2003 Mercedes E-Class Owner's Manual - Page 61

Safety and Security Occupant safety independently of the side impact airbags The airbags will not deploy in impacts which do not exceed the system's deployment thresholds. You will then be protected by the fastened seat belts. The front passenger airbag will only be deployed if: the front passenger seat is occupied the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp in the center console is not lit ( page 67) Side impact airbags, window curtain airbags The side impact airbags are not deployed in impacts which do not exceed the system's deployment threshold. Seat belts The seat belt nonusage warning lamp < in the instrument cluster lights up and a warning sounds for a short time when you turn the key in the starter switch to position 2 or press the KEYLESS-GO* (if so equipped) start/stop button twice and the drivers seat belt is not fastened. After starting the engine the seat belt nonusage warning lamp blinks for a brief period to remind the driver and passengers to fasten the seat belts. The use of seat belts and infant and child restraint systems is required by law in most states and all Canadian provinces. Even where this is not the case, all vehicle occupants should have their seat belts fastened whenever the vehicle is in motion. 1 Side impact airbags 2 Window curtain airbag The side impact airbags and window curtain airbags are deployed: on the impacted side of the vehicle in impacts exceeding a preset deployment threshold independently of the front airbags The front passenger side airbag will only deploy if the system senses that the front passenger seat is occupied. ! Do not place objects heavier than 20 lbs (9 kg) on the front passenger seat. This could cause the front or side impact airbag on the front passenger side to deploy in a crash which exceeds the system's deployment threshold. 61