74 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 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.
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.
77 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 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 79 (installation of infant and
child restraint systems).
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.
78 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
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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 !
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.
79 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexInstallation of infant and child restraint systems
This vehicle is provided with three tether anchorages
for a top tether strap at each of the rear seating
positions (3).
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.
P91.40-2207-26
333
246 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 68 for notes on airbags, see page 67 for belt
tensioners and page 57 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 244.
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
P54.30-4557-21
249 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Malfunction and indicator lamp in the center
console
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
The 7 indicator lamp will light up for approximately
6 seconds when you turn the electronic key in steering
lock to position 1 or 2.
The 7 indicator lamp stays lit as long as a
BabySmart
TM compatible child seat is properly installed
on the front passenger seat. It indicates that the front
passenger airbag is switched off.
See page 65 for BabySmart
TM deactivation system.
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
TMcompatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the
effectiveness of the deactivation systems.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if
the7 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 systems has
been repaired.
338 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Center console .................................................................. 20
Central locking switch .................................................... 34
Central locking system ................................................... 27
Automatic central locking ......................................... 35
Choosing global or selective mode ........................... 30
Electronic key .............................................................. 25
Locking and unlocking .............................................. 29
Mechanical keys .......................................................... 31
Remote control ............................................................ 25
Summer opening/convenience feature ................... 30
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 244
Check regularly and before a long trip ...................... 241
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator ...................................117
Via oil dipstick ...........................................................273
Child restraint ..................................................... 57, 65, 77
Child seat
Infant and child restraint systems ........................... 77
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................. 314
Clock, setting ...................................................................110
Coin holder in glove box lid ......................................... 163
COMAND, radio, telephone and two-way radio ........ 186
Combination switch ...................................................... 122
Consumer information .................................................. 334
Control and operation of radio transmitters ............. 186COOLANT (coolant level) -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 256
Coolant level ................................................................... 274
Adding coolant .......................................................... 275
Checking ..................................................................... 274
COOLANT TEMP. -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 257
Coolant temperature gauge ............................................90
Coolants .......................................................................... 332
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity ........................ 333
Cruise control ................................................................ 222
Cup holder
In center console ....................................................... 165
In glove box lid .......................................................... 163
In rear bench armrest ............................................... 162
DDaytime running lamps ................................................120
Deep water
Driving instructions .................................................221
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................251
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................251
Display illumination ........................................................89
341 Index
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cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
HHazard warning flasher switch ................................... 125
Head restraints
Front seat ..................................................................... 48
Rear seat ....................................................................... 49
Rear seat head restraint, storage .............................. 50
Synchronizing ............................................................. 44
Headlamp cleaning system .......................................... 121
Headlights ........................................................................119
Heated seats ..................................................................... 52
High beams
Combination switch .................................................. 122
Hood ................................................................................. 270IIdentification labels ....................................................... 323
Illuminated vanity mirrors ........................................... 161
Indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster .................................. 88, 244
Individual settings ..........................................................110
Infant and child restraint systems ................................ 77
Information call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 188Instrument cluster ........................................................... 86
Activating .....................................................................89
Illumination ................................................................. 89
Indicator lamps ............................................................ 88
Instruments and controls ............................................... 18
Interior
General notes ............................................................. 162
Interior lighting .............................................................. 159
JJump starting ..................................................................291KKeys, changing batteries .............................................. 304
Keys, vehicle .....................................................................24LLamps, exterior
Fog lamps ........................................................... 119, 301
Headlamps ........................................ 119, 258, 298, 316
Parking lamps ........................................... 119, 300, 301