belt MERCEDES-BENZ SLK ROADSTER 2008 Owners Manual

4Removing/fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.232
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Voltage (on-board computer) . . . . . .97
Belt force limiters
Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Belt tensioners
Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Belt warnin g. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Bonne t
Bonnet catch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
Opening/closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
Bonnet release lever
Release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
Boot
Emergency release . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Locking separatel y.. . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Opening/closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Boot li d
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
Boot separator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
Brake
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
Brake Assist
see BAS
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
Brake lamps
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184 Brake syste
m
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
Bulb
Dipped-beam headlamps . . . . . . . .215
Licence plate lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . .217
Main-beam headlamps . . . . . . . . . .216
Parking lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
Rear foglamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
Replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215, 216
Reversing lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
Side lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
Turn signal lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
see Lamp
Bulbs
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214 C
Calling up a malfunction see Message memory men u
Car e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
Automatic car wash . . . . . . . . . . . .166
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
High-pressure cleaners . . . . . . . . .167
Parktroni c.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
Plastic trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
Rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
Side windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
CD player/CD changer
Operating (on-board computer) . . . .99 Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board com -
puter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Central locking/unlocking button . ..5 7
Central unlocking Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Centre console
Lower section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Upper section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Changing a wheel
see Flat tyr e
Children
In the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Restraint systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Child seat
Automatic recognition . . . . . . . . . . .46
Automatic recognition (malfunc-
tion) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Suitable positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
Cockpit Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Collapsible emergency spare wheel
Stowage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229
Collapsible wheel
Pumping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252 Index
171_AKB; 3; 4, en-GB
vpfaff7,
2007-11-13T10:50:25+01:00 - Seite
4

7
Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.262
Programming the remote control . .144
Gear indicator (on-board computer) .96
Gearshift program Manua l.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts . . . ..240
Glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . ..138
Golf bag Storage location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
Gross vehicle weight, maximum
permissible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253 H
Handbrake Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
Head/thorax airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . ..43
Headlamp Misting up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205
Headlamp mode (automatic ). . . . . . .74
Headlamps Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
Cleaning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Headlamps delayed switch-off
see Exterior lighting delayed switch-off
Head restraint
Adjusting (front) . . . . . . . . . . . . .60, 61
Heatin g
see Air conditioning
High-pressure cleaners . . . . . . . . . ..167 HomeLink
®
see Garage door opener I
Immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Indicator and warning lam p
Brakes (red) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
Engine diagnostic . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
ESP ®
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51, 194
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF . . . .46, 191
Reserve fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197
Seat belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
SRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39, 194
Indicator and warning lamps . . . . ..193
Indicator lamp see Indicator and warning lamp
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..90
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Selecting the language (on-board
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
Instrument lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..90
Interior lightin g. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Automatic contro l.. . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Delayed switch-off (on-boar d
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Emergency lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Manual control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Reading lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Interior motion sensor . . . . . . . . . . ..54 Intermittent wipe
Windscreen wiper s.. . . . . . . . . . . . .79 J
Jack Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225
Storage location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233
Jump leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233 K
Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Changing the battery . . . . . . . . . . .212
Checking the battery . . . . . . . . . . .212
Closing the roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
Display message . . . . . . . . . .184, 187
Factory setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56, 57
Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
Modifying the programming . . . . . . .56
Opening the roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
Key position s
Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Kickdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87, 89 Index
171_AKB; 3; 4, en-GB
vpfaff7,
2007-11-13T10:50:25+01:00 - Seite
7

