warning light MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SALOON 2007 Owners Manual

31, 2, 3 ...
7G–TRONIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119 A
ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Display message (luxury multi -
function steering wheel) . . . .248, 251
Display message (multi-function
steering wheel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279
Acceleratio n
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344
Accident
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .287
Active Light Syste m. . . . . . . . . . . . .106
Adaptive brake lamps . . . . . . . . . . . ..68
Additional speedometer Activating/deactivating (on -
board computer, luxury multi-
function steering wheel) . . . . . . . .141
ADVANCED AGILITY package with
sports mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
ADVANCED AGILITY package with
sporty driving mode
Indicator lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276
Airbag
Activatio n.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Control unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Driver's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Driver's knee airba
g.. . . . . . . . . . ..51
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Front passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277
Sidebag s.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Windowbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Air cleaner
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .267
Air-conditioning syste m
see Thermatic
Air-recirculation mode
Convenience opening/closing
feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
Thermatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
Thermotronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170
Air vents
Adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157
Centre air vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
Rear-compartment air vents . . . . .157
Side air vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157
Antifreeze concentration . . . . . . . ..370
Anti-lock braking syste m
see ABS
Anti-theft alarm system
see ATA
Anti-theft systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..70
Ashtra y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197 ASSYST PLU
S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226
ATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Switching off the alarm . . . . . .71, 286
Audible warning signal . . . . . . . . . ..286
Audio On-board computer (luxury multi-
function steering wheel) . . . . . . . .137
AUTO lights
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
Automatic car wash . . . . . . . . . . . ..227
Automatic transmission Changing gear yoursel f.. . . . . . . .119
Display in the speedometer . . . . . .118
Driving tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
Emergency running mode . . . . . . .292
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292
One-touch gearshifting . . . . . . . . .119
Program selector button . . . . . . . .120
Releasing the parking lock man-
ually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . .118
Shift ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
Axle load, maximum permissible
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .356, 357 Index
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
mkalafa,
2007-06-26T23:11:51+02:00 - Seite
3

9
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF . . .
.55, 277
Reserve fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285
Seat belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283
SRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47, 283
Indicator and warning lamps . . . . ..279
Indicator lamp see Indicator and warning lamp
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . ..123
On-board computer (luxury multi-
function steering wheel) . . . . . . . .141
Overview (luxury multi-function
steering wheel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Overview (multi-function steering
wheel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Selecting the language (on-board
computer, luxury multi-function
steering wheel ).. . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
Instrument lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . ..123
Integrated child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . ..63
Intelligent Light System . . . . . . . . ..106
Display message (luxury multi-
function steering wheel) . . . . . . . .261
On-board computer (luxury multi-
function steering wheel) . . . . . . . .142
Interior lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
Automatic control . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
Manual control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
On-board computer (luxury multi-
function steering wheel) . . . . . . . .143
Reading lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107 Interior lighting delayed switch-off
On-board computer (luxury multi-
function steering wheel) . . . . . . . .143
Interior motion sensor . . . . . . . . . . ..72
ISOFIX Child seat securing system . . . . . . .61 J
Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .328
Jump leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .328 K
Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Changing the battery . . . . . . . . . . .304
Checking the battery . . . . . . . . . . .304
Convenience closing . . . . . . . . . . .112
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .268
Display message (multi-function
steering wheel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244
Factory setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76, 77
Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .296
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .296
Modifying the programming . . . . . . .76
KEYLESS GO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
Changing the battery . . . . . . . . . . .304
Checking the battery . . . . . . . . . . .304 Closing the boot lid automatically .
.84
Convenience closin g.. . . . . . . . ..113
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .268
Display message (multi-function
steering wheel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244
Factory settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Losing the key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .299
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .298
Modifying the programming . . . . . . .78
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Key position s
Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
KEYLESS GO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
Kickdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120, 122 L
Lamps see Indicator and warning lamp
Language
Selecting (on-board computer,
luxury multi-function steerin g
wheel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
Lashing eyelets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
Licence plate lighting Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262
Lighting
see Lights
Lights
Cornering light function . . . . . . . . .106
Dipped-beam headlamps . . . . . . . .103 Index
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
mkalafa,
2007-06-26T23:11:51+02:00 - Seite
9

10Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.266
Display message (multi-function
steering wheel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243
Front foglamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
Hazard warning lamps . . . . . . . . . .105
Headlamp flasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Headlamp range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
Main-beam headlamps . . . . . . . . . .104
Rear foglamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
LIM indicator lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . ..146
Load compartment load, maximum
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .356, 357
Loading guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . ..182
Locking Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Emergency locking . . . . . . . . . . . . .301
From the inside (central locking
button) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Luggage compartment enlarge-
ment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187
Luggage compartment floor opening/closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
stowage well, unde r.. . . . . . . . . . .184
Luggage cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
Luggage holder (EASY-PACK load-
securing kit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
Luggage net Front-passenger footwell . . . . . . . .181 Lumbar support
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Luxury multi-function steering
wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37, 130 M
Main-beam headlamps Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261
Maintenanc e
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .324
Manual gearshift program . . . . . . ..121
Manual transmission . . . . . . . . . . . ..117
Maximum spee d
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .343
Memory function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Menu (luxury multi-function steer-
ing wheel)
Audi o.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
Menu overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
Trip computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
Menu (multi-function steering wheel)
Entering the time/date . . . . . . . . .129
Menu overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
Message memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
Standard displa y.. . . . . . . . . . . . .128
Trip computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128 Menu On-board computer (luxury
multi-function steering wheel)
. . . ..140
Message see Display message
Minispare emergency spare wheel
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .354
Mirror
Sun viso r.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196
Mobile phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
Bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
Installatio n.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .337
On-board computer (luxury multi-
function steering wheel) . . . . . . . .138
Modifying the programming
Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
KEYLESS GO key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
MOExtended run-flat system* .212, 323
Mono function Thermatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
Thermotronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
Motorway mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
MP3 Operation (on-board computer,
luxury multi-function steering
wheel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
Multi-contour seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..90
Multi-function display . . . . . . . . . . ..123
Luxury multi-function steering
wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
Multi-function steering wheel . . . .126 Index
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
mkalafa,
2007-06-26T23:11:51+02:00 - Seite 10

11
Multi-function steering wheel
..3 6, 125
Multi-function steering wheel (12 -
button) see Luxury multi-function steering wheel N
Navigation On-board computer (luxury multi -
function steering wheel) . . . . . . . .135
NECK-PRO head restraint . . . . . . . . ..53
Resetting triggered NECK-PRO
head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303 O
On-board computer . . . . . . . . ..125, 129
On-board computer (luxury multi-
function steering wheel)
Audio menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
Convenience submenu . . . . . . . . . .144
Display messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .236
Factory setting submenu . . . . . . . .144
Instrument cluster submenu . . . . .141
Lights submenu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
Navigation menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
Service menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
Settings menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
Standard display submenu . . . . . . .133
Telephone menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138 Time/date submenu . . . . . . . . . .
.142
Trip computer menu . . . . . . . . . . . .133
Vehicle submenu . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
On-board computer (multi-func-
tion steering wheel)
Display messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .236
Message memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
Standard displa y.. . . . . . . . . . . . .128
Time/date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
Trip computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
One-touch gearshiftin g. . . . . . . . . . .119
Operating syste m
see On-board computer
Outside temperature display . . . . ..124
Overhead control panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 P
Paint code number . . . . . . . . . . . . ..339
Panorama sliding sunroo f. . . . . . . . .176
Opening/closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
Rain-closing feature . . . . . . . . . . . .178
Raising/lowering . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
Resetting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
Parktronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153 Parking brake
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250
Parking lamps
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .264
Parking loc k
Releasing manually (automatic
transmission ).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303
Parking position
Exterior mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
Parktronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153
Activating/deactivating . . . . . . . . .155
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293
Range of the sensors . . . . . . . . . . .153
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
Warning display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55, 277
Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .343
Permanent display On-board computer (luxury multi-
function steering wheel) . . . . . . . .142
Permanent Speedtronic . . . . . . . . ..151
Petrol Minimum grad e.. . . . . . . . . . . . . .205
Plastic trim
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229
Power supply (trailer) . . . . . . . . . . ..225
Power window s
see Side window Index
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
mkalafa,
2007-06-26T23:11:51+02:00 - Seite 11

