2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS CABRIOLET Owner's Manual

front air bag. The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp may be lit continuously or be off.For more information about the OCS, see "Prob-
lems with the Occupant Classification System"
(
Ypage 55).
Problems with the Occupant Classification System (OCS)
Be sure to observe the notes on "System self-test" (Ypage 54).
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and
MSolutions
The PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp
lights up and remains lit,
even though the front-
passenger seat is occu-
pied by an adult or a per-
son of a stature corre-
sponding to that of an
adult.The classification of the person on the front-passenger seat is incor-
rect.
XMake sure the conditions for a correct classification of the person
on the front-passenger seat are met (Ypage 51).
XIf the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp remains lit, the front-
passenger seat may not be used.
XHave OCS checked as soon as possible at an authorized Mercedes- Benz Center.
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 of a child up to
twelve months old in a
child restraint system
OCS is malfunctioning.
XMake sure there is nothing between the seat cushion and the child
seat.
XMake sure that the entire base of the child restraint system rests 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. If necessary,
adjust the position of the front-passenger seat.
XMake sure that the seat cushion length is fully retracted.
XWhen installing the child restraint system, make sure that the seat
belt is tight. Do not pull the seat belt tight using the front-passenger seat adjustment. This could result in the seat belt and the child
restraint system being pulled too tightly.
XCheck for correct installation of the child restraint system.
Make sure that the head restraint does not apply a load to the child
restraint system. If necessary, adjust the head restraint accord-
ingly.
XMake sure that no objects are applying additional weight onto the
seat.
XIf the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp remains off and/or
the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp lights up, do not install a child restraint system on the front-passenger seat. It is recom-
mended that you install the child restraint system on a suitable rear
seat.
XHave OCS checked as soon as possible at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Roll bar
GDANGER
If the roll bar has developed a malfunction, it
may not function, e.g. in the event of an acci-
dent. The roll bars may then not protect the
vehicle occupants as intended. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Occupant safety55
Safety
Z

Have roll bars checked immediately at a quali-
fied specialist workshop.
GWARNING
Risk of injury if the roll bar is triggered.
Ensure that the movement area of the roll bars
behind the rear head restraints is kept clear.
GWARNING
If you place objects or clothing on the roll bar
covers, these could impair roll bar extension.
The roll bars may then not protect the vehicle occupants as intended. In addition, objects
could endanger the vehicle occupants when
the roll bar is extending. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Ensure that the movement area of the roll bar
covers is kept clear. Always stow all objects in
the vehicle correctly.
The roll bars are under the covers behind the
rear head restraints. They extend if systems
detect that the vehicle is in danger of rollover.
Once the roll bars are extended, an open soft top
can no longer be closed. In this case, visit the
nearest qualified specialist workshop.
Deployment of Emergency Tensioning
Devices and air bags
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The air bag parts are hot after an air bag has
been deployed. There is a risk of injury.
Do not touch the air bag parts. Have a
deployed air bag replaced at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop as soon as possible.
GWARNING
A deployed air bag no longer offers any pro-
tection and cannot provide the intended pro-
tection in an accident. There is an increased
risk of injury.
Have the vehicle towed to a qualified special-
ist workshop in order to have a deployed air
bag replaced.
It is important for your safety and that of your
passenger to have deployed air bags replaced
and to have any malfunctioning air bags
repaired. This will help to make sure the air bags
continue to perform their protective function for
the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash.
GWARNING
Emergency Tensioning Devices that have
deployed pyrotechnically are no longer opera-
tional and are unable to perform their inten-
ded protective function. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Have pyrotechnically triggered Emergency
Tensioning Devices replaced immediately at a
qualified specialist workshop.
An electric motor is used by PRE-SAFE
®to trig-
ger the tightening of the seat belt in hazardous
situations. This procedure is reversible.
If Emergency Tensioning Devices are triggered
or air bags are deployed, you will hear a bang,
and some powder may also be released. The
6 restraint system warning lamp lights up.
Only in rare cases will the bang affect your hear-
ing. The powder that is released generally does
not constitute a health hazard, but it may cause short-term breathing difficulties in people with
asthma or other respiratory problems. Provided
it is safe to do so, you should leave the vehicle
immediately or open the window in order to pre-
vent breathing difficulties.
Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning
Devices (ETDs) contain perchlorate material,
which may require special handling and regard
for the environment. National guidelines must
be observed during disposal. In California, see
56Occupant safety
Safety

www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/
Perchlorate/index.cfm.
Methodofoperation
During th efirst stage of acollision ,th erestrain t
system control uni tevaluate simportant physi-
cal dat arelating to vehicl edeceleration or accel-
eration ,suc has:
Rduration
Rdirection
Rintensit y
Based on th eevaluation of this data, th e
restrain tsystem control uni ttriggers th eEmer-
gency Tensioning Devices during afrontal or
rear collision .
An Emergency Tensioning Devic ecan only be
triggered ,if:
Rth eignition is switched on
Rth ecomponent sof th erestrain tsystem are
operational. You can fin dfurther information
under "Restrain tsystem warning lamp "
(
Ypage 44 )
Rtheseat belt buckl etongue has engage din
th ebelt buckl eof th erespective fron tseat
The Emergency Tensioning Devices in th erear
compartmen tare triggered independentl yof th e
loc kstatus of th eseat belts.
If th erestrain tsystem control uni tdetects a
mor esevere accident, further component sof
th erestrain tsystem are activated independ-
entl yof eac hother in certain frontal collision
situations:
RFron tair bags as well as driver's and front-
passenger knee bags
RHea dbag, if th esystem determine sthat
deployment can offer additional protection to
tha
t provided by th eseat belt
The front-passenger fron tair bag is activated or
deactivated depending on th eperson on th e
front-passenger seat .The front-passenger fron t
air bag can only deploy in an acciden tif th e
PASSENGER AI RBA GOF Findicator lamp is off .
Observ eth einformation on th ePASSENGER AI R
BA Gindicator lamp s (
Ypage 44).
Your vehicl ehas two-stag efron tair bags .In th e
first deployment stage, th efron tair bag is filled
wit hpropellan tgas. The fron tair bag is fully
deployed wit hth emaximum amount of propel-
lan tgas if asecon ddeployment threshold is
reached within afew milliseconds. The activation threshold of th
eEmergency Ten -
sioning Devices and th eair bags is determine d
by evaluating th erat eof vehicl edeceleration or
acceleration whic hoccur sat various points in
th evehicle. This process is pre-emptive in
nature. Deploymen tshould tak eplac ein goo d
time at th estart of th ecollision .
The rat eof vehicl edeceleration or acceleration
and th edirection of th eforce are essentially
determine dby:
Rth edistribution of force sduring th ecollision
Rth ecollision angle
Rth edeformation characteristics of th evehicl e
Rthecharacteristics of th eobjec twit hwhic h
th evehicl ehas collide d
Factors whic hcan only be see nand measured
after acollision has occurred do no tplay adeci-
siv erol ein th edeployment of an air bag. Nor do
they provid ean indication of air bag deploy-
ment.
The vehicl ecan be deformed considerably, with-
out an air bag bein gdeployed. This is th ecas eif
only part swhic hare relativel yeasil ydeformed
are affecte dand th erat eof deceleration is no t
high .Conversely, air bags may be deployed eve n
though th evehicl esuffer sonly minor deforma-
tion .This is th ecas eif, for example, ver yrigid
vehicl epart ssuc has longitudinal body mem -
ber sare hit ,and sufficien tdeceleration occur s
as aresult .
If th erestrain tsystem control uni tdetects aside
impact or if th evehicl erolls over, th eapplicable
component sof th erestrain tsystem are activa-
te dindependentl yof eac hother depending on
th eapparen ttyp eof accident.
