Mercedes-Benz 2009 M-Class Operator's Manual page 56

Safety and security
Occupant safety
than a typical 12-month-old child in a
standard child restraint or if the front
passenger seat is classified as being empty.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being up to or less than the weight of a
typical 12-month-old child in a standard
child restraint, the 59
indicator lamp will illuminate 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
passenger seat is classified as being empty,
the 59 indicator lamp will
illuminate 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
passenger 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 59 indicator lamp will
illuminate for approximately 6 seconds
when the engine is started and then,
depending on occupant weight sensor
54
readings from the seat, remain illuminated
or go out. With the 59
indicator lamp illuminated, the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated. With
the 59 indicator lamp out, the
front passenger front air bag is activated.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat occupant is classified as an
adult or someone larger than a small
individual, the 59 indicator
lamp will illuminate for approximately 6
seconds when the engine is started and
then go out, indicating that the front
passenger front air bag is activated.
If the 59 indicator lamp is
illuminated, the front passenger front air
bag is deactivated and will not be deployed.
If the 59 indicator lamp is not
illuminated, the front passenger front air
bag is activated and will be deployed
in the event of certain frontal impacts
R
if impact exceeds a preset deployment
R
threshold
independently of the side impact air bags
R
If the front passenger front air bag is
deployed, the rate of inflation will be
influenced by
the rate of relevant vehicle deceleration
R
as assessed by the air bag control unit
the front passenger's weight category as
R
identified by the OCS
For information about air bag display
messages ( Y page 307).
G Warning!
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front
seating 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 restraint,
toddler restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
The infant or child restraint must be
properly secured with the vehicle's seat
belt, the seat belt and top tether strap, or
lower anchors and top tether strap, fully in