Get Occupant safety -> Brief overview of the most important points Guide for Mercedes CLA 4 Door Third Generation (2025-2026)

Brief overview of the most important points

Basic information

Make sure that the following prerequisites in par-

ticular have been met so that the components of

the restraint system are able to provide the inten-

ded level of protection:

Sit correctly (/ page 37).

Fasten the seat belt correctly (/ page 38).

Function of the seat belt warning lamp

ü (/ page 40).

Function of the rear seat belt status dis-

play (/ page 40).

The restraint system warning lamp 6 has

gone out aer the self-test (/ page 39).

The PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps dis-

play the correct status for the front passenger

air bag (/ page 41).

Helping you to understand clearly

The "Occupant safety" chapter includes informa-

tion on equipment, functions and behaviors that

contribute directly to the safety of vehicle occu-

pants.

The information is structured as follows:

Brief overview of the most important points:

this chapter provides an overview of the rela-

tionship between the restraint system and the

correct behavior of all vehicle occupants.

Specic information: in further sections of the

"Occupant safety" chapter, you can nd spe-

cic information on the equipment and func-

tions of the restraint system.

Index: you can also nd certain topics in this

Operator's Manual using the index.

The "Occupant safety" chapter does not provide

information on topics including the following:

Children in the vehicle (/ page 53)

Driving and driving safety systems

(/ page 167)

Stowage areas (/ page 107)

Dening generic terms clearly

The following generic terms are used in this Oper-

ator's Manual:

Occupant safety: comprises the components

and system functions that help to minimize, as

much as possible, the stresses and conse-

quences for vehicle occupants caused by an

accident.

Restraint system: comprises those compo-

nents that, along with the vehicle structure,

help prevent vehicle occupants from poten-

tially coming into contact with parts of the

vehicle interior. The seat belts and air bags, for

example, are components of the restraint sys-

tem.

Child restraint system: you can nd all infor-

mation on this topic in the chapter "Children in

the vehicle" (/ page 53).

Be diligent

For the components of the restraint system to

provide the intended level of protection, it is

essential for your posture to be correct and for

the seat belt to be fastened correctly.

Occupant safety – Brief overview of the most important points

Bear in mind that negligence when adopting your

sitting position and fastening your seat belt may

have serious consequences. Be diligent and make

sure that all vehicle occupants are sitting cor-

rectly and have fastened their seat belts properly

before starting every journey.

Information on the correct seat position

The seat position must be correct in order for the

components of the restraint system to provide the

intended level of protection.

The seat position inuences both the protection

provided by the seat belt and the additional pro-

tection provided by the air bag.

The correct seat position with an almost upright

posture and a correctly fastened seat belt also

reduce the risk posed by the air bag when it is

deployed.

When choosing the seat, take note of the available

space. When you are sitting with the right posture

in a nearly upright position, your head should not

touch the roof.

WARNING Risk of injury or death due to

an incorrect seat position

If you deviate from the correct seat position,

the air bag cannot provide its intended protec-

tive function.

Each vehicle occupant must make sure of the

following.

Put the seat in the correct position.

Fasten seat belts correctly. Pregnant

women must take particular care to

ensure that the lap belt never lies across

the abdomen.

Observe the following information.

In order for the restraint system to provide the

intended level of protection, observe the following

information:

Before starting your journey, adjust your seat

correctly (/ page 92).

When doing so, make sure you are able to fas-

ten your seat belt correctly. The shoulder belt

strap must be routed forward from the seat

belt outlet over the center of your shoulder.

Keep your distance from the air bags, espe-

cially the front air bags. Set the driver's seat

and front passenger seat as far back as possi-

ble while making sure the seat belt is fastened

correctly.

If persons are sitting on the rear seats, vehicle

occupants should maintain a sucient dis-

tance to the parts of the vehicle interior in

front of them.

Make sure there are no people, animals or

objects between the vehicle occupants and an

air bag.

If you are the driver, observe the following

information on the correct position of the driv-

er's seat (/ page 92).

Hold the steering wheel only by the steering

wheel rim. This allows the driver's air bag to

fully deploy.

Assume a nearly upright position, with your

buttocks as far back as possible in the gap

between the seat cushion and seat backrest.

This ensures that your back lies as at and

rmly as possible against the seat backrest.

Occupant safety – Brief overview of the most important points

While driving, do not lean forward and do not

lean against the door or side window. You may

otherwise be in the deployment area of the air

bags.

Sit with your feet resting on the oor, if possi-

ble. Your thighs are slightly supported by the

seat cushion

Do not put your feet up on the cockpit, for

example. Your feet may otherwise be in the

deployment area of the air bag.

Fasten the seat belt correctly.

Notes on wearing the seat belt correctly

Always fasten your seat belt correctly before

starting a journey. A seat belt can provide the

best level of protection only if it is worn correctly.

