2011 Mercedes C-Class Owner's Manual - Page 39

Occupant safety impact air bag inflates. This could result in serious injuries or death should the side impact air bag be deployed. Always sit as upright as possible, wear the seat belt properly and use an appropriately sized child restraint, infant restraint or booster seat recommended for the size and weight of the child. RCanada only: children under 12 years may only sit in the front-passenger seat if they are seated in a child restraint system which is compatible with BabySmart™ and approved by Mercedes-Benz. If the child restraint system is installed properly, the front-passenger front air bag is deactivated in conjunction with the BabySmart™ system installed in the vehicle. Otherwise, the child could be struck by the air bag when it inflates in a crash. This could lead to serious or fatal injuries. Failure to follow these instructions can result in severe injuries to you or other occupants. If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you make the buyer aware of this safety information. Be sure to give the buyer this Operator's Manual. 37 G Warning The air bags are only deployed if the airbag control unit detects the need for deployment. Only in the event of such a situation will they provide their supplemental protection. The driver and passenger should always wear their seat belts. Otherwise, it is not possible for the air bags to provide their supplemental protection. In the event of other types of impacts and impacts below air bag deployment thresholds, air bags will not deploy. The driver and passengers will then be protected to the extent possible by a properly fastened seat belt. A properly fastened seat belt is also needed to provide the best possible protection in a rollover. Air bags offer supplemental protection but are not a substitute for seat belts. All vehicle occupants must fasten their seat belts regardless of whether your vehicle is equipped with airbags or not. It is important for your safety and that of your passenger to have deployed air bags replaced and to have any malfunctioning air bags repaired. This will help to make sure the air bags continue to perform their protective function for the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash. Accident research shows that the safest place for children in an automobile is in a rear seat. A side impact air bag related injury may occur if occupants, especially children, are not properly seated or restrained when next to a side impact air bag which needs to deploy rapidly in a side impact in order to do its job. To help avoid the possibility of injury, please follow these guidelines: (1) Always sit as upright as possible and use the seat belts properly. Make sure that children 12 years old and under use an appropriately sized child restraint, infant restraint, or booster seat recommended for the size and weight of the child. Always wear seat belts properly. Front air bags G Warning Observe "Important safety notes" (Y page 36). The front air bags increase protection for the driver's and front-passenger's head and chest. (2) Z Safety