Airbags

The airbags of the Mercedes E-Class (4th generation W212, 2009–2016) supplement the seat belts and provide additional protection in critical situations. This article gives an overview of the various airbag systems and how they work. Each airbag system is precisely matched to the respective accident situation. Discover the well-thought-out safety solutions from Mercedes-Benz.

Introduction

You can identify the installation location of an airbag by the AIRBAG label.

An airbag supplements a properly worn seat belt. It is not a replacement for the seat belt. The airbag provides additional protective potential in applicable accident situations.

Not all airbags are triggered in an accident. The various airbag systems operate independently of one another.

However, no system available today can completely rule out injuries and fatalities.

The risk of injury from the airbag also cannot be completely excluded due to the high deployment speed of the airbag after it triggers.

Important Safety Notes

WARNING

If you deviate from the correct seating position, the airbag cannot protect as intended and its deployment may even cause additional injuries. There is an increased risk of injury or even risk of death!

To avoid risks, always make sure that all vehicle occupants

• are correctly belted, including pregnant women
• sit correctly and maintain the greatest possible distance from the airbags
• observe the following information.

Always make sure that there are no objects between the airbag and the vehicle occupant.

• Adjust the seats correctly before driving. Always make sure the seatback is in an almost upright position. The center of the head restraint must support the head at approximately eye level.
• Move the driver and front passenger seats as far back as possible. The driver's seating position must still allow safe control of the vehicle.
• Hold the steering wheel only on the outer rim. This allows the airbag to deploy unobstructed.
• While driving, always sit back against the seatback. Do not lean forward or lean against the door or side window. Otherwise you will be in the deployment area of the airbags.
• Always keep your feet in the footwell in front of the seat. For example, do not place your feet on the dashboard. Otherwise your feet will be in the deployment area of the airbag.
• Always restrain persons under 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) in height in suitable restraint systems. Up to this height, the seat belt cannot be worn correctly.

If you transport children in the vehicle, also observe the following information.

• Always secure children under twelve years of age and under 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) in suitable child restraint systems.
• Preferably install child restraint systems on the rear seats.
• Only secure a child in a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat if the front passenger airbag is deactivated. The front passenger airbag is deactivated when the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is lit continuously.
• Be sure to observe the instructions and safety information on "Children in the vehicle" and on "Child restraint system on the front passenger seat," as well as the installation instructions of the child restraint system manufacturer.

Objects in the vehicle interior can impair the intended function of an airbag. To avoid risks from the high deployment speed of the airbag after it triggers, make sure before driving that

• no other persons, animals or objects are located between the vehicle occupants and an airbag.
• no objects are located between the seat and the door as well as the door pillar (B-pillar).
• no hard objects, such as coat hangers, are hung on grab handles or coat hooks.
• no accessories, such as beverage can holders, are attached in the deployment area of an airbag, e.g. to doors, side windows, rear side trim or side walls.
• no heavy, sharp-edged or fragile objects are in the pockets of your clothing. Store such objects in a suitable location.

WARNING

If you modify an airbag cover or attach objects to it, including stickers, the airbag may not function as intended. There is an increased risk of injury!

Never modify an airbag cover or attach any objects to it.

WARNING

The doors contain sensors that control the airbags. Modifications or improperly performed work on the doors or door trim, as well as damaged doors, can impair the function of the sensors. As a result, the airbags may not function as intended. The airbags may then not protect the vehicle occupants as designed. There is an increased risk of injury!

Never modify the doors or any parts of them. Have any work on the doors or door trim carried out at a qualified specialist workshop.

Front airbags

The driver airbagdeploys in front of the steering wheel. The front passenger airbagdeploys in front of and above the glove compartment.

When activated, the front airbags increase the level of protection for the head and chest on the front seats.

The constantly illuminated PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp shows that the front passenger airbag is deactivated.

Driver knee airbag

The driver knee airbagdeploys below the steering column. The driver knee airbag is triggered together with the front airbags.

The driver knee airbag increases the level of protection for the thighs, knees and lower legs on the driver's seat.

Info

The driver knee airbag is only available in certain countries.

Side airbags

WARNING

Unsuitable seat covers can hinder or even prevent the seat-integrated airbags from deploying. The airbags may then not protect the vehicle occupants as designed. The automatic child seat detection function may also be impaired. There is an increased risk of injury or even death!

Only use seat covers that Mercedes-Benz has approved for the respective seat.

Sedan (example)

The front side airbagsand the rear side airbagsdeploy next to the outer side of the backrest.

When activated, the side airbag increases the protective potential for the chest. However, it does not protect

• the head
• the neck
• the arms

In a side impact, the side airbag is triggered on the side of the impact.

Pelvis airbags

WARNING

Unsuitable seat covers can hinder or even prevent the seat-integrated airbags from deploying. The airbags may then not protect the vehicle occupants as designed. The automatic child seat detection function may also be impaired. There is an increased risk of injury or even death!

Only use seat covers that Mercedes-Benz has approved for the respective seat.

The pelvis airbagsdeploy at the bottom next to the outer seat bolster.

When activated, the pelvis airbag increases the level of protection for occupants facing the impact.

The pelvis airbag is triggered on the side of the impact.

Info

The pelvis airbags are only available in certain countries.

Window airbags

Sedan (example)

The window airbagsare installed at the side in the roof frame and run from the A-pillar to the C-pillar.

When activated, the window airbag increases the level of protection for the head. However, it does not protect the chest or arms.

In a side impact, the window airbag is triggered on the side of the impact.

If an additional level of protection beyond the seat belt is anticipated for the vehicle occupants, a window airbag may be triggered in further accident situations.

The airbags of the Mercedes E-Class W212 (2009–2016) optimally complement the seat belts and increase the level of protection for the driver and occupants. Various airbag types, such as front, knee, side, pelvis and window airbags, provide comprehensive protection in different accident scenarios.

This well-designed system underlines Mercedes-Benz's leading role in vehicle safety and makes the E-Class one of the safest vehicles in its class.

Thanks to the precise coordination of all components, the risk of injury in critical situations is significantly reduced – a hallmark of the E-Class W212.