil-
liseconds.
The activation threshold for the seat belt ten-
sioners and airbags is determined based on the evaluation of the vehicle's rate of deceleration
or acceleration at various points in the vehicle.
This process is pre-emptive in nature. The trig-
gering/deployment process should take place
in good time at the start of the collision. The rate of vehicle deceleration or acceleration
and the direction of the force are essentially
determined by:
R the distribution of forces during the collision
R the collision angle
R the deformation characteristics of the vehicle
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 deci-
sive role in the deployment of an airbag, nor do they provide an indication of airbag deployment.
The vehicle may be deformed significantly with- out an airbag being deployed. This is the case if
only parts which are relatively easily deformed
are affected and the rate of deceleration 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 longitudinal 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 applicablecomponents of the restraint system are activa-
ted independently of each other depending on
the apparent type of accident.
R Sidebags and pelvisbag on the side on which
an impact occurs, independent from the seat
belt tensioner and seat belt usage
Vehicles with the automatic child seat recog-
nition on the front-passenger seat: the side-
bag and pelvisbag on the front-passenger side (front) deploy 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 Headbag on the side on which an impact
occurs, independent of seat belt usage and
regardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied
R Seat belt tensioners, if the system determines
that deployment can offer additional protec-
tion for the vehicle occupants in this situation
R Headbags on the driver's and front-passenger
side in certain situations if the vehicle over-
turns and if the system determines that
deployment can offer additional protection to that provided by the seat belt 46
Occupant safetySafety

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.
Securing systems for child restraint systems
include:
R the seat belt system
R the ISOFIX securing rings
If it is absolutely necessary to fit a child restraint system on the co-driver's seat, be sure to
observe the notes on "Child restraint systems
on the co-driver's seat" (Y page 53). Informa-
tion about deactivating the co-driver's front air- bag can also be found there.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle inte-
rior and on the child restraint system.
i It is advisable to use Mercedes-Benz care
products to clean child restraint systems rec- ommended by Mercedes-Benz. You can
obtain information at a qualified specialist
workshop. ISOFIX child seat securing system
G
WARNING
ISOFIX child restraint systems do not offer
sufficient protective effect for children whose weight is greater than 22 kg who are securedusing the safety belt integrated in the child
restraint system. The child could, for example, not be restrained correctly in the event of an
accident. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
If the child weighs more than 22 kg, only use
ISOFIX child restraint systems with which the child is also secured with the vehicle seat belt. Also secure the child restraint system with the
Top Tether belt, if available.
Always observe the notes on using the child
restraint system (Y page 55) as well as the
installation and operating instructions provided
by the manufacturer for the child restraint sys-
tem being used. Before each journey, make sure that the ISOFIX
child restraint system is properly engaged in
both ISOFIX securing rings. ISOFIX securing rings
:are located between
the seat cushion and the seat backrest.
X Install the ISOFIX child restraint system on
both ISOFIX securing rings :.
ISOFIX is a standardised securing system for
special child restraint systems on the rear seats.
ISOFIX securing rings for two ISOFIX child
restraint systems are fitted on the left and right of the rear seats.
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of the lis-
ted ISOFIX child restraint systems together with the insertion guides included (Y page 58).
Using insertion guides makes it easier to fit ISO- FIX child restraint systems.
Secure child restraint systems without an ISO-
FIX child seat securing system using the seat
belts in the vehicle. Always observe the notes on
using the child restraint system (Y page 55) as
well as the installation and operating instruc-
tions provided by the manufacturer for the child restraint system being used. Automatic child seat recognition on
the front-passenger seat
The sensor system for the automatic child seat
recognition in the front-passenger seat detects
whether a special Mercedes-Benz child restraint system with transponders has been fitted. In
this case, the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indica-
tor lamp lights up and remains lit. The front-
passenger front airbag is disabled. Children in the vehicle
51Safety Z

i
If the front-passenger front airbag is disa-
bled by the automatic child seat recognition,
the following remain enabled on the front-
passenger side:
R the sidebag
R the pelvisbag
R the headbag
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. You may only transport a child on the
front-passenger seat if they are seated in a
suitable rearward or forward-facing child
restraint system. Always observe the infor-
mation about suitable positioning of the child restraint system in this Owner's Manual as
well as the child restraint system manufac-
turer's installation instructions. 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
seat-belt extender to the shoulder belt guide
on the child restraint system. The shoulder
belt strap must be routed forwards and down-
wards from the retracted seat-belt extender.
If necessary, adjust the front-passenger seat
accordingly. Always observe the information
about suitable positioning of the child
restraint system in this Owner's Manual as
well as the child restraint system manufac-
turer's installation instructions.
i Ensure that your vehicle is equipped with
automatic child seat recognition for the front-
passenger seat (Y page 53). If this is not the
case, always install a child restraint system on a suitable rear seat (Y page 55).52
Children in the vehicleSafety

