
67 Seats
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 adjust 
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore/aft 
placement and backrest angle to insure adequate 
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head 
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height. See 
also airbag section on page 91 for proper seat 
positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure 
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.
Both 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 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. 

81 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 all outboard seat 
belts, dual front airbags, side impact airbags for driver, 
front and outer rear passengers, and head protective 
window curtain 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 restraints 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. 

87 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
• Pregnant women should also use a lap-
shoulder belt. The lap belt portion should be 
positioned as low as possible on the hips to 
avoid any possible pressure on the abdomen.• Never place your feet on the instrument panel 
or on the seat. Always keep both feet on the 
floor in front of the seat.Wa r n i n g !
USE CHILD RESTRAINTS PROPERLY.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 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 the 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.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. 

88 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system
Special BabySmart
TM compatible child seats, designed 
for use with the Mercedes-Benz system and available at 
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center are required for 
use with the BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system. 
With the special child seat properly installed, the 
passenger front airbag will not deploy.
The 7 indicator lamp located on the center console 
will be illuminated, except with electronic key removed 
or in starter switch position 0. The system does not 
deactivate the door mounted side impact airbag.
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 308 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. 

96 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 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 
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. 

97 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Safety guidelines for the seat belt, emergency 
tensioning retractor and airbag
If you believe that, even with the use of these 
guidelines, it would be safer for your rear seat 
occupants to have both rear door 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.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 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.• 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.).• Do not hang items such as coat hangers from 
the coat hooks or handles over the door. These 
items may turn into projectiles and cause head 
and other injuries when curtain airbag is 
deployed.• An airbag system component within the 
steering wheel gets hot after the airbag has 
inflated. Do not touch. 

100 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.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. 

110 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 
adequate control, reach, operation and comfort. Both 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.