Mercedes-Benz 300 E 1990 Owner's Manual page 44

SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (SRS)
42
Emergency Tensioning
Retractor (ETR)
The seat belts for the front seats
are equipped with emergency
tensioning retractors. These ten­
sioning retractors are located in
each belt's inertia reel and be­
come operationally ready with the
key in steering lock position 1
or 2.
The emergency tensioning re­
tractors are designed to activate
only when the seat belts are
fastened during major frontal
impacts within the shaded area
shown. They tighten the belts in
such a way that they fit more
snugly against the body restricting
its forward movement as much as
possible.
In cases of less severe frontal
impacts, roll-overs, certain side
impacts, rear collisions, or other
accidents without major frontal
forces, the emergency tensioning
retractors will not be activated.
The driver and passengers will
then be protected by the fastened
seat belts and inertia reel in the
usual manner.
For seat belt and emergency
tensioning retractor safety
guidelines, see page 47.