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, on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, press
the Start/Stop button once or twice.
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 lights up , the front-passenger front airbag is
disabled. It 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 criteria
are met, the front-passenger front airbag 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 the front-passenger front airbag both before and
during the journey. Child restraint system on the front-
passenger seat
General notes Accident statistics show that children secured
in the rear seats are safer than children secured
in the front seats. For this reason, Mercedes- Benz strongly advises that you fit a child
restraint system on a rear seat.
Vehicles with automatic child seat recognition
on the co-driver's seat: if it is absolutely neces-
sary to fit a child restraint system to the co-driv- er's seat, always observe the notes on "Auto-
matic child seat recognition on the co-driver's
seat" (Y page 53).
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's sen-
sor system
R the unintentional disabling of the co-driver's
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 co-
driver's sun visor, see the illustration. 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. Children in the vehicle
53Safety Z

Vehicles without automatic child seat
recognition on the co-driver's seat If the co-driver's seat of your vehicle is not
equipped with automatic child seat recognition,
this is indicated by a special sticker. The sticker
is affixed to the side of the dashboard on the co-
driver's side. The sticker is visible when you
open the co-driver's door.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
lights up briefly when the key is turned to posi-
tion 2in the ignition lock. It has no function,
however, and does not indicate that the co-driv- er's seat is equipped with automatic child seat
recognition.
If you turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock, the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF and
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamps light
up briefly. They have no function, however, and do not indicate that the co-driver's seat is equip-
ped with automatic child seat recognition.
Always fit the rearward-facing restraint system
to a suitable rear seat in this case (Y page 55).
Observe the following information under "Rear-
ward-facing child restraint system" and
"Forward-facing child restraint system" and on
suitable positioning of the child restraint system
(Y page 55). Rearward-facing child restraint system Warning symbol for a rearward-facing child
restraint system
If it is absolutely necessary to fit a rearward-
facing child restraint system to the co-driver's
seat, you must always make sure that the co-
driver's front airbag is deactivated. The co-driv-
er's front airbag is only disabled if the
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is lit
continuously (Y page 38).
Always observe the information about suitable
positioning of the child restraint system
(Y page 55) as well as the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation and operating
instructions.
Forward-facing child restraint system If you secure a child in a forward-facing child
restraint system on the co-driver's seat, you
must always move the co-driver's seat as far
back as possible. The base of the child restraint system must lie fully on the co-driver's seat
cushion. The backrest of the child restraint sys-
tem must lie as flat against the co-driver's seat
backrest as possible. The child restraint system may not touch the roof or be put under strain by
the head restraint. Adjust the angle of the seat
backrest and the head restraint position accord-
ingly. Always make sure that the shoulder belt
strap is correctly routed from the seat-belt
extender on the co-driver's seat to the shoulder belt guide on the child restraint system. The
shoulder belt strap must be routed forwards
from the retracted seat-belt extender for the co-driver's seat.
Always observe the information about suitable
positioning of the child restraint system
(Y page 55) as well as the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation and operating
instructions. 54
Children in the vehicleSafety

Problems with automatic child seat recognition
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp
on the centre console is
lit. A special Mercedes-Benz child restraint system with a transponder for
automatic child seat recognition has been fitted to the front-
passenger seat. The front-passenger front airbag has therefore been
disabled as desired. G
WARNING
There is no child restraint system fitted to the front-passenger seat.
Automatic child seat recognition is malfunctioning, for example due to
electronic devices on the front-passenger seat.
There is a risk of injury.
X Remove electronic equipment from the front-passenger seat, e.g.:
R laptop
R mobile phone
R a card with a transponder, such as a ski pass or access pass
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp remains lit, the front- passenger seat may not be used.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. When you switch the
ignition on, the
6
restraint system warning lamp lights up and/or
the PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp
does not light up briefly. G
WARNING
Automatic child seat recognition is malfunctioning.
Do not install a child restraint system on the front-passenger seat.
It is recommended that you fit the child restraint system to a suitable rear seat.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Please also refer to the notes about the restraint system warning
lamp (Y page 235). Suitable positioning of the child
restraint system
Introduction Only child restraint systems which are approved
in accordance with the ECE standard ECE R44
are permitted for use in the vehicle.
For certain child restraint systems in weight cat-
egories II or III, this can mean that the area of
use is restricted. The maximum size setting of
the child restraint system is not possible due to possible contact with the roof.
"Universal" category child restraint systems can
be recognised by their orange approval label and the text "Universal". Example: approval label on the child restraint
system
"Universal" category child restraint systems can
be used on the seats indicated with U, UF or IUF according to the tables "Suitability of the seats
for attaching belt-secured child restraint sys- Children in the vehicle
55Safety Z