2010 MERCEDES-BENZ R320 child restraint

During seat belt retraction, a ratcheting
sound can be heard to indicate that the
special seat belt retractor is activated.
The seat belt is now locked.
X Push down on child restraint to take up any
slack.
To deactivate the special seat belt retractor:
X Release the seat belt buckle and let the
seat belt retract completely.
The
seat belt can then again be used in the
usual manner.
To deactivate the special seat belt retractor
for the front passenger seat, the front
passenger

seat must be in the most backward
position. G
Warning!
Never release the seat belt buckle while the
vehicle
is in motion, since the special seat belt
retractor will be deactivated.
i Information on child seats with mounting
fittings for tether anchorages
(Y page 57).
For information on LATCH-type child seat
anchors (Y page 60).
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. They must be properly secured in
accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions for the child restraint. All infant
or child restraint systems must comply with
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 225 and Canadian Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards 213 and 210.2.
A statement by the child restraint
manufacturer of compliance with these
standards can be found on the instruction
label on the restraint and in the instruction
manual provided with the restraint. When using any infant restraint, toddler
restraint, or booster seat, make 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. G
Warning!
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front seating
position. Thus, we strongly recommend that
children

be placed in the rear seats whenever
possible. Regardless of seating position,
children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an appropriate
infant restraint, toddler restraint, or booster
seat recommended for the size and weight of
the child.
The infant or child restraint must be properly
secured with the vehicle’s seat belt, the seat
belt and top tether strap, or lower anchors and
top tether strap, fully in accordance with the
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.
Occupants, especially children, should always
sit as upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriately sized infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
Children can be killed or seriously injured by
an inflating air bag. Note the following
important information when circumstances
require you to place a child in the front
passenger seat:
R USA only: Your vehicle is equipped with air
bag technology designed to deactivate the
front passenger front air bag in your vehicle
when the system senses the weight of a
typical 12-month-old child or less along
with the weight of a standard appropriate
child restraint on the front passenger seat.
R USA only: For children larger than the
typical 12-month-old child, the front
passenger front air bag may or may not be 56
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activated. Always make sure the
42 indicator lamp is
illuminated, indicating that the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
R Canada only: Children 12 years old and
under must never ride in the front seat,
except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized
BabySmart™ compatible child seat, which
operates with the BabySmart™ system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the
front passenger front air bag when it is
installed properly. Otherwise they will be
struck by the air bag when it inflates in a
crash.
If this happens, serious or fatal injury
will result.
R A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the
front passenger seat will be seriously
injured or even killed if the front passenger
front air bag inflates in a collision which
could occur under some circumstances,
even with the air bag technology installed
in your vehicle. The only means to
completely eliminate this risk is to never
place a child in a rear-facing child restraint
in the front seat. We therefore strongly
recommend that you always place a child
in a rear-facing child restraint in a backseat.
R If you must install a rear-facing child
restraint on the front passenger seat
because circumstances require you to do
so, make sure the 42
indicator lamp is illuminated, indicating
that the front passenger front air bag is
deactivated. Should the 42
indicator lamp not illuminate or go out while
the restraint is installed, please check
installation. Periodically check the
42 indicator lamp while
driving to make sure the 42
indicator lamp is illuminated. If the
42 indicator lamp goes out or
remains out, do not transport a child on the
front passenger seat until the system has
been repaired. A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the
front passenger seat will be seriously
injured
or even killed if the front passenger
front air bag inflates.
R If you have to place a child in a forward-
facing child restraint on the front passenger
seat, move the seat as far back as possible,
use the proper child restraint
recommended for the age, size and weight
of the child, and secure child restraint with
the vehicle’s seat belt according to the child
seat manufacturer’s instructions. G
Warning!
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.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
Children too big for a toddler restraint must
ride in 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 seat belt
positioning for children over 41 lb (18 kg) 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.
Installation of infant and child restraint
systems 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 ( Y page 59). Occupant safety
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Top tether straps enable an additional
connection to be made between child
restraint systems secured with LATCH-type
anchors and rear seats. This can further
reduce the risk of injury.
G
Observe Safety notes, see page 55.
Outboard second-row and third-row seats X
Press in lower part of anchorage ring
cover : on the seat backrest on which a
child seat is to be installed.
X Pull on upper part of anchorage ring
