Security systems (Mercedes-Benz C-Class W203)

Passenger safety systems

Seat belts with seat belt tensioners and seat belt tension force limiters, airbags, and child safety devices are independent passenger safety systems whose protective functions are coordinated with each other.

Many countries have legal regulations governing the use of seat belts and child restraint devices. Regardless, all passengers are required to wear seat belts or child restraint devices.

Child restraint devices

To protect children in the event of an accident, children shorter than 150 cm and under 12 years of age require suitable restraints as seat belts cannot be fitted correctly in their case.

It is recommended that children sit in the back seats while the vehicle is moving, as they are provided with greater safety there.

Children should never sit on the laps of other passengers. In the event of an accident, they are not protected by a child restraint system and could be seriously injured, even killed, by being strapped into the same person or by the front passenger airbag.

Rearward-facing restraints must not be used on the front passenger seat, with the exception of a special child seat in combination with an automatic child seat recognition system.



Using a rear-facing restraint system without an automatic child seat sensing system near the airbag outlet could result in extremely serious or fatal injuries to the child.

If a forward-facing restraint device is used on the seat next to the driver, the seat should be moved to the rearmost position.

Use only MB recommended restraint devices.

Information on this issue can be obtained at any service station "Mercedes-Benz".

To ensure the safety of passengers, always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions when installing a child restraint system.

Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, even if they are secured with a child restraint system.

Automatic child seat recognition system

The automatic recognition system for the presence of a child seat on the front passenger seat requires a special child seat. Such a child seat can be purchased at any service station "Mercedes-Benz".

When using this special child seat on the front passenger seat, the front passenger airbag is deactivated. Indicator lamp on the center console remains lit continuously as long as this special child seat is installed on the front passenger seat.

ISOFIX child seat mounting

On models with ISOFIX, the left and right sides of the rear seats are fitted with an anchorage system for the appropriate child seats.

To install the appropriate child seats, the fastening brackets (1) must be folded outwards until they engage.

This fastening system is designed for children weighing no more than 22 kg.

Before installing the child seats, check that the mounting brackets (1) are secured.

When installing a child seat, be sure to strictly follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.

The child seat must be secured on the left and right in the mounting brackets (1).

An incorrectly installed child seat may become detached in the event of an accident.

Child seat anchorages and child seats that are damaged or subjected to heavy loads during an accident should be replaced with new ones.

After removing the child seats, press the button (2) to release the fastening brackets. Turn the fastening brackets inwards until they lock into place.

Seat belts

Each seat is equipped with a seat belt.

The seat belt webbing is blocked when braking and decelerating the vehicle in all directions and when the webbing is pulled out with a jerk.

Note: (Cleaning and care of seat belt webbing is discussed in Chapter Suspension and steering).

Seat belts must be worn every time you ride.

Pregnant women should also not forego seat belt protection.

Each seat belt is intended for one passenger only.

It is prohibited to fasten any objects together with the passenger.

Airbags provide the intended protection only if occupants are wearing seat belts.

For protection in the event of an accident, persons shorter than 150 cm require suitable restraint devices, as seat belts cannot be fitted correctly in their case. (See the section "Child restraint devices").

Seat belts that are damaged or have been subjected to a high load during an accident should be replaced with new ones. Also check the belt fastenings.

Use only MB approved seat belts.

Do not modify the seat belts. This may adversely affect the effectiveness of the belts.

Fastening seat belts

Insert belt tongue "1" into belt buckle "2" until it locks into place.

The seat belt should, if possible, fit snugly in the pelvic area in front of the hip. If necessary, tighten the belt in the pelvic area. To do this, pull the belt up in front of the chest.





There are four possible locking positions.

Above: Move the belt outlet upward.

Below: Press the key (1) and slide the belt tape outlet downwards.

Make sure the belt fits snugly and runs across the middle of your shoulder.

The seat belt should not be twisted, should not pass across the neck or under the arm.

Set the backrests almost vertically. The back should be adjacent to the backrest.

