2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG Owners Manual

RDo not pass seat belts over sharp edges.
They could tear.
RDo not make any modification that could
change the effectiveness of the seat belts.
RDo not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
RNo modifications of any kind may be made
to any components or wiring of the SRS.
RDo no change or remove any component or
part of the SRS.
RDo not install additional trim material, seat
covers, badges, etc. over the steering
wheel hub, passenger front air bag cover,
outboard sides of the seat backrests, door
trim panels, or door frame trims.
RDo not install additional electrical/
electronic equipment on or near SRS
components and wiring.
RKeep area between air bags and occupants
free of objects (e.g. packages, purses,
umbrellas, etc.).
RAir bag system components will be hot after
an air bag has inflated. Do not touch them.
RNever place your feet on the instrument
panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always
keep both feet on the floor in front of the
seat.
RImproper repair work on the SRS creates a
risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or
causing unintended air bag deployment.
Work on the SRS must therefore only be
performed by qualified technicians.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
RFor your protection and the protection of
others, when scrapping the air bag unit or
ETD, our safety instructions must be
followed. These instructions are available
from any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
RGiven the considerable deployment speed,
required inflation volume, and the material
of the air bags, there is the possibility of
abrasions or other, potentially more serious
injuries resulting from air bag deployment.
If you sell your vehicle, we strongly
recommend that you inform the subsequent
owner that the vehicle is equipped with SRS.
Also refer them to the applicable section in
the Operator’s Manual.
Front air bags
GObserve Safety notes, see page 45.
Driver’s front air bag \000F and passenger front
air bag \000G are designed to provide increased
protection for the driver and passenger
against the risk of injuries to the head and
thorax.
Driver and passenger front air bags and knee
bags are deployed
Rin the event of certain frontal impacts
Rif the system determines that air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
Rdepending on whether the respective seat
belt is in use
Rindependently of the other air bags in the
vehicle
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
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weight category as identified by the Occupant
Classification System (OCS) (Y page 49).
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
Rthe system, based on OCS weight sensor
readings, detects that the passenger seat
is occupied
Rthe \000 \000

but not the head, neck and arms of the driver
or passenger.
Side impact air bags \000F are deployed
Ron the impacted side of the vehicle
Rin instances with a high rate of lateral
vehicle deceleration or acceleration
Rregardless of whether the seat belt on the
impacted side of the vehicle is in use
Rindependently of the front air bags
Rindependently of the ETDs
Side impact air bags \000F are not deployed in
side impacts which do not exceed the
system’s deployment threshold.
Side impact air bags \000F will not deploy in the
event of a rollover unless the vehicle’s rate of
lateral deceleration or acceleration exceeds
the preset deployment threshold for side
impact air bags \000F.
Head air bags
GObserve Safety notes, see page 45.
Head air bags \000F are designed to provide
increased protection for the head but not for
the thorax and arms.
Head air bags \000F are deployed
Ron the impacted side of the vehicle during
a side impact
Rin instances with a high rate of lateral
vehicle deceleration or acceleration
Rif the system determines that air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
Rregardless of whether the seat belts are in
use
Rindependently of the front air bags
Rindependently of the ETDs
Passenger head air bag \000F will only deploy if
the OCS senses that the passenger seat is
occupied and the impact exceeds a preset
deployment threshold or a rollover is
detected.
Head air bags \000F are not deployed in side
impacts which do not exceed the system’s
deployment threshold.
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
Rthe passenger head air bag
Rthe passenger side impact air bag
Rthe Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs)
To be classified correctly, the passenger must
sit
Rwith the seat belt properly fastened
Rin a position that is as upright as possible
with the back against the seat backrest
Rwith 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.
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Both the driver and the passenger should
always use the 007F 0080 indicator lamp as
an indication of whether or not the passenger
is properly positioned.GWarning!
If the 007F 0080 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 007F 0080 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 007F
0080 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 007F 0080
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 007F 0080 indicator
lamp will illuminate for approximately 6
seconds when the engine is started and then,
depending on occupant weight sensor
readings from the seat, remain illuminated or
go out. With the 007F 0080 indicator lamp
illuminated, the passenger front air bag is
deactivated. With the 007F 0080 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 007F 0080
indicator lamp will illuminate for
approximately 6 seconds when the engine is
started and then goes out, indicating that the
passenger front air bag is activated.
If the 007F 0080 indicator lamp is illuminated,
the passenger front air bag is deactivated and
will not be deployed.
If the 007F 0080 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 other air bags in the
vehicle
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 365).GWarning!
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
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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:
RYour 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.
RA 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.
RIf you install a rear-facing child restraint on
the passenger seat, make sure the \000
\000

