2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320 CABRIOLET key

60 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Supplemental restraint system (SRS)
Airbags are intended as a supplement to seat belts.
Airbags alone cannot protect as well as airbags plus
seat belts in impacts for which the airbags were
designed to operate, and do not afford any protection
whatsoever in crashes for which the airbags are not
designed to deploy.
The SRS uses two crash severity levels (thresholds) to
activate either the Emergency tensioning device or front
airbag or both. Activation depends on the direction and
severity of the impact exceeding the preset thresholds
and whether the seat belt is fastened.
Seat belt fastened
•first threshold exceeded: ETD activates
•second threshold exceeded: airbag also activates
Seat belt not fastened
•first threshold exceeded:
airbag activates, but not ETD
Driver and front passenger systems operate
independently of each other.Emergency tensioning device (ETD)
The seat belts for the front seats are equipped with
Emergency tensioning devices. These tensioning
devices are located in each belt’s inertia reel and
become operationally ready with the electronic key in
steering lock position 1 or 2.
The Emergency tensioning devices are designed to
activate only when the seat belts are fastened during
frontal impacts exceeding the first threshold of the SRS
and in rear impacts exceeding a preset severity level.
They remove slack from the belts in such a way that the
seat belts fit more snugly against the body restricting its
forward Emergency tensioning device movement as
much as possible.
In cases of other frontal impacts, angled impacts,
roll-overs, certain side impacts, or other accidents
without sufficient frontal or rear impact forces, the
Emergency tensioning device will not be activated. The
driver and passengers will then be protected by the
fastened seat belts and inertia reel in the usual manner.
For seat belt and Emergency tensioning device safety
guidelines see page 67.

62 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
3Side impact airbag
The side impact airbags are located in the doors.
The most effective occupant restraint system yet
developed for use in production vehicles is the seat belt.
In some cases, however, the protective effect of a seat
belt can be further enhanced by an airbag.
In conjunction with wearing the seat belts, the driver
and front passenger airbags can provide increased
protection for the driver and front passenger in certain
frontal impacts exceeding preset thresholds. Door mounted side impact airbags can provide increased
protection to belted front passengers on the impacted
side of the vehicle in side impacts exceeding its preset
threshold.
Important!
The operational readiness of the airbag system is
verified by the indicator lamp SRS in the instrument
cluster when turning the electronic key in steering lock
to position 1 or 2. If no fault is detected, the lamp will go
out after approximately 4 seconds; after the lamp goes
out, the system continues to monitor the components
and circuitry of the airbag system and will indicate a
malfunction by coming on again. If the lamp does not
come on at all or if it fails to extinguish after
approximately 4 seconds or if it comes on thereafter,
a malfunction in the system has been detected.
The following system components are monitored or
undergo a self-check: crash-sensor(s), airbag ignition
circuits, front seat belt buckles, Emergency tensioning
devices, seat sensor.
3
P91.60-2122-26

63 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Initially, when the electronic key is turned from steering
lock position 0 to positions 1 or 2, malfunctions in the
crash-sensor are detected and indicated (the SRS
indicator lamp stays on longer than 4 seconds or does
not come on).
Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
In the operational mode, after the indicator lamp has
gone out following the initial check, interruptions or
short circuits in the airbag ignition circuit and in the
driver and front passenger seat belt buckle harnesses,
and low voltage in the entire system are detected and
indicated.Front airbags
The driver and front passenger front airbags are
designed to activate only in certain frontal impacts
exceeding a preset threshold.
The front passenger airbag deploys only if the front
passenger seat is occupied and the indicator lamp on
the center console is not illuminated.
Note:
Objects heavier than 20 lbs (9 kg) on the front
passenger seat can appear to the SRS to indicate the
presence of an occupant in that seat which causes the
passenger front airbag to deploy in a crash exceeding
the appropriate threshold.
Wa r n i n g !
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indicated
as outlined above, the SRS may not be operational.
For your safety, we strongly recommend that you
visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately to have the system checked; otherwise
the SRS may not be activated when needed in an
accident, which could result in serious or fatal
injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily which could also result in injury.

73 Adjusting telescoping steering column
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Adjusting telescoping steering columnUnlocking:
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 electronic 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.
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.
1
P46.10-2020-26

74 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Inside rear view mirror
Manually adjust the inside mirror.
Use your inside mirror to determine the size and
distance of objects seen in the passenger side convex
mirror.
Antiglare night position
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the
mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in
light sensitivity.
With gear selector 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.

75 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.
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2.
First select the mirror to be adjusted – press button:
%Left mirror
&Right mirror
To adjust, toggle the switch forward, backward or to
either side.With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the
driver’s side mirror reflection brightness responds to
changes in light sensitivity.
With gear selector 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.
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. The automatic
antiglare function will not react for example, if the wind
screen is installed.
Wa r n i n g !
Exercise care when using the passenger-side
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.

77 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Parking position
The passenger-side exterior mirror can be adjusted and
programmed to assist the driver during parking
maneuvers (e.g. to observe the curb or other objects
close to the vehicle).
With electronic key in steering lock position 2, and the
exterior rear view mirror switch in the passenger side
position, the passenger-side mirror will be turned
downward when placing the gear selector lever in “R”
Reverse.
The passenger-side mirror position can now be adjusted
as desired.
At speeds above approx. 6 mph (10 km/h), upon shifting
gear selector lever from “R” Reverse, or upon pressing
the driver’s side mirror button, the passenger-side
mirror will return to its previous position.
Readjust the mirror as desired.One passenger-side mirror position can be stored in
memory. To do so:
1. Turn electronic key to steering lock position 2.
The vehicle must be stationary.
2. Select passenger-side mirror & and adjust the
mirror to view the curb.
3. Press green memory button located in switch cluster
for driver seat, see page 43.
4. Within 3 seconds pull the mirror toggle switch
rearward. The mirror should not move.
Repeat the memory procedure if the mirror moves.
The passenger-side mirror will return to its previous
position after approx. 20 seconds.

81 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Activating instrument cluster display
The instrument cluster is activated by:
•Opening the door.
•Pressing buttonJ, VorWon the instrument
cluster.
•Turning the electronic key in steering lock to
position 1 or 2.
•Switching on the exterior lamps.
Display illumination
The display for temperature, odometer, multifunction
indicator, FSS indicator and clock is illuminated briefly
when opening the driver’s door.
The display illumination brightness responds
automatically according to changes in the surrounding
light sensitivity.
To briefly illuminate the display (with electronic key
removed or in steering lock position 0), press buttonJ.Instrument lamps
Activate the instrument cluster.
PressVorWbutton to vary intensity of instrument
lamps.