2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS SUV Owners Manual

Information on au
tomatic front passen ger
airbag shutoff
The front passenger airbag can only be deplo yed
in an accident if thePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp is off. If the front passenger seat
is occupied, make sure, bo thbefore and during
th e journe y,that thest atus of the front
passenger airbag is cor rect (/ page 50).
* NO
TEImpo rtant points toremember if
th e front passenger seat is unoccupied In an accident,
the components of the
re stra int sy stem may deploy unnecessarily
on the front passenger side if:
R There are heavy objects on the front
passenger seat.
R The seat belt tongue is engaged in the
seat belt buckle of the front passenger
seat and the front passenger seat is
unoccupied. #
Stow objects in a suitable place. #
Only one person should use each seat
belt at any one time. Depending on
the de tected accident situation,
th e window airbag on the front passenger side
may deplo y.The airbag is deplo yedre ga rdless of
whe ther the front passenger seat is occupied.
Information on the cushionbag in there clin‐
ing rear seat
The cushionbag of fers additional occupant pro‐
te ction in theeve nt of frontal impacts. When
enabled, the cushionbag deplo ysunder the seat
cushion. This helps pr eventtheve hicle occupant
from slipping off the seat cushion.
If yo u ins tall a child restra int sy stem on the
re clining rear seat, alw ays obser vethe additional
no tes (/ page 56). Pr
otective capacity of the airbags Depending on
the accident situation, an airbag
may supplement the pr otection of fere dby a cor‐
re ctly fastened seat belt. &
WARNING Risk of inju ryor death due to
an incor rect seat position
If yo u deviate from the cor rect seat position,
th e airbag cann otper form its intended pro‐
te ctive function.
Each vehicle occupant must make sure of the
fo llowing:
R Fasten seat belts cor rectl y.Pregnant
wo men must take particular care to
ensure that the lap belt ne ver lies across
th e abdomen.
R Adopt the cor rect seat position and keep
as faraw ay as possible from the airbags.
R Obser vethefo llowing information. #
Alw ays make sure that there are no
objects between the airbag and vehicle
occupant. To
avo idtherisks resulting from the deployment
of an airbag, each vehicle occupant must
obser vethefo llowing information in particular:
R Before starting your journe y,adjust your seat
co rrectly; the driver's seat and front 46
Occupant saf ety

passenger seat should be mo
ved as far back
as possible.
When doing so, alw ays obser vethe informa‐
tion on the cor rect driver's seat position
(/ page 105).
R Only hold thesteering wheel bythesteering
wheel rim. This allows the airbag tobe fully
deplo yed.
R Alw ays lean against the seat backrest when
th eve hicle is in motion. Do not lean forw ards
or against the door or side windo w.You may
ot herwise be in the deployment area of the
airbags.
R The occupants must alw ayske ep their feet
on thefloor. Do not put your feet on the
cockpit, forex ample. Your feet may other‐
wise be in the deployment area of the airbag.
R Ifch ildren are tra velling in theve hicle,
obser vethe additional no tes (/ page 56).
R Alw aysstow and secure objects cor rectly. Objects in
theve hicle interior may pr event an
airbag from functioning cor rectly. Each vehicle
occupant must alw ays make sure of thefo llow‐
ing in particular:
R There are no people, animals or objects
between theve hicle occupants and an air‐
bag.
R There are no objects between the seat, door
and door pillar (B-pillar).
R There are no hard objects, e.g. coat hangers,
hanging on the grab handles or coat hooks.
R There are no accessory parts, such as mobile
navigation devices, mobile phones or cup
holders, within the deployment area of an air‐
bag, e.g. on the cockpit, on the door, on the
side window or on the side trim.
In addition, no connecting cables, tensioning
st ra ps or retaining stra ps must be routed or
attached totheve hicle within the deploy‐
ment area of an airbag. Alw ays comply with
th e accessory manufacturer's ins tallation
instructions and, in particular, the no tes on
suitable places for ins tallation. R
There are no heavy, sharp-edged or fragile
objects in the poc kets of your clo thing. Store
such objects in a suitable place. Limited pr
otection pr ovided byairbags &
WARNING Risk of inju rydue tomodifi‐
cations tothe co ver of an airbag
If yo u modify the co ver of an airbag or af fix
objects such as sticke rs to it,the airbag may
no longer function cor rectly. #
Never modify the co ver of an airbag and
do not af fix objects toit. The ins
tallation location of an airbag is identified
by the AIRB AGsymbol (/ page 45). &
WARNING Risk of inju ryor death due to
th e use of unsuitable seat co vers
Due tounsuitable seat co vers,th e airbags
cann otprotect vehicle occupants as inten‐
ded. Occupant saf
ety47

