lock MERCEDES-BENZ GLS 2018 User Guide

Sensor range ................................. 193
Towing a trailer .............................. 192
Warning display ............................. 194
Parking assistance
see Driving system
Parking brake
Applying automatically ................... 163
Applying or releasing manually ...... 163
Display message ............................ 251
Electric parking brake .................... 162
Emergency braking ........................ 164
General notes ................................ 162
Releasing automatically ................. 163
Warning lamp ................................. 287
Parking lamps
Switching on/off ........................... 116
Parking Pilot
Canceling ....................................... 199
Detecting parking spaces .............. 196
Display Message ............................ 269
Exiting a parking space .................. 198
Function/notes ............................. 195
Important safety notes .................. 195
Parking .......................................... 197
PASSENGER AIR BAG
Display message ............................ 258
Indicator lamps ................................ 45
Problem (malfunction) ................... 258
Pets in the vehicle ............................... 65
Phone book
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 292
Plastic trim (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 335
Power locks ......................................... 84
Power washers .................................. 331
Power windows
see Side windows
PRE-SAFE ®
(anticipatory occupant
protection)
Display message ............................ 255
Operation ......................................... 58
PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS (anticipatory
occupant protection PLUS)
Display message ............................ 255
Operation ......................................... 59 Protection against theft
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) ......... 75
Immobilizer ...................................... 75
Protection of the environment
General notes .................................. 27
Pulling away
Automatic transmission ................. 143
General notes ................................ 143
Hill start assist ............................... 143
Trailer ............................................ 143
Q QR code
Mercedes-Benz Guide App ................. 1
Rescue card ..................................... 32
Qualified specialist workshop ........... 31
R RACE TIMER (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) .................. 246
Radiator cover ................................... 326
Radio
Selecting a station ......................... 239
Radio mode
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 292
Radio-controlled devices (instal-
ling) ..................................................... 324
Radio-wave reception/transmis-
sion in the vehicle
Declaration of conformity ................ 30
Reading lamp ..................................... 119
Rear bench seat
Folding forwards/back .................. 304
Rear compartment
Exit/entry position (3rd row of
seats) ............................................. 103
Setting the air vents ...................... 137
Setting the temperature ................ 132
Rear fog lamp
Display message ............................ 260
Switching on/off ........................... 116
Rear Seat Entertainment System
AUX jacks ...................................... 299
AUX jacks CD/DVD drive .............. 299 Index 17

Opening/closing .............................. 93
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 96
Resetting ......................................... 94
see Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel
SmartKey
Changing the battery ....................... 80
Changing the programming ............ .7 9
Checking the battery ...................... .8 0
Convenience closing feature ............ 91
Convenience opening feature .......... 90
Dis play message ............................ 278
Door central locking/unlocking ...... .7 7
Important safety notes .................... 77
KEYLESS-GO start function .............. 79
Loss ................................................ .8 1
Mechanical key ................................ 79
Overview .......................................... 77
Positions (ignition lock) ................. 140
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 81
Starting the engine ........................ 142
Smartphone
Starting the engine ........................ 142
SMS
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 292
Snow chains
Information .................................... 356
Sockets
Center console .............................. 312
General notes ................................ 312
Luggage compartment .................. .3 13
Rear compartment ......................... 312
Sound
Switching on/off ........................... 293
Special seat belt retractor .................. 60
Specialist workshop ............................ 31
Speed, controlling
see Cruise control
Speedometer
Digital ............................................ 237
In the Instru ment
cluster ................. 37
Segments ...................................... 233
Selecting the display unit .............. .2 43
Standing lamps
Display message ............................ 260
Switching on/off ........................... 116 Start/Stop button
Starting the engine ........................ 142
Start/stop function
see ECO start/stop function
Starting (engine) ................................ 141
STEER CONTROL .................................. 75
Steering
Display message ............................ 277
Steering Pilot
Activating/deactivating ................. 241
Display message ............................ 271
Steering wheel
Adjusting (electrically) ................... 109
Adjusting (manually) ...................... 108
Button overview ............................... 38
Buttons (on-board computer) ......... 234
Cleaning ......................................... 336
Important safety notes .................. 108
Steering wheel heating .................. 109
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ............................................... 113
Steering wheel heating
Problem (malfunction) ................... 109
Switching on/off ........................... 109
