Mercedes-Benz V-Class Operating Instructions Manual page 52

Occupant safety
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Not all airbags are deployed in an accident. The
different airbag systems work independently of
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each other ( page 57).
However, no system available today can com-
pletely eliminate injuries and fatalities.
It is also not possible to completely rule out a
risk of injury caused by an airbag due to the
speed at which the airbag must be deployed.
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you deviate from the correct seat position,
the airbag cannot perform its intended pro-
tective function and can even cause addi-
tional injuries when deployed. There is an
increased risk of serious or even fatal injuries.
In order to avoid such risks, always ensure
that all vehicle occupants:
fasten their seatbelts correctly, including
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pregnant women
are seated correctly and maintain the fur-
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thest possible distance from the airbags
observe the following notes
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Always ensure that there are no objects loca-
ted between the airbag and the vehicle occu-
pant.
Adjust the seats properly before beginning
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your journey. Always make sure that the seat
is in an almost upright position. The centre of
the head restraint must support the head at
about eye level.
Move the driver's and front-passenger seats
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as far back as possible. The driver's seat posi-
tion must allow the vehicle to be driven safely.
Hold the steering wheel only by the rim. This
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allows the airbag to be fully deployed.
Always lean against the backrest while driv-
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ing. Do not lean forwards or lean against the
door or side window. You may otherwise be in
the deployment area of the airbags.
Always keep your feet in the footwell in front
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of the seat. Do not put your feet on the dash-
board, for example. Your feet may otherwise
be in the deployment area of the airbag.
Always secure persons less than 1.50 m tall in
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suitable restraint systems. Up to this height,
the seat belt cannot be worn correctly.
If a child is travelling in your vehicle, also
observe the following notes:
Always secure children under twelve years of
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age and less than 1.50 m tall in suitable child
restraint systems.
Child restraint systems should preferably be
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fitted to the rear seats.
Secure a child to the front-passenger seat
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only when the front-passenger front airbag is
disabled, and then only in a rearward-facing
child restraint system. If the PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp is permanently lit, the
front-passenger front airbag is disabled
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( page 46).
Be sure to observe the instructions and safety
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notes on the "Automatic front-passenger
front airbag deactivation system"
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( page 52) and on "Children in the vehicle"
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( page 59) in addition to the manufactur-
er's operating and installation instructions for
the child restraint system.
Objects in the vehicle interior may prevent
the airbag from functioning correctly. Before
starting your journey and to avoid risks resulting
from the speed of the airbag as it deploys, make
sure that:
there are no people, animals or objects
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between the vehicle occupants and an airbag
there are no objects between the seat, door
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and B-pillar
there are no hard objects, e.g. coat hangers,
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hanging on the grab handles or coat hooks
no accessories, such as cup holders, are
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attached to the vehicle within the deployment
area of an airbag, e.g. to doors or side win-
dows
no heavy, sharp-edged or fragile objects are in
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the pockets of your clothing. Store such
objects in a suitable place.
G
WARNING
If you modify an airbag cover or affix objects
such as stickers to it, the airbag can no longer
function correctly. There is an increased risk
of injury.
Never modify an airbag cover or affix objects
to it.
Vehicles with windowbags for all seat rows: