2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA steering

Panic alarm
XTo activate:press and hold the
3buttonCfor approx. one second.A visual and audible alarm is triggered if thealarm system is armed.
XTo deactivate:press3buttonCagain.
or
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
or, in vehicles with KEYLESS-GO start-functionor KEYLESS‑GO
XPress the Start/Stop button.
The SmartKey must be in the vehicle.
Occupant safety
Introduction to the restraint system
The restraint system can reduce the risk of vehi-cle occupants coming into contact with parts ofthe vehicle's interior in the event of an accident.The restraint system can also reduce the forcesto which vehicle occupants are subjected duringan accident.
The restraint system comprises:
RSeat belt system
RAir bags
RChild restraint system
RChild seat securing systems
The components of the restraint system work inconjunction with each other. They can onlydeploy their protective function if, at all times, allvehicle occupants:
Rhave fastened their seat belts correctly(Ypage 43)
Rhave the seat and head restraint adjustedproperly (Ypage 91)
As the driver, you also have to make sure thatthe steering wheel is adjusted correctly.Observe the information relating to the correctdriver's seat position (Ypage 91).
You also have to make sure that an air bag caninflate properly if deployed (Ypage 45).
An air bag supplements a correctly worn seatbelt. As an additional safety device, the air bagincreases the level of protection for vehicleoccupants in the event of an accident. For exam-ple, if, in the event of an accident, the protectionoffered by the seat belt is sufficient, the air bagsare not deployed. When an accident occurs, onlythe air bags that increase protection in that par-ticular accident situation are deployed. How-ever, seat belts and air bags generally do notprotect against objects penetrating the vehiclefrom the outside.
Information on restraint system operation canbe found under "Triggering of the EmergencyTensioning Devices and air bags" (Ypage 52).
See "Children in the vehicle" for information onchildren traveling with you in the vehicle as wellas on child restraint systems (Ypage 54).
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Modifications to the restraint system may
cause it to no longer work as intended. The
restraint system may then not perform its
intended protective function and may fail in an
accident or trigger unexpectedly, for example.
This poses an increased risk of injury or even
fatal injury.
Never modify parts of the restraint system.
Never tamper with the wiring, the electronic
components or their software.
If it is necessary to modify components of therestraint system to accommodate a person withdisabilities, contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for details. USA only: for furtherinformation contact our Customer AssistanceCenter at 1-800 FOR-MERCEDES(1‑800‑367‑6372).
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only usedriving aids which have been approved specifi-cally for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz.
40Occupant safety
Safety

seconds or once the driver's seat belt is fas-tened.
If the vehicle's speed exceeds 15 mph(25 km/h) once and the driver's and front-passenger seat belts are not fastened, a warningtone sounds. A warning tone also sounds withincreasing intensity for 60 seconds or until thedriver or front passenger have fastened theirseat belts.
If the driver or front passenger unfasten theirseat belts during the journey, the seat belt warn-ing is activated again.
Air bags
Introduction
The installation point of an air bag can be rec-ognized by the AIRBAG marking.
An air bag complements the correctly fastenedseat belt. It is no substitute for the seat belt. Theair bag provides additional protection in appli-cable accident situations.
Not all air bags are deployed in an accident. Thedifferent air bag systems function independ-ently from one another (Ypage 52).
However, no system available today can com-pletely eliminate injuries and fatalities.
It is also not possible to rule out a risk of injurycaused by an air bag due to the high speed atwhich the air bag must be deployed.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
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:
Rhave fastened their seat belts correctly,
including pregnant women
Rare sitting correctly and maintain the great-
est possible distance to the air bags
Rfollow the following instructions
Always make sure that there are no objects
between the air bag and the vehicle's occu-
pants.
RAdjust the seats properly before beginningyour journey. Always make sure that the seatis in an almost upright position. The center ofthe head restraint must support the head atabout eye level.
RMove the driver's and front-passenger seatsas far back as possible. The driver's seat posi-tion must allow the vehicle to be driven safely.
ROnly hold the steering wheel on the outside.This allows the air bag to be fully deployed.
RAlways lean against the backrest while driv-ing. Do not lean forward or lean against thedoor or side window. You may otherwise be inthe deployment area of the air bags.
RAlways keep your feet in the footwell in frontof the seat. Do not put your feet on the dash-board, for example. Your feet may otherwisebe in the deployment area of the air bag.
RFor this reason, always secure persons lessthan 5 ft (1.50 m) tall in suitable restraint sys-tems. Up to this height, the seat belt cannotbe worn correctly.
If a child is traveling in your vehicle, alsoobserve the following notes:
RAlways secure children under twelve years ofage and less than 5 ft (1.50m)tall in suitablechild restraint systems.
RChild restraint systems should be installed onthe rear seats.
ROnly secure a child in a rearward-facing childrestraint system on the front-passenger seatwhen the front-passenger front air bag isdeactivated. If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFFindicator lamp is permanently lit, the front-passenger front air bag is deactivated(Ypage 41).
RAlways observe the instructions and safetynotes on the "Occupant Classification System(OCS)" (Ypage 47) and on "Children in thevehicle" (Ypage 54) in addition to the childrestraint system manufacturer's installationand operating instructions.
Occupant safety45
Safety
Z

