Mercedes-Benz GL-Class: Front air bags
The front air bags increase protection for the driver's and front-passenger's head and chest.
Driver's air bag 1 deploys in front of the steering wheel; front-passenger front air bag 2 deploys in front of and above the glove box.
They are deployed:
• in the event of certain frontal
impacts
• if the system determines that air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
• if the seat belt is fastened
• independently of other air bags in the
vehicle
If the vehicle overturns, the front air bags are generally not deployed unless the system detects high vehicle deceleration in a longitudinal direction.
Your vehicle has adaptive, two-stage front air bags. In the event of a collision, the air bag control unit evaluates the vehicle deceleration. In the first deployment stage, the front air bag is filled with enough propellant gas to reduce the risk of injuries.
The front air bag is fully deployed if a second deployment threshold is exceeded within a few milliseconds.
Vehicles with OCS (USA only): deployment of the front-passenger front air bag is also influenced by the weight category of the front passenger, which is determined by the Occupant Classification System (OCS).
Vehicles with OCS (USA only): the lighter the passenger side occupant, the higher the vehicle deceleration rate required (predicted at the start of the impact) for second stage inflation of the front-passenger front air bag.
In the second stage, the front air bags are inflated with the maximum amount of propellant gas available.
The front air bags are not deployed in situations where a low impact severity is predicted. You will then be protected by the fastened seat belt.
Vehicles with BabySmart™ (Canada only):
do not place any objects which weigh more than 20 lb (9 kg) on the front-passenger seat. This could cause the system to identify the seat as being occupied. In the event of an accident, the restraint systems on the front-passenger side are triggered.
Have restraint systems that have been triggered replaced.
The front-passenger front air bag will only deploy if:
• the system, based on the OCS weight sensor readings, detects that the frontpassenger seat is occupied (USA only).
• the
indicator lamp in the
center console is not lit, USA:
Canada:
the indicator lamp in the
center console is not lit.
• the air bag control unit predicts a high impact severity.
Important safety notes
WARNING
Air bags are designed to reduce the incidence
of injuries and fatalities in certain situations:
• frontal impacts (driver's and
frontpassenger
front air bags and driver's k ...
Driver's knee bag
Driver's knee bag 1 provides additional
protection for the driver against:
• knee injuries
• thigh injuries
• lower leg injuries
Driver's knee bag 1 deploys below the
steering wheel. Dur ...
See also:
All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Dinghy and Dolly Towing
Notice: Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all four wheels on the ground,
or even with only two of its wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain components.
Do no ...
Safety System Check
Now and then, check that the safety belt reminder light, safety belts, buckles,
latch plates, retractors, and anchorages are all working properly. Look for any
other loose or damaged safety belt sys ...
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
The engine coolant temperature warning light comes on briefly when the vehicle
is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indic ...