light MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2008 Service Manual

Occupant safety
41
Driver's front airbag
1deploys in front of the
steering wheel; front-passenger front airbag
2 deploys in front of and above the glove
compartment.
On vehicles with automatic child seat recog-
nition in the front-passenger seat*, front-
passenger front airbag 2is only deployed if
the 5 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp in the centre console is not lit
(Y page 45). This means that there is not a
child restraint system with automatic child
seat recognition* fitted to the front-
passenger seat or that a child restraint sys-
tem with automatic child seat recognition*
has been fitted to the front-passenger seat
incorrectly.
Head/thorax airbags, rear sidebags*
i If you have specified windowbags* as
optional equipment, the front seats of the
vehicle will be equipped with sidebags
instead of head/thorax airbags. G
Risk of injury
If you wish to use seat covers, Mercedes-
Benz recommends that, for safety reasons,
you only use seat covers that have been
approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The seat covers must have a special tear
seam for head/thorax airbags. Otherwise,
a head/thorax airbag cannot deploy cor-
rectly and would fail to provide the intended
protection in the event of an accident.
Appropriate seat covers can be obtained
from a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
The purpose of head/thorax airbag deploy-
ment is to enhance the level of protection for
the head and thorax (but not the arms) of the
vehicle occupants on the side of the vehicle
on which the impact occurs.
The purpose of rear sidebag deployment is to
enhance the level of protection for the thorax
(but not the head, neck or arms) of the vehicle
occupants on the side of the vehicle on which
the impact occurs. 1
Front head/thorax airbag
2 Rear sidebag in the side trim next to the
backrest
The front head/thorax airbags or rear side-
bags inflate next to the outer seat cushion.
Front head/thorax airbag 1or rear sidebags
2 are deployed:
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion, e.g. in a side impact
R independently of the seat belt use
R independently of the front airbags
R independently of the belt tensioners Safety
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
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Occupant safety
42
Windowbags*
The purpose of the windowbags is to enhance
the level of protection for the head (but not
chest or arms) of the vehicle occupants on
the side of the vehicle on which the impact
occurs.
The windowbags are integrated into the side
of the roof frame On 5-door vehicles, they are
located between the front door (A-pillar) and
the rear door (C-pillar). On 3-door vehicles,
they are located between the front door (A-
pillar) and the rear inner wing (C-pillar).
i If you have specified windowbags* as
optional equipment, the front seats of the
vehicle will be equipped with sidebags
instead of head/thorax airbags. 1
Windowbag Windowbags
1are deployed:
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in a
lateral direction
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R independently of the front airbags
R regardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied Active head restraints
The active head restraints are designed to
increase protection to the driver's and front-
passenger's head and neck. In the event of a
rear-end collision the force exerted by the
driver's or front-passenger's chest causes
the head restraints on the driver's and front-
passenger seats to be moved forwards. This
provides better head support. G
Risk of injury
Do not secure any objects (e.g. coat hang-
ers) on the head restraint rods. Otherwise,
the active head restraints may not function
correctly and could fail to provide the inten-
ded protection in the event of an accident. Children in the vehicle
If a child is travelling in your vehicle, secure
the child using a child restraint system which
is appropriate to the size and age of the child
and recommended for Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cles. You should fit the restraint system to a
suitable rear seat. Make sure that the child is
secured in a child restraint system through-
out the trip.
You can obtain information about the correct
child restraint system from any Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre.
i It is advisable to use Mercedes-Benz care
products to clean child restraint systems.
Information about this can be obtained
from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. G
Risk of injury
Do not leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system. Children could injure
themselves on parts of the vehicle. They
could also be seriously or even fatally
injured by prolonged exposure to extreme
heat or cold.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. Parts of the child restraint Safety
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
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Occupant safety
43system could heat up and the child could
burn itself on them.
If a child opens a door, the child or other
persons could be injured as a result. The
child could get out and be injured in the
process or be injured by a passing vehicle.
G
Risk of injury
An unsecured or incorrectly positioned load
increases the risk of injury to the child in
the event of:
R an accident
R a braking manoeuvre
R a sudden change of direction
Do not carry heavy or hard objects inside
the vehicle unless they are secured. You
will find further information under "Loading
guidelines" in the index.
