Mercedes-Benz V-Class Operating Instructions Manual page 49

the vehicle interior or being ejected from it. The
seat belt also helps to keep the vehicle occu-
pants in the best position in relation to the air-
bag being deployed.
The seat belt system consists of:
seat belts
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belt tensioners for the front seat belts
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belt force limiters
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If the seat belt is pulled quickly or sharply from
the belt outlet, the inertia reel locks. The belt
strap cannot be pulled out any further.
The belt tensioner tightens the seat belt in the
event of a collision so that it fits tightly across
your body. However, it does not pull the vehicle
occupants back in the direction of the seat
backrest.
The belt tensioner does not, however, correct an
incorrect seat position or correct the routing of
a seat belt that is worn incorrectly.
When triggered, seat belt force limiters help to
reduce the peak force exerted by the seat belt
on the vehicle occupant.
The belt force limiters on the front seats are
synchronised with the front airbags, which take
on a part of the deceleration force. This can
reduce the forces to which the vehicle occu-
pants are subjected during an accident.
! If the co-driver's seat is not occupied, do not
engage the seat belt tongue in the buckle on
the co-driver's seat. Otherwise, the belt ten-
sioner could be triggered in the event of an
accident and would have to be replaced.
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the seat belt is worn incorrectly, it cannot
perform its intended protective function. Fur-
thermore, an incorrectly worn seat belt can
cause additional injuries, e.g. in the event of
an accident, heavy braking or sudden
changes of direction. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always ensure that all vehicle occupants have
their seat belts fastened correctly and are sit-
ting properly.
Occupant safety
The components of the restraint system work in
conjunction with each other. They can only offer
protection if all vehicle occupants always:
have the seat belt correctly fastened
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Y
( page 48)
have the seat and head restraint adjusted
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Y
properly ( page 96)
G
WARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended level
of protection if you have not moved the back-
rest to an almost vertical position. When brak-
ing or in the event of an accident, you could
slide underneath the seat belt and sustain
abdomen or neck injuries, for example. This
poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal
injury.
Adjust the seat properly before beginning
your journey. Always ensure that the backrest
is in an almost vertical position and that the
shoulder section of your seatbelt is routed
across the centre of your shoulder.
G
WARNING
Persons under 1.50 m tall cannot wear the
seat belts correctly without an additional suit-
able restraint system. If the seat belt is worn
incorrectly, it cannot perform its intended
protective function. Furthermore, an incor-
rectly worn seat belt can cause additional
injuries, e.g. in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction. There
is an increased risk of injury, possibly even
fatal.
Always secure persons less than 1.50 m tall in
additional suitable restraint systems.
If a child younger than twelve years old and
under 1.50 m in height is travelling in the vehi-
cle:
Always secure the child in a child restraint
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system suitable for this Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cle. The child restraint system must be appro-
priate to the age, weight and size of the child
Be sure to observe the instructions and safety
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notes on the "Automatic front-passenger
47
Z