2006 Mercedes C-Class Owner's Manual - Page 79

Safety and Security Occupant safety In the event of a collision, the air bag control unit will not allow front passenger front air bag deployment when the OCS classified the front passenger seat occupant as being up to or less than the weight of a typical 12-month-old child in a standard child restraint or if the front passenger seat is sensed as being empty. When the OCS senses that the front passenger seat occupant is classified as being up to or less than the weight of a typical 12-month-old child in a standard child restraint, the 56 indicator lamp will illuminate when the engine is started and remain illuminated, indicating that the front passenger front air bag is deactivated. When the OCS senses that the front passenger seat is classified as being empty, the 56 indicator lamp will illuminate when the engine is started and remain illuminated, indicating that the front passenger front air bag is deactivated. When the OCS senses that the front passenger seat occupant is classified as being heavier than the weight of a typical 12-month-old child seated in a standard child restraint or as being a small individual (such as a young teenager or a small adult), the 56 indicator lamp will illuminate for approximately 6 seconds when the engine is started and then, depending on occupant weight sensor readings from the seat, remain illuminated or go out. With the 56 indicator lamp illuminated, the front passenger front air bag is deactivated. With the 56 indicator lamp out, the front passenger front air bag is activated. When the OCS senses that the front passenger seat occupant is classified as an adult or someone larger than a small individual, the 56 indicator lamp will illuminate for approximately 6 seconds when the engine is started and then go out, indicating that the front passenger front air bag is activated. If the 56 indicator lamp is illuminated, the front passenger front air bag is deactivated and will not be deployed. If the 56 indicator lamp is not illuminated, the front passenger front air bag is activated and will be deployed: in the event of certain frontal impacts if impact exceeds a preset deployment threshold independently of the side impact air bags (front side impact air bag and/or rear side impact air bag *). If the front passenger front air bag is deployed, the rate of inflation will be influenced by: the rate of relevant vehicle deceleration as assessed by the air bag control unit front passenger's weight category as identified by the Occupant Classification System (OCS). 78