Child restraint systems Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use the child restraint systems listed on
(Y page 47). G
Risk of injury
To reduce the risk of serious or even fatal
injury to the child in the event of a sudden
change in direction, braking or an accident:
R children less than 1.50 m tall and under
twelve years of age must always be
secured in special child restraint systems
on a suitable vehicle seat. This is neces-
sary because the seat belts are not
designed for children of this size.
R Do not secure children less than 1.50 m
tall or under twelve years of age on the
front-passenger seat. Exception: the
child is secured in a vehicle with auto-
matic child seat recognition on the front-
passenger seat* and is secured in a child
restraint system with automatic child
seat recognition.
R If you secure a forward-facing child
restraint system to the front-passenger
seat, you must move the front-passenger
seat as far back as possible.
R children must never travel sitting on the
lap of another occupant. Due to the
forces occurring in the event of a sudden
change of direction, heavy braking or an
accident, it would not be possible to restrain the child. The child could be
thrown against parts of the vehicle inte-
rior and be seriously or even fatally
injured.
G
Risk of injury
The child restraint system cannot perform
its protective function if is not correctly fit-
ted to a suitable vehicle seat. The child can-
not be restrained in the event of a sudden
change of direction, heavy braking or an
accident. This may lead to serious or even
fatal injuries. For this reason, when fitting
a child restraint system, observe the man-
ufacturer's installation instructions and the
correct use of the child restraint system.
Child restraint systems should be fitted to
the rear seats. Children are generally better
protected there.
The entire base of the child restraint system
must always rest on the seat cushion.
Never place objects, e.g. a cushion, under
the child restraint system.
Only use child restraint systems with their
original covers. Only replace damaged cov-
ers with genuine Mercedes-Benz covers.
For safety reasons, you should only use
child restraint systems which have been Safety
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
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Occupant safety
44 approved for use in Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cles.
Vehicles with a through-loading feature* in
the rear seat backrest: do not fit a rear-
ward-facing child restraint system on the
centre rear seat.
Child seat on the front-passenger seat Warning on the front-passenger sun visor Warning symbol for a rearward-facing child
restraint system
G
Risk of injury
If the front-passenger front airbag is not
disabled:
R a child secured in a child restraint system
on the front-passenger seat could be
seriously and even fatally injured by the
front-passenger front airbag deploying.
This is especially a risk if the child is in
the immediate vicinity of the front-
passenger front airbag when it deploys.
R a child must never be secured on the
front-passenger seat in a rearward-facing
child restraint system. Only secure a rearward-facing child restraint system on
a suitable rear seat.
R always move the front-passenger seat to
the rearmost position if you secure a
child in a forward-facing child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat.
The front-passenger front airbag is not dis-
abled:
R on vehicles without automatic child seat
recognition in the front-passenger seat*
R on vehicles with automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat* if
there is no child restraint system with
automatic child seat recognition fitted to
the front-passenger seat.
R on vehicles with automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat* if
the 5 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warn-
ing lamp is not lit.
To draw attention to this danger, there is an
appropriate warning sticker on the dash-
board as well as on both sides of the sun
visor on the front-passenger side.
Information about recommended child
restraint systems is available at any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Safety
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
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Occupant safety
45
Automatic child seat recognition on the
front-passenger seat*
If your vehicle does not have automatic child
seat recognition on the front-passenger seat,
this is indicated by a special sticker. The
sticker is affixed to the side of the dashboard
on the front-passenger side. It is visible when
you open the front-passenger door. 1
5 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp
The front-passenger seat sensor system for
child restraint systems detects whether a
special Mercedes-Benz child seat with auto-
matic child seat recognition has been fitted.
In such cases, 5PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF indicator lamp 1lights up. The front-
passenger airbag is deactivated. G
Risk of injury
If the 5 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warn-
ing lamp does not light up when the child
restraint system is fitted, the front-
passenger front airbag has not been disa-
bled. If the front-passenger front airbag is
deployed, the child could be seriously or
even fatally injured.
Proceed as follows:
R do not use a rearward-facing child
restraint system on the front-passenger
seat.
