63 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Infant and child restraint systems
Use only a BabySmart
TM compatible child restraint in
this vehicle.
We recommend that all infants and children be properly
restrained at all times while the vehicle is in motion.
The passenger lap-shoulder belt has a special seat belt
retractor for secure fastening of a child restraint.
To fasten a child restraint follow chi ld re straint
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.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
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 restraint.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.
64 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
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and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
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USA Models only:
Since 1986 all U.S. child restraints comply with U.S.
regulations without the use of a tether strap.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
this vehicle, 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.
Infants and small children must 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 should
use regular seat belts. Position the 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.
184 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Brake pad wear indicator lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
brake pad wear indicator lamp comes on. It
goes out when the engine is running.
If the indicator lamp lights up during braking, this
indicates that the brake pads are worn down.
Have the brake system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Seat belt nonusage warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
seat belt warning lamp comes on, and a
warning sounds for a short time if the
driver’s seat belt is not fastened.
After starting the engine, the seat belt warning lamp
blinks for a brief period to remind the driver and
passengers to fasten seat belts.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 key in steering lock to position 1 or 2. If no
fault 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 54 for notes on airbags, see page 53 for belt
tensioners and page 44 for infant and child seat
restraint.
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.
190 Malfunction and indicator lamps
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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 key in steering lock to
position 1 or 2.
It does not light up if there is a fault in the system.
The 7 indicator lamp stays lit as long as a
BabySmart
TM child seat is properly installed on the front
passenger seat. It indicates that the front passenger
airbag is switched off.
See page 51 for BabySmart
TM airbag and its deactivation
system.
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.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 passenger seat until the system has been
repaired.
275 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Block heater .................................................................... 165
Brake assist system (BAS) ............................................ 169
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 185
Brake fluid ...................................................................... 268
Brake pad wear indicator lamp .................................... 184
Brake warning lamp ...................................................... 183
Brake fluid low .......................................................... 183
Brakes ..................................................... 158, 169, 171, 173
Bulbs
See Replacing bulbs ................................................. 230
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. ............................... 266
Catalytic converter ........................................................ 140
CD changer installed ..................................................... 105
Cellular telephone ..........................................................118
Center console .................................................................. 18
Central locking switch .................................................... 30
Central locking system ................................................... 24
Automatic central locking ......................................... 31
Choosing global or selective mode ........................... 25
Emergency release for trunk lid ............................... 35
General notes ............................................................... 23Locking and unlocking ............................................... 25
Mechanical keys ..........................................................27
Remote control ............................................ 22, 24, 236
Vehicle keys ................................................................. 22
Changing wheels ........................................................... 207
Inflating the collapsible spare tire ......................... 212
Storing spare wheel in wheel well ......................... 213
Charge indicator lamp ................................................... 188
Check engine malfunction indicator lamp ................. 182
Check regularly and before a long trip ....................... 179
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator .................................... 79
Via oil dipstick ........................................................... 197
Child restraint ..................................................... 44, 51, 63
Child seat
See Infant and child restraint systems .................... 63
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................ 246
Climate control ................................................................. 86
Air Recirculation ......................................................... 91
Basic setting ................................................................. 88
Defogging windows ..................................................... 89
Defrosting .....................................................................89
Dust Filter .....................................................................92
Rear window defroster ............................................... 90
Residual Engine Heat Utilization (REST) ................ 91
Special settings ........................................................... 89
278 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
GGarage door opener ........................................................119
Gasoline
Additives .................................................................... 270
Fuel requirements ....................................................269
Premium unleaded ................................................... 269
General notes
on the central locking system ................................... 23
Global locking
See Central locking system ....................................... 24
Glove box ..........................................................................114HHardtop, retractable ...................................................... 122
Lowering ..................................................................... 123
Raising ........................................................................ 125
Raising manually ......................................................238
Hazard warning flasher switch ..................................... 85
Head restraints
Removal ........................................................................ 40
Headlamp cleaning system ............................................ 82
Headlights ......................................................................... 81
Heated seats ..................................................................... 42High beams
See Combination switch ............................................83
Hood ................................................................................. 194
IIdentification labels ...................................................... 255
Indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster .................................. 72, 182
Infant and child restraint systems ................................63
Inflating the collapsible spare tire .............................. 212
Information call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 132
Instrument cluster ........................................................... 70
Activating ..................................................................... 74
Indicator lamps ............................................................ 72
Malfunction and indicator lamps ........................... 182
Instrument lamps ............................................................. 74
Instruments and controls ............................................... 16
Interior
General notes ............................................................. 113
Interior lighting .............................................................. 112