Children In The Vehicle - Mercedes-Benz Actros Operating Instructions Manual

tive function. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
Therefore, have pyrotechnic belt tensioners
which have been triggered immediately
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that after an
accident, you have your vehicle towed to a
qualified specialist workshop. This is particu-
larly important after the seat belt tensioners
have been triggered or after airbags have
been deployed.
If belt tensioners are triggered or the airbags
are deployed, you will hear a bang, and a small
amount of powder may also be released. The
6 restraint system warning lamp lights up.
Only in rare cases will the bang affect your
hearing. The powder that is released gener-
ally does not constitute a health hazard but
can cause short-term breathing difficulties for
people with asthma or breathing problems. If
it is safe to do so, leave the vehicle immedi-
ately or open a window to avoid experiencing
potential breathing difficulties.
Mode of operation
During the first stage of a collision, the
restraint system control unit evaluates impor-
tant physical data relating to vehicle deceler-
ation, such as:
duration
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direction
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intensity
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Based on the evaluation of this data, the seat
belt tensioner for the driver's seat belt is trig-
gered and the driver's airbag is deployed by
the restraint system control unit in the event
of a frontal collision.
The belt tensioner can only be triggered if:
the ignition is switched on
R
the components of the restraint system are
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operational; see the "Restraint system
warning lamp" section (
The evaluation of the activation threshold for
a seat belt tensioner and the driver's airbag
Y page 50).

Children in the vehicle

involves an assessment of cab deceleration.
This process functions pre-emptively. Deploy-
ment must take place promptly at the begin-
ning of the collision.
The cab deceleration and the direction of the
force are basically determined by:
the distribution of the force during the
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impact
the collision angle
R
the deformation characteristics of the cab
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the characteristics of the object with which
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the vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after the collision has occurred do not play a
decisive role in the deployment of an airbag,
nor do they provide an indication of airbag
deployment.
The vehicle can be substantially deformed
without the airbag being deployed. This is the
case if only relatively easily deformable vehi-
cle parts are affected by the collision and a
high deceleration threshold is not reached.
On the other hand, airbags may be deployed
even though the vehicle only displays minor
deformation. This is the case if, for example,
very rigid vehicle parts such as longitudinal
body members are hit, and sufficient decel-
eration occurs as a result.
Children in the vehicle
Important safety notes
If a child younger than 12 years old and under
1.50 m in height is travelling in the vehicle:
always secure the child in a child restraint
R
system suitable for Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cles. The child restraint system must be
appropriate to the age, weight and size of
the child.
be sure to observe the instructions and
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safety notes in this section in addition to
the child restraint system manufacturer's
installation instructions.
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