Objects in the vehicle interior may preventan air bag from functioning correctly.Beforestarting your journey and to avoid risks resultingfrom the speed of the air bag as it deploys, makesure that:
Rthere are no people, animals or objectsbetween the vehicle occupants and an air bag
Rthere are no objects between the seat, doorand B-pillar
Rthere are no hard objects, e.g. coat hangers,hanging on the grab handles or coat hooks
Rno accessories, such as cup holders, areattached to the vehicle within the deploymentarea of an air bag, e.g. to doors, side windows,rear side trim or side walls
Rno heavy, sharp-edged or fragile objects are inthe pockets of your clothing. Store suchobjects in a suitable place
GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
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
!Do not place heavy objects on the front-passenger seat. This could cause the systemto identify the seat as being occupied. In theevent of an accident, the restraint systems on
the front-passenger side may be triggeredand have to be replaced.
Driver's air bagCdeploys in front of the steer-ing wheel. Front-passenger front air bagDdeploys in front of and above the glove box.
When deployed, the front air bags offer addi-tional head and thorax protection for the occu-pants in the front seats.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lampinforms you about the status of the front-passenger front air bag (Ypage 41).
The front-passenger front air bag will onlydeploy if:
Rthe system, based on the OCS weight sensorreadings, detects that the front-passengerseat is occupied (Ypage 47). ThePASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp isnot lit (Ypage 48)
Rthe restraint system control unit predicts ahigh accident severity
Knee bags
Driver's knee bagCdeploys under the steeringcolumn and front-passenger knee bagDunderthe glove box. The driver's and front-passengerknee bags are triggered together with the frontair bags.
46Occupant safety
Safety

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.
Child-proof locks for the rear doors
You secure each door individually with the child-proof locks on the rear doors. A door securedwith a child-proof lock cannot be opened frominside the vehicle. When the vehicle is unlocked,the door can be opened from the outside.
XTo activate:press the child-proof lock leverup in the direction of arrowC.
XMake sure that the child-proof locks are work-ing properly.
XTo deactivate:press the child-proof locklever down in the direction of arrowD.
Override feature for the rear side win-
dows
XTo activate/deactivate:press buttonC.If indicator lampDis lit, operation of the rearside windows is disabled. Operation is onlypossible using the switches in the driver'sdoor. If indicator lampDis off, operation ispossible using the switches in the rear com-partment.
Pets in the vehicle
GWARNING
If you leave animals unsupervised or unse-
cured in the vehicle, they may press buttons
or switches, for instance.
In this way, animals may:
Ractivate vehicle equipment and become
trapped, for example
Rswitch systems on or off and thereby
endanger other road users
Furthermore, unsecured animals may be flung
around inside the vehicle in the event of an
accident or abrupt steering or braking maneu-
ver, and thereby injure vehicle occupants.
There is a risk of accident and injury.
Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle.
Always secure animals properly when driving,
for instance with a suitable pet carrier.
60Pets in the vehicle
Safety

Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information aboutthe following driving safety systems:
RABS (Anti-lockBrakingSystem)(Ypage 61)
RBAS (BrakeAssistSystem) (Ypage 61)
RActive Brake Assist (Ypage 62)
RESP®(ElectronicStabilityProgram)(Ypage 64)
REBD (ElectronicBrake forceDistribution)(Ypage 67)
RADAPTIVE BRAKE (Ypage 68)
RSTEER CONTROL (Ypage 68)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you areinattentive, the driving safety systems can nei-ther reduce the risk of an accident nor overridethe laws of physics. Driving safety systems aremerely aids designed to assist driving.
You are responsible for maintaining the distanceto the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, forbraking in good time, and for staying in lane.Always adapt your driving style to suit the pre-vailing road and weather conditions and main-tain a safe distance from the vehicle in front.Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described only workas effectively as possible when there is ade-quate contact between the tires and the roadsurface. Please pay special attention to thenotes on tires, recommended minimum tiretread depths, etc. (Ypage 291).
In wintry driving conditions, always use wintertires (M+S tires)and if necessary, snow chains.Only in this way will the driving safety systemsdescribed in this section work as effectively aspossible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way thatthe wheels do not lock when you brake. Thisallows you to continue steering the vehicle whenbraking.
The%ABS warning lamp in the instrumentcluster lights up when the ignition is switchedon. It goes out when the engine is running.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface conditions.ABS works on slippery surfaces, even when youonly brake gently.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 61).
GWARNING
If ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels could
lock when braking. The steerability and brak-
ing characteristics would be severely affec-
ted. There is an increased danger of skidding
and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,including driving safety systems, will alsobecome inoperative. Observe the informationon the ABS warning lamp (Ypage 222)and dis-play messages which may be shown in theinstrument cluster (Ypage 194).
Braking
XIf ABS intervenes:continue to depress thebrake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-uation is over.
XTo make a full brake application:depressthe brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel apulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indicationof hazardous road conditions, and functions as areminder to take extra care while driving.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
General information
BAS operates in emergency braking situations.If you depress the brake pedal quickly, BASautomatically boosts the braking force, thusshortening the stopping distance.
Driving safety systems61
Safety
Z

