2005 Mercedes-benz C Class Coupe Owners Manual

as possible, consistent with ability to properly operate controls.

When moving the seats, make sure that there are no items in the footwell or behind the seats. Otherwise you could damage the seats.

The memory function* (컄 page 107) lets you store the settings for the seat position together with the setting for the steering wheel and the exterior rear view mirrors.

direction of arrow 3 until your upper legs are lightly supported.

Seat backrest tilt 왘 Press the switch forward or backward in the direction of arrow 5 until your arms are slightly angled when holding the steering wheel.

Seat height 왘 Press the switch up or down in the

direction of arrow 2.

Head restraint height 왘 Press the switch up or down in the di-

rection of arrow 1.

Adjust the head restraint in such a way that it is as close to the head as possi- ble.

Warning!

Head restraint tilt

Folding front seat backrest forward

Getting started Adjusting

For your protection, drive only with properly positioned head restraints.

Adjust head restraint so that the center of the head restraint supports the back of the head at eye level. This will reduce the poten- tial for injury to the head and neck in the event of an accident or similar situation.

Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head restraints. Head restraints are intend- ed to help reduce injuries during an acci- dent.

Manually adjust the angle of the head re- straint. 왘 Push or pull on the lower edge of the

head restraint cushion.

For more information, see “Seats” (컄 page 100).

1 Release lever 2 Seat belt presenter

In addition to the front seat backrests, the front seat cushions can also be shifted forward to permit easy access to the rear whenever the seat is located in the rear half of its adjustment range. Swivel backrest forward by pulling the release lever until the seat moves in a combined forward and upward move- ment.

39

Getting started Adjusting

Folding backrest forward 왘 Pivot seat belt presenter 2 down. 왘 Pull release lever 1 forward and fold

the seat backrest forward.

Vehicles with power seat*: The head restraints will automatically move down.

Vehicles with manual seat adjustment: 왘 If necessary, press the head restraint

Folding backrest back 왘 Fold and press the backrest rearward

until it engages in driving position.

Vehicles with power seat*: The head restraint returns to its previous posi- tions.

Vehicles with manual seat adjustment: 왘 If necessary, pull the head restraint out

while tilting the seat back.

downward while tilting the backrest forward.

For more information, see “Seats” (컄 page 100).

Steering wheel

Warning!

Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving. Adjusting the steering wheel while driving, or driving without the steering wheel adjustment locked could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with you, and lock the vehicle.

Even with the SmartKey removed from the starter switch, the electrical steering wheel adjustment feature* can be operated when the driver’s door is open. Therefore, do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsu- pervised use of vehicle equipment may cause an accident and/or serious personal injury.

40

Steering wheel adjustment, manual

왘 Make sure the steering wheel is

securely locked by trying to move it up and down, and in and out before driving off.

Make sure your legs can move freely and that all the displays (inclusive malfunction and indicator lamps) on the instrument cluster are clearly visible.

Warning!

Only adjust the steering wheel with the vehi- cle at a standstill and make sure the steer- ing wheel is securely locked in place before driving off.

Driving without the steering wheel adjust- ment locked may cause an unexpected steering wheel movement which could cause the driver to lose control of the vehi- cle. Make sure the steering wheel is secure- ly locked by trying to move it up and down, and in and out before driving off.

1 Handle 왘 To unlock the steering column, pull

handle 1 out until its stop limit.

왘 Move steering wheel to the desired

position.

왘 To lock the steering column, push

handle 1 all the way in until it engages. The steering wheel is once again locked into position.

Getting started Adjusting

Steering wheel adjustment, electrical* The stalk for steering wheel adjustment is located on the steering column (lower left).

1 Adjusting steering column, in or out 2 Adjusting steering column, up or down 왘 Switch on the ignition (컄 page 33). or 왘 Open the driver’s door.

41

Getting started Adjusting

Adjusting steering column in or out 왘 Move stalk forward or back in the direc-

tion of arrow 1 until a comfortable steering wheel position is reached with your arms slightly bent at the elbow.

Adjusting steering column, up or down 왘 Move stalk up or down in the direction

of arrow 2. Make sure your legs can move freely and that all the displays (inclusive mal- function and indicator lamps) on the in- strument cluster are clearly visible.

The memory function* (컄 page 107) lets you store the setting for the steer- ing wheel together with the setting for the seat position and exterior rear view mirrors.

42

Mirrors

Adjust the interior and exterior rear view mirrors before driving so that you have a good view of the road and traffic condi- tions.

Interior rear view mirror 왘 Manually adjust the interior rear view

mirror.

For more information, see “Rear view mir- rors” (컄 page 167).

Warning!

Exterior rear view mirrors

In the case of an accident, liquid electrolyte may escape the mirror housing if the mirror glass breaks.

Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not al- low the liquid to come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system. In case it does, immediately flush affected area with water, and seek medical help if necessary.

Warning!

Exercise care when using the passen- ger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror surface is convex (outwardly curved surface for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror are closer than they appear. Check your in- side rear view mirror or glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.

Electrolyte drops coming into contact with the vehicle paint finish can only be completely removed while in their liquid state and by applying plenty of water.

The buttons are located above the exterior lamp switch.

1 Adjustment button 2 Passenger-side exterior rear view

mirror

3 Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror

왘 Switch on the ignition (컄 page 33). 왘 Press button 3 for the driver’s side exterior rear view mirror or button 2 for the passenger-side exterior rear view mirror.

왘 Push adjustment button 1 up, down, left or right according to the desired setting.

If an exterior rear view mirror was forc- ibly pushed forward (hit from the rear) or forcibly pushed backward (hit from the front), reposition it by applying firm pressure until it snaps into place. The mirror housing is now properly po- sitioned and you can adjust the mirror normally.

