2019 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS Owners Manual

The driver's and front-passenger knee bagsoffer additional thigh, knee and lower leg pro-tection.
Side impact air bags
GWARNING
Unsuitable seat covers can obstruct or pre-
vent deployment of the air bags integrated
into the seats. Consequently, the air bags
cannot protect vehicle occupants as they
are designed to do. In addition, the opera-
tion of the occupant classification system
(OCS) could be adversely affected. This
poses an increased risk of injury or even
fatal injury.
You should only use seat covers that have
been approved for the respective seat by
Mercedes-Benz.
Side impact air bagsCdeploy next to theouter bolster of the seat backrest.
When deployed, the side impact air bag offersadditional thorax protection. However, it doesnot protect the:
Rhead
Rneck
Rarms
If the restraint system control unit detects aside impact, the side impact air bag isdeployed on the side on which the impactoccurs.
The side impact air bag on the front passengerside deploys under the following conditions:
Rthe OCS system detects that the frontpassenger seat is occupied or
Rthe seat belt buckle tongue is engaged inthe belt buckle of the front passenger seat
If the belt tongue is engaged in the beltbuckle, the side impact air bag on the frontpassenger side deploys if an appropriate acci-dent situation occurs. In this case, deploymentis independent of whether the front passengerseat is occupied or not.
Head air bags
Head bagsCdeploy in the area of the sidewindows at the front.
When deployed, the head bag enhances thelevel of protection for the head. However, itdoes not protect the:
Rchest
Rarms
If the restraint system control unit detects aside impact, the head bag is deployed on theside on which the impact occurs.
If the system determines that they can offeradditional protection to that provided by theseat belt, a head bag may be deployed in otheraccident situations (Ypage 53).
The head bag on the front-passenger sidedeploys under the following conditions:
Rthe OCS system detects that the front-passenger seat is occupied or
Rthe seat belt buckle tongue is engaged inthe belt buckle of the front-passenger seat
If the belt tongue is engaged in the beltbuckle, the head bag on the front-passengerside deploys if an appropriate accident situa-tion occurs. In this case, deployment is inde-pendent of whether the front-passenger seat isoccupied or not.
Occupant safety47
Safety
Z

Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
Introduction
The Occupant Classification System (OCS) cat-egorizes the person in the front-passengerseat. Depending on that result, the front-passenger front air bag and front-passengerknee bag are either enabled or deactivated.
The system does not deactivate:
Rthe side impact air bag
Rthe headbag
Rthe Emergency Tensioning Devices
Requirements
To be classified correctly, the front passengermust sit:
Rwith the seat belt fastened correctly
Rin an almost upright position with their backagainst the seat backrest
Rwith their feet resting on the floor, if possi-ble
If the front passenger does not observe theseconditions, OCS may produce a false classifi-cation, e.g. because the front passenger:
Rtransfers their weight by supporting them-selves on a vehicle armrest
Rsits in such a way that their weight is raisedfrom the seat cushion
If you install a child restraint system on thefront-passenger seat, be sure to observe thecorrect positioning of the child restraint sys-tem. Never place objects under or behind thechild restraint system, e.g. a cushion. Fullyretract the seat cushion length. The entirebase of the child restraint system must alwaysrest on the seat cushion of the front-passenger seat. The backrest of the forward-facing child restraint system must lie as flat aspossible against the backrest of the front-passenger seat.
The child restraint system must not touch theroof or be subjected to a load by the headrestraint. Adjust the angle of the seat backrestand the head restraint position accordingly.
Only then can OCS be guaranteed to functioncorrectly. Always observe the child restraintsystem manufacturer's installation and operat-ing instructions.
Occupant Classification System opera-
tion (OCS)
CPASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp
DPASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
The indicator lamps inform you whether thefront-passenger front air bag is deactivated orenabled.
XPress the Start/Stop button once or twice,or turn the SmartKey to positionGorHinthe ignition lock.The system carries out self-diagnostics.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF andPASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamps mustlight up simultaneously for approximately sixseconds.
The indicator lamps display the status of thefront-passenger front air bag.
RPASSENGER AIR BAG ON lights up for60 seconds, subsequently both indicatorlamps are off (PASSENGER AIR BAG ON andOFF): the front-passenger front air bag isable to deploy in the event of an accident.
RPASSENGER AIR BAG OFF lights up: thefront-passenger front air bag is deactivated.It will then not be deployed in the event ofan accident.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lampis off, only the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indi-cator lamp shows the status of the front-passenger front air bag. The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp may be lit continu-ously or be off.
If the status of the front-passenger front airbag changes while the vehicle is in motion, anair bag display message appears in the instru-ment cluster (Ypage 215). When the front-passenger seat is occupied, always pay atten-tion to the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicatorlamp. Be aware of the status of the front-
48Occupant safety
Safety

