Mercedes-Benz 2011 R-Class Operator's Manual page 44

Occupant safety
42
Window curtain air bags : are deployed:
on the side on which an impact occurs
R
at the start of an accident with a high rate
R
of lateral vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, e.g. in a side impact
regardless of whether the front-passenger
R
seat is occupied
independently of seat belt use
R
if the vehicle overturns and the system
R
determines that window curtain air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
independently of the front air bags
R
The window curtain air bags will not deploy in
impacts which do not exceed the system's
preset thresholds. You will then be protected
by the fastened seat belts.
Occupant classification system (OCS)
How the Occupant Classification
System works
The Occupant Classification System (OCS) is
standard equipment in the USA.
OCS categorizes the occupant on the front-
passenger seat by means of a weight sensor.
The front-passenger front air bag is
automatically deactivated for certain weight
categories. The respective status can be
recognized by the 42 indicator
lamp. When the 42 indicator
lamp is illuminated, the front-passenger front
air bag is deactivated.
The system does not disable:
the side impact air bag
R
the window curtain air bag
R
the Emergency Tensioning Devices
R
To be classified correctly, the front passenger
must sit:
with the seat belt properly fastened
R
in a position that is as upright as possible
R
with the back against the seat backrest
with their feet on the floor
R
If the front-passenger's weight is transferred
to another object in the vehicle (e.g. by
leaning on armrests), the front passenger's
weight category, as determined by OCS, will
not be accurate.
Furthermore, the occupant weight may
appear to increase or decrease due to the
following:
objects hanging on the seat
R
objects lodged under the seat
R
objects lodged between the seat and the
R
center console
objects lodged between the seat and the
R
door
other passengers pushing the seat
R
objects applying pressure to the back of
R
the seat
Make sure that the seat always has clearance
in all directions.
If the front-passenger seat, the seat cover or
the seat cushion are damaged, have the
necessary repair work carried out at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use seat
accessories that have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Both the driver and the front passenger
should observe the 42 indicator
lamp to determine whether or not the front
passenger is positioned correctly.