2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK ROADSTER lights

tentionally. For this reason, never make any
modifications to the restraint systems.
Therefore, you must not tampe rwith elec-
tronic components or their software. SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Introduction SRS consists of:
R
the 6 SRS warning lamp
R airbags
R airbag control unit (with crash sensors)
R belt tensioners
R belt force limiters
SRS reduces the risk of occupants coming
into contact with the vehicle's interior in the
event of an accident. It can also reduce the
effect of the forces to which occupants are
subjected during an accident.
SRS warning lamp SRS functions are checked regularly when
you switch on the ignition and when the
engine is running. Therefore, malfunctions
can be detected in good time.
The 6 SRS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out no later than a few seconds
after the engine is started. G
WARNING
If SRS is malfunctioning, individual systems
may be triggered unintentionally or might not
be triggered in the event of an accident with
a high rate of vehicle deceleration.
A malfunction has occurred if:
R the 6 SRS warning lamp does not light
up when the ignition is switched on.
R the engine is running and the 6SRS
warning lamp does not go out after a few
seconds.
R the engine is running and the 6SRS
warning lamp lights up again. In this case, have SRS checked immediately
at a qualified specialist workshop.
Triggering of belt tensioners, belt force
limiters and airbags During the firs
tstage of a collision, the airbag
control uni tevaluates important physical
data relating to vehicle deceleratio noraccel-
eration, such as:
R duration
R direction
R magnitude
Based on the evaluation of this data, the air-
bag control uni tpre-emptively triggers the
beltt ensioners in the first stage.
i The belt tensioners can only be triggered
if the seat belt tongues are correctly
engaged in the seat belt buckles.
If there is an even higher rate of vehicle decel-
eration or acceleration in a longitudinal direc-
tion, the fron tairbags are also deployed.
Your vehicle has adaptive, two-stage front air-
bags. The airbag control unit evaluates vehi-
cle deceleration or acceleration in the event
of a collision. In the firs tdeployment stage,
the fron tairbag is filled with enough propel-
lant gas to reduce the risk of injuries. The
front airbag is fully deployed if a second
deploymen tthreshold is exceeded within a
few milliseconds.
The belt tensioner and airbag triggering
thresholds are variable and are adapted to the
rate of deceleration or acceleration of the
vehicle. This process is pre-emptive in nature.
The triggering process must take place in
good time at the start of the collision.
i Airbags are not deployed in all types of
accidents. Also, not all airbags are
deployed together in an accident. The dif-
ferent airbag systems work independently
of each other. Occupant safety
39Safety Z

How the airbag system works is deter-
mined by the severity of the collision detec-
ted, especially the vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, and the apparent type of acci-
dent:
R
head-on collision
R side impact
R rea rimpact
R overturn
The rate of vehicle deceleratio noraccelera-
tion and the direction of the force are essen-
tially determined by:
R the distribution of forces during the colli-
sion
R the collisio nangle
R the deformation characteristics of the vehi-
cle
R the characteristics of the object with which
the vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be see nand measured
after a collision has occurred do not play a
decisive role in the deployment of an airbag,
nor do they provide an indicatio nofairbag
deployment.
The vehicle may be deformed significantly,
e.g. the bonnet or the wing, without an airbag
being deployed. This is the case if only parts
which are relatively easily deformed are affec-
ted and the rate of deceleration is not high.
Conversely, airbags may be deployed even
though the vehicle suffers only minor defor-
mation. This is the case if, for example, very
rigid vehicle parts such as longitudinal body
members are hit, and sufficien tdeceleration
occurs as a result. Airbags
Important safety notes Airbag deployment slows down and restricts
the movement of the vehicle occupant.
If the airbags are deployed, you will hear a
bang and a small amount of powder may also
be released. Only in rare cases will the bang affect your hearing. The powder that is
released generally does not constitute a
health hazard. The
6SRS warning lamp
lights up.
The airbag installation locations are identified
by the AIRBAG symbol. G
WARNING
Airbags provide additional protection; they
are not, however, a substitute for seat belts.
Observe the following notes to reduce the risk
of serious or even fatal injury caused by airbag
deployment:
R all vehicle occupants –inparticular, preg-
nant women – must wear their seat belt
correctly at all times and lean back against
the backrest, which should be positioned
as close to the vertical as possible. The
head restraint must support the back of the
head at about eye level.
R always secure childre nless than
1.50mt all or unde r12years of age in suit-
able child restraint systems.
R all vehicle occupants must select a seat
position that is as far away from the airbag
as possible. The driver's seat position must
allow the vehicle to be driven safely. The
driver's chest should be as far away from
the centre of the driver's airbag cover as
possible.
R move the front-passenger seat as far back
as possible. This is especially important if
you have secured a child in a child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat.
R vehicle occupants –inparticular, children
–m ust no tlean their heads into the area of
the window in which the sidebag/headbag
is deployed.
R rearward-facing child restraint systems
must not be fitted to the front-passenger
seat unless the front-passenger fron tair-
bag has been disabled. The front-passenger
front airbag is disabled if a child restraint
system with transponders for automatic
child seat recognition is fitted to the front-
passenger seat. The 4PASSENGER 40
Occupant safetySafety

