warning MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 2014 Owner's Guide

If the SmartKey is removed from the ignition
lock or is in position0,PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF indicator lampdoes not light up.
The Occupant Classification System (OCS)
categorizesthe occupant on the front-
passengerseat usingaweight sensor.The
front-passenger front air bag is deactivated
automatically for certain weight categories.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
shows you the current status.
Occupant Classification System (OCS)
categories the occupant on the front-
passenger seat usingaweight sensor.
The front-passenger front air bag and the
front-passenger knee bag are deactivated
automatically for certain weight categories.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
shows you the current status.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp lights up, the front-passenger front air
bag and the front-passenger knee bag are
disabled.
The system does not deactivate:
Rthe side impact air bag
Rthe pelvis air bag
Rthe window curtain air bag
Rthe Emergency Tensioning Devices
To be classified correctly, the front passenger
must sit:
Rwith the seat belt fastened correctly
Rinaposition that is as upright as possible
with their back against the seat backrest
Rwith their feet on the floor
The OCS weight sensor reading is affected if
the occupant's weight is transferred, e.g. by
leaning on the armrest.
If the front-passenger seat, the seat cover or
the seat cushion are damaged, have the
necessary repair work carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use seat
accessories that have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Both the driver and the front passenger
should always observe the PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp as an indication of
whether or not the front passenger is
positioned correctly. Observe also the air bag
displaymessages that can be displayed in the
instrumentcluster (Ypage 244).
If the driver's air bag deploys, this does not
mean that the front-passenger front air bag
will also deploy.
The OCS may have detected that the seat:
Ris empty or occupied by the weight of a
typical child up to twelve months old,
seated inachild restraint system
Ris occupied byasmall individual, such as a
young teenager orasmall adult
Ris occupied byachild inachild restraint
system whose weight is greater than that
ofatypical twelve monthold child.
These are examples of when the OCS
deactivates the front-passenger front air bag
and front-passenger knee bag. Deactivation
takes place although the collision fulfills the
criteria for deploying the driver's air bag.
For further information,see "Air bag display
messages" (Ypage 244).
System self-test
GWARNING
If theindicator lamp does not
illuminate, the system is not functioning. You
must contactanauthorized Mercedes-Benz
50Occupant safety
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Centerbefore seating any child on the front
passenger seat.
GWARNING
Objects between the seat surface and the
child restraint system could affect the
function of the OCS. This could result in the
front-passenger frontair bag not functioning
as intended 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. Make
sure that the bottom and back of the child
restraint system make full contact with the
front-passenger seat cushion and backrest.
Always comply with the child restraint system
manufacturer's installation instructions.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
lights up:
Rif you turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock
to position1or2
Rif you press the KEYLESS-GO Start/Stop
button onceortwice on vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO
Rif an adult is seated properly on the front-
passenger seat and the OCS classifies the
occupant as an adult
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp goes out again after approximately six
seconds.
If the seat is not occupied and the OCS
system detects that the front-passenger
seat is empty, the PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF indicator lamp will continue to light up.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp will not go out.
For more information about the OCS, see
"Problems with the Occupant Classification
System"(Ypage 52).
Occupant safety51
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Problems with the Occupant Classification System
GWARNING
If theindicator lamp illuminates and remains illuminated when the weight ofatypical
adult or someone larger thanasmall individual has been detected on the passenger seat, do not
allow any occupant to use the passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
GWARNING
If theindicator lamp does not illuminate or remains out with the weight ofatypical
12-month-old child inastandard child restraint or less, or is unoccupied, on the front-passenger
seat, do not transportachild on the front-passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
ProblemPossiblecauses/consequencesandSolutions
The PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator
lights up and remains
on.
The person on the
front-passenger seat:
Rhas the weight of a
typical adult
Rhas been determined
by the system not to
beachild
The COS is malfunctioning.
XMake sure that the front passenger is sitting inacorrect,upright
position.
XHave the COS checked as soon as possible ataqualified
specialist workshop.
XObserve the additional displaymessages in the multifunction
display(Ypage 244).
52Occupant safety
Safety

ProblemPossible causes/consequences andSolutions
The PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator
lamp does not light up
and/or does not stay
on.
