Things I learned today about MB
#1
Super Moderator
![](https://staticssl.ibsrv.net/autocomm/Content/MB/mbwambassador2.gif)
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Land of 10,000 lakes
Posts: 10,056
Received 3,241 Likes
on
2,018 Posts
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Things I learned today about MB
Was just doing some reading today and learned about some interesting tidbits I didn't know. So I thought I share...
1. For anyone having allergies. Mercedes is the benchmark for low allergy car interiors. This is done through testing of materials for contact and inhalation and certifying them. They have a database of about 8000 non-allergenic materials that designers are allowed to use when designing new MB interiors.
MB is the only car manufacturer that is quality certified (from the European Center of Allergy Research) and apparently has done so for the last 22 years.
2. Perusing the digital operating manual, I came across the term "active bonnet". I guess someone from the UK has been responsible for the translation, but I didn't realize that in case of an accident, the hood is lifted by about 4 inches at the hinge right by the A-pillars to protect a person from injury by getting too close to the engine.
This is accomplished through "Pyro-Technics"!?! Hope that wasn't responsible for the burned S-Class mentioned in another thread...
1. For anyone having allergies. Mercedes is the benchmark for low allergy car interiors. This is done through testing of materials for contact and inhalation and certifying them. They have a database of about 8000 non-allergenic materials that designers are allowed to use when designing new MB interiors.
MB is the only car manufacturer that is quality certified (from the European Center of Allergy Research) and apparently has done so for the last 22 years.
2. Perusing the digital operating manual, I came across the term "active bonnet". I guess someone from the UK has been responsible for the translation, but I didn't realize that in case of an accident, the hood is lifted by about 4 inches at the hinge right by the A-pillars to protect a person from injury by getting too close to the engine.
This is accomplished through "Pyro-Technics"!?! Hope that wasn't responsible for the burned S-Class mentioned in another thread...
Last edited by Rock; 04-21-2014 at 09:30 PM. Reason: Because I care
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Europe
Posts: 6,377
Received 295 Likes
on
247 Posts
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
2. Perusing the digital operating manual, I came across the term "active bonnet". I guess someone from the UK has been responsible for the translation, but I didn't realize that in case of an accident, the hood is lifted by about 4 inches at the hinge right by the A-pillars to protect a person from injury by getting too close to the engine.
This is accomplished through "Pyro-Technics"!?! Hope that wasn't responsible for the burned S-Class mentioned in another thread...
This is accomplished through "Pyro-Technics"!?! Hope that wasn't responsible for the burned S-Class mentioned in another thread...
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thanks anyway Wolfman , I knew active hood but #1 about interior's materials is totally news to me
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
#5
Out Of Control!!
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Earth
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
18 Posts
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
The active hood, (which was first used on the W212, I believe) is actually there because M-B's got comparatively poor-ish (vs BMW, and others) pedestrian impact ratings. Since postponing doing the "Softnose" front like all the other Euro cars out there have, for as long as they did, they had to devise other ways to meet at least the minimum requirements for pedestrian impacts, therefore they did the active bonnet. It cost them more R&D and saved them from the not so great "Softnoese" flat frontal look (with the hood shut line jarringly so high up), but only the cars with the "Luxury" grilles really need it. The other M-B's are now coming out with the unfortunate "Softnose" look, which means they'll get better pedestrian ratings, and won't need (therefore probably don't have, going forward) the active bonnet.
As for allergies, that's interesting, but I always found M-B interior plastics to give off the most odor after time. Maybe it's because my M-B's had MB Tex, which start stinking pretty quickly.
As for allergies, that's interesting, but I always found M-B interior plastics to give off the most odor after time. Maybe it's because my M-B's had MB Tex, which start stinking pretty quickly.