Getting started Adjusting

The memory function* (컄 page 107) lets you store the setting for the exteri- or rear view mirrors together with the settings for the steering wheel and seat positions.

At low ambient temperatures, the mir- rors will be heated automatically.

For more information, see “Rear view mir- rors” (컄 page 167).

43

Getting started Driving

Warning!

Do not lay any objects in the driver’s foot- well. Be careful that floor mats or carpets in the driver’s footwell have sufficient clear- ance for the pedals.

During sudden driving or braking maneuvers the objects could get caught between the pedals. You could then no longer brake or accelerate.

Fastening the seat belt

Warning!

Always fasten your seat belt before driving off. Always make sure your passengers are properly restrained, even those sitting in the rear and pregnant women.

44

Failure to wear and properly fasten and po- sition your seat belt greatly increases your risk of injuries and their likely severity in an accident. You and your passengers should always wear seat belts.

If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can be considerably more severe without your seat belt properly buckled. Without your seat belt buckled, you are much more likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed.

In the same crash, the possibility of injury or death is lessened if you are wearing your seat belt. The air bags can only provide the protection they were designed to afford if the occupants are using their seat belts (컄 page 66).

Warning!

According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seat- ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend that children be placed in the rear seats. Regardless of seating position, children 12 years old and under must be seated and properly secured in an appropriate infant or toddler restraint, or booster seat recom- mended for the size and weight of the child. For additional information, see “Children in the vehicle” (컄 page 70). A child’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.

Getting started Driving

The seat belt presenter must be put back to its original position before lean- ing the seat backrest toward the rear or letting someone enter the rear passen- ger compartment.

Warning!

Warning!

Read and observe the additional warning notices printed in the “Safety and Security” section (컄 page 64) and (컄 page 66).

The seat belt presenter for driver and pas- senger makes it easier to put on the seat belt.

Never let more people ride in the vehicle than there are seat belts available. Be sure everyone riding in the vehicle is correctly restrained with a separate seat belt. Never use a seat belt for more than one person at a time.

Warning!

Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat backrest in an excessively reclined position as this can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt would apply force at the ab- domen or neck. That could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint when the wearer is in a nearly upright position and the belt is properly positioned on the body.

1 Seat belt presenter 왘 Manually adjust the seat belt presenter

to the desired position.

1 Latch plate 2 Release button 3 Buckle

45

Getting started Driving

왘 With a smooth motion, pull the belt

Seat belt height adjustment

from the seat belt presenter.

왘 Place the shoulder portion of the belt across the top of your shoulder and the lap portion across your hips.

왘 Push latch plate 1 into buckle 3 until

it clicks.

왘 If necessary, tighten the lap portion to

a snug fit by pulling shoulder portion up.

1 Release button

Raising 왘 Slide belt outlet upward.

Lowering 왘 Press button 1 and slide belt outlet

downward.

46

앫 Do not fasten a seat belt around a per-

son and another object at the same time. When using a seat belt to secure infant or toddler restraints or children in booster seats, always follow the child seat manufacturer's instructions. 앫 Check your seat belt periodically dur- ing travel to ensure that it is properly positioned.

앫 Make sure the seat belt is always fitted snugly. Take special care of this when wearing loose clothing.

Proper use of seat belts 앫 Do not twist the belt when fastening. 앫 Adjust seat belt so that the shoulder

portion 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 belt under your arm. For this purpose, you can adjust the height of the belt outlet.

앫 Position the lap belt as low as possible

on your hips (over hip joint) and not across the abdomen.

앫 Place the seat backrest in a nearly

upright position.

앫 Never use a seat belt for more than one

person at a time.

Getting started Driving

Warning!

Do not pass belts over sharp edges. They could tear.

Do not allow the belt to get caught in the door or in the seat adjustment mechanism. This could damage the belt.

Never attempt to make modifications to seat belts. This could impair the effective- ness of the belts.

Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may severely weaken them. In a crash they may not be able to provide adequate protection.

Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly stressed in an accident must be replaced. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

47

Getting started Driving

Starting the engine

Manual transmission

Gearshift pattern for manual transmission For more information, see “Manual trans- mission” (컄 page 157).

Warning!

Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon- sciousness and lead to death.

Do not run the engine in confined areas (such as garage) which are not properly ven- tilated. If you think that exhaust gas fumes are entering the vehicle while driving, have the cause determined and corrected imme- diately. If you must drive under these condi- tions, drive only with at least one window fully open.

48

Starting 왘 Depress brake pedal. 왘 Make sure the gearshift lever is in neu-

tral position (no gear selected).

왘 Fully depress clutch pedal.

Otherwise the engine cannot be start- ed due to the integrated safety inter- lock.

왘 Do not depress accelerator. 왘 Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 3 and hold until the engine starts (컄 page 33).

For information on turning off the engine, see “Turning off the engine” (컄 page 58).

Automatic transmission*

Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission P Park position with gear selector lever

lock

R Reverse gear N Neutral D Drive position For more information, see “Automatic transmission*” (컄 page 159).

Starting 왘 Make sure the gear selector lever is set

to P.

왘 Do not depress accelerator. 왘 Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 3 and hold until the engine starts (컄 page 33).

You can also use the “touch-start” function. Turn the SmartKey to position 3 and release it again immedi- ately. The engine then starts automati- cally.

왘 Depress brake pedal.

The selector lever lock is released.

For information on turning off the engine with the SmartKey, see “Turning off the en- gine” (컄 page 58).

