2007 Mercedes-benz R Class Owners Manual

restraint 1 by pulling it upward. If head restraint 1 is fully retracted, push release button 2 in direction of arrow and pull head restraint 1 upward.

Lowering: 왘 To lower head restraint 1, press

release button 2 in direction of arrow and push down on head restraint 1.

46

Head restraint fore and aft adjustment

Steering wheel

Steering wheel adjustment, manual

Warning!

Only adjust the steering wheel with the vehicle at a standstill and make sure the steering wheel is securely locked in place before driving off.

Driving without the steering wheel adjust- ment locked may cause an unexpected steering wheel movement which could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Make sure the steering wheel is securely locked by trying to move it up and down, and in and out before driving off.

Manually adjust the angle of the head restraint. 왘 While seated, reach behind you with

both hands and find lower edge of the head restraint.

왘 Adjust the head restraint to the desired

position by pushing or pulling on the lower edge of the head restraint cushion.

For more information, see “Seats” (컄 page 132).

Make sure that 앫 you can reach the steering wheel with

your arms slightly bent at the elbows

앫 you can move your legs freely 앫 all displays (including malfunction and

indicator lamps) on the instrument cluster are clearly visible

The steering wheel adjustment release handle is located on the lower left of the steering column.

1 Release handle

왘 To unlock the steering wheel, pull

Steering wheel adjustment, electrical*

Getting started Adjusting

release handle 1 out to its stop limit.

왘 Move steering wheel to the desired

position.

왘 Push release handle 1 back to its

original position to relock the steering wheel. The steering wheel is locked into posi- tion again.

왘 Make sure the steering wheel is

securely locked by trying to move it up and down as well as in and out before driving off.

Warning!

Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving. Adjusting the steering wheel while driving could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* from the starter switch, take it with you, and lock the vehicle.

Even with the SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* removed from the starter switch or the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* removed from the vehicle, the steering wheel adjustment feature can be operated when the driver’s door is open. Therefore, do not leave children unattended in the ve- hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause an accident and/or serious personal injury.

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Getting started Adjusting

i The memory function* (컄 page 144) lets you store the settings for the steering wheel together with the settings for seat positions and the exterior rear view mirrors.

Make sure that 앫 you can reach the steering wheel with

your arms slightly bent at the elbows

앫 you can move your legs freely 앫 all displays (including malfunction and

indicator lamps) on the instrument cluster are clearly visible

The steering wheel adjustment stalk is located on the lower left of the steering column.

48

Mirrors

Adjust the interior and exterior rear view mirrors before driving so that you have a good view of the road and traffic conditions.

Warning!

In case of an accident, liquid electrolyte may escape the mirror housing if the mirror glass breaks.

Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the liquid to come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system. In case it does, immediately flush affected area with water, and seek medical help if necessary.

! Electrolyte drops coming into contact with the vehicle paint finish can only be completely removed while in their liquid state and by apply- ing plenty of water.

1 Adjusting steering wheel, in or out 2 Adjusting steering wheel, up or down 왘 Switch on the ignition (컄 page 39). or 왘 Open the driver’s door.

Adjusting steering wheel in or out 왘 Move stalk forward or back in direction

of arrow 1.

Adjusting steering wheel up or down 왘 Move stalk up or down in direction of

arrow 2.

Interior rear view mirror 왘 Manually adjust the interior rear view

The buttons are located on the driver’s door control panel.

mirror.

For more information, see “Rear view mir- rors” (컄 page 212).

Exterior rear view mirrors

Warning!

Exercise care when using the passenger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror surface is convex (outwardly curved surface for a wider field of view). Ob- jects in mirror are closer than they appear. Check your interior rear view mirror or glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.

1 Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror

button

2 Adjustment button 3 Passenger-side exterior rear view

mirror button

왘 Switch on the ignition (컄 page 40). 왘 Press button 1 for the driver’s side

exterior rear view mirror or button 3 for the passenger-side exterior rear view mirror. The indicator lamp on the respective button comes on for approximately 15 seconds.

Getting started Adjusting

i If you do not make adjustments to the selected exterior rear view mirror within 15 seconds, the indicator lamp goes out. You will then have to select the desired exterior rear view mirror again before any adjustments can be made. Adjustments can only be made with the indicator lamp for the respective exterior rear view mirror button illuminated. 왘 Push adjustment button 2 up, down, left, or right according to the desired setting.

! If an exterior rear view mirror was forcibly pushed forward (hit from the rear) or forcibly pushed rearward (hit from the front), reposition it by applying firm pressure until it snaps into place. The mirror housing is then properly positioned and you can adjust the mirror in the usual manner.

컄컄

49

Getting started Adjusting

컄컄

! Vehicles with power folding exterior rear view mirrors*: If an exterior rear view mirror housing is forcibly pushed forward (hit from the rear) or forcibly pushed rearward (hit from the front) press fold button 1 (컄 page 214) to fold mirrors in, then press fold button 1 (컄 page 214) again to fold mirrors out. Do not force mirrors by hand as this may damage the adjustment mechanism. The mirror housing is then properly positioned and you can adjust the mirror in the usual man- ner. i The memory function* (컄 page 144) lets you store the settings for the exterior rear view mirrors together with the setting for the steering wheel column and the seat positions. At low ambient temperatures, the exterior rear view mirrors will be heated automatically.

For more information, see “Rear view mir- rors” (컄 page 212).

50

Getting started Driving

Failure to wear and properly fasten and po- sition your seat belt greatly increases your risk of injuries and their likely severity in an accident. You and your passengers should always wear seat belts.

If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can be considerably more severe without your seat belt properly buckled. Without your seat belt buckled, you are much more likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed.

In the same crash, the possibility of injury or death is lessened if you are wearing your seat belt. The air bags can only provide the protection they were designed to afford if the occupants are using their seat belts (컄 page 79).

Warning!

According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seat- ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend that children be placed in the rear seats. Regardless of seating position, children 12 years old and under must be seated and properly secured in an appropriate infant or toddler restraint, or booster seat recom- mended for the size and weight of the child. For additional information, see “Children in the vehicle” (컄 page 84). A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is significantly increased if the child restraints are not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is not properly secured in the child restraint.

왔 Driving

Warning!

Make sure that absolutely no objects are obstructing the pedal’s range of movement. Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obsta- cles. If there are any floormats or carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals still have sufficient clearance.

During sudden driving or braking maneu- vers, the objects could get caught between the pedals. You could then no longer brake or accelerate. This could lead to accidents and injury.

Fastening the seat belts

Warning!

Always fasten your seat belt before driving off. Always make sure your passengers are properly restrained, even those sitting in the rear and pregnant women.

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Getting started Driving

Warning!

Warning!

Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat backrest in an excessively reclined position as this can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint when the wearer is in a nearly upright position and the belt is properly positioned on the body.

Never let more people ride in the vehicle than there are seat belts available. Make sure everyone riding in the vehicle is correctly restrained with a separate seat belt. Never use a seat belt for more than one person at a time.

Warning!

Read and observe the additional warning no- tices printed in the “Safety and Security” section (컄 page 76) and (컄 page 79).

1 Seat belt outlet 2 Latch plate 3 Buckle 4 Release button

52

Getting started Driving

왘 With a smooth motion, pull the belt out

왘 Press release button 1 and move the

앫 Never use a seat belt for more than one

of seat belt outlet 1.

왘 Place the shoulder portion of the seat

belt across the top of your shoulder and the lap portion across your hips. 왘 Push latch plate 2 into buckle 3

(컄 page 52) until it clicks.

왘 If necessary, tighten the lap portion of

the seat belt to a snug fit by pulling shoulder portion up.

Seat belt height adjustment

person at a time.

앫 Do not fasten a seat belt around a per-

son and another object at the same time. When using a seat belt to secure infant or toddler restraints or children in booster seats, always follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.

앫 Check your seat belt periodically

during travel to make sure that it is properly positioned.

앫 Make sure the seat belt is always fitted snugly. Take special care of this when wearing loose clothing.

seat belt height adjuster upward or downward.

