Page 80 of 354

77 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Infant and child restraint systems
We recommend all infants and children be properly re-
strained 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 activate, 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.
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 79 (installation of infant and 
child restraint systems).
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. 
     
        
        Page 81 of 354

78 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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. 
     
        
        Page 82 of 354

79 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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
333 
     
        
        Page 91 of 354

88 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
High beam
ABS malfunction, see page 248
Brake fluid low (except Canada).
Parking brake engaged, see page 245
Brake fluid low (Canada only).
Parking brake engaged, see page 245
BAS malfunction, see page 247
ESP malfunction, see page 247
Fasten seat belts, see page 248
ESP. Adjust driving to road condition, 
seepage247If the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction 
indicator lamp comes on when the engine is 
running, it indicates a malfunction of the 
fuel management system, emission control 
system, systems which impact emissions, or 
the fuel cap is not closed tight. In all cases, 
we recommend that you have the 
malfunction checked as soon as possible, 
seepage244
SRS malfunction, see page 246
Function indicator lamp on the center console
Front passenger airbag automatically 
switched off, see page 249
ABSBRAKE
CHECK
ENGINESRS 
     
        
        Page 172 of 354
169 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Split rear bench seat
The two sections can be folded down separately to 
enlarge the cargo area.
1. Slip seat belt webbing behind belt retainer (1) and 
move buckle latch plate upward to belt outlet.
2. Slip fingers into recess (2) and lift seat cushion to a 
vertical position (move front seat forward a little, if 
necessary).3. Pull head restraint up to its highest position. 
Depress the release button (3) until it engages and 
pull out the head restraint.
4. Insert head restraint into the openings provided in 
the seat cushion.
5. Pull locking handle (4) up and fold backrest forward. 
     
        
        Page 178 of 354
175 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Rear-facing bench seat
The rear-facing bench seat can be unfolded to enlarge 
the seating area.
By pressing down on the handle, lift the backrest into 
place. Raise the seat cushion in a similar manner.
Hook the safety belts into the brackets (1) provided.
1
1
P91.22-2060-26
1
Wa r n i n g !
Prior to occupying the rear-facing bench seat, the 
rear seat backrests must be in an upright position 
and locked in place.To avoid possible injury to the rear-facing bench 
seat occupants, the bench should be used by no 
more than two passengers not taller than 5 ft. 
(150 cm).
P91.22-2061-26 
     
        
        Page 246 of 354

243 Contents – Instrument cluster display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps in 
the instrument cluster  .............244
On-board diagnostic system  .....244
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................244
Brake warning lamp  ..................245
Supplemental restraint system 
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................246
Fuel reserve and fuel cap 
placement warning  ....................246
Electronic stability program (ESP) 
— warning lamp  ..........................247
BAS / ESP malfunction indicator 
lamp ..............................................247ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp ............................  248
Seat belt warning lamp ............. 248
Malfunction and indicator lamp in 
the center console  .................... 249
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp  .... 249
Malfunction and warning 
messages in the multifunction 
display ........................................ 250
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE................  251
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ........  252
ABS-SYSTEM .............................. 253
BRAKE ASSIST...........................  253
BRAKE LINING WEAR .............. 254
BRAKE FLUID  ............................ 254PARKING BRAKE  .......................255
ENGINE FAN  ...............................255
COOLANT (coolant level)  ..........256
COOLANT TEMP. ........................257
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................258
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................259
REMOVE KEY  .............................259
STEERING GEAR OIL................. 260
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ................... 261
WASHER FLUID  .........................262
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. (Electronic 
stability program)  ......................263
TELE AID ..................................... 263 
     
        
        Page 249 of 354

246 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 
electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2. If no 
malfunction 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 68 for notes on airbags, see page 67 for belt 
tensioners and page 57 for infant and child seat 
restraint.Fuel reserve and fuel cap placement warning
When the warning lamp (1) comes on after starting the 
engine, or if it comes on while driving, it indicates that 
the fuel level is down to the reserve quantity of 
approximately 2.6 gal (10 liters).
The warning lamp blinks when the fuel cap is not 
closed, or a fuel system leak has been detected. 
Retighten cap and see if lamp goes out after restart and 
next OBD selfcheck.
If the warning lamp continues to blink after closing the 
fuel cap correctly, have the fuel system checked at your 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can 
also cause the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp to illuminate, see 
also page 244.
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.SRS
1
P54.30-4557-21