They are deployed:
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in a
longitudinal direction
R if the system determines that airbag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R if the seat belt is fastened
R independently of other airbags in the vehi-
cle
If the vehicle overturns, the front airbags are
generally not deployed. The fronta irbags are
deployed if the system detects high vehicle
deceleration in a longitudinal direction.
Front-passenger airbag ;is only activated if
the system detects that the front-passenger
seat is occupied. The _PASSENGER AIR-
BAG ON indicator lamp lights up for
60 seconds when the ignition is switched on.
The a PASSENGER AIRBA GOFF indicator
lamp on the centre console is not lit
(Y page 49). This means that a child
restraint system withou tautomatic child seat
recognition has been fitted to the front-
passenger seat, or a child restraint system
with automatic child seat recognition has
been fitted incorrectly.
! Do not place heavy objects on the front-
passenger seat .The system may then
detect that the seat is occupied and if there
is an accident, the restraint systems on the
front-passenger side could be deployed.
Have restraint systems that have been trig-
gered replaced.
Sidebags G
WARNING
If you wish to use seat covers, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that, for safety reasons, you
only use seat covers that have been approved
for Mercedes-Ben zvehicles.
The seat covers must have a special tear seam
for sidebags. Otherwise, the sidebags cannot
deploy correctly and would fail to provide the intended protection in the event of an acci-
dent. Appropriate seat covers can be
obtained, for example, from a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
When deployed, the sidebags offer additional
protection for the thorax of the vehicle occu-
pants on the side of the vehicle on which the
impact occurs .However, they do not protect
the:
R head
R neck
R arms Sidebags
:deploy next to the outer seat
cushions.
The sidebags are deployed:
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion, e.g. in a side impact
R independently of the use of the seat belt
R independently of the front airbags
R independently of the belt tensioners
If the vehicle overturns, the sidebags are gen-
erally not deployed. Exception :ifthe system
detects high vehicle deceleration or acceler-
ation in a lateral direction and determines
that deployment can offer additional protec-
tion to that provided by the seat belt. 42
Occupant safetySafety

X
Adjust the seat and move the backrest to
an almos tvertical position (Y page 88).
X Pull the seat belt smoothly through belt
loop :.
X Without twisting it, guide the shoulder sec-
tion of the seat belt across the middle of
your shoulder and the lap section across
your hips.
X Engage belt tongue ;in buckle =.
Seat-belt adjustment:ifn ecessary, the
driver's and front-passenger seat belts
automatically adjust to the upper body
(Y page 46).
X If necessary, pull upwards on the shoulder
section of the seat belt to tighten the belt
across your body.
For more information about releasing the seat
belt with release button ?, see "Releasing
seat belts" (Y page 46).
Seat belt adjustment The seat-belt adjustment function adjusts the
driver's and front-passenger seat belt to the
upper body of the occupants.
The belt strap is tightened slightly when:
R
you engage the belt tongue in the belt
buckle and you then turn the key to position
2in the ignition lock.
R the key is in position 2in the ignition lock
and you then engage the belt tongue in the
buckle.
The seat-belt adjustment will apply a certain
tightening force if any slack is detected
between the occupan tand the sea tbelt. Do
not hold on to the seat belt tightly while it is
adjusting. You can switch the seat-belt
adjustment on and off in the on-board com-
puter (Y page 194).
The seat-belt adjustment is an integral part of
the PRE-SAFE ®
convenience function. More
information about PRE-SAFE ®
can be found
in the "PRE-SAFE ®
(preventative occupant
protection)" section (Y page 43). Releasing seat belts X
Press release button ?(Ypage 45) and
guide belt tongue ;back towards belt
loop :.
! Make sure that the seat belt is fully rolled
up. Otherwise, the seat belt or belt tongue
will be trapped in the door or in the seat
mechanism. This could damage the door,
the door trim panel and the seat belt. Dam-
aged seat belts can no longer fulfil their
protective function and must be replaced.
Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
Belt warning for driver and front
passenger The
7 seat belt warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster is a reminder for all occupants
to fasten their seat belts. It may light up con-
tinuously or flash. In addition, there may be a
warning tone.
The 7 seat belt warning lamp goes out and
the warning tone ceases when the driver and
the fron tpassenger have fastened their seat
belt.
For certain countries only: regardless of
whether the driver and th efront passenger
have fastened their seat belts, the 7seat
beltw arning lamp lights up for six seconds
after the engine is started. It then goes out if
the driver and the fron tpassenger have fas-
tened their seat belts.
i For more information on the 7seat
belt warning lamp, see "Warning and indi-
cator lamps in the instrumen tcluster, seat
belt" (Y page 224).
Belt tensioners, belt force limiters The seat belts are fitted with belt tensioners.
The belt tensioners tighten the seat belts in
an accident, pulling the mclose against the
body.
Belt tensioners do not correct incorrect seat
positions or incorrectly fastened seat belts. 46
Occupant safetySafety

