calculated, additional protection for the
vehicle occupants. Not all airbags are
deployed in an accident.
The different airbag systems work inde-
pendently of each other. However, the
deployment of each individual system will
depend on the type of accident determined
by the control system in the first stages of
the collision (head-on collision, side impact
and overturn) and the extent of the acci-
dent (in particular, the vehicle's rate of
deceleration or acceleration).
The rate of vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion and the direction of the force are basi-
cally 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, e.g. the other vehi-
cle
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 it.
The vehicle may be deformed significantly,
e.g. on the bonnet or the wing, without an
airbag being deployed. This is the case if only
parts which are relatively easily deformed are
affected and the necessary deceleration does
not occur. Conversely, airbags may be
deployed even though the vehicle suffers only
minor deformations. For example, this is the
case if very rigid vehicle parts such as longi-
tudinal body members are affected and suf-
ficient deceleration occurs as a result.
Belt tensioners, belt force limiters
The front seat belts and the outer seat belts
in the rear are equipped with belt tensioners.
!
Do not engage the seat belt tongue on the
front-passenger's seat if the seat is not
occupied. The belt tensioners could other-
wise be triggered in an accident.
If the seat belt is also equipped with a belt
force limiter, the force exerted by the seat
belt on the seat occupant is reduced.
Belt tensioners tighten the seat belts in an
accident, pulling them close against the body.
i
Belt tensioners do not correct incorrect
seat positions or incorrectly fastened seat
belts.
Belt tensioners do not pull occupants back
towards the backrest.
The front belt force limiters are synchronised
with the front airbags, which distribute a pro-
portion of the deceleration forces exerted on
the occupant over a greater area.
The belt tensioners cannot be triggered when
the ignition is switched on unless:
R
the restraint systems are operational, see
6
warning lamp
R
the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
each lap-shoulder belt in the front of the
vehicle
Depending on the type and severity of an
accident, the belt tensioners may be trig-
gered:
R
in the event of a head-on or rear-end colli-
sion if the vehicle decelerates or acceler-
ates rapidly in a longitudinal direction dur-
ing the initial stages of impact
R
in the event of a side impact if the vehicle
is subjected to high lateral acceleration/
deceleration
If the airbags are deployed, you will hear a
bang and a small amount of powder may also
be released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that escapes
does not generally constitute a health hazard.
The
6
warning lamp lights up.
G
Risk of injury
If the seat belt tensioners have been trig-
gered, they provide no additional protection
in the event of another accident. Therefore,
36
Occupant safety
Safe
ty
X204_AKB; 1; 5, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.11.4
2008-10-15T13:20:56+02:00 - Seite 36
Dateiname: 6515_0671_02_buchblock.pdf;
preflight
