
placed in the rear seat whenever possible.
Regardless of seatingposition,children 12
years old and under must be seated and
properly secured in an appropriately sized
child restraint system or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child. For additional information,see the
"Children in the vehicle" section.
Achild'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.
XAdjust the seat and move the backrest to
an almost vertical position (Ypage 98).
XPull the seat belt smoothly through belt
sash guide .
XWithout twisting it, guide the shoulder
section of the seat belt across the middle
of your shoulder and the lap section across
your pelvis.
XEngage belt tongue in buckle $.
Seat-belt adjustment:ifnecessary, the
driver's and front-passenger seat belts
automatically adjust to the upper body
(Ypage 57).
XIf necessary, adjust the seat belt to the
appropriate height (Ypage 58).
XIf necessary, pull upwards on the shoulder
section of the seat belt to tighten the belt
across your body.
All seat belts except the driver's seat belt are
equipped withaspecial seat belt retractor to
securely fasten child restraint systems in the
vehicle. Further information can be found
under "Special seat belt retractor"
(Ypage 63).
For more information about releasing the seat
belt with release button !,see "Releasing
seat belts" (Ypage 58).
Seat belt adjustment
The seat-belt adjustment function adjusts the
driver's and front-passenger seat belt to the
upper body of the occupants.
The belt strap is tightened slightly when:
Ryou engage the belt tongue in the belt
buckle and you then turn the SmartKey to
position2in the ignition lock.
Rthe SmartKey is in position2in the ignition
lock and you then engage the belt tongue
in the buckle.
The seat-belt adjustment will apply a
retraction forceifany slack is detected
between the occupant and the seat belt. Do
not hold on to the seat belt tightly while it is
adjusting. You can switch the seat-belt
adjustment on and off in the on-board
computer (Ypage 233).
The seat-belt adjustment is an integral part of
the PRE-SAFE®convenience function.More
information about PRE-SAFE®can be found
under "PRE-SAFE®(preventativeoccupant
protection)" (Ypage 54).
Occupant safety57
Safety
Z

health hazard and does not indicate that there
isafire in the vehicle. The dust might cause
some temporary breathing difficulty for
people with asthma or other breathing
trouble. To avoid this, you may wish to get out
of the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
You can also open the window to allow fresh
air to enter the vehicle interior. The SRS
warning lamp lights up.
If the seat belt is also equipped withaseat
belt force limiter and this is triggered, the
force exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle
occupant is reduced.
The seat belt force limiters for the front seats
are synchronized with the front air bags,
which take onapart of the deceleration force.
This results in the force exerted on the
occupant being distributed overagreater
area.
Children in the vehicle
Child restraint systems
Important safety notes
GWARNING
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front seating
position. Thus, we strongly recommendthat
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,orbooster
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,orbooster 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 placeachild in the front
passenger seat:
RYour 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 ofastandard appropriate
child restraint on the front passenger seat.
RFor children larger than the typical
12-month-old child, the front passenger
front air bag may or may not be activated.
Always make sure the indicator
lamp is illuminated, indicatingthat the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
RAchild inarear-facing child restraint on the
front passenger seat will be seriously
injured or even killed if the front passenger
front air bag inflates inacollision 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
placeachild inarear-facing child restraint
in the front seat. We therefore strongly
recommendthat you always placeachild
inarear-facing child restraint inabackseat.
RIf you must installarear-facing child
restraint on the front passenger seat
because circumstances require you to do
so, make sure the indicator
lamp is illuminated, indicatingthat the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
Should the indicator lamp not
illuminateorgoout while the restraint is
installed, please checkinstallation.
Periodically check the indicator
lamp while drivingtomake sure the
indicator lamp is illuminated. If the
indicator lamp goes out or
remainsout, do not transportachild on the
60Children in thevehicle
Safety

