MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SALOON 2022 Workshop Manual

Seat belt warning function for the driver and front
passeng er The

bol P indicat
es the installation location for cer-
tain airbags.
When enabled, an airbag can provide additional
protection for the respective vehicle occupant.
Potential protection provided by each airbag: = Knee airbag: thigh, knee and lower leg
= Driver's airbag, front passenger airbag: head
and ribcage
= Window airbag: head
= Side airbag: ribcage, also pelvis for front seat
occupants
= Centre airbag: head and ribcage
Information on child restraint systems on the front
passenger seat &
WARNING Risk of injur
y or death if the co-
driver airbag is enabled
If the co-driver airbag is enabled, a child on
t
he co-driver seat may be struck by the co-
driver airbag during an accident. NEVER use a rearward-facing child restraint
sy

stem on a seat with an ENABLED FRONT
AIRBAG; DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the
CHILD can occur. When
Ntting a c
hild restraint system to the front
passenger seat, observe the vehicle-speciNc infor-
mation ( page 74). Also, always observe the
notes on rearward-facing or forward-facing child
restraint systems on the front passenger seat
(  page 73).
Information on automatic front passenger airbag
shutoM
The front passenger airbag can only be deployed
in an accident if the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp is oM. If the front passenger seat is
occupied, make sure, both before and during the
journey, that the status of the front passenger air-
bag is correct ( page 53). *
NOTE Deplo
yment of components of the
restraint system when the front passenger
seat is unoccupied In an accident, the components of the
r
estraint system may deploy unnecessarily on
the front passenger side if:
= There are heavy objects on the front
passenger seat.
= 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 an
y one time. Depending on the detected accident situation, the
windo
w airbag on the front passenger side may
deploy. The airbag is deployed regardless of
whether the front passenger seat is occupied.
Information on the centre airbag
When triggered, the centre airbag deploys
between the front seats. Do not stow any objects
in the deployment area of the centre airbag. Occupant safety
49

Protection provided by the airbags
Depending on the accident situation, an airbag
ma
y supplement the protection oMered by a cor-
rectly fastened seat belt. &
WARNING Risk of injur
y or death due to
an incorrect seat position
If you deviate from the correct seat position,
t
he airbag cannot perform its intended protec-
tive function.
Each vehicle occupant must make sure of the
following:
= Fasten seat belts correctly. Pregnant
women must take particular care to ensure
that the lap belt never lies across the
abdomen.
= Adopt the correct seat position and keep
as far away as possible from the airbags.
= Observe the following information. 
Always make sure that there are no
objects be
tween the airbag and vehicle
occupant. To avoid the risks resulting from the deployment
of an airbag, eac

h vehicle occupant must observe
the following information in particular:
= Before starting your journey, adjust your seat
correctly; the driver's seat and front
passenger seat should be moved as far back
as possible.
When doing so, always observe the informa-
tion on the correct driver's seat position
( page 104).
= Only hold the steering wheel by the steering
wheel rim. This allows the airbag to be fully
deployed.
= Always lean against the seat backrest when
the vehicle is in motion. Do not lean forwards
or against the door or side window. You may
otherwise be in the deployment area of the
airbags.
= The occupants must always keep their feet on
the Ooor. Do not put your feet on the cockpit,
for example. Your feet may otherwise be in the
deployment area of the airbag.
= If children are travelling in the vehicle, observe
the additional notes ( page 59). =
Alw ays stow and secure objects correctly.
Objects in the vehicle interior may prevent an air-
bag from functioning correctly. Each vehicle occu-
pant must always make sure of the following in
particular:
= There are no people, animals or objects
between the vehicle occupants and an airbag.
= 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 accessories, such as mobile navi-
gation devices, mobile phones or cup holders,
within the deployment area of an airbag, e.g.
on the cockpit, on the door, on the side win-
dow 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 airbag. Always comply with the
accessory manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions and, in particular, the notes on suitable
places for installation. 50
Occupant safety

