Useful Information; Occupant Safety - Mercedes-Benz V-Class Operating Instructions Manual

Useful information

These Operating Instructions describe all mod-
els as well as standard and optional equipment
of your vehicle that were available at the time of
going to print. Country-specific variations are
possible. Note that your vehicle may not be fit-
ted with all of the described functions. This also
applies to safety-relevant systems and func-
tions.
Read the information on qualified specialist
Y
workshops: ( page 31).

Occupant safety

Restraint system introduction
The restraint system can reduce the risk of vehi-
cle occupants coming into contact with parts of
the vehicle's interior in the event of an accident.
The restraint system can also reduce the forces
to which vehicle occupants are subjected during
an accident.
The restraint system includes the:
seat belt system
R
airbags
R
child restraint system
R
child seat securing system
R
The components of the restraint system work in
conjunction with each other. They can only offer
protection if all vehicle occupants always:
have the seat belt correctly fastened
R
Y
( page 48)
have the seat and head restraint adjusted
R
Y
properly ( page 96)
As the driver, you must also make sure that the
steering wheel is also adjusted properly.
Observe the information on the correct driver's
Y
seat position ( page 96).
In addition, you must make sure that the airbags
can inflate properly if they are deployed
Y
( page 50).
An airbag supplements a correctly worn seat
belt. As an additional safety device, the airbag
increases the level of protection for vehicle
occupants in the event of an accident. The air-
bags are not deployed, for example, in the event
of an accident in which sufficient protection is
offered by the seat belt. In addition, only those
airbags, which in the applicable accident situa-
tions offer additional protection, are deployed in
Occupant safety
the event of an accident. However, the seat belt
and airbag generally do not protect against
objects penetrating the vehicle from the out-
side.
Information on how the restraint system oper-
ates can be found under "Deployment of belt
tensioners and airbags" (
See "Children in the vehicle" for information on
children travelling with you in the vehicle as well
as on child restraint systems (
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the restraint system is modified, it may no
longer work as intended. The restraint system
may then not perform its intended protective
function by failing in an accident or triggering
unexpectedly, for example. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Never modify parts of the restraint system. Do
not attempt to modify the wiring as well as
electronic components or their software.
If it is necessary to adjust the vehicle to accom-
modate a person with disabilities, contact a
qualified specialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre for this.
Restraint system warning lamp
The functions of the restraint system are
checked after the ignition is switched on and at
regular intervals while the engine is running.
Therefore, malfunctions can be detected in
good time.
The 6 restraint system warning lamp on the
instrument cluster lights up when the ignition is
switched on. It goes out no later than a few sec-
onds after the vehicle is started. The compo-
nents of the restraint system are in operational
readiness.
Y
page 57).
Y
page 59).
Z
45