MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER 2012 Repair Manual

Make sure that all occupants – in particular,
pregnant women – wear their seat belt cor-
rectly at all times.
R the seat belt must fit snugly on your body
and must not be twisted. Therefore, avoid
wearing bulky clothing, e.g. a winter coat.
The shoulder belt section must be routed
across the centre of your shoulder – on no
account across your neck or under your
arm – and pulled tight against your upper
body. The lap belt must always pass across your lap as low down as possible, i.e. over
your hip joints – not across your abdomen.
If necessary, push down the belt strap
slightly and then retighten it in the roll-up
direction.
R seat belts must not be twisted within the
belt loop on the seat.
R do not route the belt strap across sharp
edges or fragile objects. This is especially
the case if these are located on or in your
clothing, e.g. spectacles, pens, keys, etc.
The seat belt strap could be damaged and
tear in an accident, and you or other vehicle occupants could be injured.
R only one person should use each seat belt
at any one time. Children must never travel
sitting on the lap of other occupants. It
would not be possible to restrain the child
in the event of a sudden change in direc-
tion, braking or an accident. This could
result in severe or even fatal injuries to the
child and other occupants.
R persons less than 1.50 m tall cannot wear
the seat belts correctly. For this reason,
secure persons less than 1.50 mtall in spe-
cially designed, suitable restraint systems.
R children less than 1.50 m tall and under
twelve years of age cannot wear the seat
belts correctly. Therefore, they should
always be secured in a suitable child
restraint system on the front-passenger
seat. You can find more information under
"Children in the vehicle" in the "Safety" sec- tion of the Owner's Manual. Follow the manufacturer's installation instructions
when fitting a child restraint system.
R Do not secure any objects with a seat belt if
the seat belt is also being used by one of the
vehicle's occupants. G
WARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended level of protection if the backrest is not in the
upright position. When braking or in the event
of an accident, you could slide underneath the
seat belt and sustain abdomen or neck inju-
ries, for example. This poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Adjust the seat properly before beginning
your journey. Always make sure that the seat
is in the upright position. G
WARNING
Seat belts cannot perform their intended pro- tective function if:
R they are damaged, modified, bleached or
coloured, or are very dirty
R the seat belt buckle is damaged or very
dirty
R modifications have been made to the seat
belt tensioners or belt anchorages
In the event of an accident, seat belts can
sustain damage that is not visible to the naked
eye, e. g. due to glass splinters. Modified or damaged seat belts could tear or fail in the
event of an accident, for example. Modified
belt tensioners could deploy unexpectedly or
fail. There is an increased risk of serious or
even fatal injuries.
Never make modifications to seat belts, belt
tensioners, belt anchorages or seat belt
retractors. Make sure that the seat belts are
undamaged, are not worn and are clean.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use seat belts that have been approved spe-
cifically for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz.
Seat belts are the most effective means of
restraining the movement of vehicle occu-
pants in the event of an accident. This 58
Occupant safetySafety

reduces the risk of vehicle occupants coming
into contact with parts of the vehicle interior.
Fastening seat belts X
Adjust the seat and move the backrest to
an almost vertical position (Y page 112).
X Pull the seat belt smoothly through seat
belt guide :.
X Without twisting it, guide the shoulder sec-
tion of the seat belt across the middle of
your shoulder and the lap section across
your pelvis.
X Engage belt tongue ;in buckle =.
Seat belt adjustment: if necessary, the driv- er's and front-passenger seat belts auto-
matically adjust to the upper body
(Y page 59).
X If necessary, pull upwards on the shoulder
section of the seat belt to tighten the belt
across your body.
Information about releasing the seat belt with
release button ?(Ypage 59).
Seat belt adjustment The seat-belt adjustment function adjusts the
driver's and front-passenger seat belt to the
upper body of the occupants. The belt strap is tightened slightly when:
R you engage the belt tongue in the belt
buckle and you then turn the key to position
2 in the ignition lock.
R the key is in position 2in the ignition lock
and you then engage the belt tongue in the buckle.
The seat-belt adjustment will apply a certain
tightening force if any slack is detected
between the occupant and the seat belt. Do
not hold on to the seat belt tightly while it is
adjusting. You can switch the belt adjustment
on and off using the on-board computer
(Y page 243).
The seat belt adjustment is a convenience
function integrated in PRE-SAFE ®
(preventa-
tive occupant protection). More information
on PRE-SAFE ®
(Y page 56).
Releasing the seat belts !
Make sure that the seat belt is fully rolled
up. Otherwise, the seat belt or belt tongue
will be trapped in the door or in the seat
mechanism. This could damage the door,
the door trim panel and the seat belt. Dam-
aged seat belts can no longer fulfil their
protective function and must be replaced.
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Occupant safety
59Safety Z

