Mercedes-Benz S320 Automobile User Manual


 
50
Emergency Tensioning
Retractor (ETR)
The seat belts for the front seats 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 re
tractors are designed to activate only
when the seat belts are fastened during
frontal and front-angled impacts
exceeding the first threshold of the
SRS. They remove slack from the belts
in such a way that the seat belts 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 passengers
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.
Airbags
The most effective occupant restraint
system yet developed for use in
production vehicles is the seat belt. In
some cases, however, the protective
effect of a seat belt can be further
enhanced by an airbag.
The driver airbag (1) is located in the
steering wheel hub. The passenger
airbag (2) is located in the dashboard
ahead of the passenger. In conjunction
with wearing the seat belts with
emergency tensioning retractors (4),
the airbags can provide increased
protection for the driver and