Occupant Safety - Mercedes-Benz SL Operator's Manual

When the air bags are deployed, a small
amount of powder is released. The powder
generally does not constitute a health hazard
and does not indicate that there is a fire in the
vehicle. In order to prevent potential
breathing difficulties, you should leave the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If you
have any breathing difficulty but cannot get
out of the vehicle after the air bag inflates,
then get fresh air by opening a window or
door.
G
WARNING
In order to reduce the potential danger of
injuries caused during the deployment of the
front air bags, the driver and front passenger
must always be correctly seated and wear
their seat belts.
For maximum protection in the event of a
collision, you must always be in the normal
seat position with your back against the
backrest. Fasten your seat belt and make sure
that it is correctly positioned on your body.
As the air bag inflates with considerable
speed and force, a proper seating position
and correct positioning of the hands on the
steering wheel will help to keep you at a safe
distance from the air bag. Occupants who are
not wearing their seat belt, are not seated
properly or are too close to the air bag can be
seriously injured or killed by an air bag, as it
inflates with great force instantaneously:
sit with the seat belt fastened correctly and
R
in a position that is as upright as possible
with your back against the backrest.
move the driver's seat as far back as
R
possible, still permitting proper operation
of vehicle controls. The distance from the
center of the driver's chest to the middle of
the air bag cover on the steering wheel
must be at least 10 inches (25 cm). You
should be able to accomplish this by
adjusting the seat and steering wheel. If
you have any difficulties, please contact a
qualified specialist workshop.

Occupant safety

do not lean your head or chest close to the
R
steering wheel or dashboard.
only hold the steering wheel on the outside.
R
Placing hands and arms inside the rim of
the steering wheel can increase the risk
and potential severity of hand/arm injuries
if the air bag inflates.
adjust the front-passenger seat as far back
R
as possible from the dashboard when the
seat is occupied.
occupants, especially children, should
R
never place their bodies or lean their heads
in the area of the door where the side
impact air bag and/or head bag inflates.
This could result in serious injuries or death
should the side impact air bag/head bag be
deployed. Always sit as upright as possible,
wear the seat belt properly and use an
appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler
restraint or booster seat recommended for
the size and weight of the child.
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injuries to you or other occupants.
If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you
make the buyer aware of this safety
information. Be sure to give the buyer this
Operator's Manual.
G
WARNING
If the side impact air bag and/or head bag is
deployed in the event of a side impact and the
front passenger, especially a child, is not
properly seated or restrained when next to a
side impact air bag/head bag, injuries are
possible due to the rapid inflation of the side
impact air bag/head bag.
To help avoid the possibility of injury, please
follow these guidelines:
(1) Always sit as upright as possible,
and use the seat belts properly.
Make sure that children 12 years
old and under use an appropriately
sized child restraint, infant
restraint or booster seat
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