Noob question
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Noob question
Love my new 2008 E350 4Matic. Quick question... while driving it this weekend, I noted a message passenger airbag off. I don't recall doing anything. Does this represent a problem or just an accidental button push? Also, under what circumstances would one want to turn it off. Thanks in advance for this very basic question...
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
MB is trying to save you money. When there is a frontal impact, and there's no one in the passenger seat, there's no reason to blow the dash apart and blow the airbag which would require big bucks to replace.
As stated above, if someone's IN the seat and that light is on, THEN there is a problem.
As stated above, if someone's IN the seat and that light is on, THEN there is a problem.
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Guys, I would still be worried if the car says "passenger airbag off" and there is no childs seat attached. None of my cars have ever said this, irrespectively of a person sitting on the passenger seat. The driver does not need to know the passenger airbag is off when there is nobody. The driver only needs to know it is off when there is a child sitting in a baby seat and the airbag could potentially kill him/her if it would explode when the kid is sitting (only the kids seat backrest between the airbag and the kids back).
What happens if someone sits at the passenger seat?
What happens if someone sits at the passenger seat?
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I understand my car has the warning only when there is a kids seat from MB installed, it actually is then a confirmation that the air bag is off as it should in this case.
Perhaps you have to know in the US the air bag state also for the case the weight sensor tells there is nobody sitting on the seat, just in case the weight sensor was faulty (but that would normally be seen by the control unit) and the bag should be in use?
For us the light would be distractive if it goes on when I don't need the info (no one sitting at the passenger seat).
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From: Oregon
Harley-Davidson
Originally Posted by Diesel Benz
Are your cars different?
Originally Posted by Diesel Benz
For us the light would be distractive if it goes on when I don't need the info (no one sitting at the passenger seat).
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Two points....
As I recall, there may have been a package on the seat, certainly there was stuff (box) in the foot area... not sure if it's relevant but thought I'd throw it out there. When I next use the car (?Sat) i'll give an update...
Second, the notice came up on the dash screen (when the info panel can be switched from temp to nav to other settings etc). As I recall, it did say something about checking the manual... (which unfortunately I haven't had the chance to to... but will when I return to the car)...
Life in NYC with garages and primarily weekend use must seem abnormal to most...
As I recall, there may have been a package on the seat, certainly there was stuff (box) in the foot area... not sure if it's relevant but thought I'd throw it out there. When I next use the car (?Sat) i'll give an update...
Second, the notice came up on the dash screen (when the info panel can be switched from temp to nav to other settings etc). As I recall, it did say something about checking the manual... (which unfortunately I haven't had the chance to to... but will when I return to the car)...
Life in NYC with garages and primarily weekend use must seem abnormal to most...
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Anyway, useful to know that it may behave like you all explain.
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From: Christchurch, New Zealand
17 E220D, 11 E350 CDI(sold), 06 CLS320 CDI (sold), 05 Cadillac DeVille (gone), 04 E320 CDI (sold)
As far as I know, the warning comes on when there is somthing in the seat but it is below the weight threshold for triggering the airbag.
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From: Oregon
Harley-Davidson
If there is a malfunction in the SRS system, it will be reported on the MFD in the center of the speedometer. This tiny lamp is intended to be a reference to the driver if a rear-facing child seat is placed in the front passenger seat, which is a poor idea anyway (they should be in the back seat). This lamp is immediately to the right of the triangular hazard switch located just above the ashtray. You wouldn't even see it unless you looked directly at it.
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From: little rock,ar
E-320 Bluetec
My car is in the shop and has been since Monday noon for a battery low voltage message. Turns out it's the alternator and should have it tomorrow. I was also seeing the "passenger airbag disabled" after my daughter would get out of the passenger in the message center. The SA says that that is showing up because of the bad battery. FWIW!
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
This is a matter of opinion, I respect your opinion but it is a warning light and to me any warning light is distracting if it does not warn me for a good purpose. Is it sufficiently easy to detect when it it comes on from a malfunction if it isn't distracting?
Anyway, useful to know that it may behave like you all explain.
Anyway, useful to know that it may behave like you all explain.
Out Of Control!!
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
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Well my alert was yellow (so I feel a bit better) and I am almost certain there was something in the seat but less than person weight. Would be quite interesting to know if it can detect that there is a low weight there and give the alert...
Out Of Control!!
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Warning in your manual:
Do not place items of electronic equipment on the front-passenger seat, e.g.:
laptops, if switched on
mobile phones
cards with transponders, e.g. ski passes or access passes
as the signals from electronic equipment can cause interference in the sensor system of the automatic child seat recognition system. This can lead to a system malfunction and cause the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning lamp:
to light up even when there is no child seat with automatic child seat recognition fitted, meaning that the front-passenger airbag will not be deployed in the event of an accident
not to light up briefly when the key is turned to position 2 in the ignition lock.
Do not place items of electronic equipment on the front-passenger seat, e.g.:
laptops, if switched on
mobile phones
cards with transponders, e.g. ski passes or access passes
as the signals from electronic equipment can cause interference in the sensor system of the automatic child seat recognition system. This can lead to a system malfunction and cause the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning lamp:
to light up even when there is no child seat with automatic child seat recognition fitted, meaning that the front-passenger airbag will not be deployed in the event of an accident
not to light up briefly when the key is turned to position 2 in the ignition lock.
