Side Impact; Knee Bag; Side Impact Air Bags - Mercedes-Benz 2009 CLS-Class Operator's Manual

if the system determines that air bag
R
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
depending on whether the seat belt is in
R
use
independently of the side impact air bags
R
and/or the window curtain air bags
The front air bags in this vehicle have been
designed to inflate in two stages. This allows
the air bags to have different rates of inflation
that are based on the vehicle deceleration
rate as assessed by the air bag control unit.
On the front passenger side, the front air bag
deployment is additionally influenced by the
passenger's weight category as identified by
the Occupant Classification System (OCS)
( Y page 48).
The lighter the front passenger side occu-
pant, the higher the vehicle deceleration rate
required for second stage inflation of the front
air bag.
The air bags will not deploy in impacts which
do not exceed the system's preset deploy-
ment thresholds. You will then be protected
by the fastened seat belts.
The front air bags will not deployed in the
event of a rollover unless the vehicle's rate of
longitudinal deceleration or acceleration
exceeds the preset deployment threshold for
the front air bags.
The front passenger front air bag
be deployed if:
the system, based on OCS weight sensor
R
readings, detects that the front passenger
seat is occupied
the indicator lamp in the
75
R
center console is not lit ( Y page 50)
the impact exceeds a preset deployment
R
threshold

Knee bag

The knee bag is located on the driver side
3
lower instrument panel. It is designed to oper-
ate together with the driver front air bag in
certain frontal impacts exceeding a preset
deployment threshold. The knee bag
ates best in conjunction with a properly posi-
tioned and fastened seat belt.

Side impact air bags

G Observe Safety notes, see
will only
2
page 45.
Front side impact air bag
1
Rear side impact air bag
2
When deployed, the side impact air bags are
designed to provide increased protection for
oper-
3
the thorax (but not the head, neck and arms)
of the occupants on the side of the vehicle on
which the impact occurs.
The side impact air bags are deployed:
on the impacted side of the vehicle
R
in side impacts exceeding a preset deploy-
R
ment threshold
regardless of whether the seat belt is in use
R
Safety and security
Occupant safety
47
Z