The front-passenger
seat is:
Runoccupied
Roccupied with the
weight ofachild up
to twelve months old
inachild restraint
system
The COS is malfunctioning.
XMake sure there is nothingbetween the seat cushion and the
child seat.
XMake sure that the backrest and base of the child restraint
system rest on the front-passenger seat. If necessary, adjust
the position of the front-passenger seat.
XWhen installing the child restraint system, make sure that the
seat belt is tight. Do not pull the seat belt tight with the front-
passenger seat adjustment.This could result in the seat belt
being pulledtoo tightly.
XCheck the installation of the child restraint system.
XMake sure that no objectsare applying additionalweight onto
the seat.
XIf the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp remains off, have
the COS checked immediatelyataqualified specialist
workshop. Do not transportachild on the front-passenger seat
until the COS has been repaired.
XObservethe additional display messages in the multifunction
display (Ypage 244).
NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-
PRO luxuryhead restraints
Importantsafetynotes
GWARNING
The function of the head restraint may be
impaired if you:
Rattach objects such as coat hangers to the
head restraints, for example
Ruse head restraint covers
If you do so, the head restraintscannot fulfill
their intended protective function in the event
of an accident. In addition, objects attached
to the head restraintscould endanger other
vehicle occupants. There is an increased risk
of injury.
Do not attach any objects to the head
restraintsand do not use head restraint
covers.
NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO luxury
head restraintsincrease protection of the
driver'sand front-passenger's head and
neck. In the event ofarear collision of a
certain severity, the NECK-PRO head
restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
on the driver'sand the front-passenger seats
are moved forwards and upwards. This
provides better head support.
If the NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO
luxury head restraintshave been triggered in
an accident, reset the NECK-PRO head
restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
on the driver'sand front-passenger seats
(Ypage 54). Otherwise, the additional
protection will not be available in the event of
another rear-end collision. NECK-PRO head
restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
that have been triggered are moved forwards
and can no longer be adjusted.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
the NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO
luxury head restraintschecked ataqualified
specialist workshop afterarear-end collision.
Occupant safety53
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Rif, on vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS,the
radar sensor system detectsanimminent
dangerofcollision in certain situations.
Rin critical driving situations, e.g. when
physical limits are exceeded and the
vehicle understeers or oversteers severely.
PRE-SAFE®takes the following measures
depending on the hazardous situation
detected:
Rthe front seat belts are pre-tensioned.
Rthe front-passenger seat is adjusted if it is
in an unfavorable position.
Rvehicles withamulticontour seat or active
multicontour seat: the air pressure in the
side bolsters of the seat cushion and
backrest is increased.
Rif the vehicle skids, the sliding sunroof and
the side windows are closed so that only a
small gap remains.
If the hazardous situation passes without
resulting in an accident,PRE-SAFE®slackens
the belt pre-tensioning. The air pressure in
the side bolsters on the multicontour seat/
active multicontour seat is reduced again. All
settings made by PRE-SAFE®can then be
reversed.
If the seat belts are not released:
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, move the
backrest or seat back slightly.
The seat belt pre-tensioningisreduced and
the lockingmechanism is released.
Information about seat belt adjustment, a
conveniencefunction integrated into PRE-
SAFE®,can be found in the "Seat belt
adjustment" section (Ypage 57).
Seat belts
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended level
of protection if the backrest is not in the
upright position. When braking or in the event
of an accident,you could slide underneath the
seat belt and sustain abdomen or neck
injuries, for example. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Adjust the seat properly before beginning
your journey. Always make sure that the seat
is in the upright position.
GWARNING
Seat belts cannot protect as intended, if:
Rthey are damaged, extremely dirty,
bleached or dyed
Rthe seat belt buckle is damaged or
extremely dirty
Rthe Emergency TensioningDevices or the
belt anchorage has been modified.
Damage caused to seat belts in an accident
may not be visible, e.g. by splinters of glass.
Modified or damaged seat belts can tear or
fail, for example in the event of an accident.
Modified Emergency TensioningDevices may
be deployed unintentionally or fail to be
deployed when required. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Never modify seat belts, Emergency
TensioningDevices, seat belt anchorages and
inertia reels. Ensure that seat belts are not
damaged or worn and are clean.
Only use seat belts that have been approved
for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz.
