airbag MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS SALOON 2009 User Guide

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 6 SRS warning lamp
R belt tensioners
R belt force limiters
R airbags
The 6 6 SRS warning lamp The SRS functions are checked regularly
when you turn on the ignition and when the
engine is running. Therefore, malfunctions
can be detected in good time.
The
6 SRS 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 6SRS
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 immediately
at a qualified specialist workshop. Triggering of belt tensioners, belt force
limiters and airbags In the event of a collision, the airbag control
unit evaluates important physical data such
as duration, direction and force of the vehicle
deceleration or acceleration. Based on the
evaluation of this data and in the event of lon-
gitudinal deceleration in a collision, the airbag
control unit pre-emptively triggers the belt
tensioners, depending on the rate of deceler-
ation, in the first stage.
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 detec-
ted 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.
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 Occupant safety
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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 essen-
tially 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 collides, e.g. the other vehicle
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. For example, this is the
case if very rigid vehicle parts such as longi-
tudinal 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 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. The belt tensioners could otherwise be triggered in an acci-
dent.
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 a pro-
portion of the deceleration forces exerted on
the occupant over a greater area.
When the ignition is switched on, the belt ten-
sioners cannot be triggered unless:
R the restraint systems are operational; see
6 SRS warning lamp.
R the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
each lap-shoulder belt in the front of the
vehicle.
Depending on the type and severity of an
accident, the belt tensioners may be trig-
gered:
R in the event of a head-on or rear-end colli-
sion if the vehicle decelerates or acceler-
ates rapidly in a longitudinal direction dur-
ing the initial stages of impact
R in the event of a side impact if the vehicle
is subjected to high lateral acceleration/
deceleration
R in certain situations if the vehicle over-
turns, and the system determines that it
can provide additional protection
If the airbags are deployed, you will hear a
bang and a small amount of powder may also
be released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that escapes
does not generally constitute a health hazard.
The SRS warning lamp 6lights up. 38
Occupant safetySafety
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G
Risk of injury
If the seat belt tensioners have been trig-
gered, they provide no additional protection
in the event of another accident. Therefore,
have belt tensioners which have been trig-
gered replaced at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Comply with safety regulations when dispos-
ing of belt tensioners. Any Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre can provide details of these
regulations.
Airbags Airbag deployment slows down and restricts
the movement of the vehicle occupant.
If the airbags are deployed, you will hear a
bang and a small amount of powder may also
be released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that escapes
does not generally constitute a health hazard.
The SRS warning lamp 6lights up.
The AIRBAG identification indicates the loca-
tion of the airbags. G
Risk of injury
Airbags provide additional protection; they
are not, however, a substitute for seat belts.
Observe the following notes to reduce the risk
of serious or even fatal injury if an airbag is
deployed:
R all vehicle occupants ― in particular, preg-
nant women ― must wear their seat belt
correctly at all times and lean back against
the backrest, which should be positioned
as close to the vertical as possible. The
head restraint must support the back of the
head at about eye level.
R always secure children less than 1.50 m tall
or under 12 years of age in suitable child
restraint systems.
R all vehicle occupants must select a seat
position that is as far away from the airbag
as possible. The driver's seat position must
allow the vehicle to be driven safely. The driver's chest should be as far away from
the middle of the driver's front airbag cover
as possible.
R move the front-passenger seat as far back
as possible, especially if a child is secured
in a child restraint system on the seat.
R vehicle occupants – in particular, children
– must not lean their head into the area of
the window in which the sidebag/head air-
bag is deployed.
R rearward-facing child restraint systems
must not be fitted to the front-passenger
seat unless the front-passenger front air-
bag has been disabled. The front-passenger
front airbag of a vehicle fitted with auto-
matic child seat recognition* is only disa-
bled when a child restraint system with
automatic child seat recognition is fitted to
the front-passenger seat. The 4
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning lamp
must be continuously lit.
If the front-passenger seat of your vehicle
does not have automatic child seat recog-
nition*, or your rearward-facing child
restraint system does not have automatic
child seat recognition, children must be
secured in a child restraint system on a
suitable seat in the rear. If you secure a
forward-facing child restraint system to the
front-passenger seat, you must move the
front-passenger seat as far back as possi-
ble.
R make sure there are no heavy or sharp-
edged objects in pockets of clothing.
R do not lean forwards, e.g. over the cover of
the driver's/front-passenger front airbag,
particularly when the vehicle is in motion.
R do not put your feet on the dashboard.
