Windowbag - Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Operating Instructions Manual

Occupant safety
46
Windowbags
Windowbags : are integrated in the side of the
roof frame above the front doors.
When deployed, the windowbag enhances the
level of protection for the head. However, it does
not protect the chest or arms.
In the event of a side impact, the windowbag is
deployed on the side on which an impact occurs.
If the system determines that it can offer addi-
tional protection to that provided by the seat
belt, a windowbag may be deployed in other
accident situations (
Deployment of belt tensioners and air-
bags
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
After the airbag deploys, the airbag parts are
hot. There is a risk of injury.
Do not touch the airbag parts. Have a
deployed airbag replaced at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop as soon as possible.
G
WARNING
Pyrotechnical belt tensioners which have
been triggered are no longer operational and
therefore cannot protect as intended. There is
an increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Have pyrotechnic belt tensioners which have
been triggered replaced at a qualified special-
ist workshop immediately.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have the
vehicle towed to a qualified specialist workshop
after an accident. Take this into account, par-
Y
page 46).
ticularly if a seat belt tensioner was triggered or
an airbag was deployed.
If the belt tensioners are triggered or an airbag is
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 hear-
ing. In general, the powder released is not haz-
ardous to health but may cause short-term
breathing difficulties to persons suffering from
asthma or other pulmonary conditions. Provided
it is safe to do so, you should leave the vehicle
immediately or open the window in order to pre-
vent breathing difficulties.
Operation
During the first stage of a collision, the restraint
system control unit evaluates important physi-
cal data relating to vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration, such as:
duration
R
direction
R
intensity
R
Based on the evaluation of this data, the
restraint system control unit triggers the seat
belt tensioners in the event of a head-on or rear
collision.
A seat belt tensioner can be triggered only if:
the ignition is switched on
R
the components of the restraint system are
R
operational. You can find further information
under: "Restraint system warning lamp"
Y
( page 40)
the seat belt buckle tongue has engaged in
R
the belt buckle of the respective front seat
The seat belt tensioner on the front-passenger
seat is triggered independently of the lock sta-
tus of the seat belt.
If the restraint system control unit detects a
high-severity accident, in certain head-on colli-
sions, additional components of the restraint
system are deployed independently of each
other:
front airbags
R
windowbag on the side on which an impact
R
occurs
The activation threshold for the seat belt ten-
sioners and airbags is determined based on the
evaluation of the vehicle's rate of deceleration
or acceleration at various points in the vehicle.