RSid eimpact air bags on th eside of impact ,
independentl yof th eEmergency Tensioning
Devic eand th euse of th eseat belt on th e
driver's seat and in th erear compartmen t
seat s
The side impact air bag on th efront-
passenger side deploys und er th
efo
llowin g
conditions:
-th eOCS system detects that th efront-
passenger seat is occupied or
-th eseat belt buckl etongue is engage din
th ebelt buckl eof th efront-passenger seat
RHea dbag on th eside of impact ,independ-
entl yof th euse of th eseat belt and inde-
pendentl yof whether th efront-passenger
seat is occupied
Occupant safety57
Safety
Z

REmergency Tensioning Devices, if the systemdetermines that deployment can offer addi-
tional protection in this situation
RHead 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 additional protec-
tion to that provided by the seat belt
iNot all air bags are deployed in an accident.
The different air bag systems work independ-
ently of each other.
How the air bag system works is determined
by the severity of the accident detected,
especially the vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration and the apparent type of accident:
RFrontal collision
RSide impact
RRollover
PRE-SAFE®(anticipatory occupant
protection system)
Introduction
In certain hazardous situations, PRE-SAFE®
takes pre-emptive measures to protect the vehi-
cle occupants.
Important safety notes
!Make sure that there are no objects in the
footwell or behind the seats. There is a danger that the seats and/or objects could be dam-
aged when PRE-SAFE
®is activated.
Despite your vehicle being equipped with the
PRE-SAFE
®system, the possibility of personal
injuries occurring as a result of an accident can-
not be eliminated. Always adapt your driving
style to suit the prevailing road and weather
conditions and maintain a safe distance from
the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
Function
PRE-SAFE®intervenes:
Rin emergency braking situations, e.g. when
BAS is activated
Rin critical driving situations, e.g. when physi-
cal limits are exceeded and the vehicle under-
steers or oversteers severely
Rvehicles with the Driving Assistance package:
when a driver assistance system intervenes
powerfully or the radar sensor system detects
an imminent danger of collision in certain sit- uations
PRE-SAFE
®takes the following measures
depending on the hazardous situation detected:
Rthe front seat belts are pre-tensioned.
Rif the vehicle skids, the front side windows are
closed.
Rvehicles with the memory function for the
front-passenger seat: the front-passenger
seat is adjusted if it is in an unfavorable posi-
tion.
If the hazardous situation passes without result-
ing in an accident, PRE-SAFE
®slackens the belt
pre-tensioning. All settings made by PRE-SAFE®
can then be reversed.
If the seat belt pre-tensioning is not reduced:
XMove the seat backrest or seat back slightly
when the vehicle is stationary.
The seat belt pre-tensioning is reduced and
the locking mechanism is released.
The seat-belt adjustment is an integral part of
the PRE-SAFE
®convenience function. Informa-
ti
on about the convenience function can be
found under "Belt adjustment" (
Ypage 48).
PRE-SAFE®PLUS (anticipatory occu-
pant protection system PLUS)
Introduction
PRE-SAFE®PLUS is only available in vehicles
with the Driving Assistance package.
Using the radar sensor system, PRE-SAFE
®
PLUS is able to detect that a head-on or rear-end
collision is imminent. In certain hazardous sit-
uations, PRE-SAFE
®PLUS takes pre-emptive
measures to protect the vehicle occupants.
58Occupant safety
Safety

Important safety notes
The intervention of PRE-SAFE®PLUScanno t
preven tan imminent collision .
The driver is no twarned about th eintervention
of PRE-SAF E
®PLUS.
PRE-SAF E®PLUSdoes no tinterven eif th evehi-
cle is backin gup.
When driving ,or when parking or exiting apark -
ing spac ewit hassistanc efrom Parking Pilot ,
PRE-SAF E
®PLUSwill no tapply th ebrakes.
Function
PRE-SAF E®PLUSintervenes in certain situa-
tion sif th eradar sensor system detects an
imminent head-on or rear-end collision .
PRE-SAF E
®PLUStakes th efollowin gmeasures
depending on th ehazardous situation detected:
Rif th eradar sensor system detects that a
head-on collision is imminent ,th eseat belt s
are pre-tensioned.
Rif th eradar sensor system detects that arear -
en dcollision is imminent :
-thebrak epressur eis increased if th edriver
applie sth ebrakes when th evehicl eis sta-
tionary.
-th eseat belt sare pre-tensioned.
