2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML SUV airbag

31, 2, 3 ...
2-zone Thermatic Malfunction indicator lamp . . . . . .286
4-ETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138 A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) . . . ..57
Display message . . . . . . . . . .260, 261
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288
Acceleration
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .353
Accident
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .294
Active Service System PLUS
see Service indicator
Adaptive brake lamps . . . . . . . . . . . ..58
Adaptive Damping System see ADS
Additional functions (on-board
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
ADS (Adaptive Damping System) . ..1 57
Airbag Activatio n.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Control unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Driver's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Driver's knee airba g.. . . . . . . . . . ..45
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45Front passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.45
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .286
Sidebag s.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Windowbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Air cleaner
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279
Air conditioning
2-zone Thermatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
Activating/deactivating . . . . . . . . .176
Activating/deactivating air-recir-
culation mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
Air-recirculation mode with con-
venience opening/closing feature .183
Auxiliary heating/ventilation . . . . .184
Controlling automatically . . . . . . . .177
Cooling with air dehumidification . .177
Demisting the windscreen . . . . . . .181
Malfunction indicator lamp . . . . . .286
Misted-up windows . . . . . . . . . . . .182
Multi-zone Thermotronic . . . . . . . .173
Rear-compartment air condition-
ing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
Rear window heating . . . . . . . . . . .182
Setting the air distribution . . . . . . .181
Setting the airflow . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
Setting the air vents . . . . . . . . . . . .179
Setting the temperature . . . . . . . . .178 Setting the temperature (rear
compartment) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.179
Switching the residual heat func-
tion on/off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183
see Climate control
AIRMATIC package . . . . . . . . . . . . ..156
Antifreeze concentration . . . . . . . ..371
Anti-glare film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214
Anti-lock braking system see ABS
Anti-theft alarm system
see ATA
Anti-theft systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..62
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203
ASSYST PLUS see Service indicator
ASSYST PLUS service indicator . . ..246
ATA (anti-theft alarm system) . . . . ..62
Switching off the alarm . . . . . . . . . .63
Audible warning signal . . . . . . . . . ..293
AUTO lights Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276
Automatic car wash . . . . . . . . . . . ..248
Automatic transmission Display message . . . . . . . . . .264, 265
Driving tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Emergency running mode . . . . . . .299
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .299
Program selector button . . . .111, 112
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . .107 Index
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6Text messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.260
Up (AMG menu) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
Distance recorder
see Total distance recorder
see Trip meter
Distance warning system (Vehi-
cles with Distronic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..61
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
Distronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
Cleaning the sensors . . . . . . . . . . .251
Cove r.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251
Display message . . . . . .261, 262, 268
Driving tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153
Door
Automatic locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269
Emergency locking . . . . . . . . . . . . .309
Emergency unlocking . . . . . . . . . . .308
Opening (from the inside) . . . . . . . .69
Door control panel
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Drinks holder
see Cup holder
Driver's airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Driver's door Unlocking (KEYLESS GO) . . . . . . . . .69
Driver's knee airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . ..45
Driver's seat position . . . . . . . . . . . ..91
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240 Driving information
Off-road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235
Tyre ruts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240
Driving safety system . . . . . . . . . . . ..57
4-ETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Adaptive brake lamps . . . . . . . . . . .58
BAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Distance warning system (vehi-
cles with Distronic) . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
EBV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
ESP ®
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Driving system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Distronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
Level control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158
Parktroni c.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164
Reversing camera . . . . . . . . . . . . .167
Speedtronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
Driving tip
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .232
Distronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240
Driving on wet road s.. . . . . . . . ..234
Fording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234, 239
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .232 DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273
On-board computer . . . . . . . . . . . .134
DVD audio
Operation (on-board computer) . . .124
DVD video
Operation (on-board computer) . . .125 E
Easy-entry/exit feature Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
Easy-entry feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..84
Easy-exit feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Easy-Pack fix kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
EASY-PACK tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..71
EBV (electronic brake-power distri-
bution) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270
Electrical/electronic equipment
Retrofitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .349
Electronic brake-power distribution
see EBV
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
e mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .349
Emergency key element Lost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303 Index
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7
Emergency locking
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .309
Emergency release
Fuel filler fla p.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .310