Bel
ttensioners do not pull vehicle occupants
back towards the backrest.
If the seat belt is also fitted with a belt force
limiter and this is triggered, the force exerted
by the seat belt on the vehicle occupan tis
reduced.
The beltf orce limiters are synchronised with
the front airbags. They take on a part of the
deceleration force, resulting in the force exer-
ted on the occupant being distributed over a
greater area.
The belt tensioners can only be activated
when:
R the ignition is switched on.
R the restraint systems are operational; see
"SRS warning lamp" (Y page 39).
R the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
each of the three-point seat belts.
R the front-passenger seat is occupied and
the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
the front-passenger side.
The belt tensioners are triggered depending
on the type and severity of an accident:
R if, in the event of a head-on or rear-end col-
lision, the vehicle decelerates or acceler-
ates rapidly in a longitudinal direction dur-
ing the initial stages of the impact
R if, in the event of a side impact, the vehicle
is subjected to high lateral acceleration/
deceleration
R if in certain situations where the vehicle
overturns and the system determines that
it can provide additional protection
If the airbags are deployed, you will hear a
bang, and a small amount of powder may also
be released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that is
released generally does not constitute a
health hazard. The 6SRS warning lamp
lights up. G
WARNING
If the seat belt tensioners have been trig-
gered, they provide no additional protection
in the event of another accident. Therefore, have belt tensioners which have been trig-
gered replaced at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Comply with safety regulations when dispos-
ing of belt tensioners. Any Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre can provide details of these
regulations.
! If the front-passenger seat is not occu-
pied, do not engage the seat belt tongue in
the buckle on the front-passenger seat.
Otherwise, the belt tensioner could be trig-
gered in the event of an accident. Children in the vehicle
Child restraint systems
Important safety notes G
WARNING
To reduce the risk of serious or even fatal
injury to the child in the event of a sudden
change in direction, braking or an accident:
R children less than 1.50 m tall and under
twelve years of age must always be secured
in special child restraint systems on the
front-passenger seat. This is necessary
because the seat belts are not designed for
children.
R you must move the front-passenger seat as
far back as possible if you secure a forward-
facing child restraint system without trans-
ponder for automatic child seat recognition
to the front-passenger seat.
R children must never travel sitting on the lap
of another occupant. Due to the forces
which occur in the event of a sudden
change of direction, heavy braking or an
accident, it would not be possible to
restrain the child. The child could be thrown
against parts of the vehicle interior and be
seriously or even fatally injured. Children in the vehicle
47Safety Z

