Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 201 1987 Owner's Manual page 39

Driver Airbag
The airbag (1) is located in the steering
wheel hub and, in conjunction with
wearing the seat belts with emergency
tensioning retractors (2), provides
increased protection for the driver.
The operational readiness of the sup­
plemental restraint system (airbag) is
verified by the indicator lamp " SRS" (3)
in the instrument cluster. With the key
in steering lock position 1 or 2, the indi­
cator lamp comes on for about 10 sec­
onds then goes out. If it doesn't come
on, doesn't go out, flickers on and off,
or comes on while driving, the system
is malfunctioning.
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 acci­
dent.
Important note:
The airbag is designed to activate
only in severe frontal impacts within
the shaded area shown in the illus­
tration on page 36. Only during
these types of impacts will it provide
its supplemental protection. The
driver should always wear the seat
belt, otherwise it is not possible for
the airbag to provide its intended
protection.
In cases of less severe frontal impacts,
roll-overs, side or rear collisions, or
other accidents without severe frontal
forces, the airbag will not be activated.
The driver and other passengers will
then be protected by the fastened seat
belts.