R fit a rearward-facing child restraint sys-
tem on a suitable rear seat.
or
R only use a forward-facing child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat and
move the front-passenger seat to its rear-
most position.
R have the automatic child seat recognition
checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
To ensure that the automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat func-
tions correctly, never place objects (such
as a cushion) under the child restraint sys-
tem. The entire base of the child restraint system must always rest on the seat cush-
ion. An incorrectly fitted child restraint sys-
tem cannot perform its intended protective
function in the event of an accident, and
could lead to injuries.
i The windowbag*, th e head/thorax airbag
and the belt tensioner for the front-
passenger seat are still active even if the
front-passenger seat front airbag has been
disabled by the automatic child seat rec-
ognition. G
Risk of injury
Do not place items of electronic equipment
on the front-passenger seat, e.g.:
R laptops, when switched on
R mobile phones
R cards with transponders, e.g. ski passes
or access cards
Signals from electronic equipment can
cause interference in the automatic child
seat recognition sensor system. This could
lead to a system malfunction. This may
cause the 5PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
warning lamp to light up without there
being a child seat with automatic child seat
recognition fitted. This means that the Safety
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
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Occupant safety
46 front-passenger airbag does not deploy
during an accident. It is also possible that the
5 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp will not light up briefly if you turn the
key in the ignition lock to position 2.
Suitable positioning of the child restraint system Weight categories and ages Child restraint system on the
front-passenger seat Child restraint system on the
left-hand and right-hand rear
seats Child restraint system on the
centre rear seat
Group 0: up to 10 kg;
up to approx. 9 months Vehicles with automatic child
seat recognition on the front-
passenger seat*: as recommen-
ded
3 Universal or as recommended Universal or as recommended
Group 0+: up to 13 kg;
up to approx. 18 months
Group I: 9 to 18 kg;
between approx. 8 months and 4
years Universal
4
or as recommended Universal or as recommended Universal or as recommended
Group II/III: 15 to 36 kg;
between approx. 3½ and 12 years
3
Only use child restraint systems with automatic child seat recognition.
4 Move the front-passenger seat to its rearmost and uppermost position. Safety
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
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Occupant safety
47
"Universal" category child restraint systems
can be recognised by their orange approval
label. Example of an approval label on the child restraint
system
Recommended child restraint systems Weight categories and
ages Manufacturer Type Approval number Daimler order num-
ber Automatic child seat
recognition
Group 0: up to 10 kg;
up to approx. 9 months Britax-Römer BABY SAFE
PLUS
5 E1 03 301146 A 000 970 10 00 Yes
BABY SAFE ISO-
FIX PLUS B6 6 86 8224
no
6 Group 0+: up to 13 kg;
up to approx. 18 months Britax-Römer BABY SAFE
PLUS
5 E1 03 301146 A 000 970 10 00 Yes
BABY SAFE ISO-
FIX PLUS B6 6 86 8224
No
6 5
Move the front-passenger seat to the highest position.
6 The child restraint system may only be fitted to the left-hand and right-hand rear seats. Safety
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
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Occupant safety
48 Weight categories and
ages Manufacturer Type Approval number Daimler order num-
ber Automatic child seat
recognition
Group I: 9 to 18 kg;
between approx. 8
months and 4 years Britax-Römer
DUO PLUS
5 E1 03 301133 A 000 970 11 00 Yes
A 000 970 16 00
No
7 Category II/III: 15 to 36 kg
between approx. 3½ and
12 years Britax-Römer
KID
5 E1 03 301148 A 000 970 12 00 Yes
A 000 970 17 00
No
7 ISOFIX child seat securing system in the
rear compartment
ISOFIX is a standardised securing system for
specially-designed child restraint systems on
the rear seats. Securing rings for two child
restraint systems are fitted on the left and
right rear seats. G
Risk of injury
A child restraint system secured by the ISO-
FIX child seat securing system does not
provide sufficient protection for children
weighing more than 22 kg. For this reason,
do not secure children weighing more than
22 kg in a child restraint system secured by
the ISOFIX child seat securing system. If the child weighs more than 22 kg, secure
the child restraint system using a lap-shoul-
der belt. G
Risk of injury
The child restraint system cannot perform
its protective function if is not correctly fit-
ted to a suitable vehicle seat. The child can-
not be restrained in the event of a sudden
change of direction, heavy braking or an
accident. This may lead to serious or even
fatal injuries. For this reason, when fitting
a child restraint system, observe the man-
ufacturer's installation instructions and the
correct use of the child restraint system. On the rear seats, only use child restraint
systems with an ISOFIX child seat securing
system which have been recommended for
use in Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
An incorrectly fitted child restraint system
could come loose and seriously or even
fatally injure the child or other vehicle occu-
pants. When fitting the child restraint sys-
tem, make sure that it is engaged in the
securing rings on both sides.
