Interactive Owner's Manual

Date of printing:

11/23/2009

Interactive Owner's Manual [In depth | Occupant safety]

Owner's Manual version: RE 2009/09a

Note: The online Owner's Manual is the latest version available. Deviations between this manual and items specific to your vehicle may occur since Mercedes-Benz constantly adapts its vehicles to the latest technology and modifies design and equipment. Please note that this online Owner's Manual does not under any circumstances replace the printed Owner's Manual which is supplied with the vehicle.

Occupant safety

Notes on occupant safety

Seat belts, together with belt tensioners, belt force limiters and airbags, are complementary, coordinated restraint systems. They reduce the risk of injury in specific, pre-defined types of accident situations and thereby increase occupant safety. However, seat belts and airbags generally do not protect against objects penetrating the vehicle from the outside.

To ensure that the restraint systems can deliver their full potential protection, make sure that:

  • the seat and head restraint are adjusted properly more.

  • the seat belt has been fastened properly more.

  • the airbags can inflate properly if they are deployed more.

  • the steering wheel is adjusted properly more.

  • the restraint systems have not been modified.

An airbag increases the protection of vehicle occupants wearing a seat belt. However, airbags are only an additional restraint system which complements, but does not replace, the seat belt. All vehicle occupants must wear their seat belt correctly at all times, even if the vehicle is equipped with airbags. This is because - on the one hand - airbags are not deployed in all types of accident, as in some situations airbag deployment would not increase the protection afforded to vehicle occupants, provided they are wearing their seat belt correctly. On the other hand, airbag deployment only provides increased protection if the seat belt is worn correctly because:

  • the seat belt helps to keep the vehicle occupant in the best position in relation to the airbag.

  • for example, in a head-on collision, the seat belt can more adequately prevent the occupant from being propelled towards the point of the impact, and is thus better suited to prevent injury.

Therefore, in accident situations where an airbag is deployed, it only provides protection in addition to the seat belt if the seat belt is being worn correctly.

Risk of accident and injury

Always have maintenance work carried out at a qualified specialist workshop which has the necessary specialist knowledge and tools to carry out the work required.

Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this purpose.

In particular, work relevant to safety or on safety-related systems must be carried out at a qualified specialist workshop. If this work is not carried out correctly, the operating safety of your vehicle may be affected. There is a risk of an accident and injury.

Risk of injury

The restraint system may not work as intended if the following components have been modified or work on these components has not been performed correctly:

  • restraint system, consisting of the seat belts and anchorages, belt tensioners, belt force limiters, airbags

  • wiring

  • networked electronic systems

Airbags or belt tensioners could then fail, e.g. in the event of an accident in which the deceleration force would normally be high enough to trigger the systems, or they could be triggered unintentionally. Never carry out any modifications on the restraint systems.

Never tamper with electronic components and their software.

SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)

SRS reduces the risk of occupants coming into contact with the vehicle's interior in the event of an accident. It can also reduce the forces to which occupants are subjected during an accident.

SRS consists of:

  • the SRS warning lamp

  • belt tensioners

  • belt force limiters

  • airbags

The SRS warning lamp

The SRS functions are checked regularly when you turn on the ignition and when the engine is running. Therefore, malfunctions can be detected in good time.

The SRS warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights up when the ignition is switched on. It goes out no later than a few seconds after the engine is started.

Risk of injury

If SRS is malfunctioning, individual systems may be activated unintentionally or not be deployed in the event of an accident with heavy braking.

A malfunction has occurred if the SRS warning lamp:

  • does not light up when you switch on the ignition

  • does not go out after the engine has been running for a few seconds

  • lights up again once the engine is running

In this case, have SRS checked immediately at a qualified specialist workshop.

Triggering of belt tensioners, belt force limiters and airbags

In the event of a collision, the airbag control unit evaluates important physical data such as duration, direction and force of the vehicle deceleration or acceleration. Based on the evaluation of this data and in the event of longitudinal deceleration, in a collision, and depending on the rate of deceleration, the airbag control unit pre-emptively triggers the belt tensioners in the first stage.

