Mercedes-Benz GLC : Restraint system / Function of the restraint system in an accident

How the restraint system works is determined by the severity of the impact detected and the type of accident anticipated:

• Frontal impact
• Rear impact
• Side impact
• Rollover

The activation thresholds for the components of the restraint system are determined based on the evaluation of the sensor values measured at various points in the vehicle. This process is preemptive in nature. The triggering/deployment of the components of the restraint system must take place in good time at the start of the collision.

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 airbag deployment.

The vehicle may be deformed significantly without an airbag being deployed. This is the case if only parts which are relatively easily deformed are affected and the rate of vehicle deceleration is not high. Conversely, an airbag may be deployed even though the vehicle suffers only minor deformation. If very rigid vehicle parts such as longitudinal members are hit, this may result in sufficiently high levels of vehicle deceleration.

Depending on the detected deployment situation, the components of the restraint system can be activated or deployed independently of each other:

• Front Emergency Tensioning Device: frontal impact, rear impact, side impact, rollover
• Rear Emergency Tensioning Device: frontal impact, rear impact, rollover
• Driver's airbag, front passenger airbag: frontal impact
• Knee airbag: frontal impact
• Side airbag: side impact
• Window curtain airbag: side impact, rollover, frontal impact

The front passenger airbag can only be deployed in an accident if the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is off. If the front passenger seat is occupied, make sure, both before and during the journey, that the status of the front passenger airbag is correct.

WARNING Risk of burns from hot air bag components

The air bag parts are hot after an air bag has been deployed.

Do not touch the air bag parts.

Have a deployed air bag replaced at a qualified specialist workshop as soon as possible.

Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have the vehicle towed to a qualified specialist workshop after an accident. Take this into account, particularly if an Emergency Tensioning Device is triggered or an airbag deployed.

If the Emergency Tensioning Devices are triggered or an airbag is deployed, you will hear a bang, and a small amount of powder may also be released:

• The bang will not generally affect your hearing.
• In general, the powder released is not hazardous to health but may cause short-term breathing difficulties to persons suffering from asthma or other pulmonary conditions.

  Provided it is safe to do so, leave the vehicle immediately or open the window in order to prevent breathing difficulties.

Airbags and pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning Devices contain perchlorate material, which may require special handling or environmental protection measures. National guidelines regarding waste disposal must be observed. In California, see https://dtsc.ca.gov/. Using the search function, you will find information on perchlorate, for example.