R only hold the steering wheel by the rim. This
allows the airbag to deploy fully. You could
be injured if the airbag is deployed and you
are holding the inside of the steering wheel. Occupant safety
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R
do not lean on the doors from inside the
vehicle.
R make sure that there are no people, ani-
mals or objects between the vehicle occu-
pants and the area of deployment of the
airbag.
R do not place any objects between the seat
backrest and the door.
R do not hang any hard objects, for example,
coat hangers, on the grab handles or coat
hooks.
R do not attach accessories, e.g. cup holders,
to the doors.
It is not possible to rule out a risk of injuries
caused by an airbag due to the high speed at
which the airbag is required to deploy. G
Risk of injury
The airbag's functionality can only be guaran-
teed if the following parts are not covered and
no badges or stickers are attached to them:
R padded steering wheel boss
R knee airbag cover below the steering col-
umn
R front-passenger front airbag cover
R outer side of front seats
R side panel next to the rear seat backrest G
Risk of injury
When an airbag deploys, a small amount of
powder is released. The powder may cause
short-term breathing difficulties to persons
suffering from asthma or other pulmonary
conditions.
In order to prevent potential breathing diffi-
culties, you should leave the vehicle as soon
as it is safe to do so. You can also open the
window to allow fresh air to enter the interior.
The powder generally does not constitute a
health hazard and does not indicate that there
is a fire in the vehicle. G
Risk of injury
The airbag parts are hot after the airbag has
been deployed. Do not touch them; other-
wise, you may burn yourself.
Have the airbags checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. Otherwise, occupants are
not protected by the airbags in the event of
another accident.
Front airbags
The front airbags are designed to increase
protection for the driver's and front passeng-
er's head and chest. Driver's front airbag
:deploys in front of the
steering wheel; front-passenger front air-
bag ;deploys in front of and above the glove
compartment. They are deployed:
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in a
longitudinal direction
R if the system determines that airbag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R if the seat belt is fastened
R independently of other airbags in the vehi-
cle
R if the vehicle overturns, but only if the sys-
tem detects high vehicle deceleration in a
longitudinal direction
On vehicles with automatic child seat recog-
nition in the front-passenger seat*, front-
passenger front airbag ;is only deployed if
the 4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp in the centre console is not lit 40
Occupant safetySafety
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(Y
page 45). This means that there is not a
child restraint system with automatic child
seat recognition* fitted to the front-
passenger seat or that a child restraint sys-
tem with automatic child seat recognition*
has been fitted to the front-passenger seat
incorrectly.
Driver's knee airbag
i The driver's knee airbag is only available
in certain countries.
The driver's knee airbag can help reduce the
risk of injury to the knees, thighs and lower
legs. Driver's knee airbag
:is always deployed
along with the driver's front airbag and
inflates underneath the steering column.
Sidebags G
Risk of injury
If you wish to use seat covers, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that, for safety reasons, you
only use seat covers that have been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
The seat covers must have a special tear seam
for sidebags/pelvisbags. Otherwise, the side-
bags/pelvisbags cannot deploy correctly and
would fail to provide the intended protection
in the event of an accident. Appropriate seat
covers can be obtained from a Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre. G
Risk of injury
Sensors to control the airbags are located in
the doors. Therefore, do not make any modi- fications to the doors or door trim, e.g. retro-
fitting loudspeakers. Damage to the doors
can affect operation of the sidebags.
The purpose of sidebag deployment is to
enhance the level of protection for the thorax
(but not the head, neck or arms) of the vehicle
occupants on the side of the vehicle on which
the impact occurs. Example: Saloon
Front sidebags
:or rear-compartment side-
bags* ;deploy next to the outer seat cush-
ions. They are deployed:
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion, e.g. in a side impact
R independently of the seat belt use
R independently of the front airbags
R independently of the belt tensioners
Pelvisbags
i Pelvisbags are only available in certain
countries. G
Risk of injury
If you wish to use seat covers, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that, for safety reasons, you
only use seat covers that have been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
The seat covers must have a special tear seam
for sidebags/pelvisbags. Otherwise, the side-
bags/pelvisbags cannot deploy correctly and
would fail to provide the intended protection Occupant safety
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in the event of an accident. Appropriate seat
covers can be obtained from a Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre.
