2000 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Rear seats

Seats, Front

Warning !
Do not adjust the driver's seat while driving. Adjusting the seat while driving could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle. Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat back reclined. Sitting in an excessively
reclined position can be dangerous.
You could slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt would apply force at the
abdomen or neck. That could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat belt provide
the best restraint when the wearer is in an upright position and the belt is property positioned on the body.
Never place hands under seat or near any moving parts while a seat is being adjusted

1 - Seat, up/down
2 - Seat, fore7aft
3 - Seat cushion tilt
4 - Backrest tilt
5 - Head restraint

Adjust head restraint to support the back of the head approximately at ear level.
The head restraint angle can also be adjusted manually.
Note:
Your car is equipped with power head restraints, do not try to raise or lower them manually.


Power Seat (Optional on model C230 Kompressor passenger side)
The slide switches are located in each front door. Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2 (with a front
door open, the power seats can also be operated with the electronic key removed or in steering lock position 0).

Warning !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the electronic key from the steering lock. The power seats can also
be operated with the driver's or passenger door open. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause serious personal injury.

Caution !
Do not remove head restraints except when mounting seat covers. For removal refer to Head Restraints, Front, see
Index. Whenever restraints have been removed be sure to reinstall them
before driving.

Important !
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust the seat height for proper vision as well as fore/aft placement
and seat back angle to insure adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head restraint should also be
adjusted for proper height. See also airbag section for proper seat positioning. In addition, also adjust the steering
wheel to ensure
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort, if vehicle so equipped. Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors
should be adjusted for adequate rearward vision. Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be seated in a
properly secured restraint system that complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 and Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view mirror adjustments as well
as fastening of seat belts should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.

Warning !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized
BabySmart™ compatible child seat, which operates with the BabySmart™ system installed in the vehicle to
deactivate the passenger side 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 will result. The back seat is the safest place
for children. Infants and small children must ride in the back seats and be seated in an appropriate infant or
child restraint system, which is properly secured with the vehicle's seat belt, fully in accordance with the seat
manufacturer's instructions. A child's risk of serious or fatal injuries is significantly increased if the child
restraints are not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is not properly secured in the child restraint.

Multicontour Seat (optional)

We recommend to adjust the multicontour seat in the following order:
1. Seat cushion depth
2. Backrest bottom
3. Backrest center
4. Side bolster adjustment

Some models may be equipped with multicontour seats. These seats have movable seat cushions,
and inflatable air cushions built into the backrest to provide additional lumbar and side support.
The seat cushion movement and amount of backrest cushion height and curvature can be
continuously varied with regulators (1, 2 and 3) after turning the electronic key in steering lock to
position 2.

The side bolsters of the backrest can be adjusted with rocker switch (4):
• press down forward end-increase side support,
• press down rearward end-decrease side support.

If the engine is turned off, the last cushion setting is retained in memory, and automatically adjusts
the cushion to this setting when the engine is restarted.

Cup Holder in Rear Bench Armrest
Briefly press drawer and pull out to its detent.

Caution !
Keep cup holder closed while travelling. Place only containers that fit into the cup
holder to prevent spills. Do not fill containers to a height where the contents could spill
during vehicle maneuvers, especially hot liquids.


Head Restraints, Rear

Folding head restraints backward (with engine running): Press symbol-side of rocker
switch to release the head restraints.
The head restraints will then fold backward for increased visibility.

Placing head restraints upright:
Pull head restraint forward until it locks in position.
Angle of head restraints:
The head restraint angle can be adjusted manually.

Important !
For safety reasons, always drive with the rear head restraints in the upright position
when the rear seats are occupied.
Keep area around head restraints clear of articles (e.g. clothing) to not obstruct the
folding operation of the head restraints.

Warning !

USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY.
• Each occupant should wear their seat belt at all times, because seat belts help reduce the
likelihood of and potential severity of injuries in accidents, including rollovers. "SRS" (driver
airbag, front passenger airbag, front door side impact airbags), "ETR" (seat belt emergency
tensioning retractors), and knee bolsters are impacts which exceed preset deployment thresholds.
• Improperly positioned seat belts do not provide maximum protection and may
cause serious injuries in case of an accident.
• Never wear the shoulder belt under your arm, against your neck or off your shoulder. In a
crash, your body would move too far forward. That would increase the chance of head and
neck injuries. The belt would also apply too much force to the ribs or abdomen, which could
severely injure infernal organs such as your liver or spleen.

• Position the lap belt as low as possible on your hips and not across the abdomen. If the
belt is positioned across your abdomen, it could cause serious injuries in a crash.
• Each seat belt should never be used for more than one person at a time. Do not fasten a
seat belt around a person and objects.
• Belts should not be worn twisted. In a crash, you wouldn't have the full width of the belt to
manage impact forces. The twisted belt against your body could cause injuries.
• Pregnant women should also use a lap-shoulder belt. The lap belt portion should be positioned
as low as possible on the hips to avoid any possible pressure on the abdomen.

