2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E WAGON lock

62 Getting startedParking and lockingReleasing seat belts
Press the seat belt release button
(page 48).
Allow the retractor to completely re-
wind the seat belt by guiding the latch
plate.
Locking

Exit the vehicle and close all doors and
the tailgate.
!Make sure the seat belt retracts fully so
that the seat belt and/or latch plate
cannot get caught or pinched in the
door or in the seat mechanism. This
can damage the seat belt and impair
the effectiveness of the seat belt,
and/or cause damage to the door
and/or door trim panel. Such damage
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Damaged seat belts must be replaced.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the door
openings when closing the doors. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are
around.
Before closing doors, make sure that there
is no possibility of someone getting caught
in a door during closing.Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* with you, 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.
iA warning sounds and the message Switch off lights
appears in the mul-
tifunction display if the vehicle’s exteri-
or lamps are not switched off


with the SmartKey removed from
the starter switch and the driver’s
door open


with the engine turned off using the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
and the driver’s door open (same as
SmartKey removed from starter
switch)
Switch off the exterior lamps.

63 Getting started
Parking and locking
Locking with the SmartKey
After exiting the vehicle, press lock
button‹ on the SmartKey
(page 34).


All turn signal lamps flash three
times.


An acoustic signal sounds three
times (if equipped and feature acti-
vated).
For more information, see “Factory
setting” (
page 108).


The locking knobs in the doors
move down.


The anti-theft alarm system is
armed.
For more information, see the “Controls in
detail” section (
page 106).Locking with KEYLESS-GO*
1Lock button

After exiting the vehicle, press lock
button1 on an outside door handle or
on the tailgate.

All turn signal lamps flash three
times.


An acoustic signal sounds three
times (if equipped and feature acti-
vated).
For more information, see “Factory
setting” (
page 114).


The locking knobs in the doors
move down.


The anti-theft alarm system is
armed.
For more information, see the “Controls in
detail” section (
page 111).

78 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetyInfant and child restraint systems
We recommend all infants and children be
properly restrained 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 fasten a child restraint, follow child
restraint instructions for mounting. Then
pull the shoulder belt out completely and
let it retract. During seat belt retraction, a
ratcheting sound can be heard to indicate
that the special seat belt retractor is acti-
vated. 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 man-
ner.
iInformation on child seats with mount-
ing fittings for tether anchorages
(page 86).
For information on LATCH-type child
seat mounts (
page 88).
!The use of infant or child restraints is
required by law in all 50 states, the Dis-
trict 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 or, if so equipped, a
top tether anchorage point and a child
restraint lower anchorage system that
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standards 213 and 225 and
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Stan-
dards 213 and 210.2.
Warning!
G
Never release the seat belt buckle while the
vehicle is in motion, since the special seat
belt retractor will be deactivated.!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 the inside of the vehicle and
to infant or child restraints.

86 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetyFor more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 390).Installation of infant and child restraint
systems
Prior to installing a tether strap, note the
following steps:

Roll up retractable luggage cover and
partition net.

Remove storage box (if so equipped)
(page 269).
If the storage box is not removed:


the top tether anchorage ring located
on the floor (
page 87) for use with a
child restraint in the rear center seat
position cannot be accessed.


the hook of the top tether strap when
attached to the anchorage ring on an
outer rear seat backrest may push
against the storage box and prevent
the backrest from properly locking into
position.

If you place a child seat in the left or
center rear seat position, remove twin
roller blind (
page 271) and return
seat to its original position.

If you place a child seat in the right rear
seat position, the twin roller blind can
remain installed if so desired.

Fold the rear backrest slightly forward
(page 260).

Guide top tether strap between head
restraint and top of seat back.
Head restraints must be installed (if re-
movable) and positioned such that the
top tether strap can pass freely
between the head restraint and top of
the seat back.
Make sure the tether strap is not twist-
ed.

Fold the rear backrest back until it
locks in place (
page 261).
Warning!
G
If the indicator lamp should not illuminate,
the system is not functioning. You must see
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center before
seating any child on the front passenger
seat.Warning!
G
Never place anything between seat cushion
and child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces
the effectiveness of the Occupant Classifi-
cation 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 increasing protec-
tion for the child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of child seats.
!Do not reinstall twin roller blind with a
child seat and top tether installed in the
left and center rear seat position.

87 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Anchorage rings1 are located on the
back side of the outer rear backrests and
on the floor behind the rear center seat.
1Anchorage ring
2Hook
Fold up anchorage ring1.

Securely fasten hook2, which is part
of the tether strap, to anchorage
ring1.1Anchorage ring
2Hook
Once the top tether anchorage hook is
attached, the child restraint itself can be
secured. Secure the child restraint and
tighten the top tether strap according to
the child restraint manufacturer’s instruc-
tions.
iWith a child seat and top tether in-
stalled in the right rear seat position
and twin roller blind installed, make
sure the top tether strap is positioned
between seat backrest and twin roller
blind. Warning!
G
Always lock backrest in its upright position
when rear seat bench is occupied by pas-
sengers, or the extended cargo compart-
ment is not in use. Check for secure locking
by pushing and pulling on the backrest.
iFor safety, make sure the hook has
attached to the ring beyond the safety
catch, as illustrated below.

89 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Blocking of rear door window operation
1Override switch
2Indicator lamp

Press override switch1.
Indicator lamp2 comes on. The rear
door windows can no longer be operat-
ed using the switches located in the
rear doors.
For more information on power windows,
see the “Controls in detail” section
(
page 231).
Damaged or impact damaged child seats or
child seat mounting fittings must be re-
placed.
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, even if the children are secured in a
child restraint system.
!Operation of the rear door windows
with the switches located on the door
control panel of the driver’s door is still
possible.
Warning!
G
Activate the override switch when children
are riding in the back seats of the vehicle.
The children may otherwise injure them-
selves, e.g. by becoming trapped in the win-
dow opening.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment can cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.

91 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP
® (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)


Electrohydraulic brake system


4MATIC (Four Wheel Electronic
Traction System)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) indepen-
dent of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even to light brake pressure.
The - indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on when you switch on the
ignition. It goes out when the engine is run-
ning.
iIn winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of the ABS, the BAS, the
ESP
®, electrohydraulic brake system
and 4MATIC is only achieved with win-
ter tires (
page 355), or snow chains
as required.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, ESP
®, electrohydraulic brake
system and 4MATIC cannot reduce this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

92 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsBraking
If the ABS activates during braking, the
ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v in the in-
strument cluster dial flashes. Because of
the electrohydraulic brake system, you will
not feel any pulsation in the brake pedal.

Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
The ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v flashes
whenever the ABS is activated which can
be an indication of hazardous road condi-
tions and functions as a reminder to take
extra care while driving.
Emergency brake maneuver

Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 373).
Warning!
G
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS
and the ESP
® are also switched off.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the brak-
ing distance.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeop-
ardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.