warning MERCEDES-BENZ CLS COUPE 2012 Owner's Manual

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all mod-
els, series and optional equipment for your
vehicle that were available at the time of
going to press. National variation sare pos-
sible. Not ethat your vehicle may not be
equipped with all of the function sdescri-
bed. This is also the case for system sand
function srelevan ttosafety.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: (Y page 23). Panic alarm
X
To activate: press!button :for at
least one second.
An alarm sounds and the exterior lighting
flashes.
X To deactivate: press!button :
again.
or
X Insert the key int othe ignition lock.
or
X Press the KEYLESS-GO Start/Stop button.
The KEYLESS-GO key must be in the vehi-
cle.
i The panic alarm function is only available
in Mexico. Occupant safety
Important safet
ynotes G
WARNING
If servic ework is not carried out correctly, the
operatin gsafet yofy our vehicle may be affec-
ted. This could cause you to lose contro lof
your vehicle and cause an accident. More-
over, the safet ysystem smay no longer be
able to protect you or other sastheya re
designed to do.
Always have servic ework carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop. G
WARNING
Modification stoorwork performed incor-
rectly on th efollowin gpartsc an result in the
restraint systems no tfunctionin gasintended:
R ther estraint system, consisting of seat
belt sand their anchorage points ,belt ten-
sioners ,belt force limiters and airbags
R thew iring
R networked electronic systems
Airbags and belt tensioners could fail to
deplo yorbet riggered in an acciden tdespite
the deceleration forc ebeing sufficien ttotrig-
ger the systems, or could be triggered unin-
tentionally. For this reason, never make any
modifications to the restraint systems.
Therefore, you must not tamper with elec-
tronic components or their software.
The seat belts, together with SRS (Supple-
mental Restraint System), are complemen-
tary, co-ordinated restraint systems
(Y page 41). They reduce the risk of injury
in specific, pre-defined types of accident sit-
uations and thereby increase occupant
safety. However, seat belts and airbags gen-
erally do not protect against object spene-
tratin gthe vehicle from the outside. 40
Occupant safetySafety

To ensure that the restraint systems can
deliver their full potential protection, make
sure that:
R
the seat and head restraint are adjusted
properly (Y page 96).
R the seat belt has been fastened properly
(Y page 48).
R the airbags can inflate unrestricted if
deployed (Y page 42).
R the steerin gwheel is adjusted properly
(Y page 102).
R the restraint systems have not been modi-
fied.
An airbag increases the protection of vehicle
occupant swearing aseat belt. However, air-
bags are only an additional restraint system
which complements, but does not replace,
the seat belt. All vehicle occupant smust wear
their seat belt correctly at all times, even if
the vehicle is equipped with airbags. The air-
bags are not deployed in all types of acci-
dents .For example, if the protective capacity
of correctly fastened seat belts is not
increased by deploying the airbags, the air-
bags will not deploy.
Airbag deployment only provides increased
protection if the seat belt is worn correctly.
First,t he seat belt helps to keep the vehicle
occupant in the best position in relation to the
airbag. Second, in ahead-on collision, for
example, the seat belt prevent sthe vehicle
occupant from being propelled towards the
point of impact. SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Introduction SRS consist
sof:
R the 6 SRS warning lamp
R airbags
R the airbag control unit with crash sensors
R belt tensioners
R belt force limiters SRS reduces the risk of occupant
scoming
into contact with the vehicle's interior in the
event of an accident .Itcan also reduce the
forces to which occupant sare subjected dur-
ing an accident.
SRS warnin glamp G
WARNING
If SRS is malfunctioning, individuals ystems
may be triggere dunintentionally or might not
be triggere dinthe event of an accident with
ah igh rate of vehicl edeceleration.
Am alfunction has occurred if:
R the 6 SRS warning lamp does not light
up when the ignitio nisswitched on.
R the engine is running and the 6SRS
warning lamp does not go out after afew
seconds.
R the engine is running and the 6SRS
warning lamp lights up again.
In this case, have SRS checked immediately
at aq ualified specialist workshop.
SRS functionsa re checked regularly when
you switch on the ignition and when the
engine is running. Therefore, malfunctions
can be detected in good time.
The 6 SRS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out no later than afew seconds
after the engine is started.
Triggering of belt tensioners, belt force
limiters and airbags During the first stage of
acollision, the airbag
control unit evaluates important physical
data relating to vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration, such as:
R duration
R direction
R magnitude
Based on the evaluation of this data, the air-
bag control unit pre-emptively triggers the
belt tensioners in the first stage. Occupant safety
41Safety Z

