2016 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA window

passenger seat belts are not fastened, a
warning tone sounds. A warning tone also
sounds with increasing intensity for
60 seconds or until the driver or front
passenger have fastened their seat belts.
If the driver or front passenger unfasten their
seat belts during the journey, the seat belt
warning is activated again.
i For more information on the v seat
belt warning lamp, see "Warning and indi-
cator lamps in the instrument cluster, seat
belts" ( Y
page 258).
Air bags
Introduction The installation point of an air bag can be rec-
ognized by the AIR BAG symbol.
An air bag complements the correctly fas-
tened seat belt. It is no substitute for the seat
belt. The air bag provides additional protec-
tion in applicable accident situations.
Not all air bags are deployed in an accident.
The different air bag systems function inde-
pendently from one another ( Y
page 56).
However, no system available today can com-
pletely eliminate injuries and fatalities.
It is also not possible to rule out a risk of injury
caused by an air bag due to the high speed at
which the air bag must be deployed.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If you do not sit in the correct seat position,
the air bag cannot protect as intended and
could even cause additional injury when
deployed. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury. To avoid hazardous situations, always make
sure that all of the vehicle's occupants: R
have fastened their seat belts correctly,
including pregnant women R
are sitting correctly and maintain the great-
est possible distance to the air bags R
follow the following instructions
Always make sure that there are no objects
between the air bag and the vehicle's occu-
pants. R
Adjust the seats properly before beginning
your journey. Always make sure that the
seat is in an almost upright position. The
center of the head restraint must support
the head at about eye level. R
Move the driver's and front-passenger
seats as far back as possible. The driver's
seat position must allow the vehicle to be
driven safely. R
Only hold the steering wheel on the out-
side. This allows the air bag to be fully
deployed. R
Always lean against the backrest while driv-
ing. Do not lean forwards or lean against
the door or side window. You may other-
wise be in the deployment area of the air
bags. R
Always keep your feet in the footwell in
front of the seat. Do not put your feet on the
dashboard, for example. Your feet may oth-
erwise be in the deployment area of the air
bag. R
For this reason, always secure persons less
than 5 ft (1.50 m) tall in suitable restraint
systems. Up to this height, the seat belt
cannot be worn correctly.
If a child is traveling in your vehicle, also
observe the following notes: R
Always secure children under twelve years
of age and less than 5 ft (1.50 m) tall in
suitable child restraint systems. R
Child restraint systems should be installed
on the rear seats.48
Occupant safety
Safety

R
Only secure a child in a rearward-facing
child restraint system on the front-
passenger seat when the front-passenger
front air bag is deactivated. If the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is
permanently lit, the front-passenger front
air bag is deactivated ( Y
page 43).R
Always observe the instructions and safety
notes on the "Occupant Classification Sys-
tem (OCS)" ( Y
page 51) and on "Children
in the vehicle" ( Y
page 58) in addition to
the child restraint system manufacturer's
installation instructions.
Objects in the vehicle interior may pre-
vent an air bag from functioning correctly.
Before starting your journey and to avoid risks
resulting from the speed of the air bag 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 air bag, 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 the air bag cover or affix objects
such as stickers to it, the air bag can no longer
function correctly. There is an increased risk
of injury.
Never modify an air bag cover or affix objects
to it.
G WARNING
Sensors to control the air bags are located in
the doors. Modifications or work not per-
formed correctly to the doors or door panel-
ing, as well as damaged doors, can lead to the function of the sensors being impaired. The air
bags might therefore not function properly
anymore. Consequently, the air bags cannot
protect vehicle occupants as they are
designed to do. There is an increased risk of
injury.
Never modify the doors or parts of the doors.
Always have work on the doors or door pan-
eling carried out at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Front air bags
Driver's air bag C deploys in front of the
steering wheel. Front-passenger front air
bag D deploys in front of and above the glove
box.
When deployed, the front air bags offer addi-
tional head and thorax protection for the
occupants in the front seats.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF and
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamps
inform you about the status of the front-
passenger air bag ( Y
page 43).
The front-passenger front air bag will only
deploy if: R
the system, based on the OCS weight sen-
sor readings, detects that the front-
passenger seat is occupied ( Y
page 51).
The PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator
lamp is lit ( Y
page 51) R
the restraint system control unit predicts a
high accident severityOccupant safety 49
Safety Z

