A seat belt tensioner can only be triggered
if:
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the ignition is switched on
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the components of the restraint system
are operational; see "Restraint system
warning lamp" (Y page 38)
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the belt tongue has engaged in the belt
buckle of the respective front seat
If the
restraint system control unit detects
a high severity of an accident, in certain
head-on collisions, additional compo-
nents of the restraint system are deployed
independently of each other:
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front airbags and driver's kneebag
The front-passenger front airbag can only
be deployed in an accident if the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is
off. Observe the information on the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
(Y page 39).
The activation threshold for the seat belt
tensioners and airbags is determined
based on the evaluation of the vehicle's
rate of deceleration or acceleration at
various points in the vehicle. This process
is pre-emptive in nature. The triggering/
deployment process should take place in
good time at the start of the collision.
The rate of vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration and the direction of the force are
essentially determined by:
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the distribution of forces during the
collision
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the collision angle
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the deformation characteristics of the
vehicle
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the characteristics of the object with
which the vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be seen and meas-
ured after a collision has occurred do not
play a decisive role in the deployment of an
airbag, nor do they provide an indication
of airbag deployment.
The vehicle may be deformed significantly
without an airbag being deployed. This is
the case if only parts which are relatively
easily deformed are affected and the rate
of deceleration is not high. Conversely, an
airbag may be deployed even though the
vehicle suffers only minor deformation.
This is the case if, for example, very rigid
vehicle parts such as longitudinal body
members are hit, and sufficient decelera-
tion occurs as a result.
If the restraint system control unit detects
a side impact, the applicable components
of the restraint system are activated inde-
pendently of each other depending on the
apparent type of accident.
The head/thorax airbag will deploy on the
side on which an impact occurs, independ-
ent from the seat belt tensioner and seat
belt usage
i
Not all airbags are deployed in an acci-
dent. The different airbag systems work
independently of each other.
How the airbag system works is deter-
mined by the severity of the accident
detected, especially the vehicle decel-
eration or acceleration, and the appa-
rent type of accident:
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head-on collision
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side impact
Children in the vehicle
Important safety notes
Accident statistics show that children
secured on the rear seats are safer than
children secured on the front seats. For
this
reason,
smart strongly advises that you
install a child restraint system on a rear
seat.
If a child younger than 12 years old and
under 1.50 m in height is travelling in the
vehicle:
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always secure the child in a child
restraint system suitable for smart
vehicles. The child restraint system
Children in the vehicle
47
>> Safety.
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