2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 child restraint

87 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Installation of infant and child restraint
system
This vehicle is equipped with tether an-
chorages for a top tether strap at each of
the rear seating positions.
1Anchorage ring
2Hook
Release the rear seat backrest
(page 261).

Fold rear seat backrest slightly
forward.

Guide top tether strap between head
restraint and top of seat back.
Head restraint must be installed and
positioned such that the top tether
strap can pass freely between the head
restraint and top of seat back.

Make sure the tether strap is not twist-
ed.
Example for tether strap1Anchorage ring
2Hook
Securely fasten hook2, which is part
of the tether strap, to anchorage
ring1.

Swing rear seat backrest to the rear un-
til it engages.

Check the rear seat backrest to be
locked in its upright position
(page 262).
Once the top tether anchorage hook is
attached, the child restraint itself can be
secured. Tigthen the top tether strap
according to the child restraint manufac-
turer’s instructions.
iFor safety, make sure the hook has at-
tached to the ring beyond the safety
catch, as illustrated.Warning!
G
Always lock backrest in its upright position
when rear seat bench is occupied by pas-
sengers, or the extended cargo area is not in
use. Check for secure locking by pushing
and pulling on the backrest.

89 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Blocking of rear door window operation
You can block the rear door window oper-
ation (e.g. when you have children riding in
the rear passenger compartment).
The override switch is located on the door
control panel of the driver’s door.
1Override switchActivating

Press override switch1.
The switch engages in the recessed
position.
The rear door windows can no longer
be operated using the switches located
in the rear doors.
Deactivating

Press override switch1 again.
The switch disengages from the
recessed position back to original posi-
tion.
The rear door windows can again be
operated using the switches located in
the rear doors.
Warning!
G
Children too big for a toddler restraint must
ride in seats using regular seat belts. Posi-
tion shoulder belt across chest and shoul-
der, 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 proper-
ly without a booster.
Install child seat according to manufactu-
rer’s instructions.
T h e c h i l d s e a t m u s t b e f i r m l y a t t a c h e d i n t h e
right and left side anchors1.
An incorrectly mounted child seat may come
loose during an accident which could result
in serious injury or death to the child.
Damaged or impact damaged child seats or
child seat mounting fittings must be re-
placed.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, even if the children are secured in a
child restraint system.
iOperation of the rear door windows
with the switches located on the door
control panel of the driver’s door is still
possible.

135 Controls in detail
Memory function*
Memory function*
You can store up to three different settings
for each SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
The following settings are saved for each
stored position on the entry side of the
driver seat:

Driver’s seat, head restraint height and
backrest position


Steering wheel position


Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror
position


Passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror position
The following are saved for each stored po-
sition on the entry side of the front passen-
ger seat:


Front passenger seat, head restraint
height and backrest position
!Prior to operating the vehicle, the
driver should check and adjust the seat
height, seat position fore and aft, and
seat backrest angle if necessary, to
ensure adequate control, reach and
comfort. The head restraint should also
be adjusted for proper height. See also
the section on air bags (
page 67) for
proper seat positioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to
ensure adequate control, reach, opera-
tion and comfort. Both the interior and
exterior rear view mirrors should be
adjusted for adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small
children should be seated in a properly
secured restraint system that complies
with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and 225 and Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213
and 210.2.
Warning!
G
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating the memory function
while driving could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.

394 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
59
The front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp
does not illuminate
and/or does not remain
illuminated with the
weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a
standard child restraint or
less on the front passen-
ger seat.
The system is malfunctioning.

Make sure there is nothing between seat cushion
and child seat and check installation of the child
seat.

Make sure no objects applying supplemental weight
onto the seat are present.

Make sure no objects which apply forces to the seat
are present (e.g. objects such as books, briefcases
etc. lodged behind or around the seat, head
restraints pushing against roof etc.). The system
may recognize such forces as supplemental weight.

If the front passenger front air bag off indicator lamp
remains out, have the system checked as soon as
possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center. Do not transport a child on the front
passenger seat until the system has been repaired.

Also note any messages in the multifunction display
and follow corrective steps (
page 401).
Warning!
G
If the59indicator lamp does not
illuminate or remains out with the weight of
a typical 12-month-old child in a standard
child restraint or less on the front passenger
seat, do not transport a child on the front
passenger seat until the system has been
repaired.

