38 Seats
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust 
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore / aft 
placement and backrest angle to insure adequate 
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head 
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height. See 
also airbag section on page 56 for proper seat 
positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure 
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.
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.
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 
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 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 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 child 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. 
39 Seats
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Manual seats (ML 320)
We recommend to adjust the manual seat in the 
following order:
1Seat, fore / aft
Lift handle (1), slide seat to desired position and 
allow handle to reengage. Check for proper 
engagement before driving. The position should be 
as far rearward as possible, consistent with ability to 
properly operate controls.2Seat cushion inclination adjustment
Raise lever (2), move seat cushion to desired 
position. Release lever.
3Backrest adjustment
Turn handwheel (3).
4Head restraint height
Raising: 
Pull up on head restraint.
Lowering: 
Push button (4), located at top of seat back, and 
push down on 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.
See page 43 for removing head restraints. 
49 Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Tighten the lap portion to a snug fit by pulling shoulder 
portion up.
The shoulder portion of the seat belt must be pulled 
snug and checked for snugness immediately after 
engaging it.
Adjust seat belt so that shoulder portion is located as 
close as possible to the middle of your shoulder (it 
should not touch the neck). For this purpose, you can 
adjust the height of the belt outlet. Three positions are 
available.4Button for belt outlet height adjustment
To raise, slide belt height adjustment upward.
To lower, press button (4) and slide belt outlet 
downward.
Caution!
For safety reasons, avoid adjusting the seat or backrest 
into positions which could affect the correct seat belt 
positioning.