Spare wheel bracket . . . . . . . . . . .309
Emergency running mode
Automatic transmission . . . . . . . . .299
Emergency spare wheel
Assembl y.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .327
see Flat tyre
Emergency unlocking
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .309
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .308
Engine
Running irregularl y.. . . . . . . . . . . .298
Starting problems . . . . . . . . .297, 298
Starting with KEYLESS GO . . . . . . .103
Starting with the key . . . . . . . . . . .103
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .352
Engine diagnostic warning lamp
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291
Engine electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..349
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .297
Engine number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .351
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .369
Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Checking the oil level (dipstick) . . .222
Checking the oil level (on-board
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221
Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220 Display message
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221, 279, 280
Filler neck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Temperature display (on-board
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program) .58
Activating/deactivating . . . . . . . . . .59
Display message . . . . . . . . . .262, 263
Trailer stabilisatio n.. . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58, 289
Exterior lighting
Delayed switch-off (on-board
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
Anti-dazzle mode (automatic) . . . . .86
Folding in/out (automatically ).. . . .86
Folding in/out (electrically) . . . . . . .86
Folding in when locking (on-board
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .302
Parking position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Resettin g.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Storing settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Exterior view
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 F
Fire extinguisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
First-aid kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
Flat tyre Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .323
MOExtended run-flat system . . . . .333
Preparing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . .323
TIREFIT kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .324
Floormat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213
Foglamps Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278
Foot-operated parking brake
see Parking brake
Fording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234, 239
Frequencies Garage door opener . . . . . . . . . . . .373
Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .350
Front airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Front-passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . ..45
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .366
Diese l.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217
Fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . ..367, 368
Fuel filler flap Emergency release . . . . . . . . . . . . .310
Opening/closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216 Index
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Fuel filter
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270
Fuel line
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295
Fuel tank
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295
Fuse allocation chart . . . . . . . . . . ..344
Fuse box Dashboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . .344
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . .345
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .343 G
Garage door Opening/closing (with the remote
control) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210
Garage door opener . . . . . . . . . . . . ..209
Clearing the memory . . . . . . . . . . .210
Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .373
Programming the remote control . .209
Gear indicator (on-board computer) 121
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts . . . ..348
Glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . ..201
Gradient-climbing capability (max-
imum) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238
Gross vehicle weight, maximum
permissible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363 H
Headlamps Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
Cleaning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Misting up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .301
Headlamps delayed switch-off
see Exterior lighting delayed switch-off
Head restraint
Adjusting (front) . . . . . . . . . . . . .77, 78
Adjusting (rear) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
NECK-PRO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Removing (rear) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Resetting triggered NECK-PRO
head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .310
Heating
see Air conditioning
High-pressure cleaners . . . . . . . . . ..248
Hill start assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
HomeLink ®
see Garage door opener I
Immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Indicator and warning lamp Brakes (red ).. . . . . . . . . . . . .289, 290
Engine diagnostic . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291
ESP ®
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58, 289
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF . . . .50, 286
Reserve fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293 Seat belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.291
SRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41, 290
Tyre pressure monitor . . . . . . . . . .291
Indicator and warning lamps . . . . ..288
Indicator lamp see Indicator and warning lamp
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . ..113
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Selecting the language (on-board
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
Instrument lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . ..114
Interior lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Automatic control system . . . . . . . .97
Delayed switch-off (on-board
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
Emergency lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Manual control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Reading lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Interior motion sensor . . . . . . . . . . ..64
Switching on/off (on-board com-
puter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135
ISOFIX child seat securing system ..53 J
Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .327
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .339
Jump leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .339 Index
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Oil
Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Oil level
Checking (dipstick) . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Checking (on-board computer) . . .221
On-board computer . . . . . . . . . . . . ..115
