Mercedes "Cut Here" Marks are Bogus!

[rmoore]

Have you seen the latest models of Mercedes cars? Some high-end $$$ models have small triangles etched into the front and rear window glass alongside the A- and C-pillars. The words CUT HERE appear between the arrows.

You would think that this is a great thing, A way of helping out rescuers who need to know where to cut roof pillars to avoid cutting into stored gas inflators. Well it's all bogus as far as I'm concerned!

I found out the real story behind the cut marks in the Mercedes glass.

First of all, they are ridiculous because rescuers have to break out the glass prior to making any cuts in the roof pillars. Breaking the glass wipes out the value of the cut marks. So they are really a dumb thing when it comes right down to it. But there had to be a reason why they are there.

We're going to strip the trim and see the inflators for our selves anyway.

Turns out, it is a sales thing. Mercedes requires that all glass replacement during collision repairs must have those cut marks in it and nobody makes replacement glass with cut marks except Mercedes. In other words, it is their way of making sure that the after-market glass companies cannot sell their cheaper glass to a Mercedes body shop. The shop now has to buy from the Mercedes factory.

So, I thought, what's wrong with that. Well, Mercedes glass is three times the cost of all other after-market glass manufacturers glass so there is the real reason. Money$$$$$, not rescuers!

[JorgHeck]

Hello Ron!

I disagree with some of your thoughts about the Cut-Markings.

Have you seen the latest models of Mercedes cars? Some high-end $$$ models have small triangles etched into the front and rear window glass alongside the A- and C-pillars. The words CUT HERE appear between the arrows.

By now it is only the new S-class in the USA, and it is the Word 'Cut'

First of all, they are ridiculous because rescuers have to break out the glass prior to making any cuts in the roof pillars. Breaking the glass wipes out the value of the cut marks. So they are really a dumb thing when it comes right down to it. But there had to be a reason why they are there.

That is not right. The cut marking in the S-class is in the front and rear window. The front window is laminated and the marking will stay also when you saw out the complete glass because it is on the edge of the glass where you can not saw. The rear window is (as far as i know) tempered glass and it is glued into the frame. The Marking is above the black part on the edge of the window which normaly hides the glue. When you use the center punch, the black frame of tempered glass will stay in the frame.

Turns out, it is a sales thing. Mercedes requires that all glass replacement during collision repairs must have those cut marks in it and nobody makes replacement glass with cut marks except Mercedes.

You can be right, but I never heard of that. I will see if I can find out something here in germany about that topic.

I still like the idea of Mercedes-Benz because I think it is the first time an OEM begins to think about the "post crash phase" and how they can help the rescuers. When we start to block these ideas now they will soon stop developing these things for us.

[Bones42]

So the question remains....(whether it's a money gimmick or not) are the marks accurate in regards to the locations of inflators?

[Lammrover]

So what if the marks are on the glass and you have to remove the glass before you cut the post.

Mark it on the post with a marker, saw, flathead, whatever before you break glass, duh!

Lammrover

[JorgHeck]

So the question remains....(whether it's a money gimmick or not) are the marks accurate in regards to the locations of inflators?

They are. They show a 10 cm area on the post where no inflator is mounted and I think they also show an area with no hard reinforcements.

However, if you don't like to cut at the marking you can still remove the trim and search for another location.

[hrtrescue10]

WOW,

a great example of why one should be very careful when making bold statements. Make sure you have all the info before trying to state fact.