Proper use of seat belts 앫 Do not twist the seat belt when fasten-

ing.

앫 Adjust seat belt so that the shoulder

portion is located as close as possible to the middle of the shoulder (it should not touch the neck). Never pass the shoulder portion of the seat belt under your arm. For this purpose, you can adjust the height of the seat belt outlet (컄 page 53).

앫 Position the lap belt as low as possible

on your hips (over hip joint) and not across the abdomen.

앫 Place the seat backrest in a nearly

upright position.

1 Release button

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Getting started Driving

Warning!

Do not pass belts over sharp edges. They could tear.

Do not allow the belt to get caught in the door or in the seat adjustment mechanism. This could damage the belt.

Never attempt to make modifications to seat belts. This could impair the effective- ness of the belts.

Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may severely weaken them. In a crash, they may not be able to provide adequate protection.

Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly stressed in an accident must be replaced. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

54

Starting the engine

Automatic transmission

Warning!

Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause unconsciousness and possible death.

Do not run the engine in confined areas (such as a garage) which are not properly ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas fumes are entering the vehicle while driving, have the cause determined and corrected immediately. If you must drive under these conditions, drive only with at least one win- dow fully open.

Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission P Park position R Reverse gear N Neutral D Drive position For information on how to operate the gear selector lever, see “Automatic transmis- sion” (컄 page 197).

Getting started Driving

Starting with the SmartKey For information on turning off the engine with the SmartKey, see “Turning off the en- gine” (컄 page 67).

Gasoline engine: 왘 Make sure the automatic transmission

is set to P. The transmission position indicator in the multifunction display should be on P.

왘 Do not depress the accelerator. 왘 Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 3 (컄 page 40) and hold until the engine starts.

i You can also use the “touch-start” function. Turn the SmartKey to position 3 and release it again immediately. The engine then starts auto- matically.

Diesel engine: 왘 Make sure the automatic transmission

is set to P. The transmission position indicator in the multifunction display should be on P.

왘 Do not depress the accelerator. 왘 Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch

to position 2 (컄 page 40). Preglow indicator lamp q in the in- strument cluster comes on.

왘 As soon as preglow indicator lamp

q goes out, turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 3 (컄 page 40) and release it. The engine starts automatically.

i If the engine is at operating temperature, preglow indicator lamp q may not stay on and you can start the engine without preglowing.

Starting with KEYLESS-GO*

Warning!

As long as the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is in your vehicle, the vehicle can be started. Therefore, never leave children unattended in the vehicle, as they could otherwise accidentally start the engine.

When leaving the vehicle, always take the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.

You can start your vehicle without the SmartKey in the starter switch using the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in the starter switch. The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be located in the vehicle.

55

Getting started Driving

KEYLESS-GO start/stop button 1 USA only 2 Canada only 왘 Make sure the KEYLESS-GO start/stop

button is inserted in the starter switch (컄 page 41).

i If you wish to start the engine using the SmartKey instead of the KEYLESS-GO feature, remove the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button from the starter switch (컄 page 41). For information on turning off the engine with KEYLESS-GO, see “Turning off with KEYLESS-GO*” (컄 page 67).

56

Gasoline engine 왘 Make sure the automatic transmission

Diesel engine 왘 Make sure the automatic transmission

is set to P. The transmission position indicator in the multifunction display should be on P.

is set to P. The transmission position indicator in the multifunction display should be on P.

왘 Depress the brake pedal during the

왘 Depress the brake pedal during the

starting procedure.

starting procedure.

왘 Do not depress the accelerator. 왘 Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop

왘 Do not depress the accelerator. 왘 Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop

button once. The engine starts if the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is in the vehicle.

button once. The engine preglows and starts if the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is in the vehicle.

i If the engine is at operating temperature, the time the engine needs to preglow is reduced.

If the engine does not start after several starting attempts, there could be a mal- function in the engine electronics or in the fuel supply system. 왘 Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz

Light Truck Center.

Parking brake

1 Parking brake pedal 2 Release handle

Starting difficulties If the engine does not start as described, carry out the following steps: 왘 If you are starting the engine with the

SmartKey, turn SmartKey in starter switch to position 0 and repeat starting procedure.

