2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class WAGON ECU

79 Restraint systems
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and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical 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 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.
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.

80 Restraint systems
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
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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.This vehicle is provided with three tether anchorages
for a top tether strap at each of the rear seating
positions (3).
P91.40-2207-26
333

120 Exterior lamp switch
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Note:
With the electronic key removed and the driver’s door
open, a warning sounds and the message “SWITCH OFF
LIGHTS” in the multifunction indicator appears if the
vehicle’s exterior lamps (except standing lamps) are not
switched off.
Fog lamps will operate with the parking lamps and / or
the low beam headlamps on. Fog lamps should only be
used in conjunction with low beam headlamps. Consult
your State or Province Motor Vehicle Regulations
regarding allowable lamp operation.
Fog lamps are automatically switched off when the
exterior lamp switch is turned to position D.Daytime running lamps
(Canada only)
When the engine is running and the selector lever is in
a driving position, the low beam headlamps (includes
parking lamps, side marker lamps, taillamps and
license plate lamps) are automatically switched on.
When shifting from a driving position to position “N”
or “P”, the low beam switches off (2 seconds delay).
For nighttime driving the exterior lamp switch should
be turned to position B to permit activation of the
high beam headlamps.
Night security Illumination
When exiting the vehicle after driving with the exterior
lamps on, they switch on again for added illumination
for a pproximately 30 sec onds a f ter c losing th e la st d oor.
The lamp-on time period can be changed at your
Mercedes-Benz Center.

161 Interior equipment
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and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Interior
Armrest, rear bench
Pull down the armrest by its top.Cup holder in rear bench armrest
Press button (1) and pull out drawer to its detent.
Caution!
Keep cup holder closed while traveling. 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.
Wa r n i n g
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than
the seat backs. Do not place anything on the shelf
below the rear window.Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy objects.
P91.27-2005-26

169 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexSet up:
Pull backrest up until it locks in its upright position.
A red indicator (5) on the pull locking handle is visible
in the unlocked position. Check for secure locking by
pushing and pulling on the backrest. Follow remaining
steps in reverse order listed above.
Note:
Do not interchange the front head restraints with the
rear head restraints.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not drive the vehicle without head restraints.
Always reinstall head restraints when returning
cushions to seating use. Head restraints help
reduce injuries should an accident occur.
P91.12-2050-26
P91.12-2199-26
5

171 Interior equipment
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexRetractable luggage cover and partition net
The twin-reel roller blind comprises a luggage cover and
a partition net. It is mounted on the backrest of the rear
seat and can also be used with the backrest folded
down.
Wa r n i n g !
In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle, and can cause injury to vehicle
occupants unless the items are securely fastened in
the vehicle.Always lock backrest in its upright position when
rear seat bench is occupied, or the extended cargo
area is not in use. Check for secure locking by
pushing and pulling on the backrest.Never drive vehicle with tailgate open. Deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle
interior resulting in unconsciousness and death.

176 Interior equipment
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Loading instructions
The handling characteristics of a fully loaded vehicle
depend greatly on the load distribution. It is therefore
recommended to load the vehicle according to the
illustrations shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
The total load weight including vehicle occupants and
luggage / cargo should not exceed the vehicle capacity
weight indicated on the certification label which can be
found on the left door pillar.Always place items being carried against front or rear
seat backrests, and fasten them as securely as possible.
The heaviest portion of the cargo should always be kept
as low as possible since it influences the handling
characteristics of the vehicle.
For additional safety when transporting cargo while the
rear bench seats are unoccupied, fasten the outer seat
belts crosswise into the opposite side buckles.
P68.00-2153-26
P91.40-2171.26

177 Interior equipment
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexCargo tie-down rings
Eight rings are located in the cargo compartment.
Additional two rings can be found ahead of the split rear
bench seat on the cross member.
Carefully secure cargo by applying even load on all
rings with rope of sufficient strength to hold down the
cargo.
Wa r n i n g !
Always fasten items being carried as securely as
possible.In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle, and can cause injury to vehicle
occupants unless the items are securely fastened in
the vehicle.To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when transporting
cargo.Never drive vehicle with tailgate open. Deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle
interior resulting in unconsciousness and death.