Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Owner'S Manual

Page: 27 / 208

forces to which occupants are subjected dur-
ing an accident.
SRS consists of:
R
SRS warning lamps
+
R
airbags
R
airbag control unit
SRS warning lamp
G
WARNING
If SRS is malfunctioning, child restraint sys-
tem components may be triggered uninten-
tionally or might not be triggered at all in the
event of an accident with a high rate of vehicle
deceleration. There is an increased risk of
injury, possibly even fatal.
Have SRS checked and repaired immediately
at a qualified specialist workshop.
A malfunction has occurred if the
+
warn-
ing lamp:
R
does not go out after three seconds when
you turn the key to position
1 in the ignition
lock (self diagnosis)
R
does not go on when you turn the key to
position
2 in the ignition lock
R
does not go out after the engine has been
running for a few seconds
R
lights up again
Airbag deployment
During the first stage of a collision, the airbag
control unit evaluates important physical
data relating to vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration, such as:
R
duration
R
direction
R
magnitude
Based on the evaluation of this data, the air-
bag control unit triggers the front airbags in
the event of a collision with a very high rate
of deceleration or acceleration in a longitudi-
nal direction. In the event of a collision, the
front airbags inflate with the maximum
amount of gas within a few milliseconds.
i Airbags are not deployed in all types of
accidents. Also, not all airbags are
deployed together in an accident. The dif-
ferent airbag systems work independently
of each other.
How the airbag system works is deter-
mined by the severity of the collision detec-
ted, especially the vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, and the apparent type of acci-
dent:
R
head-on collision
R
rear impact
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 has collided
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,
e.g. the bonnet or the wing, without an airbag
being deployed. This is the case if only parts
which are relatively easily deformed are affec-
ted and the rate of deceleration is not high.
Conversely, airbags may be deployed even
though the vehicle suffers only minor defor-
mation. This is the case if, for example, very
rigid vehicle parts such as longitudinal body
members are hit, and sufficient deceleration
occurs as a result.
Occupant safety
25
Safety
Z