Mercedes-Benz 2003 M-Class Automobile User Manual


 
62
Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Emergency tensioning device, seat belt
force limiter
The front seat belts are equipped with
emergency tensioning devices and belt
force limiters. The outboard passenger
seats belts (except in the third row seats*)
are equipped with emergency tensioning
devices.
The ETD is designed to activate only when
the seat belt is fastened and in the follow-
ing cases:
ț in frontal or rear-end impacts exceed-
ing a preset severity level
ț if the restraint systems are operational
and functioning correctly, see
1 indicator lamp ( page 54)
In an impact, emergency tensioning devic-
es remove slack from the belts in such a
way that the seat belts fit more snugly
against the body. Belt force limiters reduce
the force exerted by the seat belts on oc-
cupants during a crash.
deployment thresholds.
ț Never wear the shoulder belt under your
arm, against your neck or off your shoul-
der. In a crash, your body would move
too far forward. That would increase the
chance of head and neck injuries. The
belt would also apply too much force to
the ribs or abdomen, which could se-
verely injure internal organs such as
your liver or spleen.
ț Never wear belts over rigid or breakable
objects in or on your clothing, such as
eyeglasses, pens, keys, etc., as these
might cause injuries.
ț Position the lap belt as low as possible
on your hips and not across the abdo-
men. If the belt is positioned across your
abdomen, it could cause serious injuries
in a crash.
ț Each seat belt should never be used for
more than one person at a time. Do not
fasten a seat belt around a person and
another person or other objects.
ț Belts should not be worn twisted. In a
crash, you wouldn’t have the full width
of the belt to manage impact forces. The
twisted belt against your body could
cause injuries.
ț Pregnant women should also use a
lap-shoulder belt. The lap belt portion
should be positioned as low as possible
on the hips to avoid any possible pres-
sure on the abdomen.
ț Never place your feet on the instrument
panel or on the seat. Always keep both
feet on the floor in front of the seat.