X
Press release button ?on belt buckle =.
X Guide belt tongue ;back to seat belt
guide :.
Belt warning for the driver and front
passenger The
ü seat belt warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster is a reminder for all occupants to
fasten their seat belts. It may light up contin- uously or flash. In addition, a warning tone
may sound.
The ü seat belt warning lamp goes out and
the warning tone ceases when the driver and
the front passenger have fastened their seat
belt.
Only for certain countries: the üseat belt
warning lamp lights up for six seconds after
every engine start. This happens regardless of whether the driver's and front-passenger seatbelts have already been fastened. It then goes
out if the driver and the front passenger have fastened their seat belts.
i For more information on the
üseat
belt warning lamp, see "Warning and indi-
cator lamps in the instrument cluster, seat
belt" (Y page 274).
Belt tensioners, belt force limiters G
WARNING
Pyrotechnic seat belt tensioners that have
been deployed are no longer operational and
are unable to perform their intended protec-
tive function. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
Therefore, have pyrotechnic belt tensioners
which have been triggered immediately
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
! If the co-driver's seat is not occupied, do
not engage the seat belt tongue in the
buckle on the co-driver's seat. Otherwise,
the belt tensioner could be triggered in the
event of an accident and would have to be
replaced. i
Vehicles with PRE-SAFE ®
: an electric
motor is used by PRE-SAFE ®
to trigger the
tightening of the seat belt in hazardous sit-
uations. This procedure is reversible.
The seat belts are fitted with belt tensioners.
The belt tensioners tighten the seat belts in an
accident, pulling them close against the body.
Belt tensioners do not correct incorrect seat
positions or incorrectly fastened seat belts.
Belt tensioners do not pull vehicle occupants
back towards the backrest.
The belt tensioners can only be activated
when:
R the ignition is switched on
R the restraint systems are operational; see "
SRS warning lamp" (Y page 51)
R the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
each of the three-point seat belts
The belt tensioners are triggered depending
on the accident type and severity:
R in the event of a head-on or rear-end colli-
sion if the vehicle decelerates or acceler-
ates rapidly in a longitudinal direction dur-
ing the initial stages of the impact
R in the event of a side impact if the vehicle
decelerates or accelerates rapidly in a lat-
eral direction on the side opposite to the
impact
R in certain situations where the vehicle over-
turns and the system determines that it canprovide additional protection
If the airbags are deployed, you will hear a
bang, and a small amount of powder may also be released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that is
released generally does not constitute a
health hazard and does not indicate that thereis a fire in the vehicle. The powder may causeshort-term breathing difficulties to persons
suffering from asthma or other pulmonary
conditions. In order to prevent potential
breathing difficulties, you should leave the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. You can
also open the window to allow fresh air to 60
Occupant safetySafety

enter the vehicle interior. The
6SRS warn-
ing lamp lights up.
If the seat belt is also fitted with a belt force
limiter and this is triggered, the force exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant is
reduced.
The belt force limiters are synchronised with
the front airbags. They take on a part of the
deceleration force, resulting in the force exer- ted on the occupant being distributed over a
greater area. Child restraint systems
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
To reduce the risk of serious or even fatal
injury to the child in the event of a sudden
change in direction, braking or an accident:
R children less than 1.50 m tall and under
twelve years of age must always be secured
in special child restraint systems on the
front-passenger seat. This is necessary
because the seat belts are not designed for
children.
R if you secure a forward-facing child
restraint system to the front-passenger
seat, you must move the front-passenger
seat as far back as possible. When doing so,
ensure that the shoulder belt strap from the
belt outlet on the vehicle is routed towards
the front to the shoulder belt guide on the
child restraint system.
R children must never travel sitting on the lap
of another occupant. Due to the forces
which occur in the event of a sudden
change of direction, heavy braking or an
accident, it would not be possible to
restrain the child. The child could be thrown against parts of the vehicle interior and be
seriously or even fatally injured. G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is incorrectly fit-
ted on the seat position suitable for this pur- pose, it cannot perform its intended protec-
tive function. In the event of an accident,
sharp braking or a sudden change in direction,
the child may not be held securely. There is an
increased risk of serious or even fatal injuries.
Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions and the correct use for the child
restraint system. Make sure that the entire
surface of the child restraint system is resting
on the seat surface. Never place objects
under or behind the child restraint system,
e.g. cushions. Only use child restraint sys-
tems with the original cover designed for
them. Only replace damaged covers with gen- uine covers. G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is fitted incor-
rectly or is not secured, it can come loose in
the event of an accident, heavy braking or a
sudden change in direction. The child
restraint system could be thrown about, strik- ing vehicle occupants. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always fit child restraint systems properly,
even if they are not being used. Make sure
that you observe the child restraint system
manufacturer's installation instructions. G
WARNING
Child restraint systems or their securing sys-
tems that have been damaged or subjected to a load in an accident cannot perform their
intended protective function. In the event of
an accident, sharp braking or a sudden
change in direction, the child may not be held securely. There is an increased risk of serious
or even fatal injuries.
Immediately replace child restraint systems
that have been damaged or subjected to a
load in an accident. Have the child restraint
securing systems checked in a qualified spe-
cialist workshop before fitting a child restraint
system again. Child restraint systems
61Safety Z

