Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W205) 2015 - 2021 Owners Manual: Status of the front passenger front airbag

Function of the automatic front passenger front airbag shutoff

The automatic front passenger front airbag shutoff is able to detect whether the front passenger seat is occupied by a person or a child restraint system. The front passenger front airbag is enabled or disabled accordingly.

When installing a child restraint system on the front passenger seat, always make sure of the following:

• Ensure that the child restraint system is positioned correctly.
• Always observe the child restraint system manufacturer's installation instructions.
• Never place objects, e.g. cushions, under or behind the child restraint system.
• Fully retract the seat cushion length adjustment.
• The entire base of the child restraint system must always rest on the seat cushion of the front passenger seat.
• The backrest of the forward-facing child restraint system must lie as flat as possible against the backrest of the front passenger seat.
• The child restraint system must not touch the roof or be put under strain by the head restraints. Adjust the seat backrest inclination and the head restraint setting accordingly.

A person on the front passenger seat must observe the following information:

• Fasten seat belts correctly.
• Sit in an almost upright seat position with their back against the seat backrest.
• Sit with their feet resting on the floor, if possible.

The front passenger front airbag may otherwise be disabled by mistake, for example in the following situations:

• The front passenger transfers their weight by supporting themselves on a vehicle armrest.
• The front passenger sits in such a way that their weight is raised from the sitting surface.

If the front passenger seat is occupied, the classification of the person or child restraint system on the front passenger seat takes place after the front passenger front airbag shutoff self-test.

The PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps display the status of the front passenger front airbag.

Always observe the notes on the function of the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps.

Function of the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps

Self-test of automatic front passenger front airbag shutoff

When the ignition is switched on, a self-test is performed during which the two PASSENGER AIR BAG ON and OFF indicator lamps light up simultaneously.

The status of the front passenger front airbag is displayed after the self-test:

• PASSENGER AIR BAG ON lights up for 60 seconds, subsequently both indicator lamps are off (PASSENGER AIR BAG ON and OFF): the front passenger front airbag is able to deploy in the event of an accident.
• PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF lights up continuously: the front passenger front airbag is disabled.

  It will then not be deployed in the event of an accident.

If the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp is off, only the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp shows the status of the front passenger front airbag. The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp may be lit continuously or be off.

If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp and therestraint system warning lamp light up simultaneously, the front passenger seat may not be used. Also in this case, do not install a child restraint system on the front passenger seat. Have automatic front passenger front airbag shutoff checked and repaired immediately at a qualified specialist workshop.

Status display

If the front passenger seat is occupied, ensure, both before and during the journey, that the status of the front passenger front airbag is correct for the current situation.

After installing a rearward-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat: PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF must be lit continuously.

When installing a child restraint system on the front passenger seat, observe the vehicle-specific information.

Depending on the child restraint system and the stature of the child, the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp may be off. In this case, do not install the rearward-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat.

Instead, install the rearward-facing child restraint system on a suitable rear seat.

After installing a forward-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat: depending on the child restraint system and the stature of the child, PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF may be lit continuously or be off.

Always observe the following information.

When installing a child restraint system on the front passenger seat, observe the vehicle-specific information.

If a person is sitting on the front passenger seat: PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF may be lit continuously or be off, depending on the person's stature.

A person on the front passenger seat must always observe the following information:

• If the front passenger seat is occupied by an adult or a person with a stature corresponding to that of an adult, the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp must be off. This indicates that the front passenger front airbag is enabled.

  If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is lit continuously, an adult or person with a build corresponding to that of an adult should not use the front passenger seat.

  Instead, they should use a rear seat.

• If the front passenger seat is occupied by a person of smaller stature (e.g. a teenager or small adult), the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp either lights up continuously or remains off, depending on the result of the classification.
  • If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is off: move the front passenger seat as far back as possible, or the person of smaller stature should use a rear seat.
  • If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is lit continuously: the person of smaller stature should not use the front passenger seat.

Be sure to also observe the following further related subjects:

• Child restraint system on the front passenger seat.