Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3 1987 Owner's Manual page 42

Driver Air Bag
The air bag (1) is located in the steer­
ing wheel hub and, in conjunction with
wearing the seat belts with emergency
tensioning retractors (2), provides
increased protection for the driver.
40
The operational readiness of the sup­
plemental restraint system (air bag) is
verified by the indicator lamp "SRS"
(3) in the instrument cluster. With the
key in steering lock position 1 or 2,
the indicator lamp comes on for about
10 seconds then goes out. If it doesn't
come on, doesn't go out, flickers on
and off, or comes on while driving, the
system has detected a malfunction.
This will not cause the supplemental
restraint system to be activated. How­
ever, we strongly recommend that you
visit an authorized MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer immediately to have the system
checked; otherwise the "SRS" may
not be activated in a severe frontal
accident.
Important note:
The air bag is designed to activate
only in severe frontal impacts with­
in the shaded area shown in the
illustration on page 39. Only during
these types of impacts will it pro­
vide its supplemental protection.
The driver should always wear the
seat belt, otherwise it is not pos­
sible for the air bag to provide its
intended protection.
In cases of less severe frontal im­
pacts, roll-overs, side or rear colli­
sions, or other accidents without se­
vere frontal forces, the air bag will not
be activated. The driver and other
passengers will then be protected by
the fastened seat belts.