If there is an even higherr
ate of vehicle decel-
eration or acceleratio ninalongitudinal direc-
tion ,the front airbags are also deployed.
Your vehicle has adaptive, two-stage front air-
bags. The airbag control unit evaluate svehi-
cle deceleration or acceleration in the event
of ac ollision. In the firs tdeployment stage,
the fron tairbag is filled with enough propel-
lant gas to reduc ethe risk of injuries. The
front airbag is fully deployed if asecond
deploymen tthreshold is reached within afew
milliseconds.
The belt tensioner and airbag triggering
thresholds are variable and are adapted to the
rate of deceleration or acceleration of the
vehicle. This process is pre-emptive in nature.
The triggering process must take place in
good time at the start of the collision.
The rate of vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion and the direction of the force are essen-
tially determined by:
R the distribution of forces during the colli-
sion
R the collision angle
R the deformation characteristics of the vehi-
cle
R the characteristics of the object with which
the vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after acollision has occurred do not play a
decisive role in the deployment of an airbag,
nor do they provide an indication of airbag
deployment.
The vehicle may be deformed significantly,
e.g. the bonnet or the wing, without an airbag
being deployed. This is the case if only parts
which are relatively easily deformed are affec-
ted and the rate of deceleration is not high.
Conversely, airbags may be deployed even
though the vehicle suffers only minor defor-
mation. This is the case if, for example, very
rigid vehicle parts such as longitudinal body
members are hit, and sufficient deceleration
occurs as aresult. i
The front belt tensioners can only be trig-
gered if the seat belt tongues on the front
seats are correctly engaged in the seat belt
buckles.
i Not all airbags are deployed in an acci-
dent. The different airbag systems work
independently of each other.
How the airbag system works is deter-
mined by the severity of the accident detec-
ted, especiallyt he vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, and the apparent type of acci-
dent:
R head-on collision
R side impact
R overturn Airbags
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Airbags provide additional protection; they
are not, however, asubstitute for seat belts.
Observe the following notes to reduce the risk
of serious or even fatal injury caused by airbag
deployment:
R all vehicle occupants –inparticular ,preg-
nan twome n–m ust wear their seat belt
correctly at all times and lean back against
th eb ackrest, whic hshoul dbep ositioned
as close to th evertical as possible. The
head restraint must support th eback of the
head at about eye level.
R always secure childre nless than
1.50mt all or unde r12years of age in suit-
able child restraint systems.
R all vehicle occupant smust select aseat
position that is as far away from the airbag
as possible. The driver's seat position must
allow the vehicle to be driven safely. The
driver's chest should be as far away from
the centre of the driver's airbag cover as
possible. 42
Occupant safetySafety

R
move the front-passenger seat as far back
as possible. This is especiallyi mportant if
you have secure dachild in achild restraint
system on the front-passenger seat.
R vehicl eoccupants –inparticular ,children
–m ust no tlean their heads into the area of
the window in which the sidebag/window-
bag is deployed.
R rearward-facing child restraint systems
must not be fitted to the front-passenger
seat unless the front-passenger airbag has
been disabled. On the front-passenger
seat, the front-passenger airbag is disabled
if ac hild restraint system with atrans-
ponder for automatic child seat recognition
is fitted to the front-passenger seat in a
vehicle equipped with automatic child seat
recognition. The 4PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF indicator lamp must be continuously
lit.
If the front-passenger seat of your vehicle
does not have automatic child seat recog-
nition ,oryour rearward-facing child
restraint system does not have atrans-
ponder for automatic child seat recogni-
tion ,children must be secured in achild
restraint system on asuitable seat in the
rear. If you secure aforward-facing child
restraint system to the front-passenger
seat, you must move the front-passenger
seat as far back as possible.
R make sure there are no heavy or sharp-
edged objects in the pockets of clothing.
R do not lean forwards, e.g. over the cover of
the driver's/front-passenger fron tairbag,
particularly when the vehicle is in motion.
R do not put your feet on the dashboard.
R only hold the steerin gwheel on the outside.
This allows the airbag to be fully deployed.
You could be injured if the airbag is
deployed and you are holding the inside of
the steerin gwheel.
R do not lean on the doors from inside the
vehicle. R
make sure that there are no people, ani-
mals or objects between the vehicle occu-
pants and the area where the airbags are
deployed.
R do not place any objects between the seat
backrest and the door.
R do not hang any hard objects, e.g. coat
hangers, on the grab handles or coat hooks.
R do not attac haccessories, e.g. cup holders,
to the doors.
It is not possible to rule out arisk of injury
being caused by an airbag, due to the high
speed at which the airbag must be deployed. G
WARNING
Airbag functionality can only be assured if the
following parts are not covered and no badges
or stickers are attached to them:
R padded steerin gwheel boss
R kneebag cover below the steerin gcolumn
R front-passenger airbag cover
R outer side of fron tseat bolsters
R side trim nexttot he rear seat backrest
R roof frame cover between the fron tA-pillar
and the C-pilla rinthe rea rcompartment G
WARNING
Whe nana irbag deploys, asmall amount of
powder is released .The powder may cause
short-term breathing difficulties to persons
suffering from asthma or other pulmonary
conditions.
In order to prevent potential breathing diffi-
culties, you should leave 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. The powder does not constitute a
health hazard and does not indicate that there
is af ire in the vehicle. G
WARNING
The airbag parts are hot after the airbag has
been deployed. Do not touch them as you
could burn yourself. Occupant safety
43Safety
Z

