Mercedes-Benz 1998 SL 500 Operator's Manual page 47

Self-Test BabySmart™
Without Special Child Seat
Installed
After turning key in steering lock to
position 1 or 2, the indicator lamp
located in the dashboard comes on for
approx. 6 seconds.
If the lamp should not come on or is
continuously lit, the system is not
functioning. You must see an
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer
before using any child seat.
BabySmart is la trademark of
TM
Siemens Automotive Corp
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS)
Supplemental Restraint System means
that airbags alone cannot protect as
well as airbags plus seat belts.
The SRS uses two crash severity levels
(thresholds) to activate either the ETR
or airbag or both. Activation depends
on exceeding the thresholds and
fastening of the seat belt.
Seat belt fastened
•
first threshold exceeded:
ETR activates
•
second threshold exceeded:
airbag also activates
Seat belt not fastened
•
first threshold exceeded:
airbag activates, but not ETR
Driver and front passenger systems
operate independently from each other.
Emergency Tensioning
Retractor (ETR)
The seat belts are equipped with
emergency tensioning retractors.
These tensioning retractors are located
in each belt's inertia reel and become
operationally ready with the key in
steering lock position 1 or 2.
The emergency tensioning retractors
are designed to activate only when the
seat belts are fastened during major
frontal impacts within the shaded area
shown. They tighten the belts in such a
way that they fit more snugly against
the body, restricting its forward
movement as much as possible.
In cases of other frontal impacts, roll-
overs, certain side impacts, rear
collisions, or other accidents without
frontal forces, the emergency
tensioning retractors will not be
activated. The driver and passenger
will then be protected by the fastened
seat belts and inertia reel in the usual
manner.
For seat belt and emergency tensioning
retractor safety guidelines, see Safety
Guidelines in Index.
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