Mercedes-Benz C-Class Saloon 2022 Owner's Manual page 51

48 Occupant safety – Purpose and function of the restraint system
Depending on the detected deployment situation,
the components of the restraint system can be
activated or deployed independently of each
other:
Seat belt tensioner: frontal impact, rear
R
impact, side impact, rollover
Driver's airbag, front passenger airbag: frontal
R
impact
Knee airbag: frontal impact
R
Side airbag: side impact
R
Centre airbag in the driver's seat backrest:
R
side impact
Window airbag: side impact, rollover, frontal
R
impact
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PRE-SAFE Impulse Side: side impact
R
The installation location of an airbag is identified
by the AIRBAG symbol ( page 53).
/
Observe the information on the function of the
restraint system ( page 48).
/
Information on how the restraint system works
How the restraint system functions depends on
the severity of the impact detected and the appa-
rent type of accident.
For more information about types of accidents,
see "Overview of deployment situations"
( page 47).
/
The activation thresholds for the components of
the restraint system are determined based on the
evaluation of the sensor values measured at vari-
ous points in the vehicle. This process is pre-emp-
tive in nature. The triggering/deployment of the
components of the restraint system must take
place in good time at the start of the collision.
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after a collision has occurred cannot play a deci-
sive role in airbag deployment. Nor do they pro-
vide an indication of airbag deployment.
The vehicle may be deformed significantly without
an airbag being deployed. This is the case if only
parts which are relatively easily deformed are
affected and the rate of vehicle deceleration is
not high. Conversely, an airbag may be deployed
even though the vehicle suffers only minor defor-
mation. If very rigid vehicle parts such as longitu-
dinal members are hit, this may result in suffi-
ciently high levels of vehicle deceleration.
Depending on the apparent type of accident and
the detected deployment situation, seat belt ten-
sioners and/or airbags supplement the protection
offered by a correctly worn seat belt.
When enabled, an airbag can provide additional
protection for the respective vehicle occupant.
Potential protection provided by each airbag:
Knee airbag: thigh, knee and lower leg
R
Driver's airbag, front passenger airbag: head
R
and ribcage
Window airbag: head
R
Side airbag: ribcage, also pelvis for front seat
R
occupants
Centre airbag: head and ribcage
R
However, no system available today can com-
pletely eliminate injuries and fatalities in every
accident situation. In particular, the seat belt and
airbag generally do not protect against objects
penetrating the vehicle from the outside. It is also