2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 4MATIC WAGON Owner's Manual

78 Restraint systems
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Important!
The use of infant or child restraints is required by law in
all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories
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 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 and top tether strap, fully in
accordance with the child seat manufacturer’s
instructions.

79 Restraint systems
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a
Installation 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.
until they reach a height where a lap / shoulder belt
fits properly without a booster.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
an accident and/or serious personal injury.
P91.40-2207-26
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80 Restraint systems
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Prior to installing a tether strap, note the following
steps:
1Roll up retractable luggage cover and partition net,
seepage172.
2Fold backrest forward (see page 169), guide tether
strap between head restraint and top of seat back.
He ad re straint m ust be installed and positioned
such that the top tether strap can pass freely
between the head restraint and top of seat back. Be
careful that the tether strap is not twisted. Fold
backrest back until it locks in place.
If the top tether is installed on the left back side of
rear backrest, remove twin-reel roller blind, see
page 172.
The tether strap has to run through the locking
mechanism of twin-reel-roller blind.
3Fold up anchorage rings (2).To secure a tether strap to the anchorage, securely
fasten the hook (1), 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.
Wa r n i n g !
Always lock backrest in its upright position when
rear seat bench is occupied by passengers, or the
extended cargo area is not in use. Check for secure
locking by pushing and pulling on the backrest.

81 Steering wheel adjustment
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Steering wheel adjustment
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2
(with the driver’s or front passenger’s door open, the
steering wheel can also be operated with the electronic
key removed or in steering lock position 0).
To lengthen or shorten the steering column, push switch
forward or backward.
To raise or lower steering wheel, push switch up or
down.Note:
The steering wheel position can be stored in memory
together with the seat / head restraint / exterior rear
view mirror positions, see page 45.
P46.00-2010-26
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Adjusting the steering wheel while driving could
cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

82 Rear view mirrors
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Rear view mirrors
Inside rear view mirror
Manually adjust the inside rear view mirror.
Use your inside rear view mirror to determine the size
and distance of objects seen in the passenger-side
convex mirror.
Rear view mirror, automatic antiglare
Antiglare mode:
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the
mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in
light sensitivity.
With gear selector lever in position “R”, or with the
interior lamp switched on, the mirror reflection
brightness does not respond to changes in light
sensitivity.Note:
The automatic antiglare function does not react, if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the
inside rear view mirror.
The automatic antiglare function will not react for
example, if the rear window sun shade is in raised
position.
Wa r n i n g !
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the
liquid to come into contact with eyes, skin,
clothing, or respiratory system. In cases it does,
immediately flush affected area with water, and
seek medical help if necessary.

83 Rear view mirrors
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Exterior rear view mirrors
The switch is located on the center console.
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2.
First select the mirror to be adjusted - press button:
%Left mirror
&Right mirror
To adjust, toggle the switch forward, backward or to
either side.With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the
driver’s side mirror reflection brightness responds to
changes in light sensitivity.
With gear selector lever in position “R”, or with the
interior lamp switched on, the driver’s side mirror
brightness does not respond to changes in light
sensitivity.
Wa r n i n g !
Exercise care when using the passenger-side
mirror. The passenger-side exterior mirror is
convex (outwardly curved surface for a wider field
of view). Objects in mirror are closer than they
appear. Check your inside rear view mirror or
glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the
liquid come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing,
or respiratory system. In cases it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek medical
help if necessary.

84 Rear view mirrors
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Note:
The exterior mirrors have electrically heated glass. The
heater switches on automatically, depending on outside
temperature.
If an exterior mirror housing is forcibly pivoted from its
normal position, it must be repositioned by applying
firm pressure until it snaps into place.
The automatic antiglare function will not react for
example, if the rear window sun shade is in raised
position.Important!
Electrolyte drops coming into contact with the vehicle
paint finish can only be completely removed while in
their liquid state, by applying plenty of water.
Storing mirror positions in memory
The exterior rear view mirror positions are stored in
memory with the seat / head restraint / steering column
positions and can be recalled when necessary, see
page 45.

85 Rear view mirrors
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The passenger-side exterior mirror can be adjusted and
programmed to assist the driver during parking
maneuvers (e.g. to observe the curb or other objects
close to the vehicle).
With electronic key in steering lock position 2, and the
exterior rear view mirror switch in the passenger side
position, the passenger side mirror will be turned
downward when placing the gear selector lever in
“R” Reverse.
The mirror position can now be adjusted as desired.
The passenger side mirror will return to its previous
position:
•immediately at speeds above approximately 6 mph
(10 km / h) - independent of the engaged gear,
•after 20 seconds when shifting gear selector lever
from “R” Reverse,
•by pressing the driver’s side mirror button %.One passenger-side mirror position can be stored in
memory. To do so:
1. Turn electronic key to steering lock position 2.
The vehicle must be stationary.
2. Select passenger-side mirror and adjust the mirror
to view the curb.
3. Press green memory button located in switch cluster
for driver seat, see page 45.
4. Within 2 seconds pull the mirror toggle switch
rearward. The mirror should not move.
Repeat the memory procedure if the mirror moves.