Getting started Driving

Starting difficulties If the engine does not start as described, carry out the following steps: 왘 Turn SmartKey in starter to position 0

and repeat starting procedure. Remember that extended starting attempts can drain the battery. 왘 Get a jump start (컄 page 404). If the engine does not start after several starting attempts, there could be a mal- function in the engine electronics or in the fuel supply system. 왘 Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz

Center.

49

Getting started Driving

Parking brake

1 Release handle 2 Parking brake

Warning!

When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could release the parking brake, which could result in an accident and/or serious injury.

50

왘 Release the parking brake by pulling on

handle 1. The indicator lamp ; (USA only) or 3 (Canada only) in the instrument cluster goes out.

Driving 왘 Depress brake pedal. 왘 Move gear selector lever to position D or R (manual transmission: first or re- verse gear).

Vehicles with automatic transmission*: Wait for the gear selection process to complete before setting the vehicle in motion.

왘 Release the brake pedal. 왘 Carefully depress the accelerator

pedal. Once the vehicle is in motion, the auto- matic central locking system engages and the locking knobs drop down.

You can open a locked door from the inside. Open doors only when condi- tions are safe to do so. You can deactivate the automatic lock- ing using the control system (컄 page 148).

Simultaneously depressing the acceler- ator pedal and applying the brake re- duces engine performance and causes premature brake and drivetrain wear.

If you hear a warning signal when driv- ing off, you have forgotten to release the parking brake. Release the parking brake.

After a cold start, the automatic transmis- sion shifts at a higher engine revolution. This allows the catalytic converter to reach its operating temperature earlier.

Warning!

On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi- cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre- vent this type of loss of control.

Vehicles with automatic transmission*: Place the gear selector lever in position P or R only when the vehicle is stopped in order to avoid damaging the transmission.

Do not run cold engine at high engine speeds. Running a cold engine at high speeds may shorten the service life of the engine.

Warning!

Vehicles with automatic transmission*: It is dangerous to shift the gear selector lever out of P or N if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could acceler- ate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

For more information on driving, see “Driv- ing instructions” (컄 page 277).

Getting started Driving

Switching on headlamps

For more information on headlamps, see “Lighting” (컄 page 110).

Low beam headlamps The exterior lamp switch is located on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.

Exterior lamp switch 1 Off 2 Low beam headlamps on

51

Getting started Driving

왘 Turn the exterior lamp switch to

왘 Push the combination switch in

왘 Press combination switch in direction

position B. The low beam headlamp indicator lamp B in the instrument cluster comes on (컄 page 24).

direction of arrow 1. The high beam headlamp indicator lamp A in the instrument cluster comes on (컄 page 24).

High beam The combination switch is located on the left of the steering column.

For more information on headlamps, see “Combination switch” (컄 page 114).

Turn signals

The combination switch is located on the left of the steering column.

of arrow 1 or 2. The corresponding turn signal indicator lamp L or K in the instrument cluster flashes. The combination switch resets auto- matically after major steering wheel movements.

To signal minor directional changes, such as changing lanes, press combi- nation switch only to point of resis- tance and release. The corresponding turn signal will flash three times.

Combination switch 1 High beam 2 High beam flasher

52

Combination switch 1 Turn signals, right 2 Turn signals, left

Windshield wipers

The combination switch is located on the left of the steering column.

Combination switch 1 Single wipe 2 Switching on windshield wipers 왘 Switch on the ignition (컄 page 33).

Switching on windshield wipers 왘 Turn the combination switch to the desired position depending on the intensity of the rain. 0 Windshield wipers off Intermittent wiping II Normal wiper speed III Fast wiper speed

Vehicles without rain sensor*: When the vehicle is standing still, the wiper speed returns to the next lower setting. Vehicles with rain sensor*: Intermittent wiping interval is depen- dent on wetness of windshield. After the initial wipe, pauses between wipes are automatically controlled by the rain sensor.

Getting started Driving

Vehicles with rain sensor*: Do not leave windshield wipers in inter- mittent setting when the vehicle is tak- en to an automatic car wash or during windshield cleaning. Wipers will oper- ate in the presence of water sprayed on the windshield, and wipers may be damaged as a result. The switch should not be left in inter- mittent setting as the wipers will wipe the windshield once every time the engine is started. Dust that accumu- lates on the windshield might scratch the glass and/or damage the wiper blades when wiping occurs on a dry windshield.

53

Getting started Driving

Intermittent wiping 왘 Set the wiper switch to position I.

Intermittent wiping is interrupted when the vehicle is at a standstill and a door is opened.

Single wipe 왘 Press switch briefly in the direction of

arrow 1. The windshield wipers wipe one time without washer fluid.

Wiping with windshield washer fluid 왘 Push switch in the direction of

arrow 1 past the resistance point. The windshield wipers operate with washer fluid.

For information on filling up the washer reservoir, see “Windshield washer system and headlamp cleaning system*” (컄 page 299).

If anything blocks the windshield wip- ers (leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off immediately. 앫 For safety reasons, withdraw SmartKey from starter switch before attempting to remove any blockage.

앫 Remove blockage. 앫 Turn the windshield wipers on

again.

If windshield wipers fail to function at all in switch position I, 앫 set the combination switch to the

next highest wiper speed

앫 have the windshield wipers

checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center

54

Problems while driving

The engine runs erratically and misfires 앫 An ignition cable may be damaged. 앫 The engine electronics may not be

operating properly.

앫 Unburned gasoline may have entered the catalytic converter and damaged it.

왘 Give very little gas. 왘 Have the problem repaired by an

authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

The coolant temperature is over 248°F (120°C) The coolant is too hot and is no longer cooling the engine. 왘 Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and turn off the engine. Allow engine and coolant to cool.

