2013 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA child restraint

in special child restraint systems on a suit-
able vehicle seat. This is necessary
because the seat belts are not designed for
children.
R Do not transport children who are secured
in rearward-facing child restraint systems
on the front-passenger seat. Exception: if
the vehicle is equipped with automatic child
seat recognition on the front-passenger
seat and the child is secured in a child
restraint system with transponders for
automatic child seat recognition
R If you secure a forward-facing child
restraint system to the front-passenger
seat, you must move the front-passenger
seat as far back as possible. When doing
so, ensure that the shoulder belt strap from
the belt outlet on the vehicle is routed
towards the front to the shoulder belt guide
on the child restraint system. Set the belt
height adjustment so that the belt strap is
routed towards the front along the bottom.
R Children must never travel sitting on the lap
of another occupant. Due to the forces
which occur in the event of a sudden
change of direction, heavy braking or an
accident, it would not be possible to
restrain the child. The child could be thrown
against parts of the vehicle interior and be
seriously or even fatally injured.GWARNING
If the child restraint system is incorrectly fit-
ted on the seat position suitable for this pur-
pose, it cannot perform its intended protec-
tive function. In the event of an accident,
sharp braking or a sudden change in direction,
the child may not be held securely. There is
an increased risk of serious or even fatal inju-
ries.
Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions and the correct use for the child
restraint system. Make sure that the entire
surface of the child restraint system is resting
on the seat surface. Never place objects
under or behind the child restraint system,
e.g. cushions. Only use child restraint sys-
tems with the original cover designed for
them. Only replace damaged covers with gen-
uine covers.GWARNING
If the child restraint system is fitted incor-
rectly or is not secured, it can come loose in
the event of an accident, heavy braking or a
sudden change in direction. The child
restraint system could be thrown about, strik-
ing vehicle occupants. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always fit child restraint systems properly,
even if they are not being used. Make sure
that you observe the child restraint system
manufacturer's installation instructions.
GWARNING
Child restraint systems or their securing sys-
tems that have been damaged or subjected to
a load in an accident cannot perform their
intended protective function. In the event of
an accident, sharp braking or a sudden
change in direction, the child may not be held
securely. There is an increased risk of serious
or even fatal injuries.
Immediately replace child restraint systems
that have been damaged or subjected to a
load in an accident. Have the child restraint
securing systems checked in a qualified spe-
cialist workshop before fitting a child restraint
system again.
GWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment.
Children in the vehicle51SafetyZ

Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shift the automatic transmission out of
parking position P.
R shift the manual transmission into neutral.
R start the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key
with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave
children or animals unattended in the vehicle.
Always keep the key out of reach of children.GWARNING
If persons (particularly children) are exposed
to heat or cold for a prolonged period, there
is a risk of serious or even fatal injuries. Never
leave persons (particularly children) unatten-
ded in the vehicle.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is placed in direct
sunlight, the parts could become very hot.
Children could be suffer burns by touching
these parts, in particular on the metallic parts
of the child restraint system. There is a risk of
injury.
If you and your child leave the vehicle, always
make sure that the child restraint system is
not in direct sunlight. Cover it with a blanket,
for example. If the child restraint system has
been exposed to direct sunlight, leave it to
cool down before securing the child in it.
Never leave children unattended in the vehi-
cle.
If a child is travelling in your vehicle, secure
the child using a child restraint system which
is appropriate to the size, age and weight of
the child. In order to correctly secure the child
in the child restraint system, always comply
with the child restraint system manufactur-
er's installation instructions. You should pref-
erably fit the restraint system to a suitable
rear seat. Make sure that the child is secured
for the trip.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
the listed child restraint systems
( Y page 59). You can obtain further infor-
mation about the correct child restraint sys-
tem from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
i It is advisable to use Mercedes-Benz care
products to clean child restraint systems.
You can obtain information about this at
any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Child restraint system on the front-
passenger seatGWARNING
If the front-passenger front airbag is not dis-
abled:
R a child secured in a child restraint system
on the front-passenger seat could be seri-
ously or even fatally injured by the front-
passenger airbag deploying. This is espe-
cially a risk if the child is in the immediate
vicinity of the front-passenger front airbag
when it deploys.
R never secure a child on the front-passenger
seat in a rearward-facing child restraint sys-
tem. Only secure a rearward-facing child
restraint system on a suitable rear seat.
R and you secure a forward-facing child
restraint system to the front-passenger
seat, you must move the front-passenger
seat as far back as possible. When doing
so, ensure that the shoulder belt strap from
the belt outlet on the vehicle is routed
towards the front to the shoulder belt guide
on the child restraint system. Set the belt
height adjustment so that the belt strap is
routed towards the front along the bottom.
The front-passenger front airbag is not disa-
bled:
R on vehicles without automatic child seat
recognition on the front-passenger seat
R on vehicles with automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat,
unless a child restraint system with trans-
52Children in the vehicleSafety

