2023 MERCEDES-BENZ EQS SUV Owners Manual

Purpose and function of the restraint system
Overview of deployment situations (restraint sys-tem)
Make sure that the following prerequisites in par-
ticular have been met so that the components of the restraint system are able to provide the inten-ded level of protection:
= Sit correctly (  page 45).
= Fasten the seat belt correctly (  page 46).
- Function of the seat belt warning lamp
(  page 48).
- Function of the rear seat belt status dis-
play (  page 48).
= The u restraint system warning lamp is not
lit up aser the self-test (  page 47).
= The PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps dis-
play the correct status of the front passenger air bag (  page 49).
Depending on the detected deployment situation,
the components of the restraint system can be
activated or deployed independently of each
other:
= Emergency Tensioning Device: frontal impact,
rear impact, side impact, rollover
= Driver\bs air bag, front passenger air bag: fron-
tal impact
= Knee bag: frontal impact
= Side impact air bag: side impact
= Window curtain air bag: side impact, rollover,
frontal impact
= Belt air bag in the rear seat belt: frontal
impact
= PRE-SAFE n
Impulse Side: side impact
The installation location of an air bag is identiNed
by the AIRBAG symbol (  page 61).
Observe the information on the function of the restraint system (  page 55).Information on how the restraint system works
How the restraint system functions depends on
the severity of the impact detected and the appa- rent type of accident.
For more information about types of accidents, see "Overview of deployment situations"
(  page 55).
The activation thresholds for the components of
the restraint system are determined based on the evaluation of the sensor values measured at vari-
ous points in the vehicle. This process is pre-emp-
tive in nature. The triggering/deployment of the
components of the restraint system must take place in good time at the start of the collision.
Factors that can be seen and measured only aser
a collision has occurred cannot play a decisive
role in air bag deployment. Nor do they provide an indication of air bag deployment.
The vehicle may be deformed signiNcantly without
an air bag being deployed. This is the case if only parts that are relatively easily deformed are aMec-
ted and the rate of vehicle deceleration is not
high. Conversely, an air bag may be deployed
even though the vehicle suMers only minor defor-
Occupant safety55

mation. If very rigid vehicle parts such as longitu-dinal members are hit, this may result in suP-
ciently high levels of vehicle deceleration.
Depending on the apparent type of accident and
the detected deployment situation, Emergency
Tensioning Devices and/or air bags supplement
the protection oMered by a correctly worn seat
belt.
When enabled, an air bag can provide additional protection for the respective vehicle occupant.
Potential protection provided by each air bag:
= Knee bag: thigh, knee and lower leg
= Driver\bs air bag, front passenger air bag: head
and ribcage
= Window curtain air bag: head
= Side impact air bag: ribcage, also pelvis for
front seat occupants
However, no system available today can com- pletely eliminate injuries and fatalities in everyaccident situation. In particular, the seat belt and
air bag generally do not protect against objects penetrating the vehicle from the outside. It is alsonot possible to completely rule out the risk ofinjury caused by the air bag deploying.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have thevehicle towed to a qualiNed specialist workshop
aser an accident. Take this into account, particu-
larly if a Emergency Tensioning Device is triggered
or an air bag deployed.
If the Emergency Tensioning Devices are triggered
or an air bag is deployed, you will hear a bang,
and a small amount of powder may also be released:
= The bang will not generally aMect your hearing.
= In general, the powder released is not hazard-
ous to health but may cause short-term breathing diPculties to persons suMering from
asthma or other pulmonary conditions.
Provided it is safe to do so, leave the vehicle
immediately or open the window in order to
prevent breathing diPculties.
Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning
Devices contain perchlorate material, which may
require special handling or environmental protec-
tion measures. National guidelines regarding
waste disposal must be observed. In California,see https://dtsc.ca.gov/. Using the search func- tion, you will Nnd information on perchlorate, for
example.
Information on the limited protection provided by the restraint system
Risk due to the incorrect behavior of vehicle occu-pants
Every vehicle occupant must make sure of the fol- lowing in particular:
= They observe the information on the correct
seat position (  page 45).
= There are no heavy, sharp-edged or fragile
objects in the pockets of their clothing. Store
such objects in a suitable place.
&WARNING Risk of injury or death due to
an incorrect seat position
The seat belt does not oMer the intended level
of protection if you have not moved the seat backrest to an almost vertical position.
In particular, you could slip beneath the seat- belt and become injured.
56Occupant safety

