2000 Mercedes SLK-Class Owner's Manual - Page 57

Instruments and controls Operation Driving Instrument cluster display 54 Practical hints Car care Technical data Index Restraint systems In conjunction with wearing the seat belts, the driver and passenger airbags can provide increased protection for the driver and passenger in certain frontal impacts exceeding preset thresholds. Door mounted side impact airbags can provide increased protection to belted occupants on the impacted side of the vehicle in side impacts exceeding its preset thresholds. The operational readiness of the airbag system is verified by the indicator lamp "SRS" in the instrument cluster when turning the key in steering lock to position 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. 3 Side 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.