Warning symbol for a rearward-facing child
restraint system G
WARNING
If the front-passenger front airbag is not dis-
abled:
R a child secured in a child restraint system
on the front-passenger seat could be seri-
ously and even fatally injured by the front-
passenger fron tairbag deploying .This is
especially a risk if the child is in the imme-
diate vicinity of the front-passenger front
airbag when it deploys.
R never secure a child on the front-passenger
seat in a rearward-facing child restraint sys-
tem.
R always move the front-passenger seat to
the rearmost position if you secure a child
in a forward-facing child restraint system
on the front-passenger seat.
The front-passenger front airbag is not disa-
bled:
R if no child restraint system with a trans-
ponder for automatic child seat recognition
is fitted to the front-passenger seat. In
order to make use of the automatic child
seat recognition, a Mercedes-Benz
approved child seat with a transponder is
necessary.
R if the _ PASSENGER AIRBAG ON indi-
cator lamp lights up for 60 seconds after
the ignition is switched on and the 4
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
does not light up.
To make you aware of this danger, a corre-
sponding warning sticker has been affixed on the dashboard and on both sides of the sun
visor on the front-passenger side.
Information about recommended child
restraint systems is available at any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Do not use a rearward-facing child restraint
system for a child on aseat which is already
protected by an airbag.
Automatic child seat recognition on the
front-passenger seat The front-passenger seat sensor system for
child restraint systems detects whether a
special Mercedes-Benzc
hild seat with a
transponder for automatic child seat recog-
nition has been fitted. If so, the _
PASSENGER AIRBAG ON indicator lamp ;
lights up briefly when the ignition is switched
on, and the aPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp :remains lit. The front-
passenger front airbag is disabled. G
WARNING
If the 4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indica-
tor lamp does not light up when the child
restraint system is fitted, the front-passenger
airbag has not been disabled. If the front-
passenger airbag deploys, the child could be
seriously or even fatally injured.
Proceed as follows:
R do not use a rearward-facing child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat.
or Children in the vehicle
49Safety
Z

R
only use a forward-facin gchild restraint
system on the front-passenger seat and
move the front-passenger seat to the rear-
most position.
R have the automatic child seat recognition
checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
To ensure that the automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat func-
tions/communicates correctly, never place
objects, e.g. a cushion, under the child
restraint system. The entire base of the child
restraint system must always rest on the seat
cushion. An incorrectly fitted child restraint
system cannot perform its intended protec-
tive function in the event of an accident, and
could lead to injuries.
i If the front-passenger front airbag is dis-
abled by the automatic child seat recogni-
tion, the following remain enabled on the
front-passenger side:
R the sidebag
R the headbag
R the belt tensioner G
WARNING
Do not place electronic devices on the front-
passenger seat, e.g.:
R laptops, when switched on
R mobile phones
R cards with transponders, e.g. ski passes or
access cards
Signals from electronic equipment can cause
interference in the automatic child seat rec-
ognition sensor system. This can lead to a
system malfunction. Due to the interfering
signal, the _PASSENGER AIRBAG ON
indicator lamp, the 4PASSENGER AIR-
BAG OFF indicator lamp and the 6SRS
warning lamp may all light up simultaneously.
The 4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp may light up without achild seat with
automatic child seat recognition being fitted.
The front-passenger airbag will not deploy
during an accident. When you switch on the ignition, it is also
possible that:
R the 6 SRS warning lamp lights up
R the 4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indica-
tor lamp does not light up briefly
R the _ PASSENGER AIRBAG ON indica-
tor lamp does not light up, or lights up and
does not go out after 60 seconds. 50
Children in the vehicleSafety

Problems with child seat recognition
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The
4 PASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp on the centre con-
sole is lit. As
pecial Mercedes-Benz child seat with a transponder for auto-
matic child seat recognition has been fitted to the front-passenger
seat. The front-passenger airbag has therefore been disabled as
desired. G
Risk of injury
There is no child seat fitted to the front-passenger seat. Automatic
child seat recognition is malfunctioning.
When you switch on the ignition, it is also possible that:
R the 6 SRS warning lamp lights up.
R The a PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp does not
light up briefly.
R The _ PASSENGER AIRBAG ON indicator lamp does not light
up, or lights up and does not go out after 60 seconds.
X Remove electronic equipment from the front-passenger seat,
e.g.
R laptop
R mobile phone
R cards with transponders, such as ski passes or access cards
If the 4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is still lit:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Suitable positioning of the child restraint systems
Key to the letters used in the table:
XS
eat which is unsuitable for children in this weight category.
US uitable for child restraint systems in the Universal category that are approved for use in
this weigh tcategory.
UF Suitable for forward-facing child restraint systems that belong to the "Universal" category and are approved for use in this weigh tcategory.
LS uitable for child restraint systems as recommended, see the following table of "Recom-
mended child restraint systems" (Y page 52). Children in the vehicle
51Safety Z