왘 If you are starting the engine with

KEYLESS-GO*: Close any doors that may be open to allow for better detection of the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO. or

왘 Remove KEYLESS-GO start/stop

button from starter switch.

왘 Start the engine with the SmartKey as radio signals from another source may be interfering with the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*.

왘 Repeat the starting procedure

(컄 page 55). Remember that extended starting attempts can drain the battery.

왘 Get a jump start (컄 page 514).

Getting started Driving

Warning!

When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* from the starter switch, take it with you and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could release the parking brake, which could result in an accident and/or serious injury.

왘 Release the parking brake by pulling on

release handle 2. The warning lamp ; (USA only) or 3 (Canada only) in the instrument cluster goes out.

57

Getting started Driving

Driving off

왘 Depress the brake pedal.

The gear selector lever can now be used.

왘 Shift automatic transmission to D or R

(컄 page 199).

i Wait for the gear selection process to complete before setting the vehicle in motion.

i Shifting from gear position P to position R, N, or D is only possible with the brake pedal depressed. Without the brake pedal depressed, the gear selector lever can be moved, but the parking pawl remains engaged, not allowing shifting to occur. 왘 Release the brake pedal. 왘 Carefully depress the accelerator

pedal.

58

! If you hear a warning signal and the message Release parking brake appears in the multifunction display when driving off, you have forgotten to release the parking brake. Release the parking brake (컄 page 57).

i Once the vehicle is in motion, the automatic central locking system engages and the locking knobs drop down. The automatic door lock feature can be deactivated (컄 page 189). You can open a locked door from the inside. Open door only when conditions are safe to do so.

After a cold start, the automatic transmis- sion shifts at a higher engine revolution. This allows the catalytic converter (gasoline engine) or the oxidation catalyst (diesel engine) to reach its operating tem- perature earlier.

Warning!

On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi- cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre- vent this type of loss of control.

Warning!

It is dangerous to shift the gear selector lever out of P or N if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

! Shift the automatic transmission to position P or R only when the vehicle is stopped in order to avoid damaging the transmission.

! Do not run cold engine at high engine speeds. Running a cold engine at high engine speeds may shorten the service life of the engine. R 63 AMG: At engine temperatures below 68°F (20°C), the engine’s maximum speed is restricted in order to protect it from damage. Avoid driving your vehicle at full speed when the engine is cold to prevent premature engine wear and/or diminished comfort.

! Simultaneously depressing the accelerator pedal and applying the brake reduces engine performance and causes premature brake and drivetrain wear.

For more information, see “Driving instruc- tions” (컄 page 347).

Getting started Driving

High beam The combination switch is located on the left of the steering column.

Switching on headlamps

For more information on headlamps, see “Lighting” (컄 page 146).

Low beam headlamps The exterior lamp switch is located on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.

Exterior lamp switch 1 Off 2 Low beam headlamps on 왘 Turn the exterior lamp switch to

position B. The low beam headlamps come on.

Combination switch 1 High beam 2 High beam flasher 왘 Push the combination switch in

direction of arrow 1. The high beam headlamps and the highbeam indicator lamp A in the instrument cluster come on (컄 page 26).

For more information on headlamps, see “Combination switch” (컄 page 150).

59

Getting started Driving

Turn signals

The combination switch is located on the left of the steering column.

Combination switch 1 Turn signals, right 2 Turn signals, left 왘 Press the combination switch in

direction of arrow 1 or 2. The corresponding turn signal indicator lamp L or K in the instrument cluster flashes.

60

The combination switch resets automati- cally after major steering wheel move- ment.

i If the combination switch is pressed to the point of resistance and released, the corre- sponding turn signals flash three times.

Windshield wipers

The combination switch is located on the left of the steering column.

Combination switch 1 Single wipe

Wiping with windshield washer fluid

2 Switching on windshield wipers

왘 Switch on the ignition (컄 page 40).