The front belt tensioners can only be triggered if the belt tongue is correctly engaged in the seat belt buckle.

The front airbags are only deployed if there is an even higher rate of vehicle deceleration in a longitudinal direction.

Your vehicle has adaptive, dual stage front airbags. When the first activation threshold is reached, the front airbag is filled with enough propellant gas to reduce the risk of injuries. The front airbag is only fully deployed if a second threshold is reached within a few milliseconds, due to the control unit having detected further deceleration.

Criteria for triggering belt tensioners and airbags

In the first stage of a collision, the airbag control unit evaluates the duration and direction of vehicle acceleration or deceleration, in order to determine whether it is necessary to trigger a belt tensioner or an airbag.

The belt tensioner and airbag triggering thresholds are variable and are adapted to the rate of deceleration of the vehicle. This process is pre-emptive in nature as the airbag must be deployed during - and not at the end of - the collision.

Airbags are not deployed in all types of accidents. They are controlled by complex sensor technology and evaluation logic. This process is pre-emptive in nature as airbag deployment must take place during the impact and must be adapted to provide calculated, additional protection for the vehicle occupants. Not all airbags are deployed in an accident.

The different airbag systems work independently of each other. However, the deployment of each individual system depends on the type of accident as determined by the control system in the first stages of the collision (head-on collision, side impact and overturn) and the severity of the accident (in particular, the vehicle's rate of deceleration or acceleration).

The rate of vehicle deceleration or acceleration and the direction of the force are essentially determined by:

  • the distribution of forces during the collision

  • the collision angle

  • the deformation characteristics of the vehicle

  • the characteristics of the object with which the vehicle collides, e.g. the other vehicle

Factors which can only be seen and measured after a collision has occurred do not play a decisive role in the deployment of an airbag, nor do they provide an indication of it.

The vehicle may be deformed significantly, e.g. on the bonnet or the wing, without an airbag being deployed. This is the case if only parts which are relatively easily deformed are affected and the deployment threshold is not reached. Conversely, airbags may be deployed even though the vehicle suffers only minor deformations. For example, this is the case if very rigid vehicle parts such as longitudinal body members are affected and sufficient deceleration occurs as a result.

Belt tensioners, belt force limiters

The front seat belts and the outer seat belts in the rear are equipped with belt tensioners.

Do not engage the seat belt tongue in the buckle on the front-passenger seat if the seat is not occupied. The belt tensioners could otherwise be triggered in the event of an accident.

If the seat belt is also equipped with a belt force limiter, the force exerted by the seat belt on the seat occupant is reduced.

Belt tensioners tighten the seat belts in an accident, pulling them close against the body.

Belt tensioners do not correct incorrect seat positions or incorrectly fastened seat belts.

Belt tensioners do not pull occupants back towards the backrest.

The front belt force limiters are synchronised with the front airbags, which distribute a proportion of the deceleration forces exerted on the occupant over a greater area.

The seat belts have an automatic comfort-fit feature. Vehicles which have a rear bench seat with electrically-adjustable outer seats* also have the automatic comfort-fit feature on the seat belts in the rear compartment. The automatic comfort-fit feature reduces the retraction force of the seat belts, which results in increased seat belt comfort.

When the ignition is switched on, the belt tensioners cannot be triggered unless:

  • the restraint systems are operational; see the SRS warning lamp.

  • the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on each lap-shoulder belt in the front of the vehicle.

Depending on the type and severity of an accident, the belt tensioners may be triggered:

  • in the event of a head-on or rear-end collision if the vehicle decelerates or accelerates rapidly in a longitudinal direction during the initial stages of impact

  • in the event of a side impact if the vehicle is subjected to high lateral acceleration/deceleration

  • in certain situations if the vehicle overturns, and the system determines that it can provide additional protection

If the airbags are deployed, you will hear a bang and a small amount of powder may also be released. Only in rare cases will the bang affect your hearing. The powder that escapes does not generally constitute a health hazard. The SRS warning lamp lights up.

Risk of injury

If the seat belt tensioners have been triggered, they provide no additional protection in the event of another accident. Therefore, have belt tensioners which have been triggered replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.

