Page 65 of 406
62 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Head restraint heightRaising:
Pull up on head restraint.
Lowering:
Push button (2) and push down on head restraint.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of the head
approximately at ear level. The head restraint
inclination can also be adjusted manually.
Note:
The center rear seat head restraint cannot be adjusted
or removed.
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Page 69 of 406

66 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Fastening seat belts
1Latch plate
2Buckle
3Release button
Push latch plate (1) into buckle (2) until it clicks. Do not
twist the belt. A twisted seat belt may cause injury.The lap belt should be positioned as low as possible on
your hips and not across the abdomen.
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.
Wa r n i n g !
Always fasten your seat belt before driving off.
Always make sure your passengers are properly
restrained – even those sitting in the rear.
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Page 70 of 406
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).
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Page 92 of 406

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.
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Page 100 of 406

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.
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Page 214 of 406
211 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Cup holder
1Cup holder in front seat armrest
Open cup holder:
Push button (1) the cup holder slides out.Close cup holder:
Push (arrow) until cup holder engages.
P 68.00-2715-26
Wa r n i n g !
Keep the 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.
P 68.00-2715-26
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Page 215 of 406
212 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
2Cup holder in rear seat armrestTo o p e n :
Push front of sliding compartment – the cup holder
slides out.
To c l o s e :
Push the sliding compartment back until it engages.
Wa r n i n g !
Keep the 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.
OM_203.book Seite 212 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 323 of 406
320 Engine compartment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
To c l o s e :
Lower the hood and let it drop into lock from a height of
ap pr oxim ately 1 f t. (3 0 cm ), as si stin g wi th hand s p lac ed
flat on edges of hood (3).
To avoid hood damage, please make sure that hood is
fully closed. If not, repeat closing procedure. Do not
push down on hood to attempt to fully close it.
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