The use of seat belts and infant and child
restraint systems is required by law in:
Rall 50 states
Rthe U.S. territories
Rthe District of Columbia
Rall Canadianprovinces
Even where this is not required by law,all
vehicleoccupants should correctly fasten
their seat belts before starting the journey.
iSee "Children in the vehicle"
(Ypage60) for further information on
infants and children traveling in the vehicle
as wellasonchild restraint systems.
Occupant safety55
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Correct use of theseat belts
GWARNING
USESEATBELTS PROPERLY
RSeat beltscan only work when used
properly. Never wear seat beltsinany other
way than as describedinthissection, as
that couldresult in serious injuries in the
event of an accident.
REachoccupantshould wear their seat belt
at all times, because seat belts help reduce
the likelihood of and potential severity of
injuries in accidents, including rollovers.
The integrated restraint system includes
SRS (driver front air bag, driver's side knee
bag, front-passenger front air bag, side
impact air bags, pelvis air bags, window
curtain air bags for the side windows),
EmergencyTensioning Devices, seat belt
force limiters, and front seat knee bolsters.
The system is designed to enhance the
protection offered to properly belted
occupants in certain frontal (front air bags,
driver's side knee bag and ETDs) and side
(side impact air bags, window curtain air
bags, and ETDs) impacts which exceed
preset deployment thresholds and in
certain rollovers (window curtain air bags
and ETDs).
RNever wear the shoulder belt under your
arm, across your neck or off your shoulder.
Inafrontal crash, your body would move
too far forward. That would increase the
chance of head and neck injuries. The seat
belt would also apply too much force to the
ribs or abdomen, which could severely
injure internal organs such as your liver or
spleen.
Adjust the seat belt so that the shoulder
section is located as close as possible to
the middle of the shoulder. It should not
touch the neck.Never pass the shoulder
portion of the seat belt under your arm. For
this purpose, you can adjust the height of
the seat belt outlet.
RPosition the lap belt as low as possible on
your hips and not across the abdomen. If
the lap belt is positioned across your
abdomen, it could cause serious injuries in
acrash.
RNever wear seat belts over rigid or
breakable objects in or on your clothing,
such as eyeglasses, pens, keys etc., as
these might cause injuries.
RMake sure the seat belt is alwaysfitted
snugly. Take special care of this when
wearing loose clothing.
RNever useaseat belt for more than one
person atatime. Do not fastenaseat belt
aroundaperson and another person or
other objects at the same time.
RSeat belts should not be worn twisted. In a
crash, you would not have the full width of
the seat belt to distributeimpact forces.
The twisted seat belt against yourbody
could cause injuries.
RPregnant women should also alwaysuse a
lap-shoulder belt. The lap belt portion
should be positioned as low as possible on
the hips to avoid any possible pressure on
the abdomen.
RPlace the seat backrest inaposition that is
as upright as possible.
RCheck your seat belt during travel to make
sure it is properly positioned.
RNever place your feet on the instrument
panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always
keep both feet on the floor in front of the
seat.
RWhen usingaseat belt to secure infant
restraints, toddler restraints, or children in
booster seats, alwaysfollow the child seat
manufacturer'sinstructions.
Fastening seat belts
GWARNING
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained on the rear
seats than on the front-passenger seat. Thus,
we strongly recommendthat children be
56Occupant safety
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Beltheight adjustment
Youcan adjustthe seat belt height on the
front seats. Adjust the belt toaheight that
allowsthe upper part of the seat belt to be
routed across the center of your shoulder.
XTo raise:slide the belt sash guide upwards.
The belt sash guide engages in various
positions.
XTo lower:press and hold belt sash guide
release.
XSlide the belt sash guide downwards.
XRelease belt sash guide releaseand
make sure that the belt sash guide has
engaged.
Releasing seat belts
!Make sure that the seat belt is fully rolled
up. Otherwise, the seat belt or belt tongue
will be trapped in the door or in the seat
mechanism. This could damage the door,
the door trim panel and the seat belt.
Damaged seat belts can no longer fulfill
their protective function and must be
replaced. Visitaqualified specialist
workshop.
XPress release button!on belt buckle$.
XGuidebelt tongueto belt sash
guide.
