2003 Mercedes SLK-Class Owner's Manual - Page 55

Safety and Security Occupant safety i Airbags are designed to activate only in certain frontal (front airbags) impacts, or side (side impact airbags) impacts which exceed preset thresholds. Only during these types of impacts, if of sufficient severity to meet the deployment thresholds, will they provide their supplemental protection. The driver and passenger should always wear their seat belts. Otherwise it is not possible for the airbags to provide their supplemental protection. In cases of other frontal impacts, angled impacts, roll-overs, other side impacts, rear collisions, or other accidents the airbags will not be activated. The driver and passengers will then be protected by the fastened seat belts. We caution you not to rely on the presence of the airbags in order to avoid wearing your seat belt. Your vehicle was originally equipped with airbags that are designed to activate in certain impacts exceeding a preset threshold to reduce the potential and severity of injury. It is important to your safety and that of your passengers that you replace deployed airbags and repair any malfunctioning airbags to ensure that the vehicle will continue to provide supplemental crash protection for occupants. Safety guidelines for the seat belt, emergency tensioning device and airbag Warning! Airbags and ETDs are designed to function on a one-time-only basis. An airbag or emergency tensioning device (ETD) that was activated must be replaced. No modifications of any kind may be made to any components or wiring of the SRS. This includes changing or removing any component or part of the SRS, the installation of additional trim material, badges etc. over the steering wheel hub, passenger airbag cover, door trim panels, or door frame trims, and installation of additional electrical/electronic equipment on or near SRS components and wiring. Keep area between airbags and occupants free from objects (e.g. packages, purses, umbrellas, etc.). Do not pass belts over sharp edges. They could tear. Do not make any modification that could change the effectiveness of the belts. G Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly stressed in an accident must be replaced and their anchoring points must also be checked. Use only belts installed or supplied by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. 55