10
Rear window heating
Malfunction indicator lamp . . . . . .191
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
Remote control Garage door opene r.. . . . . . . . . . .144
Programming (garage door
opener) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144
Replacing the wiper blade s. . . . . . .217
Reserve Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187
Reserve fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187
Fuel tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197
Reset button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25, 27
Restraint syste m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Restraint systems
For childre n.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Rev counte r. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Reverse gear Engaging (automatic transmission) .85
Engaging (manual transmission) . . .85
Reversing lamp
Display messag e.. . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
Closing (key ).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
Closing (switch) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Opening (key ).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134 Opening (switch) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.133
Relocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
Roof load, maximum . . . . . . . ..253, 254
Roof rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136
Roof switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
Run-on time (mobile phone ). . . . . . .143 S
Seat Adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60, 61
Correct driver's seat position . . . . . .71
Storing settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Seat belt
Fastening. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71, 195
Seat heatin g. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Seat ventilation Malfunction indicator lamp . . . . . .190
Selector lever
Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
Service
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165
Service display
see ASSYST PLUS
Service indicator
see ASSYST PLUS
Service products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260 Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.259
Windscreen washer fluid . . . . . . . .260
Settings
Calling up a stored setting . . . . . . . .68
Factory (key ).. . . . . . . . . . . . . .56, 57
Factory (on-board computer) . . . . .101
Setting the unit (on-board computer)
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
Shift range s
Automatic transmission . . . . . . . . . .86
Display in the speedomete r.. . . . ..85
Side window
Fault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
Opening/closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Resettin g.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Side windows
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
Socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
Soft top see Roo f
Spare wheel
Fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225
Storage location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252
Spee d
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
Speed limiter
Speedtronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112 Index
171_AKB; 3; 4, en-GB
vpfaff7,
2007-11-13T10:50:25+01:00 - Seite 10

12
Tow-away protection
. . . . . . . . . . . . ..53
Towin g. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236
Towing eye Fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235
Removing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236
Tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236
Transmission Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
Transmission output (maximum)
Telephone/two-way radio . . . . . . .241
Transport (vehicle) . . . . . . . . . . . . ..236
Trip computer Menu (on-board computer) . . . . . .107
Trip meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
Resettin g.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Turn signal lamps
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183
Two-way radio
Installatio n.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
Tyre grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164
Tyre pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
Tyre pressure loss warning syste m158
Tyre pressure s
Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246
Tyres
Direction of rotatio n.. . . . . . . . . . .157
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
Tyre tread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157 U
Unladen weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253
Unlocking Emergency unlocking . . . . . . . . . . .210
From the inside (central unlocking
button) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Up (display message) . . . . . . . . . . . ..96 V
Variable Speedtroni c. . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Vario-roo f
see Roof
Vehicle
Emergency unlocking . . . . . . .210, 211
Individual settings (on-board com-
puter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Leaving parked up . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236
Tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236
Transporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Vehicle dimension s. . . . . . . . . . . . . .253
Vehicle electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . ..241
Vehicle identification number (VIN) 243
Vehicle identification plates . . . . ..242
Vehicle tool kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
Vehicle weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253 W
Warning and indicator lamp ABS (yellow) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
LIM (Cruise control) . . . . . . . . . . . .110
LIM (variable Speedtronic) . . . . . . .113
Warning signal
Audible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197
Warning triangl e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
Washer fluid Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
Wearing seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..69
Wheel bolts Tightening torque . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229
Wheels
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
Interchanging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
Windows
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
Cleaning the windscreen . . . . . . . .167
Side windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Windscreen
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167
Windscreen washer fluid . . . . . . . ..260
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154, 260
Windscreen washer reservoir Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260 Index
171_AKB; 3; 4, en-GB
vpfaff7,
2007-11-13T10:50:25+01:00 - Seite 12

Instrument cluste
r 25Function Page
1 1
SRS warning lamp 194
2 -
ABS warning lamp 193
3 L
Turn signal indicator
lamp, left 75
4
v
ESP®
warning lamp 19
4 5 K
Turn signal indicator
lamp, right 75
6 3
Brake system warn-
ing lamp 194
7 Multi-function display
92
8 Total distance recorder
95
9 Trip meter
90
a ±
Engine diagnostic
warning lamp 195
b Rev counter
90 Function Page
c <
Seat belt warning
lamp 195
d A
Main-beam indicator
lamp 75
e Fuel gaug
e f Fuel filler flap location indi
-
cator: the fuel filler cap is to
the rear on the right-hand
sid e g A
Reserve fuel warnin g
lamp 197
h
Automatic transmission*
:
gearshift program display 85
j
Automatic transmission*
:
selector lever position dis-
play 85 Function Page
k Status indicator, display
depends on the settings in
the on-board computer:
outside temperature
1
or
digital speedometer 96
l Speedtronic*: set limit
speed
112
m Cloc
k 104
n Speedometer (can be set to
display miles in the on-
board computer)
102
o Reset button
p Adjustment button for
instrument cluster illumina
-
tio n 90
q Adjustment button for
instrument cluster illumina
-
tio n 90
1
Vehicles in the UK: the digital speedometer is always displayed instead of the outside temperature. At a glance
* optional
171_AKB; 3; 4, en-GB
vpfaff7,
2007-11-13T10:50:25+01:00 - Seite 25