=
Ther e are no heavy, sharp-edged or fragile
objects in the pockets of your clothing. Store
such objects in a suitable place. Limitations of the protection provided by airbags
&
WARNING Risk of injur
y due to modiNca-
tions to the cover of an airbag
If you modify the cover of an airbag or aPx
objects suc
h as stickers to it, the airbag can
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 airbag is
identiNed
b
y the AIRBAG symbol ( page 48).
Objects in the deployment area of an airbag may
prevent the airbag from functioning correctly. &
WARNING Risk of injur
y from objects in
the deployment area of an airbag
Objects in the deployment area of an airbag
can hinder or pr
event 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-
r
ectly. 
Before commencing your journey, make
sur

e that no objects are stowed in the
deployment area of an airbag. Observe the notes on loading the vehicle
(
 pag

e 121). When triggered, the centre airbag
deploys between the front seats (  page 48). &
WARNING Risk of injur
y or death due to
the use of unsuitable seat covers
Due to unsuitable seat covers, the airbags
canno
t protect vehicle occupants as intended.
In addition, the operation of the automatic
front passenger airbag shutoM could be
restricted. 
You should only use seat covers that
ha

ve been approved for the correspond-
ing seats by Mercedes-Benz. &
WARNING Risk of injur
y due to malfunc-
tioning sensors in the door
The function of the airbags can be impaired
due t
o 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
door

s. 
Always have work on the doors or door
tr

im carried out at a qualiNed specialist
workshop. Occupant safety
51

&
WARNING Risk of injur y due to deployed
airbag
A deployed airbag no longer oMer
s any protec-
tion. 
Have the vehicle towed to a q
ualiNed
specialist workshop in order to have the
deployed airbag replaced. Have deployed airbags replaced immediately.
Status of the front passenger front airbag
Function of the automatic front passenger airbag
shut

oM
The automatic front passenger airbag shutoM is
able to detect whether the front passenger seat is
occupied by a person or a child restraint system.
The front passenger airbag is enabled or disabled
accordingly. &
WARNING Risk of injur
y or death due to
objects under the co-driver seat
Objects trapped under the co-driver seat can
int
erfere with the function of the automatic
co-driver airbag shutoM or damage the system. 
Do not store any objects under the co-
dr
iver seat. 
When the co-driver seat is occupied,
mak
e sure that no objects are trapped
under the co-driver seat. When Ntting
a c
hild restraint system to the front
passenger seat, observe the vehicle-speciNc infor-
mation (  page 74). Also, always observe the
notes on rearward-facing or forward-facing child
restraint systems on the front passenger seat
(  page 73).
A person on the front passenger seat must
observe the following information:
= Fasten seat belts correctly ( page 44).
= Sit in an almost upright seat position with their
back against the seat backrest. =
Sit wit
h their feet resting on the Ooor, if possi-
ble.
The front passenger airbag may otherwise be dis-
abled by mistake, for example, in the following sit-
uations:
= The front passenger transfers their weight by
supporting themselves on a vehicle armrest.
= The front passenger sits in such a way that
their weight is raised from the seat surface. &
WARNING Risk of injur
y or death due to a
disabled front passenger airbag
The front passenger airbag is disabled when
t
he PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
is lit.
A person in the front passenger seat could
then, for example, come into contact with the
vehicle interior, especially if the person is sit-
ting too close to the cockpit. 52
Occupant safety

If the front passenger seat is occupied, always
ensur e that:
= the classiNcation of the person in the front
passenger seat is correct and the front
passenger airbag is enabled or disabled in
accordance with the person in the front
passenger seat.
= the front passenger seat has been moved
as far back as possible.
= the person is seated correctly. 
Both before and during the journey,
ensur

e that the status of the front
passenger airbag is correct. If the front passenger seat is occupied, the classi-
Ncation
of t

he person or child restraint system on
the front passenger seat takes place aser the
front passenger airbag shutoM self-test. The
PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps display the
status of the front passenger airbag.
Always observe the notes on the function of the
PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps
(  page 53). Function of the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator
lam

ps Vehicles without automatic front passenger airbag
shut

oM have a special sticker aPxed to the side of
the cockpit on the front passenger side
(  page 73). Self-test of automatic front passenger airbag shut-
oM When t

he vehicle is switched on, a self-test is per-
formed during which the two PASSENGER AIR
BAG ON and OFF indicator lamps light up simulta-
neously.
The status of the front passenger airbag is dis-
played via the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator
lamps aser the self-test:
= ON is lit: the front passenger airbag may
deploy during an accident.
The indicator lamp goes out aser 60 seconds.
= ON and OFF are not lit: the front passenger
airbag may deploy during an accident.
= OFF is lit: the front passenger airbag is disa-
bled. It will then not be deployed in the event
of an accident.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp is
oM, only the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp shows the status of the front passenger air-
bag. The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
may be lit continuously or be oM. Occupant safety
53