14
Stowage compartment
s
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Stowage well
Boot floor (underneath) . . . . . . . . .184
Submenu (luxury multi-function
steering wheel)
Convenience submenu . . . . . . . . . .144
Factory setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
Standard displa y.. . . . . . . . . . . . .133
Time/date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
Summer opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
Sun viso r. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
Supplemental Restraint Syste m
see SRS
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283
Surround lighting
On-board computer (luxury multi-
function steering wheel) . . . . . . . .143
Switching off the alarm
ATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 T
Tailgate Emergency unlocking . . . . . . . . . . .302
Limiting the opening angl e.. . . . . ..85 Opening/closing (automatically)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82, 83
Opening/closing (manually). . . . . ..80
Tail lamp
Display message . . . . . . . . . .259, 266
Tail lamps
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .310
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266
Tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360
Technical data Acceleration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .341
Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .343
Trailer loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .359
Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .348
Vehicle dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . .355
Vehicle weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .355
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .348
Telephone
see Mobile phone
Telephone compartment . . . . . . . ..195
Telescopic rod (Easy-Pack fix kit) ..1 92
Temperature Outside temperature . . . . . . . . . . .124
Setting (rear-compartment con-
trol panel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
Thermatic
Activating/deactivating . . . . . . . . .160
Air-recirculation mode . . . . . . . . . .162
Automatic air conditioning control .160 Control pane
l.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158
Cooling with dehumidification . . . .163
Demisting the windscreen . . . . . . .162
Indicator lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277
Setting the air distribution . . . . . . .161
Setting the airflow . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
Setting the temperature . . . . . . . . .161
Windows misted up . . . . . . . . . . . .162
Thermotroni c
Activating/deactivating . . . . . . . . .167
Air-recirculation mode . . . . . . . . . .170
Controlling the air conditioning
automatically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
Control pane l.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165
Cooling with dehumidification . . . .171
Demisting the windscreen . . . . . . .169
Indicator lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277
Rear-compartment air condition-
ing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
Rear vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
Residual heat/auxiliary ventilation 171
Setting the air distribution . . . . . . .168
Setting the airflow . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
Setting the temperature . . . . . . . . .168
Windows misted up . . . . . . . . . . . .169
Through-loading feature . . . . . . . . ..186
Tightening torque . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..322 Index
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
mkalafa,
2007-06-26T23:11:51+02:00 - Seite 14

Cockpit
25Function Page
1
Automatic transmission*
:
steering wheel gearshift
paddles* 121
2
Cruise control lever*:
• Cruise control
* 145
• Speedtronic* 148
3 Instrument cluster
28
4 Multi-function steering
wheel
36
Luxury multi-function steer-
ing wheel*
37
5 Horn
6
Parktronic* warning dis-
play
154 Function Page
7 Overhead control panel
40
8 Locks/unlocks the glove
compartment
193
9 Centre console
38
a Ignition lock
85
KEYLESS GO button* 85
b Adjusts the steering whee
l
manually 92
c Adjusts the steering whee
l
electrically* 92 Function Page
d Combination switch
: 104
• Main-beam headlamps 104
• Turn signals 104
• Windscreen wipers 108
• Estate: rear window
wiper
109
e Opens the bonnet
206
f Parking brake
116
g Releases the parking brak
e 116
h Light switch
102
h Door control panel
41
k Adjusts the headlamp
range
105At a glanc
e
* optional
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
mkalafa,
2007-06-26T23:11:51+02:00 - Seite 25

Cockpit
27Function Page
1 Overhead control panel
40
2
Parktronic* warning dis-
play
154
3 Cruise control lever:
• Cruise control
* 145
• Speedtronic* 148
4 Instrument cluster
32
5 Multi-function steering
wheel
36
Luxury multi-function steer-
ing wheel*
37
6 Horn
7
Automatic transmission*
:
steering wheel gearshift
paddles* 121
8 Adjusts the headlamp
range
105
9 Light switch
102 Function Page
a Door control panel
41
b Releases the parking brak
e 116
c Opens the bonnet
206
d Ignition lock
85
KEYLESS GO button* 85
e Adjusts the steering whee
l
manually 92
f Adjusts the steering whee
l
electrically* 92
g Combination switch
: 104
• Main-beam headlamps 104
• Turn signals 104
• Windscreen wipers 108
• Estate: rear window
wiper
109
h Parking brake
116 Function Page
j Centre console
38
k Locks/unlocks the glove
compartment
193At a glance
* optional
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
mkalafa,
2007-06-26T23:11:51+02:00 - Seite 27

