Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 2012 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 46)

The side impact air bags 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
acceleration, e.g. in a side impact
R independently of seat belt use
R independently of the front air bags
R
independently of the ETDs/beat buckle
tensioners
If the vehicle overturns, the side impact air
bags are generally not deployed. They are
deployed if the system detects high vehicle
deceleration or acceleration in a lateral
direction and determines that side impact air
bag deployment can offer additional
protection to that provided by the seat belt.
Side impact air bags will not deploy in side
impacts which do not exceed the system's
preset deployment thresholds for lateral
acceleration/deceleration. You will then be
protected by the fastened seat belt.
Vehicles with OCS (USA only): if OCS detects
that the front-passenger seat is not occupied
and the front-passenger seat belt is not
fastened (the belt tongue is not engaged in
the seat belt buckle), the side impact air bag
on the front-passenger side will not deploy.
The side impact air bag on the front-
passenger side will deploy if the front-
passenger seat belt is fastened, regardless of
whether the front-passenger seat is occupied
or not.
! Vehicles with BabySmart™ (Canada only):
do not place any objects which weigh more
than 20 lb (9 kg) on the front-passenger
seat. This could cause the system to
identify the seat as being occupied. In the
event of an accident, the restraint systems
on the front-passenger side are triggered.
Have restraint systems that have been
triggered replaced.
Window curtain air bags
The window curtain air bags 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 window curtain air bags are integrated
into the side of the roof frame and deploy in
the area extending from the front door (A-
pillar) to the rear side window (D-pillar).
Window curtain air bags : 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
acceleration, e.g. in a side impact
R regardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied
R
independently of seat belt use
R
if the vehicle overturns and the system
determines that window curtain air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R
independently of the front air bags
Window curtain air bags : will not deploy in
impacts with deceleration rates which do not
exceed the system's preset deployment
thresholds for vehicle deceleration or
acceleration. You will then be protected by
the fastened seat belt.
44
Occupant safety
Safety