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Occupant safety – Purpose and function of the restraint system
56
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 55).
/
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 that can be seen and measured only after
a collision has occurred cannot play a decisive
role in air bag deployment. Nor do they provide an
indication of air bag deployment.
The vehicle may be deformed significantly without
an air bag 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 air bag 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, Emergency
Tensioning Devices and/or air bags can supple-
ment the protection offered by a correctly worn
seat belt.
When enabled, an air bag can provide additional
protection for the respective vehicle occupant.
Potential protection provided by each air bag:
Knee air bag: thigh, knee and lower leg
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Driver's air bag, front passenger air bag: head
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and ribcage
Window air bag: head
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Side air bag: 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
air bag 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 air bag 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 an Emergency Tensioning Device is trig-
gered or an air bag deployed.
If the Emergency Tensioning Devices 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.
Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning
Devices contain perchlorate material, which may
require special handling or environmental protec-
tion measures. National guidelines regarding
waste disposal must be observed. In California,
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