ESP MERCEDES-BENZ CLA 2019 User Guide

Requirements
To be classified correctly, the front passengermust sit:
Rwith the seat belt fastened correctly
Rin an almost upright position with their backagainst the seat backrest
Rwith their feet resting on the floor, if possible
If the front passenger does not observe theseconditions, OCS may produce a false classifica-tion, e.g. because the front passenger:
Rtransfers their weight by supporting them-selves on a vehicle armrest
Rsits in such a way that their weight is raisedfrom the seat cushion
If it is absolutely necessary to install a childrestraint system on the front-passenger seat, besure to observe the correct positioning of thechild restraint system. Never place objectsunder or behind the child restraint system, e.g. acushion. The entire base of the child restraintsystem must always rest on the seat cushion ofthe front-passenger seat. The backrest of theforward-facing child restraint system must lie asflat as possible against the backrest of the front-passenger seat.
The child restraint system must not touch theroof or be subjected to a load by the headrestraint. Adjust the angle of the seat backrestand the head restraint position accordingly.
Only then can OCS be guaranteed to functioncorrectly. Always observe the child restraint sys-tem manufacturer's installation and operatinginstructions.
Occupant Classification System opera-
tion (OCS)
CPASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp
DPASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
The indicator lamps inform you whether thefront-passenger front air bag is deactivated orenabled.
XPress the Start/Stop button once or twice, orturn the SmartKey to positionGorHin theignition lock.The system carries out self-diagnostics.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF and PASSENGERAIR BAG ON indicator lamps must light up simul-taneously for approximately six seconds.
The indicator lamps display the status of thefront-passenger front air bag.
RPASSENGER AIR BAG ON lights up for 60 sec-onds, subsequently both indicator lamps areoff (PASSENGER AIR BAG ON and OFF): thefront-passenger front air bag is able to deployin the event of an accident.
RPASSENGER AIR BAG OFF lights up: the front-passenger front air bag is deactivated. It willthen not be deployed in the event of an acci-dent.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp isoff, only the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicatorlamp shows the status of the front-passengerfront air bag. The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFFindicator lamp may be lit continuously or be off.
If the status of the front-passenger front air bagchanges while the vehicle is in motion, an air bagdisplay message appears in the instrument clus-ter (Ypage 202). When the front-passengerseat is occupied, always pay attention to thePASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp. Beaware of the status of the front-passenger frontair bag both before and during the journey.
GWARNING
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is lit, the front-passenger front air bag is
disabled. It will not be deployed in the event of
an accident and cannot perform its intended
protective function. A person in the front-
passenger seat could then, for example, come
into contact with the vehicle's interior, espe-
cially if the person is sitting too close to the
dashboard. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
When the front-passenger seat is occupied,
always ensure that:
Rthe classification of the person in the front-
passenger seat is correct and the front-
48Occupant safety
Safety

as far back as possible. Alternatively, a per-son of smaller stature can sit on a rear seat.
-If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicatorlamp is lit, a person of smaller statureshould not use the front-passenger seat.
RThe front-passenger seat is occupied by anadult or a person of adult stature, thePASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lampgoes out after the system self-test. This indi-cates that the front-passenger front air bag isactivated.
If children are traveling in the vehicle, be sure toobserve the notes on "Children in the vehicle"(Ypage 54).
When the Occupant Classification System(OCS) is malfunctioning, the redurestraintsystem warning lamp on the instrument clusterand the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicatorlamp light up simultaneously. The front-passenger front air bag is deactivated in thiscase and does not deploy during an accident.Have the Occupant Classification System (OCS)checked and repaired immediately at a qualifiedspecialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz recom-mends that you use an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this purpose.
If the front-passenger seat, the seat cover or theseat cushion are damaged, have the necessaryrepair work carried out at a qualified specialistworkshop. Mercedes-Benz recommends thatyou use an authorized Mercedes-Benz Centerfor this purpose.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-mends that you only use seat accessories thathave been approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If the driver's air bag deploys, this does notmean that the front-passenger front air bag willalso deploy. The Occupant Classification Sys-tem (OCS) categorizes the occupant on thefront-passenger seat. Depending on that result,the front-passenger front air bag is either ena-bled or deactivated.
Self-check
GDANGER
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF and
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamps do
not both light up during the self-test, the sys-
tem is malfunctioning. The front-passenger
front air bag might be triggered unintention-
ally or might not be triggered at all in the event
of an accident with high deceleration. This
poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal
injury.
In this case the front-passenger seat may not
be used. Do not install a child restraint system
on the front-passenger seat. Have the Occu-
pant Classification System (OCS) checked
and repaired immediately at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
GWARNING
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp remains lit after the self-test, the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated. It will
not be deployed in the event of an accident. In
this case, the front-passenger front air bag
cannot perform its intended protective func-
tion, e.g. when a person is seated in the front-
passenger seat.
That person could, for example, come into
contact with the vehicle's interior, especially
if the person is sitting too close to the dash-
board. This poses an increased risk of injury or
even fatal injury.
When the front-passenger seat is occupied,
always ensure that:
Rthe classification of the person in the front-
passenger seat is correct and the front-
passenger front air bag is enabled or deac-
tivated in accordance with the person in the
front-passenger seat
Rthe person is seated properly with a cor-
rectly fastened seatbelt
Rthe front-passenger seat has been moved
as far back as possible
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp remains lit when it should not, the front-
passenger seat must not be used. Do not
install a child restraint system on the front-
passenger seat. Have the Occupant Classifi-
cation System (OCS) checked and repaired
immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
50Occupant safety
Safety

