Mercedes-Benz 2003 E 500 Automobile User Manual


 
61
Safety and Security
Occupant safety
ț independently of the side impact air-
bags
The airbags will not deploy in impacts
which do not exceed the system’s deploy-
ment thresholds. You will then be protect-
ed by the fastened seat belts.
The front passenger airbag will only be de-
ployed if:
ț the front passenger seat is occupied
ț the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp in the center console is not lit
(
page 67)
Side impact airbags, window curtain
airbags
1 Side impact airbags
2 Window curtain airbag
The side impact airbags and window cur-
tain airbags are deployed:
ț on the impacted side of the vehicle
ț in impacts exceeding a preset deploy-
ment threshold
ț independently of the front airbags
The front passenger side airbag will only
deploy if the system senses that the front
passenger seat is occupied.
The side impact airbags are not deployed
in impacts which do not exceed the sys-
tem’s deployment threshold.
Seat belts
The seat belt nonusage warning lamp <
in the instrument cluster lights up and a
warning sounds for a short time when you
turn the key in the starter switch to
position 2 or press the KEYLESS-GO* (if so
equipped) start/stop button twice and the
drivers seat belt is not fastened.
After starting the engine the seat belt non-
usage warning lamp blinks for a brief peri-
od to remind the driver and passengers to
fasten the seat belts.
The use of seat belts and infant and child
restraint systems is required by law in
most states and all Canadian provinces.
Even where this is not the case, all vehicle
occupants should have their seat belts fas-
tened whenever the vehicle is in motion.
!
Do not place objects heavier than 20
lbs (9 kg) on the front passenger seat.
This could cause the front or side im-
pact airbag on the front passenger side
to deploy in a crash which exceeds the
system's deployment threshold.