1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 seats

65
Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Infant and child restraint systems
We recommend t ha t all infa nts and children be properly
restrained at all times while the vehicle is in motion. All
lap-shoulder belts except the driver’s seat belt have
special seat belt retractors for secure fastening of child
restraints.
To fasten a child restraint follow child restraint
instructions for routing. Then pull shoulder belt out
completely and let it retract. During the seat belt
retraction a ratcheting sound can be heard to indicate
that the special seat belt retractor is activated. The belt
is now locked. Push down on child restraint to take up
any slack.
To deactivate, release seat belt buckle and let seat belt
retract completely. The seat belt can again be used in
the usual manner.
Note:
For child seats with mounting fittings for tether
anchorages refer to page 67 (installation of infant and
child restra int systems). Important!
The use of infant or child restraints is required by law in
all 50 states and all Canadian provinces.
Infants and small children should be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system properly
secured by a lap-shoulder belt, and that complies with
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 and
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
A statement by the child restraint manufacturer of
compliance with this standard can be found on the
instruction label on the restraint and in the instruction
manual provided with the restraint.
When using any infant or child restraint system, be sure
to carefully read and follow all manufacturer’s
instructions for installation and use.
Please read and observe warning labels affixed to inside
of vehicle and to infant or child restraints.
Wa r n i n g !
Never release the seat belt buckle while vehicle is
in motion, since the special seat belt retractor will
be deactivated.

66
Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM System
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger
front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury can result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in back seats
and be seated in an infant or child restraint system,
which is properly secured with the vehicle’s seat
belt, fully in accordance with the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions.
Infants and small children should never share a
seat belt with another occupant. During an
accident, they could be crushed between the
occupant and seat belt.Children too big for child restraint systems must
ride in back seats using regular seat belts. Position
shoulder belt across chest and shoulder, not face or
neck. A booster seat may be necessary to achieve
proper belt positioning for children from 41 lbs. to
the point where a lap / shoulder belt fits properly
without one.When the child restraint is not in use, remove it
from the vehicle or secure it with the seat belt to
prevent the child restraint from becoming a
projectile in the event of an accident.

67
Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Installation of infant and child restraint systems
To secure a tether strap to the anchorage, securely
fasten the hook (1), which is part of the tether strap, to
the anchorage ring (2). For safety, please make sure that
the hook has attached to the ring beyond the safety
catch, as illustrated. Vehicle without third row seats
3 Tether anchorages for second row seats
4 Tether anchorages for third row seats (optional)
This vehicle is provided with three tether
anchorages (3) for a top tether strap behind the
second row seats.
Note:
Do not use the tether anchorages (4) for a top tether
strap on a second row seat.

68
Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Vehicle with third row seats
3 Tether anchorages for second row seats
4 Tether anchorages for third row seats
This vehicle is provided with tether anchorages for a top
tether strap behind the second row seats (3) and the
third row seats (4). We recommend to install infant and child restraints on
the third row seats.
When using the third row seats observe the following:
• Installation of infant and child restraint systems
with a top tether strap is allowed only on both third
row seats plus the center second row seat.
• When using the center second row seat for a top
tether strap, the left third row seat should only be
used for a child restraint system, since exiting the
vehicle may not be possible in an emergency due to
the routing of the top tether strap.
To store the left third row seat, see page 126.

120
Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Split rear seat bench
The rear seat bench can be moved fore / aft, folded and
lowered to increase the cargo area. The left, right or
both seat back sections may folded down according to
need. To slide rear seat bench fore / aft:
1. Pull lever (1) in direction of arrow, and slide seat bench section to desired position until it locks in
place.
To enlarge cargo area: 1. Close cup holder in rear center console.
2. Move front seats forward, see page 39 for manual seats and page 40 for power seats.
3. Pull lever (1) in direction of arrow, and slide seat bench section forward.
4. Remove head restraint(s). The head restraint(s) should be stored beneath the cargo f loor plates.

122
Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
To return seat bench section to sitting position: 1. Pull lever (1) and raise seat bench section until it locks in place.
2. Pull lock button (2) up, and unfold seat back to upright position. Check for secure locking by
pushing and pulling on the backrest. The red
backrest lock indicators at the lock buttons (2) are
not visible in locked position.
3. Pull lever (1) in direction of arrow, and slide seat bench section rearward to desired position. 4. Install and adjust head restraint.
For installation of head restraints see page 124.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to assure that seats are locked into place
could result in an increased chance of injury in an
accident.Never place hands under seat or near any moving
parts while a seat is being adjusted.

123
Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Easy entry/exit feature

(only in vehicles with third row seats)
Folding right seat bench section for access to rear
compartment area:
1. Move right front seat forward.
2. Slide seat bench section forward.
3. Push head restraint fully down and tilt it forward, see page 43. 4. Pull lock button (2) of seat back up, and fold seat
back forward.
5. Remove respective cargo floor plate, see page 129.
6. Pull lever (6) up, and fold seat bench section forward.
Resetting seat bench: 1. Pull down on seat bench section until it locks into place.
2. Pull lock button (2) up, and unfold seat back to upright position. Check for secure locking by
pushing and pulling on the backrest. The backrest
lock indicators at the lock buttons (2) are not visible
in locked position.
3. Pull up and adjust head restraint.
Caution!
Never drive with the second row right seat folded
forward (easy entry/exit feature). It could open and fold
back unintentionally.
When unfolding the seat, be sure that there is no danger
of anyone being harmed by the procedure.

126
Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Third row seats (MB Accessory)
Two single seats can be unfolded to enlarge the seating
area.
To fold seat down: 1. Remove head restraint from seat cushion.
2. Remove cargo f loor plate, see page 129.
3. Lift tensioner (1) upward to a horizontal position to release tension of the strap. 4. Disengage hook (2) and attach belt at hook and loop
strip on underside of seat.
5. Fold seat down until it locks securely in place.
Important!
When seat is correctly unfolded, the red marking on
the seat release (4) should not be visible.
6. Store cargo floor plates inside the backrest, see page 130.
4