Mercedes-Benz S-CLASS SEDAN 2023 Purpose and Function
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan’s sophisticated restraint systems, which are built with an unrelenting dedication to safeguarding every journey, are intricately woven into the overall safety fabric of the vehicle. These coordinated safety features—such as sophisticated seat belts, carefully positioned airbags, and additional restraints—work together to ensnare passengers in a complex network of defence. These technologies are the pinnacles of occupant safety, painstakingly designed to lessen the effect of crashes. Their precision engineering and state-of-the-art technology inspire confidence in the S-Class’s commitment to guaranteeing a safe and secure driving experience.
2023 Mercedes Benz S-Class Specs, Price, Features, Mileage (Brochure)
Purpose and Function of the Restraint System
Overview of deployment situations (restraint system)
Make sure that the following prerequisites in particular have been met so that the components of the restraint system can provide the intended level of protection:
- Sit correctly.
- Fasten the seat belt correctly.
- The function of the seat belt warning lamp.
- Function of the rear seat belt status display.
- The 6-restraint system warning lamp is not lit up after the self-test.
- The PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps display the correct status of the front passenger airbag.
- The REAR SEAT AIR
- BAG indicator lamps display the correct status of the rear airbags.
Depending on the detected deployment situation, the components of the restraint system can be activated or deployed independently of each other:
- Emergency Tensioning Device: frontal impact, rear impact, side impact, rollover
- Driver’s airbag, front passenger airbag: frontal impact
- Knee bag: frontal impact
- Side impact air bag: side impact
- Window curtain airbag: side impact, rollover, frontal impact
- Rear airbag in the seat backrest of the front seat: frontal impact
- Belt airbag in the rear seat belt: frontal impact
- Cushion airbag in the reclining rear seat: frontal impact
- PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side: side impact
- The installation location of an airbag is identified by the AIRBAG symbol.
- Observe the information on the function of the restraint system.
Information on how the restraint system works
How the restraint system functions depends on the severity of the impact detected and the apparent type of accident. For more information about types of accidents, see “Overview of deployment situations”. The activation thresholds for the components of the restraint system are determined based on the evaluation of the sensor values measured at various points in the vehicle. This process is preemptive. The triggering/deployment of the components of the restraint system must take place in good time at the start of the collision. Factors that can be seen and measured only after a collision has occurred cannot play a decisive role in airbag deployment. Nor do they indicate airbag deployment. The vehicle may be deformed significantly without an airbag being deployed. This is the case if only parts that are relatively easily deformed are affected and the rate of vehicle deceleration is not high. Conversely, an airbag may be deployed even though the vehicle suffers only minor deformation. If very rigid vehicle parts such as longitudinal members are hit, this may result in sufficiently high levels of vehicle deceleration. Depending on the apparent type of accident and the detected deployment situation, Emergency Tensioning Devices and/or airbags supplement the protection offered by a correctly worn seat belt. When enabled, an airbag can provide additional protection for the respective vehicle occupant. Potential protection provided by each airbag:
- Knee bag: thigh, knee and lower leg
- Driver’s airbag, front passenger airbag: head and ribcage
- Window curtain airbag: head
- Side impact air bag: ribcage, also pelvis for front seat occupants
- Rear airbag: head
However, no system available today can eliminate injuries and fatalities in every accident situation. In particular, the seat belt and airbag generally do not protect against objects penetrating the vehicle from the outside. It is also not possible to completely rule out the risk of injury caused by the airbag deploying. Mercedes Benz recommends that you have the vehicle towed to a qualified specialist workshop after an accident. Take this into account, particularly if an Emergency Tensioning Device is triggered or an airbag is deployed. If the Emergency Tensioning Devices are triggered or an airbag is deployed, you will hear a bang and a small amount of powder may also be released:
- The bang will not generally affect your hearing.
- In general, the powder released is not hazardous to health but may cause short-term breathing difficulties to persons suffering from asthma or other pulmonary conditions. Provided it is safe to do so, leave the vehicle immediately or open the window to prevent breathing difficulties.
- Airbags and pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning Devices contain perchlorate material, which may require special handling or environmental protection measures. National guidelines regarding waste disposal must be observed. In California, see https://dtsc.ca.gov/.