왘 Check the coolant level and add cool-

ant if necessary (컄 page 296).

Getting started Driving

In case of accident If the vehicle is leaking gasoline: 왘 Do not start the engine under any cir-

cumstances.

왘 Notify local fire and/or police authori-

ties.

If the extent of the damage cannot be determined: 왘 Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz

Center.

If no damage can be determined on the 앫 major assemblies 앫 fuel system 앫 engine mount: 왘 Start the engine in the usual manner.

55

Getting started Parking and locking

You have now completed your first drive. You have properly stopped and parked your vehicle. End your drive as follows.

Warning!

Vehicles with manual transmission: Wait until the vehicle is stationary before removing the SmartKey from the starter switch. The vehicle cannot be steered when the SmartKey is removed.

Warning!

With the engine not running, there is no power assistance for the brake and steering system. In this case, it is important to keep in mind that a considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve- hicle.

56

Warning!

Parking brake

Do not park this vehicle in areas where com- bustible materials such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact with the hot exhaust system, as these materials could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.

To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re- sult of vehicle movement, before turning off the engine and leaving the vehicle always: 앫 Keep right foot on brake pedal. 앫 Firmly depress parking brake pedal. 앫 Move the gear selector lever to

position P (manual transmission: first or reverse gear).

앫 Slowly release brake pedal. 앫 When parked on an incline, turn front

wheels towards road curb.

앫 Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 0 and remove the SmartKey from the starter switch.

앫 Take the SmartKey with you and lock

the vehicle when leaving.

1 Release handle 2 Parking brake 왘 Step firmly on parking brake 2.

When the engine is running, the indica- tor lamp ; (USA only) or 3 (Canada only) in the instrument cluster will be illuminated.

Warning!

Warning!

Getting out of your vehicle with the gear selector lever not fully engaged in position P (manual transmission: first or reverse gear) is dangerous. Also, when parked on an incline, position P (manual transmission: first or reverse gear) alone may not prevent your vehicle from moving, possibly hitting people or objects.

Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting to position P (manual transmission: first or reverse gear).

When parked on an incline, turn front wheels towards the road curb.

When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could release the parking brake and/or move the gear selector lever from position P (manual transmission: into neutral), either of which could result in an accident and/or se- rious injury.

Getting started Parking and locking

Switching off headlamps

왘 Turn the exterior lamp switch to M

(컄 page 51).

For more information on headlamps, see “Lighting” (컄 page 110).

57

Getting started Parking and locking

Turning off the engine

왘 Place the gear selector lever in

position P (manual transmission: first or reverse gear).

Always set the parking brake in addi- tion to shifting to position P (manual transmission: first or reverse gear). On slopes, turn the front wheels to- wards the road curb.

왘 Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 0 and remove the SmartKey from the starter switch. The immobilizer is activated.

Vehicles with automatic transmission*: The SmartKey can only be removed from the starter switch with the gear selector lever in position P.

58

왘 Press the seat belt release button

(컄 page 44). Allow the retractor to completely rewind the seat belt by guiding the latch plate.

With the SmartKey removed and the driver’s door open, a warning sounds if the vehicle’s exterior lamps are not switched off.

Warning!

To prevent possible personal injury, always keep hands and fingers away from the door openings when closing the doors. Be espe- cially careful when small children are around.

Before closing doors, make sure there is no possibility of someone getting caught in a door during closing.

왘 After exiting the vehicle, press the lock

button ‹ on the SmartKey (컄 page 32). With the hood, trunk and all doors closed, all turn signal lamps flash three times. The locking knobs in the doors move down. The anti-theft alarm sys- tem* is armed.

Warning!

When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper- vised use of vehicle equipment may cause an accident and/or serious personal injury.

For more information, see “Locking and unlocking” (컄 page 90).

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Panic alarm*

Driving safety systems

Anti-theft systems

59

Safety and Security Occupant safety

In this section you will learn the most im- portant facts about the restraint system components of the vehicle. Restraint system with 앫 Seat belts (컄 page 66) 앫 Child restraints (컄 page 77) 앫 Lower anchors and tethers for children

(LATCH) (컄 page 78)

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) with 앫 Air bags (컄 page 61) 앫 Air bag control unit (with crash

sensors)

앫 Emergency tensioning device (ETD) for

seat belts (컄 page 69)

Air bag system components with 앫 56 indicator lamp (컄 page 76) 앫 Front passenger seat with Occupant

Classification System (OCS) (컄 page 73)

As independent systems, their protective functions work in conjunction with each other.

For information on infants and children traveling with you in the vehicle and restraint systems for infants and chil- dren, see “Children in the vehicle” (컄 page 70).

The SRS system conducts a self-test when the ignition is switched on and in regular intervals while the engine is running. This facilitates early detection of malfunctions. The 1 indicator lamp in the instrument cluster comes on when the ignition is switched on and goes out no later than a few seconds after the engine has been started. The SRS components are in operational readiness if the 1 indicator lamp is not lit when the engine is running. A malfunction in the system has been detected if the 1 indicator lamp: 앫 fails to go out after approximately four seconds after the engine was started

앫 does not come on at all 앫 comes on after the engine was started

or while driving.

60

Warning!

In the event that the 1 indicator lamp comes on during driving or does not come on at all, the SRS self-check has detected a malfunction. For your safety, we strongly recommend that you visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have the system checked; otherwise the SRS may not deploy when needed in an accident, which could result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly and unnec- essarily which could also result in injury.

