Occupant Safety - Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2014 Owner's Manual

The restraint system includes the:
seat belt system
R
airbags
R
child restraint system
R
child seat securing system
R
The components of the restraint system work
in conjunction with each other. They can only
offer protection if all vehicle occupants
always:
have the seat belt correctly fastened
R
( page 48)
Y
have the seat and head restraint adjusted
R
properly ( page 119)
Y
As the driver, you must also make sure that
the steering wheel is also adjusted properly.
Observe the information on the correct driv-
er's seat position ( page 118).
Y
In addition, you must make sure that the air-
bags can inflate properly if they are deployed
( page 51).
Y
An airbag supplements a correctly worn seat
belt and, as an additional safety device,
increases protection for vehicle occupants in
applicable accident situations. The airbags
are not deployed, for example, in the event of
an accident in which sufficient protection is
offered by the seat belt. In addition, only
those airbags, which in the applicable acci-
dent situations offer additional protection,
are deployed in the event of an accident.
However, the seat belt and airbag generally
do not protect against objects penetrating
the vehicle from the outside.
Information on how the restraint system
operates can be found under "Deployment of
belt tensioners and airbags" (
See "Children in the vehicle" for further infor-
mation on children travelling in the vehicle as
well as on child restraint systems
( page 63).
Y
Important safety notes
G
If the restraint system is modified, it may no
longer work as intended. The restraint system
may then not perform its intended protective
function by failing in an accident or triggering
unexpectedly, for example. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Never modify parts of the restraint system. Do
not attempt to modify the wiring as well as
electronic components or their software.
If it is necessary to modify an airbag system to
accommodate a person with disabilities, con-
tact an authorised Mercedes-Benz Centre.
Restraint system warning lamp
The functions of the restraint system are
checked after the ignition is switched on and
at regular intervals while the engine is run-
ning. Therefore, malfunctions can be detec-
ted in good time.
The 6 restraint system warning lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up when the igni-
tion is switched on. It goes out no later than a
few seconds after the engine is started. The
components of the restraint system are in
operational readiness.
A malfunction has occurred if the 6
restraint system warning lamp:
does not light up after the ignition is
R
switched on
does not go out after a few seconds with
R
the engine running
page 60).
lights up again while the engine is running
Y
R
All vehicles, except hybrid vehicles:
G
If the restraint system is malfunctioning,
restraint system components may be trig-
gered unintentionally or might not be trig-
gered at all in the event of an accident with a
high rate of vehicle deceleration. This can
effect belt tensioners or airbags, for example.

Occupant safety

WARNING
WARNING
45
Z