Instrument cluste
r 27Function Page
1 SRS warning lamp
194
2 ABS warning lamp
193
3 Turn signal indicator lamp,
left
75
4
ESP
®
warning lamp 19
4 5 Turn signal indicator lamp,
right
75
6 Brake system warning lamp
194
7 Multi-function display
92
8 Total distance recorder
95
9 Trip meter
90
a Engine diagnostic warning
lamp
195
b Rev counter
90
c Seat belt warning lamp
195
d Main-beam indicator lamp
75 Function Page
e Fuel gaug
e f Fuel filler flap location indi
-
cator: the fuel filler cap is to
the rear on the right-hand
sid e g Reserve fuel warning lamp
19
7 h
Automatic transmission*
:
gearshift program display 85
j
Automatic transmission*
:
selector lever position dis-
play 85
k Status indicator, display
depends on the settings in
the on-board computer:
outside temperature
2
or
digital speedometer 96
l Speedtronic: set limit
speed
112
m Cloc
k 104 Function Page
n Speedometer
o Reset button
p Adjustment button for
instrument cluster illumina
-
tio n 90
q Adjustment button for
instrument cluster illumina
-
tio n 90
2
Vehicles in the UK: the digital speedometer is always displayed instead of the outside temperature. At a glance
* optional
171_AKB; 3; 4, en-GB
vpfaff7,
2007-11-13T10:50:25+01:00 - Seite 27

Occupant safet
y38 Occupant safet
y
Seat belts, together with belt tensioners, belt
force limiters and airbags, are coordinate d
restraint systems. They reduce the risk of
injury in defined accident situations and
thereby increase occupant safety. However,
seat belts and airbags generally do not pro-
tect against objects penetrating the vehicl e
from the outside.
To ensure that the restraint systems can
deliver their full potential protection, you
should ensure that:
R the seat and head restraint are adjusted
properly (Y page 59)
R the seat belt has been fastened properl y
( Y page 69)
R the airbags can inflate properly if they ar e
deployed (Y page 41)
R the steering wheel is adjusted properl y
( Y page 63)
R the restraint systems have not been modi-
fied
i An airbag increases the protection of
vehicle occupants wearing a seat belt.
However, airbags are only an additional
restraint system which complements, bu tdoes not replace, the seat belt. All vehicle
occupants must wear their seat belt cor-
rectly at all times, even if the vehicle is
equipped with airbags. This is because - on
the one hand - airbags are not deployed in
all types of accident, as in some situation
s
airbag deployment would not increase th e
protection afforded to vehicle occupants,
provided they are wearing their seat belt
correctly. On the other hand, airbag deploy-
ment only provides increased protection if
the seat belt is worn correctly because:
R the seat belt helps to keep the vehicl e
occupant in the best position in relation
to the airbag
R for example, in a head-on collision, the
seat belt can more adequately prevent
the occupant from being propelle d
towards the force of the impact, and is
thus better suited to prevent injury
Therefore, in accident situations where an
airbag is deployed, it only provides protec-
tion in addition to the seat belt if the seat
belt is being worn correctly. G
Risk of injury
The restraint system may not work as inten-
ded if the following components have bee n
modified or work on these components has
not been performed correctly:
R restraint system, consisting of the seat
belts and anchorages, belt tensioners,
belt force limiters, airbags
R wirin g
R networked electronic system s
Airbags or belt tensioners could then fail ,
e.g. in the event of an accident in which the
deceleration force would normally be high
enough to trigger the systems, or they
could be triggered unintentionally. Never
carry out any modifications on the restraint
systems. Never tamper with electronic
components and their software. G
Risk of accident and injury
Always have maintenance work carried ou t
at a qualified specialist workshop whic h
has the necessary specialist knowledge
and tools to carry out the work required.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this
purpose. Safety
171_AKB; 3; 4, en-GB
vpfaff7,
2007-11-13T10:50:25+01:00 - Seite 38