The purpose of pelvisbag deployment is to
enhance the level of protection of the vehicle
occupants on the side of the vehicle on which
the impact occurs. The pelvisbags
:deploy next to and below
the outer seat cushions. They are deployed:
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion, e.g. in a side impact
R independently of the seat belt use
R independently of the front airbags
R independently of the belt tensioners
R if the vehicle overturns, but only if the sys-
tem detects high vehicle deceleration in a
lateral direction and determines that side-
bag deployment can offer additional pro-
tection to that provided by the seat belt
Windowbags
The purpose of the windowbags is to enhance
the level of protection for the head (but not
chest or arms) of the vehicle occupants on
the side of the vehicle on which the impact
occurs.
The windowbags are integrated into the side
of the roof frame and run from the front door
(A-pillar) to the rear door (C-pillar). Example: Saloon
Windowbags
:are deployed:
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in a
lateral direction
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R independently of the front airbags
R regardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied
R independently of the seat belt use
R if the vehicle overturns and the system
determines that windowbag deployment
can offer additional protection to that pro-
vided by the seat belt PRE-SAFE
®
system
PRE-SAFE ®
system takes pre-emptive meas-
ures to protect you in certain hazardous sit-
uations.
PRE-SAFE ®
intervenes in the event of:
R emergency braking situations, e.g. if Brake
Assist BAS is activated or Brake Assist BAS
PLUS* intervenes powerfully
R the radar sensor system detecting an
immediate danger of collision in certain sit-
uations (on vehicles with Distronic Plus*)
R critical situations involving driving dynam-
ics, e.g. if the vehicle oversteers or under-
steers significantly due to physical limits
being exceeded 42
Occupant safetySafety
* optional
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Child seat on the front-passenger seat
Warning notice on the front-passenger's sun visor
Warning symbol for a rearward-facing child
restraint system
G
Risk of injury
If the front-passenger front airbag is not dis-
abled:
R a child secured in a child restraint system
on the front-passenger seat could be seri-
ously and even fatally injured by the front-
passenger front airbag deploying. This is
especially a risk if the child is in the imme-
diate vicinity of the front-passenger front
airbag when it deploys.
R a child must never be secured on the front-
passenger seat in a rearward-facing child
restraint system. Only secure a rearward-
facing child restraint system on a suitable
rear seat.
R always move the front-passenger seat to
the rearmost position if you secure a child in a forward-facing child restraint system
on the front-passenger seat.
The front-passenger front airbag is not disa-
bled:
R on vehicles without automatic child seat
recognition in the front-passenger seat *.
R on vehicles without automatic child seat
recognition on the front-passenger seat*, if
no special child restraint system with auto-
matic child seat recognition has been fitted
to the front-passenger seat.
R on vehicles with automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat*, if
the 4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp is not lit.
To alert you to this danger, a corresponding
warning sticker is located on the dashboard
and on both sides of the sun visor on the front-
passenger side.
Information about recommended child
restraint systems is available at any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Automatic child seat recognition on the
front-passenger seat* If your vehicle does not have automatic child
seat recognition on the front-passenger seat,
this is indicated by a special sticker. The
sticker is affixed to the side of the dashboard
on the front-passenger side. It is visible when
you open the front-passenger door. Occupant safety
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The automatic child seat recognition sensor
system on the front-passenger seat detects
whether a special Mercedes-Benz child seat
with automatic child seat recognition has
been fitted. In such cases, 4PASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF warning lamp :lights up. The
front-passenger front airbag is disabled. G
Risk of injury
If the 4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp does not light up when the child restraint
system is fitted, the front-passenger front air-
bag has not been disabled. If the front-
passenger front airbag is deployed, the child
could be seriously or even fatally injured.
Proceed as follows:
R do not use a rearward-facing child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat.
R fit a rearward-facing child restraint system
on a suitable rear seat.
or
R only use a forward-facing child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat and
move the front-passenger seat to its rear-
most position.
R have the automatic child seat recognition
checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
To ensure that the automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat func-
tions/communicates correctly, never place
objects (such as a cushion) under the child
restraint system. The entire base of the child restraint system must always rest on the seat
cushion. An incorrectly fitted child restraint
system cannot perform its intended protec-
tive function in the event of an accident, and
could lead to injuries.
i The windowbag, the sidebag and the belt
tensioner on the front-passenger side are
still active even if the front-passenger front
airbag is disabled by the automatic child-
seat recognition on the front-passenger
seat. G
Risk of injury
Do not place electronic devices on the front-
passenger seat, e.g.:
R laptops, when switched on
R mobile phones
R cards with transponders, e.g. ski passes or
access cards
Signals from electronic equipment can cause
interference in the automatic child seat rec-
ognition sensor system. This could lead to a
system malfunction. This may cause the
4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning lamp
to light up without there being a child seat
with automatic child seat recognition fitted.