In addition,
the operation of the automatic
front passenger airbag shutoff could be
re stricted. #
You should on lyuse seat co vers that
ha ve been appr oved forth e cor respond‐
ing seats byMercedes-Benz. &
WARNING Risk of inju rydue tomalfunc‐
tioning sensors in the door
The function of the airbags can be impaired
due tomodifications or incor rect wo rkper‐
fo rm ed on the doors or door trim, or if the
doors are damaged. #
Never modify the doors or parts of the
doors. #
Alw ays ha vewo rkon the doors or door
trim car ried out at a qualified specialist
wo rkshop. &
WARNING Risk of inju rydue todeplo yed
airbag
A deplo yed airbag no longer of fers any pro‐
te ction. #
Have theve hicle towe dto aqu alified
specialist workshop in order tohave the
deplo yed airbag replaced. Ha
ve deplo yed airbags replaced immediately. St
atus of the front passenger front airbag Fu
nction of the automatic front passenger
airbag shu toff
The automatic front passenger airbag shutoff is
able todetect whe ther the front passenger seat
is occupied bya person or a child restra int sys‐
te m. The front passenger airbag is enabled or
disabled accordingly. &
WARNING Risk of inju ryor death due to
objects under the co-driver seat
Objects trapped under the co-driver seat can
inter fere with the function of the automatic
co-driver airbag shutoff or damage the sys‐
te m. #
Do not store any objects under the co-
driver seat. #
When the co-driver seat is occupied,
make sure that no objects are trapped
under the co-driver seat. When
fitting a child restra int sy stem tothe front
passenger seat, alw ays make sure of thefo llow‐
ing:
R Ensure that thech ild restra int sy stem is posi‐
tioned cor rectly (/ page 59).
R Alw ays comply with thech ild restra int sys‐
te m manufacturer's ins tallation instructions.
R Never place objects (e.g. cushions) under or
behind thech ild restra int sy stem.
R Fully retract the seat cushion length adjust‐
ment.
R The entire base of thech ild restra int sy stem
must alw aysre st on the sitting sur face of the
front passenger seat.
R The backrest of thefo rw ard-facing child
re stra int sy stem must, as far as possible, be
re sting on the seat backrest of the front
passenger seat. 48
Occupant saf ety

R
The child restra int sy stem must not touch the
ro of or be put under stra in by the head
re stra ints. Adjust the seat backrest inclina‐
tion and the head restra int setting accord‐
ing ly. &
WARNING Risk of inju ryor death due to
objects between the seat sur face and
th ech ild restra int sy stem
Objects between the sitting sur face and the
ch ild restra int sy stem could af fect the func‐
tion of the automatic co-driver airbag shut‐
off. #
Do not place any objects between the
sitting sur face and thech ild restra int
sy stem. #
The entire base of thech ild restra int
sy stem must alw aysre st on the sitting
sur face of the co-driver seat. #
The backrest of thefo rw ard-facing child
re stra int sy stem must, as far as possi‐
ble, be resting on the seat backrest of
th e co-driver seat. #
Alw ays comply with thech ild restra int
sy stem manufacturer's ins tallation
instructions. A person on
the front passenger seat must
obser vethefo llowing information:
R Fasten seat belts cor rectly (/ page 41).
R Sit in an almost upright seat position with
th eir back against the seat backrest.
R Sit with their feet resting on thefloor, if pos‐
sible.
The front passenger airbag may otherwise be
disabled bymis take ,fo rex ample, in thefo llow‐
ing situations:
R The front passen ger transfers their weight by
supporting themselves on a vehicle armrest.
R The front passenger sits in such a wayth at
th eir weight is raised from the sitting sur‐
fa ce. &
WARNING Risk of inju ryor death due to
a disabled front passenger airbag
The front passenger airbag is disabled when
th ePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
is lit.
A person in the front passenger seat could
th en, forex ample, come into con tact wi th
th eve hicle interior, especially if the person is
sitting too close tothe cockpit.
If th e front passenger seat is occupied,
alw ays ensure that:
R the classification of the person in the
front passenger seat is cor rect and the
front passenger airbag is enabled or disa‐
bled in accordance with the person in the
front passenger seat.
R the front passenger seat has been mo ved
as far back as possible.
R the person is seated cor rectly. #
Both before and during the journe y,
ensure that thest atus of the front
passenger airbag is cor rect. Occupant saf
ety49