Comply with safety regulations when disposing of belt tensioners. Any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre can provide details of these regulations.

Airbags

Airbag deployment slows down and restricts the movement of the vehicle occupant.

If the airbags are deployed, you will hear a bang and a small amount of powder may also be released. Only in rare cases will the bang affect your hearing. The powder that escapes does not generally constitute a health hazard. The SRS warning lamp lights up.

The SRS/AIRBAG label indicates the location of the airbags.

Risk of injury

Airbags provide additional protection; they are not, however, a substitute for seat belts.

Observe the following notes to reduce the risk of serious or even fatal injury caused by airbag deployment:

  • All vehicle occupants ― in particular, pregnant women ― must wear their seat belt correctly at all times and lean back against the backrest, which should be positioned as close to the vertical as possible. The head restraint must support the back of the head at about eye level.

  • Always secure children less than 1.50 m tall and under 12 years of age in suitable child restraint systems.

  • All vehicle occupants must select a seat position that is as far away from the airbag as possible. The driver's seat position must allow the vehicle to be driven safely. The driver's chest should be as far away from the centre of the driver's front airbag cover as possible.

  • Move the front-passenger seat as far back as possible. This is especially important if you have secured a child in a child restraint system on the front-passenger seat.

  • Vehicle occupants - in particular, children - must not lean their head into the area of the window in which the sidebag/windowbag is deployed.

  • Rearward-facing child restraint systems must not be fitted to the front-passenger seat unless the front-passenger front airbag has been disabled. On the front-passenger seat, the front-passenger front airbag is only disabled if a child restraint system with automatic child seat recognition is fitted to the front-passenger seat*. The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning lamp must be continuously lit.

    If the front-passenger seat of your vehicle does not have automatic child seat recognition*, or your rearward-facing child restraint system does not have automatic child seat recognition, children must be secured in a child restraint system on a suitable seat in the rear. 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.

  • Make sure there are no heavy or sharp-edged objects in pockets of clothing.

  • Do not lean forwards, e.g. over the cover of the driver's/front-passenger front airbag, particularly when the vehicle is in motion.

  • Do not put your feet on the dashboard.

  • Only hold the steering wheel by the rim. This allows the airbag to deploy fully. You could be injured if the airbag is deployed and you are holding the inside of the steering wheel.

  • Do not lean on the doors from inside the vehicle.

  • Make sure that there are no people, animals or objects between the vehicle occupants and the area of deployment of the airbag.

  • Do not place any objects between the seat backrest and the door.

  • Do not hang any hard objects, for example, coat hangers, on the grab handles or coat hooks.

  • Do not attach accessories, e.g. cup holders, to the doors.

It is not possible to rule out a risk of injuries caused by an airbag due to the high speed at which the airbag must deploy.

Risk of injury

The airbag's functionality can only be assured if the following parts are not covered and no badges or stickers are attached to them:

  • padded steering wheel boss

  • knee airbag cover below the steering column

  • front-passenger front airbag cover

  • outer side of front seat bolsters

  • side trim next to the rear seat backrest

Risk of injury

When an airbag deploys, a small amount of powder is released. The powder may cause short-term breathing difficulties to persons suffering from asthma or other pulmonary conditions.

In order to prevent potential breathing difficulties, you should leave 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 powder generally does not constitute a health hazard and does not indicate that there is a fire in the vehicle.

Risk of injury

The airbag parts are hot after the airbag has been deployed. Do not touch them as you could burn yourself.

Have the airbags replaced at a qualified specialist workshop. Otherwise, occupants are not protected by the airbags in the event of another accident.

Front airbags

The front airbags are designed to increase protection for the driver's and front passenger's head and chest.

The driver's front airbag deploys in front of the steering wheel; front-passenger front airbag deploys in front of and above the glove compartment. They are deployed:

  • at the start of an accident with a high rate of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in a longitudinal direction

  • if the system determines that airbag deployment can offer additional protection to that provided by the seat belt

  • if the seat belt is fastened

  • independently of other airbags in the vehicle

  • if the vehicle overturns, but only if the system detects high vehicle deceleration in a longitudinal direction

On vehicles with automatic child seat recognition in the front-passenger seat*, front-passenger front airbag is only deployed when the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning lamp next to the instrument cluster is not lit more. This means that there is not a child restraint system with automatic child seat recognition* fitted to the front-passenger seat or that a child restraint system with automatic child seat recognition* has been fitted to the front-passenger seat incorrectly.

