Mercedes-Benz vehicles are among the safest cars in the world. Nevertheless, the possibility of an accident or breakdown cannot be ruled out. A whole range of systems in current Mercedes-Benz models support drivers and their passengers in such situations, too.
These measures serve to reduce consequential damage and assist in rescuing the occupants according to the type and severity of accident:
• Activation of the Mercedes-Benz emergency call system to notify emergency services of the location and emergency situation and initiate the rescue process. Data transfer via a communications module with its own SIM card.
• Shutdown of the engine and discontinuation of fuel supply to avoid fire hazards and unintentional vehicle movement.
• Shutdown of the high-voltage supply system (additional measure for hybrid and electric vehicles).
• Activation of hazard warning lights to secure the scene of the accident and protect occupants from a follow-on accident.
• Activation of interior emergency lighting to help occupants and rescue services find their bearings.
• Lowering of the front side windows in the event of airbag deployment – serves to ventilate the interior and help occupants to find their bearings.
• Opening of the central locking system to facilitate access to the interior for helpers.
• Raising of the electrically adjustable steering column (if the vehicle is equipped with this); facilitates exiting or access to the driver.
• Raising and illumination of the seat belt buckles on the rear seats (in conjunction with optional seat buckle extender in the S-Class); facilitates belt release.
• Crash gaps are integrated between the wings and the doors, making it easier to open the doors after a frontal collision.
• Warning of an identified breakdown and accident situation transmitted to Car-to-X communication to alert other road users to vehicles which have broken down or been involved in an accident.