If
th e front passenger seat is occupied, the clas‐
sification of the person or child restra int sy stem
on the front passenger seat take s place af terthe
front passenger airbag shutoff self-test. The
PA SSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps display the
st atus of the front passenger airbag.
Alw ays obser vethe no tes on the function of the
PA SSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps
(/ page 50). Fu
nction of thePA SSENGER AIR BAG indica‐
to r lamps Self-
test of automatic front passenger airbag
shu toff
When the ignition is switched on, a self-test is
per form ed during which the two PASSENGER
AIR BAG ON and OFF indicator lamps light up
simul taneously. The
status of the front passenger airbag is dis‐
pla yed via thePA SSENGER AIR BAG indicator
lamps af terth e self-tes t:
R ON is lit: the front passenger airbag may
deploy during an accident.
The indicator lamp goes out af ter appro x‐
ima tely 60 seconds.
R ON and OF F are not lit: the front passenger
airbag may deploy during an accident.
R OFF is lit: the front passenger airbag is disa‐
bled. It will then not be deplo yed in theev ent
of an accident.
If th ePA SSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp is
off, on lythePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp sho ws thest atus of the front passenger
airbag. The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp may be lit continuously or be off.
If th ePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
and the6 restra int sy stem warning lamp
light up simultaneousl y,the front passenger seat
may not be used. Also in this case, do not fit a
ch ild restra int sy stem tothe front passenger
seat. Ha vethe automatic front passenger airbag 50
Occupant saf ety

shutoff
checked and repaired immediately at a
qu alified specialist workshop.
St atus display
If th e front passenger seat is occupied, ensure,
bo th before and during the journe y,that thest a‐
tus of the front passenger airbag is cor rect for
th e cur rent situation.
Af terfitting a rear wa rd-facing child restra int
sy stem tothe front passenger seat:
PA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF must be lit continu‐
ousl y. &
WARNING Risk of inju ryor death when
using a rear wa rd-facing child restra int
sy stem while the front passenger airbag
is enabled
If yo u secure a child in a rear wa rd-facing
ch ild restra int sy stem on the front passenger
seat and thePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indi‐
cator lamp is off, the front passenger airbag
can deploy in theev ent of an accident.
The child could be stru ck bythe airbag. Alw
ays ensure that the front passenger air‐
bag is disabled. The PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF indicator lamp must be lit.
NEVER use a rear wa rd-facing child restra int
sy stem on a seat with an ENABLED FRONT
AIRB AG; DEAT H or SERIOUS INJU RYtothe
CH ILD can occur. When
fitting a child restra int sy stem tothe front
passenger seat, obser vetheve hicle-specific
information (/ page73).
Depending on thech ild restra int sy stem and the
st ature of thech ild, thePA SSENGER AIR BAG
OFF indicator lamp may be off. In this case, do
not fit th ere ar wa rd-facing child restra int sy stem
to the front passenger seat.
Ins tead, fit th ere ar wa rd-facing child restra int
sy stem toa suitable rear seat.
Af terfitting a forw ard-facing child restra int
sy stem tothe front passenger seat: depend‐
ing on thech ild restra int sy stem and thest ature
of thech ild, PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF may be lit
continuously or be off. Alw ays obser vethefo l‐
lowing information. &
WARNING Risk of inju ryor death due to
incor rect positioning of thefo rw ard-
fa cing child restra int sy stem
If yo u secure a child in a forw ard-facing child
re stra int sy stem on the front passenger seat
th at is positioned too close tothe cockpit, in
th eev ent of an accident, thech ild could:
R come into con tact wi th theve hicle inte‐
ri or if thePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indi‐
cator lamp is lit, forex ample
R bestru ck bythe airbag if thePA SSENGER
AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is off. #
Alw ays mo vethe front passenger seat
as far back as possible and fully retract
th e seat cushion length adjustment.
While doing so, alw ays make sure that
th e shoulder belt stra p is cor rectly
ro uted from the seat belt outlet of the
ve hicle tothe shoulder belt guide on
th ech ild restra int sy stem. The shoulder
belt stra p must be routed forw ards and
down wards from the seat belt outlet. If
necessar y,adjust the seat belt outlet Occupant saf
ety51