Have the airbags replaced at
aqualifie dspe-
cialist workshop .Otherwise, occupants are
not protecte dbythe airbags in the event of
anothe raccident.
Airba gdeployme nt slowsdowna nd restricts
the movement of the vehicl eoccupant.
If the airbags ar edeployed, you will hear a
bang ,and asmall amount of powder may also
be released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that is
released generally does not constitute a
health hazard. The 6SRS warning lamp
lights up.
The airbag installation locations are identified
by the AIRBAGs ymbol.
Front airbags !
Do not place heavy object sonthe front-
passenger seat. The system may then
detect that the seat is occupied and if there
is an accident ,the restraint systems on the
front-passenger side could be deployed.
Have restraint systems that have been trig-
gered replaced. Driver'
sairbag :deploys in front of the
steerin gwheel; front-passenger front air-
bag ;deploys in front of and above the glove
compartment.
The front airbags increase protection for the
driver's and front-passenger's head and
chest. They are deployed:
R
at the start of an accident with ahigh rate
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in a
longitudinal direction
R if the system determines that airbag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R depending on whether the seat belt is being
used
R independently of other airbags in the vehi-
cle
If the vehicle overturns, the front airbags are
generally not deployed. The front airbags are
deployed if the system detect shigh vehicle
deceleration in alongitudinal direction.
Vehicles with automatic child seat recog-
nition in the front-passenger seat: front-
passenger airbag is only activated if the sys-
tem determines that the front-passenger seat
is occupied. The 4PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF indicator lamp on the centre console
does not light up (Y page 54).
If ac hild restraint system is fitted to the front-
passenger seat and the 4PASSENGER
AIRBAGO FF indicator lamp does not light up
on the centre console:
R ac hild restraint system without transpond-
ers for automatic child seat recognition is
fitted or
R ac hild restraint system with transponders
is not properly fitted.
Driver's kneebag 44
Occupant safetySafety

Driver's kneebag
:deploy sunder the steer-
ing column. It is deployed together with the
front airbags. Th edriver's kneeba gis
designe dtooperate together with the front
airbags in frontal impacts if certai nthresholds
are exceeded. The driver's kneebag operates
best in conjunction with correctly positioned
and fastened seat belts.
The driver's kneebag increases protection of
the driver against:
R knee injuries
R thigh injuries
R lower leg injuries
i The driver's kneebag is only available in
certain countries.
Sidebags G
WARNING
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-Ben zvehicles.
The seat cover smust have aspecial tear seam
for sidebags/pelvisbags. Otherwise, the side-
bag/pelvisbag cannot deploy correctly and
would fail to provide the intended protection
in the event of an accident. Appropriate seat
cover scan be obtained, for example, from a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Fron
tsidebags :and rear sidebags ;
deploy nex ttothe outer seat cushions. When deployed, the sidebags offer additional
protection for the thorax of the vehicle occu-
pants on the side of the vehicle on which the
impact occurs. However, they do not protect
the:
R head
R neck
R arms
The sidebags are deployed:
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R at the start of an accident with ahigh rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion, e.g. in aside impact
R independently of the use of the seat belt
R independently of the front airbags
R independently of the belt tensioners
If the vehicle overturns, the sidebags are gen-
erally not deployed. Sidebags are deployed if
the system detect shigh vehicle deceleration
or acceleration in alateral direction and
determines that sidebag deployment can
offer additional protection to that provided by
the seat belt.
Pelvisbags G
WARNING
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 aspecial tear seam
for sidebags/pelvisbags. Otherwise, the side-
bag/pelvisbag cannot deploy correctly and
would fail to provide the intended protection
in the event of an accident .Appropriate seat
covers can be obtained, for example, from a
Mercedes-Benz Servic eCentre. Occupant safety
45Safety Z