The PRE-SAF E®PLUSbraking application is can -
celed:
Rif th eaccelerato rpedal is depressed when a
gear is engage d
Rif theris kof acollision passes or is no longer
detecte d
Rif Distanc ePilot DISTRONI Cindicates an
intention to pull away
If th ehazardous situation passes without result -
ing in an accident, th eoriginal setting sare
restored .
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent
Immediately after an accident, th efollowin g
measures are implemented, depending on th e
typ eand severit yof th eimpact :
Rthehazard warning lamp sare switched on
Rth eemergenc ylighting is activated
Rth evehicl edoor sare unlocked
Rth efron tside windows are lowered
Rvehicles wit h amemory function :th eelectri-
call yadjustable steering whee lis raised when
th edriver' sdoor is opened
Rth eengin eis switched off and th efuel suppl y
is cut off
Rvehicles wit hmbrace :automatic emergenc y
call
Children in the vehicle
Important safety notes
Acciden tstatistics sho wthat children secured
in th erear seat sare safer than children secured
in th efront-passenger seat .Fo rthis reason ,
Mercedes-Ben zstrongly advises that you instal l
a child restrain tsystem on arear seat .Children
are generally bette rprotected there .
If achild younger than twelve years old and
under 5ft (1.50 m) in height is traveling in th e
vehicle:
Ralways secure th echild in achild restrain t
system suitable for Mercedes-Ben zvehicles.
The child restrain tsystem must be appropri-
ate to th eage, weigh tand siz eof th echild
Rbe sur eto observ eth einstruction sand safet y
note sin this section in addition to th echild
restrain tsystem manufacturer' sinstallation
instruction s
Rbe sureto observ eth einstruction sand safet y
note son th e"Occupant classification system
(OCS)" (
Ypage 51)
GWARNIN G
If you leav echildren unsupervised in th evehi-
cle ,they could set it in motion by, for example:
Rrelease th eparking brake.
Rshif tth eautomatic transmission out of th e
parking position P.
Rstart theengine.
In addition ,they may operate vehicl eequip-
men tand become trapped .Ther eis aris kof
an acciden tand injury.
When leaving th evehicle, always tak eth e
SmartKey wit hyou and loc kth evehicle. Never
leav echildren unsupervised in th evehicle.
Children in the vehicle59
Safety
Z

GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
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.
Always ensure that all vehicle occupants have
their seat belts fastened correctly and are sitting
properly. Particular attention must be paid to
children.
Observe the safety notes on the seat belt
(
Ypage 45) and the notes on correct use of seat
belts (Ypage 46).
A booster seat may be necessary to achieve
proper seat belt positioning for children over
41 lbs (18 kg) until they reach a height where a
three-point seat belt can be properly fastened
without a booster seat.
Special seatbelt retractor
GWARNING
If the seat belt is released while driving, the
child restraint system will no longer be
secured properly. The special seat belt retrac- tor is disabled and the inertia real draws in a
portion of the seat belt. The seat belt cannot
be immediately refastened. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying atten-
tion to road and traffic conditions. Reactivate
the special seat belt retractor and secure thechild restraint system properly.
All seat belts in the vehicle, except the driver's
seat belt, are equipped with a special seat belt
retractor. When activated, the special seat belt
retractor ensures that the seat belt cannot
slacken once the child seat is secured.
Installing a child restraint system:
XMake sure you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
XPull the front seat belt smoothly out of the
seat-belt extender and the rear seat belt out
of the belt sash guide.
XEngage seat belt tongue in belt buckle.
Activating the special seat belt retractor:
XPull the seat belt out fully and let the inertia
reel retract it again.
While the seat belt is retracting, you should
hear a ratcheting sound. The special seat belt
retractor is enabled.
XPush the child restraint system down so that
the seat belt is tight and does not loosen.
Removing the child restraint system and deac-
tivating the special seat belt retractor:
XMake sure you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
XPress the release button of the seat belt
buckle, hold the seat belt tongue and route it
to the seat belt extender in front or the belt
sash guide in the rear compartment.
The special seat belt retractor is deactivated.