- Using the search function, you will find information on perchlorate,
for example.
Information on the limited protection provided by the restraint system
- Risk due to the incorrect behaviour of vehicle occupants
- Every vehicle occupant must make sure of the following in particular:
- They observe the information on the correct seat position.
- There are no heavy, sharp-edged or fragile objects in the pockets of their clothing.
- Store such objects in a suitable place.
WARNING
Risk of injury or death due to an incorrect seat position The seat belt does not offer the intended level of protection if you have not moved the seat backrest to an almost vertical position.
In particular, you could slip beneath the seatbelt and become injured.
- Adjust the seat properly before beginning your journey.
- Always ensure that the seat backrest is in an almost vertical position and that the shoulder belt is routed across the centre of your shoulder.
- Risk due to objects in the vehicle interior Every vehicle occupant must make sure of the following in particular:
- They observe the information on the correct seat position.
- There are no objects between the seat, door and door pillar (B pillar).
- There are no hard objects, e.g. coat hangers, hanging on the grab handles or coat hooks.
- There are no heavy, sharp-edged or fragile objects in the pockets of their clothing. Store such objects in a suitable place.
WARNING
Risk of injury or death due to a blocked seat belt buckle or seat belt anchorage Objects next to the front seat that block the seat belt buckle or the moving seat belt anchorage on the front seat impair the function of the Emergency Tensioning Devices.
- Before starting the journey, make sure that there are no objects around the seat belt buckle or between the front seat and door.
WARNING
The risk of injury from objects in the deployment area of an airbag can hinder or prevent the correct deployment of the airbag. The airbag may then deploy in an uncontrolled manner and may even cause additional injuries to the vehicle occupants by deploying. This may be the case in particular if the airbag is integrated into the seat.
- Always stow and secure objects correctly.
- Before commencing your journey, make
sure that no objects are stowed in the deployment area of an airbag.
- The installation location of an airbag is identified by the AIRBAG symbol.
Observe the following information:
- Notes on loading the vehicle
- Information on the rear airbag in the seat backrest of the front seat
- Risk due to installing accessories
- Do not attach accessories such as mobile navigation devices, mobile phones, or cup holders, within the deployment area of an airbag, e.g. on the cockpit, on the door, on the side window or the side trim.
- In addition, no connecting cables, tensioning straps or retaining straps must be routed or attached to the vehicle within the deployment area of an airbag.
- Always comply with the accessory manufacturer’s installation instructions and, in particular, the notes on suitable places for installation.
WARNING
The risk of injury or death due to unsuitable protective covers means that airbags can no longer protect vehicle occupants as they are designed to do.
- Use only protective covers approved by Mercedes Benz for the seat in question.
In addition, the function of the automatic passenger airbag deactivation may be restricted by an unsuitable protective cover. If the front passenger seat is occupied, ensure that the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps display the correct status of the front passenger airbag.
Risk due to pets in the vehicle interior
Risk of accident and injury due to animals left unsecured or unattended in the vehicle
- If you leave animals in the vehicle unattended or unsecured, they could press buttons or switches.
An animal may:
- Activate vehicle equipment and become trapped, for example
- Switch systems on or off and endanger other road users
- Unsecured animals may be thrown around in the vehicle in the event of an accident or sudden steering and braking manoeuvres and injure vehicle occupants in the process.
- Never leave animals in the vehicle unattended.
- Always correctly secure animals while driving, e.g. using a suitable animal carrier.
Risk due to modification, damage or wear to the components of the restraint system
Risk of injury or death due to modifications to the restraint system Vehicle occupants may no longer be protected as intended if alterations are made to the restraint system.
- Never alter the parts of the restraint system.
- Never tamper with the wiring or any electronic parts or their software.
If it is necessary to modify the vehicle to accommodate a person with disabilities, contact an authorized Mercedes Benz Center for details.
USA only: for details, contact our Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1‑800‑367‑6372).
WARNING
Risk of injury or death due to damaged or modified seat belts
Seat belts cannot protect in the following situations:
- The seat belt is damaged, has been modified, is extremely dirty, bleached or dyed
- The seat belt buckle is damaged or extremely dirty
- Modifications have been made to the Emergency Tensioning Device, seat belt anchorage or seat belt retractor
Seat belts may sustain non-visible damage in an accident, e.g. due to glass splinters. Modified or damaged seat belts could tear or fail in the event of an accident, for example. Modified Emergency Tensioning Devices could accidentally trigger or fail to function as intended.