passenger front air bag both before and duringthe journey.
GWARNING
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is lit, the front-passenger front air bag
is disabled. It will not be deployed in the
event of an accident and cannot perform its
intended protective function. A person in the
front-passenger seat could then, for exam-
ple, come into contact with the vehicle's
interior, especially if the person is sitting too
close to the dashboard. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
When the front-passenger seat is occupied,
always ensure that:
Rthe classification of the person in the
front-passenger seat is correct and the
front-passenger front air bag is enabled or
disabled in accordance with the person in
the front-passenger seat
Rthe front-passenger seat has been moved
back as far back as possible.
Rthe person is seated correctly.
Make sure, both before and during the jour-
ney, that the status of the front-passenger
front air bag is correct.
GWARNING
If you secure a child in a rearward-facing
child restraint system on the front-
passenger seat and the PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp is off, the front-
passenger front air bag can deploy in the
event of an accident. The child could be
struck by the air bag. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Make sure that the front-passenger front air
bag has been deactivated. The PASSENGER
AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp must be lit.
NEVER use a rearward-facing child restraint
on a seat protected by an ACTIVE FRONT
AIRBAG in front of it; DEATH or SERIOUS
INJURY to the child can occur.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lampstays off, do not install a rearward-facing child
restraint system on the front-passenger seat.You can find more information on OCS under"Problems with the Occupant ClassificationSystem" (Ypage 51).
GWARNING
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:
Rcome into contact with the vehicle's inte-
rior if the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indi-
cator lamp is lit, for example
Rbe struck by the air bag if the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
is off
This poses an increased risk of injury or
even fatal injury.
Always move the front-passenger seat as far
back as possible and fully retract the seat
cushion length. Always make sure that the
shoulder belt strap is correctly routed from
the vehicle seat belt guide to the shoulder
belt guide on the child restraint system. The
shoulder belt strap must be routed forwards
and downwards from the seat belt guide.
Always observe the child restraint system
manufacturer's installation instructions.
If OCS determines that:
RThe front-passenger seat is unoccupied, thePASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamplights up after the self-test and remains lit.This indicates that the front-passenger frontair bag is deactivated.
RThe front-passenger seat is occupied by achild of up to twelve months old, in a stand-ard child restraint system, the PASSENGERAIR BAG OFF indicator lamp lights up afterthe self-test and remains lit. This indicatesthat the front-passenger front air bag isdeactivated.
But even in the case of a twelve-month-oldchild, in a standard child restraint system,the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicatorlamp can go out after the self-test. This indi-cates that the front-passenger front air bagis activated. The result of the classificationis dependent on, among other factors, the
Occupant safety49
Safety
Z

child restraint system and the child's stat-ure. Make sure that the conditions for a cor-rect classification are met. If thePASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lampremains off, do not install a child restraintsystem on the front-passenger seat.
RThe front-passenger seat is occupied by aperson of smaller stature (e.g. a teenager orsmall adult), the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFFindicator lamp either lights up and remainslit after the self-test depending on the resultof the classification or, alternatively, goesout.
-If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicatorlamp is off, move the front-passenger seatas far back as possible.
-If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicatorlamp is lit, a person of smaller statureshould not use the front-passenger seat.
RThe front-passenger seat is occupied by anadult or a person of corresponding stature,the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicatorlamp goes out after the self-test. This indi-cates that the front-passenger front air bagis activated.
If children are traveling in the vehicle, be sureto observe the notes on "Children in the vehi-cle" (Ypage 57).
When the Occupant Classification System(OCS) is malfunctioning, the redurestraintsystem warning lamp on the instrument clus-ter and the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indica-tor lamp light up simultaneously. The front-passenger front air bag is deactivated in thiscase and does not deploy during an accident.Have the Occupant Classification System(OCS) checked and repaired immediately at aqualified specialist workshop. Mercedes-Benzrecommends that you use an authorizedMercedes-Benz Center for this purpose.
If the front-passenger seat, the seat cover orthe seat cushion are damaged, have the nec-essary repair work carried out at a qualifiedspecialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz recom-mends that you use an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this purpose.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-mends that you only use seat accessories thathave been approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Deployment of the driver's air bag does notmean that the front-passenger front air bagdeploys as well. The Occupant ClassificationSystem (OCS) categorizes the occupant on the
front-passenger seat. Depending on thatresult, the front-passenger front air bag iseither enabled or deactivated.
Self-check of the occupant classifica-
tion system (OCS)
GDANGER
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF and
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamps do
not both light up during the self-test, the
system is malfunctioning. The front-
passenger front air bag might be triggered
unintentionally or might not be triggered at
all in the event of an accident with high
deceleration. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
In this case the front-passenger seat may
not be used. Do not install a child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat. Have
the Occupant Classification System (OCS)
checked and repaired immediately at a
qualified specialist workshop.
GWARNING
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp remains lit after the self-test, the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated. It will
not be deployed in the event of an accident.
In this case, the front-passenger front air
bag cannot perform its intended protective
function, e.g. when a person is seated in the
front-passenger seat.
That person could, for example, come into
contact with the vehicle's interior, especially
if the person is sitting too close to the dash-
board. This poses an increased risk of injury
or even fatal injury.
When the front-passenger seat is occupied,
always ensure that:
Rthe classification of the person in the
front-passenger seat is correct and the
front-passenger front air bag is enabled or
50Occupant safety
Safety