Warning !

USE CHILD RESTRA INTS PROPERLY.
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized Baby Smart™ compatible child seat, which operates with the BabySmart™ system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger side 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 will 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 appropriate infant or child restraint system, which is properly secured with
the vehicle's seat belt, fully in accordance with the seat manufacturer's instructions.
A child's risk of serious or fatal injuries is signi ficantly increased if the child restraints are not
properly secured in the vehicle and the child is not properly secured in the child restraint.
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.

Emergency Tensioning Retractor (ETR)

The seat belts for the front seats are equipped with emergency tensioning retractors.
These tensioning retractors are located in each belt's inertia reel and become operationally ready
with the electronic key in steering lock position 1 or 2. The emergency tensioning retractors are
designed to activate only when the seat belts are fastened during frontal impacts exceeding the first
threshold of the SRS and in rear impacts exceeding a preset security level. They remove slack from
the belts in such a way that the seat belts fit more snugly against the body restricting its forward
movement as much as possible. In cases of other frontal impacts, angled impacts, roll-overs, certain
side impacts, or other accidents without sufficient frontal or rear impact forces, the emergency
tensioning retractors will not be ac tivated. The driver and passengers 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.

Infant and Child Restraint Systems
We recommend that all infants and children be properly restrained at all times while the vehicle is in
motion. All lap-shoulder belts except driver seat have special seat belt retractors for secure fastening
of child restraints. To fasten a child restraint, use th is seat belt: 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 spec ial 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.

Warning !
Never release the seat belt buckle while vehicle is in motion, since the special seat belt
retractor will be deactivated.

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 approp riate 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 ca n be found on the instruction label on the restraint
and in the instruction manual provided with the re straint. When using any infant or child restraint
system, be sure to carefully read and follow all manu facturer's instructions for installation and use.
Please read and observe warning labels affixed to inside of vehicle.


Children 12 years old and under must never ride in the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart™ compatible child seat, which operates with the BabySmart™ system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger side 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 will 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 accordan ce with the 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 is necessary to achieve
proper belt positioning for children from 41 Ibs. to the point where a lap/shoulder belt fits
properly without one.
When the child restraint is not in use, remove it from the car or secure it with the seat belt to
prevent the child restraint from becoming a projectile in the event of an accident.

U.S.A. Models only:
Since 1986 all U.S. child restraints comply with U. S. regulations without the use of a tether strap.
Canada Models only: This vehicle is provided with tether anchorages for a top tether strap. Consult
your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for installa tion of these anchorages. In compliance with
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 210.1, ch ild restraint tether anchorage hardware is
attached to the tool kit located in the trunk.

Steering Lock

0 - The electronic key can be withdrawn in this position only. The steering is locked with the electronic key removed
from the steering lock. The electronic key an be removed only with the selector lever in position "P" and the foot off
the brake pedal. After removing the electronic key or with the electronic key in steering lock position 0, the
selector lever is locked in position "P".
1 - Steering is unlocked. (If necessary, move steering wheel slightly to allow the electronic key to be turned clockwise
to position 1.) Most electrical consumers can be operated. For detailed information see respective subjects.
2 - Driving position.
3 - Starting position.

Refer to Index for Starting and turning off the engine.


Warning !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the electronic key from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause serious personal injury.


Important !
If the electronic key is left in the steering lock position 0 for an extended period of time, it can no longer be turned
in the lock. In this case, remove electronic key from steering lock and reinsert.

Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver's door is opened with the electronic key in steering lock position 1 or 0. With the
engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the alternator (output) is limited. It is therefore recommended to turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of the
battery. Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example: Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the automatic climate air volume control
should be set to the lowest position. The steering lock can only be unlocked with the vehicle battery properly
connected.

Caution !
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible dead battery, always remove the electronic key from the
steering lock. Do not leave the electronic key in steering lock position 0.

Front Head Restraints




Warning !
For your protection, drive only with properly positioned head restraints. Adjust head restraint to support the
back of the head approximately at ear level. Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head restraints.
Head restraints are intended to help reduce injuries during an accident.

For positioning of head restraints refer to sections Manual Seats, Power Seats, and Head Restraints, Rear in Index.

Power seats
Removal:
Push button (1) up to bring the head restraint to its highest position. Pull out head restraint completely with both
hands. Installation: Push button (1) up for approximately 5 seconds. Insert head restraint and push it down to the
stop. Adjust
head restraint, see Index.

Manual seat
Removal:
Pull head restraint up to the stop. Push button (1) and pull head restraint out. Installation: Insert the head restraint and
push it down to the stop. Adjust head restraint, see Index.