Additional functions menu . . . . . . .134
AMG menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
Audio menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
Convenience submenu . . . . . . . . . .128
Display messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .259
DVD menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Factory settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
Heating submenu . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
Instrument cluster submenu . . . . .128
Lighting submenu . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
Message memory menu . . . . . . . . .126
Navigation menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Off-road menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
Off-road mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
Settings menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
Standard display menu . . . . . . . . .120
Telephone menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136
Time/date submenu . . . . . . . . . . .128
Trip computer menu . . . . . . . . . . . .135
TV menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Vehicle submenu . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
On-board computer language . . . ..129 Operating system
see On-board computer
Outside temperature display . . . . ..115
On-board computer . . . . . . . . . . . .120
Own number sending (mobile
phone) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207 P
Paint code number . . . . . . . . . . . . ..350
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Parking aid Exterior mirror on the front-
passenger sid e.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Parktronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164
Reversing camera . . . . . . . . . . . . .167
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270
Parking lamps
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278
Parking position
Exterior mirror on the front-
passenger sid e.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Parktronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164
Activating/deactivating . . . . . . . . .166
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300
Range of the sensors . . . . . . . . . . .165
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167
Warning display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50, 286
Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .353
Permanent four-wheel drive see 4MATIC
Permanent Speedtronic . . . . . . . . ..156
Petrol Minimum grad e.. . . . . . . . . . . . . .217
Plastic trim
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250
Power supply (trailer) . . . . . . . . . . ..245
Power windows see Side window
Pre-emptive occupant safety system
see PRE-SAFE ®
PRE-SAFE ®
system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265
Program selector button
Automatic transmission . . . . .111, 112
Pulling away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104 R
RACETIMER (on-board computer) ..1 21
Radio Changing a station (on-board
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
see separate operating instructions
Radio-controlled equipment
Installatio n.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214 Index
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Occupant safety
40 Occupant safety
Notes on occupant safety
Seat belts, together with belt tensioners, belt
force limiters and airbags, are coordinated
restraint systems. They reduce the risk of
injury in defined accident situations and
thereby increase occupant safety. However,
seat belts and airbags generally do not pro-
tect against objects penetrating the vehicle
from the outside.
To ensure that the restraint systems can
deliver their full potential protection, you
should ensure that:
R the seat and head restraint are adjusted
properly (Y page 76)
R the seat belt has been fastened properly
(Y page 89)
R the airbags can inflate properly if they are
deployed (Y page 43)
R the steering wheel is adjusted properly
(Y page 83)
R the restraint systems have not been modi-
fied
i An airbag increases the protection of
vehicle occupants wearing a seat belt.
However, airbags are only an additional restraint system which complements, but
does not replace, the seat belt. All vehicle
occupants must wear their seat belt cor-
rectly at all times, even if the vehicle is
equipped with airbags. This is because - on
the one hand - airbags are not deployed in
all types of accident, as in some situations
airbag deployment would not increase the
protection afforded to vehicle occupants,
provided they are wearing their seat belt
correctly. On the other hand, airbag deploy-
ment only provides increased protection if
the seat belt is worn correctly because:
R
the seat belt helps to keep the vehicle
occupant in the best position in relation
to the airbag
R for example, in a head-on collision, the
seat belt can more adequately prevent
the occupant from being propelled
towards the force of the impact, and is
thus better suited to prevent injury
Therefore, in accident situations where an
airbag is deployed, it only provides protec-
tion in addition to the seat belt if the seat
belt is being worn correctly. G
Risk of accident and injury
Always have maintenance work carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop which has the necessary specialist knowledge
and tools to carry out the work required.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this
purpose.
In particular, work relevant to safety or on
safety-related systems must be carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop. If this
work is not carried out correctly, the oper-
ating safety of your vehicle may be affec-
ted. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
G
Risk of injury
The restraint system may not work as inten-
ded if the following components have been
modified or work on these components has
not been performed correctly:
R restraint system, consisting of the seat
belts and anchorages, belt tensioners,
belt force limiters, airbags
R wiring
R networked electronic systems
Airbags or belt tensioners could then fail,
e.g. in the event of an accident in which the
deceleration force would normally be high
enough to trigger the systems, or they
could be triggered unintentionally. Never Safety
164_AKB; 5; 5, en-GB
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Occupant safety
41carry out any modifications on the restraint
systems.
Never tamper with electronic components
and their software.
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
The SRS reduces the risk of occupants com-
ing into contact with the vehicle's interior in
the event of an accident. It can also reduce
the forces to which occupants are subjected
during an accident.
The SRS consists of:
R The 1 warning lamp
R belt tensioners
R belt force limiters
R airbags
The 1 1 warning lamp The SRS functions are checked regularly
when you turn on the ignition and when the
engine is running. Malfunctions can therefore
be detected in good time.
The
1 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out no later than a few seconds
after the engine is started. G
Risk of injury
If SRS is malfunctioning, individual systems
may be activated unintentionally or not be
deployed in the event of an accident with
heavy braking.