401 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
Front passenger
airbag
activated
see Oper.’s Man.
Front passenger front air bag is
activated while driving even
though a child, small individual,
or object below the system’s
weight threshold is on the front
passenger seat, or the front
passenger seat is empty. Ob-
jects on the seat or forces act-
ing on the seat may make the
system sense supplemental
weight.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the
front passenger seat for the following:
Switch off the ignition (
page 34).

Remove child and child restraint from front passenger seat and
properly secure the child in rear seat employing the child restraint if
necessary.

Remove any other items from on and around the front passenger
seat and make sure the storage bag on the back of the front passen-
ger seat is empty.

Make sure that no objects which apply forces to the seat are present
(e.g. objects such as books, briefcases etc. lodged behind or around
the seat, head restraints pushing against roof etc.). The system may
recognize such forces as supplemental weight and sense that an oc-
cupant on the front passenger seat is of a greater weight than actu-
ally present.

Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front passenger door and
switch on the ignition (
page 34).
(Continued on next page)

505 Technical terms
Production options weight
(
page 366)
PSI
(P
ounds per s
quare i
nch) (
page 366)
Recommended tire inflation pressure
(
page 366)
REST
(Residual engine heat utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.
Restraint systems
Seat belts, belt tensioner, air bags and
child restraints, lower anchors and
tethers for children (LATCH). As inde-
pendent systems, their protective func-
tions complement one another.
Rim
(page 367)RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line’s ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Sidewall
(
page 367)
SRS
(Supplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Air bags, air bag control unit (with
crash sensor), emergency tensioning
device. Though independent systems,
they are closely interfaced to provide
effective occupant protection.Tele Aid* System
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, Roadside Assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially
activated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
vided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Telematics*
A combination of the terms “telecom-
munications” and “informatics”.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.

511 Index
Checking
Coolant level 332
Engine oil with the
control system (ML 500 only) 328
Engine oil with the
oil dipstick (ML 350 only) 330
Oil level 327
Tire inflate pressure 325
Vehicle lighting 325
Checking tire pressure
electronically with the
Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System* (Advanced TPMS*) 351
Checking weights
Trailer and vehicle 315
Checklist
Off-road driving 307
Returning from off-road driving 313
Child safety 78
Air bags 68
Infant and child
restraint systems 73, 78
LATCH type child seat mounts 88Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
door window operation
Cigarette lighter*
Front center console 275
Cleaning
Carpet 379
Cup holder 379
Gear selector lever 379
Hard plastic trim items 379
Headlamps 194
Headliner 379
Instrument cluster 379
Leather upholstery* 380
Light alloy wheels 379
MB Tex upholstery 380
Plastic and rubber parts 380
Seat belts 379
Steering wheel 379
Windows 378
Windshield 56
Wiper blades 378
Cleaning and care of the vehicle 374
Cleaning tires 337Climate control 202
Adjusting 207
Adjusting air volume 208
deactivating 206
Defrosting 208
Rear passenger compartment 213
Rear window defroster 200
Setting the temperature 207
Clock 165
Closing
Glove box 270
Hood 327
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 439
Side windows 231
Side windows with
KEYLESS-GO* 234
Tailgate 120
Vehicle with KEYLESS-GO* 123,
124
Tilt/sliding sunroof* 235
Tilt/sliding sunroof* with
KEYLESS-GO* 234
Windows 230

518 IndexI
Identification labels 484
Certification label 484
Ignition 34
Switching on 50
Immobilizer 100
Activating 100
Deactivating 100
Important guidelines 335
Infant and child restraint systems 78
Installing 87
LATCH type child seat mounts 88
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 286
Inside rear view mirror
Antiglare 195
Installing
Front wiper blades 453
Infant and child restraint systems 87
Rear wiper blade 455
Vehicle battery 464Installing towing eye bolt
Towing the vehicle 474
Instrument cluster 24, 148, 503
Cleaning 379
Illumination 148
Lamps in 388
Outside temperature indicator 149
Selecting language 164
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Integrated remote control
Erasing memory 294
Operating 294
Interior lighting 145
Deactivating automatic control 146
Delayed switch-off 170
Manual operation 146
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 44
Intermittent wiping 56J
Jack 431
Jump starting 470
K
Key, Mechanical 435
KEYLESS-GO* 503
Closing
Tailgate 123, 124
Closing side windows 234
Closing tilt/sliding sunroof* 234
Loss of SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 116
Starting the engine 50
Turning off engine 63
Unlocking and opening, tailgate 115
Unlocking with 33
Kickdown 190, 503
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 164
Kilopascal 366
Km/h or mph in speedometer 164