2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 seat adjustment

33 Getting started
Unlocking
Steering lock positionsSteering lock0For removing key
The steering is locked when the key is
removed from the steering lock. If
necessary, move steering wheel
slightly to allow the locking mechanism
to engage.
1Unlocking steering
Power supply to some electrical con-
sumers, such as seat adjustment.2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
All lamps in the instrument cluster
come on. If a lamp in the instrument
cluster fails to come on when the igni-
tion is switched on, have it checked
and replaced if necessary. If a lamp in
the instrument cluster remains on after
starting the engine or comes on while
driving, refer to “Lamps in instrument
cluster” (
page 248).
3Starting position
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock the vehi-
cle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehi-
cle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment
may cause an accident and / or serious per-
sonal injury.iWhen you switch on the ignition, the in-
dicator and warning lamps in the instru-
ment cluster come on. This indicates
that the respective systems are opera-
tional. They should go out when the en-
gine is running.

35 Getting started
Adjusting
Adjusting
Seats
The seats can be adjusted either manually
or electrically, depending on the vehicle’s
equipment.Warning!
G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.Warning!
G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide un-
der the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck.
That could cause serious or fatal injuries.
The seat backrest and seat belts provide the
best restraint when the wearer is in a nearly
upright position and belts are properly posi-
tioned on the body. Your seat must be ad-
justed so that you can correctly fasten your
seat belt (
page 43).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being ad-
justed.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock your
vehicle.
Even with the key removed from the steer-
ing lock, the power seats* can also be oper-
ated when the respective door is open.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip-
ment may cause an accident and / or seri-
ous personal injury.
Warning!
G
Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart
TM1

compatible child seat, which operates with
the BabySmart
TM system installed in the ve-
hicle to deactivate the passenger front air-
bag when it is properly installed. Otherwise
they will be struck by the airbag when it in-
flates 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 seat-
ing 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, or secured via
lower anchors and top tether strap, fully in
accordance with the child seat manufactur-
er’s instructions.
1BabySmart
TMis a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.


36 Getting startedAdjusting
Manual seat adjustment
1Seat fore and aft adjustment
2Backrest tilt
3Seat heightSeat fore and aft adjustment

Lift handle1.

Slide seat to the desired position.

Allow handle1 to reengage.

Check for proper seat engagement
before driving.
Adjust seat to a comfortable seating posi-
tion that still allows you to reach the
accelerator / brake pedal safely. The posi-
tion should be as far rearward as possible,
consistent with ability to properly operate
controls.
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.
iWhen moving the seat, make sure
there are no items in the footwell or
behind the seats. Otherwise you could
damage the seats.


38 Getting startedAdjustingHead restraint tilt
Manually adjust the angle of the head
restraint.
Push or pull on the upper edge of the
head restraint cushion.
For more information, see “Seats”
(
page 95).Power seat* adjustment
The seat adjustment switch is located on
the entry side of each front seat base.
1Backrest tilt
2 Seat fore and aft adjustment
3Seat cushion tilt
4Seat height

Switch on ignition (
page 33).
or

Open the respective door.Seat fore and aft adjustment

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow1.
Adjust seat to a comfortable seating posi-
tion that still allows you to reach the
accelerator / brake pedal safely. The posi-
tion should be as far to the rear as possi-
ble, consistent with ability to properly
operate controls.iWhen moving the seat, make sure
there are no items in the footwell or be-
hind the seat. Otherwise you could
damage the seat.
The memory function* (
page 105)
lets you store the setting for the seat
positions together with the setting for
the exterior rear view mirrors.

40 Getting startedAdjustingHead restraint tilt
Manually adjust the angle of the head
restraint.
Push or pull on the upper edge of the
head restraint cushion.
For more information, see “Seats”
(
page 95).
Steering wheel Steering wheel adjustment
1Lever

To unlock the steering column, move
lever1 to its stop down.

Move steering wheel to the desired po-
sition.

To lock the steering column, move
lever1 to its stop up.
The steering wheel is once again
locked into position.
Warning!
G
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driv-
ing. Adjusting the steering wheel while driv-
ing, or driving without the adjustment
locked could cause the driver to lose control
of the vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock your ve-
hicle.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and / or serious personal
injury.

42 Getting startedAdjustingThe buttons are located on the lower part
of the center console.
1Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror
button
2Passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror button
3Adjustment button

Switch on ignition (
page 33).

Press button1 for the driver’s side ex-
terior rear view mirror or button2 for
the passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror.

Push adjustment button3 up, down,
left, or right according to the desired
setting.
For more information, see “Rear view mir-
rors” (
page 128).
!For information on how to reposition
the exterior mirror housing when it was
forcibly pushed forward (hit from the
rear) or forcibly pushed rearward (hit
from the front), see “Folding exterior
mirrors in and out manually*”
(page 130).
iWith the front doors closed, the exteri-
or rear view mirrors can still be adjust-
ed for approximately 30 minutes after
the ignition has been switched off.iThe memory function* (
page 105)
lets you save the exterior mirror set-
tings together with the seat and
steering wheel settings.
iAt low outside temperatures, the exte-
rior mirrors will be automatically
heated.

45 Getting started
Driving

With a smooth motion, pull the belt
from seat belt outlet4.

Place the shoulder portion of the belt
across the top of your shoulder and the
lap portion across your hips.

Push latch plate1 into buckle2 until
it clicks.

If necessary, tighten the lap portion to
a snug fit by pulling shoulder portion
up.

If necessary, adjust the seat belt to the
correct height (
page 46).
Proper use of seat belts


Do not twist the belt when fastening.


Adjust seat belt so that the shoulder
portion is located as close as possible
to the middle of the shoulder (it should
not touch the neck). Never pass the
shoulder portion of the belt under your
arm. For this purpose, you can adjust
the height of the belt outlet
(page 46).


Position the lap belt as low as possible
on your hips (over hip joint) and not
across the abdomen.


Place the seat backrest in a nearly up-
right position.


Never use a seat belt for more than one
person at a time.


Do not fasten a seat belt around a per-
son and another object at the same
time. When using a seat belt to secure
infant or toddler restraints or children
in booster seats, always follow the
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.


Check your seat belt during travel to
make sure it is properly positioned.


Make sure the seat belt is always fitted
snugly. Take special care of this when
wearing loose clothing.
Warning!
G
Do not pass belts over sharp edges. They
could tear.
Do not allow the belt to get caught in the
door or in the seat adjustment mechanism.
This could damage the belt.
Never attempt to make modifications to
seat belts. This could impair the effective-
ness of the belts.
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash, they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly
stressed in an accident must be replaced.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.

46 Getting startedDrivingSeat belt height adjustment
Seat belt height can be adjusted for the fol-
lowing seats:

Driver’s seat


Passenger seat


Outer rear seats
Adjust seat belt so that the shoulder por-
tion is located as close as possible to the
middle of the shoulder (it should not touch
the neck or pass under the arm).1Release buttonAdjusting seat belt higher

Slide belt outlet upward.
The belt outlet engages in various posi-
tions.
Adjusting seat belt lower

Press and hold release button1.

Slide belt outlet in desired position.

Let go of release button1.