G
Risk of injury
Please note that child restraint systems
cannot provide a protective function if they
or their retaining systems are damaged or
subjected to a load in an accident. This
5 Move the front-passenger seat to the highest position.
7 For child restraint systems without automatic child seat recognition, move the front-passenger seat to the rearmost position. Safety
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
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Occupant safety
49could result in serious or even fatal injuries
to the secured child in the event of an acci-
dent, heavy braking or a sudden change in
direction.
For this reason, have child restraint sys-
tems and their anchorages which have
been damaged or subjected to a load in an
accident checked immediately at a quali-
fied specialist workshop.
! When fitting the child restraint system,
make sure that the seat belt for the middle
seat does not become trapped. It could
otherwise be damaged. 1
Securing rings TopTether
TopTether provides an additional connection
between the child restraint system secured
with ISOFIX and the front-passenger seat. It
helps reduce the risk of injury even further.
Both TopTether anchorages are attached to
the rear of the rear seat backrests.
1
Head restraints
2 Rear seat backrests
3 Luggage compartment cover*
4 TopTether anchorages 4
TopTether anchorage
5 TopTether hook*
6 TopTether belt* for the ISOFIX child
restraint system
X Move head restraint 1upwards.
X Vehicles with a luggage compartment
cover*: release rear seat backrest 2
(Y page 150) and fold it forwards slightly.
X All: guide TopTether belt* 6under head
restraint 1between the two head restraint
rods.
X Fit TopTether hook* 5into TopTether
anchorage 4on the back of rear seat
backrest 2. Safety
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
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Occupant safety
50Vehicles with a luggage compartment
cover*: make sure you do not route the belt
across luggage compartment cover 3.
X Vehicles with a luggage compartment
cover*: swing back rear seat backrest 2
until it engages.
The red lock verification indicator is no lon-
ger visible (Y page 151). G
Risk of injury
Make sure that the rear seat backrest is
fully locked. The red lock verification indi-
cators on the left and right should no longer
be visible. If they are, the rear seat backr-
ests are not locked. If this is the case, occu-
pants could be injured in the event of an
accident, e.g. by objects being thrown for-
wards from the luggage compartment.
X All: move head restraints 1slightly down
again if necessary (Y page 66). Make sure
that you do not interfere with the correct
routing of TopTether belt* 6.
X Install the ISOFIX child restraint system
with TopTether*. Comply with the manu-
facturer's installation instructions. Integrated child seat* The child seats are integrated into the right
and left-hand sides of the seats of the rear
bench seat. They comply with the legal
requirements of ECE Regulation 44.03.
Mercedes-Benz recommends the integrated
child seat for children from approximately
two to twelve years of age or with a body
weight of 12.5 kg to 36 kg.
For children between approximately two and
four years of age or weighing between
approximately 12.5 kg and 22 kg, you must
also use a padded table* which has been spe-
cially approved for the integrated child seat
(Y
page 51). G
Risk of injury
To reduce the risk of serious or even fatal
injury to the child in the event of a sudden
change in direction, braking or an accident:
R Do not modify the integrated child seat.
R When the child seat is occupied, adjust
the head restraint to a position at which
the back of the child's head is supported
by the centre of the head restraint at
about eye level. R
Replace an integrated child seat that has
been damaged or subjected to a heavy
load as the result of an accident.
R Be aware that children under two years
of age require a different child restraint
system. Information about other child
restraint systems is available from any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
R The rear seat backrest in the vehicle
must be securely locked in position.
Folding out the child seat 1
Release catch
2 Hook Safety
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
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