ponders for automatic child seat recogni-
tion is fitted to the front-passenger seat
R on vehicles with automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat, if the
4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp is not lit.
To make you aware of this danger, a corre-
sponding warning sticker has been affixed to
the side of the dashboard and on both sides
of the sun visor on the front-passenger side.
Information about recommended child
restraint systems is available at any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Warning notice on the front-passenger sun visor
Warning symbol for a rearward-facing child
restraint system
Do not use a rearward-facing child restraint
system on a seat that is protected by an air-
bag installed in front of it.
Automatic child seat recognition on the
front-passenger seatGWARNING
If the 4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indica-
tor lamp does not light up when the child
restraint system is fitted, the front-passenger
front airbag has not been disabled. If the front-
passenger front airbag deploys, the child
could be seriously or even fatally injured.
Proceed as follows:
R do not use a rearward-facing child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat.
R fit a rearward-facing child restraint system
on a suitable rear seat.
or
R only use a forward-facing child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat and
move the front-passenger seat as far back
as possible. When doing so, ensure that the
shoulder belt strap from the belt outlet on
the vehicle is routed towards the front to
the shoulder belt guide on the child
restraint system. Set the belt height adjust-
ment so that the belt strap is routed
towards the front along the bottom.
R have the automatic child seat recognition
checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
To ensure that the automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat func-
tions/communicates correctly, never place
objects, e.g. a cushion, under the child
restraint system. The entire base of the child
restraint system must always rest on the seat
cushion. An incorrectly fitted child restraint
system cannot perform its intended protec-
tive function in the event of an accident, and
could lead to injuries.
Children in the vehicle53SafetyZ

GWARNING
Electronic devices on the front-passenger
seat can affect the function of the automatic
child seat recognition, for example:
R laptop
R mobile phone
R transponder cards such as ski passes or
access passes
The front-passenger front airbag could deploy
unintentionally or not function as intended
during an accident. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Do not place any of the devices mentioned
above or similar devices on the front-
passenger seat.
If the front-passenger seat of your vehicle
does not have automatic child seat recogni-
tion, this is indicated by a special sticker. The
sticker is affixed to the side of the dashboard
on the front-passenger side. The sticker is
visible when you open the front-passenger
door.
Vehicles without automatic child seat recog-
nition on the front-passenger seat: if you turn
the key to position 2 in the ignition lock, the
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
lights up briefly. However, the indicator lamp
has no function. It does not indicate that there
is automatic child seat recognition on the
front-passenger seat.
The sensor system for child restraint systems
in the front-passenger seat detects whether
a special Mercedes-Benz child seat with a
transponder for automatic child seat recog-
nition has been fitted. In this case,
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp :
lights up. The front-passenger front airbag is
disabled.
i If the front-passenger front airbag is dis-
abled by the automatic child seat recogni-
tion, the following remain enabled on the
front-passenger side:
R the sidebag
R the windowbag
R the belt tensioner
ISOFIX child seat securing system for
the rear seats
GWARNING
ISOFIX child restraint systems do not offer
sufficient protective effect for children whose
weight is greater than 22 kg who are secured
using the safety belt integrated in the child
restraint system. The child could, for example,
not be restrained correctly in the event of an
accident. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
If the child weighs more than 22 kg, only use
ISOFIX child restraint systems with which the
child is also secured with the vehicle seat belt.
Also secure the child restraint system with the
Top Tether belt, if available.
54Children in the vehicleSafety

When fitting a child restraint system, be sure
to observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions and the instructions for correct
use of the child restraint system.GWARNING
The child restraint system cannot perform its
protective function if it is not correctly fitted
to a suitable vehicle seat. The child cannot be
restrained in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction. The
child could be seriously or even fatally injured.
For this reason, when securing a child
restraint system, always observe the manu-
facturer's installation instructions and the
correct use of the child restraint system.
For safety reasons, on the rear seats use only
child restraint systems with an ISOFIX child
seat securing system which have been tested
and approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
An incorrectly fitted child restraint system
could come loose and seriously or even fatally
injure the child or other vehicle occupants.
When fitting the child restraint system, always
make sure that it is engaged correctly in the
ISOFIX securing rings on both sides.
! When fitting the ISOFIX child restraint
system, make sure that the seat belt for the
centre seat does not get trapped. Other-
wise, the seat belt could be damaged.
XInstall the ISOFIX child restraint system.
Comply with the child restrain system man-
ufacturer's instructions when installing the
ISOFIX child restraint system.ISOFIX is a standardised securing system for
specially designed child restraint systems on
the rear seats. Securing rings : for two ISO-
FIX child restraint systems are fitted on the
left and right of the rear seats.
Top Tether
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Always engage the rear seat backrests in an
upright position before installing the Top
Tether belt. Push and pull the rear seat backr-
ests to check whether they are engaged cor-
rectly. The rear seat backrest may fold down
if it is not engaged correctly. The child
restraint system is then no longer supported
correctly or held in position and can no longer
perform its intended function. This can cause
serious or even fatal injuries.
Example: Top Tether belt with one belt strap
Top Tether provides an additional connection
between the ISOFIX child restraint system
secured with ISOFIX and the rear seat. It
Children in the vehicle55SafetyZ

