RThe front passenger seat has been movedasfar back as possible.
RThe person is seated correctly.
#Ensure, bothbefore and duringthe jour‐ney,thatthestatus ofthe frontpassenger airbag is correct.
Ifthe front passenger seat is occupied,the clas‐sification ofthe person orchildrestraint systemonthe front passenger seattakes place afterthefront passenger front airbag shutoff self-test.ThePASSENGER AIRBAG indicator lamps dis‐playthestatus ofthe front passenger front air‐bag.
Always observethe notes onthe function ofthePASSENGER AIRBAG indicator lamps(→page 43).
Function ofthePASSENGER AIRBAG indica‐tor lamps
Self-testof automatic front passenger frontairbag shutoffWhenthe ignition is switched on, a self-test isperformed during whichthe twoPASSENGERAIRBAG ON and OFF indicator lamps light upsimultaneously.
Thestatus ofthe front passenger front airbag isdisplayed afterthe self-test:
RPASSENGER AIRBAG ON lights upfor60 seconds, subsequently bothindicatorlamps are off (PASSENGER AIRBAG ON andOFF):the front passenger front airbag is abletodeploy intheevent of an accident.
RPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF lights up continu‐ously:the front passenger front airbag is dis‐abled. It willthen not be deployed intheevent of an accident.
IfthePASSENGER AIRBAG ON indicator lamp isoff, onlythePASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicatorlamp shows thestatus ofthe front passengerfront airbag. ThePASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indi‐cator lamp may be lit continuously or be off.
IfthePASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lampandthe urestraint systemwarning lamplight up simultaneously,the front passenger seatmay not be used. Also inthis case, do not installachildrestraint system onthe front passengerseat. Haveautomatic front passenger front air‐bag shutoffchecked andrepaired immediately ataqualified specialistworkshop.
Occupant safety43
Status displayIfthe front passenger seat is occupied, ensure,bothbefore and duringthe journey,thatthesta‐tus ofthe front passenger front airbag is correctforthe current situation.
After installing arearward-facingchildrestraint system onthe front passengerseat:PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF must be lit con‐tinuously.
&WARNINGRisk of injuryor death fromusing arearward-facingchildrestraintsystem whenthe front passenger frontairbag is enabled
Ifyou secure achild in arearward-facingchildrestraint system onthe front passengerseat andthePASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indi‐cator lamp is off,the front passenger airbagcan deploy intheevent of an accident.
Thechild could bestruckbythe airbag.
Always ensurethatthe front passenger air‐bag is deactivated. ThePASSENGER AIRBAGOFF indicator lamp must be lit.
NEVER use arearward-facingchildrestraintsystem on a seat protectedbyan ENABLEDFRONT AIRBAGin front of it, DEATH or SERI‐OUS INJURYtotheCHILD can occur.
When installing achildrestraint system onthefront passenger seat, observethevehicle-spe‐cific information (→page57).
Depending onthechildrestraint system andthestature ofthechild,thePASSENGER AIRBAGOFF indicator lamp may be off. Inthis case, donot installtherearward-facingchildrestraintsystem onthe front passenger seat.
Instead, installtherearward-facingchildrestraint system on a suitablerear seat.
After installing aforward-facingchildrestraint system onthe front passengerseat:depending onthechildrestraint systemandthestature ofthechild,PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF may be lit continuously or be off.Always observethefollowing information.
&WARNINGRisk of injuryor death duetoincorrect positioning oftheforward-facingchildrestraint system
Ifyou secure achild in aforward-facingchildrestraint system onthe front passenger seatandyou positionthe front passenger seattooclosetothe cockpit, intheevent of an acci‐dent,thechild could:
RCome into contact with thevehicle inte‐rior ifthePASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indi‐cator lamp is lit,forexample.
RBestruckbythe air bag ifthePASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lampis off.