In addition, improper work on the SRS creates a risk of rendering the SRS inopera- tive or causing unintended air bag deploy- ment. Work on the SRS must therefore only be performed by qualified technicians. Con- tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

If it is necessary to modify an air bag system to accommodate a person with disabilities, contact your local authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call our Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) for details.

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Air bags

Warning!

Air bags are designed to reduce the poten- tial of injury and fatality in certain frontal im- pacts (front air bags) or side impacts (side impact air bags and head protection window curtain air bags). However, no system avail- able today can totally eliminate injuries and fatalities.

The deployment of the air bags temporarily releases a small amount of dust from the air bags. This dust, however, is neither injurious to your health, nor does it indicate a fire in the vehicle. The dust might cause some tem- porary 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. If you have any breathing difficulty but cannot get out of the vehicle after the air bag inflates, then get fresh air by opening a window or door.

61

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Warning!

To reduce the risk of injury when the front air bags inflate, it is very important for the driver and front passenger to always be in a properly seated position and to wear their respective seat belts.

For maximum protection in the event of a collision always be in normal seated position with your back against the backrest. Fasten your seat belt and make sure that it is prop- erly positioned on your body.

Since the air bag inflates with considerable speed and force, a proper seating and hands on steering wheel position will help to keep you at a safe distance from the air bag. Occupants who are unbelted, out of position or too close to the air bag can be seriously injured by an air bag as it inflates with great force in the blink of an eye: 앫 Sit properly belted in a nearly upright

position with your back against the seat backrest.

62

앫 Adjust the driver seat as far as possible rearward, still permitting proper opera- tion of vehicle controls. The distance from the center of the driver’s breast- bone to the center of the air bag cover on the steering wheel must be at least 10 in (25 cm) or more. You should be able to accomplish this by a combina- tion of adjustments to the seat and steering wheel. If you have any prob- lems, please see your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

앫 Do not lean your head or chest close to

the steering wheel or dashboard.

앫 Keep hands on the outside of steering wheel rim. Placing hands and arms in- side the rim can increase the risk and potential severity of hand/arm injury when driver front air bag inflates.

앫 Adjust the front passenger seat as far as possible rearward from the dashboard when the seat is occupied.

앫 Occupants, especially children, should never place their bodies or lean their heads in the area of the door or the rear side trim panel where the side impact air bag inflates. This could result in serious injuries or death should the air bag be triggered. Always sit nearly upright, properly use the seat belts and use an appropriately sized infant or toddler re- straint or booster seat recommended for the size and weight of the child.

Failure to follow these instructions can re- sult in severe injuries to you or other occupants.

If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you make the buyer aware of this safety in- formation. Be sure to give the buyer this Operator's Manual.

Warning!

Accident research shows that the safest place for children in an automobile is in the rear seat.

It should be noted that with respect to both front and rear side impact air bags there is a possibility for a side impact air bag related injury if occupants, especially children, are not properly seated or restrained when next to a side impact air bag which needs to de- ploy rapidly in a side impact in order to do its job.

To help avoid the possibility of injury, please follow these guidelines:

(1) Occupants, especially children, should

never place their bodies or lean their heads in the area of the door where the side impact air bag inflates. This could result in serious injuries or death should the side impact air bag be deployed.

(2) Always sit nearly upright, properly use the seat belts and for children 12 years old and under, use an appropriately sized infant or toddler restraint or boost- er seat recommended for the size and weight of the child.

(3) Always wear seat belts properly.

If you believe that, even with the use of these guidelines, it would be safer for your rear seat occupants to have the rear mount- ed side impact air bags deactivated, then deactivation can be accomplished upon your written request to do so at your autho- rized Mercedes-Benz Center at an additional cost.

Please contact your local authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call our Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) for details.

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Air bags are designed to deploy only in certain frontal impacts (front air bags) and in side impacts (side impact and head protection window curtain air bags) which exceed preset thresholds. Only during these events will they provide their supplemental protection. The driver and passengers should always wear their seat belts. Otherwise it is not possible for air bags to provide their supplemental protection. In case of other types of impacts and impacts below air bag deployment thresholds, air bags will not deploy. The driver and passenger will then be protected to the extent possible by a properly fastened seat belt. A properly fastened seat belt is also needed to provide the best possible protection in a rollover. We caution you not to rely on the pres- ence of the air bags in order to avoid wearing your seat belt.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

It is important to your safety and that of your passengers that you replace de- ployed air bags and repair any malfunc- tioning air bags to make sure that the vehicle will continue to provide supple- mental crash protection for occupants.

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Safety guidelines for the seat belt, emergency tensioning device and air bag

Warning!

앫 Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly stressed in an accident must be replaced and their anchoring points must also be checked. Only use belts in- stalled or supplied by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

앫 Air bags and emergency tensioning de- vices (ETDs) are designed to function on a one-time-only basis. An air bag or ETD that is deployed must be replaced. 앫 Do not pass belts over sharp edges.

They could tear.

앫 Do not make any modification that could

change the effectiveness of the belts. 앫 Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may severely weaken them. In a crash they may not be able to provide ade- quate protection.

앫 No modifications of any kind may be made to any components or wiring of the SRS. This includes changing or re- moving any component or part of the SRS, the installation of additional trim material, badges etc. over the steering wheel hub, passenger front air bag cov- er, door trim panels, or door frame trims, and installation of additional elec- trical/electronic equipment on or near SRS components and wiring. Keep area between air bags and occupants free from objects (e.g. packages, purses, umbrellas, etc.).

앫 Do not hang items such as coat hangers from the coat hooks or handles over the door. These items may turn into projec- tiles and cause head and other injuries when curtain air bag is deployed.

앫 Never place your feet on the instrument panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always keep both feet on the floor in front of the seat.