Knee bags
Driver' s knee bag C deploys under th e steer -
ing column and front-passenger knee bag D
under th e glov e box . The driver's and front-
passenger knee bags are triggered together
wit h th e fron t air bags .
The driver's and front-passenger knee bags
offer additional thigh, knee and lower leg pro -
tection for th e occupant s in th e fron t seats.
Side impact air bags
G WARNIN G
Unsuitable seat cover s could restrict or eve n
preven t th e deployment of th e air bags inte-
grate d int o th e seats. Consequently, th e air
bags canno t protect vehicl e occupant s as
they are designed to do. In addition , th e func-
tion of th e Occupant Classification Syste m
(OCS ) could be restricted. This poses an
increased ris k of injury or eve n fatal injury.
You should only use seat cover s that hav e
been approve d for th e respective seat by
Mercedes-Benz. Fron t side impact air bags C and rear side
impact air bags D deplo y next to th e outer
bolste r of th e seat backr est.
When deployed, th e side impact air bag offers
additional thorax protection . It also offers
additional pelvis protection for occupant s in
th e fron t seats. Ho wever, it does no t protect
the: R
head R
neck R
arm s
In th e event of a side impact , th e side impact
air bag is deployed on th e side on whic h th e
impact occur s.
The side impact air bag on th e front-
passenger side (front) deploys under th e fol -
lowin g conditions: R
th e OCS system detects that th e front-
passenger seat is occupied or R
th e belt tongue is engage d in th e belt
buckl e of th e front-passenger seat
If th e belt tongue is engage d in th e belt
buckle, th e side impact air bag on th e front-
passenger side deploys if an appropriat e acci-
den t situation occur s. In this case, deploy-
men t is independen t of whether th e front-
passenger seat is occupied or not.
Window curtain air bags
Window curtai n air bags C are integrated
int o th e side of th e roo f frame and deployed in
th e area from th e A-pillar to th e C-pillar .
When deployed, th e window curtai n air bag
enhance s th e level of protection for th e head .50
Occupant safety
Safety

However, it does not protect the chest or
arms.
In the event of a side impact, the window cur-
tain air bag 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 window curtain air bag may be
deployed in other accident situations
( Y
page 56).
Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
Introduction The Occupant Classification System (OCS)
categorizes the person in the front-passenger
seat. Depending on that result, the front-
passenger front air bag and front-passenger
knee bag are either enabled or deactivated.
The system does not disable: R
the side impact air bag R
the window curtain air bag R
the Emergency Tensioning Devices
Prerequisites
To be classified correctly, the front passenger
must sit: R
with the seat belt fastened correctly R
in an almost upright position with their
back against the seat backrest R
with their feet resting on the floor, if possi-
ble
If the front passenger does not observe these
conditions, OCS may produce a false classi-
fication, e.g. because the front passenger: R
transfers their weight by supporting them-
selves on a vehicle armrest R
sits in such a way that their weight is raised
from the seat cushion
If it is absolutely necessary to install a child
restraint system on the front-passenger seat,
be sure to observe the correct positioning of the child restraint system. Never place
objects under or behind the child restraint
system, e.g. cushions. The entire base of the
child restraint system must always rest on the
seat cushion of the front-passenger seat. The
backrest of the forward-facing child restraint
system must lie as flat as possible against the
backrest of the front-passenger seat.
The child restraint system must not touch the
roof or be subjected to a load by the head
restraint. Adjust the angle of the seat back-
rest and the head restraint position accord-
ingly.
Only then can OCS be guaranteed to function
correctly. Always observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
Operation of Occupant Classification
System (OCS)
C
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp D
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
The indicator lamps inform you whether the
front-passenger front air bag is deactivated or
enabled. X
Press the Start/Stop button once or twice,
or turn the SmartKey to position 1 or 2 in
the ignition lock.
The system carries out self-diagnostics.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF and
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamps
must light up simultaneously for approx-
imately six second s.Occu pant safety 51
Safety Z

