2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS seats

44 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Seat belts and integrated restraint system
Your vehicle is equipped with lap-shoulder seat belts,
emergency tensioning retractors for the seat belts, front
and side airbags for driver and passenger, as well as a
knee bolster for the driver’s seat.
Seat belts
Important!
Laws i n mo st states and all Canadi an provi nc es require
seat belt use.
All states and provinces require use of child restraints
that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All child restraint systems are designed to be secured in
vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap-
shoulder belt.
For your safety and that of your passenger we strongly
recommend their use.Note:
For cleaning and care of the seat belts, see page 252.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
this vehicle, except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized
BabySmart
TM compatible child seat, which operates
with the BabySmart
TM system installed in the
vehicle to deactivate the passenger front airbag
when it is properly installed. Otherwise they will
be struck by the airbag when it inflates in a crash.
If this happens, serious or fatal injury will result.
Infants and small children must be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system, which
is properly secured with the vehicle’s seat belt,
fully in accordance with the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.

51 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system
Special BabySmart
TM compatible child seats, designed
for use with the Mercedes-Benz system and available at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center are required for
use with the BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system.
With the special child seat properly installed, the
passenger front airbag will not deploy. The 7
indicator lamp located on the center console will be
illuminated, except with key removed or in steering lock
position 0. The system does not deactivate the door
mounted side impact airbag.
Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special child seat installed
After turning key in steering lock to position 1 or 2, the
7 indicator lamp located on the center console
comes on for approximately 6 seconds and then
extinguishes.
If the indicator lamp should not come on or is
continuously lit, the system is not functioning. You must
see an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center before seating
any child on the passenger seat.BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Wa r n i n g !
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system will
ONLY work with a special child seat designed to
operate with it. It will not work with child seats
which are not BabySmart
TM compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the
effectiveness of the deactivation system. The
bottom of the child seat must make full contact
with the passenger seat cushion. An incorrectly
mounted child seat could cause injuries to the
child in case of an accident instead of protecting
the child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if
the 7 indicator lamp remains illuminated.Please be sure to check the indicator every time
you use the special system child seat. Should the
light go out while the restraint is installed, please
check installation. If the light remains out, do not
use the BabySmart
TM restraint to transport children
on the passenger seat until the system has been
repaired.

115 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Storage compartmentsStorage compartment in center console
Slide cover (1) to open.
Storage compartment in armrest
To open compartment under armrest:
Lift lid with handle (2).
To c l o s e :
Lower lid until it engages in lock.
Notes:
The storage compartment in the armrest is locked with
the central locking system.
The storage compartment in the armrest cannot be
locked with the dashboard-mounted central locking
switch.
Additionally, pockets can be found behind the seats and
in the door panels.
2P68.00-2327-27
1
Wa r n i n g !
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help to
prevent stored objects from being thrown about
and injuring vehicle occupants during an accident.

143 Steering lock
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver’s door is opened
while the key is in steering lock position 1 or 0.
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-
and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of
the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system
may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example: Heated seats, rear window
defroster.Caution!
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible
dead battery, always remove the key from the steering
lock. Do not leave the key in steering lock position 0.

190 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Malfunction and indicator lamp in the
center console
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
The 7 indicator lamp will light up for approximately
6 seconds when you turn the key in steering lock to
position 1 or 2.
It does not light up if there is a fault in the system.
The 7 indicator lamp stays lit as long as a
BabySmart
TM child seat is properly installed on the front
passenger seat. It indicates that the front passenger
airbag is switched off.
See page 51 for BabySmart
TM airbag and its deactivation
system.
Wa r n i n g !
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system will
ONLY work with a special child seat designed to
operate with it. It will not work with child seats
which are not BabySmart
TM compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the
effectiveness of the deactivation system.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if
the 7 indicator lamp remains illuminated.Please be sure to check the indicator every time
you use the special system child seat. Should the
light go out while the restraint is installed, please
check installation. If the light remains out, do not
use the BabySmart
TM restraint to transport children
on the passenger seat until the system has been
repaired.

252 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Headliner and shelf behind roll bars
Clean with soft bristle brush, or use a dry-shampoo
cleaner in case of excessive dirt.
Upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing clothing that
have the tendency to give off coloring (e.g. when wet
etc.) may cause the upholstery to become permanently
discolored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration will be
prevented.
Leather Upholstery
Wipe leather upholstery with a damp cloth and dry
thoroughly or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care. Exercise particular care when cleaning
perforated leather as its underside should not become
wet.
Cloth Upholstery
Clean with soft bristle brush, or use a dry-shampoo
cleaner in case of excessive dirt.Seat belts
The webbing must not be treated with chemical
cleaning agents. Use only clear, lukewarm water and
soap. Do not dry the webbing at temperatures above
176°F (80°C) or in direct sunlight.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may severely
weaken them. In a crash they may not be able to
provide adequate protection.

278 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
GGarage door opener ........................................................119
Gasoline
Additives .................................................................... 270
Fuel requirements ....................................................269
Premium unleaded ................................................... 269
General notes
on the central locking system ................................... 23
Global locking
See Central locking system ....................................... 24
Glove box ..........................................................................114HHardtop, retractable ...................................................... 122
Lowering ..................................................................... 123
Raising ........................................................................ 125
Raising manually ......................................................238
Hazard warning flasher switch ..................................... 85
Head restraints
Removal ........................................................................ 40
Headlamp cleaning system ............................................ 82
Headlights ......................................................................... 81
Heated seats ..................................................................... 42High beams
See Combination switch ............................................83
Hood ................................................................................. 194
IIdentification labels ...................................................... 255
Indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster .................................. 72, 182
Infant and child restraint systems ................................63
Inflating the collapsible spare tire .............................. 212
Information call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 132
Instrument cluster ........................................................... 70
Activating ..................................................................... 74
Indicator lamps ............................................................ 72
Malfunction and indicator lamps ........................... 182
Instrument lamps ............................................................. 74
Instruments and controls ............................................... 16
Interior
General notes ............................................................. 113
Interior lighting .............................................................. 112

280 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
NNight security illumination ..........................................112OOn-board diagnostic system ......................................... 182
Operator’s manual ............................................................. 6
Outside temperature indicator ...................................... 75
Overhead control panel ................................................... 19PPanic button ...................................................................... 26
Parcel net in passenger footwell ..................................118
Parking ............................................................................ 159
Parking brake ............................... 156, 158, 159, 174, 183
Power assistance ............................................................ 158
Power seats ....................................................................... 38
Power windows ................................................................ 111
Express opening ........................................................ 111
Operate with hard top switch ................................. 122
Problems with your vehicle ........................................... 12
Product information .......................................................... 5
RRadio
See Radio mode ........................................................... 99
Radio and telephone ...................................................... 130
Radio transmitters ......................................................... 130
Rear view mirrors ............................................................ 66
Exterior ......................................................................... 67
Inside ............................................................................66
Rear window defroster .................................................... 90
Remote control ................................................................. 22
Battery replacement ................................................ 236
Synchronizing .......................................................... 237
Replacing bulbs ............................................................. 230
Replacing wiper blade insert ...................................... 243
Reporting safety defects ................................................. 13
Residual Engine Heat Utilization (REST) ..................... 91
Retractable hardtop .......................................................122
Roadside assistance ........................................................... 8
Roadside assistance call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 132