Page 47 of 342
44 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Recalling positions from memory
To recall a seat and exterior rear view mirror position,
push and hold one of the position buttons “1”, “2” or “3”
until seat movement has stopped. The seat movement
stops when the respective position button is released.Caution!
Do not operate the power seats using the memory
button if the seat backrest is in an excessively reclined
position. Doing so could cause damage to front or rear
seats.
First move the backrest to an upright position.
Page 48 of 342
45 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Head restraint removal
Removal:
Pull head restraint to its highest position. Push lock
button (arrow) and pull out head restraint completely
with both hands.
Installation:
Insert the head restraint and push it down to the stop.
Push lock button (arrow) and adjust head restraint down
to the desired position.Ensure proper head restraint positioning, see above.
Wa r n i n g !
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.Adjust head restraint to support the back of the
head approximately at ear level.Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints. Head restraints are intended to help
reduce injuries during an accident.
Page 49 of 342
46 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Heated seats (optional on ML 320)
The seat heater switches are located on the center
console.
The seat heaters can be switched on with the engine
running.Press switch to turn on seat heater:
1Normal seat heating mode. One indicator lamp in
the switch lights up.
2Rapid seat heating mode. Both indicator lamps in
the switch light up.
After approximately 5 minutes in the rapid seat
heating mode, the seat heater automatically
switches to normal operation and only one indicator
lamp will stay on.
Turning off seat heater:
If one indicator lamp is on, press upper half of switch.
If both indicator lamps are on, press lower half of
switch.
If left on, the seat heater automatically turns off after
approximately 20 minutes of operation.
P54.25-2036-26
12
Page 50 of 342
47 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
When in operation, the seat heater consumes a large
amount of electrical power. It is not advisable to use the
seat heater longer than necessary.
The seat heaters may automatically switch off if too
many power consumers are switched on at the same
time, or if the battery charge is low. When this occurs,
the indicator lamps in the switch will blink for
approximately 30 seconds.
Within this time the seat heaters will switch on again
automatically as soon as sufficient voltage is available.
After approximately 30 seconds without sufficient
voltage the seat heaters switch off (indicator lamps go
out).
Page 51 of 342
48 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Seat belts and integrated restraint system
Your vehicle is equipped with seat belts for all seats,
emergency tensioning retractors for front and second
row outboard seat belts, dual front airbags and door
mounted side impact airbags. Their protective functions
are designed to complement one another.
Seat belts
Important!
Laws in most states and all Canadian provinces require
seat belt use.
All states and provinces require use of child restraints
that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All child restraint systems are designed to be secured in
vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap-
shoulder belt.
For your safety and that of your passengers we strongly
recommend their use.
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 will 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.
Page 52 of 342
49 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Note:
For cleaning and care of the seat belts, see page 302.
Seat belt nonusage warning system
After starting the engine, a warning sounds and the seat
belt warning lamp< remains illuminated for
approximately 6 seconds if the driver’s seat belt is not
fastened.
Wa r n i n g !
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the backrest
reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined position
can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat
belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt
would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That
could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The
backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint
when the wearer is in an upright position and the
belt is properly positioned on the body.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to wear and properly fasten and position
your seat belt greatly increases your risk of
injuries and their likely severity in an accident.
You and your passengers should always wear seat
belts.If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can be
considerably more severe without your seat belt
properly buckled. Without your seat belt buckled,
you are much more likely to hit the interior of the
vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously
injured or killed.In the same crash, the possibility for injury or
death is lessened if you are wearing your seat belt.Wa r n i n g !
Never let more people ride in the vehicle than there
are seat belts available. Be sure everyone riding in
the vehicle is correctly restrained with a separate
seat belt.
Page 53 of 342
50 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Fastening of seat belts
1Latch plate
2Buckle
3Release buttonPush latch plate (1) into buckle (2) until it clicks. Do not
twist the belt. A twisted seat belt may cause injury.
To help avoid severe or fatal injuries, the lap belt must
be positioned as low as possible on your hips and not
across the abdomen.
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.
Page 54 of 342
51 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 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. Three positions are
available.4Button for belt outlet height adjustment
To raise, slide belt height adjustment upward.
To lower, press button (4) and slide belt outlet
downward.
Caution!
For safety reasons, avoid adjusting the seat or backrest
into positions which could affect the correct seat belt
positioning.
