67 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 4Button for belt outlet height adjustment
To raise, slide belt outlet upward.
To lower, press button (4) and slide belt outlet
downward.Operation of seat belts
The inertia reel stops the belt from unwinding during
sudden stops or when quickly pulling on the belt.
The locking function of the reel may be checked by
quickly pulling out the belt.
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).
Caution!
For safety reasons, avoid adjusting the seat or seat back
into positions which could affect the correct seat belt
positioning.
Unfastening of seat belts
Press release button (3) in the belt buckle (2).
Allow the retractor to completely rewind the seat belt by
guiding the latch plate (1).
OM_203.book Seite 67 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
78 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Your vehicle was originally equipped with airbags
which are designed to activate in certain impacts
exceeding a preset threshold to reduce the potential
and severity of injury. It is important to your safety
a nd tha t of your pas sen ger t hat you repl ac e d epl oyed
airbags and repair any malfunctioning airbags to
ensure the vehicle will continue to provide crash
protection for occupants.
Wa r n i n g !
To reduce the risk of injury when the front airbags
inflate, it is very important for the driver and front
passenger to always be in a properly seated
position and to wear your seat belt.For maximum protection in the event of a collision
always be in normal seated position with your back
against the backrest. Fasten your seat belt and
ensure that it is properly positioned on your body.Since the airbag inflates with considerable speed
and force, a proper seating and hands on steering
wheel position will help to keep you at a safe
distance from the airbag. Occupants who are
unbelted, out of position or too close to the airbag
can be seriously injured by an airbag as it inflates
with great force in the blink of an eye:
• Sit properly belted in an upright position with
your back against the backrest.• Adjust the driver seat as far as possible
rearward, still permitting proper operation of
vehicle controls. The 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.
OM_203.book Seite 78 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
89 Steering wheel adjustment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Steering wheel adjustment (electrical)
(optional on model C 240)
To adjust the steering wheel position, turn the electronic
key in starter switch to position 1 or 2. With the driver’s
door open, the steering wheel can also be operated with
the electronic key removed or in starter switch
position 0.The switch is located on the driver’s door.
1Steering column, lengthen or shorten column
Move the switch to the front or rear.
2Steering column, height
Move the switch up or down.
Note:
The steering wheel adjustment can be stored together
with the seat and exterior mirror adjustment.
See page 95 for notes on the memory function.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Adjusting the steering wheel while driving could
cause the driver to lose the control of the vehicle.When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electroni c key f rom t he sta rter s wi tch a nd lock your
vehicle.The steering wheel adjustment feature can also be
operated with the driver’s door open. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with access
to a n un locked vehi cle. Un supervi sed use of vehicl e
equipment may cause serious personal injury.
OM_203.book Seite 89 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
91 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Exterior rear view mirrors
The buttons are located above the exterior lamp switch.
The memory button (4) is located on the driver’s door.Exterior rear view mirror adjustment
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 2.
Push button to select mirror to be adjusted:
Driver’s side – Push button (1).
Passenger side – Push button (2).
Push the adjustment button (3) up, down, left or right
according to the setting desired.
Notes:
The exterior rear view mirrors have electrically heated
glass. The heater switches on automatically, depending
on outside temperature.
If an exterior mirror housing is forcibly pivoted from its
normal position, it must be repositioned by applying
firm pressure until it snaps into place.
Storing exterior rear view mirror positions
(only vehicles with memory function)
The exterior rear view mirror positions are stored in
memory with the seat / steering wheel adjustment and
can be recalled when necessary. See page 95 for notes
on the memory function.
Wa r n i n g !
Exercise care when using the passenger side
exterior mirror. The mirror surface is convex
(outwardly curved surface for a wider field of
view). Objects in mirror are closer than they
appear. Check your inside rear view mirror or
glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.
0
PAuto
OM_203.book Seite 91 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
96 Memory function
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Storing positions into memory:
With the electronic key in starter switch position 1 or 2
or with the relevant door open and the electronic key
inserted in the starter switch.
