Air Bags - Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Operator's Manual

Occupant safety
44

Air bags

Important safety notes
G
WARNING
To reduce the risk of injury when the front air
bags inflate, it is very important for the driver
and co-driver to always be in a properly seated
position and to wear their respective seat
belt.
For maximum protection in the event of a
collision always be in normal seated position
with your back against the seat backrest.
Fasten your seat belt and make sure it is
properly positioned on your body.
Since the air bag inflates with considerable
speed and force, a proper seating position
and correct positioning of the hands on the
steering wheel will help to keep you at a safe
distance from the air bag. Occupants who are
not wearing their seat belt, are not seated
properly or are too close to the air bag can be
seriously injured or killed by an air bag as it
inflates with great force instantaneously:
Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
R
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
Move the driver's seat as far back as
R
possible, still permitting proper operation
of vehicle controls. The distance from the
center of the driver's chest to the center of
the air bag cover on the steering wheel
must be at least 10 inches (25 cm) or more.
You should be able to accomplish this by
adjusting the seat and steering wheel. If
you have any difficulties, please contact a
qualified specialist workshop.
Do not lean your head or chest close to the
R
steering wheel or instrument panel.
Keep hands on the outside of the steering
R
wheel rim. Placing hands and arms inside
the rim can increase the risk and potential
severity of hand/arm injury when the driver
front air bag inflates.
Move the co-driver's seat as far as possible
R
away from the instrument panel when the
seat is occupied.
Occupants, especially children, should
R
never place their bodies or lean their heads
in the area of the door where the side
impact air bag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the side
impact air bag be deployed. Always sit as
upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriately sized
infant restraint, toddler restraint, or
booster seat recommended for the size and
weight of the child.
Children twelve years old and under must
R
never travel on the co-driver's seat. They
will otherwise be struck by the co-driver's
front air bag when it inflates in a crash. This
could result in serious or fatal injury.
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injuries to you or other occupants.
If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you
make the buyer aware of this safety
information. Be sure to give the buyer this
Operator's Manual.
G WARNING
The air bag parts are hot after the airbag has
been deployed. There is a risk of injury.
Do not touch the air bag parts. Have the
deployed air bags replaced at a qualified
specialist workshop as soon as possible.
i
If the vehicle is still in running condition,
have it towed to a qualified specialist
workshop.
G
WARNING
If you modify the air bag covers or affix objects
such as stickers to them, the air bags may not
function correctly. There is an increased risk
of injury.
Never modify the air bag covers or affix
objects to them.