This article answers the following questions: Does Mercedes Benz make safe cars? What makes Mercedes cars safe? Which driver assistance increases safety in Mercedes Benz cars? 

Does Mercedes Benz make safe cars?

Yes, Mercedes Benz makes safe cars and continues to make various technological innovations in passenger cars safety. The first generation of Mercedes Benz S class was the first production vehicle to feature safety features like padded steering, rounded side mirrors and a front bumper that reduced injuries to pedestrians. The padded steering was replaced by an airbag controlled by an airbag control unit also known as a supplemental restraint system.

The seats and headrest were specifically designed to minimise the impact and after-effects of the crash on the occupants. Since its first generation, the Mercedes Benz S class later implemented many innovative safety features that were also made available in all the other classes of Mercedes Benz.

Today, Even an entry-level Mercedes Benz model like the A-class is known for its safety and offers a maximum number of airbags as standard. The seat belt tensioning device and reversible retractors makes sure the driver is held in the position in case of an accident. 

The European NCAP or new car assessment programme is a European voluntary car safety performance test program founded in 1996. Mercedes Benz is one of the leading manufacturers that actively sends all of its models for extensive crash testing. All the latest Mercedes Benz models sold in the domestic and international markets have received 5 stars rating in the crash test conducted by the NCAP.

Mercedes Benz also conducted its crash and structural integrity test house, especially during the research and development phase. The use of computer-aided analysis has hugely reduced overall development time and improved the stress behaviour of the vehicle body.

What Makes Mercedes Benz  Safe cars?

Mercedes Benz manufactures the majority of components and spare parts in Germany, this allows them to closely monitor its quality and constantly keep developing its products. Genuine parts like brakes and windshields provide direct replacement of the original parts installed on the Vehicles during production without compromising their quality and safety. The renewed parts undergo many operational checks before they are sold and Mercedes Benz provides a parts warranty up to 2 years from the date of purchase. 

Mercedes Benz windshields are made up of automobile safety glass which will stay together even after a collision and avoid injury to the driver. There is a special UV protection layer in the windshield that will filter out 80% of UV rays and keep the interior cooler. This also helps in reducing the load on the air conditioning system of the car.

The automobile safety glass is designed in such a way that it should be easy to break from the inside of the vehicle if it is overturned and occupants need to exit from the windshield. Mercedes Benz uses a special layer in the windshield which reduces glare coming from the headlights at night.

The airbags installed in the vehicles have multiple squibs hence, Airbags can also be deployed in multiple stages if there are consecutive collisions with the vehicle. Pyro Fuses installed on the main battery terminate the power supply of the vehicle to prevent fire hazards.  

The designated crumple zones are specifically designed to dissipate the energy in the impact and the passenger cabin must remain intact. 

The latest Mercedes Benz models use refrigerant R1234yf, there is a specially designed fire suppression system with a built-in inerting squib installed due to the flammable nature of the refrigerant. This system sprays inert gas on hot surfaces like exhaust systems and greatly reduces the chances of explosion in accidents.

Which driver assistance systems increase safety in Mercedes Benz cars?

Mercedes Benz cars are known for their advanced driver assistance systems that support drivers while driving. Some models with Distronic plus can also be driving autonomously at speeds of 120mph for a few minutes with the driver behind steering only monitoring the surroundings.

Several assistance systems are designed with safety in mind.

• Active blind spot assist– 

Active blind spot assist uses a warning light in the outside rearview mirror to warn the driver if there is a vehicle in the blind spot. A short-range radar sensor located on both sides of the vehicle scans for vehicles or pedestrians in the blindspot of the vehicle. Blindspot assists also work when the vehicle is stationary, occupants are warned if an object is present in the blind spot by a warning tone and flashing indicator lamps before opening the doors.

• Active blind spot assist– 

Active blind spot assist uses a warning light in the outside rearview mirror to warn the driver if there is a vehicle in the blind spot. A short-range radar sensor located on both sides of the vehicle scans for vehicles or pedestrians in the blindspot of the vehicle. Blindspot assists also work when the vehicle is stationary, occupants are warned if an object is present in the blind spot by a warning tone and flashing indicator lamps before opening the doors.

• Active braking assists– 

If the driver doesn’t slow down and the vehicle is too close in the front. Active braking assist warns the driver by an audible beep and proceeds to apply brakes if the driver doesn’t slow the vehicle. Early, a medium and late ranges for active brake assist can be set through the command system.

• Pre safe plus– 

The Pre safe plus prepares the vehicle for collision by retracting the seatbelts and bringing the seat into the optimum position. Pre safe is like an additional reflex in the vehicle, if the driver suddenly lets go of the accelerator and applies heavy brakes then pre safe is activated. Pre safe plus can also lower the windows slightly to release the pressure created in the interior after deploying the airbags. A special interference noise is generated to protect the eardrum of the occupants from the loud noise of collision.

Apart from these assistance systems, various onboard computers are constantly monitoring driver steering inputs and systems like the electronic stability program can intervene by reducing throttle input to stabilise the car. 

The multi-function camera monitors traffic conditions and operates the intelligent lighting system in the vehicle. If fog appears on the camera lens or windshield the air conditioning system has built-in heating elements that will ensure its function under all circumstances.

Other articles about Mercedes Benz you may be interested in

What is the cost of a Mercedes Benz formula 1 car?

What is a Mercedes Benz GL 63 AMG?

What does 4matic mean on a Mercedes Benz?

Conclusion

Mercedes Benz has years of manufacturing expertise and resources to continue development in the safety systems in passenger cars and Vans. Companies like Volvo and BMW give tough competition to Mercedes Benz in the safety of their production vehicles. In 2021, the Mercedes Benz E class also won the Top safety picks + award from the Insurance Institute for highway safety.

FAQs: Does Mercedes Benz make safe cars?

Is Mercedes the safest car in the world?

Yes, the Mercedes Benz is the safest car in the world. There are more than 10 airbags for the safety of passengers and advanced driver assistance systems like Active collision avoidance.

Why Mercedes-Benz is safe?

Mercedes Benz cars are well-engineered. The materials that go on in the construction of the vehicle chassis is very durable. There are specially designed crumple zones that can dissipate the energy of the impact and keep the occupants safe.

What brand of car is the safest?

All German automobile manufacturing brands like Mercedes Benz, VW, Audi, BMW are safe but Volvo makes the safest cars.

References

• https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/2021-mercedes-benz-e-class-takes-home-highest-safety-honors