Centre console
38 Centre console
Upper section Function Page
1 Switches the hazard warn-
ing lamps on/of
f 105
2
ATA indicator lamp* 71
3 5
PASSENGER AIRBA G
OFF warning lamp 5 55
4 Deactivates/activate
s
ESP ® 69
5
Controls COMAND APS*
and the audio system*; see
the respective operating
instruction
s 6
Switches the seat heating*
on the right-hand front sea t
on/off 91
7 Activates/deactivate
s
Parktronic * 153
8 Saloon: rolls the rear win-
dow blind* up/down
196 Function Pag
e 9 Switches ADVANCED AGIL
-
ITY package with sports
mode* on/off 152
a Controls Thermatic
15
8 Controls Thermotronic* 16
5 Switches the rear window
heating on/of
f 173
b
Switches the seat heating*
on the left-hand front sea
t
on/off 91
i
The layout of the buttons may differ
depending on the equipment in the vehicle.
5 The warning lamp also lights up briefly when you turn the key to position 2 in the ignition lock on vehicles which do not have automatic child seat recognition on the
front-passenger seat*. It has no function, however, and does not indicate that the front-passenger seat is equipped with automatic child seat recognition*. At a glance
* optional
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
mkalafa,
2007-06-26T23:11:51+02:00 - Seite 38

Occupant safet
y 47In 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 .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.
The SRS consists of:
R The SRS warning lamp =
R Belt tensioners
R Belt force limiters
R Airbag s
The SRS 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 = warning lamp in the instrumen t
cluster lights up when you switch on the igni -tion and goes out 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
triggered in the event of an accident with
heavy braking.
A malfunction has occurred if the =
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 firs
tstage the airbag control unit pre-emptively
triggers the belt tensioners.
The front airbags are only deployed if there is
an even higher rate of vehicle deceleration in
a longitudinal direction.
If your vehicle is fitted with adaptive dual-
stage front airbags, the front airbag is filled
with enough gas to reduce the risk of injuries
at the first deployment threshold. The front
airbag is only fully inflated if a second thresh-
old is reached within a few milliseconds due
to the control unit having detected further
deceleration.
i
The front belt tensioners can only be trig-
gered if the belt tongue is correctly
engaged in the seat belt buckle.
Criteria for triggering belt tensioners and
airbags
In the first stages of a collision, the sensor in
the airbag control unit evaluates physical
data such as duration, direction and rate of
vehicle deceleration or acceleration in order
to determine whether it is necessary to trig-
ger the belt tensioners and/or airbags.
The belt tensioner and airbag triggerin g
thresholds are variable and are adapted to the
rate of deceleration of the vehicle. This proc-
ess is pre-emptive in nature as the airba g Safety
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
mkalafa,
2007-06-26T23:11:51+02:00 - Seite 47 Z

Occupant safet
y48
must be deployed during – and not at the end
of – the collision
.
i Airbags are not deployed in all types of
accident. They are controlled by comple x
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 the collision has taken place do not play
a decisive role in the deployment of an airbag,
nor do they provide an indication of it.
The vehicle may be considerably deformed
without an airbag being deployed if, for exam-
ple, only relatively easily deformable parts
such as the bonnet or wings have been hit and
the required rate of deceleration has not been
reached. It is also possible that airbags ma y
be deployed even though the vehicle is only
slightly deformed if, for example, very rigid
vehicle parts such as the longitudinal mem-
bers are hit in an accident and the rate of
deceleration is sufficient .
Belt tensioners, belt force limiters The front seat belts and the outer seat belts
in the rear are equipped with belt 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 sea t
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 sea t
belts.
Belt tensioners do not pull occupants back
towards the backrest.
The front belt force limiters are synchronised
with the front airbags, which spread the
forces exerted by the belt force limiters on
the occupant over a greater area.
When the ignition is switched on, the belt ten -
sioner is triggered:
R only if the restraint systems are operational
(the = warning lamp lights up after th e
ignition is switched on and goes out onc e
the engine is running)( Ypage 47)
R for each three-point seat belt in the front of
the vehicle when the belt tongue is
engaged in the buckle
R in the event of a head-on or rear-end colli-
sion if the vehicle decelerates or acceler- Safety
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
mkalafa,
2007-06-26T23:11:51+02:00 - Seite 48