Modified or damaged seat belts maytear orfail, e.g. in an accident.
Modified EmergencyTensioning Devices canaccidentally trigger orfailtofunction asintended.
#Never modifythe seat belts, EmergencyTensioning Devices, seat belt ancho‐rages or seat beltretractors.
#Makesurethatthe seat belts areundamaged, notwornand clean.
#Always havethe seat beltscheckedimmediately after an accident at aqualified specialistworkshop.
Only use seat belts which havebeen approvedforyourvehiclebyMercedes-Benz.
&WARNINGRisk of injuryor death fromdeployedpyrotechnic EmergencyTen‐sioning Devices
Pyrotechnic EmergencyTensioning Devicesthat havebeen deployed are no longer opera‐tional and are unabletoperformtheir inten‐ded protective function.
#Therefore, havedeployedpyrotechnicEmergencyTensioning Devices immedi‐atelyreplaced at aqualified specialistworkshop.
Mercedes-Benzrecommendsthatyou havethevehicletowedtoaqualified specialistworkshopafter an accident.
*NOTEDamagecausedbytrappingtheseat belt
If an unused seat belt is not fullyretracted, itmay become trapped inthe door or intheseat mechanism.
#Always ensurethat an unused seat beltis fullyretracted.
Information onthe belt airbag intherearseat belt
The BELTBAGidentification indicatesthat arearseat belt is equipped with a belt airbag.
When activated,the belt airbag increasestheprotected area ofthevehicle occupant'sribcage.
&WARNINGRisk of injuryor deaththroughthe use of a non-approvedchildrestraint system
In an accident,the belt air bag may damagea non-approved or non-authorizedchildrestraint system.
As aresult,thechildrestraint system maynot be abletoprovidethe intended level ofprotection.
#Therefore, always useLATCH orLATCH-type (ISOFIX)tofasten achild seatequipped with an integratedrestraintsystem.
#Forvehicles equipped withthe optionalrear seat-belt air bags ("beltbag"), onlyuse a Mercedes-Benz approved boosterseat with integrated backrest.
#Never use an air bag equipped seat belttofasten a front orrear-facingchildseat or a non-approved booster seat.
#Please contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Centerfor information onapprovedchildrestraint systems.
36Occupant safety
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
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
Activating/deactivating the seat belt'schildspecial seat beltretractor
&WARNINGRisk of injuryor death if aseat belt is unfastened whilethevehicleis in motion
Ifthe seat belt isreleased whilethevehicle isin motion,thechildrestraint system is nolonger correctly secured. Thechild seatsafetyfeature is deactivated andthe seatbelt is drawn in a bitbythe inertiareel.
It istherefore not possibletoengagethe seatbelt again.
#Pullover andstopthevehicle safely assoon as possible, paying attentiontoroad and traffic conditions.
#Activatethechild seat safetyfeatureagain and correctly securethechildrestraint system.
When enabled,the special seat beltretractorensuresthatthe seat belts ofthe frontpassenger seat andrear seats do not slackenoncethechildrestraint system is secured.
The seat belts onthefollowing seats are equip‐ped with a special seat beltretractor:
RFront passenger seat
RRear seats
#Toinstall achildrestraint system:wheninstalling achildrestraint system, alwaysobservethe manufacturer's installation andoperating instructions aswell asthe informa‐tion inthis Operator's Manual.#Pullthe seat belt smoothly fromthe seat beltoutlet.
#Engagethe seat belttongue inthe seat beltbuckle.#Toactivatethe special seat beltretrac‐tor:pullthe seat belt out fully and lettheinertiareelretract it again.Whenthe special seat beltretractor is activa‐ted,you should hear aratcheting sound.
#Pushthechildrestraint system down untilthe seat belt sits tightly.#Todeactivate the special seat beltretrac‐tor:presstherelease button ofthe seat beltbuckle.
#Holdthe seat belttongue and guide backtothe seat belt outlet.
InstallingtheLATCH-type (ISOFIX)childrestraint system ontherear seat
InstallingtheLATCH-type (ISOFIX)childrestraint system ontherear seat
&WARNINGRisk of injuryor death ifthepermissible gross mass ofthechild andchildrestraint system isexceeded
ForLATCH-type (ISOFIX)childrestraint sys‐tems in whichthechild is secured usingtheintegrated seat belt inthechildrestraint sys‐tem,the permissible gross mass ofthechildandchildrestraint system is73lb (33kg).
Ifthechild andthechildrestraint systemtogetherweigh morethan73lb (33kg),theLATCH-type (ISOFIX)childrestraint systemwith integrated seat belt does not offer suffi‐cient protection. Anexcessive load may beplaced ontheLATCH-type (ISOFIX)child seatattachments andthechild may not be
Occupant safety53
restrained intheevent of an accident,forexample.
#Ifthechild andthechildrestraint sys‐temtogetherweigh morethan73lb(33kg), useonly aLATCH-type (ISOFIX)childrestraint systemthat securesthechild withthevehicle seat belt.
