2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS Owners Manual

62 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
When you sell the vehicle we strongly urge you to give
notice to the subsequent owner that it is equipped with
an “SRS” by alerting him to the applicable section in the
Operator’s Manual.
• An airbag system component within the
steering wheel gets hot after the airbag has
inflated. Do not touch.• Improper work on the system, including
incorrect installation and removal, can lead to
possible injury through an unintended
activation of the “SRS”.• In addition, through improper work there is
the risk of rendering the “SRS” inoperative or
causing unintended airbag deployment. Work
on the “SRS” must therefore only be performed
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
• For your protection and the protection of
others, when scrapping the airbag unit or
emergency tensioning retractor, our safety
instructions must be followed. These
instructions are available at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.• Given the considerable deployment speed and
the textile structure of the airbags, there is the
possibility of abrasions or other injuries
resulting from airbag deployment.

63 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Infant and child restraint systems
Use only a BabySmart
TM compatible child restraint in
this vehicle.
We recommend that all infants and children be properly
restrained at all times while the vehicle is in motion.
The passenger lap-shoulder belt has a special seat belt
retractor for secure fastening of a child restraint.
To fasten a child restraint follow chi ld re straint
instructions for routing. Then pull shoulder belt out
completely and let it retract. During the seat belt
retraction a ratcheting sound can be heard to indicate
that the special seat belt retractor is activated. The belt
is now locked. Push down on child restraint to take up
any slack.
To deactivate, release seat belt buckle and let seat belt
retract completely. The seat belt can again be used in
the usual manner.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Important!
The use of infant or child restraints is required by law in
all 50 states and all Canadian provinces.
Infants and small children should be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system properly
secured by a lap-shoulder belt, and that complies with
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 and
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
A statement by the child restraint manufacturer of
compliance with this standard can be found on the
instruction label on the restraint and in the instruction
manual provided with the restraint.
When using any infant or child restraint system, be sure
to carefully read and follow all manufacturer’s
instructions for installation and use.
Please read and observe warning labels affixed to inside
of vehicle and to infant or child restraint.Wa r n i n g !
Never release the seat belt buckle while vehicle is
in motion, since the special seat belt retractor will
be deactivated.

64 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
USA Models only:
Since 1986 all U.S. child restraints comply with U.S.
regulations without the use of a tether strap.
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 can 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.Infants and small children should never share a
seat belt with another occupant. During an
accident, they could be crushed between the
occupant and seat belt.
Children too big for child restraint systems should
use regular seat belts. Position the shoulder belt
across chest and shoulder, not face or neck. A
booster seat may be necessary to achieve proper
belt positioning for children from 41 lbs. to the
point where a lap / shoulder belt fits properly
without one.When the child restraint is not in use, remove it
from the vehicle or secure it with the seat belt to
prevent the child restraint from becoming a
projectile in the event of an accident.Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle;
even if the children are secured in a child restraint
system. Unsupervised children in a child restraint
system may use vehicle equipment and may cause
serious personal injury.

65 Adjusting telescoping steering column
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Adjusting telescoping steering column
Unlocking:
Pull handle (1) out to its stop. The indicator lamp,
located in the instrument cluster, comes on.
Adjusting:
To lengthen or shorten the steering column, pull out or
push in steering wheel.
Locking:
Push handle (1) in until it engages. The indicator lamp,
located in the instrument cluster, goes out.Important!
With the key in steering lock position 2, the indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster comes on. It should go
out when the engine is running.
If the indicator lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, the adjustable steering column is not locked
properly.
Do not drive the vehicle until you have properly locked
the steering column.
AU
DIO
TEL
AUDIO
TEL

1
AUDIO
TEL
AUDIO
TEL
P46.15-2031-26
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving. The
telescoping adjustment must be locked while
driving. Adjusting the steering wheel while
driving, or driving without the telescoping
adjustment locked could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.

66 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Rear view mirrors
Inside rear view mirror
Manually adjust the inside rear view mirror.
Use your inside rear view mirror to determine the size
and distance of objects seen in the passenger-side
exterior mirror.
Inside rear view mirror, antiglare mode
With the key in steering lock position 2, the mirror
reflection brightness responds to changes in light
sensitivity.
With gear selector lever (manual transmission: gearshift
lever) in position “R”, or with the interior lamp switched
on, the mirror brightness does not respond to changes
in light sensitivity.Note:
The automatic antiglare function does not react, if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the
inside rear view mirror.
The automatic antiglare function will not react for
example, if the wind screen is installed.
Wa r n i n g !
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the
liquid to come into contact with eyes, skin,
clothing, or respiratory system. In cases it does,
immediately flush affected area with water, and
seek medical help if necessary.

67 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Exterior rear view mirrors
The switch is located on the center console.Exterior rear view mirror adjustment
Turn key in steering lock to position 2.
First select the mirror to be adjusted – turn switch:
1Left mirror
2Right mirror
To adjust, toggle the switch forward, backward or to
either side.
Notes:
The exterior mirrors have electrically heated glass. The
heater switches on automatically, depending on outside
temperature.
If an exterior mirror housing is forcibly pivoted from its
normal position, it must be repositioned by applying
firm pressure until it snaps into place.
Wa r n i n g !
Exercise care when using the passenger-side
exterior mirror. The passenger-side exterior mirror
is convex (outwardly curved surface for a wider
field of view). Objects in mirror are closer than
they appear. Check your inside rear view mirror or
glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.
P68.20-2167-26

68 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Driver’ s side exterior rear view mirror, antiglare
mode
With the key in steering lock position 2, the driver’s
side mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in
light sensitivity.
With gear selector lever (manual transmission: gearshift
lever) in position “R”, or with the interior lamp switched
on, the driver’s side mirror brightness does not respond
to changes in light sensitivity.Note:
The automatic antiglare function does not react, if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the
inside rear view mirror.
The automatic antiglare function will not react for
example, if the wind screen is installed.

69 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexImportant!
Electrolyte drops coming into contact with the vehicle
paint finish can only be completely removed while in
their liquid state, by applying plenty of water.
Wa r n i n g !
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the
liquid come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing,
or respiratory system. In cases it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek medical
help if necessary.