G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle, they can:
R open doors and endanger other persons or
road users
R climb out and be injured by the traffic
R operate vehicle equipment and, for exam-
ple, trap themselves.
Children could also set the vehicle in motion, for example by:
R releasing the parking brake
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P
R starting the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key
with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave
children unattended in the vehicle. Always
keep the key out of reach of children. G
WARNING
If persons (particularly children) are exposed
to heat or cold for a prolonged period, there is a risk of serious or even fatal injuries. Never
leave persons (particularly children) unatten-
ded in the vehicle. G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is placed in direct sunlight, the parts could become very hot.
Children could be suffer burns by touching
these parts, in particular on the metallic parts
of the child restraint system. There is a risk of injury.
If you and your child leave the vehicle, always
make sure that the child restraint system is
not in direct sunlight. Cover it with a blanket, for example. If the child restraint system has
been exposed to direct sunlight, leave it to
cool down before securing the child in it.
Never leave children unattended in the vehi-
cle.
If a child is travelling in your vehicle, secure
the child using a child restraint system which is appropriate to the age, weight and size of
the child. In order to correctly secure the child
in the child restraint system, always comply
with the child restraint system manufactur-
er's installation instructions. Make sure that
the child is secured for the trip.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
the listed child restraint systems
(Y page 67). You can obtain further infor-
mation about the correct child restraint sys-
tem from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
i It is advisable to use Mercedes-Benz care
products to clean child restraint systems.
You can obtain information about this from
any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Child restraint system on the front-
passenger seat
G
WARNING
If the front-passenger front airbag is not dis-
abled:
R a child secured in a child restraint system
on the front-passenger seat could be seri-
ously or even fatally injured by the front-
passenger airbag deploying. This is espe-
cially a risk if the child is in the immediate
vicinity of the front-passenger front airbag
when it deploys.
R never secure a child on the front-passenger
seat in a rearward-facing child restraint sys- tem.
R move the front-passenger seat as far back
as possible. When doing so, ensure that the
shoulder belt strap from the belt outlet on
the vehicle is routed towards the front to
the shoulder belt guide on the child
restraint system.
The front-passenger front airbag is not disa-
bled:
R on vehicles without automatic child seat
recognition on the front-passenger seat.
R on vehicles with automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat, 62
Child restraint systemsSafety

unless a child restraint system with trans-
ponders for automatic child seat recogni-
tion is fitted to the front-passenger seat. In order to make use of the automatic child
seat recognition, a Mercedes-Benz
approved child seat with a transponder is
necessary.
R on vehicles with automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat, if the
_ PASSENGER AIRBAG ON indicator
lamp lights up for 60 seconds after the igni-
tion is switched on and the 4
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
does not light up.
To make you aware of this danger, a corre-
sponding warning sticker has been affixed to
the side of the dashboard and on both sides of the sun visor on the front-passenger side.
Information about recommended child
restraint systems is available at any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Warning notice on the front-passenger sun visor
Warning symbol for a rearward-facing child
restraint system NEVER use a rearward-facing child restraint
on a seat protected by an ACTIVE AIRBAG in
front of it; DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the
CHILD can occur. Automatic child seat recognition on
the front-passenger seat G
WARNING
If the 4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indica-
tor lamp does not light up when the child
restraint system is fitted, the front-passenger front airbag has not been disabled. If the front-
passenger front airbag deploys, the child
could be seriously or even fatally injured.
Proceed as follows:
R do not use a rearward-facing child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat.
or
R only use a forward-facing child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat. Move
the front-passenger seat as far back as pos-
sible. When doing so, ensure that the shoul-
der belt strap from the belt outlet on the
vehicle is routed towards the front to the
shoulder belt guide on the child restraint
system.
R have the automatic child seat recognition
checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
To ensure that the automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat func-
tions/communicates correctly, never place
objects, e.g. a cushion, under the child
restraint system. The entire base of the child
restraint system must always rest on the seat
cushion. An incorrectly fitted child restraint
system cannot perform its intended protec-
tive function in the event of an accident, and
could lead to injuries. Child restraint systems
63Safety Z

