Mercedes-Benz S 350, Operator'S Manual

Page: 46 / 141

46
• According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly
restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating
positions.
• Children too big for child
restraint systems should ride in
rear seats using regular seat belts.
Position shoulder belt across chest
and shoulder, not face or neck. A
booster seat may be necessary to
achieve proper belt positioning.
• Adjust the front passenger seat as
far as possible rear ward from the
dashboard when a child restraint
is installed.
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS)
The SRS uses two crash severity levels
(thresholds) to activate either the ETR
or airbag or both. Activation depends
on exceeding the thresholds and
fastening of the seat belt.
Seat belt fastened
• first threshold exceeded:
ETR activates
• second threshold exceeded:
airbag also activates
Seat belt not fastened
• first threshold exceeded: airbag
activates, but not ETR
Driver and front passenger systems
operate independently from each other
Emergency Tensioning
Retractor (ETR)
The seat belts are equipped with
emergency tensioning retractors. These
tensioning retractors are located in each
belt's inertia reel and become
operationally ready with the key in
steering lock position 1 or 2.
The emergency tensioning retractors
are designed to activate only when the
seat belts are fastened during major
frontal impacts within the shaded area
shown. They tighten the belts in such a
way that they fit more snugly against
the body, restricting its forward
movement as much as possible.
In cases of other frontal impacts, roll-
overs, certain side impacts, rear
collisions, or other accidents without
frontal forces, the emergency
tensioning retractors will not be
activated. The driver and passenger
will then be protected by the fastened
seat belts and inertia reel in the usual
manner.
For seat belt and emergency tensioning
retractor safety guidelines, see Safety
Guidelines in Index.