front passenger seatuntil the system has
been repaired.
Achild inarear-facing child restraint on the
front passenger seat will be seriously
injured or even killed if the front passenger
front air bag inflates.
RIf you have to placeachild inaforward-
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.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed
incorrectly onasuitable seat, it cannot
protect as intended. The child cannot then be
restrained in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction. There
is an increased risk of injury, possibly even
fatal.
Make sure that you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation
instructions and the notes on use. Please
ensure, that the base of the child restraint
system is always resting completely on the
seat cushion. Never place objects, e.g.
cushions, under or behind the child restraint
system. Only use child restraint systems with
the original cover designed for them. Only
replace damaged covers with genuine covers.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed
incorrectly or is not secured, it can come
loose in the event of an accident, heavy
braking orasudden change in direction. The
child restraint system could be thrown about,
strikingvehicle occupants. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always install 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
systems which have been damaged or
subjected toaload in an accident can no
longer protect as intended. The child cannot
then be restrained in the event of an accident,
heavy braking or sudden changes of direction.
There is an increased risk of injury, possibly
even fatal.
Replace child restraint systems which have
been damaged or subjected toaload in an
accident as soon as possible. Have the
securing systems on the child restraint
system checked ataqualified specialist
workshop, before you installachild restraint
system again.
GWARNING
Infantsand small children should never share
aseat belt with another occupant. In the event
of an accident, they could be crushed
between the occupant and seat belt.
Achild'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 that are too large forachild restraint
must travel in seats using normal seat belts.
Position the shoulder belt across the chest
and shoulder, not the face or neck.Abooster
seat may be necessary to achieve proper seat
belt positioning for children over 41 lbs
(18 kg)until they reachaheight wherealap/
shoulder belt fitsproperly withoutabooster
seat.
When thechild restraint is notinuse, remove
it from the vehicle or secure it with the seat
belt to prevent the child restraint from
becomingaprojectile in the event of an
accident.
Children in the vehicle61
Safety
Z

GWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
Ropen the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
Rget out and disrupt traffic.
Roperate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children couldset the vehiclein
motion if, for example, they:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshifting the automatic transmission out of
park positionP
RStart the engine.
There isarisk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, alwaystake the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children.
GWARNING
If persons, particularlychildren are subjected
to prolonged exposure to extreme heator
cold,there isariskofinjury,possiblyeven
fatal. Never leave children unattendedinthe
vehicle.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is subjected to
direct sunlight, parts may get very hot.
Children mayburn themselves on these parts,
particularly on the metal parts of the child
restraint system. There isarisk of injury.
If you leave the vehicle, takingthe child with
you, alwaysensure that the child restraint
system is not exposed to direct sunlight.
Protectitwithablanket,for example. If the
child restraint system has been exposed to
direct sunlight, let it cool down before
securing the child in it. Never leave children
unattended in the vehicle.
If an infantorchild is traveling in the vehicle:
RSecure the child withachild or infant seat
restraint system appropriate to the age and
weight of the child.
RMake sure that the infant or child is
properly secured at all times while the
vehicle is in motion.
Mercedes-Benzrecommends that you always
properly secure all infants and children with
achild or infantseat restraint system for the
trip.
The use of seat belts and infantand child
restraint systemsisrequired by lawin:
Rall50states
Rthe U.S. territories
Rthe District of Columbia
RallCanadianprovinces
Infants and children must alwaysbeseated in
an appropriate infant or child restraint system
recommendedfor the size and weight of the
child.The infant or child restraint system
must be properly secured in accordance with
the manufacturer's instructions.
All infant or child restraint systems must meet
the following standards:
RU.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 225
RCanadianMotor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 210.2
Confirmation that the child restraint system
corresponds to the standards can be found
on an instruction label on the child restraint
system. This confirmation can also be found
in the installation instructions that are
included with the child restraint system.
Always read and follow the manufacturer's
instructions when using an infant or child
restraint system or booster seat.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle
interior or on the infant or child restraint.
62Children in the vehicle
Safety