Deployment of Emergency Tensioning
Device s an d air bags
Important safet y notes
G WARNING
The air bag parts are hot after an air bag has
bee n deployed . There is a ris k of injury.
Do no t touch th e air bag parts . Hav e a
deployed air bag replaced at a qualified spe -
cialis t workshop as soo n as possible.
G WARNING
A deployed air bag no longer offers any pro -
tection and canno t provid e th e intended pro -
tection in an accident. There is an increase d
ris k of injury.
Hav e th e vehicle towed to a qualified special-
ist workshop in order to hav e a deployed air
bag replaced.
It is important fo r your safet y and that of your
passenger to hav e deployed air bags replaced
and to hav e any malfunctionin g air bags
repaired. Thi s will hel p to mak e sur e th e air
bags continue to perform their protective
function fo r th e vehicle occupant s in th e
event of a crash .
G WARNING
Pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning Devices
that hav e bee n deployed are no longer opera-
tional and are unable to perform their inten-
ded protective function . Thi s poses an
increase d ris k of injury or eve n fatal injury.
Therefore, hav e pyrotechni c Emergency Ten -
sioning Devices whic h hav e bee n triggere d
immediately replaced at a qualified specialis t
workshop .
If Emergency Tensioning Devices are trig-
gered or air bags are deployed , you will hear a
bang, and a small amount of powder may also
be released. The u restrain t system warn -
in g lamp lights up.
Only in rar e cases will th e ban g affec t your
hearing. The powder that is release d gener-
ally doe s no t constitute a health hazard , but it may caus e short-term breathin g difficulties in
people wit h asthm a or other respirator y prob-
lems. Provided it is saf e to do so, you should
leav e th e vehicle immediately or ope n th e
window in order to preven t breathin g difficul-
ties.
Ai r bags and pyrotechni c Emergency Tension-
in g Devices (ETDs) contain perchlorat e mate-
rial , whic h may require special handlin g and
regard fo r th e environment. National guide-
lines mus t be observed durin g dis posa l. In
C alifornia, see www.dtsc.ca.gov/
HazardousWaste/Perchlorate/
index.cfm .
Method of operation Durin g th e first stage of a collision , th e
restrain t system contro l uni t evaluates impor -
tant physical dat a relatin g to vehicle deceler -
ation or acceleration , suc h as:R
duration R
direction R
intensit y
Based on th e evaluation of this data, th e
restrain t system contro l uni t triggers th e
Emergency Tensioning Devices durin g a fron -
ta l or rea r collision .
An Emergency Tensioning Devic e can only be
triggered, if: R
th e ignition is switched on R
th e component s of th e restrain t system are
operational. You can fin d further informa-
tion under: "Restrain t system warnin g
lamp " ( Y
page 43) R
th e belt tongue is engage d in th e buckl e on
th e respective front-passenger seat
The Emergency Tensioning Devices in th e
rea r compartmen t are triggere d independ -
entl y of th e loc k status of th e seat belts.
If th e restrain t system contro l uni t detects a
more severe accident, further component s of
th e restrain t system are activated independ -
entl y of eac h other in certain fronta l collision
situations:56
Occupant safety
Safety