deactivated in accordance with the per-
son in the front-passenger seat
Rthe person is seated properly with a cor-
rectly fastened seatbelt
Rthe front-passenger seat has been moved
as far back as possible
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp remains lit when it should not, the
front-passenger seat must not be used. Do
not install a child restraint system on the
front-passenger seat. Have the Occupant
Classification System (OCS) checked and
repaired immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
GWARNING
Objects between the seat surface and the
child restraint system could affect OCS
operation. This could result in the front-
passenger air bag not functioning as inten-
ded 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. 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,
as far as possible, be resting on the back-
rest of the front-passenger seat. Always
comply with the child restraint system man-
ufacturer's installation instructions.
After the self-test, the PASSENGER AIR BAGOFF or the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicatorlamp displays the status of the front-passenger front airbag (Ypage 48). If thefront-passenger front airbag is enabled, thePASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp lightsup for 60 seconds and then goes out.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lampis off, only the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indi-cator lamp shows the status of the front-passenger front airbag. The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp may be lit continu-ously or be off.
For more information about the OCS, see"Problems with the Occupant ClassificationSystem" (Ypage 51).
Problems with the Occupant Classification System (OCS)
Be sure to observe the notes on "System self-test" (Ypage 50).
Occupant safety51
Safety
Z

ProblemPossible causes/consequences andPPSolutions
The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamplights up and remainslit, even though thefront-passenger seat isoccupied by an adult ora person of a staturecorresponding to that ofan adult.
The classification of the person on the front-passenger seat is incor-rect.
XMake sure the conditions for a correct classification of the per-son on the front-passenger seat are met (Ypage 48).
XIf the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp remains lit, thefront-passenger seat may not be used.
XHave OCS checked as soon as possible at an authorizedMercedes-Benz Center.
The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lampdoes not light upand/or does not stayon.
The front-passengerseat is:
Runoccupied
Roccupied by theweight of a child upto twelve months oldin a child restraintsystem
OCS is malfunctioning.
XMake sure there is nothing between the seat cushion and thechild seat.
XMake sure that the entire base of the child restraint system restson the seat cushion of the front-passenger seat. The backrest ofthe forward-facing child restraint system must lie as flat as possi-ble 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 theseat belt is tight. Do not pull the seat belt tight using the front-passenger seat adjustment. This could result in the seat belt andthe 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 thechild restraint system. If necessary, adjust the head restraintaccordingly.
XMake sure that no objects are applying additional weight onto theseat.
XIf the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp remains offand/or the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp lights up, donot install a child restraint system on the front-passenger seat.
XHave OCS checked as soon as possible at an authorizedMercedes-Benz Center.
Roll bar
GDANGER
If the roll bar has developed a malfunction, it
may not function, e.g. in the event of an
accident. The roll bars may then not protect
the vehicle occupants as intended. This
poses an increased risk of injury or even
fatal injury.
Have roll bars checked immediately at a
qualified specialist workshop.
GWARNING
If you place objects or clothing on the roll
bar covers, these could impair roll bar exten-
sion. The roll bars may then not protect the
vehicle occupants as intended. In addition,
objects could endanger the vehicle occu-
pants 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.
52Occupant safety
Safety