Pelvisbag deployment enhances the level of
protection of the vehicle occupant sonthe
side of the vehicle on which the impact
occurs.
Pelvisbags :deploy next to and below the
outer seat cushions. They are deployed:
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R at the start of an accident with ahigh rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion, e.g. in aside impact
R independently of the use of the seat belt
R independently of the fronta irbags
R independently of the belt tensioners
If the vehicle overturns, the pelvisbags are
generally not deployed. Exception: if the sys-
tem detect shigh vehicle deceleration or
acceleration in alateral direction and deter-
mines that deploymen tcan offer additional
protection to that provide dbytheseat belt.
i Pelvisbags are only available in certain
countries.
Windowbags Windowbags
:enhance th elevel of protec-
tion fo rthe 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 and deployed in the area
from the A-pillar to the C-pillar.
Windowbags are deployed:
R at the start of an accident with ahigh rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion, e.g. in aside impact
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R on the driver's and the front passenger's
side if the vehicle overturns and the system
determines that windowbagd eployment
can offer additional protection to that pro-
vided by the seat belt
R independently of the use of the seat belt
R regardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied
R independently of the front airbags NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-
PRO luxury head restraints
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Only use head restraint covers which have
been tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz
for your vehicle model.
The use of non-approved head restraint cov-
ers may prevent NECK-PRO head restraints/
NECK-PRO luxury head restraintsf rom trig-
gering properly. The NECK-PRO head
restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
can therefore not provide the intended pro-
tection.
Consult aMercedes-Ben zService Centre
regarding availability.
NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO luxury
head restraintsi ncrease protection of the
driver's and front-passenger's head and
neck.Int he event of arear collision of acer- 46
Occupant safetySafety

PRE-SAFE
®
(preventative occupant
protection) G
WARNING
When adjusting the seat, make sure that
nobody can become trapped.
! Make sure that there are no objectsint he
footwell or behind the seats when moving
the seat back. There is arisk that the seats
and/or the objectsc ould be damaged.
PRE-SAFE ®
takes pre-emptive measures to
protect occupants in certain hazardous sit-
uations.
PRE-SAFE ®
intervenes:
R when BAS activates, e.g. in emergency
braking situations
R when BAS PLUS intervenes powerfully on
vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS
R if, on vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS, the
radar sensor system detectsani mminent
dange rofcollision in certain situations
R in critical driving situations, e.g. when phys-
ical limits are exceeded and the vehicle
understeers or oversteers severely
PRE-SAFE ®
takes the following measures
depending on the hazardous situation detec-
ted:
R the front seat belts are pre-tensioned.
R vehicles with the memory function: the
front-passenger seat is adjusted if it is in an
unfavourable position.
R vehicles with amulticontour seat or active
multicontour seat: the air pressure in the
side bolsters of the seat cushion and back-
rest is increased.
R if the vehicle skids, the sliding sunroof/
panorama sliding sunroof and the side win-
dows are closed so that only asmall gap
remains.
If the hazardous situation passes without
resulting in an accident ,PRE-SAFE ®
slackens
the belt pretensioning. The air pressure in the
side bolsters on the multicontour seat/active
multicontour seat is reduced again. All set- tings made by PRE-SAFE
®
can then be
reversed.
If the seat belts are not released:
X Move the backrest or seat back slightly, but
only when the vehicle is stationary.
The belt pretensioning is reduced and the
lockin gmechanism is released.
More information about seat belt adjustment,
ac onvenienc efunction integrated into PRE-
SAFE ®
,c an be found under "Seat belt adjust-
ment"( Ypage 50). Seat belts
Important safety notes G
WARNING
As eat belt which is not worn correctly, or
which has not been engaged in the seat belt
buckle correctly, cannot provide the intended
level of protection. Under certain circumstan-
ces, this could cause severe or even fatal inju-
ries in the event of an accident.
Therefore, make sure that all occupant s—in
particular, pregnan twomen —wear their seat
belts correctly at all times.
R The seat belt must fit snugly on your body
and must not be twisted.Therefore, avoid
wearing bulky clothing, e.g. awinter coat.
The shoulder section of the belt must be
routed across the centre of your shoulder
—onnoa ccount across your neck or under
your arm —and pulled tight against your
uppe rbody. The lap belt must alwaysp ass
across your lap as low down as possible, i.e.
over your hip joints—n ot across your abdo-
men. If necessary, push the seat belt
slightly downwards and adjust it by pulling
it in the direction the seat belt retracts.
R Do not route the seat belt strap over sharp
or fragile objects. Please make sure that
such object sare not on or in your clothing,
e.g. spectacles, pens or keys etc. The seat
belt strap could become damaged and tear 48
Occupant safetySafety

