75 Restraint systems
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• Sit properly belted in an upright position with
your back against the backrest.• Adjust the driver’s seat as far as possible
rearward, still permitting proper operation of
vehicle controls. distance from the center of
the driver’s breastbone to the center of the
airbag cover on the steering wheel must be at
least ten inches (25 cm) or more. You should be
able to accomplish this by a combination of
adjustments to the seat and steering wheel. If
you have any problems, please see your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.• Do not lean with your head or chest close to the
steering wheel or dashboard.• Keep hands on the outside of steering wheel
rim. Placing hands and arms inside the rim
can increase the risk and potential severity of
hand / arm injury when driver front airbag
inflates.• Adjust the front passenger seat as far as
possible rearward from the dashboard when
the seat is occupied.
• Occupants, especially children, should never
lean their heads in the area of the door where
the side airbag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the airbag be
triggered. Always sit upright, properly use the
seatbelts and appropriate size infant or child
restraint system• Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a Mercedes-
Benz authorized Baby Smart
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.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injuries to you or other occupants.
76 Restraint systems
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Safety guidelines for the seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor and airbag
Wa r n i n g !
Accident research shows that the safest place for
children in an automobile is in the rear seat.
Should you choose to place a child 12 years old or
under in the front passenger seat of your vehicle,
you must properly use a BabySmart
TM child
restraint which will turn off the passenger side
front airbag. BabySmart
TM will not, however, turn
off the vehicle’s side impact airbag.
It should be noted that with respect to both front
and rear side impact airbags there is a possibility
for a side airbag related injury if occupants,
especially children, are not properly seated or
restrained when next to a side airbag which needs
to deploy rapidly in a side impact in order to do its
job.To help avoid the possibility of injury, please follow
these guidelines: (1) occupants, especially
children, should never place their bodies or lean
their heads in the area of the door where the side
airbag inflates. This could result in serious
injuries or death should the side airbag be
activated; (2) always sit upright, properly use the
seat belts and use an appropriately sized infant or
child restraint system for all children 12 years old
or under; and (3) always wear seat belts properly.
If you believe that, even with the use of these
guidelines, it would be safer for your rear seat
occupants to have both rear door mounted side
airbags deactivated, then deactivation can be
accomplished upon your written election to do so at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center at an
additional cost. Please contact your local
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call our Client
Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) for details.Wa r n i n g !
• Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly
stressed in an accident must be replaced and
their anchoring points must also be checked.
Use only belts installed or supplied by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.• Do not pass belts over sharp edges.• Do not make any modification that could
change the effectiveness of the belts.
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Infant and child restraint systems
We recommend all infants and children be properly re-
strained 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 activate, 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.
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 80 (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.
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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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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
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244 Malfunction and indicator lamps
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Supplemental restraint system (SRS) indicator lamp
The operational readiness of the airbag
system is verified by the indicator lamp
“SRS” in the instrument cluster when
turning the electronic key in steering lock to position 1
or 2. If no malfunction 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 coming on again.
See page 70 for notes on airbags, see page 69 for belt
tensioners and page 59 for infant and child seat
restraint.Fuel reserve and fuel cap placement warning
When the warning lamp (1) comes on after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, it indicates that
the fuel level is down to the reserve quantity of
approximately 2.6 gal (10 liters).
The warning lamp blinks when the fuel cap is not
closed, or a fuel system leak has been detected.
Retighten cap and see if lamp goes out after restart and
next OBD selfcheck.
If the warning lamp continues to blink after closing the
fuel cap correctly, have the fuel system checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can
also cause the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp to illuminate, see
also page 242.
Wa r n i n g !
In the event a malfunction of the “SRS” is indicated
as outlined above, the “SRS” may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center immediately to have the system
checked; otherwise the “SRS” may not be activated
when needed in an accident, which could result in
serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy
unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could also
result in injury.SRS
1
N54.30-2756-21
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Choosing global or selective mode ........................... 32
Electronic main key .................................................... 25
Electronic reserve key ................................................ 26
Locking and unlocking .............................................. 31
Mechanical keys ................................................... 26, 33
Remote control ............................................................ 25
Summer opening/convenience feature ................... 32
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp .....................................242
Check regularly and before a long trip ......................239
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator ...................................117
Via oil dipstick ...........................................................268
Child restraint ..................................................... 59, 67, 78
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .................................308
Clock, setting ...................................................................110
Coin holder in glove box lid ......................................... 162
COMAND, radio and telephone ................................... 184
Combination switch ...................................................... 122
Consumer information ..................................................328
Control and operation of radio transmitters ............. 184
COOLANT (coolant level) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................253
Coolant level ...................................................................269
Adding coolant ..........................................................270
Checking ....................................................................269COOLANT TEMP. -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 254
Coolant temperature gauge ............................................ 90
Coolants .......................................................................... 326
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity ........................ 327
Cruise control ................................................................ 220
Cup holder
In center console ....................................................... 164
In glove box lid .......................................................... 162
In rear bench armrest ............................................... 161
DDaytime running lamps ................................................120
Deep water
Driving instructions ................................................. 219
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit) -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 248
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems) -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 248
Display illumination ........................................................ 89
Doors .................................................................................. 34
Drinking and Driving .................................................... 211
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel ............................................. 211
Driving instructions ...................................................... 211
Driving off ....................................................................... 213
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IIdentification labels ....................................................... 317
Illuminated vanity mirrors ........................................... 160
Indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster ............................................. 88, 242
Individual settings ..........................................................110
Infant and child restraint systems ................................ 78
Information call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 186
Instrument cluster ........................................................... 86
Activating ..................................................................... 89
Illumination ................................................................. 89
Indicator lamps ........................................................... 88
Instruments and controls ............................................... 18
Interior
General notes ............................................................. 161
Interior lighting ............................................................. 159JJump starting ..................................................................285
KKeys, vehicle .....................................................................24LLamps, exterior
Fog lamps ...........................................................119, 295
Headlamps ........................................ 119, 255, 292, 310
Parking lamps ...........................................119, 294, 295
Replacing bulbs ......................................................... 291
Side marker lamp, front ...................................119, 297
Standing lamps .........................................119, 294, 295
Taillamps .......................................... 119, 255, 295, 310
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............................................ 318
LIGHT SENSOR -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 256
Lighter ............................................................................. 167
LIGHTING SYSTEM -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 255
Limp home mode ........................................................... 209
Loading instructions ...................................................... 176
Locking and unlocking .................................................... 31