89 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Self-test BabySmart
TM without special child seat
installed
After turning electronic key in starter switch to
position 1 or 2, the 7 indicator lamp located on the
center console comes on for approximately 6 seconds
and then extinguishes.
If the indicator lamp should not come on or is
continuously lit, the system is not functioning. You must
see an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center before seating
any child on the front passenger seat. See page 302 for
notes on the 7 indicator lamp.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Wa r n i n g !
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system will
ONLY work with a special child seat designed to
operate with it. It will not work with child seats
which are not BabySmart
TM compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the
effectiveness of the deactivation system. The
bottom of the child seat must make full contact
with the passenger seat cushion. An incorrectly
mounted child seat could cause injuries to the
child in case of an accident instead of protecting
the child.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if
the 7 indicator lamp remains illuminated.Please be sure to check the indicator every time
you use the special system child seat. Should the
light go out while the restraint is installed, please
check installation. If the light remains out, do not
use the BabySmart
TM restraint to transport children
on the front passenger seat until the system has
been repaired.
J_OM_215.book Seite 89 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
98 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
• Occupants, especially children, should never
lean their heads in the area of the door or rear
quarter interior trim panel where the side
airbag inflates. This could result in serious
injuries or death should the airbag be
triggered. Always sit upright, properly use the
seat belts 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 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.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injuries to you or other occupants.
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
airbag. BabySmart
TM will not, however, turn off any
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.
J_OM_215.book Seite 98 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
99 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 front door or rear
quarter trim panels 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 quarter trim panel
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 Customer Assistance Center at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) for details.
J_OM_215.book Seite 99 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
102 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Infant and child restraint systems
We recommend all infants and children be properly
restrained at all times while the vehicle is in motion.
All lap-shoulder belts except the driver 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 104 (installation of infant and
child restraint 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.
J_OM_215.book Seite 102 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
103 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
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.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.
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.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.Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle;
even if the children are secured in a child restraint
system. Unsupervised children in a child restraint
system may use vehicle equipment and may cause
serious personal injury.
J_OM_215.book Seite 103 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
104 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Installation of infant and child restraint systems
This vehicle is provided with tether anchorages for a top
tether strap at each of the rear seating positions.
Prior to installing a tether strap, remove cover (1) from
anchorage ring (2) and store in a convenient place (e.g.
glove box).To secure a tether strap to the anchorage, securely
fasten the hook (3), 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.
After removing the tether strap, reinstall the cover (1).
1
P91.40-2205-26
J_OM_215.book Seite 104 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
105 Steering wheel adjustment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Steering wheel adjustment
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. However any adjustment will be cancelled
and the steering wheel will return to it’s position stored
in memory if the driver’s door is closed or the electronic
key is inserted in the starter switch.The stalk is located on the steering column.
1Steering column, lengthen or shorten column
Move the stalk to the front or rear.
2Steering column, height
Move the stalk up or down.
Note:
The steering wheel adjustment can be stored together
with the seat and mirror adjustment.
See page 111 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
electronic key from the starter switch, and take the
KEYLESS-GO-card (if so equipped) with you. 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.
P68.00-2011-26
1
1
2
2
J_OM_215.book Seite 105 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
112 Memory function
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Storing positions into memory
Driver’s seat: with the electronic key in starter switch
position 1 or 2 or with the driver’s door open.
Front passenger seat: with electronic key in starter
switch position 1 or 2 or the passenger door open.
Adjust the seat and multicontour backrest to the desired
position. You can also adjust the steering wheel, the
exterior rear view mirrors electrically and the inside
rear view mirror by hand for the driver’s seat. See
page 67 for front seat adjustment, page 107 for exterior
rear view mirror adjustment and page 105 for steering
wheel adjustment.
Push memory button “M”, release and push a stored
position button “1”,“ 2” or “3” within 3 seconds.
Recalling positions from memory
To recall a seat / steering wheel / rear view mirror
position, push and hold button “1”, “2” or “3” until seat,
steering wheel and rear view mirror movement has
stopped.
The seat / steering wheel / 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.
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 trol, reach, ope rati on an d c omfort. Bot h t he
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.
J_OM_215.book Seite 112 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14