Occupant safet
y 39In particular, work relevant to safety or on
safety-related systems must be carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop. If this
work is not carried out correctly, the oper-
ating safety of your vehicle may be affec -
ted. There is a risk of an accident and injury .SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
The SRS reduces the risk of occupants com-
ing into contact with the vehicle's interior in
the event of an accident. It can also reduce
the forces to which occupants are exposed
during an accident.
The SRS consists of:
R 1 warning lamp
R belt tensioner s
R belt force limiters
R Airbag s
11 warning lam p The SRS functions are checked regularly
when you turn on the ignition and when the
engine is running. Malfunctions can therefore
be detected in good time. The
1 warning lamp in the instrumen t
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out no later than a few seconds
after the engine is started. G
Risk of injury
If SRS is malfunctioning, individual systems
may be activated unintentionally or not be
triggered in the event of an accident with
heavy braking.
A malfunction has occurred if the 1
warning lamp:
R does not light up when you switch on the
ignition
R does not go out after the engine has been
running for a few seconds
R lights up again once the engine is running
In this case, have SRS checked immedi-
ately at a qualified specialist workshop.
Triggering of belt tensioners, belt force
limiters and airbags In the event of a collision, the sensor in the
airbag control unit evaluates important phys-
ical data such as duration, direction and force
of the vehicle deceleration or acceleration.
Based on the evaluation of this data anddepending on the vehicle's rate of longitudi-
nal deceleration in a collision, in the firs
t
stage the airbag control unit pre-emptively
triggers the belt tensioners.
i The belt tensioners can only be triggered
if the belt tongue is correctly engaged in the
seat belt buckle.
The front airbags are only deployed if there is
an even higher rate of vehicle deceleration in
a longitudinal direction .
Vehicles fitted with adaptive, dual-stage front
airbags: when the first deployment threshold
is reached, the front airbag is filled with
enough gas to reduce the risk of injuries. The
front airbag is only fully inflated if a second
threshold is reached within a few millisec-
onds due to the control unit having detected
further deceleration.
Criteria for triggering belt tensioners and
airbags
In the first stage of a collision, the airbag con-
trol unit evaluates the duration and direction
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in
order to determine whether it is necessary to
trigger the belt tensioner and/or airbag.
The belt tensioner and airbag triggering
thresholds are variable and are adapted to the
rate of deceleration of the vehicle. This proc- Safety
171_AKB; 3; 4, en-GB
vpfaff7,
2007-11-13T10:50:25+01:00 - Seite 39 Z