If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
and t
he 6 restraint system warning lamp light
up simultaneously, the front passenger seat may
not be used. Also in this case, do not Nt a child
restraint system to the front passenger seat. Have
the automatic front passenger airbag shutoM
checked and repaired immediately at a qualiNed
specialist workshop.
Status display
If the front passenger seat is occupied, ensure,
both before and during the journey, that the sta-
tus of the front passenger airbag is correct for the
current situation.
Aser Ntting a rearward-facing child restraint sys-
tem to the front passenger seat: PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF must be lit continuously. &
WARNING Risk of injur
y or death when
using a rearward-facing child restraint sys-
tem while the front passenger airbag is
enabled
If you secure a child in a rearward-facing child
r
estraint system on the front passenger seat
and the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is
oM, t
he front passenger airbag can
deploy in the event of an accident.
The child could be struck by the airbag. 
Always ensure that the front passenger
airbag is disabled. The P

ASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp must be lit. 
NEVER use a rearward-facing child
r
estraint system on a seat with an ENA-
BLED FRONT AIRBAG. This can result in
the DEATH of or SERIOUS INJURY to the
CHILD. When Ntting
a c
hild restraint system to the front
passenger seat, observe the vehicle-speciNc infor-
mation (  page 73).
Depending on the child restraint system and the
stature of the child, the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp may be oM. In this case, do not Nt
the rearward-facing child restraint system to the
front passenger seat.
Instead, Nt the rearward-facing child restraint sys-
tem to a suitable rear seat.
Aser Ntting a forward-facing child restraint sys-
tem to the front passenger seat: depending on thechild restraint system and the stature of the child,
P
ASSENGER AIR BAG OFF may be lit continuously
or be oM. Always observe the following informa-
tion. &
WARNING Risk of injur
y or death due to
incorrect positioning of the forward-facing
child restraint system
If you secure a child in a forward-facing child
r
estraint system on the front passenger seat
that is positioned too close to the cockpit, in
the event of an accident, the child could:
= come into contact with the vehicle interior
if the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is lit, for example
= be struck by the airbag if the PASSENGER
AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is oM. 
Always move the front passenger seat as
f

ar back as possible and fully retract the
seat cushion length adjustment. While
doing so, always make sure that the
shoulder belt strap is correctly routed
from the seat belt outlet of the vehicle to
the shoulder belt guide on the child 54
Occupant safety

restraint system. The shoulder belt strap
mus t be routed forwards and downwards
from the seat belt outlet. If necessary,
adjust the seat belt outlet and the front
passenger seat accordingly. 
Always comply with the child restraint
sy

stem manufacturer's installation
instructions. When Ntting
a c
hild restraint system to the front
passenger seat, observe the vehicle-speciNc infor-
mation (  page 73).
If a person is sitting on the front passenger seat:
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF may be lit continuously
or be oM, depending on the person's stature.
A person on the front passenger seat must always
observe the following information:
= If the front passenger seat is occupied by an
adult or a person with a stature corresponding
to that of an adult, the PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF indicator lamp must be oM. This indicates
that the front passenger airbag is enabled.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is lit continuously, an adult or person with a build corresponding to that of an adult
mus
t not use the front passenger seat.
Instead, they should use a rear seat.
= If the front passenger seat is occupied by a
person of smaller stature (e.g. a teenager or
small adult), the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp is either lit continuously or
remains oM, depending on the classiNcation.
- If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is oM: move the front passenger seat
as far back as possible, or the person of
smaller stature should use a rear seat.
- If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is lit continuously: the person of
smaller stature should not use the front
passenger seat. &
WARNING Risk of injur
y or death when
the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is lit
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lam
p remains lit aser the self-test, the front
passenger airbag is disabled. If the front passenger seat is occupied, always
ensur
e that:
= The classiNcation of the person in the front
passenger seat is correct and the front
passenger airbag is enabled or disabled in
accordance with the person in the front
passenger seat.
= The person is seated properly with a cor-
rectly fastened seat belt.
= The front passenger seat has been moved
as far back as possible. Be sure to also observe the following further rela-
t
ed subjects:
= Child restraint system on the front passenger
seat ( page 73)
= Suitable positioning of the child restraint sys-
tem (  page 62) Occupant safety
55