and to have any malfunctioning air bagsrepaired. This will help to make sure the air bagscontinue to perform their protective function forthe vehicle occupants in the event of a crash.
GWARNING
Emergency Tensioning Devices that have
deployed pyrotechnically are no longer opera-
tional and are unable to perform their inten-
ded protective function. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Have pyrotechnically triggered Emergency
Tensioning Devices replaced immediately at a
qualified specialist workshop.
If Emergency Tensioning Devices are triggeredor air bags are deployed, you will hear a bang,and some powder may also be released. Theurestraint system warning lamp lights up.
Only in rare cases will the bang affect your hear-ing. The powder that is released generally doesnot constitute a health hazard, but it may causeshort-term breathing difficulties in people withasthma or other respiratory problems. Providedit is safe to do so, you should leave the vehicleimmediately or open the window in order to pre-vent breathing difficulties.
Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency TensioningDevices (ETDs) contain perchlorate material,which may require special handling and regardfor the environment. National guidelines mustbe observed during disposal. In California, seewww.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/Perchlorate/index.cfm.
Method of operation
During the first stage of a collision, the restraintsystem control unit evaluates important physi-cal data relating to vehicle deceleration or accel-eration, such as:
Rduration
Rdirection
Rintensity
Based on the evaluation of this data, therestraint system control unit triggers the Emer-gency Tensioning Devices during a head-on orrear-end collision.
An Emergency Tensioning Device can only betriggered, if:
Rthe ignition is switched on
Rthe components of the restraint system areoperational. You can find further informationunder "Restraint system warning lamp"(Ypage 41)
Rthe seat belt buckle tongue has engaged inthe belt buckle of the respective front seat
The Emergency Tensioning Devices in the rearpassenger compartment are triggered inde-pendently of the lock status of the seat belts.
If the restraint system control unit detects amore severe accident, further components ofthe restraint system are activated independ-ently of each other in certain frontal collisionsituations:
RFront air bags as well as driver's and front-passenger knee bags
RWindow curtain air bag, if the system deter-mines that deployment can offer additionalprotection to that provided by the seat belt
Depending on the person in the front-passengerseat, the front-passenger front air bag is eitherdisabled or enabled. The front-passenger frontair bag can be deployed in an accident only if thePASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is off.Observe the information on the PASSENGER AIRBAG indicator lamps (Ypage 41).
Your vehicle has two-stage front air bags. At thefirst deployment threshold the front air bag fillswith gas. If the second deployment threshold isthen reached within a few milliseconds, the frontair bag is filled with the maximum quantity ofgas.
The activation threshold of the Emergency Ten-sioning Devices and the air bags is determinedby evaluating the rate of vehicle deceleration oracceleration which occurs at various points inthe vehicle. This process is pre-emptive innature. Deployment should take place in goodtime at the start of the collision.
The rate of vehicle deceleration or accelerationand the direction of the force are essentiallydetermined by:
Rthe distribution of forces during the collision
Rthe collision angle
Rthe deformation characteristics of the vehicle
Rthe characteristics of the object with whichthe vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be seen and measuredafter a collision has occurred do not play a deci-
Occupant safety53
Safety
Z