Belt warning for the driver and front
passenger
Regardless of whether the driver's and front-
passenger seat belts have already been
fastened, theseat belt warning lamp
lights up for six seconds each time the engine
is started. It then goes out if the driver and
the front passenger have already fastened
their seat belts.
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened when
the engine is started, an additional warning
tone will sound. This warning tone stops after
amaximum of six seconds or once the
driver's seat belt is fastened.
If after six seconds, the driver or front
passenger have not fastened their seat belts
and the doors are closed:
Rtheseat belt warning lamp remains lit
as long as the driver's or front-passenger's
seat belt is not fastened
and
Rifavehicle speed of 15 mph (25 km/h) is
exceeded, theseat belt warning lamp
begins to flash.Awarning tone also sounds
withincreasing intensityforamaximum of
58Occupant safety
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60 seconds or until the driverorfront
passenger have fastenedtheir seatbelts.
If the driver/frontpassenger unfasten their
seat belt while the vehicle is in motion,the
seat belt warning lamp lights up and a
warning tonesounds again.
The warning toneceases even if the driver or
front-passenger seat belt has still not been
fastened after 60 seconds. Theseat belt
warning lamp stops flashing but remains
illuminated.
After the vehicle comes toastandstill, the
warning toneisreactivated and the seat belt
warning lampflashes again if the vehicle
speed again exceeds 15 mph (25 km/h).
Theseat belt warning lamp only goes
out if:
Rboth the driver and the frontpassenger
have fastened their seat belts.
or
Rthevehicle is stationaryandadoor is open.
iFor moreinformationontheseat
belt warning lamp, see "Warning and
indicator lamps in theinstrumentcluster,
seat belts" (Ypage 265).
Emergency TensioningDevices, seat
belt force limiters
GWARNING
Pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning Devices
that have been deployed are no longer
operational and are unable to performtheir
intended protective function. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Therefore, have pyrotechnic Emergency
Tensioning Devices which have been
triggered immediately replaced ataqualified
specialist workshop.
!If the front-passenger seat is not
occupied, do not engage the seat belt
tongue in the buckle on the front-
passenger seat. Otherwise, the Emergency
Tensioning Device could be triggered in the
event of an accident.
iVehicles with PRE-SAFE®:Emergency
Tensioning Devices that are triggered by an
electric motor can be deployed as often as
desired and do not need to be replaced.
The front seat belts and the outer seat belts
in the rear are equipped with Emergency
Tensioning Devices and seat belt force
limiters.
The ETDs tighten the seat belts in an accident,
pulling them close against the body.
The ETDs do not correct incorrectseat
positions or incorrectly fastened seat belts.
The ETDs do not pull vehicle occupants back
towards the backrest.
The ETDs can only be activated when:
Rthe ignition is switched on
Rthe restraint systems are operational; see
"SRS warning lamp"(Ypage 41)
Rthe belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
each of the front seat belts.
The ETDs on the outside seats in the rear
compartmentare triggeredindependently of
the lock status of the seat belts.
The ETDs are triggereddepending on the type
and severity of an accident:
Rif, in the event ofahead-on or rear-end
collision, the vehicledecelerates or
accelerates rapidly inalongitudinal
direction during the initialstages of the
impact
Rif,inthe event ofasideimpact,onthe side
opposite the impact the vehicle
decelerates or accelerates rapidlyina
lateraldirection
Rif,incertainsituations where the vehicle
rolls over,the system determines that it
can provide additional protection
If the ETDsare deployed, you will hearabang,
andasmall amountofpowder may also be
released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that is
released generally does not constitute a
Occupant safety59
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health hazard and does not indicate that there
isafire in the vehicle. The dust might cause
some temporary breathing difficulty for
people with asthma or other breathing
trouble. To avoid this, you may wish to get out
of the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
You can also open the window to allow fresh
air to enter the vehicle interior. TheSRS
warning lamp lights up.
If the seat belt is also equipped withaseat
belt force limiter and this is triggered, the
force exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle
occupant is reduced.
The seat belt force limiters for the front seats
are synchronized with the front air bags,
which take onapart of the deceleration force.
This results in the force exerted on the
occupant being distributed overagreater
area.
