Head-Thorax; Knee Bag; Head-Thorax Air Bags - Mercedes-Benz 2011 SL550 Roadster Operator's Manual

Occupant safety
42
Driver and passenger front air bag and
driver's side knee bag are deployed
in the event of certain frontal impacts
R
if the system determines that air bag
R
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
depending on whether the respective seat
R
belt is in use
independently of the head-thorax air bags
R
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.
The rate of inflation is based on the vehicle
deceleration rate as assessed by the air bag
control unit.
The passenger front air bag deployment is
additionally influenced by the passenger's
weight category as identified by the Occupant
Classification System (OCS) (
The lighter the passenger-side occupant, the
higher the vehicle deceleration rate required
for second stage inflation of the passenger
front air bag.
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 passenger air bag will only be deployed if
the system, based on OCS weight sensor
R
readings, detects that the passenger seat
is occupied
the 45 indicator lamp in the center
R
console is not lit (
the impact exceeds a preset deployment
R
threshold
Y page 43).
Y page 43)

Knee bag

Knee bag = is designed to provide increased
protection for the driver against the risk of
injuries to the knees, thighs and lower legs.
Knee bag = is located on the driver side
lower instrument panel. It is designed to
operate together with the driver front air bag
in certain frontal impacts if the system
determines that air bag deployment can offer
additional protection to that provided by the
seat belt. Knee bag = operates best in
conjunction with a properly positioned and
fastened seat belt.

Head-thorax air bags

G
Observe Safety notes, see page 39.
Head-thorax air bags : are designed to
provide increased protection for the head and
thorax but not for the arms.
Head-thorax air bags : are deployed
on the impacted side of the vehicle
R
in instances with a high rate of lateral
R
vehicle deceleration or acceleration
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 front air bags
R
independently of the ETDs
R
The passenger head-thorax air bag : will
only deploy if the OCS senses that the