2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R350 child restraint

91 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Child seat anchors – LATCH type
This vehicle is equipped with two LATCH
(L
ower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
type anchors (at each of the outboard
second-row seats and third-row seats) for
the installation of a LATCH child seat with
matching mounting fittings.
The LATCH anchors on the outboard
second-row seats are covered with
upholstery blends.
1Anchors, outboard second-row seats
2Indicates the position of the anchors
Move the respective outboard
second-row seat backrest to an upright
position (
page 134).
Push the upholstery blend to the side.
Install a LATCH type child seat accord-
ing to the manufacturer’s instructions.
The LATCH anchors on the third-row seats
are blended with covers.
3Anchorage ring covers, third-row seats
Remove anchorage ring covers3
from third-row seat on which a child
seat is to be installed.
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 over
41 lbs until they reach a height where a
lap/shoulder belt fits properly 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 t o t h e
right and left side anchors.
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
vehicle, even if the children are secured in a
child restraint system.


92 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
4Anchors, third-row seats
Install a LATCH type child seat accord-
ing to the manufacturer’s instructions.Installation of infant and child restraint
system
This vehicle is equipped with tether
anchorages for a top tether strap at each
of the rear seat backrests. The tether
anchorage ring of the second-row middle
seat* is located on the rear of the seat
base (
page 94).
Outboard second-row and third-row
seats
1Anchorage ring covers
Remove anchorage ring cover 1 from
seat backrest of the seat on which a
child seat is to be installed.2Anchorage rings
3Hook
Move the respective head restraint to
its uppermost position (
page 135).
Release the respective seat backrest
(
page 129).
The seat backrest folds down.
iNon-LATCH type child seats may also be
used and can be installed using the vehicle’s
seat belt system. Install child seat according to
the manufacturer’s instructions.


93 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
2Anchorage ring
3Hook
4Top tether strap
Guide top tether strap4 between
head restraint and top of seat backrest.
Securely fasten hook3, which is part
of top tether strap4, to anchorage
ring2.
Make sure

the top tether strap is not twisted

the head restraint is installed and
positioned such that the top tether
strap* can pass freely between the
head restraint and top of seat back-
rest

the top tether strap is positioned
between the seat backrest and the
cargo compartment cover blind
(if installed)

the top tether strap is positioned
between the seat backrest and the
cargo net* (if installed)
Fold seat backrest up and push back-
wards until it audibly engages.
An outboard second-row seat is prop-
erly locked only when lock status indi-
cator 1 is in hinged position and red
marking 2 is barely visible
(
page 131).
iFor safety, make sure hook 3 has attached
to anchorage ring 2 beyond the safety catch, as
illustrated.
Warning!G
When installing a child seat on a third-row
seat, do not fasten hook 3 to the strap
below anchorage ring 2. Otherwise, the
child seat will not be securely fastened.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child seat is not
properly secured in the vehicle.


94 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Lower the head restraint if necessary
(
page 135).
Make sure the top tether strap can
pass freely between the head restraint
and top of seat backrest.
Install the child restraint system and
tighten the top tether strap according
to the child restraint manufacturer’s
instructions.Second-row middle seat*
Warning!G
After installing top tether straps, make sure

the seats are properly locked

the seat backrests are in an upright po-
sition and are properly locked
An outboard second-row seat is properly
locked only when lock status indicator 1 is
in hinged position and red marking 2 is
barely visible (
page 131).
If a seat and seat backrest are not properly
locked, the seat could move forward and the
seat backrest could fold. The child seat
would no longer be properly supported or
positioned to provide its intended benefit.
That could cause serious or even fatal
injuries.
Warning!G
Only install a child seat in the second-row
middle seat position if the outboard seat
belt buckle is not obstructed or overlapped
by the child seat. Not all child seats, includ-
ing some Mercedes-Benz approved child
seats, can be used in this seating position.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center for more information.
Do not use the LATCH anchors or seat belt
buckle for the outboard seats in conjunction
with a child seat the second-row middle seat
position. Child seats in the middle seating
position must only be secured by the middle
seat position seat belt inserted into the seat
belt receptacle for that seat.


95 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Move the head restraint to its upper-
most position (
page 135).1Seat backrest release strap
2Seat backrest
3Seat cushion
Pull seat backrest release strap 1 in
direction of arrow.4Anchorage ring
Fold seat backrest 2 forward as far as
necessary for you to access anchorage
ring 4.
Warning!G
Please be aware that installation of a child
seat in the second-row middle seat position
can prevent the folding forward of the out-
board second-row seats which can obstruct
access to and exit from the third-row seats.
In case of an accident it will be difficult for
occupants of the third row seats to leave the
vehicle. Serious injuries could result.
Install a child seat in one of the outboard
seating positions according to the installa-
tion instructions if access to the third row
seats is required.


96 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
4Anchorage ring
5Hook
6Top tether strap
Guide top tether strap6 between
head restraint and top of seat backrest.
Securely fasten hook5, which is part
of top tether strap6, to anchorage
ring4.
Make sure

the top tether strap is not twisted

the head restraint is installed and
positioned such that the top tether
strap can pass freely between the
head restraint and top of seat back-
rest

the top tether strap is positioned
between the seat backrest and the
cargo compartment cover blind
(if installed)

the top tether strap is positioned
between the seat backrest and the
cargo net* (if installed)
Fold seat backrest up and push back-
wards until it audibly engages.
Lower the head restraint if necessary
(
page 135).
Make sure the top tether strap can
pass freely between the head restraint
and top of seat backrest.
Install the child restraint system and
tighten the top tether strap according
to the child restraint manufacturer’s
instructions.
iFor safety, make sure hook 5 has attached
to anchorage ring 4 beyond the safety catch as
illustrated.
Warning!G
After installing top tether strap, make sure
the seat backrest is in an upright position
and is properly locked.
If the seat backrest is not properly locked,
the seat backrest could fold. The child seat
would no longer be properly supported or
positioned to provide its intended benefit.
That could cause serious or even fatal
injuries.


133 Controls in detail
Seats
Front seat active head restraints
You cannot remove the active head
restraints on the driver’s and front passen-
ger’s seat.
For removal of the active head restraints
we recommend that you contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
For information on head restraint adjust-
ment, see “Seats” (
page 43).
For information on active head restraints,
see “Active head restraints” (
page 86).
Rear seats Rear seat adjustment
Warning!G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint so that it is close
to the head as possible and the center of the
head restraint supports the back of the head
at eye level. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of
an accident or similar situation.
Warning!G
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend
that children be placed in the rear seats. Re-
gardless of seating position, children 12
years old and under must be seated and
properly secured in an appropriate infant or
toddler restraint, or booster seat recom-
mended for the size and weight of the child.
For additional information, see “Children in
the vehicle” (
page 87).
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.
Warning!G
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position
as this can be dangerous. You could slide
under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the
abdomen 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 positioned on the body.
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt (
page 50).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being
adjusted.


426 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible
cause/consequenceSuggested solution
59The front passenger
front air bag off indica-
tor lamp does not illu-
minate 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 passenger
seat.The system is malfunction-
ing.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 pos-
sible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center. Do not transport a child on the front passen-
ger seat until the system has been repaired.
Also note any messages in the multifunction display
and follow corrective steps (
page 438).
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.