Driver's knee airbag

The driver's knee airbag is only available in certain countries.

The driver's knee airbag can help reduce the risk of injury to the knees, thighs and lower legs.

Driver's knee airbag is always deployed along with the driver's front airbag and deploys underneath the steering column.

Sidebags
Risk of injury

If you wish to use seat covers, Mercedes-Benz recommends that, for safety reasons, you only use seat covers that have been approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

The seat covers must have a special tear seam for sidebags. Otherwise, the sidebags cannot deploy correctly and would fail to provide the intended protection in the event of an accident. Appropriate seat covers can be obtained from a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.

Risk of injury

Sensors to control the airbags are located in the doors. Therefore, do not make any modifications to the doors or door trim, e.g. retrofitting loudspeakers. Damage to the doors can affect operation of the sidebags.

The purpose of sidebag deployment is to enhance the level of protection for the thorax (but not the head, neck or arms) of the vehicle occupants on the side of the vehicle on which the impact occurs.

Front sidebags or rear-compartment sidebags deploy next to the outer seat cushions. They are deployed:

  • on the side on which an impact occurs

  • at the start of an accident with a high rate of lateral vehicle deceleration or acceleration, e.g. in a side impact

  • independently of the seat belt use

  • independently of the front airbags

  • independently of the belt tensioners

  • if the vehicle overturns, but only if the system detects high vehicle deceleration in a lateral direction and determines that sidebag deployment can offer additional protection to that provided by the seat belt

Windowbags

The purpose of the windowbags is to enhance the level of protection for the head (but not chest or arms) of the vehicle occupants on the side of the vehicle on which the impact occurs.

The windowbags are integrated into the side of the roof frame and run from the front door (A-pillar) to the rear door (C-pillar).

Windowbags are deployed:

  • on the side on which an impact occurs

  • at the start of an accident with a high rate of lateral vehicle deceleration or acceleration, e.g. in a side impact

  • regardless of whether the front-passenger seat is occupied

  • independently of the front airbags

  • if the vehicle overturns and the system determines that windowbag deployment can offer additional protection to that provided by the seat belt

PRE-SAFE® system

PRE-SAFE® system takes pre-emptive measures to protect you in certain hazardous situations.

PRE-SAFE® intervenes in the event of:

  • emergency braking situations, e.g. if Brake Assist BAS is activated or Brake Assist BAS PLUS* intervenes powerfully

  • the radar sensor system detecting an immediate danger of collision in certain situations (on vehicles with Distronic Plus*)

  • critical situations involving driving dynamics, e.g. if the vehicle oversteers or understeers significantly due to physical limits being exceeded

PRE-SAFE® may take the following measures in these situations:

  • it tensions the front seat belts.

  • it adjusts the seats to a better position if the front-passenger seat or the electrically-adjustable outer seats in the rear compartment* are in an unfavourable position

  • on vehicles with multicontour seat* or active multicontour seat*: it increases the air pressure in the seat side cushions and the backrest side cushions.

  • if the vehicle skids, it closes the sliding/tilting sunroof* or panorama sliding sunroof* and the side windows so that only a small gap remains.

if the hazardous situation passes without resulting in an accident, PRE-SAFE® slackens the belt pretensioning. You can then reverse all settings made by PRE-SAFE®. On vehicles with a multicontour seat* or an active multicontour seat*, the air pressure in the side bolsters is then reduced.

If the seat belts are not released:

  

Move the backrest back slightly until the belt tension is reduced.

 

The locking mechanism releases.

Risk of injury

When adjusting the seat, make sure that nobody can become trapped.

Make sure that there are no objects in the footwell or behind the seats when adjusting the seats. You could otherwise damage the seats and the objects.

NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head restraints*

NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head restraints are designed to increase protection of the driver’s and front-passenger’s head and neck. To this end, the head restraints on the driver's and front-passenger seats are moved forwards and upwards in the event of a rear-end collision when viewed in the direction of travel. This provides better head support.

Risk of injury

Head restraint covers prevent NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head restraints from triggering properly. The NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head restraints can therefore not provide the intended protection. Do not use head restraint covers.

If NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head restraints have been triggered in an accident, you must reset the head restraints on the driver’s and front-passenger seat more. Head restraints that have been triggered are tilted forwards.

Children in the vehicle

If a child is travelling in your vehicle, secure the child using a child restraint system which is appropriate to the size and age of the child and recommended for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. You should fit the restraint system to a suitable rear seat. Make sure that the child is secured in a child restraint system throughout the trip.

You can obtain information about the correct child restraint system from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.

It is advisable to use Mercedes-Benz care products to clean child restraint systems. You can obtain information about this from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.

Risk of injury

Do not leave children unsupervised in the vehicle, even if they are secured in a child restraint system. They could injure themselves on parts of the vehicle. They could also be seriously or even fatally injured by prolonged exposure to extreme heat or cold.

Do not expose the child restraint system to direct sunlight. Parts of the child restraint system could heat up and the child could burn herself/himself on them.

If a child opens a door, the child or other persons could be injured as a result. They could get out and injure themselves or be injured by a passing vehicle.

Also observe the notes on HOLD. Relevant information can be found in the index.

Risk of injury

Unsecured or incorrectly positioned loads increase the risk of injury for children and all other occupants in the event of:

  • an accident

  • a braking manoeuvre

  • a sudden change of direction

Do not carry heavy or hard objects inside the vehicle unless they are secured. Further information can be found in the index under "Loading and unloading" and "Features".

Child restraint systems

Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only use the child restraint systems listed at more.

Risk of injury

To reduce the risk of serious or even fatal injury to the child in the event of a sudden change in direction, braking or an accident:

  • children less than 1.50 m tall and under twelve years of age must always be secured in special child restraint systems on a suitable vehicle seat. This is necessary because the seat belts are not designed for children of this size.

  • do not secure children less than 1.50 m tall or under twelve years of age on the front-passenger seat. Exception: the child is secured in a vehicle with automatic child seat recognition on the front-passenger seat* and is secured in a child restraint system with automatic child seat recognition.

  • 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.

  • children must never travel sitting on the lap of another occupant. Due to the forces occurring 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.

Risk of injury

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 fitting a child restraint system, observe the manufacturer's installation instructions and the correct use of the child restraint system.

Child restraint systems should be fitted to the rear seats. Children are generally better protected there.

The entire base of the child restraint system must always rest on the seat cushion. Therefore, never place objects, e.g. a cushion, under the child restraint system.

Only use child restraint systems with the original cover designed for them. Only replace damaged covers with genuine Mercedes-Benz covers.

We recommend the use of child restraint systems which have been approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Child seat on the front-passenger seat

Warning notice on the front-passenger sun visor

Warning symbol for a rearward-facing child restraint system

Risk of injury

If the front-passenger front airbag is not disabled:

  • a child secured in a child restraint system on the front-passenger seat could be seriously and even fatally injured by the front-passenger front airbag deploying. This is especially a risk if the child is in the immediate vicinity of the front-passenger front airbag when it deploys.

  • a child must never be secured on the front-passenger seat in a rearward-facing child restraint system. Only secure a rearward-facing child restraint system on a suitable rear seat.

  • always move the front-passenger seat to the rearmost position if you secure a child in a forward-facing child restraint system on the front-passenger seat.

The front-passenger front airbag is not disabled:

  • on vehicles without automatic child seat recognition in the front-passenger seat*.

  • on vehicles without automatic child seat recognition on the front-passenger seat*, if no special child restraint system with automatic child seat recognition has been fitted to the front-passenger seat.

  • on vehicles with automatic child seat recognition on the front-passenger seat*, if the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning lamp is not lit.

To alert you to this danger, a corresponding warning sticker is located on 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.