Steering wheel paddle shifters ........ 152
Stopwatch (RACETIMER) ................... 246
Stowage areas ................................... 300
Stowage compartments
Armrest (under) ............................. 301
Center console .............................. 302
Center console (rear) ..................... 302
Cup holders ................................... 308
Eyeglasses compartment ............... 302
Glove box ....................................... 301
Important safety information ......... 300
Stowage net ................................... 302
Stowage net ....................................... 302
Summer tires
In winter ........................................ 356
Sun visor ............................................ 310
Suspension setting
AIRMATIC ...................................... 188
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 191
Suspension tuning
SETUP (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 24620
Index

SUV
(Sport Utility Vehicle) ....................... 30
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ................................................ .1 35
Switching on media mode
Via the device list .......................... 298
T Tachometer ........................................ 233
Tailgate
Display message ............................ 276
Emergency unlocking ....................... 88
Important safety notes .................... 84
Limiting the opening angle ............... 88
Opening dimensions ...................... 392
Opening/closing (automatically
from inside) ...................................... 87
Opening/closing (automatically
from outside) ................................... 86
Opening/closing (from outside) ....... 85
Power closing .................................. 84
Tank
see Fuel tank
Tank content
Fuel gauge ....................................... 37
Technical data
Capacities ...................................... 386
Information .................................... 384
Tires/wheels ................................. 379
Trailer loads ................................... 395
Vehicle data ................................... 392
Telephone
Accepting a call (multifunction
steering wheel) .............................. 240
Authorizing a mobile phone (con-
necting) ......................................... 296
Authorizing a mobile phone via the
device manager (connecting) ......... 297
Connecting a mobile phone
(device manager) ........................... 297
Connecting a mobile phone (gen-
eral information) ............................ 296
Display message ............................ 277
Menu (on-board computer) ............ 240
Number from the phone book ........ 240
Redialing ........................................ 240
Rejecting/ending a call ................. 240 see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 292
Temperature
Coolant (display in the instrument
cluster) .......................................... 234
Coolant (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 245
Engine oil (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 245
Outside temperature ...................... 233
Setting (climate control) ................ 132
Transmission oil (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ..... 245
Through-loading feature ................... 303
Timing (RACETIMER) ......................... 246
Tire pre ssure
C alling up (on-board computer) ..... 361
Checking manually ........................ 360
Display message ............................ 273
Maximum ....................................... 360
Not reached (TIREFIT) .................... 342
Notes ............................................. 359
Reached (TIREFIT) .......................... 343
Recommended ............................... 357
Tire pressure loss warning system
General notes ................................ 360
Important safety notes .................. 361
Restarting ...................................... 361
Tire pressure monitor
Checking the tire pressure elec-
tronically ........................................ 363
Function/notes ............................. 361
General notes ................................ 361
Important safety notes .................. 362
Radio type approval for the tire
pressure monitor ........................... 364
Restarting ...................................... 364
Warning lamp ................................. 291
Warning message .......................... 363
Tire pressure table ............................ 358
TIREFIT kit
Important safety notes .................. 341
Storage location ............................ 339
Tire pressure not reached .............. 342
Tire pressure reached .................... 343
Using ............................................. 341
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) ................. 373 Index 21

Mounting dimensions .................... 395
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC ......... .1 92
Power supply ................................. 230
Pulling away with a trailer .............. 143
Removing the ball coupling ............ 229
Trailer loads ................................... 395
Towing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 349
Installing the towing eye ................ 350
Notes for 4MATIC vehicles ............ 351
Removing the towing eye .............. .3 50
Transporting the vehicle ................ 351
With both axles on the ground ....... 350
Towing eye ......................................... 339
Traffic reports
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ................................................. .2 92
Traffic Sign Assist
Activating/deactivating the warn-
ing function ................................... .2 41
Display message ............................ 268
Function/notes ............................ .2 08
Important safety notes .................. 209
Instrument cluster display ............. 209
Trailer coupling
see Towing a trailer
Trailer loads and drawbar nose-
weights ............................................... 229
Trailer towing
Active Blind Spot Assist ................. 215
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............ 218
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 211
Permissible trailer loads and
drawbar noseweights ..................... 229
Transfer case ..................................... 155
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transmission position display ......... 149