Special seat belt retractor
GWARNING
If the seat belt is released while driving, the
child restraint system will no longer be
secured properly. The special seat belt
retractor is disabled and the inertia real draws
inaportion of the seat belt. The seat belt
cannot be immediately refastened. There is
an increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
Reactivate the special seat belt retractor and
secure the child restraint system properly.
All seat belts except the driver's seat belt are
equipped withaspecial seat belt retractor.
When activated, the special seat belt
retractor ensures that the seat belt will not
slacken once the child restraint system has
been secured.
Installingachild restraint system:
XAlways comply with the manufacturer's
installation instructions.
XPull the seat belt smoothly from the seat
belt retractor.
XEngage the seat belt tongue in the belt
buckle.
Activating the special seat belt retractor:
XPull the seat belt out fully and let the seat
belt retractor retract it again.
While the seat belt is retracting, you should
heararatcheting sound. The special seat
belt retractor is activated.
XPush down on the child restraint system to
take up any slack.
Removingachild restraint system/
deactivating the special seat belt retractor:
XAlways comply with the manufacturer's
installation instructions.
XPress the seat belt release button and
guide the belt tongue to the belt outlet.
The special seat belt retractor is
deactivated.
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat anchors
in the rear
GWARNING
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint systems
do not offer sufficient protective effect for
children whose weight is greater than 48 lbs
(22 kg). 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 48 lbs (22 kg),
also secure the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system with the vehicle seat belt.
Also secure the child restraint system with the
Top Tether belt, if available.
When installingachild restraint system, be
sure to observe the manufacturer's
installation instructions and the instructions
for correctuse of the child restraint system.
Securing ring
When installing the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system, fold protective caps of
securing rings inwards.
XInstall the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
securing system. Comply with the
manufacturer's instructions when
installing.
The LATCH-type (ISOFIX) system is a
standardized securing system for specially
designed child restraint systems on the rear
seats. Securing rings for two LATCH-type
(ISOFIX) child restraint systems are installed
on the left and right of the rear seats.
Children in the vehicle63
Safety
Z

Secure child restraint systems withouta
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat securing
system using the seat belts in the vehicle.
When installing child restraint systems, you
must observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions.
Top Tether
Top Tether anchorages
GWARNING
Alwayslock the rear seat backrests in their
upright positionwhen the rear seats are
occupied by passengers. Lock the rear seat
backrests in their upright position before
installing the Top Tether straps or when the
cargo compartmentisnot in use. Make sure
that rear seat backrests are secured properly
by pushing and pulling on the seat backrests.
If the seat backrest is not locked properly, the
seat backrest could fold forward. The child
restraint system is no longer supported
properly or held in position and can no longer
fulfill its function. This could cause serious or
even fatal injuries.
Top Tether provides an additional connection
betweenachild restraint system, secured
withaLATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat mount,
and the rear seat. This helps reduce the risk
of injury even further.
The Top Tether anchorage points are located
in the rear compartmentbehind the head
restraints.
XMove head restraint upwards.
XFold up cover of Top Tether anchorage
$.
XRoute Top Tether belt under head
restraint between the two head restraint
bars.
XHook Top Tether hook !intoTop Tether
anchorage $.
XMake sure that Top Tether belt is not
twisted.
XFold down cover of Top Tether
anchorage $.
XSlide down head restraint until it
engages (Ypage 101).
Make sure that you do not interfere with the
correct routingofTop Tether belt .
XInstall the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system with Top Tether.Comply
with the manufacturer's installation
instructions when doing so. Make sure that
Top Tether belt is tight.
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
Ropen the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
Rget out and disrupt traffic.
Roperate the vehicle's equipment.
64Children in the vehicle
Safety