cover : to remove cover.
X Store anchorage ring cover : in a
convenient place (e.g. glove box).
X Move the respective head restraint to its
uppermost position ( Y page 88).
X Release the respective seat backrest
(Y page 84).
The seat backrest folds down.
X Guide the top tether strap between head
restraint and top of the seat backrest. X
Securely fasten hook =, which is part of
the tether strap ?, to anchorage ring ;. i
For safety, make sure hook = is attached
to anchorage ring ; beyond the safety
catch, as illustrated.
Make sure
R top tether strap ? is not twisted
R the head restraint is installed and
positioned such that top tether strap ?
can pass freely between the head restraint
and top of the seat backrest
R top tether strap ? is positioned between
the seat backrest and the cargo
compartment cover blind (if installed)
R top tether strap ? is positioned between
the seat backrest and the cargo net (if
installed) G
Warning!
When installing a child seat on a third-row
seat, do not fasten the hook to the strap below
the anchorage ring. 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.
X Fold seat backrest up and push backwards
until it engages audibly.
An outboard second-row seat is locked
properly only when the lock status
indicator is in hinged position and the red
marking is barely visible ( Y page 86).58
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G
Warning!
After installing top tether straps, make sure
the seats are locked properly, the seat
backrests are in an upright position and they
are locked properly.
An outboard second-row seat is locked
properly only when the lock status indicator
is in hinged position and the red marking is
barely visible.
If a seat and seat backrest are not locked
properly, the seat could move forward and the
seat backrest could fold. The child seat would
no longer be supported properly or positioned
to provide its intended benefit. That could
cause serious or even fatal injuries.
X Lower the head restraint if necessary
(Y page 88).
Make sure top tether strap ? can pass
freely between the head restraint and top
of the seat backrest.
X Install the child restraint system and
tighten top tether strap ? according to the
child restraint manufacturer’s instructions.
After removing the child restraint system and
top tether strap ?:
X Reinstall anchorage ring cover :.
Second-row middle seat G
Warning!
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, including some
Mercedes-Benz approved child seats, can be
used in this seating position. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for more
information.
Do not use the LATCH anchors or seat belt
buckle for the outboard seats in conjunction
with a child seat in 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 buckle for the second-row
middle seat.
G
Warning!
Please be aware that installation of a child
seat in the second-row middle seat position
can prevent the folding forward of the
outboard 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 installation
instructions if access to the third-row seats is
required.
X Move the head restraint to its uppermost
position (Y page 88). X
Pull seat backrest release strap : in the
direction of arrow. Occupant safety
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X
Fold seat backrest ; forward to seat
cushion = as far as necessary for you to
access anchorage ring ?. X
Guide top tether strap B between head
restraint and top of the seat backrest.
X Securely fasten hook A, which is part of
top tether strap B, to anchorage ring ?.
Make sure
R top tether strap B is not twisted
R the head restraint is installed and
positioned such that top tether strap B
can pass freely between the head restraint
and top of the seat backrest
R top tether strap B is positioned between
the seat backrest and the cargo
compartment cover blind (if installed)
R top tether strap B is positioned between
the seat backrest and the cargo net (if
installed)
i For safety, make sure hook A is attached
to anchorage ring ? beyond the safety
catch, as illustrated.
X Fold seat backrest up and push backwards
until it engages audibly. G
Warning!
After installing the top tether strap, make sure
the seat backrest is in an upright position and
is locked properly.
If the seat backrest is not locked properly, the
seat backrest could fold. The child seat would no longer be supported properly or positioned
to provide its intended benefit. That could
cause serious or even fatal injuries.
X Lower the head restraint if necessary
(Y page 88).
Make sure top tether strap B can pass
freely between the head restraint and top
of the seat backrest.
X Install the child restraint system and
tighten top tether strap B according to the
child restraint manufacturer’s instructions.
Child seat anchors – LATCH-type G
Observe Safety notes, see page 55. G
Warning!
Children too big for a toddler restraint must
ride in 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 seat belt positioning for children over
41 lb (18 kg) until they reach a height where
a lap/shoulder belt fits properly without a
booster.
Install child seat according to manufacturer’s
instructions.
The child seat must be firmly attached to both
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 replaced.
Each of the outboard second-row seats and
third-row seats has two LATCH-type anchors
for the installation of a LATCH-type child seat
with matching mounting fittings.
Non-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. 60
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R
Adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close
to the head as possible. The center of
the head restraint must support the back of
the head at eye level.
R Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being
adjusted.
Failure to do so could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. G
Warning!
The power seats can be operated at any time.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. A child’s unsupervised access to a
vehicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury. G
Warning!
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front seating
position. Thus, we strongly recommend that
children