Transporting the vehicle .................. 351
Traveling uphill
Brow of hill ..................................... 174
Driving downhill ............................ .1 74
Maximum gradient-climbing capa-
bility ............................................... 173
Trim pieces (cleaning instruc-
tions) ................................................. .3 36 Trip computer (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .2 36
Trip odometer
Calling up ................................... .... 236
R es
etting (on-board computer) ...... 237
Trunk
see Tailgate
Turn signals
Display message ............................ 260
Replacing bulbs (front) ................... 122
Switching on/off ........................... 116
Two-way radio
Frequencies ................................... 384
Installation ..................................... 384
Transmission output (maximum) .... 384
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating) (defi-
nition) ................................................. 374
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U Unlocking
Emergency unlocking ....................... 84
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 83
Upshift indicator (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ....... 245
USB devices
Connecting to the Media Inter-
face ............................................... 299
V
Vanity mirror (in the sun visor) ........ 310
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 31
Data acquisition ............................... 32
Display message ............................ 275
Equipment ....................................... 28
Individual settings .......................... 243
Limited Warranty ............................. 32
Loading .......................................... 364
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 84
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 77
Lowering ........................................ 378
Maintenance .................................... 29
Operating safety .............................. 30 Index 23

Parking .......................................... 161
Parking for a long period ............... .1 64
Pulling away ................................... 143
Raising .......................................... .3 76
Reporting problems ......................... 31
Securing from rolling away ............ 375
Towing away .................................. 349
Transporting .................................. 351
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 84
Unlocking (SmartKey) ..................... .7 7
Vehicle data ................................... 392
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle data ....................................... 392
Vehicle data (off-road driving)
Approach/departure angle ............ 394
Fording depth ................................ 393
Maximum gradient climbing abil-
ity .................................................. 394
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 392
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 84
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 385
Vehicle level
AIRMATIC ...................................... 190
Vehicle level (display message) ....... 265
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 339
Video
Operating the DVD ........................ .2 39
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ................................................. .2 92
VIN ...................................................... 385
Seat ............................................... 386
Type plate ...................................... 385
W
Warning and indicator lamps
ABS ................................................ 282
Brakes .......................................... .2 81
Coolant .......................................... 288
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ............. 290
Distance warning ........................... 290
Engine diagnostics ......................... 288
ESP ®
.............................................. 284
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 285
Fuel tank ........................................ 288 Overview .......................................... 37
Parking brake ................................ 287
PASSENGER AIR BAG ...................... 45
Reserve fuel ................................... 288
Restraint system ............................ 287
Seat belt ........................................ 280
Tire pressure monitor .................... 291
Warranty .............................................. 28
Washer fluid
Display message ............................ 278
Weather display (COMAND)
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 292
Wheel and tire combinations
Tires ............................................... 379
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 378
Wheel chock ...................................... 375
Wheels
Changing a wheel .......................... 374
Checking ........................................ 354
Cleaning ......................................... 333
Emergency spare wheel ................. 380
Important safety notes .................. 354
Information on driving .................... 354
Interchanging/changing ................ 374
Mounting a new wheel ................... 377
Mounting a wheel .......................... 375
Overview ........................................ 354
Removing a wheel .......................... 377
Snow chains .................................. 356
Storing ........................................... 375
Tightening torque ........................... 378
Wheel size/tire size ....................... 379
Window curtain air bag
Display message ............................ 257
Operation ......................................... 51
Windows
see Side windows
Windshield
Defrosting ...................................... 133
Infrared reflective .......................... 324
Windshield washer fluid
see Windshield washer system
Windshield washer system
Adding washer fluid ....................... 329
Important safety notes .................. 391
Windshield wipers
Problem (malfunction) ................... 12424
Index

Door contro l panel
Function Page
C
Opens th e doo r 83
D
67 Unlocks/locks
the vehicle
83

Panic alarm X
To activate: press 3 button C for at
least one second.