앫 Air bag system components will be hot

after an air bag has inflated. Do not touch.

앫 In addition, improper repair work on the SRS creates a risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or causing unintended air bag deployment. Work on the SRS must therefore only be performed by qualified technicians. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

앫 For your protection and the protection of others, when scrapping the air bag unit or emergency tensioning device, our safety instructions must be fol- lowed. These instructions are available from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

앫 Given the considerable deployment

speed, required inflation volume, and the textile structure of the air bags, there is the possibility of abrasions or other more significant injuries resulting from air bag deployment.

When you sell your vehicle we strongly urge you to give notice to the subsequent owner that it is equipped with an SRS by alerting them to the applicable section in the Operator’s Manual.

Front air bags

1 Driver’s air bag 2 Passenger front air bag Driver and front passenger air bags are deployed: 앫 in the event of certain frontal impacts 앫 if impact exceeds a preset deployment

threshold

앫 independently of the side impact air

bags

Safety and Security Occupant safety

The front air bags in this vehicle have been designed to inflate in two stages. This allows the air bag to have different rates of inflation that are based on the rate of relevant vehicle deceleration as assessed by the air bag control unit. On the front passenger side, the front air bag deployment is additionally influ- enced by the passenger’s weight cate- gory as identified by the Occupant Classification System (OCS) (컄 page 73). The lighter the front passenger side occupant, the higher the vehicle decel- eration rate required for the second stage inflation of the air bag.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

The air bags will not deploy in impacts which do not exceed the system’s deploy- ment thresholds. You will then be protect- ed by the fastened seat belts. The passenger front air bag will only be deployed if: 앫 the system, based on OCS weight sen- sor readings, senses that the front pas- senger seat is occupied

앫 the 56 indicator lamp in the center console is not lit (컄 page 76) 앫 the impact exceeds a preset deploy-

ment threshold

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Side impact air bags, window curtain air bags

The front passenger side impact air bag will only deploy if the system senses that the front passenger seat is occupied.

Seat belts

When the engine is started, the seat belt telltale < illuminates to remind you and your passengers to fasten your seat belts. If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened before the engine is started, the seat belt telltale < illuminates and a warning chime sounds for approximately six seconds when the engine is started. The use of seat belts and infant and child restraint systems is required by law in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories and all Canadian provinces. Even where this is not the case, all vehicle occupants should have their seat belts fas- tened whenever the vehicle is in motion. For more information, see “Fastening the seat belt” (컄 page 44).

1 Window curtain air bag 2 Side impact air bags The side impact air bags and window cur- tain air bags are deployed: 앫 on the impacted side of the vehicle 앫 in impacts exceeding a preset deploy-

ment threshold

앫 independently of the front air bags The side impact air bags and window cur- tain air bags are not deployed in impacts which do not exceed the system’s deploy- ment threshold.

i For information on infants and children traveling with you in the vehicle and re- straint systems for infants and chil- dren, see “Children in the vehicle” (컄 page 70).

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Warning!

Warning!

Always fasten your seat belt before driving off. Always make sure all of your passengers are properly restrained, even those sitting in the rear and pregnant women.

Failure to wear and properly fasten and position your seat belt greatly increases your risk of injuries and their likely severity in an accident. You and your passengers should always wear seat belts.

If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can be considerably more severe without your seat belt properly buckled. Without your seat belt buckled, you are much more likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed.

In the same crash, the possibility of injury or death is lessened if you are properly wearing your seat belt. Air bags can only protect as they are designed if the occupants are properly wearing their seat belts.

Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat backrest in an excessively reclined position as this can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint when the wearer is in a nearly upright position and the belt is properly positioned on the body.

Warning!

Never let more people ride in the vehicle than there are seat belts available. Be sure everyone riding in the vehicle is correctly restrained with a separate seat belt. Never use a seat belt for more than one person at a time.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

Warning!

Warning!

Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly stressed in an accident must be replaced and their anchoring points must also be checked.

Only use seat belts which have been approved by Mercedes-Benz.

Do not make any modifications to the seat belts. This can lead to unintended activation of the ETDs or to failure.

Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may severely weaken them. In a crash they may not be able to provide adequate protection.

Have all work carried out only by qualified technicians. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY 앫 Seat belts can only work when used

properly. Never wear seat belts in any other way than as described in this sec- tion, as that could result in serious inju- ries in case of an accident.

앫 Each occupant should wear their seat

belt at all times, because seat belts help reduce the likelihood of and potential severity of injuries in accidents, includ- ing rollovers. The integrated restraint system includes SRS (driver air bag, pas- senger front air bag, side impact air bags, head protection window curtain air bags for side windows), ETD (seat belt emergency tensioning device), and front seat knee bolsters. The system is designed to enhance the protection offered to properly belted occupants in certain frontal (front air bags and ETD) and side (side impact and window curtain air bags and ETD) im- pacts which exceed preset deployment thresholds.

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앫 Never wear the shoulder belt under your arm, against your neck or off your shoul- der. In a frontal crash, your body would move too far forward. That would in- crease the chance of head and neck injuries. The belt would also apply too much force to the ribs or abdomen, which could severely injure internal organs such as your liver or spleen.

앫 Never wear belts over rigid or breakable objects in or on your clothing, such as eyeglasses, pens, SmartKeys etc., as these might cause injuries.

앫 Position the lap belt as low as possible on your hips and not across the abdo- men. If the belt is positioned across your abdomen, it could cause serious injuries in a crash.

앫 Never use a seat belt for more than one person at a time. Do not fasten a seat belt around a person and another per- son or other objects.