#Always movethe front passenger seatasfar back as possible and fullyretractthe seat cushion length adjustment.Always make surethatthe shoulder beltstrap is correctlyrouted fromthe seatbelt outlet onthevehicletothe shoul‐der belt guide onthechildrestraint sys‐tem. The shoulder beltstrap must beroutedforwards and downwards from
44Occupant safety
thevehicle belt outlet. If necessary,adjustthe seat belt outlet andthe frontpassenger seat accordingly.
#Always observethechildrestraint sys‐tem manufacturer's installation instruc‐tions.
When installing achildrestraint system onthefront passenger seat, observethevehicle-spe‐cific information (→page57).
If a person is sitting onthe front passengerseat:PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF may be lit con‐tinuously or be off, depending onthe person'sstature.
A person onthe front passenger seat mustalways observethefollowing information:
RIfthe front passenger seat is occupiedbyanadult or a person with astature correspond‐ingtothat of an adult,thePASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp must be off. Thisindicatesthatthe front passenger front air‐bag is enabled.
IfthePASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicatorlamp is lit continuously,an adult or person
with a build correspondingtothat of an adultshould not usethe front passenger seat.Instead,theyshould use arear seat.
RIfthe front passenger seat is occupiedby aperson of smallerstature (e.g. ateenager orsmall adult),thePASSENGER AIRBAG OFFindicator lamp either lights up continuouslyorremains off, depending ontheresult oftheclassification.
-IfthePASSENGER AIRBAGOFF indicatorlamp is off: movethe front passengerseat asfar back as possible orthe personof smallerstature should use arear seat.
-IfthePASSENGER AIRBAGOFF indicatorlamp is lit continuously:the person ofsmallerstature should not usethe frontpassenger seat.
&WARNINGRisk of injuryor death whenthePASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicatorlamp is lit
IfthePASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicatorlampremains lit afterthe system self-test,the front passenger air bag is deactivated. It
will not be deployed intheevent of an acci‐dent. Inthis case,the front passenger air bagcannotperformits intended protective func‐tion, e.g. when a person is seated inthe frontpassenger seat.
That person could,forexample, come intocontact withthevehicle interior, especially ifthe person is sittingtoo closetothe cockpit.
Ifthe front passenger seat is occupied,always ensurethat:
RThe classification ofthe person inthefront passenger seat is correct andthefront passenger air bag is enabled ordeactivated in accordance withthe per‐son inthe front passenger seat.
RThe person is seated properly with a cor‐rectlyfastened seat belt.
RThe front passenger seat has been movedasfar back as possible.
Be suretoalso observethefollowing furtherrelated subjects:RChildrestraint system onthe front passengerseat (→page57).
Occupant safety45
If an accident did not occur,the pre-emptivemeasuresthatweretaken arereversed.
System limitations
The system will not initiate any action inthefol‐lowing situations:
Rwhen backing up
The system will not initiate any braking applica‐tion inthefollowing situations:
Rwhilst driving
or
Rwhen entering orexiting a parking spacewhile usingActiveParking Assist
Safely transportingchildren inthevehicle
Always observewhenchildren are travelinginthevehicle
%Alsostrictly observethe safety notesforthespecific situation. Inthiswayyou canrecog‐nize potentialrisks andavoid dangers ifchil‐dren are traveling inthevehicle(→page 48).
Be diligentBear in mindthat neglectingtosecure achild inthechildrestraint system may haveserious con‐sequences. Always be diligent in securing achildcarefully beforeeveryjourney.
Toimproveprotectionforchildrenyoungerthan12years old or under 5ft(1.50 m) in height,Mercedes-Benzrecommendsyou observethefollowing information:
RAlways securethechild in achildrestraintsystem suitableforthis Mercedes-Benzvehi‐cle.
RThechildrestraint system must be appropri‐atetothe age,weight and size ofthechild.
RThevehicle seat must be suitablefor instal‐ling achildrestraint system.