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed. X
To deactivate: press 3 button C again.
or X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
or X
Press the KEYLESS-GO Start/Stop button.
The KEYLESS-GO key must be in the vehicle.
Occupant safety
Introduction to the restraint system The restraint system can reduce the risk of vehi-
cle occupants coming into contact with parts of
the vehicle's interior in the event of an accident.
The restraint system can also reduce the forces
to which vehicle occupants are subjected during
an accident.
The restraint system comprises: R
Seat belt system R
Air bags R
Child restraint system R
Child seat securing systems
The components of the restraint system work in
conjunction with each other. They can only
deploy their protective function if, at all times, all
vehicle occupants: R
have fastened their seat belts correctly
( Y
page 47)R
have the seat and head restraint adjusted
properly ( Y
page 97) As the driver, you also have to make sure that
the steering wheel is adjusted correctly.
Observe the information relating to the correct
driver's seat position ( Y
page 97).
You also have to make sure that an air bag can
inflate properly if deployed ( Y
page 49).
An air bag supplements a correctly worn seat
belt. As an additional safety device, the air bag
increases the level of protection for vehicle
occupants in the event of an accident. For exam-
ple, if, in the event of an accident, the protection
offered by the seat belt is sufficient, the air bags
are not deployed. When an accident occurs, only
the air bags that increase protection in that par-
ticular accident situation are deployed. How-
ever, seat belts and air bags generally do not
protect against objects penetrating the vehicle
from the outside.
Information on restraint system operation can
be found under "Triggering of the Emergency
Tensioning Devices and air bags" ( Y
page 56).
See "Children in the vehicle" for information on
children traveling with you in the vehicle as well
as on child restraint systems ( Y
page 59).
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Modifications to the restraint system may
cause it to no longer work as intended. The
restraint system may then not perform its
intended protective function and may fail in an
accident or trigger unexpectedly, for example.
This poses an increased risk of injury or even
fatal injury.
Never modify parts of the restraint system.
Never tamper with the wiring, the electronic
components or their software.
If it is necessary to modify components of the
restraint system to accommodate a person with
disabilities, contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for details. USA only: for further
information contact our Customer Assistance
Center at 1-800 FOR-MERCEDES
(1 ‑ 800 ‑ 367 ‑ 6372).
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only use
driving aids which have been approved specifi-
cally for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz.44
Occupant safety
Safety

occupant in the best position in relation to the
air bag.
The seat belt system comprises: R
Seat belts R
Emergency Tensioning Devices for the front
seat belts and the outer seat belts in the sec-
ond row of seats as well as the seat belts in
the third row R
Seat belt force limiters for the front seat belts
and the outer seat belts in the second row of
seats as well as the seat belts in the third row
If the seat belt is pulled out of the belt outlet
quickly or with a jerky movement, the belt
retractor locks. The belt strap cannot be extrac-
ted any further.
The Emergency Tensioning Device tightens the
seat belt in an accident, pulling the belt close
against the body. However it does not pull the
vehicle occupant back in the direction of the
backrest.
The Emergency Tensioning Device does not cor-
rect an incorrect seat position or the routing of
an incorrectly fastened seat belt.
When triggered, a seat belt force limiter helps to
reduce the force exerted by the seat belt on the
vehicle occupant.