R
Front air bags as well as driver's and front-
passenger knee bags R
Window curtain air bag, if the system deter-
mines that deployment can offer additional
protection to that provided by the seat belt
The front-passenger front air bag is activated
or deactivated depending on the person on
the front-passenger seat. The front-
passenger front air bag can only deploy in an
accident if the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indi-
cator lamp is lit. Observe the information on
the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps
( Y
page 43).
Your vehicle has two-stage front air bags.
During the first deployment stage, the front
air bag is filled with propellant gas to reduce
the risk of injuries. The front air bag is fully
deployed with the maximum amount of pro-
pellant gas if a second deployment threshold
is reached within a few milliseconds.
The activation threshold of the Emergency
Tensioning Devices and the air bag are deter-
mined by evaluating the rate of vehicle decel-
eration or acceleration which occurs at vari-
ous points in the vehicle. This process is pre-
emptive in nature. Deployment 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-
cl e 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 air bag.
Nor do they provide an indication of air bag
deployment.
The vehicle can be deformed considerably,
without an air bag 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, air bags 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 control unit of the restraint system
detects a side impact or a vehicle rollover, the
relevant components of the restraint system
are activated separately depending on the
anticipated type of accident. R
Side impact air bags on the side where the
impact takes place, independently of the
Emergency Tensioning Device and the use
of the seat belt on the driver's seat and
outer seats in the second row
The side impact air bag on the front-
passenger side (front) deploys under the
following conditions: -
the OCS system detects that the front-
passenger seat is occupied or -
the belt tongue is engaged in the belt
b uckle of the front-passenger seat R
Window curtain air bag on the side of
impact, independently of the use of the
seat belt and independently of whether the
front-passenger seat is occupied R
Emergency Tensioning Devices, if the sys-
tem determines that deployment can offer
additional protection in this situation R
Window curtain air bags on the driver's and
front-passenger side in certain situations
when the vehicle rolls over, if the system
determines that deployment can offer addi-
tional protection to that provided by the
seat belt
i Not all air bags are deployed in an acci-
dent. The different air bag systems work
independently of each other.Occupant safety 57
Safety Z

How the air bag 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
rollover
Automatic measures after an acci-
dentImmediately 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
the engine is switched off and the fuel sup-
ply is cut off R
vehicles with mbrace: automatic emer-
gency call
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 twelve years old and
under 5 ft (1.50 m) in height is traveling 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
be sure to observe the instructions and
safety notes on the "Occupant Classifica-
tion System (OCS)" ( Y
page 51)
G WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example: R
release the parking brake. R
shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P .R
start the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
G WARNING
If persons, particularly children are subjected
to prolonged exposure to extreme heat or
cold, there is a risk of injury, possibly even
fatal. Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.
G WARNING
If the child restraint system is subjected to
direct sunlight, parts may get very hot. Chil-
dren may burn themselves on these parts,
particularly on the metal parts of the child
restraint system. There is a risk of injury.
If you leave the vehicle, taking the child with
you, always ensure that the child restraint
system is not exposed to direct sunlight. Pro-
tect it with a blanket, for example. If the child
restraint system has been exposed to direct
sunlight, let it cool down before securing the
child in it. Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle.58
Children in the vehicle
Safety

Rearward-facing child restraint system If it is absolutely necessary to install a rear-
ward-facing child restraint system on the
front-passenger seat, always make sure that
the front-passenger front air bag is deactiva-
ted. Only if the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp is permanently lit ( Y
page 43)
is the front-passenger front air bag deactiva-
ted.
Always observe the child restraint system
manufacturer's installation and operating
instructions.
Forward-facing child restraint system If it is absolutely necessary to install a
forward-facing child restraint system on the
front-passenger seat, always move the front-
passenger seat as far back as possible. Fully
retract the seat cushion length. The entire
base of the child restraint system must
always rest on the seat cushion of the front-
passenger seat. The backrest of the child
restraint system must lie as flat as possible
against the backrest of the front-passenger
seat. The child restraint system must not
touch the roof or be subjected to a load by the
head restraint. Adjust the angle of the seat
backrest and the head restraint position
accordingly. Always make sure that the shoul-
der belt strap is correctly routed from the
vehicle belt outlet 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 outlet. If neces-
sary, adjust the vehicle belt outlet and the
front-passenger seat accordingly.
Always observe the child restraint system
manufacturer's installation and operating
instructions. Child-proof locks
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If children are traveling in the vehicle, they
could: R
open doors, thus endangering other people
or road users R
exit the vehicle and be caught by oncoming
traffic R
operate vehicle equipment and become
trapped
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Always activate the child-proof locks and
override feature if children are traveling in the
vehicle. When leaving the vehicle, always take
the key with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unattended in the vehicle.
Override feature for: R
the rear doors ( Y
page 64) R
the rear side windows ( Y
page 64)
G WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example: R
release the parking brake. R
shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P . R
start the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
G WARNING
If persons, particularly children are subjected
to prolonged exposure to extreme heat or
cold, there is a risk of injury, possibly even
fatal. Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.Children in the vehicle 63
Safety Z