The seat belt should:
Rfit snugly across your body
Rbe routed across the middle of your
shoulder
Rbe routed in your pelvic area across the hip
joints
XBefore starting off, adjust the rear-view
mirror and the exterior mirrors in such a
way that you haveagood view of road and
traffic conditions (Ypage 109).
XVehicles withamemoryfunction:save
the seat, steeringwheel and exterior mirror
settings with the memory function
(Ypage 112).
Seats
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Children could become trapped if they adjust
the seats, particularly when unattended.
There isarisk of injury.
When leaving the vehicle, alwaystake the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you
do the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steeringwheel or mirrors
Rfasten the seat belt
There isarisk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steeringwheel and mirror and fasten your
seat belt before starting the engine.
GWARNING
If you adjust the seat height carelessly, you or
other vehicle occupantscould be trapped and
thereby injured. Children in particular could
accidentally press the electrical seat
adjustmentbuttonsand become trapped.
Thereisariskofinjury.
While moving the seats, make sure thatyour
hands or other body parts do not get under
the lever assembly of the seat adjustment
system.
GWARNING
When you adjustaseat, you or other vehicle
occupantscould become trapped, e.g. on the
seat guide rail. There isarisk of injury.
Make sure when adjustingaseat that no one
has any body parts in the sweep of the seat.
GWARNING
If head restraints are not installed and
adjusted correctly, they cannot provide
protection as intended. There is an increased
risk of injury in the head and neck area, e.g.
in the event of an accident or when braking.
Always drive with the head restraints
installed. Beforedriving off, make sure for
every vehicle occupant that the center of the
head restraint supports the back of the head
at about eye level.
GWARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended level
of protection if the backrest is not in the
upright position.When braking or in the event
of an accident, you could slide underneath the
seat belt and sustain abdomen or neck
injuries, for example. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Adjust the seat properly before beginning
your journey. Always make sure that the seat
is in the upright position.
GWARNING
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained on the rear
seats than on the front-passenger seat. Thus,
we strongly recommendthat children be
placed in the rear seat whenever possible.
Regardless of seating position, children 12
years old and under must be seated and
Seats99
Seats, steering whee la nd mirrors
Z

properly secured in an appropriately sized
child restraint system or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child. For additional information,see the
"Children in the vehicle" section.
Achild'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.
!To avoid damage to the seats and the seat
heating, observe the following information:
Rkeep liquids from spilling on the seats. If
liquidisspilled on the seats, dry them as
soon as possible.
Rif the seat covers are damp or wet, do not
switch on the seat heating. The seat
heating should also not be used to dry
the seats.
Rclean the seat covers as recommended;
see "Interior care".
Rdo not transport heavy loads on the
seats. Do not place sharp objectsonthe
seat cushions, e.g. knives, nails or tools.
The seats should only be occupied by
passengers, if possible.
Rwhen the seat heating is in operation, do
not cover the seats with insulating
materials, e.g. blankets, coats, bags,
seat covers, child seats or booster seats.
!Make sure that there are no objectsinthe
footwell or behind the seats when resetting
the seats. There isarisk that the seats
and/or the objectscould be damaged.
iThe head restraintsinthe front seats are
installed with the NECK-PRO system
(Ypage 53). For this reason, it is not
possible to remove the head restraints
from the front seats.
For more information,contactaqualified
specialist workshop.
iFurther related subjects:
Adjusting the seats
Head restraint height
Seat cushion angle
$Seat height
!Seat fore-and-aft adjustment
Backrest angle
iIf PRE-SAFE®is triggered, the front-
passenger seat will be moved toabetter
position if it was previously in an
unfavorable position.
iYou can store the seat settings using the
memory function (Ypage 112).
iVehicles with the through-loading
feature: if you fold downarear seat
backrest, the respective front seat is
moved forwards slightly in order to avoid
contact.
Adjusting the head restraints
Important safety notes
GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you
do the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
Rfasten the seat belt
There isarisk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel and mirror and fasten your
seat belt before startingthe engine.
100Seats
Seats, steering whee la nd mirrors