Adjust the seat properly before begin-
ning your journey.Always ensure that the seat backrest is
in an almost vertical position and that
the shoulder belt is routed across the
center of your shoulder.
Risk due to objects in the vehicle interior
Every vehicle occupant must make sure of the fol-
lowing in particular:
= They observe the information on the correct
seat position (  page 45).
= There are no objects between the seat, door
and door pillar (B-pillar).
= There are no hard objects, e.g. coat hangers,
hanging on the grab handles or coat hooks.
= There are no heavy, sharp-edged or fragile
objects in the pockets of their clothing. Store
such objects in a suitable place.
&WARNING Risk of injury or death due to
blocked seat belt buckle or seat belt
anchorage
Objects next to the front seat that block the
seat belt buckle or the moving seat belt
anchorage on the front seat impair the func- tion of the Emergency Tensioning Devices.
Before starting the journey, make sure
that there are no objects around the seat
belt buckle or between the front seat
and door.&WARNING Risk of injury from objects in
the deployment area of an airbag
Objects in the deployment area of an airbag
can hinder or prevent the correct deployment
of the airbag.
The airbag may then deploy in an uncontrolled manner and may even cause additional inju-
ries to the vehicle occupants by deploying.
This may be the case in particular if the airbag is integrated into the seat.
Always stow and secure objects cor-
rectly.Before commencing your journey, make
sure that no objects are stowed in the
deployment area of an airbag.
The installation location of an air bag is identiNed
by the AIRBAG (  page 61) symbol.
Risk due to installing accessories
Do not attach accessories such as mobile naviga-
tion 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
straps or retaining straps must be routed or attached to the vehicle within the deployment
area of an air bag. Always comply with the acces- sory manufacturer\bs installation instructions and,
in particular, the notes on suitable places for installation.
Occupant safety57

&WARNING Risk of injury or death due to
unsuitable protective covers
Unsuitable protective covers mean that air
bags can no longer protect vehicle occupants as they are designed to do.
Use only protective covers approved by
Mercedes-Benz for the seat in question.
In addition, the function of the automatic
passenger air bag deactivation may be restricted
by an unsuitable protective cover. If the front
passenger seat is occupied, ensure that the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps display thecorrect status of the front passenger air bag
(  page 49).
Risk due to pets in the vehicle interior
&WARNING Risk of accident and injury due
to animals les unsecured or unattended in
the vehicle
If you leave animals in the vehicle unattended or unsecured, they could possibly press but-
tons or switches.
An animal may:
= Activate vehicle equipment and become
trapped, for example
= Switch systems on or oM and endanger
other road users
Unsecured animals may be thrown around in
the vehicle in the event of an accident or sud-
den steering and braking maneuvers and injure vehicle occupants in the process.Never leave animals in the vehicle unat-
tended.Always correctly secure animals while
driving, e.g. using a suitable animal car-
rier.
Risk due to modiNcation, damage or wear to the
components of the restraint system
&WARNING Risk of injury or death due to
modiNcations to the restraint system
Vehicle occupants may no longer be protected
as intended if alterations are made to the
restraint system.
Never alter the parts of the restraint sys- tem.Never tamper with the wiring or any elec-
tronic component parts or their sos-
ware.If it is necessary to modify the vehicle to accom- modate a person with disabilities, contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for details.
USA only: for details, contact our Customer Assis-
tance Center on 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1!

=ModiNcations have been made to the
Emergency Tensioning Device, seat belt
anchorage or seat belt retractor
Seat belts may sustain non-visible damage in
an accident, e.g. due to glass splinters.
ModiNed or damaged seat belts could tear or
fail in the event of an accident, for example.
ModiNed Emergency Tensioning Devices could
accidentally trigger or fail to function as inten- ded.Never modify the seat belt system, for
example the seat belt, seat belt buckle,
Emergency Tensioning Device, seat belt
anchorage and seat belt retractor.Make sure that the seat belts are undam-
aged, not worn and clean.Always have the seat belts checked immediately aser an accident at a quali-
Ned specialist workshop.Use only seat belts that have been approved for
your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz.&WARNING Risk of injury due to modiNca-
tions to the cover of an airbag
If you change the cover of an airbag or attach
objects, e.g. even stickers, to it, the airbag
may no longer function as intended.
Never modify the cover of an airbag.Do not attach any objects to the cover.
The installation location of an air bag is identiNed
by the air bag symbol (  page 61).
&WARNING Risk of injury due to malfunc-
tioning sensors in the door
The function of the airbags can be impaired
due to modiNcations or incorrect work per-
formed on the doors or door trim, or if the
doors are damaged.
Never modify the doors or parts of the
doors.Always have work on the doors or door
trim carried out at a qualiNed specialist
workshop.Risk due to components of the restraint system that have already been deployed
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have the
vehicle towed to a qualiNed specialist workshop
aser an accident.&WARNING Risk of burns from hot air bag
components
The air bag parts are hot aser an air bag has
been deployed.
Do not touch the air bag parts.Have a deployed air bag replaced at a
qualiNed specialist workshop as soon as
possible.&WARNING Risk of injury due to deployed
airbag
A deployed airbag no longer oMers any protec-
tion.
Have the vehicle towed to a qualiNed
specialist workshop in order to have the
deployed airbag replaced.Have deployed air bags replaced immediately.Occupant safety59