The seat belt force limiters for the front seats are
synchronized with the front air bags, which
absorb part of the deceleration force. This can
reduce the force exerted on the vehicle occu-
pants during an accident.
! If the front-passenger seat is not occupied,
do not engage the seat belt tongue in the
buckle on the front-passenger seat. Other-
wise, in addition to other systems, the Emer-
gency Tensioning Device could also be trig-
gered in the event of an accident and would
need to be replaced.
Important safety notes The use of seat belts and child restraint systems
is required by law in: R
all 50 states R
the U.S. territories R
the District of Columbia R
all Canadian provinces
Even where this is not required by law, all vehicle
occupants should correctly fasten their seat
belts before starting the journey. G WARNING
If the seat belt is not worn correctly, it cannot
perform its intended protective function. An
incorrectly fastened seat belt can also cause
injuries, for example, in the event of an acci-
dent or when braking or changing direction
abruptly. This poses an increased risk of injury
or even fatal injury.
Always ensure that all vehicle occupants have
their seat belts fastened correctly and are sit-
ting properly.
The components of the restraint system work in
conjunction with each other. They can only
deploy their protective function if, at all times, all
vehicle occupants: R
have fastened their seat belts correctly
( Y
page 47) R
have the seat and head restraint adjusted
properly ( Y
page 97)
G WARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended level
of protection if you have not moved the back-
rest to an almost vertical position. When brak-
ing or in the event of an accident, you could
slide underneath the seat belt and sustain
abdomen or neck injuries, for example. This
poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal
injury.
Adjust the seat properly before beginning
your journey. Always ensure that the backrest
is in an almost vertical position and that the
shoulder section of your seat belt is routed
across the center of your shoulder.
G WARNING
Persons less than 5 ft (1.50 m) tall cannot
wear the seat belt correctly without an addi-
tional and suitable restraint system. If the
seat belt is not worn correctly, it cannot per-
form its intended protective function. An
incorrectly fastened seat belt can also cause
injuries, for example, in the event of an acci-
dent or when braking or changing direction
abruptly. This poses an increased risk of injury
or even fatal injury.46
Occupant safety
Safety

In the following situation, the side impact air bag
and the Emergency Tensioning Device are deac-
tivated: R
OCS has not categorized the person on the
front-passenger seat as an adult or a person
of corresponding stature and R
the seat belt buckle tongue of the seat belt is
not inserted into the front-passenger seat belt
buckle
Requirements To be classified correctly, the front passenger
must sit: R
with the seat belt fastened correctly R
in an almost upright position with their back
against the seat backrest R
with their feet resting on the floor, if possible
If the front passenger does not observe these
conditions, OCS may produce a false classifica-
tion, e.g. because the front passenger: R
transfers their weight by supporting them-
selves on a vehicle armrest R
sits in such a way that their weight is raised
from the seat cushion
If it is absolutely necessary to install a child
restraint system on the front-passenger seat, be
sure to observe the correct positioning of the
child restraint system. Never place objects
under or behind the child restraint system, e.g. a
cushion. The entire base of the child restraint
system must always rest on the seat cushion of
the front-passenger seat. The backrest of the
forward-facing child restraint system must lie as
flat as possible against the backrest of the front-
passenger seat.
The child restraint system must not touch the
roof or be subjected to a load by the head
restraint. Adjust the angle of the seat backrest
and the head restraint position accordingly.
Only then can OCS be guaranteed to function
correctly. Always observe the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation and operating
instructions. Occupant Classification System opera-
tion (OCS)
C
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp D
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
The indicator lamps inform you whether the
front-passenger front air bag is deactivated or
enabled. X
Press the Start/Stop button once or twice, or
turn the SmartKey to position G or H in the
ignition lock.
The system carries out self-diagnostics.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF and PASSENGER
AIR BAG ON indicator lamps must light up simul-
taneously for approximately six seconds.