WARNING Risk of injury or death due to

incorrectly fastened seat belt

If the seat belt is not worn correctly, it cannot

perform its intended protective function.

In addition, an incorrectly fastened seat belt

can also cause injuries, for example, in the

event of an accident or when braking or

changing direction suddenly.

Always ensure that all vehicle occupants

have their seat belts fastened correctly

and are sitting properly.

WARNING Risk of injury or death when

additional restraint systems are not used

for persons with a smaller stature

Persons under 5  (1.50 m ) tall cannot wear

the seat belt correctly without a suitable addi-

tional restraint system.

Always secure persons under 5 

(1.50 m) tall in a suitable restraint sys-

tem.

Each vehicle occupant must observe the following

notes in particular:

The seat belt must not be twisted:

The shoulder belt strap must be routed

forward from the seat belt outlet over the cen-

ter of your shoulder.

The shoulder belt strap should neither touch

your neck nor be routed under your arm or

behind your back.

The lap belt must be routed as low down

across the hips as possible.

In addition, push the lap belt down as far as

possible across your hips and pull tight with

the shoulder belt strap. Never route the lap

belt across your abdomen.

Pregnant women must also take particular

care with this.

The shoulder belt strap and lap belt must t

snugly against the body aer being tightened.

Avoid wearing bulky clothing, e.g. a winter

coat.

Never route the seat belt across sharp, poin-

ted, abrasive or fragile objects.

Only one person should use each seat belt at

any one time.

Occupant safety – Brief overview of the most important points

Never secure objects with a seat belt if the

seat belt is also being used by one of the vehi-

cle's occupants.

Also ensure that no objects, e.g. a cushion,

are ever placed between a person and the

seat.

Fastening seat belts

If the seat belt is pulled quickly or sharply, the

seat belt retractor locks. The seat belt strap can-

not be pulled out any further.

Always engage seat belt tongue 2 of the seat

belt into seat belt buckle

1 of the corre-

sponding seat.

NOTE Deployment of components of the

restraint system when the front passenger

seat is unoccupied and a seat belt is

buckled

When the front passenger seat is unoccupied

and the seat belt tongue of the seat belt is

engaged in the seat belt buckle, components

of the restraint system may deploy unnecessa-

rily on the front passenger side, e.g. the Emer-

gency Tensioning Device.

Only buckle the seat belts as intended.

Observe the information on the special seat

belt retractor of the seat belt (/ page 61).

Function of the restraint system warning lamp

When the vehicle is switched on, a self-test is per-

formed, during which the restraint system warning

lamp 6 lights up. It goes out no later than a

few seconds aer the vehicle is started. The com-

ponents of the restraint system are then func-

tional.

Occupant safety – Brief overview of the most important points

A malfunction has occurred in the restraint sys-

tem if:

the restraint system warning lamp 6 does

not light up or lights up continuously when the

vehicle is switched on.

the restraint system warning lamp 6 lights

up continuously or repeatedly during a jour-

ney.

If components of the restraint system have been

deployed, the restraint system warning lamp 6

will light up continuously.

WARNING Risk of injury due to malfunc-

tions in the restraint system

Components in the restraint system may be

activated unintentionally or not deploy as plan-

ned in an accident.

Have the restraint system checked and

repaired immediately at a qualied spe-

cialist workshop.

Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have the

vehicle towed to a qualied specialist workshop.

Function of the seat belt warning lamp

The ü seat belt warning lamp in the Instru-

ment Display is a reminder that all vehicle occu-

pants must wear their seat belts correctly.

The ü seat belt warning lamp lights up for six

seconds every time the vehicle is started.

In addition, a warning tone may sound.

When the driver's and front passengers doors are

closed and the driver and front passenger have

fastened their seat belts, the seat belt warning

goes out.

In the following cases, the seat belt warning lights

up during a journey if:

The driver or front passenger is not wearing a

seat belt and the following criteria apply:

The vehicle travels faster than 5 mph

(9 km/h) for more than 20 seconds.

The vehicle travels faster than 15 mph

(25 km/h) once.

The driver or front passenger unfastens their

seat belt while the vehicle is in motion.

Function of the rear seat belt status display

When the vehicle is switched on, the rear seat

belt status indicator will inform you for a certain

amount of time which rear seat belt is not fas-

tened.

The status of the rear seat belt can be recognized

by the color of the symbol on the driver's display:

Grey: the seat belt tongue of a rear seat belt is

not engaged in the seat belt buckle of the cor-

responding seat.

Green: the seat belt tongue of a rear seat belt

is engaged in the seat belt buckle of the corre-

sponding seat.

Occupant safety – Brief overview of the most important points

Every vehicle occupant must always fasten

their seat belt correctly before starting a jour-

ney.

Red: a vehicle occupant in the rear passenger

compartment has released the seat belt

buckle using the release button and may not

be properly secured.

If a vehicle occupant unfastens a seat belt in the

rear passenger compartment, the rear seat belt

status display will appear again.