helps reduce the risk of injury even further. If
the child restraint system is fitted with Top
Tether, this should always be used.
The Top Tether anchorage points are fitted in
the rear compartment behind the outer head
restraints on the parcel shelf.XPress down the rear of cover ; in the
direction of the arrow.
Cover ; is raised slightly at the front.XFold up cover ; of Top Tether anchorage
= .XTop Tether belt with one belt strap: route
Top Tether belt A centrally over head
restraint :.XTop Tether belt with two belt straps:
route Top Tether belts A on the left and
right past the side of head restraint :.XHook Top Tether hook ? into Top Tether
anchorage =.XMake sure that Top Tether belt A is not
twisted.XFit the ISOFIX child restraint system with
Top Tether. Always comply with the child
restraint system manufacturer's installa-
tion instructions when doing so. Make sure
that Top Tether belt A is tight.
Vehicles for Australia: there is also another
Top Tether anchorage point behind the cen-
tral rear seat.
56Children in the vehicleSafety

Suitable positioning of the child restraint systems
Only child restraint systems which are approved in accordance with the ECE standard ECE
R44 are permitted for use in the vehicle.
Suitability of the seats for attaching belted child restraint systems
Key to the letters used in the table:
XSeat which is unsuitable for children in this weight category.USuitable for child restraint systems in the "Universal" category that are approved for use
in this weight category.UFSuitable for forward-facing child restraint systems that belong to the "Universal" category
and are approved for use in this weight category.LSuitable for child restraint systems as recommended, see the following table of "Recom-
mended child restraint systems" ( Y page 59).Seat positionsWeight catego-
riesFront-passenger seatRear seat 1Front-
passenger
front airbag is
not disabledFront-
passenger
front airbag is
disabledLeft, rightCentreCategory 0: up
to 10 kgXU 2, 3
, L2, 3U, LU, LCategory 0+:
up to 13 kgXU 2, 3
, L2, 3U, LU, LCategory I:
9 to
18 kgUF 3
, L 3U3
, L 3U, LU, L1
If you use a baby car seat of category 0 or 0+ or a rearward-facing child restraint system of category I on a
rear seat, you must adjust the driver's or front-passenger seat so that the seat does not touch the rearward-
facing child restraint.
2 Vehicles with automatic child seat recognition in the front-passenger seat: a child restraint system of the
"Universal" category with a transponder for automatic child seat recognition must be fitted. The PASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp must be lit.
3 Move the front-passenger seat as far back as possible. If you secure a child in a forward-facing child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat, ensure that the shoulder belt strap from the belt outlet on the vehicle
is routed towards the front to the shoulder belt guide on the child restraint system. Set the belt height
adjustment so that the belt strap is routed towards the front along the bottom. Move the front-passenger
seat to the highest position and move the backrest to an almost vertical position. When doing so, ensure
that the complete surface of the child restraint system rests against the backrest of the front-passenger seat
and that the child restraint system does not touch the roof. To do so, you may have to adjust the backrest
down a little. For seats with electrical adjustment, the seat cushion angle must be set to the highest and
most upright position.Children in the vehicle57SafetyZ

Seat positionsWeight catego-
riesFront-passenger seatRear seat 1Front-
passenger
front airbag is
not disabledFront-
passenger
front airbag is
disabledLeft, rightCentreCategory II: 15
to 25 kgUF 3
, L 3U3
, L 3U, LU, LCategory III:
22 to 36 kgUF 3, 4
, L3, 4UF 3, 4
, L3, 4U, L 4U, L4
Example: approval label on the child restraint system
" Universal" category child restraint systems can be recognised by their orange approval label
and the text "Universal".
" Universal" category child restraint systems can be used on the seats indicated with U, UF or
IUF according to the tables "Suitability of the seats for attaching belted child restraint systems"
or "Suitability of the seats for attaching an ISOFIX child restraint system".
Semi-universal child restraint systems are indicated by the text "semi-universal" on the
approval label. These can be used if the vehicle and the seat are listed in the child restraint
1 If you use a baby car seat of category 0 or 0+ or a rearward-facing child restraint system of category I on a
rear seat, you must adjust the driver's or front-passenger seat so that the seat does not touch the rearward-
facing child restraint.
3 Move the front-passenger seat as far back as possible. If you secure a child in a forward-facing child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat, ensure that the shoulder belt strap from the belt outlet on the vehicle
is routed towards the front to the shoulder belt guide on the child restraint system. Set the belt height
adjustment so that the belt strap is routed towards the front along the bottom. Move the front-passenger
seat to the highest position and move the backrest to an almost vertical position. When doing so, ensure
that the complete surface of the child restraint system rests against the backrest of the front-passenger seat
and that the child restraint system does not touch the roof. To do so, you may have to adjust the backrest
down a little. For seats with electrical adjustment, the seat cushion angle must be set to the highest and
most upright position.
4 For certain child restraint systems in this weight category, this can mean that the area of use is restricted
as the maximum size setting of the child restraint system is not possible due to possible contact with the
roof.58Children in the vehicleSafety