Automatic child seat recognition* on the front-passenger seat

If your vehicle does not have automatic child seat recognition on the front-passenger seat, this is indicated by a special sticker. The sticker is affixed to the side of the dashboard on the front-passenger side. It is visible when you open the front-passenger door.

The automatic child seat recognition sensor system on the front-passenger seat detects whether a special Mercedes-Benz child seat with automatic child seat recognition has been fitted. In such cases, the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning lamp lights up. The front-passenger front airbag is disabled.

Risk of injury

If the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning 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:

  • do not use a rearward-facing child restraint system on the front-passenger seat.

  • fit a rearward-facing child restraint system on a suitable rear seat.

or

  • only use a forward-facing child restraint system on the front-passenger seat and move the front-passenger seat to its rearmost position.

  • have the automatic child seat recognition checked at a qualified specialist workshop.

To ensure that the automatic child seat recognition on the front-passenger seat functions/communicates correctly, never place objects (such as 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 protective function in the event of an accident, and could lead to injuries.

The windowbag, the sidebag and the belt tensioner on the front-passenger side are still active even if the front-passenger front airbag is disabled by the automatic child-seat recognition on the front-passenger seat.

Risk of injury

Do not place electronic devices on the front-passenger seat, e.g.:

  • laptops, when switched on

  • mobile phones

  • cards with transponders, e.g. ski passes or access cards

Signals from electronic equipment can cause interference in the automatic child seat recognition sensor system. This can lead to a system malfunction. This may cause the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning lamp to light up without there being a child seat with automatic child seat recognition fitted, and the front-passenger front airbag will not deploy during an accident. It is also possible that the SRS warning lamp lights up and/or the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning lamp does not light up briefly when you turn the key in the ignition lock to position 2.

Suitable positioning of the child restraint system

Weight categories and ages

Group 0+: up to 13 kg

up to approximately 18 months

Group I: 9 to 18 kg

between approximately 8 months and 4 years

Child restraint system on the front-passenger seat

as recommended

(Only use child restraint systems with automatic child seat recognition.)

(Move the front-passenger seat to the highest and rearmost position. Move the head restraints to their highest position.)

Universal or as recommended

Child restraint system on the left-hand and right-hand rear seats

Universal

(Unsuitable for electrically-adjustable rear seats*.)

or as recommended

Universal or as recommended

Child restraint system on the centre rear seat

Not suitable

As recommended

Weight categories and ages

Group II/III: 15 to 36 kg

between approximately 3½ and 12 years

Child restraint system on the front-passenger seat

Universal or as recommended

Child restraint system on the left-hand and right-hand rear seats

Universal or as recommended

Child restraint system on the centre rear seat

As recommended

Approval label on the child restraint system (example)

Recommended child restraint systems

Weight categories and ages

Group 0+: up to 13 kg

up to approximately 18 months

Group I: 9 to 18 kg

between approximately 8 months and 4 years

Manufacturer

Britax Römer

Britax Römer

Type

BABY SAFE PLUS

DUO PLUS

Type approval number

E1 03 301146

E1 04 301146

E1 03 301133

E1 04 301133

Daimler order number

A 000 970 10 00

A 000 970 11 00

Automatic child seat recognition

Yes

Yes

Daimler order number

-

A 000 970 16 00

Automatic child seat recognition

-

No

Installation on the front-passenger seat

(Move the front-passenger seat to its most upright and rearmost position. Move the head restraints to their highest position.)

Installation on an outer rear seat

(Electrically-adjustable rear seats*: move the outer backrests to their most upright position and the outer seat cushions to their rearmost and lowest position.)

Installation on the centre rear seat

Not permissible

Permissible

Weight categories and ages

Group II/III: 15 to 36 kg

between approximately 3½ and 12 years

Manufacturer

Britax Römer

Type

KID

Type approval number

E1 03 301148

E1 04 301148

Daimler order number

A 000 970 12 00

Automatic child seat recognition

Yes

Daimler order number

A 000 970 17 00

Automatic child seat recognition

No

Installation on the front-passenger seat

Installation on an outer rear seat

Installation on the centre rear seat

Permissible

ISOFIX child seat securing system for the rear seats

ISOFIX is a standardised securing system for specially-designed child restraint systems on the rear seats. Securing rings for two child restraint systems are fitted on the left and right of the rear seats.

