2011 Mercedes SL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 48

46 Occupant safety 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. your seat belt. The air bags can only protect as intended if the occupants are properly wearing their seat belts. Safety and security G Warning! 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. 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. G Warning! i See "Children in the vehicle" (Y page 51) for information on Rinfants and children traveling with you in the vehicle Rrestraint systems for infants and children G Warning! 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 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 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. G Warning! Keep the door storage compartments closed while vehicle is in motion. Failure to do so may cause the seat belt to catch at the rear and prevent proper positioning of the seat belt. G Warning! 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.