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 or pressing the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button once or
twice, the 007F 0080 indicator lamp
illuminates. If an adult occupant is properly
sitting on the passenger seat and the system
classifies the occupant as an adult, the 007F
0080 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 007F 0080 indicator lamp will illuminate
and not go out.
GWarning!
If the 007F 0080 indicator lamp does not
illuminate, the system is not functioning. You
must contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center before seating any child on the
passenger seat.
For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section ( Y page 49).
GWarning!
Never place anything between seat cushion
and child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces
the effectiveness of the OCS. The bottom and
back of the child seat must make full contact
with the passenger seat cushion and
backrest.
If necessary, adjust the tilt of the passenger
seat backrest.
An incorrectly mounted child seat could cause
injuries to the child in case of an accident,
instead of increasing protection for the child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of child seats.
Seat belts
Safety notes
The use of seat belts and infant and child
restraint systems is required by law in all 50
states, the District of Columbia, the U.S.
territories and all Canadian provinces.
Even where this is not the case, all vehicle
occupants should have their seat belts
fastened whenever the vehicle is in motion.
i See “Children in the vehicle”
( Y page 57) for information on
R infants and children traveling with you in
the vehicle
R restraint systems for infants and children
GWarning!
Always fasten your seat belt before driving off.
Always make sure your passenger is properly
restrained. You and your passenger should
always wear seat belts.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and
position your seat belt greatly increases your
risk of injuries and their likely severity in an
accident.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can
be considerably more severe without your
seat belt properly buckled. Without your seat
belt buckled, you are much more likely to hit
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the interior of the vehicle or be ejected from
it. You can be seriously injured or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility of injury or
death is lessened if you are properly wearing
your seat belt. The air bags can only protect
as intended if the occupants are properly
wearing their seat belts.GWarning!
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 even fatal injuries. The seat backrest and
seat belt provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a position that is as upright as
possible and the seat belt is properly
positioned on the body.
GWarning!
Never let more people ride in the vehicle than
there are seat belts available. Make sure
everyone riding in the vehicle is correctly
restrained with a separate seat belt. Never
use a seat belt for more than one person at a
time.
GWarning!
Damaged seat belts or seat belts that have
been subjected to stress in an accident must
be replaced. Also, the seat belt anchoring
points must be checked.
Only use seat belts which have been approved
by Mercedes-Benz.
Do not make any modifications to the seat
belts. This can lead to unintended activation
of the ETDs or to their failure to activate when
necessary.
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.
Have all work carried out only by qualified
technicians. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Proper use of seat beltsGWarning!
USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY
R Seat belts can only protect when used
properly. Never wear seat belts in any other
way than as described in this section, as
that could result in serious injuries in case
of an accident.
R Each occupant should wear their seat belt
at all times, because seat belts help reduce
the likelihood of and potential severity of
injuries in accidents, including rollovers.
The integrated restraint system includes
SRS (driver front air bag, knee bags,
passenger front air bag, side impact air
bags, head air bags), Emergency
Tensioning Devices (ETDs) and seat belt
force limiters.
The system is designed to enhance the
protection offered to properly belted
occupants in certain frontal (front air bags,
knee bags and ETDs) and side (side impact
air bags, head air bags and ETDs) impacts
which exceed preset deployment
thresholds.
R Never wear the shoulder belt under your
arm, against your neck or off your shoulder.
In a frontal crash, your body would move
too far forward. That would increase the
chance of head and neck injuries. The seat
belt would also apply too much force to the
ribs or abdomen, which could severely
injure internal organs such as your liver or
spleen.
Adjust the seat belt so that the shoulder
section is located as close as possible to
the middle of the shoulder. It should not
touch the neck. Never pass the shoulder
portion of the seat belt under your arm.
R Position the lap belt as low as possible on
your hips and not across the abdomen. If
the lap belt is positioned across your
abdomen, it could cause serious injuries in
a crash.
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RNever wear seat belts over rigid or
breakable objects in or on your clothing,
such as eyeglasses, pens, keys etc., as
these might cause injuries.
RMake sure the seat belt is always fitted
snugly. Take special care of this when
wearing loose clothing.
RNever use a seat belt for more than one
person at a time. Do not fasten a seat belt
around a person and another person or
other objects at the same time.
RSeat belts should not be worn twisted. In a
crash, you would not have the full width of
the seat belt to distribute impact forces.
The twisted seat belt against your body
could cause injuries.
RPregnant women should also always use a
lap/shoulder belt. The lap belt portion
should be positioned as low as possible on
the hips to avoid any possible pressure on
the abdomen.
RPlace the seat backrest in a position that is
as upright as possible.
RCheck your seat belt during travel to make
sure it is properly positioned.
RNever place your feet on the instrument
panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always
keep both feet on the floor in front of the
seat.
RWhen using a seat belt to secure infant
restraints, toddler restraints, or children in
booster seats, always follow the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions.
GWarning!
Do not pass seat belts over sharp edges. They
could tear.
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 beltsGWarning!
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.
XWith a smooth motion, pull the seat belt out
of seat belt outlet \000F.
XPlace the shoulder portion of the seat belt
across the top of your shoulder and the lap
portion across your hips.
XPush latch plate \000G into buckle \000