In addition, a warning tone may sound.

Function of the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator

lamps (front passenger air bag)

The PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps display

the status of the front passenger air bag.

If the front passenger seat is occupied or a child

restraint system is installed on the front

passenger seat, you must make sure, both before

and during a journey, that the status of the front

passenger air bag is correct for the current situa-

tion.

WARNING Risk of potentially fatal injuries

due to objects trapped under the front

passenger seat

Objects trapped under the front passenger

seat may interfere with the function of the

automatic front passenger air bag shuto or

damage the system.

Do not stow any objects under the front

passenger seat.

When the front passenger seat is occu-

pied, ensure that no objects have

become trapped beneath the front

passenger seat.

Self-test: when the vehicle is switched on, both

the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON and OFF indicator

lamps light up simultaneously for several seconds.

Aer the self-test, you can determine the status of

the front passenger air bag as follows:

Front passenger air bag disabled: PASSENGER

AIR BAG OFF lights up continuously.

Occupant safety – Brief overview of the most important points

The front passenger air bag will not be

deployed in the event of an accident. If

PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF is lit, no one may

use the front passenger seat.

If a rearward-facing child restraint system is

installed on the front passenger seat,

PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF must be lit continu-

ously.

Front passenger air bag enabled: PASSENGER

AIR BAG ON lights up for up to 60 seconds or

both the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON and OFF

indicator lamps do not light up.

The front passenger air bag may be deployed

during an accident. If the front passenger air

bag has this status, no rearward-facing child

restraint system may be installed on the front

passenger seat.

If you are driving with a child in the vehicle,

observe the information in the chapter "Chil-

dren in the vehicle" (/ page 53)

WARNING Risk of injury or death due to a

disabled front passenger airbag

The front passenger airbag is disabled when

the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp

is lit.

A person in the front passenger seat could

then, for example, come into contact with the

vehicle interior, especially if the person is sit-

ting too close to the cockpit.

If the front passenger seat is occupied, always

ensure that:

The classication of the person in the front

passenger seat is correct and the front

passenger airbag is enabled or disabled in

accordance with the person in the front

passenger seat.

The front passenger seat has been moved

as far back as possible.

The person is seated correctly.

Both before and during the journey,

ensure that the status of the front

passenger airbag is correct.

Malfunction of the automatic front passenger air

bag shuto

The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp and

the restraint system indicator lamp 6 light up

simultaneously.

In this case, no one may use the front passenger

seat and no child restraint system may be instal-

led on the front passenger seat.

Have the automatic front passenger air bag shut-

o checked and repaired immediately at a quali-

ed specialist workshop.

Be sure to also observe the following further rela-

ted subjects:

Child restraint system on the front passenger

seat (/ page 57)

Disabling or enabling the front passenger air bag

The automatic front passenger air bag shuto can

activate or deactivate the front passenger air bag

and front passenger knee bag according to the

situation.

Occupant safety – Brief overview of the most important points

This happens automatically as a result of the clas-

sication of the person or child restraint system

on the front passenger seat.

You cannot manually disable or enable the front

passenger air bag.

Also observe the following information:

The status of the front passenger air bag: see

"Function of the PASSENGER AIR BAG indica-

tor lamps" (/ page 41)

Notes on using the front passenger seat: see

"Information on automatic front passenger air

bag shuto" (/ page 43)

If you are driving with a child in the vehicle,

observe the chapter "Children in the vehicle"

(/ page 53)

Information on the child restraint system

When installing a child restraint system, observe

the notes in "Children in the vehicle"

(/ page 53).

Notes on the child restraint system on the front

passenger seat

WARNING Risk of injury or fatal injuries if

the front passenger air bag is enabled

If the front passenger air bag is enabled, a

child on the front passenger seat may be

struck by the front passenger air bag in the

event of an accident.

NEVER use a rearward-facing child

restraint system on a seat with an ENA-

BLED FRONT AIR BAG. This can result in

the DEATH of or SERIOUS INJURY to the

CHILD.

Also pay particular attention to the notes on rear-

ward-facing or forward-facing child restraint sys-

tems on the front passenger seat (/ page 57).

Information on the automatic functions of the

restraint system

Function of the automatic front passenger air bag

shuto

A person on the front passenger seat must

observe the following information:

Sit correctly (/ page 37).

Fasten the seat belt correctly (/ page 38).

The automatic front passenger air bag shuto can

activate or deactivate the front passenger air bag

and front passenger knee bag according to the

situation.

Make sure you observe the following information:

Status of the front passenger air bag: see

"Function of the PASSENGER AIR BAG indica-

tor lamps" (/ page 41).

When installing a child restraint system on the

front passenger seat, observe the vehicle-spe-

cic information (/ page 57).

Occupant safety – Information on the automatic functions of the restraint system

Occupant safety -> Brief overview of the most important points for Your Mercedes CLA 4 Door Third Generation (2025-2026)

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