Occupant safet
y40
ess is pre-emptive in nature as the airbag
must be deployed during – and not at the end
of – the collision
.
i Airbags are not deployed in all types of
accidents. They are controlled by comple x
sensor technology and evaluation logic.
This process is pre-emptive in nature as
airbag deployment must take place during
the impact and must be adapted to provide
calculated, additional protection for the
vehicle occupants. Not all airbags are
deployed in an accident.
The different airbag systems work inde-
pendently of each other. However, each
individual system depends on the type of
accident determined by the control system
in the first stages of the collision (head-on
collision, side impact, rear-end collision
and overturn) and the extent of the acci-
dent (in particular, the vehicle's rate of
deceleration or acceleration).
The rate of vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion and the direction of the force are basi-
cally determined by:
R the distribution of forces during the colli -
sion
R the collision angle R
the deformation characteristics of the vehi-
cle
R the characteristics of the object with which
the vehicle has collided, e.g. the other vehi-
cle
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after the collision has taken place do not play
a decisive role in the deployment of an airbag,
nor do they provide an indication of it.
The vehicle may be deformed significantly ,
e. g. on the bonnet or the wing, without an
airbag being deployed. This happens if only
parts which are relatively easily deformed are
affected and the necessary deceleration does
not occur. Conversely, airbags may be
deployed even though the vehicle suffers only
minor deformations. This is the case if, for
example, very rigid vehicle parts such as lon-
gitudinal body members are affected and suf-
ficient deceleration occurs as a result.
Belt tensioners, belt force limiter s The seat belts are fitted with belt tensioners.
!
Do not engage the seat belt tongue in the
buckle on the front-passenger seat if the
seat is not occupied. Otherwise the belt
tensioner could be activated in an emer-
gency. If the seat belt is also equipped with a belt
force limiter, the force exerted by the seat
belt on the seat occupant is reduced.
Belt tensioners tighten the seat belts in an
accident, pulling them close against the body.
i
Belt tensioners do not correct incorrect
seat positions or incorrectly fastened sea t
belts.
Belt tensioners do not pull occupants back
towards the backrest.
The belt force limiters are synchronised with
the front airbags, which spread the forces
exerted by the belt force limiters on the occu-
pant over a greater area.
When the ignition is switched on, the belt ten -
sioner is triggered:
R only if the restraint systems are operational
(the 1 warning lamp lights up after th e
ignition is switched on and goes out onc e
the engine is running)( Ypage 39)
R for each three-point seat belt in the front of
the vehicle when the belt tongue is
engaged in the buckle
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
during the initial stages of the collision Safety
171_AKB; 3; 4, en-GB
vpfaff7,
2007-11-13T10:50:25+01:00 - Seite 40

Occupant safet
y 41
R
In certain situations if the vehicle over-
turns, if the system determines that it can
provide additional protection
R on the front-passenger side only if the
front-passenger seat is occupied and the
belt tongue is engaged in the buckle
When the belt tensioners are triggered, you
will hear a bang, which will not cause any
harm to your hearing, and a small amount of
powder may also be released. The 1warn-
ing lamp lights up. G
Risk of injury
If the seat belt tensioners have been trig -
gered, they provide no additional protec -
tion in the event of another accident.
Therefore, have belt tensioners which have
been triggered replaced at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop .
Comply with safety regulations when dis-
posing of belt tensioners. Any Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre can provide details of
these regulations.
Airbag s Airbag deployment slows down and restricts
the movement of the vehicle occupant. When the airbags are deployed, you will hear
a bang, which will not cause any harm to your
hearing, and a small amount of powder ma y
also be released. The 1warning lamp
lights up.
The SRS/AIRBAG symbol indicates the loca-
tion of the airbags . G
Risk of injury
Airbags provide additional protection; they
are not, however, a substitute for the sea t
belts.
Observe the following notes to reduce the
risk of serious or even fatal injury if an air-
bag is deployed:
R Vehicle occupants — in particular preg-
nant woman — must wear their seat belt
correctly at all times and lean back
against their backrest, which should be
positioned as close to the vertical as pos-
sible. The head restraint must support
the back of the seat occupant's head at
about eye level.
R Always secure children less tha n
1.50 mtall or under 12 years of age in
suitable child restraint systems.
R All vehicle occupants must select a sea t
position that is as far away from the air- bag as possible. The driver's seat posi-
tion must allow the vehicle to be driven
safely. The driver's chest should be as far
away from the middle of the driver's fron
t
airbag cover as possible.
R Move the front-passenger seat as far
back as possible, in particular, if a child
is secured in a child restraint system on
the seat.
R Vehicle occupants – in particular, chil-
dren – must not lean their head on the
area of the window from which a head/
thorax airbag is deployed.
R Rearward-facing child restraint systems
must not be fitted to the front-passenger
seat unless the front-passenger front air-
bag has been disabled. The front-
passenger front airbag is deactivated if a
child restraint system with automatic
child seat recognition is fitted to the
front-passenger seat. The
5 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp must be lit constantly.
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. Safety
171_AKB; 3; 4, en-GB
vpfaff7
, 2007-11-13T10:50:25+01:00 - Seite 41 Z