! Do not operate the windshield wipers when the windshield is dry. Dust that accumulates on a windshield might scratch the glass and/or damage the wiper blades when wiping occurs on a dry windshield. If it is necessary to operate the windshield wipers in dry weather conditions, always operate the windshield wipers with windshield washer fluid (컄 page 62).

! If anything blocks the windshield wipers (leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off immediate- ly. 앫 For safety reasons, stop the vehicle in a safe

location and 앫 remove the SmartKey from the starter

switch

or 앫 turn off the engine by pressing the

KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button and open the driver’s door (with the driver’s door open, starter switch is in position 0, same as with SmartKey removed from starter switch)

before attempting to remove any blockage.

앫 Remove blockage. 앫 Turn the windshield wipers on again.

Getting started Driving

If the windshield wipers fail to function at all in combination switch position U or V, 앫 set the combination switch to the next

higher wiper speed

앫 have the windshield wipers checked at the

nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center

Switching on windshield wipers 왘 Turn the combination switch to the

desired position depending on the in- tensity of the rain. M Windshield wipers off U Slow intermittent wiping

Rain sensor operation with low sensitivity.

V Fast intermittent wiping

Rain sensor operation with high sensitivity.

u Slow continuous wiping t Fast continuous wiping

Intermittent wiping Only switch on intermittent wiping under wet weather conditions or in the presence of precipitation. When you select intermittent wiping, the rain sensor is activated. The rain sensor automatically sets a suitable wiping interval depending on the wetness of the sensor surface.

! Do not leave windshield wipers in intermit- tent setting when the vehicle is taken to an auto- matic car wash or during windshield cleaning. Wipers will operate in the presence of water sprayed on the windshield, and windshield wipers may be damaged as a result.

! If you have set intermittent wiping, dirt on the surface of the rain sensor or optical effects may cause the windshield wipers to wipe in an undesired fashion. This could then damage the windshield wiper blades or scratch the windows. You should therefore switch off the windshield wipers when weather conditions are dry. 왘 Turn the combination switch to

position U or V.

After the initial wipe, pauses between wipes are automatically controlled by the rain sensor.

i Intermittent wiping is interrupted when the vehicle is at a standstill and a front door is opened. This protects persons getting into or out of the vehicle from being sprayed. Intermittent wiping will be continued when 앫 all doors are closed and 앫 the automatic transmission is set to

position D or R or

앫 the wiper setting is changed using the

combination switch

Single wipe 왘 Press the combination switch briefly in direction of arrow 1 to the resistance point. The windshield wipers wipe one time without washer fluid.

61

Getting started Driving

Wiping with windshield washer fluid 왘 Press the combination switch in

direction of arrow 1 past the resis- tance point. The windshield wipers operate with washer fluid.

i To prevent smears on the windshield, wipe with windshield washer fluid every now and then even when it is raining.

For information on filling up the washer reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window washer system and headlamp cleaning* system” (컄 page 372).

62

Rear window wiper/washer

The combination switch is located on the left of the steering column.

6 Rear window wiper indicator 왘 Switch on the ignition (컄 page 40).

i The rear window wiper engages automatical- ly when the automatic transmission is shifted to position R with the windshield wipers switched on.

Activating intermittent wipe 왘 Turn rear window wiper switch 1 to

position 3 (컄 page 62). In the lower multifunction display you will see indicator 6, indicating that the rear window wiper is activated.

Combination switch 1 Rear window wiper switch 2 Wiping rear window with washer fluid 3 Intermittent wiping 4 Rear window wiper off 5 Wiping rear window with washer fluid

Deactivating intermittent wipe 왘 Turn rear window wiper switch 1 to

position 4 (컄 page 62). Indicator 6 for the rear window wiper is cleared from the lower multifunction display, indicating that the rear window wiper is deactivated.

Wiping with windshield washer fluid 왘 Turn and hold rear window wiper

switch 1 in position 2 or 5 (컄 page 62) until the rear window is clean. The rear window wiper operates with washer fluid.

For information on filling up the washer reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window washer system and headlamp cleaning* system” (컄 page 372).

Problems while driving

The engine runs erratically and misfires 앫 An ignition cable may be damaged

(gasoline engine only).

앫 The engine electronics may not be

operating properly.