The roll bars are located in the rear area of thevehicle under the two outer rear compartmenttrim covers.
They extend if systems detect that the vehicleis in danger of rollover. The two outer rearcompartment trim covers are opened and theroll bars are extended within fractions of asecond.
Once the roll bars are extended, you can nolonger lower them. An open roof can no longerbe closed. In this case, visit the nearest quali-fied specialist workshop.
Deployment of Emergency Tension-
ing 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 spe-
cialist workshop in order to have a deployed
air bag replaced.
For your own safety and that of your frontpassenger, it is important that you havedeployed air bags replaced and defective airbags repaired. This will help to make sure the
air bags continue to perform their protectivefunction for the vehicle occupants in the eventof a crash.
GWARNING
Emergency Tensioning Devices that have
deployed pyrotechnically are no longer
operational and are unable to perform their
intended 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®totrigger the tightening of the seat belt in haz-ardous situations. This procedure is reversible.
If Emergency Tensioning Devices are triggeredor air bags are deployed, you will hear a bang,and some powder may also be released. Theurestraint system warning lamp lights up.
Only in rare cases will the bang affect yourhearing. The powder that is released generallydoes not constitute a health hazard, but it maycause short-term breathing difficulties in peo-ple with asthma or other respiratory problems.Provided it is safe to do so, you should leavethe vehicle immediately or open the window inorder to prevent breathing difficulties.
Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency Tension-ing Devices (ETDs) contain perchlorate mate-rial, which may require special handling andregard for the environment. National guide-lines must be observed during disposal. In Cal-ifornia, seewww.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/Perchlorate/index.cfm.
Method of operation
During the first stage of a collision, therestraint system control unit evaluates impor-tant physical data relating to vehicle decelera-tion or acceleration, such as:
Rduration
Rdirection
Rintensity
Based on the evaluation of this data, therestraint system control unit triggers the Emer-gency Tensioning Devices during a head-on orrear-end collision.
Occupant safety53
Safety
Z

An Emergency Tensioning Device can only betriggered, if:
Rthe ignition is switched on
Rthe components of the restraint system areoperational. You can find further informationunder "Restraint system warning lamp"(Ypage 41)
Rthe seat belt buckle tongue has engaged inthe belt buckle of the respective seat
If the restraint system control unit detects amore severe accident, further components ofthe restraint system are activated independ-ently of each other in certain frontal collisionsituations:
RFront air bags as well as driver's and front-passenger knee bags
Depending on the person in the front-passenger seat, the front-passenger front airbag is either enabled or disabled. The front-passenger front air bag can be deployed in anaccident only if the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFFindicator lamp is off. Observe the informationon the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps(Ypage 41).
Your vehicle has two-stage front air bags.
The activation threshold of the EmergencyTensioning Devices and the air bags is deter-mined by evaluating the rate of vehicle decel-eration or acceleration which occurs at variouspoints in the vehicle. This process is pre-emp-tive in nature. Deployment should take placein 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:
Rthe distribution of forces during the collision
Rthe collision angle
Rthe deformation characteristics of the vehi-cle
Rthe characteristics of the object with whichthe vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be seen and measuredafter a collision has occurred do not play adecisive role in the deployment of an air bag.Nor do they provide an indication of air bagdeployment.
The vehicle can be deformed considerably,without an air bag being deployed. This is thecase if only parts which are relatively easilydeformed are affected and the rate of deceler-ation is not high. Conversely, air bags may bedeployed even though the vehicle suffers only
minor deformation. This is the case if, forexample, very rigid vehicle parts such as longi-tudinal body members are hit, and sufficientdeceleration occurs as a result.
If the restraint system control unit detects aside impact or if the vehicle rolls over, theapplicable components of the restraint systemare deployed independently of each otherdepending on the apparent type of accident.
RSide impact air bag on the side of impact,independently of the Emergency TensioningDevice and the use of the seat belt on thedriver's seat
The side impact air bag on the frontpassenger side deploys under the followingconditions:
-the OCS system detects that the frontpassenger seat is occupied or
-the seat belt buckle tongue is engaged inthe belt buckle of the front passengerseat
RHead bag on the side of impact, independ-ently of the use of the seat belt and inde-pendently of whether the front-passengerseat is occupied
REmergency Tensioning Devices, if the sys-tem determines that deployment can offeradditional protection in this situation
RHead bags on the driver's and front-passenger side in certain situations whenthe vehicle rolls over, if the system deter-mines that deployment can offer additionalprotection to that provided by the seat belt
iNot all air bags are deployed in an acci-dent. The different air bag systems workindependently of each other.
How the air bag system works is determinedby the severity of the accident detected,especially the vehicle deceleration or accel-eration and the apparent type of accident:
RHead-on collision
RSide impact
RRollover
54Occupant safety
Safety