G
WARNING
Electronic devices on the front-passenger
seat can affect the function of the automatic
child seat recognition, for example:
R laptop
R mobile phone
R transponder cards such as ski passes or
access passes
The front-passenger front airbag could deploy unintentionally or not function as intended
during an accident. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Do not place any of the devices mentioned
above or similar devices on the front-
passenger seat. :
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
; PASSENGER AIRBAG ON indicator lamp
The automatic child seat recognition sensor
system on the front-passenger seat detects
whether a special Mercedes-Benz child seat
has been fitted there. The Mercedes-Benz
child seat is equipped with transponders for
automatic child seat recognition so that it can
be detected by the sensor system. In this
case, PASSENGER AIRBAG ON indicator
lamp ;lights up briefly when the ignition is
switched on. PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indi-
cator lamp :remains lit. The front-
passenger front airbag is disabled. i
If the front-passenger front airbag is dis-
abled by the automatic child seat recogni-
tion, the following remain enabled on the
front-passenger side:
R the sidebag
R the headbag
R the belt tensioner ISOFIX child seat securing system
G
WARNING
ISOFIX child restraint systems do not offer
sufficient protective effect for children whose weight is greater than 22 kg who are securedusing the safety belt integrated in the child
restraint system. The child could, for example,not be restrained correctly in the event of an
accident. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
If the child weighs more than 22 kg, only use
ISOFIX child restraint systems with which the child is also secured with the vehicle seat belt. Also secure the child restraint system with the
Top Tether belt, if available.
When installing a child restraint system, be
sure to observe the manufacturer's installa-
tion instructions and the instructions for cor- rect use of the child restraint system. G
WARNING
If the child restraint system has not been fit-
ted correctly, it cannot perform its intended
protective function. The child cannot be
restrained in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction. The
child could be seriously or even fatally injured. For this reason, when securing a child
restraint system, always observe the manu-
facturer's fitting instructions and the correct
application range of the child restraint sys-
tem.
For safety reasons, only use child restraint
systems with an ISOFIX child seat securing
system which have been tested and approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. 64
Child restraint systemsSafety

An incorrectly fitted child restraint system
could come loose and seriously or even fatally injure the child or other vehicle occupants.
When fitting the child restraint system, always
make sure that it is engaged correctly in the
ISOFIX securing loops on both sides. X
Install the ISOFIX child restraint system on
both ISOFIX securing loops :. Comply
with the child restraint system manufactur- er's instructions when installing the ISOFIXchild restraint system.
ISOFIX is a standardised securing system for
specially designed child restraint systems.
ISOFIX retaining loops :for an ISOFIX child
restraint system are fitted to the front-
passenger seat. Suitable positioning of the child
restraint systems
Only child restraint systems which are
approved in accordance with the ECE stand-
ard ECE R44 are permitted for use in the vehi- cle.
Installing a child restraint system on the
front-passenger seat
X Move the seat to its highest and rearmost
position.
If you secure a child in a forward-facing
child restraint system on the front-
passenger seat, ensure that the shoulder
belt strap from the belt outlet on the vehicle is routed towards the front to the shoulder
belt guide on the child restraint system.
X Move the backrest to a vertical position.
When doing so, ensure that the complete
surface of the child restraint system rests
against the backrest of the front-passenger
seat and that the child restraint system
does not touch the roof. To do so, you may have to adjust the backrest down a little.
X Move the seat cushion angle to the highest,
most vertical position.
X Move the belt height adjustment to the low-
est position.
Rearward-facing child restraint systems with- out a transponder for automatic child seat
recognition may not be installed on the front-
passenger seat.
Suitability of the front-passenger seat for attaching belted child restraint systems
Key to the letters used in the following table:
XS eat which is unsuitable for children in
this weight category.
US uitable for child restraint systems in the
"Universal" category that are approved
for use in this weight category.
UF Suitable for forward-facing child restraint systems that belong to the "Universal"
category and are approved for use in this
weight category.
LS uitable for child restraint systems as
recommended; see the following table of
"Recommended child restraint systems"
(Y page 67). Suitable for semi-universal
child restraint systems if the vehicle and
the seat are listed in the child restraint
system manufacturer's vehicle model
list. Child restraint systems
65Safety Z