앫 Unburned gasoline may have entered the catalytic converter and damaged it (gasoline engine only).

왘 Give very little gas. 왘 Have the problem repaired by an

authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon as possible.

Getting started Driving

The coolant temperature is above 248°F (120°C) The coolant is too hot and is no longer cooling the engine. 왘 Stop the vehicle in a safe location as

soon as possible and turn off the engine. Allow engine and coolant to cool.

왘 Check the coolant level and add

coolant if necessary (컄 page 370).

63

Getting started Driving

In case of accident If the vehicle is leaking fuel: 왘 Do not start the engine under any

circumstances.

왘 Notify local fire and/or police authori-

ties.

If the extent of the damage cannot be determined: 왘 Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz

Light Truck Center.

If no damage can be determined on the 앫 major assemblies 앫 fuel system 앫 engine mount: 왘 Start the engine in the usual manner.

64

왔 Parking and locking You have now completed your first drive. You have properly stopped and parked your vehicle. End your drive as follows.

Warning!

With the engine not running, there is no power assistance for the brake and the steering system. In this case, it is important to keep in mind that a considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to brake and steer the vehicle.

Warning!

Do not park this vehicle in areas where com- bustible materials such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact with the hot exhaust system, as these materials could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.

To reduce the risk of personal injury as a result of vehicle movement, before turning off the engine and leaving the vehicle always: 앫 Keep right foot on brake pedal. 앫 Firmly depress parking brake pedal. 앫 Shift the automatic transmission to

position P.

앫 Slowly release brake pedal. 앫 When parked on an incline, turn front

wheel towards the road curb.

Getting started Parking and locking

앫 Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 0 and remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, or press the start/stop button (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*).

앫 Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with

KEYLESS-GO* and lock vehicle when leaving.

65

Getting started Parking and locking

Parking brake

Warning!

Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle is in motion can cause the rear wheels to lock up. You could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. In addition, the vehicle’s brake lights do not light up when the parking brake is engaged. Make sure not to endanger any other road users when you engage the parking brake.

1 Parking brake pedal 2 Release handle

66

왘 Step firmly on parking brake pedal 1. When the engine is running, the warn- ing lamp ; (USA only) or 3 (Canada only) in the instrument cluster comes on.

Warning!

When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* from the starter switch, take it with you and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could release the parking brake and/or shift the automatic transmission out of position P, either of which could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

Warning!

Getting out of your vehicle with the auto- matic transmission not fully engaged in position P is dangerous. Also, when parked on an incline, position P alone may not prevent your vehicle from moving, possibly hitting people or objects.

Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting to position P (컄 page 199). When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel towards the road curb.

Switching off headlamps

왘 Turn the exterior lamp switch to M. For more information, see “Lighting” (컄 page 146).

Turning off with the SmartKey 왘 Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch

to position 0 (컄 page 40).

왘 Remove the SmartKey from the starter

switch. The immobilizer is activated.

i If you turn off the engine using the SmartKey and remove the SmartKey from the starter switch with the transmission in a position other than P, the transmission will automatically shift to P. Keep in mind that turning off the engine with the SmartKey alone will not automatically shift the transmission to P. Only when the SmartKey is removed from the starter switch will the trans- mission automatically shift to P.

Turning off the engine

i If the engine cannot be turned off as described, see “Emergency engine shut-down” (컄 page 522). 왘 Shift the automatic transmission to

position P (컄 page 199).

Warning!

Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle has come to a complete stop. With the engine not running, there is no power assis- tance for the brake and steering systems. In this case, it is important to keep in mind that a considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to brake and steer the vehicle.

왘 Apply the parking brake (컄 page 66).

i Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting to position P (컄 page 199). When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel towards the road curb.

Getting started Parking and locking

Turning off with KEYLESS-GO* 왘 Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button (컄 page 41) to turn off the engine. With the driver’s door closed, the starter switch is now in position 1. With the driver’s door opened, the starter switch is set to position 0, same as SmartKey removed from starter switch (컄 page 39).

i You can turn off the engine while driving by pressing and holding the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button for approximately 3 seconds.

i If you turn off the engine using the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and open the driver’s door with the transmission in a position other than P, the transmission will automatically shift to P. Keep in mind that turning off the engine with the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button alone will not automatically shift the transmission to P. Only when the driver’s door is opened will the trans- mission automatically shift to P.