Check that the belt fits correctly while driving and adjust if necessary.

Unfastening seat belts

Press button "3" in belt buckle "2".

Move tongue "1" towards the belt exit.

Pyrotechnic seat belt tensioner with tension limiting device

The protective effect of the front and outer seat belts in the rear compartment is increased by a seat belt tensioner with a force limiter.



The seat belt tensioner with tension limiter is ready for operation when the key in the ignition switch is turned to position 1 or 2.

(SRS Safety System Warning Light (Supplemental Restraint System) - refer to Section Steering wheel, rear view mirrors).

The seat belt tensioners with a device for limiting the tension of the seat belt are designed so that they are activated in the event of a frontal collision or a rear-end collision of a precisely defined force. At the same time, they tighten the seat belts until they fit tightly against the body.

Seat belt force limiters reduce the loads placed on occupants during a crash.

Note: The driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners will only deploy when the seat belt tongue is inserted into the belt buckle.

Front airbags

The driver and front passenger airbags are designed to deploy in a frontal collision. The deployment occurs starting with a collision of a precisely defined force.

(SRS Safety System Warning Light (Supplemental Restraint System) - refer to Section Steering wheel, rear view mirrors).



In the event of an accident without a strong impact from the front, the airbags do not deploy. In such accidents, the driver and passenger are protected as usual - by fastened seat belts.

Seat occupancy recognition system:

The front passenger airbag will only deploy if the front passenger seat is occupied and the indicator lamp does not flash or come on on the middle console (Section Vehicle control and auxiliary systems).

Note: Do not place heavy objects on the front passenger seat, otherwise the front passenger airbag and front passenger side airbag with curtain shield airbag will deploy in an accident.

Side airbags (Sidebags), window airbags

The side airbags are designed so that they only deploy on the side of the collision.



The triggering occurs starting from a collision of a precisely defined force.

In the event of an accident without a strong impact from the side, the side airbags will not deploy.

The front passenger side airbag will only deploy if the front passenger seat is occupied.

The rear right side airbag is deployed if sensors in this area detect a side impact.

The driver's side rear side airbag will only deploy if the driver's side airbag has deployed.

Material borrowed from an online resource www.mercedesman.ru

Window airbags

Window airbags provide additional protection against head and chest injuries.

They are located in the area of the A and C pillars (arrows) between the side windows and the head. They protect against penetrating objects.

The window airbags are designed so that in the event of a side impact they are deployed on the side of the impact in addition to the side airbags.

Safety precautions

Airbags provide additional protection; however, to avoid injury when airbags deploy, the following must be taken into account:

• Choose a seating position as far away from the airbags as possible.
• Do not lean forward while driving. Do not lean against the doors from the inside.
• Always hold the steering wheel by the rim to ensure unimpeded inflation of the airbag.
• There must be no foreign objects on or between the airbags and the occupants.
• Do not hang hard objects, such as hangers, from the handles.

If there are children in the vehicle, it is mandatory to use child restraint systems (see above).

If the airbags deploy, do not touch hot parts. Airbags that deploy in an accident should be replaced with new ones.

The soft steering wheel cover, the front passenger airbag cover, the door trim and the soft headliner in the area of the window airbags must not be additionally covered or have signs or stickers attached to them, as otherwise the deployment of the airbags can no longer be guaranteed.

Do not modify any passenger safety system components, including wiring.

When removing airbag assemblies, safety precautions must be followed.

These rules can be found at any service station "Mercedes-Benz".

The service life of airbags is limited to 15 years.

Therefore, for safety reasons, it is strongly recommended to have the airbags replaced at a service station no later than after 15 years "Mercedes-Benz".

When selling a car, the owner is obliged to inform the buyer on this issue. This is done in the process of transferring the "Operating Manual".

When the airbags deploy, a small amount of smoke is released. This smoke is not hazardous to health and is not a sign of a fire in the car.

When inflated quickly, the fabric structure of the airbags may cause minor skin injuries.