Children in the vehicle
Child restraint systems
Important safety notes
GWARNING
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front seating
position. Thus, we strongly recommendthat
children be placed in the rear seats whenever
possible. Regardless of seating position,
children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an appropriate
infant restraint,toddler restraint,orbooster
seat recommended for the size and weight of
the child.
The infant or child restraint must be properly
secured with the vehicle's seat belt, the seat
belt and top tether strap, or lower anchors and
top tether strap, fully in accordance with the
child seat manufacturer's instructions.
Occupants, especially children, should always
sit as upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriately sized infant
restraint,toddler restraint,orbooster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
Children can be killed or seriously injured by
an inflating air bag. Note the following
important information when circumstances
require you to placeachild in the front
passenger seat:
RYour vehicle is equipped with air bag
technology designed to deactivate the front
passenger front air bag in your vehicle
when the system senses the weight of a
typical 12-month-old child or less along
with the weight ofastandard appropriate
child restraint on the front passenger seat.
RFor children larger than the typical
12-month-old child, the front passenger
front air bag may or may not be activated.
Always make sure theindicator
lamp is illuminated, indicatingthat the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
RAchild inarear-facing child restraint on the
front passenger seat will be seriously
injured or even killed if the front passenger
front air bag inflates inacollision which
could occur under some circumstances,
even with the air bag technology installed
in your vehicle. The only means to
completely eliminate this risk is to never
placeachild inarear-facing child restraint
in the front seat. We therefore strongly
recommendthat you always placeachild
inarear-facing child restraint inabackseat.
RIf you must installarear-facing child
restraint on the front passenger seat
because circumstances require you to do
so, make sure theindicator
lamp is illuminated, indicatingthat the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
Should theindicator lamp not
illuminateorgoout while the restraint is
installed, please checkinstallation.
Periodically check theindicator
lamp while drivingtomake sure the
indicator lamp is illuminated. If the
indicator lamp goes out or
remainsout, do not transportachild on the
60Children in thevehicle
Safety

front passenger seatuntil the system has
been repaired.
Achild inarear-facing child restraint on the
front passenger seat will be seriously
injured or even killed if the front passenger
front air bag inflates.
RIf you have to placeachild inaforward-
facing child restraint on the front passenger
seat, move the seat as far back as possible,
use the proper child restraint
recommended for the age, size and weight
of the child, and secure child restraint with
the vehicle's seat belt according to the
child seat manufacturer's instructions.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed
incorrectly onasuitable seat, it cannot
protect as intended. The child cannot then be
restrained in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction. There
is an increased risk of injury, possibly even
fatal.
Make sure that you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation
instructions and the notes on use. Please
ensure, that the base of the child restraint
system is always resting completely on the
seat cushion. Never place objects, e.g.
cushions, under or behind the child restraint
system. Only use child restraint systems with
the original cover designed for them. Only
replace damaged covers with genuine covers.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed
incorrectly or is not secured, it can come
loose in the event of an accident, heavy
braking orasudden change in direction. The
child restraint system could be thrown about,
strikingvehicle occupants. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always install child restraint systems
properly, even if they are not being used.
Make sure that you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation
instructions.
GWARNING
Child restraint systems or their securing
systems which have been damaged or
subjected toaload in an accident can no
longer protect as intended. The child cannot
then be restrained in the event of an accident,
heavy braking or sudden changes of direction.
There is an increased risk of injury, possibly
even fatal.
Replace child restraint systems which have
been damaged or subjected toaload in an
accident as soon as possible. Have the
securing systems on the child restraint
system checked ataqualified specialist
workshop, before you installachild restraint
system again.
GWARNING
Infantsand small children should never share
aseat belt with another occupant. In the event
of an accident, they could be crushed
between the occupant and seat belt.
Achild's risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
Children that are too large forachild restraint
must travel in seats using normal seat belts.
Position the shoulder belt across the chest
and shoulder, not the face or neck.Abooster
seat may be necessary to achieve proper seat
belt positioning for children over 41 lbs
(18 kg)until they reachaheight wherealap/
shoulder belt fitsproperly withoutabooster
seat.
When thechild restraint is notinuse, remove
it from the vehicle or secure it with the seat
belt to prevent the child restraint from
becomingaprojectile in the event of an
accident.
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