앫 Belts should not be worn twisted. In a crash, you wouldn’t have the full width of the belt to distribute impact forces. The twisted belt against your body could cause injuries.

앫 Pregnant women should also use a

lap-shoulder belt. The lap belt portion should be positioned as low as possible on the hips to avoid any possible pres- sure on the abdomen.

앫 Never place your feet on the instrument panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always keep both feet on the floor in front of the seat.

앫 When using a seat belt to secure infant or toddler restraints or children in boost- er seats, always follow the child seat manufacturer's instructions.

Emergency tensioning device (ETD), seat belt force limiter The seat belts for the front and rear seats are equipped with emergency tensioning devices and belt force limiters. The ETD is designed to activate in the fol- lowing cases: 앫 in frontal or rear-end impacts exceed-

ing a preset severity level

앫 if the restraint systems are operational

and functioning correctly, see 1 indicator lamp (컄 page 60)

The ETDs for the front seats will only activate if the front seat belts are fas- tened (latch plate properly inserted into buckle). The ETDs for the rear seats will activate with or without the respective seat belts fastened.

Safety and Security Occupant safety

In an impact, emergency tensioning devic- es remove slack from the belts. Belt force limiters reduce the force exerted by the seat belts on occupants during a crash.

Warning!

An emergency tensioning device (ETD) that was activated must be replaced.

When disposing of the emergency tension- ing device, our safety instructions must be followed. These are available at your autho- rized Mercedes-Benz Center.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

Children in the vehicle

If an infant or child is traveling with you in the vehicle: 앫 Secure the child using an infant or child

restraint appropriate to the age and size of the child.

앫 Make sure that the infant or child is

properly secured at all times while the vehicle is in motion.

Infant and child restraint seats and information on choosing an appropriate restraint system can be obtained from any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

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Infant and child restraint systems We recommend all infants and children be properly restrained at all times while the vehicle is in motion. All lap-shoulder belts except the driver’s seat belt have special seat belt retractors for secure fastening of child restraints. To fasten a child restraint, follow child restraint instructions for mounting. Then pull the shoulder belt out completely and let it retract. During seat belt retraction, a ratcheting sound can be heard to indicate that the special seat belt retractor is acti- vated. The belt is now locked. Push down on child restraint to take up any slack. To deactivate, release seat belt buckle and let seat belt retract completely. The seat belt can again be used in the usual manner.

For information on child seats with an- chor fittings for tether anchorages, see “Installation of infant and child re- straint systems” (컄 page 77). For information on LATCH-type child seat anchors, see (컄 page 78).

The use of infant or child restraints is required by law in all 50 states, the Dis- trict of Columbia, the U.S. territories and all Canadian provinces. Infants and small children should be seated in an appropriate infant or child restraint system, properly secured by a lap/shoulder belt or, if so equipped, a top tether anchorage point and a child restraint lower anchorage system that complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehi- cle Safety Standards 213 and 225 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Stan- dards 213 and 210.2.

Warning!

Warning!

Never release the seat belt buckle while the vehicle is in motion, since the special seat belt retractor will be deactivated.

A statement by the child restraint manufacturer of compliance with this standard can be found on the instruc- tion label on the restraint and in the in- struction manual provided with the restraint. When using any infant or child restraint system, or booster seat, be sure to carefully read and follow all manufac- turer’s instructions for installation and use. Please read and observe warning labels affixed to the inside of the vehicle and to infant or child restraints.

According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seat- ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend that 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 or child restraint recom- mended 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 instruc- tions.

Children can be killed or seriously injured by an inflating air bag. Note the following im- portant information when circumstances re- quire you to place a child in the front passenger seat:

Safety and Security Occupant safety

앫 Your vehicle is equipped with air bag

technology designed to turn off the front passenger front air bag in your vehicle when the OCS senses the weight of a typical 12-month-old child or less along with the weight of a standard appropri- ate child restraint on the front passen- ger seat.

앫 A child in a rear-facing child restraint on

the front passenger seat will be seriously injured or even killed if the front passenger front air bag inflates in a collision 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 place a child in a rear-facing child restraint in the front seat. We therefore strongly recommend that you always place a child in a rear-facing child restraint in the back seat.

컄컄

71

Safety and Security Occupant safety

컄컄

앫 If you must install a rear-facing child re- straint on the front passenger seat be- cause circumstances require you to do so, make sure that the 56 indi- cator lamp is illuminated, indicating that the front passenger air bag is deactivat- ed. Should the 56 indicator lamp not illuminate or go out while the restraint is installed, please check in- stallation. Periodically check the 56 indicator lamp while driving to make sure the 56 indicator lamp is illuminated. If the 56 indicator lamp goes out or remains out, do not transport a child on the front passenger seat until the sys- tem has been repaired. A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the front passenger seat will be seriously injured or even killed if the front passenger front air bag inflates.

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Children too big for a toddler restraint must ride in seats using regular seat belts. Posi- tion shoulder belt across chest and shoul- der, not face or neck. A booster seat may be necessary to achieve proper belt positioning for children from 41 lbs until they reach a height where a lap/shoulder belt fits proper- ly without a booster.

When the child restraint is not in use, remove it from the vehicle or secure it with the seat belt to prevent the child restraint from becoming a projectile in the event of an accident.

Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, even if the children are secured in a child restraint system. Unsupervised children in a child restraint system may use vehicle equipment and may cause an acci- dent and/or serious personal injury.

앫 If you have to place a child in a

forward-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. For children larger than the typical 12-month-old child, the front passenger front air bag may or may not be activat- ed (컄 page 74).

Warning!