&WARNING Risk of injury or death from
deployed pyrotechnic Emergency Tension-
ing Devices
Pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning Devices that have been deployed are no longer opera-
tional and are unable to perform their inten-
ded protective function.
Therefore, have deployed pyrotechnic
Emergency Tensioning Devices immedi-
ately replaced at a qualiNed specialist
workshop.
Seat belts
Information on the belt air bag in the rear seat
belt
The BELTBAG identiNcation indicates that a rear
seat belt is equipped with a belt air bag.
When activated, the belt air bag increases the
protected area of the vehicle occupant\bs ribcage.
&WARNING Risk of injury or death due to
use of an unsuitable child restraint system
If you attach a child restraint system using a seat belt equipped with a belt air bag, the beltair bag may damage the child restraint system
in the event of an accident or the belt air bag itself can be damaged.
Always secure a child restraint systemwith an integrated harness system withISOFIX.Also secure Top Tether if present.Never secure a child restraint system
with a seat belt equipped with a belt air
bag.Instead, mount the child restraint system e.g. on the front passenger seat.
If the front passenger seat is occupied, ensure
that the status of the front passenger air bag is
correct for the current situation (  page 49).
Observe the information on the function of the automatic front passenger air bag shut oM
(  page 51).
Straightening out a twisted rear seat belt with a
belt air bag
If the rear seat belt with a belt air bag is twisted,you must straighten it out before fastening the
seat belt tongue.
Slide the seat belt tongue upward to the seat belt outlet and hold it.Pull out the seat belt completely and hold it.The seat belt tongue is now at the more nar-
row part of the seat belt strap.Turn the seat belt strap in the seat belt tongue
slit until it is in the correct position.Slide the seat belt tongue downward and allow
the seat belt to retract completely.
Releasing seat belts
Press the release button in the seat belt buckle and guide the seat belt back with the
seat belt tongue.60Occupant safety

*NOTE Damage caused by trapping the
seat belt
If an unused seat belt is not fully retracted, it
may become trapped in the door or in the seat
mechanism.
Always ensure that an unused seat belt
is fully retracted.
Airbags
Overview of air bags
1Driver\bs knee air bag2Driver\bs air bag3Front passenger air bag4Front passenger knee air bag5Window air bag6Side air bag
The installation location of an air bag is identiNed
by the AIRBAG symbol. An additional arrow sym-
bol P indicates the installation location for cer-
tain air bags.
Observe the information under "Overview of deployment situations" (  page 55).
Occupant safety61

Brief overview of most important points
Safely transporting children in the vehicle
Always observe the following when transporting
children:
= Never leave children unattended in the vehicle
(  page 64).
=
Secure children up to a height of (1.50 m) on
the respective seat (see illustration above) properly with a suitable and approved child
restraint system , and secure small children in
a rearward-facing child restraint system.
= Observe the child restraint system manufac-
turer\bs installation instructions.
Les/right rear seat (preferred seats)
Preferred securing system:®ISOFIX mounting bracketand¯Also secure Top Tether if present
(  page 73).
Alternative securing system:
vVehicle seat belt¯Additionally attach Top Tether if recom-
mended by the manufacturer of the child
restraint system (  page 73).Front passenger seat
Securing system:vVehicle seat belt
Be sure to observe:
= If the front passenger seat is occupied, ensure
that the status of the front passenger air bag is correct for the current situation
(  page 49).
(*) rearward-facing child restraint system only in
combination with automatic air bag shutoM
Center rear seat
Securing system:
vVehicle seat belt¯Additionally attach Top Tether if recom-
mended by the manufacturer of the child
restraint system (  page 73).62Safely transporting children in the vehicle