Mercedes-Benz 2013 GLS Class - Manual (Page 49)

operate together with the front airbags in
frontal impacts if certain thresholds are
exceeded. The driver's kneebag operates
best in conjunction with correctly positioned
and fastened seat belts.
The driver's kneebag increases protection of
the driver against:
R
knee injuries
R
thigh injuries
R
lower leg injuries
i The driver's kneebag is only available in
certain countries.
Sidebags
G
WARNING
Unsuitable seat covers may obstruct or even
prevent deployment of the airbags integrated
into the seats. The airbags may then fail to
protect the vehicle occupants as intended.
Operation of the automatic child seat recog-
nition may also be impaired. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Use only seat covers which have been specif-
ically approved for the respective seat by
Mercedes-Benz.
G
WARNING
Sensors to control the airbags are located in
the doors. Modifications or work not per-
formed correctly to the doors or door panel-
ling, as well as damaged doors, can lead to
the function of the sensors being impaired.
The airbags might therefore not function
properly any more. Consequently, the airbags
cannot protect vehicle occupants as they are
designed to do. This poses an increased risk
of injury.
Never modify the doors or parts of the doors.
Always have work on the doors or door pan-
elling carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop.
You should only use seat cover that have been
approved for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz.
The seat covers must have a special tear
seam for sidebags. Otherwise, the sidebags
cannot deploy correctly and therefore cannot
provide the intended protection in the event
of an accident.
Sidebags (example: CLS Coupé)
Front sidebags : and rear sidebags ;
deploy next to the outer seat cushions.
When deployed, the sidebags offer additional
protection for the thorax of the vehicle occu-
pants on the side of the vehicle on which the
impact occurs. However, they do not protect
the:
R
head
R
neck
R
arms
The sidebags 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 use of the seat belt
R
independently of the front airbags
R
independently of the belt tensioners
If the vehicle overturns, the sidebags are gen-
erally not deployed. Sidebags are deployed if
the system detects high vehicle deceleration
or acceleration in a lateral direction and
determines that sidebag deployment can
offer additional protection to that provided by
the seat belt.
Occupant safety
47
Safety
Z