Side Impact; Side Impact Air Bags - Mercedes-Benz 2009 E-Class Operator's Manual

Driver and front passenger front air bags are
deployed
in the event of certain frontal impacts
R
if impact exceeds a preset deployment
R
threshold
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, front air bag
deployment is additionally influenced by
2
the passenger's weight category as identified
by the Occupant Classification System (OCS)
( Y page 50).
The lighter the front passenger side
occupant, the higher the vehicle deceleration
rate required for second stage inflation of
front air bag 2.
The air bags will not deploy in impacts which
do not exceed the system's preset
deployment thresholds. You will then be
protected by the fastened seat belts.
The front air bags will not deploy 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
Y
center console is not lit ( page 53)
the impact exceeds a preset deployment
R
threshold

Side impact air bags

G Observe Safety notes, see
page 47.
will only
2
Example illustration sedan
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
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
R
deployment threshold
regardless of whether the seat belt is in use
R
Safety and security
Occupant safety
49
Z