67

Getting started Parking and locking

Releasing seat belts

Locking

왘 Press the seat belt release button

(컄 page 52). Allow the retractor to completely re- wind the seat belt by guiding the latch plate.

! Make sure the seat belt retracts fully so that the seat belt and/or latch plate cannot get caught or pinched in the door or in the seat mechanism. This can damage the seat belt and impair the effectiveness of the seat belt, and/or cause damage to the door and/or door trim pan- el. Such damage is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. Damaged seat belts must be replaced. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

Warning!

To prevent possible personal injury, always keep hands and fingers away from the door openings when closing the doors. Be especially careful when small children are around.

Before closing doors, make sure there is no possibility of someone getting caught in a door during closing.

Warning!

When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, take the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* with you, and lock your vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause an accident and/or serious personal injury.

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i If you hear a warning signal, you have forgotten to switch off the exterior lamps before opening the driver’s door. In addition the message Switch off lights appears in the multifunction display. Switch off the exterior lamps. 왘 Exit the vehicle and close all doors and

the tailgate.

Locking with the SmartKey 왘 Press button ‹ on the SmartKey

(컄 page 38). With the tailgate and all doors closed, the turn signal lamps flash three times. The locking knobs on the doors move down. The anti-theft alarm system is armed.

For more information, see “Locking and unlocking” (컄 page 112).

Locking with KEYLESS-GO*

1 Lock button on the outside door handle 왘 Press lock button 1 on an outside

door handle. With the tailgate and all doors closed, the turn signal lamps flash three times. The locking knobs on the doors move down. The anti-theft alarm system is armed.

For more information, see “Locking and unlocking” (컄 page 112).

Getting started Parking and locking

69

70

 Safety and Security

Occupant safety Panic alarm Driving safety systems Anti-theft systems

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

In this section you will learn the most important facts about the restraint systems of the vehicle. The restraint systems are 앫 Seat belts (컄 page 79) 앫 Child restraints (컄 page 95) 앫 Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) (컄 page 93)

Additional protection provide 앫 Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)

with 앫 Air bags (컄 page 74) 앫 Air bag control unit (with crash

sensors)

앫 Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD) for seat belts (컄 page 82) 앫 Active head restraints (컄 page 83)

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Air bag system components with 앫 Front passenger front air bag off

indicator lamp (컄 page 92)

앫 Front passenger seat with Occupant

Classification System (OCS) (컄 page 88)

Although independent systems, their protective functions work in conjunction with each other.

i For information on infants and children traveling with you in the vehicle and restraint systems for infants and children, see “Children in the vehicle” (컄 page 84).

The SRS system conducts a self-test when the ignition is switched on and in regular intervals while the engine is running. This facilitates early detection of malfunctions. The 1 indicator lamp in the instrument cluster (컄 page 26) comes on when the ignition is switched on and goes out no later than a few seconds after the engine was started. The SRS components are in operational readiness if the 1 indicator lamp is not lit when the engine is running. A malfunction in the system has been detected if the 1 indicator lamp: 앫 fails to go out no later than approxi-

mately 4 seconds after the engine was started

앫 does not come on at all 앫 comes on after the engine was started

or while driving

Warning!

Warning!

Modifications to or work improperly conducted on restraint systems (such as seat belts and anchors, emergency tension- ing devices, seat belt force limiters or air bags) or their wiring, as well as tampering with interconnected electronic systems, can lead to the restraint systems no longer func- tioning as intended.

Air bags or emergency tensioning devices, for example, could deploy inadvertently or fail to deploy in accidents although the deceleration threshold for air bag deploy- ment is exceeded. Therefore, never modify the restraint systems. Do not tamper with electronic components or their software.

In the event that the 1 indicator lamp comes on during driving or does not come on at all, the SRS self-check has detected a malfunction. For your safety, we strongly recommend that you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center immedi- ately to have the system checked; otherwise the SRS may not deploy when needed in an accident, which could result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could also result in injury.