#Also securethechildrestraint systemwiththeTopTether belt, ifavailable.
Always comply withthe information aboutthemass ofthechildrestraint system:
Rinthe manufacturer's installation and operat‐ing instructionsforthechildrestraint systemused
Ron a label onthechildrestraint system, ifpresent
Regularlycheckthatthe permissible gross massofthechild andchildrestraint system isstillcomplied with.
Whenyou are installing achildrestraint system,observethefollowing:
sAlways observethe correct use andthe suit‐ability ofthe seatsfor attaching achildrestraint system.
sAlways comply withthe manufacturer'sinstallation and operating instructionsforthechildrestraint system used.
sMake surethatthechild'sfeetdo nottouchthe front seat. If necessary,movethe frontseatforward slightly.
Whenyou are installing aLATCH-type(ISOFIX)childrestraint system, observethefol‐lowing:
sWhenyou are using a Group 0/0+ babycar seat and a Group 1rearward-facingchildrestraint system on arear seat:adjustthe front seat sothatthe seat doesnottouchthechildrestraint system.
sWhenyou are using a Group 1forward-facingchildrestraint system:removetheheadrestraint fromtherespective seat, if
possible. In addition,the seat backrest ofthechildrestraint system must, asfar aspossible, lieflat againstthe backrest ofthevehicle seat.
Afterthechildrestraint system has beenremoved,replacethe headrestraints againimmediately and adjustthem correctly.
sFor certainchildrestraint systems inweightgroup 2 or 3,there may berestrictions inthe maximum size setting, e.g. duetopossi‐ble contact with theroof.
sThechildrestraint system must not beten‐sioned betweentheroof andthe seat cush‐ion and/or be installedfacingthe wrongdirection. Where possible, adjustthe seatcushion inclination accordingly.
sThechildrestraint system must not be putunderstrainbythe headrestraints.Adjustthe headrestraints accordingly.
54Occupant safety
Beforeevery trip, make surethattheLATCH-type(ISOFIX)childrestraint system is engaged cor‐rectly in bothmounting brackets inthevehicle.
*NOTEBe careful nottodamagethe seatbeltforthe center seat when installingthechildrestraint system
#Make surethatthe seat belt is not trap‐ped.
#Vehicles withrecliningrear seats:Movetherecliningrear seat backrest down slightlybeforetheLATCH-type (ISOFIX)childrestraint system is installed.
#Removethe upholstered lining1.
#Vehicles withoutrecliningrear seats:Foldupholstered lining1upwards.
#Turnthe support ontherear side of uphol‐stered lining1by90°.The upholstered lining1willremainfoldedupwards.
#AttachtheLATCH-type (ISOFIX)childrestraint systemtobothmounting brackets2inthevehicle.
#Vehicles withrecliningrear seats:Returntherecliningrear seat backresttoan uprightposition.Therecliningrear seat backrest mustrestagainstthechildrestraint system.
SecuringTopTether
&WARNINGRisk of injuryor death whenadjustingthe seat after installing achildrestraint system
Vehicles with electrically adjustablerearseats:
Ifyou adjustthe seat after installing achildrestraint system,thefollowing may occur:
Rthe seat belt may either sittoo loose ortoo tight
Rthechildrestraint system can becomeloose, incorrectly positioned or damaged
As aresult,thechildrestraint system maynot be abletoprovidethe intended level ofprotection.
#Never adjustthe seat after installingthechildrestraint system.
Ifthechildrestraint system is equippedwith aTopTether belt:
Therisk of injury can bereducedbyTo pTether. TheTopTether beltfacilitates an
Occupant safety55
additional connection betweenthechildrestraint system attached withLATCH-type (ISOFIX) andthevehicle.
#If necessary,moveheadrestraint1upwards (→page107).
#Fold up cover2ofTopTether anchorage3.
#InstalltheLATCH-type (ISOFIX)childrestraintsystem withTopTether. Always comply withthechildrestraint system manufacturer'sinstallation instructions when doing so.
#GuideTopTether belt4under headrestraint1betweenthe two headrestraintbars.
#HookTopTether hook5ofTopTether belt4without twisting intoTopTether anchor‐age3.
#TensionTopTether belt4. Always complywiththechildrestraint system manufactur‐er's installation instructions when doing so.
#Fold down cover2ofTopTether anchorage3.
#If necessary,slide headrestraint1down‐wards (→page107). Make surethatyou donot interferewiththe correctrouting ofTo pTether belt4.
Securingthechildrestraint system withtheseat belt
Securingthechildrestraint system withtheseat belt ontherear seat
When installing a belt-securedchildrestraintsystem, observethefollowing:
sAlways comply withthe manufacturer'sinstallation and operating instructionsforthechildrestraint system used.
sWhen using a category 0/0+ baby carseat and a category Irearward-facingchildrestraint system on arear seat:adjustthe front seat sothatthe seat doesnottouchthechildrestraint system.
sWhen using a category Iforward-facingchildrestraint system:removethe head
56Occupant safety