This means that the front-passenger front air-
bag will not deploy during an accident. It is
also possible that the 6SRS warning lamp
lights up and/or the 4PASSENGER AIR-
BAG OFF warning lamp does not light up
briefly when you turn the key in the ignition
lock to position 2.
Suitable seat positions for child restraint
systems
i Vehicles with a folding bench seat in the
load compartment* (Estate): information
on child restraint systems on the folding
bench seat can be obtained at any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. 46
Occupant safetySafety
* optional
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Weight categories
Seat positions
¬
¬ Group 0: up to
10 kg Group 0+: up to
13 kg Group I: 9 to 18 kg
Front-passenger
seat (front-
passenger front air-
bag is not disabled)
X
2 X
2 IL
3, 4 Front-passenger
seat (front-
passenger airbag
is disabled*
5
) IL
3, 4 IL
3, 4 IL
3, 4 Rear bench seat,
left and right
U
6 U
6 U
6 Rear centre seat,
vehicles with and
without through-
loading facility*
U
6 U
6 U
6 Weight categories
Seat positions
¬ ¬ Group II: 15 to 25 kg Group III: 22 to 36 kg
Front-passenger seat (front-
passenger front airbag is not
disabled)
IL
7, 8 IL
7, 8 Front-passenger seat (front-
passenger airbag is disa-
bled*
9
) IL
7, 8 IL
7, 8 2
X: seat unsuitable for children in this weight category.
3 IL: In accordance with the recommendations, see the following table "Recommended child restraint systems".
4 Move the front-passenger seat to the rearmost, lowest position and move the seat belt to the lowest position
as well.
5 Vehicles with automatic child seat recognition on the front-passenger seat*: a child seat securing system
that belongs to the Universal category with automatic child seat recognition must be fitted. The 4
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning lamp must be lit.
6 U: Suitable child seat securing systems that belong to the Universal category and are approved for use in
this weight category.
7 IL: In accordance with the recommendations, see the following table "Recommended child restraint systems".
8 Move the front-passenger seat to the rearmost, lowest position and move the seat belt to the lowest position
as well.
9 Vehicles with automatic child seat recognition on the front-passenger seat*: a child seat securing system
that belongs to the Universal category with automatic child seat recognition must be fitted. The 4
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning lamp must be lit. Occupant safety
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Seats
Points to remember
You will find information about folding the
rear bench seat forwards in the "Through-
loading feature in the rear bench seat"
(Saloon) (Y page 195) and "EASY-PACK load-
ing-aid feature rear bench seat (Estate)"
(Y page 196) sections.
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the
seats can adjusted either manually/electri-
cally or electrically*. G
Risk of injury
The seats can still be adjusted when there is
no key in the ignition lock. For this reason,
children should never be left unsupervised in
the vehicle. They could become trapped when
adjusting a seat. G
Risk of accident
Only adjust the driver's seat when the vehicle
is stationary. You will otherwise be distracted
from the road and traffic conditions and you
could lose control of the vehicle as a result of
the seat moving. This could cause an acci-
dent. G
Risk of injury
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
when you adjust the seat.
Observe the notes concerning the airbag sys-
tem.
Secure children as recommended; see "Chil-
dren in the vehicle" section. G
Risk of injury
Make sure that the central area of the head
restraint supports the back of your head at
about eye level. You could seriously injure
your neck if your head is not correctly sup-
ported by the head restraint in the event of an
accident. Never travel without a correctly
adjusted and engaged head restraint.
! When you move the seats, make sure that
there are no objects in the footwell or behind the seats. Otherwise, you could
damage the seats and the objects.
i The head restraints in the front seats are
fitted with the NECK-PRO system
(Y page 43). For this reason, it is not pos-
sible to remove the head restraints from
the front seats.
The head restraints cannot be removed
from the rear compartment seats on vehi-
cles without the through-loading feature*.
Please contact a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre for more information. Adjusting the seats manually and
electrically Seat fore-and-aft adjustment
X
Lift handle ?and slide the seat forwards
or backwards.
X Release handle ?again.
Make sure that you hear the seat engage
into position.
Backrest angle X
Slide the button forwards or back in the
direction of arrow =.76
SeatsControls
* optional
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