Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2011 Owner's Manual page 50

When deployed, the sidebags offer additional
protection for the thorax of the vehicle occu-
pants on the side of the vehicle on which the
impact occurs. However, they do not protect
the:
head
R
neck
R
arms
R
Example: Saloon
Front sidebags : and rear sidebags ;
deploy next to the outer seat cushions.
The sidebags are deployed:
on the side on which an impact occurs
R
at the start of an accident with a high rate
R
of lateral vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion, e.g. in a side impact
independently of the use of the seat belt
R
independently of the front airbags
R
independently of the belt tensioners
R
If the vehicle overturns, the sidebags are gen-
erally not deployed. Exception: if the system
detects high vehicle deceleration or acceler-
ation in a lateral direction and determines
that deployment can offer additional protec-
tion to that provided by the seat belt.
Pelvis bags
i
Pelvisbags are only available in certain
countries.
G
WARNING
If you wish to use seat covers, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that, for safety reasons, you
Occupant safety
only use seat covers that have been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
The seat covers must have a special tear seam
for sidebags/pelvisbags. Otherwise, the side-
bag/pelvisbag cannot deploy correctly and
would fail to provide the intended protection
in the event of an accident. Appropriate seat
covers can be obtained, for example, from a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Pelvisbag deployment enhances the level of
protection of the vehicle occupants on the
side of the vehicle on which the impact
occurs.
Pelvisbags : deploy next to and below the
outer seat cushions. They are deployed:
on the side on which an impact occurs
R
at the start of an accident with a high rate
R
of lateral vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion, e.g. in a side impact
independently of the use of the seat belt
R
independently of the front airbags
R
independently of the belt tensioners
R
If the vehicle overturns, the pelvisbags are
generally not deployed. Exception: if the sys-
tem detects high vehicle deceleration or
acceleration in a lateral direction and deter-
mines that deployment can offer additional
protection to that provided by the seat belt.
Windowbags
The windowbags enhance the level of protec-
tion for the head, but not chest or arms, of the
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Z