System Self-Test - Mercedes-Benz SL Operator's Manual

Occupant safety
46
The OCS weight sensor reading is affected if
the occupant's weight is transferred, e.g. by
leaning on the armrest.
If the front-passenger seat, the seat cover or
the seat cushion are damaged, have the
necessary repair work carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use seat accessories which have been
approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Both the driver and the front passenger
should observe the ^a indicator
lamp : to determine whether or not the front
passenger is positioned correctly.
If the driver's air bag deploys, this does not
mean that the front-passenger front air bag
will also deploy.
The OCS may have detected that the seat:
is empty or occupied by the weight of a
R
typical child up to twelve months old,
seated in a child restraint system
is occupied by a small individual, such as a
R
young teenager or a small adult
is occupied by a child in a child restraint
R
system whose weight is greater than that
of a typical twelve month old child.
These are examples of when the OCS
deactivates the front-passenger front air bag
and front-passenger knee bag. Deactivation
takes place although the collision fulfills the
criteria for deploying the driver's air bag.

System self-test

G
WARNING
If the 4 PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp does not illuminate, the system
is not functioning. Consult an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before seating a child
on the front-passenger seat.
G
WARNING
Never place anything between seat cushion
and child seat (e.g. a pillow), since it reduces
the effectiveness of the OCS. The underside
and rear side child restraint system must be
placed entirely on the seat cushion and the
backrest of the front-passenger seat
backrest.
If necessary, adjust the tilt of the passenger
seat backrest.
An incorrectly mounted child seat could cause
injuries to the child in case of an accident,
instead of increasing protection for the child.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for
installation of child restraint systems.
The ^a indicator lamp lights up:
if you turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock
R
to position 1 or 2
if you press the KEYLESS-GO Start/Stop
R
button once or twice on vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO
if an adult is seated properly on the front-
R
passenger seat and the OCS classifies the
occupant as an adult
The ^a indicator lamp goes out after
approximately 6 seconds.
If the seat is not occupied and the OCS
detects that the front-passenger seat is
empty, the ^a indicator lamp will
continue to light up. The ^a front-
passenger front air bag warning lamp then
stays lit continuously.
For more information about the OCS, see
"Problems with the Occupant Classification
System" ( Y page 47).