Child restraint system
The use of seat belts and child restraint systems
is required by law in:
Rall 50 states
Rthe U.S. territories
Rthe District of Columbia
Rall Canadian provinces
You can obtain further information about the
correct child restraint system from any author-
ized Mercedes-Benz Center.
60Children in the vehicle
Safety

GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor-
rectly on a suitable seat, it cannot protect as
intended. The child cannot then be restrained
in the event of an accident, heavy braking or
sudden changes of direction. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Make sure that you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions and the notes on use. Please ensure,
that the base of the child restraint system is
always resting completely on the seat cush-
ion. Never place objects, e.g. cushions, under or behind the child restraint system. Only use
child restraint systems with the original cover
designed for them. Only replace damaged
covers with genuine covers.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed 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 install child restraint systems prop-
erly, even if they are not being used. Make
sure that you observe the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instructions.
You will find further information on stowing
objects, luggage or loads under "Loading guide-
lines" (
Ypage 263).
GWARNING
Child restraint systems or their securing sys-
tems which have been damaged or subjected
to a load in an accident can no longer protect
as intended. The child cannot then be
restrained in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction. There is an increased risk of injury, possibly even
fatal.
Replace child restraint systems which have
been damaged or subjected to a load in an
accident as soon as possible. Have the secur-
ing systems on the child restraint system
checked at a qualified specialist workshop,
before you install a child restraint system
again.
The securing systems of child restraint systems
are:
Rthe seat belt system
Rthe LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing rings
Rthe Top Tether anchorages
If it is absolutely necessary to carry a child on
the front-passenger seat, be sure to observe the
information on the "Occupant Classification
System (OCS)" (
Ypage 51). There you will also
find information on deactivating the front-
passenger front air bag.
All child restraint systems must meet the fol-
lowing standards:
RU.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 225
RCanadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 210.2
Confirmation that the child restraint system cor-
responds to the standards can be found on an
instruction label on the child restraint system.
This confirmation can also be found in the instal-
lation instructions that are included with the
child restraint system.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle inte-
rior and on the child restraint system.
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat secur-
ing system
GWARNING
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint systems
do not offer sufficient protection for children
whose weight combined with the child
restraint system is greater than 65 lbs (29 kg) and who are secured using the safety belt
integrated in the child restraint system. In the
event of an accident, a child might not be
restrained correctly. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
If the child and the child restraint system
together weigh more than 65 lbs (29 kg), only
use LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint sys-
tems with which the child is also secured with
Children in the vehicle61
Safety
Z

the vehicle seat belt. Also secure the child
restraint system with the Top Tether belt, if
available.
Always comply with the manufacturer's instal-
lation and operating instructions for the child
restraint system used.
Before every trip, make sure that the LATCH-
type (ISOFIX) child restraint system is engaged
correctly in both LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing
rings
XInstall the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint system on both LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing
rings :.
ISOFIX is a standardized securing system for
specially designed child restraint systems on
the rear seats. LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing
rings for two LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint
systems are installed on the left and right of the
rear seats.
Non-LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seats may also
be used and can be installed using the vehicle's
seat belt system. Install the child seat according
to the manufacturer's instructions.
Top Tether
Introduction
Top Tether provides an additional connection
between the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint system secured with a LATCH-type (ISOFIX) sys-
tem and the vehicle. This helps reduce the risk of
injury even further. If the child restraint system
is equipped with a Top Tether belt, this should
always be used.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the rear seat backrests are not locked, they
could fold forwards in the event of an acci-
dent, heavy braking or sudden changes of
direction. As a result, child restraint systems
cannot perform their intended protective
function. Rear seat backrests that are not
locked can also cause additional injuries, e.g.
in the event of an accident. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Always lock rear seat backrests after instal-
ling a Top Tether belt. Observe the lock veri-
fication indicator.
If the rear seat backrest is not engaged and
locked, this will be shown in the multifunction
display in the instrument cluster.
Top Tether anchorages
Top Tether anchorage points :are located on
the rear side of the backrests on both outer rear
seats.
XPut the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint
system with Top Tether on the rear seat.
Always comply with the child restraint system
manufacturer's installation instructions when
doing so.
62Children in the vehicle
Safety