Accidentstatistics showthatchildren secured intherear seats aregenerally saferthanchildrensecured inthe front seats.Forthisreason,Mercedes-Benzstrongly advisesthatyou installachildrestraint system on arear seat.
Genericterm"childrestraint system"
Thegenerictermchildrestraint system is usedinthis Operator's Manual. Achildrestraint sys‐tem is,forexample:
Ra baby car seat
Rarearward-facingchild seat
Raforward-facingchild seat
Rachild booster seat with a backrest and seatbelt guide
Mercedes-Benzrecommends using achildbooster seat with a backrest.
Thechildrestraint system must be appropriatetothe age,weight and size ofthechild.
Observing lawsand legalrequirementsAlways observethe legalrequirements whenusing achildrestraint system inthevehicle.
Occupant safety47
Observingstandardsforchildrestraint sys‐tems
Allchildrestraint systems must meetthefollow‐ingstandards:
RU.S.Federal MotorVehicle SafetyStandards213 and 225
RCanadian MotorVehicle SafetyStandards213 and210.2
Confirmationthatthechildrestraint systemcomplies withthestandards can befound on aninstruction label onthechildrestraint system.This confirmation can also befound inthe instal‐lation instructionsthat are included withthechildrestraint system.
Detectingrisks,avoiding danger
Securing systemsforchildrestraint systemsinthevehicle
Only usethefollowing securing systemsforchildrestraint systems:
RtheLATCH-type (ISOFIX) mounting brackets
Rthevehicle's seat belt system
RtheTopTether anchorages
Installing aLATCH-type (ISOFIX)childrestraintsystem is preferred.
Simply attachingtothe securingrings onthevehicle canreducetherisk of installingthechildrestraint system incorrectly.
When securing achild withthe integrated seatbelt oftheLATCH-type (ISOFIX)childrestraintsystem, always comply withthe permissiblegrossweightforthechild andchildrestraint sys‐tem (→page 53).
A booster seat may be necessarytoachieveproper seat belt positioningforchildrenover40 lbs (18kg) inweight or untiltheyreach aheight where athree-point seat belt can beinstalled properlywithout a booster seat.
Mercedes-Benzrecommends a suitablechildbooster seat with a backrest and seat belt guide.
Advantage of arearward-facingchildrestraint systemIt is preferabletotransporta baby or a smallchild in a suitablerearward-facingchildrestraintsystem. Inthis case,thechild sits inthe oppo‐
site directiontothe direction of travel andfacesbackwards.
Babies and smallchildren havecomparativelyweak neck muscles inrelationtothe size andweight oftheir head. Therisk of injurytothe cer‐vical spine during an accident can bereduced inarearward-facingchildrestraint system.
Always secure achildrestraint system cor‐rectly
&WARNINGRisk of injuryor death causedbyincorrect installation ofthechildrestraint system
Ifthechildrestraint system is incorrectlyinstalled on a suitable seating position, itcannot performits intended protective func‐tion.
Thechild cannot berestrained intheevent ofan accident, heavy braking or a suddenchange of direction.
#Always comply withthe manufacturer'sinstallation instructionsforthechildrestraint system and its correct use.
48Occupant safety
#Make surethatthe entire base ofthechildrestraint system alwaysrests onthe sitting surface ofthe seat.
#Never place objects under or behindthechildrestraint system, e.g. cush‐ions.
#Always usechildrestraint systems withthe original cover designedforthem.
#Alwaysreplace damaged coverswithgenuine covers.
&WARNINGRisk of injuryor death fromunsecuredchildrestraint systems inthevehicle
Ifthechildrestraint system is not correctlyinstalled or secured, it couldrelease intheevent of an accident, sudden braking or asuddenchange in direction.
Thechildrestraint system could beflungaround and hitvehicle occupants.
#Always installchildrestraint systemscorrectly,even when not in use.
#Always comply withthechildrestraintsystem manufacturer's installationinstructions.
RAlways observethechildrestraint systemmanufacturer's installation and operatinginstructions aswell asthevehicle-specificinformation:
-InstalltheLATCH-type (ISOFIX)childrestraint system ontherear seat(→page 53).
-Securethechildrestraint system withtheseat belt ontherear seat (→page 56).
-Securethechildrestraint system withtheseat belt onthe front passenger seat(→page 58). Observethe specificinstructionsfortherearward-facing andforward-facingchildrestraint systems(→page57).
Ifthe front passenger seat is occupied,ensure, bothbefore and duringthe jour‐ney,thatthestatus ofthe frontpassenger front airbag is correctforthecurrent situation (→page43).
RObservethewarning labels inthevehicleinterior and onthechildrestraint system.
RAlso secureTopTether if present.
Notesforvehicles with arecliningrear seat
&WARNINGRisk of injuryduetothe seatbackrest beingreclinedtoofar back‐wards
If achildrestraint system is installed andtheseat backrest isreclinedtoofar backwards,the cushionbag may deploybymistakeintheevent of an accident.
#When using achildrestraint system,always ensurethatthe seat is correctlyadjusted andthatthe seat backrest isalmostvertical.
When installing achildrestraint system, movetherecliningrear seat backresttoan almostupright position. Therecliningrear seat backrestmustrestagainstthechildrestraint system.Observethe notes onthe cushion airbag(→page 38).
Occupant safety49
Ifyou install achildrestraint system ontherecliningrear seat, be suretoobservethechildrestraint system manufacturer's installationinstructions.
Do not alterthechildrestraint system
&WARNINGRisk of injuryduetomodifi‐cationstothechildrestraint system
Thechildrestraint system may no longerfunction as it is supposedtoifyou makemodifications or attach objectstoit, e.g.toysor unsuitable accessories. This poses anincreasedrisk of injury!
Never modifythechildrestraint system. Onlyattach accessories whichthe manufacturerofthechildrestraint system has authorizedespeciallyforthischildrestraint system.
Only usechildrestraint systems which are inproperworking condition
&WARNINGRisk of injuryor death causedbythe use of damagedchildrestraintsystems
Childrestraint systems ortheirretaining sys‐temsthat havebeen subjectedtoa load inan accident maythen not be abletoperformtheir intended protective function.
Thechild cannot berestrained intheevent ofan accident, heavy braking or a suddenchange of direction.
#Alwaysreplacechildrestraint systemsimmediatelythat havebeen damaged orinvolved in an accident.
#Havethe securing systemsforthechildrestraint systemschecked at aqualifiedspecialistworkshop before installing achildrestraint system again.
Avoiding direct sunlight
&WARNINGRisk of burns whenthechildseat isexposedtodirect sunlight
Ifthechildrestraint system isexposedtodirect sunlight or heat, parts could heat up.
Children could suffer burns fromthese parts,particularly on metallic parts ofthechildrestraint system.
#Always make surethatthechildrestraint system is notexposedtodirect sunlight.
#Protect it with a blanket,forexample.
#Ifthechildrestraint system has beenexposedtodirect sunlight, allow ittocool before securing achild into it.
#Never leavechildren unattended inthevehicle.
50Occupant safety
Overview of suitable seats inthevehiclefor installing achildrestraint system
Securing systemsforchildrestraint systems
Vehicle seat
Left/rightrear seatPreferred securing system:
LATCH-type (ISOFIX)child seat securing sys‐tem
Also secureTopTether if present(→page 55)
Alternative securing system:
RVehicle seat belt
Front passenger seatSecuring system:
RVehicle seat belt
Be suretoobserve:
RIfthe front passenger seat is occupied, ensure,bothbefore and duringthe journey,thatthesta‐tus ofthe front passenger front airbag is correctforthe current situation (→page43).
RNotes on automatic front passenger front airbagshutoff (→page41).
Centerrear seatSecuring system:
RVehicle seat belt
52Occupant safety