Mercedes-Benz 1998 SL 500 Operator's Manual page 48

Airbags
1. Driver airbag
2. Front passenger airbag
3. Side impact airbag
The most effective occupant restraint
system yet developed for use in
production vehicles is the seat belt. In
some cases, however, the protective
effect of a seat belt can be further
enhanced by an airbag.
The driver airbag is located in the
steering wheel hub. The passenger
airbag is located in the dashboard
ahead of the passenger.
The side impact airbags are located in
the doors. In conjunction with wearing
the seat belts with emergency
tensioning retractors, the airbags can
provide increased protection for the
driver and passenger in certain major
frontal (for front airbags), and side
impacts (for side impact airbags).
The operational readiness of the
airbag system is verified by the
indicator lamp "SRS" in the
instrument cluster. If no fault is
detected, the lamp will go out after
approximately 4 seconds; after the lamp
goes out, the system continues to
monitor the components and circuitry
of the airbag system
and will indicate a malfunction by
corning on again.
The following system components are
monitored or undergo a self-check:
crash-sensor (s), airbag ignition
circuits, seat belt buckles, emergency
tensioning retractors, seat sensor (when
present).
Initially, when the key is turned from
steering lock position 0 to positions 1
or 2, malfunctions in the crash-sensor
are detected and indicated (the "SRS"
indicator lamp stays on longer than 4
seconds).
In the operational mode, after the
indicator lamp has gone out
following the initial check, inter-
ruptions and short circuits in the
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