You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Please observe the information on warning andindicator lamps (Ypage 222)
(Ypage 222) as well as on display messages(Ypage 196).
ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety andoffers increased braking comfort. In addition tothe braking function, ADAPTIVE BRAKE also hasthe HOLD function (Ypage 158) and hill startassist (Ypage 126).
STEER CONTROL
General information
STEER CONTROL helps you by transmitting anoticeable steering force to the steering wheelin the direction required for vehicle stabilization.
This steering assistance is provided in particularif:
Rboth right wheels or both left wheels are on awet or slippery road surface when you brake
Rthe vehicle begins to skid
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 61).
No steering assistance is provided from STEERCONTROL, if:
RESP®is malfunctioning
Rthe steering is malfunctioning
If ESP®is malfunctioning, you will be assistedfurther by the electrical power steering.
Protection against theft
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle frombeing started without the correct SmartKey.
XTo activate with the SmartKey:remove theSmartKey from the ignition lock.
XTo activate with KEYLESS-GO start-func-tion or KEYLESS-GO:switch the ignition offand open the driver's door.
XTo deactivate:switch on the ignition.
When leaving the vehicle, always take theSmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Anyonecan start the engine if a valid SmartKey has beenleft inside the vehicle.
iThe immobilizer is always deactivated whenyou start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be started(yet the vehicle's battery is charged), the sys-tem is not operational. Contact an authorizedMercedes-Benz Center or call1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA) or1-800-387-0100(in Canada).
ATA (anti-theft alarm system)
XTo arm:lock the vehicle with the SmartKey orKEYLESS-GO.Indicator lampCflashes. The alarm systemis armed after approximately 15 seconds.
XTo disarm:unlock the vehicle with the Smart-Key or KEYLESS-GO.
or
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if thealarm system is armed and you open:
Ra door
Rthe vehicle with the mechanical key
Rthe trunk lid
Rthe hood
68Protection against theft
Safety

Correct driver's seat position
GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do
the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
Rfasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt
before starting the engine.
Observe the following when adjusting steeringwheelC, seat beltDand driver's seat

GWARNING
If the driver's seat is not engaged, it could
move forwards as far as the next catch during
movement such as braking or abrupt changes
of direction. As a result, you would be pushed
against your seat belt by the unsecured driv-
er's seat.
This could cause you to lose control of the
vehicle. The seat belt cannot protect as inten-
ded and could result in additional injury.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Before every journey, make sure that the driv-
er's seat is fully engaged.
Observe the safety notes on "Air bags"(Ypage 45) and "Children in the vehicle"(Ypage 54).
GWARNING
If the driver's seat is not engaged, it could
move unexpectedly while the vehicle is in
motion. This could cause you to lose control of
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Always make sure that the driver's seat is
engaged before starting the vehicle.
GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do
the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
Rfasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt
before starting the engine.
GWARNING
If you adjust the seat height carelessly, you or
other vehicle occupants could be trapped and
thereby injured. Children in particular could
accidentally press the electrical seat adjust-
ment buttons and become trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
While moving the seats, make sure that your
hands or other body parts do not get under the
lever assembly of the seat adjustment sys-
tem.
!To prevent damage to the seats and the seatheating, observe the following notes:
RDo not spill liquids onto the seats. Dry theseats as soon as possible if liquid does getspilled on the seats.
RIf the seat covers are damp or wet, do notswitch on the seat heating. Also, do not usethe seat heating to dry the seats.
RClean the seat covers as recommended;see the "Interior care" section.
RDo not transport heavy loads on the seats.Do not place pointed objects on the seatcushions such as knives, nails or tools.Where possible, use the seats only for car-rying passengers.
RWhen operating the seat heating, do notcover the seats with insulating materials,e.g. blankets, coats, bags, protective cov-ers, child seats or booster seats.
RWhen the seat heating is switched on, theseat surface can be damaged as a result ofobjects being placed on the seats, forexample, seat cushions, child seats andprotective covers not approved byMercedes-Benz.
!Make sure that there are no objects in thefootwell under or behind the seats when mov-ing the seats back. There is a risk that theseats and/or the objects could be damaged.
iFurther related subjects:
RCargo compartment enlargement (foldingdown the rear seats) (Ypage 242)
92Seats
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors