2010 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG weight

thorax air bag be deployed. Always sit as
upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriately sized
infant restraint, toddler restraint, or
booster
seat recommended for the size and
weight of the child.
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injuries to you or other occupants.
If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you
make the buyer aware of this safety
information. Be sure to give the buyer this
Operator’s Manual. G
Warning!
There is a possibility of a head-thorax air bag-
related injury if occupants, especially
children,

are not properly seated or restrained
when next to a head-thorax air bag which
needs to deploy rapidly in a side impact in
order to do its job.
To help avoid the possibility of injury, please
follow these guidelines:
(1) Occupants, especially children, should
never place their bodies or
lean their heads in the area of the
door where the head-thorax air
bag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should
the head-thorax air bag be
deployed.
(2) Always sit as upright as possible, wear
the seat belt properly, and for
children 12 years old and under,
use an appropriately sized infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or
booster seat recommended for the
size and weight of the child.
(3) Always wear seat belts properly.
If you believe that, even with the use of these
guidelines, it would be safer for your
passenger seat occupants to have the
passenger side head-thorax air bag
deactivated,

then deactivation can be carried
out upon your written request at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center at an
additional cost.
Please

contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call the Customer Assistance
Center (in the USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372), or Customer Service (in
Canada) at 1-800-387-0100 for details.
Air bags are designed to deploy only in certain
frontal impacts (front air bags and knee bags)
and in side impacts (head-thorax air bags) if
the system determines the need for air bag
deployment. Only in the event of such a
situation will they provide their supplemental
protection.
The driver and passenger should always wear
their seat belts. Otherwise it is not possible
for the air bags to provide their supplemental
protection.
In case of other types of impacts and impacts
below air bag deployment thresholds, air
bags will not deploy. The driver and passenger
will then be protected to the extent possible
by a properly fastened seat belt. A properly
fastened seat belt is also needed to provide
the best possible protection in a rollover.
Air bags are not a substitute for seat belts.
Always wear your seat belt, regardless of
whether or not your vehicle is equipped with
air bags.
It is important to your safety and that of your
passenger to have deployed air bags replaced
and to have any malfunctioning air bags
repaired. This will help to make sure the air
bags will continue to provide supplemental
crash protection for occupants.
Safety guidelines for the seat belt,
Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD)
and air bag G
Warning!
R Damaged
seat belts or seat belts that have
been subjected to stress in an accident
must be replaced. Their anchoring points
must also be checked. Only use seat belts 34
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Driver and passenger front air bags and knee
bags are deployed
R
in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if the system determines that air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R depending on whether the respective seat
belt is in use
R independently of the head-thorax air bags
The front air bags in this vehicle have been
designed to inflate in two stages. This allows
the air bags to have different rates of inflation.
The rate of inflation is based on the vehicle
deceleration rate as assessed by the air bag
control unit.
The passenger front air bag deployment is
additionally influenced by the passenger’s
weight category as identified by the Occupant
Classification System (OCS) ( Y page 37).
The lighter the passenger-side occupant, the
higher the vehicle deceleration rate required
for second stage inflation of the passenger
front air bag.
The air bags will not deploy in impacts which
do not exceed the system’s preset
deployment thresholds. You will then be
protected by the fastened seat belts.
The front air bags will not deploy in the event
of a rollover unless the vehicle’s rate of
longitudinal deceleration or acceleration
exceeds the preset deployment threshold for
the front air bags.
The passenger air bag will only be deployed if
R the system, based on OCS weight sensor
readings, detects that the passenger seat
is occupied
R the 04 indicator lamp in the
center console is not lit (Y page 37)
R the impact exceeds a preset deployment
threshold Knee bags
The knee bags are designed to provide
increased protection for the driver and
passenger against the risk of injuries to the
knees, thighs and lower legs.
Driver side knee bag ? is located on the
driver side lower instrument panel. Passenger
side knee bag = is located on the passenger
side below the glove box. They are designed
to operate together with the front air bags in
certain frontal impacts if the system
determines that air bag deployment can offer
additional protection to that provided by the
seat belt. The knee bags operate best in
conjunction with properly positioned and
fastened seat belts.
Head-thorax air bags G
Observe Safety notes, see page 33. Head-thorax air bags
: are designed to
provide increased protection for the head and
thorax but not for the arms.
Head-thorax air bags : are deployed
R on the impacted side of the vehicle
R in instances with a high rate of lateral
vehicle deceleration or acceleration
R if the system determines that air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R depending on whether the seat belt is in
use 36
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R
independently of the front air bags
R independently of the ETDs
The passenger head-thorax air bag : will
only deploy if the OCS senses that the
passenger seat is occupied and the impact
exceeds a preset deployment threshold.
Head-thorax air bags : are not deployed in
side impacts which do not exceed the
system’s deployment threshold. G
Warning!
Only use seat covers which have been tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz for your
vehicle model. Using other seat covers may
interfere with or prevent the deployment of
the head-thorax air bags. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
availability. Occupant Classification System
The Occupant Classification System (OCS)
activates or deactivates the passenger front
air bag and passenger-side knee bag
automatically.
The respective status is based
on the classified occupant weight category
determined by weight sensor readings from
the passenger seat.
The system does not deactivate the
passenger head-thorax air bag and the
Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs).
To be classified correctly, the passenger must
sit
R with the seat belt properly fastened
R in a position that is as upright as possible
with the back against the seat backrest
R with the feet on the floor
If the occupant’s weight is transferred to
another object in the vehicle (e.g. by leaning
on armrests), the OCS may not be able to
properly approximate the occupant’s weight
category.
If your seat, including the trim cover and
cushion, needs to be serviced in any way, take the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Only seat accessories approved by
Mercedes-Benz may be used.
Both the driver and the passenger should
always use the
04 indicator
lamp as an indication of whether or not the
passenger is properly positioned. G
Warning!
If the 04 indicator lamp
illuminates when an adult or someone larger
than a small individual is in the passenger
seat, have the passenger reposition himself
or herself in the seat until the
04 indicator lamp goes out.
In the event of a collision, the air bag control
unit will not allow passenger front air bag
deployment when the OCS has classified the
passenger seat occupant as weighting as
much as or less than a typical 12-month-old
child in a standard child restraint or if the
passenger seat is classified as being empty.
When

the OCS senses that the passenger seat
occupant is classified as being up to or less
than the weight of a typical 12-month-old
child in a standard child restraint, the
04 indicator lamp will illuminate
when the engine is started and remain
illuminated, indicating that the passenger
front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the passenger seat
is classified as being empty, the
04 indicator lamp will illuminate
when the engine is started and remain
illuminated, indicating that the passenger
front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the passenger seat
occupant is classified as being heavier than
the weight of a typical 12-month-old child
seated in a standard child restraint or as being
a small individual (such as a young teenager
or a small adult), the 04
indicator lamp will illuminate for
approximately 6 seconds when the engine is
started and then, depending on occupant Occupant safety
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weight sensor readings from the seat, remain
illuminated or go out. With the
04 indicator lamp illuminated,
the passenger front air bag is deactivated.
With the 04 indicator lamp out,
the passenger front air bag is activated.
When
the OCS senses that the passenger seat
occupant is classified as an adult or someone
larger than a small individual, the
04 indicator lamp will illuminate
for approximately 6 seconds when the engine
is started and then go out, indicating that the
passenger front air bag is activated.
If the 04 indicator lamp is
illuminated, the passenger front air bag is
deactivated and will not be deployed.
If the 04 indicator lamp is not
illuminated, the passenger front air bag is
activated and will be deployed
R in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if impact exceeds a preset deployment
threshold
R independently of the head-thorax air bag
If the passenger front air bag is deployed, the
rate of inflation will be influenced by
R the rate of relevant vehicle deceleration as
assessed by the air bag control unit
R the passenger’s weight category as
identified by the OCS
For more information on air bag display
messages in the multifunction display, see
(Y page 239). G
Warning!
Children 12 years old and under must be
seated
and properly secured in an appropriate
infant restraint, toddler restraint, or booster
seat recommended for the size and weight of
the child.
The infant or child restraint must be properly
secured with the vehicle’s seat belt fully in
accordance with the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions. Occupants, especially children, should always
sit as upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly

and use an appropriately sized infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
Children can be killed or seriously injured by
an inflating air bag. Note the following
important information:
R Your vehicle is equipped with air bag
technology designed to deactivate the
passenger front air bag in your vehicle
when the system senses the weight of a
typical 12-month-old child or less along
with the weight of a standard appropriate
child restraint on the passenger seat.
R A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the
passenger seat will be seriously injured or
even killed if the passenger front air bag
inflates in a collision which could occur
under some circumstances, even with the
air bag technology installed in your vehicle.
R If you install a rear-facing child restraint on
the passenger seat, make sure the
04 indicator lamp is
illuminated, indicating that the passenger
front air bag is deactivated. Should the
04 indicator lamp not
illuminate or go out while the restraint is
installed, please check installation.
Periodically check the 04
indicator lamp while driving to make sure
the 04 indicator lamp is
illuminated. If the 04 indicator
lamp goes out or remains out, do not
transport a child on the passenger seat
until the system has been repaired.
A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the
passenger seat will be seriously injured or
even killed if the passenger front air bag
inflates.
R If you place a child in a forward-facing child
restraint on the passenger seat, move the
seat as far back as possible, use the proper
child restraint recommended for the age, 38
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size and weight of the child, and secure
child restraint with the vehicle’s seat belt
according to the child seat manufacturer’s
instructions. For children larger than the
typical 12-month-old child, the passenger
front air bag may or may not be activated.
Deployment of the driver front air bag does
not mean that the passenger front air bag also
should have deployed.
The OCS may have determined
R that the seat was empty or occupied by the
weight up to or less than that of a typical
12-month-old child seated in a standard
child restraint – both of which are instances
where the system suppresses deployment
of the passenger front air bag even though
the impact met the criteria and was of
sufficient severity to deploy the driver front
air bag
R that the seat was occupied by a small
individual (such as a young teenager or a
small adult) or a child who weighs more
than the weight of a typical 12-month-old
child in a standard child restraint – both of
which are instances where the system may
suppress deployment of the passenger
front air bag even though the impact met
the criteria and was of sufficient severity to
deploy the driver front air bag 04 indicator lamp
: will be
illuminated, except with the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch or with the
starter switch in position 0. G
Warning!
If the red SRS indicator lamp + in the
instrument cluster and the 04
indicator lamp are lit at the same time, there
is a malfunction in the OCS. The passenger
front air bag will be deactivated in this case.
Have the system checked by qualified
technicians as soon as possible. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only have the seat repaired or replaced at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
In order to ensure proper operation of the air
bag system and OCS:
R Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R While seated, an occupant should not
position him/herself in such a way as to
cause the occupant’s weight to be lifted
from the seat bottom as this may result in
the OCS being unable to correctly
approximate the occupant’s weight
category.
R Read and observe all warnings in this
chapter.
OCS Self-test After turning the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position 1 or 2 the
04 indicator lamp illuminates. If
an adult occupant is properly sitting on the
passenger seat and the system classifies the
occupant as an adult, the
04
indicator lamp will illuminate and go out after
approximately 6 seconds.
If the seat is not occupied and the system
classifies the passenger seat as being empty,
the 04 indicator lamp will
illuminate and not go out. G
Warning!
If the 04 indicator lamp does not
illuminate, the system is not functioning. You
must contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Occupant safety
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Do not allow the seat belt to get caught in the
door or in the seat adjustment mechanism.
This could damage the seat belt.
Never attempt to make modifications to seat
belts. This could impair the effectiveness of
the seat belts.
Fastening the seat belts G
Warning!
Children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an
appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler
restraint, or booster seat recommended for
the size and weight of the child. For additional
information, see section “Children in the
vehicle”.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint. X
With a smooth motion, pull the seat belt out
of the seat belt outlet.
Loop : guides the seat belt.
X Place the shoulder portion of the seat belt
across the top of your shoulder and the lap
portion across your hips. X
Push latch plate ; into buckle = until it
clicks.
X If necessary, tighten the lap portion to a
snug fit by pulling shoulder portion up.
The passenger lap/shoulder belt has a
special seat belt retractor to secure child
restraints properly. For more information on
special seat belt retractors, see “Infant and
child restraint systems” (Y page 45).
To release the seat belt with seat belt release
button ?, see ( Y page 42).
Releasing the seat belts X
Press seat belt release button ?
(Y page 42).
Allow the retractor to completely rewind
the seat belt by guiding latch plate ;
(Y page 42).
! Make sure the seat belt retracts
completely. Otherwise the seat belt and/or
latch plate could get caught or pinched in
the door or in the seat mechanism. This can
damage the seat belt and impair its
effectiveness, and/or cause damage to the
door and/or door trim panel. Such damage
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Damaged seat belts must be replaced.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Enhanced seat belt reminder system When the engine is started, the seat belt
telltale
7 will always illuminate for
6 seconds to remind you and your passenger
to fasten your seat belts.
If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened when
the engine is started, an additional warning
chime will sound. The warning chime goes out
after approximately 6 seconds or once the
driver’s seat belt is fastened. 42
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Infants and small children should be seated
in an appropriate infant or child restraint
system. They must be properly secured by a
lap/shoulder belt in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions for the child
restraint. All infant or child restraint systems
must
comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards 213 and 225 and Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213 and
210.2.
A statement by the child restraint
manufacturer of compliance with these
standards can be found on the instruction
label on the restraint and in the instruction
manual provided with the restraint.
When using any infant restraint, toddler
restraint, or booster seat, make sure to
carefully read and follow all manufacturer’s
instructions for installation and use.
Please read and observe warning labels
affixed to the inside of the vehicle and to
infant or child restraints. G
Warning!
Children 12 years old and under must be
seated
and properly secured in an appropriate
infant restraint, toddler restraint, or booster
seat recommended for the size and weight of
the child.
The infant or child restraint must be properly
secured with the vehicle’s seat belt fully in
accordance with the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions.
Occupants, especially children, should always
sit as upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriately sized infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
Children can be killed or seriously injured by
an inflating air bag. Note the following
important information:
R Your vehicle is equipped with air bag
technology designed to deactivate the
passenger front air bag in your vehicle
when the system senses the weight of a typical 12-month-old child or less along
with the weight of a standard appropriate
child restraint on the passenger seat.
R A

child in a rear-facing child restraint on the
passenger seat will be seriously injured or
even killed if the passenger front air bag
inflates in a collision which could occur
under some circumstances, even with the
air bag technology installed in your vehicle.
R If you install a rear-facing child restraint on
the passenger seat, make sure the
04 indicator lamp is
illuminated, indicating that the passenger
front air bag is deactivated. Should the
04 indicator lamp not
illuminate or go out while the restraint is
installed, please check installation.
Periodically check the 04
indicator lamp while driving to make sure
the 04 indicator lamp is
illuminated. If the 04 indicator
lamp goes out or remains out, do not
transport a child on the passenger seat
until the system has been repaired.
A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the
passenger seat will be seriously injured or
even killed if the passenger front air bag
inflates.
R If you place a child in a forward-facing child
restraint on the passenger seat, move the
seat as far back as possible, use the proper
child restraint recommended for the age,
size and weight of the child, and secure
child restraint with the vehicle’s seat belt
according to the child seat manufacturer’s
instructions. For children larger than the
typical 12-month-old child, the passenger
front air bag may or may not be activated. G
Warning!
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. 46
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driving, refer to “Lamps in instrument cluster”
(Y page 256).
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it
can
no longer be turned in the starter switch.
In this case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from the starter switch and
reinsert.
The steering is locked when the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch.
X Always remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch when the engine is not in
operation.
This

will help to prevent accelerated vehicle
battery discharge or a completely
discharged vehicle battery.
If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter
switch, the vehicle battery may not be
sufficiently charged.
X Check the vehicle battery and charge it if
necessary ( Y page 283).
or
X Get a jump start (Y page 283). Seats
Safety notes
G
Warning!
In order to avoid possible loss of vehicle
control
the following must be done before the
vehicle is put into motion:
R seat adjustment
R head restraint adjustment
R steering wheel adjustment
R rear view mirror adjustment
R fastening of seat belts G
Warning!
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest

in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide under
the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under
it, the seat belt would apply force at the
abdomen or neck. That could cause serious
or fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat
belts provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a position that is as upright as
possible and seat belts are properly
positioned on the body. G
Warning!
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt.
Observe the following points:
R Adjust

the seat backrest until your arms are
slightly angled when holding the steering
wheel.
R Adjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely. The
position should be as far back as possible
with the driver still able to operate the
controls properly.
R Adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible. The center of
the head restraint must support the back of
the head at eye level.
R Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being
adjusted.
Failure to do so could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. G
Warning!
Children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an
appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler
restraint, or booster seat recommended for
the

size and weight of the child. For additional
information, see section “Children in the
vehicle”.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints 62
Seats
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