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44
Occupant safety – Purpose and function of the restraint system
The installation location of an airbag is identified
by the AIRBAG symbol (
page 48).
/
Observe the information on the function of the
restraint system (
page 44).
/
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 43).
/
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
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Driver's airbag, front passenger airbag: head
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and ribcage
Window airbag: head
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Side airbag: ribcage, also pelvis for front seat
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occupants
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
not possible to completely rule out the risk of
injury caused by the airbag deploying.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have the
vehicle towed to a qualified specialist workshop
after an accident. Take this into account, particu-
larly if a seat belt tensioner is triggered or an air-
bag deployed.
If the seat belt tensioners are triggered or an air-
bag is deployed, you will hear a bang, and a small
amount of powder may also be released:
The bang will not generally affect your hearing.
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In general, the powder released is not hazard-
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ous 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, leave the vehicle
immediately or open the window in order to
prevent breathing difficulties.
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