Weight cat-
egories Front-
passenger
front air-
bag is not
disabled Front-
passenger
front air-
bag is disa-
bled
Category 0:
up to 10 kg X U, L
Category
0+: up to
13 kg
X U, L
Category I:
9 to 18 kg
UF, L U, L
Category II:
15 to 25 kg UF, L U, L
Category
III: 22 to
36 kg
UF, L U, L
Vehicles with automatic child seat recog-
nition in the front-passenger seat: a "Uni-
versal" category child restraint system with a
transponder for automatic child seat recog-
nition must be fitted when the front-
passenger front airbag is disabled. The
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
must be lit. Example: approval label on the child restraint sys-
tem
"Universal" category child restraint systems
can be recognised by their orange approval
label and the text "Universal".
"Universal" category child restraint systems
can be used on the seats indicated with U, UF or IUF in accordance with the "Suitability of
the front passenger seat for attaching belted
child restraint systems" or "Suitability of the
front-passenger seat for attaching an ISOFIX
child restraint system".
Semi-universal child restraint systems are
indicated by the text "semi-universal" on the
approval label. These can be used if the vehi-
cle and the seat are listed in the child restraint system manufacturer's vehicle model list. For
more information, contact the child restraint
system manufacturer or visit their website.
Suitability of the front-passenger seat for fitting an ISOFIX child restraint system:
Key to the letters used in the following table:
XI SOFIX position that is not suitable for
ISOFIX child restraint systems in this
weight category and/or size category.
IUF Suitable for forward-facing ISOFIX child restraint systems that belong to the
"Universal" category which are approvedfor use in this weight category.
IL Suitable for ISOFIX child restraint sys- tems as recommended; see the follow-
ing table of "Recommended child
restraint systems" (Y page 67).
Carry-cot weight category Size cate-
gory Equipment Front-
passenger
seat
F ISO/L1 X
G ISO/L2 X
Weight category 0: up to 10 kg up to
approximately 6 months
Size cate-
gory Equipment Front-
passenger
seat
E ISO/R1 X66
Child restraint systemsSafety

Weight category 0+: up to 13 kg up to
approximately 15 months Size cate-
gory Equipment Front-
passenger
seat
E ISO/R1 X
D ISO/R2 X
C ISO/R3 X
Weight category I: 9 to 18 kg approx-
imately 9 months to 4 years
Size cate-
gory Equipment Front-
passenger
seat
D ISO/R2 X
C ISO/R3 X
B ISO/F2 IUF
B1 ISO/F2X IUF
A ISO/F3 IUF
Recommended child restraint sys-
tems
Installing a child restraint system on the
front-passenger seat:
X Move the seat to its highest and rearmost
position.
If you secure a child in a forward-facing
child restraint system on the front-
passenger seat, ensure that the shoulder
belt strap from the belt outlet on the vehicle is routed towards the front to the shoulder
belt guide on the child restraint system.
X Move the backrest to a vertical position.
When doing so, ensure that the complete
surface of the child restraint system rests
against the backrest of the front-passenger
seat and that the child restraint system
does not touch the roof. To do so, you may have to adjust the backrest down a little. For certain child restraint systems, this can
mean that the area of use is restricted, as
the maximum size setting of the child
restraint system is not possible due to pos- sible contact with the roof.
X Move the seat cushion angle to the highest,
most vertical position.
X Move the belt height adjustment to the low-
est position.
Weight category 0: up to 10 kg; up to
approximately 6 months Manufac-
turer
Britax Römer Britax Römer
Type
BABY SAFE
plus BABY SAFE
plus II
Approval
number
(E1 ...)
03 301146
04 301146 04 301146
Order num-
ber
(A 000 ...)
970 10 00 970 20 00
Automatic
child seat
recognition
Yes Yes
Weight category 0+: up to 13 kg; up to
approximately 15 months
Manufac-
turer
Britax Römer Britax Römer
Type
BABY SAFE
plus BABY SAFE
plus II
Approval
number
(E1 ...)
03 301146
04 301146 04 301146
Order num-
ber
(A 000 ...)
970 10 00 970 20 00
Automatic
child seat
recognition
Yes YesChild restraint systems
67Safety Z