Risk of injury

A child restraint system secured by the ISOFIX child seat securing system does not provide sufficient protection for children weighing more than 22 kg. For this reason, do not secure children weighing more than 22 kg in a child restraint system secured by the ISOFIX child seat securing system. If the child weighs more than 22 kg, secure the child restraint system using a lap-shoulder belt.

Risk of injury

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 fitting a child restraint system, observe the manufacturer's installation instructions and the correct use of the child restraint system.

For reasons of safety, only use child restraint systems with the ISOFIX child seat securing system on the rear seats.

We recommend the use of ISOFIX child restraint systems which have been 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 securing rings on both sides.

Risk of injury

Please note that if child restraint systems, or their retaining systems, are damaged or subjected to a load in an accident, they may not be able to provide their protective function. This could result in serious or even fatal injuries to the secured child in the event of an accident, heavy braking or a sudden change in direction.

For this reason, have child restraint systems and their anchorages which have been damaged or subjected to a load in an accident checked immediately at a qualified specialist workshop.

When fitting the child restraint system, make sure that the seat belt for the centre seat does not become trapped. Otherwise, it could be damaged.

  

Fold upholstery cover and the Velcro fastener upwards.

  

Attach the child seat to both securing rings . Observe the manufacturer's installation instructions.

Child-proof locks

If children are travelling in the vehicle, you can activate the child-proof locks for the rear doors.

Child-proof locks for the rear doors

The child-proof locks on the rear doors enable you to secure each door individually. A door secured with a child-proof lock cannot be opened from inside the vehicle. The door can be opened from the outside if the vehicle is unlocked.

Risk of accident and injury

Activate the child-proof locks for the rear doors and the override feature for the rear compartment if children are travelling in the vehicle. The children could otherwise open the doors or windows while the vehicle is moving, adjust the seats, use the cigarette lighter and injure themselves or others.

  

To activate: press child-proof lock lever upwards .

  

Make sure that the child-proof locks are working properly.

  

To deactivate: press child-proof lock lever downwards .

Except vehicles for the United Kingdom: if you press the central unlocking button on the driver's or front-passenger door, the child-proof locks on the rear doors are disabled temporarily.

Risk of accident

If the child-proof locks are deactivated by the central locking button being pressed, both rear doors are unlocked and can be opened.

Doors being opened by children can cause injuries to others. In addition, if children exit the vehicle, they may injure themselves in the process or else be injured by passing vehicles.

Do not leave children unsupervised in the vehicle; they could press the central unlocking button or open a door, thereby endangering themselves and others.

Override switch for the controls in the rear compartment

For the rear compartment, you can disable operation of:

  • the rear side windows

  • the cigarette lighter in the rear

  • front-passenger seat adjustment from the rear*

  • the roller sunblinds* in the roof, the rear window roller sunblind* and the roller sunblinds* on the rear side windows

Risk of accident and injury

Activate the child-proof locks for the rear doors and the override feature for the rear compartment if children are travelling in the vehicle. The children could otherwise open the doors or windows while the vehicle is moving, adjust the seats, use the cigarette lighter and injure themselves or others.

  

To activate: press button .

 

Indicator lamp lights up. The override feature in the rear passenger compartment is enabled. The rear side windows can only be operated using the switches on the driver's door.

  

To deactivate: press button .

 

Indicator lamp goes out. The override feature in the rear passenger compartment is deactivated. You can operate the rear side windows using the switches in the rear compartment.

Date of printing:

11/23/2009

Interactive Owner's Manual [In depth | Occupant safety]

Owner's Manual version: RE 2009/09a

Note: The online Owner's Manual is the latest version available. Deviations between this manual and items specific to your vehicle may occur since Mercedes-Benz constantly adapts its vehicles to the latest technology and modifies design and equipment. Please note that this online Owner's Manual does not under any circumstances replace the printed Owner's Manual which is supplied with the vehicle.