Adjust the seat to the desired position.
Driver’s seat:
You can also adjust the steering wheel and the exterior
rear view mirrors electrically for the driver’s seat. See
page 91 for exterior rear view mirror adjustment and
page 89 for steering wheel adjustment.
Turn button (2) to selected memory position.
Push memory button (1), release and push the position
button (2) within 3 seconds.Recalling positions from memory:
To recall a seat / steering wheel / exterior rear view
mirror position, turn button (2) to selected memory
position and press to recall.
The seat / steering wheel / exterior rear view mirror
movement stops when the button is released.
Caution!
Do not operate the power seats using the memory
button if the backrest is in an excessively reclined
position. Doing so could cause damage to front or rear
seats.
First move backrest to an upright position.
OM_203.book Seite 96 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
97 Memory function
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should check
and adjust if necessary the seat height, seat position
fore and aft, and backrest angle to insure adequate
control, reach 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
ad eq uate con tr ol, r each, operation and com fort. B ot h 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 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.
OM_203.book Seite 97 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
392 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
FFirst aid kit ..................................................................... 314
Flat tire
See Changing wheels ............................................... 331
Flexible service system
(FSS) ............................................................................ 138
Front airbags .................................................................... 73
Front center console
storage compartment ventilation ........................... 171
Front seat adjustment ..................................................... 49
Fuel filler flap, manual release ...................................360
Fuel reserve warning ....................................................290
Fuse box .......................................................................... 315
Fuses ................................................................................ 315GGarage door opener ....................................................... 226
Global locking
See Central locking system ....................................... 31
Glove box .........................................................................208
HHazard warning flasher switch ................................... 151
Head restraints
Rear seat ....................................................................... 60
Head restraints, front seats
Removal and installation ...........................................55
Headlamp cleaning system ........................................... 147
Headlamp mode .............................................................. 144
Heated seats ......................................................................58
High beams
See Combination switch .......................................... 148IIdentification labels ...................................................... 375
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster ................ 286
Individual settings ......................................................... 121
"CONVENIENCE"
(vehicles with memory function) ...................... 134
"INSTRUMENT CLUSTER" ....................................... 124
"LIGHTING" ................................................................ 128
"VEHICLE" ................................................................. 131
Infant and child restraint systems ................................83
Child seat mounts ....................................................... 86
Installation ................................................................... 85
OM_203.book Seite 392 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
395 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
RRadio
See Radio mode ......................................................... 179
Rain sensor ..................................................................... 149
Rear passenger compartment adjustable air outlets 172
Rear window defroster .................................................. 170
Rear window sunshade ................................................. 205
Removal and installation of front seat head restraints ...
55
Replacement keys
Obtaining ..................................................................... 29
Replacing bulbs .............................................................. 351
Replacing wiper blade insert .......................................362
Reporting Safety Defects ................................................ 15
REST .........................................................................159, 169
Roadside assistance call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 234
Roof rack .........................................................................363SSeat belt nonusage warning system ............................. 64
Seat belts ........................................................................... 63
Fastening ...................................................................... 66
Operation ..................................................................... 67Unfastening .................................................................. 67
Warning lamp ........................................................... 292
Seat belts and integrated restraint system ..................63
Seats
Front seat adjustment ................................................ 49
Heated seat ................................................................... 58
Manual seat .................................................................. 52
Multicontour seat ........................................................57
Power seat ....................................................................50
Selective locking
See Central locking system ....................................... 31
Setting the audio volume .............................................. 136
Side impact airbags ......................................................... 76
Side marker lamp .......................................................... 355
Ski sack ........................................................................... 216
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................................................... 200
Opening and closing ...................................................35
Synchronizing .......................................................... 202
SOS-call
See Tele Aid .............................................................. 234
Spare wheel
bolts ............................................................................ 330
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage compartment .... 325
Split folding rear seat bench ........................................221
Standby bulb function .................................................. 356
Start lock-out .....................................................................30
OM_203.book Seite 395 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11