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70 Restraint systems
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and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
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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. 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 Light Truck 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 the driver front airbag
inflates.• Adjust the front passenger seat as far as
possible rearward from the dashboard when
the seat is occupied.
• 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.
• 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 chi ld restrai nt whi ch w il l turn of f
the passenger side front airbag.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe or fatal injuries to you or other occupants.
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71 Restraint systems
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Safety guidelines for the seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor and airbag
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 Light Truck Center.• Airbags and “ETR’s” are designed to function
on a one-time-only basis. An airbag or
emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) that was
activated must be replaced.• Do not pass belts over sharp edges.• Do not make any modification that could
change the effectiveness of the belts.• Do not use handles above doors for placing
such items as coat hangers etc.
• No modifications of any kind may be made to
any components or wiring of the “SRS”. This
includes changing or removing any component
or part of the “SRS”, the installation of
additional trim material, badges etc. over the
steering wheel hub, front passenger airbag
cover, door trim panels, or door frame trims,
and installation of additional electrical /
electronic equipment on or near “SRS”
components and wiring. Keep area between
airbags and occupants free from objects (e.g.
packages, purses, umbrellas, etc.).•An airbag system component within the
steering wheel gets hot after the airbag has
inflated. Do not touch.• Improper work on the system, including
incorrect installation and removal, can lead to
possible injury through an unintended
activation of the “SRS”.• In addition, through improper work there is a
risk of rendering the “SRS” inoperative or
causing unintended airbag deployment. Work
on the “SRS” must therefore only be performed
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
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72 Restraint systems
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When you sell your vehicle we strongly urge you to give
notice to the subsequent owner that it is equipped with
an “SRS” by alerting them to the applicable section in
the Operator’s Manual.
• For your protection and the protection of
others, when scrapping the airbag unit or
emergency tensioning retractor, our safety
instructions must be followed. These
instructions are available from your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.• Given the considerable deployment speed and
the textile structure of the airbags, there is the
possibility of abrasions or other injuries
resulting from airbag deployment.
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73 Restraint systems
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Infant and child restraint systems
We recommend that all infants and children be properly
restrained 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 fasten a child restraint follow child restraint
instructions for routing. Then 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. Push down on child restraint to take up
any slack.
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 75 (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.
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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
an d b e s eated in a n i nfan t or chi ld restra in t 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.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.
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75 Restraint systems
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Installation of infant and child restraint systems
The anchorage rings (1) are located in the rear cargo
compartment. Located on each side of the passenger
compartment are two anchorage rings (for the rear outer
seats) and one on the roof pillar above the tailgate (for
the rear center seat).
Guide tether strap between head restraints. Be carefully
that the tether strap is not twisted.
When mounting a tether strap on the rear outer seats,
reinstall the cargo area cover blind (page 180) and the
optional partition net (page 175).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.
1
1
1
1
1
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76 Restraint systems
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Child seat mounts – “LATCH” type
This vehicle is provided with two “LATCH” type mounts
(at each of the outer rear seats) for the installation of a
“LATCH” child seat having the matching mounting
fittings.Install child seat according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.
The child seat must be firmly attached in the right and
left side mounting fittings (1).
Non-“LATCH” type child seats may also be used and are
capable of being installed using the vehicle’s seat belt
system. Install child seat according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
Note:
With a child seat installed in the left rear seat, the seat
belt for the center seat occupied by a passenger must
operate freely.
1
1
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77 Restraint systems
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Wa r n i n g !
The “LATCH” mounting fittings are intended for
children up to 50 lbs (22 kg) in weight.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.Install child seat according to manufacturer’s
instructions.
The child seat must be firmly attached in the right
and left side mounting fittings (1).An incorrectly mounted child seat may come loose
during an accident.Damaged or impact damaged child seats or child
seat mounting fittings must be replaced.Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle,
even if the children are secured in a child restraint
system.
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