during an acciden
tand yo uoro thervehicle
occupant scould be injured.
R Only one person should use each seat belt
at any one time. Children must never travel
sitting on the lap of another occupant .The
child will not be secured in the event of an
accident, heavy braking or sudden change
of direction. This may result in the child or
other occupant sbeing seriously or fatally
injured.
R Person sunder 1.50m tallcanno twear the
seat belt scorrectly. For this reason secure
person sless than 1.50 mtall in specially
designed ,suitable restraint systems.
R Children unde r1.50 mtall and younger
than twelve years of age canno twear the
seat belts correctly. For this reason secure
them in special suitable child restraint sys-
tems installed on asuitable seat. Additional
information can be found in the Operating
Instructions in the chapter "Safety", "Chil-
dren in the Vehicle". Observe the installa-
tion instructions of the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer.
R Do not secure an objec twith aseat belt if
the seat belt is also being used by one of
the vehicle's occupants. G
WARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended level
of protection unless the backrest is almost
vertical. Under certain circumstances, this
could cause severe or even fatal injuries in the
event of an accident.
Befor estarting ajourney, make sure that the
seat is properly adjusted and that the back-
rest is almost vertical. G
WARNING
Ad irtyord amaged seat belt or one that has
been modified or subjected to aload in an
accident no longer offers the intended level of
protection. Under certain circumstances, this
could cause sever eoreven fatal injuries in the
even tofana ccident. For this reason
,chec kregularly that the seat
belts are not damaged or dirty.
Always have damaged seat belts or seat belts
that have been subjected to aload in an acci-
dent replaced at aqualified specialist work-
shop.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use seat belts which have
been approved by Mercedes-Benz for your
vehicle.
Seat belts are the most effective means of
restraining the movemen tofvehicle occu-
pants in the event of an accident. This
reduces the risk of vehicle occupant scoming
into contact with parts of the vehicle interior.
Fastening seat belts X
Adjust the seat and move the backrest to
an almost vertical position (Y page 96).
X Pull the seat belt smoothly through belt
sash guide :.
X Without twistin git, guide the shoulder sec-
tion of the seat belt across the middle of
your shoulder and the lap section across
your pelvis.
X Engage belt tongue ;in buckle =.
Seat-belt adjustment:ifn ecessary, the
driver's and front-passenger seat belts Occupant safety
49Safety Z

X
Press release button ?on belt buckle =.
X Slide belt tongue ;back to belt sash
guide :.
Belt warning for the driver and front
passenger The
7 seat belt warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster is areminder for all occupants
to fasten their seat belts. It may light up con-
tinuously or flash. In addition, there may be a
warning tone.
The 7 seat belt warning lamp goes out and
the warning tonec eases when the driver and
the frontp assenger have fastened their seat
belt.
For certain countries only: regardless of
whether th edriver and th efront passenger
have fastened their seat belts, the 7seat
beltw arning lamp light supfor six seconds
after th eengineiss tarted. It then goes out if
th ed river and th efront pa ssenger have fas-
tene dtheir seat belts.
i For mor einformatio nonthe7 seat
belt warning lamp, see "Indicato rand warn-
ing lamps in the instrument cluster ,seat
belt" (Y page 259). Rea
rseatb elts tatus indicator Display for securel
yfastene doccupants on left
side of rea rcompartmen t(example)
The rear-compartment seat belt status indi-
cator tells you if the rear passengers have
their seat belts fastened. The rear-compart-
ment seat belt status indicato rindicate sthe
rea rseat on which the belt is fastened. The
ü symbol in the display indicates afas-
tened seat belt. If aseat belt is not fastened
or if aseat is not occupied, the ýsymbol
is displayed.
The rear-compartment seat belt status indi-
cator appears in the multifunction display for
around 30 seconds if:
R you drive off and reach aspeed of approx-
imately 10 km/h.
R the rear passengers fasten or unfasten
their seat belts while the vehicle is in
motion.
R someon egets in or out of the vehicle and
the vehicle drives off again.
You can also cancel the rear seat belt status
indicator immediately (Y page 231).
i The status indicator for the rear-compart-
ment seat belts is only available for certain
countries.
Belt tensioners, belt force limiters G
WARNING
If the seat belt tensioners have been trig-
gered, they provide no additional protection
in the event of another accident. Therefore,
have belt tensioners which have been trig-
gered replaced at aqualified specialist work-
shop. Occupant safety
51Safety
Z