Recently watched a Mercedes advertisement that stated, when the vehicle sensed an imminent crash: The windows would rise to the closed position!
I'd like to believe that Mercedes did extensive research before implementing this system as a safety protocol. However, as an ex New York City EMS Medic & RN, it seems to me that it would be safer to have the windows retract rather than rise to reduce flying glass debris in a crash.
Any thoughts?

 

All other things being equal it's better to have the windows closed in an accident. Not only does this prevent head and limbs being thrown out of the vehicle it lets curtain airbags work better. Normal side windows are toughened glass so if broken they will shatter into relatively harmless particles. In newer Mercedes the side glass could be laminated - in which case it would definitely better to have the windows up to take advantage of the better protection this offers.

 

ummm, if the windows are all the way down they will rise back up before the crash?! that must be stupidly fast

 

chop chop goes your arm if you have it leaning out the door.

I don't know how they can sense a crash, if they use radar then sucks for those fools who tail gate and have to emergency brake then lose an arm.

If they use crash sensors in the car then the windows must be blasted shut using compressed air or something

 

That should be the next commercial..... "Mercedes window regulators....stupid fast"

 

AMG window regulators ftw!!!

 

On the floor on that one. Thanks.

 

Good one

Good point on the windows rolling up really fast and the arms sticking out the window.
There's also the dog's snout sticking out too

 

lol

imagine if part of your hand is outside..... chop chop

 

funny how this is getting brought up now when this ha been seen before in 2007 when the S class came out.

its part of the pre-safe program which (in the S class) closes the windows, moves the seats to the best position, and tensions the seat belt, all before the crash.

this seems to be just a weaker version of that where just the windows roll up...

 

Haha, well I'm sure they have the same protection as Lexus and won't close the window if something's blocking it.

And to answer someone's question, the car senses impending crash not by touch sensors but by radar detecting an object approaching the car really fast and not slowing down much.

 

windows are controlled my motor. moving up super fast (in a matter of 1-2 seconds) + sensing an obstacle + processing + completely stop the motor + necessary reversing of the motor action

i don't know if the motor can react that fast

 

Agree, the commercial shows a crash at an intersection. I doubt radar would be able to pick that up, ascertain a pending unavoidable crash and get those windows up in time in a side impact accident.