sive role in the deployment of an air bag. Nor dothey provide an indication of air bag deploy-ment.
The vehicle can be deformed considerably, with-out an air bag being deployed. This is the case ifonly parts which are relatively easily deformedare affected and the rate of deceleration is nothigh. Conversely, air bags may be deployed eventhough the vehicle suffers only minor deforma-tion. This is the case if, for example, very rigidvehicle parts such as longitudinal body mem-bers are hit, and sufficient deceleration occursas a result.
If the restraint system control unit detects a sideimpact or if the vehicle rolls over, the applicablecomponents of the restraint system aredeployed independently of each other depend-ing on the apparent type of accident.
RSide impact air bags on the side where theimpact takes place, independently of theEmergency Tensioning Device and the use ofthe seat belt on the driver's seat and outerseats in the second row
The side impact air bag on the front-passenger side deploys under the followingconditions:
-the OCS system detects that the front-passenger seat is occupied or
-the seat belt buckle tongue is engaged inthe belt buckle of the front-passenger seat
RWindow curtain air bag on the side of impact,independently of the use of the seat belt andindependently of whether the front-passenger seat is occupied
REmergency Tensioning Devices, if the systemdetermines that deployment can offer addi-tional protection in this situation
RWindow curtain air bags on the driver's andfront-passenger side in certain situationswhen the vehicle rolls over, if the systemdetermines that deployment can offer addi-tional protection to that provided by the seatbelt
iNot all air bags are deployed in an accident.The different air bag systems work independ-ently of each other.
How the air bag system works is determinedby the severity of the accident detected,especially the vehicle deceleration or accel-eration and the apparent type of accident:
RHead-on collision
RSide impact
RRollover
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent
Immediately after an accident, the followingmeasures are implemented, depending on thetype and severity of the impact:
Rthe hazard warning lamps are switched on
Rthe emergency lighting is activated
Rthe vehicle doors are unlocked
Rthe front side windows are lowered
Rthe engine is switched off and the fuel supplyis cut off
Rvehicles with Mercedes me connect: auto-matic emergency call
Children in the vehicle
Important safety notes
Accident statistics show that children securedin the rear seats are safer than children securedin the front-passenger seat. For this reason,Mercedes-Benz strongly advises that you installa child restraint system on a rear seat. Childrenare generally better protected there.
If a child younger than twelve years old andunder 5 ft (1.50 m) in height is traveling in thevehicle:
Ralways secure the child in a child restraintsystem suitable for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.The child restraint system must be appropri-ate to the age, weight and size of the child.
Rbe sure to observe the instructions and safetynotes in this section in addition to the childrestraint system manufacturer's installationinstructions.
Ralways observe the instructions and safetynotes on the "Occupant classification system(OCS)". (Ypage 47)
54Children in the vehicle
Safety

Child restraint system
The use of seat belts and child restraint systemsis required by law in:
Rall 50 states
Rthe U.S. territories
Rthe District of Columbia
Rall Canadian provinces
If you install a rearward-facing child restraintsystem on the center rear seat, the rear arm restmust be folded back as far as possible.
You can obtain further information about thecorrect child restraint system from any author-ized Mercedes-Benz Center.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor-
rectly on a suitable 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 instruc-
tions and the notes on use. Please ensure,
that the base of the child restraint system is
always resting completely on the seat cush-
ion. 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 incor-
rectly or is not secured, it can come loose in
the event of an accident, heavy braking or a
sudden change in direction. The child
restraint system could be thrown about, strik-
ing vehicle occupants. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always install child restraint systems prop-
erly, even if they are not being used. Make
sure that you observe the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instructions.
You will find further information on stowingobjects, luggage or loads under "Loading guide-lines" (Ypage 239).
GWARNING
Child restraint systems or their securing sys-
tems which have been damaged or subjected
to a load 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 to a load in an
accident as soon as possible. Have the secur-
ing systems on the child restraint system
checked at a qualified specialist workshop,
before you install a child restraint system
again.
The securing systems of child restraint systemsare:
Rthe seat belt system
Rthe LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing rings
Rthe Top Tether anchorages
If it is absolutely necessary to carry a child onthe front-passenger seat, be sure to observe theinformation on the "Occupant ClassificationSystem (OCS)" (Ypage 47). There you will alsofind information on deactivating the front-passenger front air bag.
All child restraint systems must meet the fol-lowing standards:
RU.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards213 and 225
RCanadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards213 and 210.2
Confirmation that the child restraint system cor-responds to the standards can be found on aninstruction label on the child restraint system.This confirmation can also be found in the instal-lation instructions that are included with thechild restraint system.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle inte-rior and on the child restraint system.
56Children in the vehicle
Safety

Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information aboutthe following driving safety systems:
RABS (Anti-lockBrakingSystem)(Ypage 61)
RBAS (BrakeAssistSystem) (Ypage 61)
RActive Brake Assist (Ypage 62)
RESP®(ElectronicStabilityProgram)(Ypage 64)
REBD (ElectronicBrake forceDistribution)(Ypage 67)
RADAPTIVE BRAKE (Ypage 68)
RSTEER CONTROL (Ypage 68)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you areinattentive, the driving safety systems can nei-ther reduce the risk of an accident nor overridethe laws of physics. Driving safety systems aremerely aids designed to assist driving.
You are responsible for maintaining the distanceto the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, forbraking in good time, and for staying in lane.Always adapt your driving style to suit the pre-vailing road and weather conditions and main-tain a safe distance from the vehicle in front.Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described only workas effectively as possible when there is ade-quate contact between the tires and the roadsurface. Please pay special attention to thenotes on tires, recommended minimum tiretread depths, etc. (Ypage 291).
In wintry driving conditions, always use wintertires (M+S tires)and if necessary, snow chains.Only in this way will the driving safety systemsdescribed in this section work as effectively aspossible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way thatthe wheels do not lock when you brake. Thisallows you to continue steering the vehicle whenbraking.
The%ABS warning lamp in the instrumentcluster lights up when the ignition is switchedon. It goes out when the engine is running.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface conditions.ABS works on slippery surfaces, even when youonly brake gently.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 61).
GWARNING
If ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels could
lock when braking. The steerability and brak-
ing characteristics would be severely affec-
ted. There is an increased danger of skidding
and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,including driving safety systems, will alsobecome inoperative. Observe the informationon the ABS warning lamp (Ypage 222)and dis-play messages which may be shown in theinstrument cluster (Ypage 194).
Braking
XIf ABS intervenes:continue to depress thebrake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-uation is over.
XTo make a full brake application:depressthe brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel apulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indicationof hazardous road conditions, and functions as areminder to take extra care while driving.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
General information
BAS operates in emergency braking situations.If you depress the brake pedal quickly, BASautomatically boosts the braking force, thusshortening the stopping distance.
Driving safety systems61
Safety
Z

Situation-dependent braking assistance is capa-ble of reacting to moving objects that havealready been detected as such at least onceover the period of observation, up to vehiclespeeds of around 155 mph (250 km/h).
Situation-dependent braking assistance canalso detect stationary objects, up to vehiclespeeds of around 44 mph (70 km/h).
XKeep the brake pedal depressed until theemergency braking situation is over.ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will work normally again if:
Ryou release the brake pedal
Rthere is no longer any danger of a collision
Rno obstacle is detected in front of your vehicle
Situation-dependent braking assistance is thendeactivated.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion for driving safety systems (Ypage 61).
GWARNING
Active Brake Assist does not react:
Rto persons, bicycles, motorcycles or ani-
mals
Rto approaching vehicles
Rto cross traffic
Ron bends
As a result, Active Brake Assist cannot inter-
vene in all critical situations. There is a risk of
an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be prepared to brake.
GWARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist cannot always clearly
identify objects and complex traffic situa-
tions.
In such cases, Adaptive Brake Assist might:
Rintervene unnecessarily
Rnot intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake. Terminate the
intervention in a non-critical driving situation.
Due to the nature of the system, complex butnon-critical driving conditions may also causeActive Brake Assist to intervene.
Even if Active Brake Assist is not available due toa malfunction in the radar sensor system, thebrake system is still available with full brakeboosting effect and BAS.
ESP®(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 61).
ESP®monitors driving stability and traction, i.e.power transmission between the tires and theroad surface.
If ESP®detects that the vehicle is deviating fromthe direction desired by the driver, one or morewheels are braked to stabilize the vehicle. Theengine output is also modified to keep the vehi-cle on the desired course within physical limits.
ESP®assists the driver when pulling away on
wet or slippery roads. ESP®can also stabilizethe vehicle during braking.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 61).
ETS traction control is part of ESP®. On vehicles
with 4MATIC, 4ETS is part of ESP®.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-vidually if they spin. This enables you to pullaway and accelerate on slippery surfaces, forexample if the road surface is slippery on oneside. In addition, more drive torque is transfer-red to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP®.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 61).
GWARNING
If ESP®is malfunctioning, ESP®is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv-
ing safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
64Driving safety systems
Safety

Drive on carefully. Have ESP®checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Vehicles without 4MATIC:when towing yourvehicle with the front axle raised, it is important
that you observe the notes on ESP®
(Ypage 286).
If the

Characteristics when ESP®is deactivated
If ESP®is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the

XTo deactivate ESP®:press buttonCuntil
the