A malfunction has occurred if the 1
warning lamp:
R does not light up when you switch on the
ignition
R does not go out after the engine has been
running for a few seconds
R lights up again once the engine is running
In this case, have SRS checked immedi-
ately at a qualified specialist workshop.
Triggering of belt tensioners, belt force
limiters and airbags In the event of a collision, the sensor in the
airbag control unit evaluates important phys-
ical data such as duration, direction and force
of the vehicle deceleration or acceleration.
Based on the evaluation of this data and
depending on the vehicle's rate of longitudi-
nal deceleration in a collision, in the first
stage the airbag control unit pre-emptively
triggers the belt tensioners.i
The front belt tensioners can only be trig-
gered if the belt tongue is correctly
engaged in the seat belt buckle.
The front airbags are only deployed if there is
an even higher rate of vehicle deceleration in
a longitudinal direction.
Your vehicle has adaptive, dual stage front
airbags. When the first activation threshold is
reached, the front airbag is filled with enough
propellant gas to reduce the risk of injuries.
The front airbag is only fully inflated if a sec-
ond threshold is reached within a few milli-
seconds, due to the control unit having
detected further deceleration.
Criteria for triggering belt tensioners and
airbags
In the first stage of a collision, the airbag con-
trol unit evaluates the duration and direction
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in
order to determine whether it is necessary to
trigger the belt tensioner and/or airbag.
The belt tensioner and airbag triggering
thresholds are variable and are adapted to the
rate of deceleration of the vehicle. This proc-
ess is pre-emptive in nature as the airbag
must be deployed during – and not at the end
of – the collision. Safety
164_AKB; 5; 5, en-GB
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Occupant safety
42
i
Airbags are not deployed in all types of
accidents. They are controlled by complex
sensor technology and evaluation logic.
This process is pre-emptive in nature as
airbag deployment must take place during
the impact and must be adapted to provide
calculated, additional protection for the
vehicle occupants. Not all airbags are
deployed in an accident.
The different airbag systems work inde-
pendently of each other. However, the
deployment of each individual system will
depend on the type of accident determined
by the control system in the first stages of
the collision (head-on collision, side impact
and overturn) and the extent of the acci-
dent (in particular, the vehicle's rate of
deceleration or acceleration).
The rate of vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion and the direction of the force are basi-
cally determined by:
R the distribution of forces during the colli-
sion
R the collision angle R
the deformation characteristics of the vehi-
cle
R the characteristics of the object with which
the vehicle has collided, e.g. the other vehi-
cle
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after a collision has occurred do not play a
decisive role in the deployment of an airbag,
nor do they provide an indication of it.
The vehicle may be deformed significantly,
e. g. on the bonnet or the wing, without an
airbag being deployed. This is the case if only
parts which are relatively easily deformed are
affected and the necessary deceleration does
not occur. Conversely, airbags may be
deployed even though the vehicle suffers only
minor deformations. This is the case if, for
example, very rigid vehicle parts such as lon-
gitudinal body members are affected and suf-
ficient deceleration occurs as a result.
Belt tensioners, belt force limiters The front seat belts and the outer seat belts
in the 2nd row are equipped with belt ten-
sioners. The front seat belts are also fitted
with belt buckle tensioners.
!
Do not engage the seat belt tongue in the
buckle on the front-passenger seat if the seat is not occupied. Otherwise the belt
tensioner could be activated in an emer-
gency.
If the seat belt is also equipped with a belt
force limiter, the force exerted by the seat
belt on the seat occupant is reduced.
Belt tensioners tighten the seat belts in an
accident, pulling them close against the body.
i Belt tensioners do not correct incorrect
seat positions or incorrectly fastened seat
belts.
Belt tensioners do not pull occupants back
towards the backrest.
The front belt force limiters are synchronised
with the front airbags, which distribute the
forces exerted by the belt force limiters on
the occupant over a greater area.
The belt tensioners/belt buckle tensioners
are triggered when the ignition is switched
on:
R only if the restraint systems are operational
(the 1 warning lamp lights up after the
ignition is switched on and goes out once
the engine is running)(Y page 41)
R for each three-point seat belt in the front of
the vehicle when the belt tongue is
engaged in the buckle Safety
164_AKB; 5; 5, en-GB
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