- Never modify the seat belt system, for example, the seat belt, seat belt buckle, Emergency Tensioning Device, seat belt anchorage and seat belt retractor.
- Make sure that the seat belts are undamaged, not worn and clean.
- Always have the seat belts checked immediately after an accident at a qualified specialist workshop.
Use only seat belts that have been approved for your vehicle by Mercedes Benz.
WARNING
Risk of injury due to modifications to the cover of an airbag
- If you change the cover of an airbag or attach objects, e.g. even stickers, to it, the airbag may no longer function as intended.
- Never modify the cover of an airbag.
- Do not attach any objects to the cover.
The installation location of an airbag is identified by the airbag symbol.
WARNING
Risk of injury due to a damaged rear airbag cover If a rear airbag cover is damaged, the rear airbag can no longer function correctly and can even cause additional injuries when deployed.
- Before starting a journey, make sure the covers for the rear airbags are not damaged. If a rear airbag cover is damaged, disable the rear airbag. Have a damaged rear airbag cover replaced at a qualified specialist workshop as soon as possible.
- You can disable or enable the rear airbag via the multimedia system.
- Observe the information on the rear airbag in the seat backrest of the front seat
WARNING
Risk of injury due to malfunctioning sensors in the door The function of the airbags can be impaired due to modifications or incorrect work performed on the doors or door trim, or if the doors are damaged.
- Never modify the doors or parts of the doors.
- Always have work on the doors or door trim carried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
- Risk due to components of the restraint system that have already been deployed Mercedes Benz recommends that you have the vehicle towed to a qualified specialist workshop after an accident.
WARNING
Risk of burns from hot airbag components The airbag parts are hot after an airbag has been deployed.
- Do not touch the airbag parts.
- Have a deployed airbag replaced at a qualified specialist workshop as soon as possible.
WARNING
Risk of injury due to deployed airbag A deployed airbag no longer offers any protection.
- Has the vehicle been towed to a qualified
- specialist workshop to have the deployed airbag replaced?
- Have deployed airbags replaced immediately.
WARNING
Risk of injury or death from deployed pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning Devices that have been deployed are no longer operational and are unable to perform their intended protective function.
- Therefore, have deployed pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning Devices immediately replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
FAQ
The primary purpose of the restraint systems is to enhance occupant safety in the event of a collision or sudden deceleration.
The car typically includes various restraint systems such as seat belts, airbags, and other supplementary restraints.
The seat belts, airbags, and other systems work collectively to reduce the risk of injury by restraining occupants and absorbing impact forces.
While the basic principles remain consistent, the design and specific functionalities might vary for front and rear passengers.
Some systems, like seat belts, may offer limited adjustments to accommodate occupants of varying sizes for optimal safety.
The car typically includes front airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags, and possibly knee airbags for enhanced protection.
Side curtain airbags are designed to deploy from the ceiling to protect occupants’ heads in the event of a side impact or rollover.
Yes, many of the restraint systems are designed to deploy automatically when a collision is detected.
The restraint systems often incorporate advanced technologies such as pretensioners and force limiters in seat belts, enhancing their effectiveness.
Generally, the restraint systems are automated and cannot be manually controlled or adjusted by occupants.
Yes, they might have child safety features such as specialized seat belt attachments or rear-seat child safety locks.
Mercedes-Benz conducts extensive testing and simulations to ensure the reliability, effectiveness, and compliance of the restraint systems with safety standards.
Disabling or turning off the primary restraint systems is typically not possible to maintain occupant safety.
Regular vehicle maintenance often includes inspections to ensure the proper functioning of restraint systems.
Restraint systems significantly contribute to the overall safety rating of the vehicle assessed by regulatory bodies and safety organizations.
Useful Link
View Full User Guide: Mercedes-Benz S-CLASS SEDAN 2023 User Manual
Download Manuals: https://www.mbusa.com/en/owners/manuals
2023 Mercedes Benz S-Class Specs, Price, Features, Mileage (Brochure)