The indicator lamps display the status of the
front-passenger front air bag. R
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON lights up for 60 sec-
onds, subsequently both indicator lamps are
off (PASSENGER AIR BAG ON and OFF): the
front-passenger front air bag is able to deploy
in the event of an accident. R
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF lights up: the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated. It will
then not be deployed in the event of an acci-
dent.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp is
off, only the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp shows the status of the front-passenger
front air bag. The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp may be lit continuously or be off.
If the status of the front-passenger front air bag
changes while the vehicle is in motion, an air bag
display message appears in the instrument clus-
ter ( Y
page 258). When the front-passenger
seat is occupied, always pay attention to the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp. Be
aware of the status of the front-passenger front
air bag both before and during the journey.52
Occupant safety
Safety

repaired. This will help to make sure the air bags
continue to perform their protective function for
the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash.
G WARNING
Emergency Tensioning Devices that have
deployed pyrotechnically are no longer opera-
tional and are unable to perform their inten-
ded protective function. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Have pyrotechnically triggered Emergency
Tensioning Devices replaced immediately at a
qualified specialist workshop.
An electric motor is used by PRE-SAFE ®
to trig-
ger the tightening of the seat belt in hazardous
situations. This procedure is reversible.
If Emergency Tensioning Devices are triggered
or air bags are deployed, you will hear a bang,
and some powder may also be released. The
u restraint system warning lamp lights up.
Only in rare cases will the bang affect your hear-
ing. The powder that is released generally does
not constitute a health hazard, but it may cause
short-term breathing difficulties in people with
asthma or other respiratory problems. Provided
it is safe to do so, you should leave the vehicle
immediately or open the window in order to pre-
vent breathing difficulties.
Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning
Devices (ETDs) contain perchlorate material,
which may require special handling and regard
for the environment. National guidelines must
be observed during disposal. In California, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/
Perchlorate/index.cfm .
Method of operation During the first stage of a collision, the restraint
system control unit evaluates important physi-
cal data relating to vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration, such as: R
duration R
direction R
intensity
Based on the evaluation of this data, the
restraint system control unit triggers the Emer-
gency Tensioning Devices during a frontal or
rear collision. An Emergency Tensioning Device can only be
triggered, if: R
the ignition is switched on R
the components of the restraint system are
operational. You can find further information
under "Restraint system warning lamp"
( Y
page 45) R
the seat belt buckle tongue has engaged in
the belt buckle of the respective front seat
The Emergency Tensioning Devices in the rear
compartment are triggered independently of the
lock status of the seat belts.
If the restraint system control unit detects a
more severe accident, further components of
the restraint system are activated independ-
ently of each other in certain frontal collision
situations: R
Front air bags and driver's knee bag R
Window curtain air bag, if the system deter-
mines that deployment can offer additional
protection to that provided by the seat belt
The front-passenger front air bag is activated or
deactivated depending on the person on the
front-passenger seat. The front-passenger front
air bag can only deploy in an accident if the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is off.
Observe the information on the PASSENGER AIR
BAG indicator lamps ( Y
page 45).
Your vehicle has two-stage front air bags. In the
first deployment stage, the front air bag is filled
with propellant gas. The front air bag is fully
deployed with the maximum amount of propel-
lant gas if a second deployment threshold is
reached within a few milliseconds.
The activation threshold of the Emergency Ten-
sioning Devices and the air bags is determined
by evaluating the rate of vehicle decelera tion or
a
cceleration which occurs at various points in
the vehicle. This process is pre-emptive in
nature. Deployment should take place in good
time at the start of the collision.
The rate of vehicle deceleration or acceleration
and the direction of the force are essentially
determined by: R
the distribution of forces during the collision R
the collision angle R
the deformation characteristics of the vehicle R
the characteristics of the object with which
the vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after a collision has occurred do not play a deci-
sive role in the deployment of an air bag. Nor doOccupant safety 57
Safety Z