PRE-SAFE
n
sy stemFunction of PRE-SAFE
n
(anticipat
ory occupant
protection) PRE-SAFE
n
is able t
o detect certain critical driv-
ing situations and implement pre-emptive meas-
ures to protect the vehicle occupants.
PRE-SAFE n
can implement the following meas-
ures independently of each other:
= Tightening the seat belts on the driver's seat
and front passenger seat.
= Closing the side windows.
= Vehicles with sliding sunroof: closing the slid-
ing sunroof.
= Vehicles with memory function: moving the
front passenger seat to a more favourable seat
position.
= Vehicles with multicontour seat: increasing the
air pressure in the seat side bolsters of the
seat backrest.
= PRE-SAFE n
Sound: provided that the multime-
dia system is switched on, generating a brief noise signal to stimulate the innate protective
mec

hanism of a person's hearing.
* NOTE Damag
e caused by objects in the
footwell or behind the seat The automatic adjustment of the seat position
ma
y result in damage to the seat and/or the
object. 
Stow objects in a suitable place. Reversing the PRE-SAFE
n
sy
stem measures If an accident did not occur, the pre-emptive
measur

es that were taken are reversed.
You will need to perform certain settings yourself. 
If the seat belt pre-tensioning is not reduced,
mo
ve the seat backrest back slightly.
The locking mechanism releases. Function of PRE-SAFE
n
PL
US (anticipatory occu-
pant protection plus) PRE-SAFE
n
PL
US can detect certain impacts, par-
ticularly an imminent rear impact, and take pre- emptive measures to protect the vehicle occu-
pants. These measur

es cannot necessarily pre-
vent an imminent impact.
PRE-SAFE n
PLUS can implement the following
measures independently of each other:
= Tightening the seat belts on the driver's seat
and front passenger seat.
= Activating the rear hazard warning lights at a
higher Oashing frequency.
= Increasing brake pressure when the vehicle is
stationary. This brake application is cancelled
automatically when the vehicle pulls away.
If an accident did not occur, the pre-emptive
measures that were taken are reversed.
System limits
The system will not initiate any action in the fol-
lowing situations:
= when reversing
or
= when the vehicle is towing a trailer and there
is a risk of a rear impact 56
Occupant safety

The system will not initiate any braking application
in t he following situations:
= whilst driving
or
= when entering or exiting a parking space while
using Active Parking Assist Function of PRE-SAFE
n
Im
pulse SideIf an imminent side impact is detected, PRE-
S
AFE n
Impulse Side can pre-emptively move the
front seat vehicle occupant's upper body towards
the centre of the vehicle. It does this by rapidly
inOating an air cushion in the outer seat side bol-
ster of the seat backrest on the side on which the
impact is anticipated. This increases the distance
between the door and the vehicle occupant.
If PRE-SAFE n
Impulse Side has been deployed or
is faulty, the PRE-SAFE impulse side inoperative
See Owner's Manual display message appears
(  page 450). Automatic measures
aser an accident
Depending on t
he type and severity of the acci-
dent, and depending on the vehicle's equipment,
the following measures can be implemented, for
example:
= automatic braking (post-collision brake)
= activating the hazard warning lights
= triggering an automatic emergency call
( page 363)
= switching oM the engine
To start the vehicle again, switch the vehicle
oM and on once more ( page 174). Depend-
ing on the type and severity of the accident,
you may no longer be able to start the vehicle.
= switching oM the fuel supply
= vehicles with hybrid drive: switching oM the
hybrid system and high-voltage on-board elec-
trical system
= unlocking the vehicle doors
= lowering the side windows
= displaying the emergency guide in the central
display =
switc hing on the interior lighting
Function of the post-collision brake
Depending on the accident situation, the post-col-
lision brake can minimise the severity of a further
collision or even avoid it.
If an accident is detected, the post-collision brake
can implement automatic braking. When the vehi-
cle has come to a standstill, the electric parking
brake is automatically applied.
The driver can cancel automatic braking by taking
the following actions:
= braking more strongly than automatic braking
= fully depressing the accelerator pedal with
force Occupant safety
57