and
the front passenger seat accord‐
ingly. #
Alw ays comply with thech ild restra int
sy stem manufacturer's ins tallation
instructions. When
fitting a child restra int sy stem tothe front
passenger seat, obser vetheve hicle-specific
information (/ page73).
If a person is sitting on the front passenger
seat: PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF may be lit con‐
tinuously or be off, depending on the person's
st ature.
A person on the front passenger seat must
alw ays obser vethefo llowing information:
R Ifth e front passenger seat is occupied byan
adult or a person with a stature cor respond‐
ing tothat of an adult, thePA SSENGER AIR
BA G OFF indicator lamp must be off. This
indicates that the front passenger airbag is
enabled.
If th ePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is lit continuousl y,an adult or person with a build cor
responding tothat of an adult
must not use the front passenger seat.
Ins tead, they should use a rear seat.
R Ifth e front passenger seat is occupied by a
person of smaller stature (e.g. a teenager or
small adult), thePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp either lights up continuously
or remains off, depending on the classifica‐
tion.
- Ifth ePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is off: mo vethe front passenger
seat as far back as possible, or the per‐
son of smaller stature should use a rear
seat.
- Ifth ePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is lit continuously: the person of
smaller stature should not use the front
passenger seat. &
WARNING Risk of inju ryor death when
th ePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is lit
If th ePA SSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp remains lit af terth e self-test, the front
passenger airbag is disabled.
If th e front passenger seat is occupied,
alw ays ensure that:
R The classification of the person in the
front passenger seat is cor rect and the
front passenger airbag is enabled or disa‐
bled in accordance with the person in the
front passenger seat.
R The person is sea ted proper lywith a cor‐
re ctly fastened seat belt.
R The front passenger seat has been mo ved
as far back as possible. Be sure
toalso obse rveth efo llowing fur ther
re lated subjects:
R Child restra int sy stem on the front passenger
seat (/ page73) 52
Occupant saf ety

R
Suitable positioning of thech ild restra int sys‐
te m (/ page 59) PRE-SAFE
®
sy stem PRE-
SAFE®
(anticipa tory occupant pr otec‐
tion) PRE-
SAFE®
is able todetect cer tain critical driv‐
ing situations and implement pre-em ptive meas‐
ures toprotect theve hicle occupants.
PRE-SAFE ®
can implement thefo llowing meas‐
ures independently of each other:
R Tightening the seat belts on the driver's seat
and front passenger seat.
R Closing the side windo ws.
R Vehicles with sliding sunroof: closethe
sliding sunroof.
R Vehicles with memory function: movethe
front passenger seat toa more favo urable
seat position.
R Vehicles with memory function in the
re ar comp artment: movethe outer rear
seats toa more favo urable seat position. R
Vehicles with multicontour seat: increase
th e air pressure in the seat side bols ters of
th e seat backrest.
R PRE-SAFE ®
Sound: pr ovided that the multi‐
media sy stem is switched on, generates a
brief noise signal tostimulate the innate pro‐
te ctive mechanism of a person's hea ring.
* NO
TEDama gecaused byobjects in the
fo ot we ll or behind the seat The automatic adjustment of
the seat posi‐
tion may result in damage tothe seat and/or
th e object. #
Stow objects in a suitable place. Re
versing the PRE- SAFE®
sy stem measures If an accident did not occur,
the pre-em ptive
measures that we retake n are reve rsed.
Yo u will need toper form certain settings your‐
self. #
Ifth e seat belt pre-tensioning is not reduced,
mo vethe seat backrest back slightl y.
The locking mechanism releases. Fu
nction of PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS (anticipatory
occupant pr otection plus) PRE-
SAFE®
PLUS can de tect cer tain impacts,
particular lyan imminent rear impact, and take
pre-em ptive measures toprotect theve hicle
occupants. These measures cannot necessarily
pr eve nt an imminent impact.
PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS can implement thefo llowing
measures independently of each other:
R Tightening the seat belts on the driver's seat
and front passenger seat.
R Activating there ar hazard warning lights at a
higher flashing frequenc y.
R Increasing brake pressure when theve hicle
is stationar y.This brake application is cancel‐
led automatically when theve hicle pulls
aw ay. Occupant saf
ety53