be placed in the rear seats whenever
possible. Regardless of seating position,
children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an
appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler
restraint, or booster seat recommended for
the size and weight of the child. For additional
information, see “Children in the vehicle”.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint. G
Warning!
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust

the head restraint so that it is as 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. Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints. Head restraints are intended to
help reduce injuries during an accident.
Seat adjustment
! When moving the seats, make sure there
are no items in the footwell or behind the
seats. Otherwise, you could damage the
seats and/or the items.
Power seats !
When the second-row seats are folded
forward, e.g. for cargo volume expansion,
the front seats may not be moved to the
rearmost position. Otherwise you could
damage the front and second-row seats.
! When

adjusting the seat backrest tilt and
head restraint height, make sure the sun
visor is folded up. If the head restraint is in
the uppermost position, it could hit and
damage the sun visor.
i Vehicles without memory function:
The seats can be adjusted within 5 minutes
after either front door has been opened.
The counter resets each time
R you open or close a front door
R you insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch
R you remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch
R you switch the ignition on or off
Just like in vehicles with memory function,
the power seats can be operated at any
time when the ignition is switched on.
i The memory function (Y page 96) lets
you store the settings for the seat position
together with the settings for the steering
wheel (electrical) and exterior rear view
mirrors. 82
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Seat locked
When the seat is locked, lock status
indicator : is in hinged position and red
marking ; is barely visible.
Lumbar support
You can adjust the contour of the driver’s seat
lumbar support to help enhance support to
your spine. X
Curvature position: Use button : to
move the curvature up and button = to
move it down.
X Degree of curvature: Use button ; to
lessen the curvature and button ? to
increase it. Rear seats
G
Warning!
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating
position. Thus, we strongly recommend that
children be placed in the rear seats whenever
possible. Regardless of seating position,
children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an
appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler
restraint, or booster seat recommended for
the size and weight of the child. For additional
information, see “Children in the vehicle”.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
Rear seat adjustment G
Warning!
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 seat 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 seat
belts are properly positioned on the body.
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt.
Never place hands under the seat or near any
moving parts while a seat is being adjusted.
After adjusting rear seats, make sure
R the seats are properly locked
R the seat backrests are in an upright position
and are properly locked
An outboard second-row seat is properly
locked only when lock status indicator : is
in hinged position and red marking ; is
barely visible.
If a seat and seat backrest are not properly
locked, the seat could move forward and the
seat backrest could fold. You could slide
under the seat belt during braking, vehicle 86
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsFront
Passenger
Airbag
Enabled
See
Operator’s
Manual USA only:
The 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. Objects on the seat or
forces acting on the seat may make the system sense
supplemental weight.
X
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Switch off the ignition.
X Open the front passenger door.
X Remove child and child restraint from front passenger seat
and properly secure the child in rear seat employing the
child restraint if necessary.
X Remove any other items from on and around the front
passenger seat and make sure the parcel net on the back
of the front passenger seat is empty.
X 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 and sense that an occupant on the
front passenger seat is of a greater weight than actually
present.
X Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front passenger door
and switch on the ignition.
Monitor the 42 indicator lamp in the center
console (Y page 44) and the multifunction display in the
instrument cluster

(Y page 28) for the following:
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition switched on,
R the 42 indicator lamp in the center console
should illuminate and remain illuminated, indicating that
the OCS (Y page 42) has deactivated the front passenger
front air bag.
R the message Front Passenger Airbag Enabled See
Operator’s Manual or the message Front Passenger
Airbag Disabled See Operator’s Manual should not
appear in the multifunction display at any time the seat is
unoccupied. Wait at least 60 seconds for the system to
complete the necessary check cycles and to make sure
neither message appears in the multifunction display. Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
277
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