Window Curtain Air Bag - Mercedes-Benz 2011 GL-Class Operator's Manual

Occupant safety
42
bag on the front-passenger side will not
deploy. The side impact air bag on the front-
passenger side will deploy if the front
passenger seat belt is fastened, regardless of
whether the front-passenger seat is occupied
or not.
! Vehicles with BabySmart™ (Canada only):
do not place objects heavier than 20 lb
(9 kg) on the front-passenger seat, as this
could be interpreted as the seat being
occupied. In the event of an accident, the
restraint systems on the front-passenger
side are deployed. Have restraint systems
replaced that have been deployed.
Window curtain air bags
G
Warning
Observe "Important safety instructions"
Y
( page 38).
The window curtain air bags enhance the level
of protection for the head (but not chest or
arms) of the vehicle occupants on the side of
the vehicle on which the impact occurs.
The window curtain air bags are installed into
the side of the roof frame and run from the
front door (A-pillar) to the rear windows (D-
pillar).
Window curtain air bags : 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
acceleration, e.g. in a side impact
regardless of whether the front-passenger
R
seat is occupied
independently of seat belt use
R
if the vehicle overturns and the system
R
determines that window curtain air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
independently of the front air bags
R
The window curtain air bags will not deploy in
impacts which do not exceed the system's
preset thresholds. You will then be protected
by the fastened seat belts.
Occupant classification system (OCS)
Operating principles of the Occupant
Classification System
The OCS is standard equipment in the USA.
OCS categorizes the occupant on the front-
passenger seat by means of a weight sensor.
The front-passenger front air bag is
automatically deactivated for certain weight
categories. The 42 indicator
lamp shows you the current status. If the
42 indicator lamp lights up, the
front-passenger front air bag is deactivated.
The system does not disable:
the side impact air bag
R
the window curtain air bag
R
the Emergency Tensioning Device/belt
R
buckle tensioner (ETD)
To be classified correctly, the front passenger
must sit:
with the seat belt properly fastened
R
in a position that is as upright as possible
R
with the back against the seat backrest
with their feet on the floor
R
The OCS weight sensor is distorted if the
occupant's weight is transferred to another
object in the vehicle, e.g. by leaning on the
armrest.