Infants and small children should never share a seat belt with another occupant. During an accident, they could be crushed between the occupant and seat belt.

A child’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.

Occupant Classification System The Occupant Classification System (OCS) automatically turns the front passenger front air bag on or off based on the classi- fied occupant weight category determined by weight sensor readings from the front passenger seat.

The system does not deactivate the front passenger side impact air bag, the window curtain air bag and the emergency tensioning device.

Occupants must sit properly belted in a nearly upright position with their back against the seat backrest and feet on the floor to be correctly classified. If the occu- pant's weight is transferred to another object in the vehicle (e.g. by leaning on armrests), the OCS may not be able to properly approximate the occupant’s weight category.

If your seat, including your trim cover and cushion needs to be serviced in any way, take the vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Only seat accessories approved by Mercedes-Benz may be used.

Both driver and the front passenger should always use the 56 indicator lamp as an indication of whether or not the front passenger is properly positioned.

Warning!

If the 56 indicator lamp illuminates when an adult or someone larger than a small individual is in the front passenger seat, have the front passenger re-position himself or herself in the seat until the 56 indicator lamp goes out.

More information about air bag display mes- sages (컄 page 349).

Safety and Security Occupant safety

In the event of a collision, the air bag control unit will not allow front passenger front air bag deployment when the OCS classified the front passenger seat occupant as being up to or less than the weight of a typical 12-month-old child in a standard child re- straint or if the front passenger seat is sensed as being empty.

When the OCS senses that the front passen- ger seat occupant is classified as being up to or less than the weight of a typical 12-month-old child in a standard child re- straint, the 56 indicator lamp will il- luminate when the engine is started and remain illuminated, indicating that the front passenger front air bag is deactivated.

When the OCS senses that the front passen- ger seat is classified as being empty, the 56 indicator lamp will illuminate when the engine is started and remain illu- minated, indicating that the front passenger front air bag is deactivated.

컄컄

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

컄컄

When the OCS senses that the front passen- ger seat occupant is classified as being heavier than the weight of a typical 12-month-old child seated in a standard child restraint or as being a small individual (such as a young teenager or a small adult), the 56 indicator lamp will illuminate for approximately six seconds when the en- gine is started and then, depending on occu- pant weight sensor readings from the seat, remain illuminated or go out. With the 56 indicator lamp illuminated, the front passenger front air bag is deactivated. With the 56 indicator lamp out, the front passenger front air bag is activated.

When the OCS senses that the front passen- ger seat occupant is classified as an adult or someone larger than a small individual, the 56 indicator lamp will illuminate for approximately six seconds when the engine is started and then go out, indicating that the front passenger front air bag is activat- ed.

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If the 56 indicator lamp is illuminated, the front passenger front air bag is deactivated and will not be deployed. If the 56 indicator lamp is not illumi- nated, the front passenger front air bag is activated and will be deployed: 앫 in the event of certain frontal impacts 앫 if impact exceeds a preset deployment

threshold

앫 independently of the side impact air

bags.

If the front passenger front air bag is deployed, the rate of inflation will be influenced by: 앫 the rate of relevant vehicle deceleration as assessed by the air bag control unit 앫 front passenger's weight category as

identified by the Occupant Classification System (OCS).

Warning!

According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seat- ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend that 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 or child restraint recom- mended 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 instruc- tions.

Children can be killed or seriously injured by an inflating air bag. Note the following important information when circumstances require you to place a child in the front passenger seat: 앫 Your vehicle is equipped with air bag

technology designed to turn off 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 of a standard appropri- ate child restraint on the front passen- ger seat.

앫 A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the front passenger seat will be serious- ly injured or even killed if the front pas- senger front air bag inflates in a collision which could occur under some circum- stances, even with the air bag technolo- gy installed in your vehicle. The only means to completely eliminate this risk is to never place a child in a rear-facing child restraint in the front seat. We therefore strongly recommend that you always place a child in a rear-facing child restraint in the back seat.

Safety and Security Occupant safety

앫 If you must install a rear-facing child re- straint on the front passenger seat be- cause circumstances require you to do so, make sure that the 56 indi- cator lamp is illuminated, indicating that the front passenger front air bag is deac- tivated. Should the 56 indicator lamp not illuminate or go out while the restraint is installed, please check in- stallation. Periodically check the 56 indicator lamp while driving to make sure the 56 indicator lamp is illuminated. If the 56 in- dicator lamp goes out or remains out, do not transport a child on the front pas- senger seat until the system has been repaired. A child in a rear-facing child re- straint on the front passenger seat will be seriously injured or even killed if the front passenger front air bag inflates.

앫 If you have to place a child in a

forward-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. For children larger than the typical 12-month-old child, the front passenger front air bag may or may not be activat- ed (컄 page 74).

Deployment of the driver front air bag does not mean that the front passenger front air bag also should have de- ployed.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

The Occupant Classification System (컄 page 73) may have determined: 앫 that the seat was empty or occu-

pied by the weight up to or less than that of a typical 12-month-old child seated in a standard child restraint - both instances where the system suppresses deployment of the front passenger front air bag even though the impact met the criteria and was of sufficient severity to deploy the driver front air bag. 앫 that the seat was occupied by a small individual (such as a young teenager or a small adult) or a child weighing more than the weight of a typical 12-month-old child in a stan- dard child restraint - instances where the system may suppress deployment of the front passenger front air bag even though the im- pact met the criteria and was of suf- ficient severity to deploy the driver front air bag.

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In order to ensure proper operation of the air bag system and OCS: 앫 Have the system checked as soon as

possible by qualified technicians. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

앫 Sit properly belted in a nearly upright

position with your back against the seat backrest.