In addition, improper work on the SRS creates a risk of rendering the SRS inopera- tive or causing unintended air bag deploy- ment. Work on the SRS must therefore only be performed by qualified technicians. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

Safety and Security Occupant safety

If it is necessary to modify an air bag system to accommodate a person with disabilities, contact a local authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or call our Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) for details.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

Air bags

Warning!

Air bags are designed to reduce the poten- tial of injury and fatality in certain frontal impacts (front air bags), side impacts (side impact air bags and head protection window curtain air bags) or rollovers (head protec- tion window curtain air bags). However, no system available today can totally eliminate injuries and fatalities.

The deployment of the air bags temporarily releases a small amount of dust from the air bags. This dust, however, is neither injurious to your health, nor does it indicate a fire in the vehicle. The dust might cause some tem- porary 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. If you have any breathing difficulty but cannot get out of the vehicle after the air bag inflates, then get fresh air by opening a window or door.

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Warning!

To reduce the risk of injury when the front air bags inflate, it is very important for the driver and front passenger to always be in a properly seated position and to wear their respective seat belt.

For maximum protection in the event of a collision always be in normal seated position with your back against the seat backrest. Fasten your seat belt and make sure it is properly positioned on your body (컄 page 51). Since the air bag inflates with considerable speed and force, a proper seating and hands on steering wheel position will help to keep you at a safe distance from the air bag. Occupants who are unbelted, out of position or too close to the air bag can be seriously injured or killed by an air bag as it inflates with great force in the blink of an eye: 앫 Sit properly belted in a nearly upright

position with your back against the seat backrest.

앫 Adjust the driver seat as far as possible rearward, still permitting proper opera- tion of vehicle controls. The distance from the center of the driver’s breast- bone to the center of the air bag cover on the steering wheel must be at least 10 inches (25 cm) or more. You should be able to accomplish this by a combina- tion of adjustments to the seat and steering wheel. If you have any problems, please see an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

앫 Do not lean your head or chest close to

the steering wheel or dashboard.

앫 Keep hands on the outside of steering

wheel rim. Placing hands and arms inside the rim can increase the risk and potential severity of hand/arm injury when driver’s front air bag inflates.

앫 Adjust the front passenger seat as far as possible rearward from the dashboard when the seat is occupied.

앫 Always sit nearly upright, properly use the seat belts and use an appropriately sized infant or toddler restraint or boost- er seat recommended for the size and weight of the child.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in severe injuries to you or other occupants.

If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you make the buyer aware of this safety information. Be sure to give the buyer this Operator’s Manual.

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Warning!

To help avoid the possibility of injury, please follow these guidelines:

Accident research shows that the safest place for children in an automobile is in the rear seat.

It should be noted that with respect to both, front side impact air bags or the rear side impact air bags*, there is a possibility for a side impact air bag related injury if occu- pants, especially children, are not properly seated or restrained when next to a side im- pact air bag which needs to deploy rapidly in a side impact in order to do its job.

(1) Always sit nearly upright, properly use the seat belts and for children 12 years old and under, use an appropriately sized infant or toddler restraint or booster seat recommended for the size and weight of the child.

(2) Always wear seat belts properly.

If you believe that, even with the use of these guidelines, it would be safer for your rear seat occupants to have the rear seat mounted side impact air bags* deactivated, then deactivation can be accomplished upon your written request to do so at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center at an additional cost.

Please contact your local authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or call our Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) for details.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

i Air bags are designed to deploy only in cer- tain frontal impacts (front air bags), side impacts (side impact and head protection window curtain air bags) which exceed preset thresholds, and in certain rollovers (head protection window cur- tain air bags). Only during these events will they provide their supplemental protection. The driver and passengers should always wear their seat belts. Otherwise it is not possible for air bags to provide their supplemental protec- tion. In case of other types of impacts and impacts be- low air bag deployment thresholds, air bags will not deploy. The driver and passenger will then be protected to the extent possible by a properly fastened seat belt. A properly fastened seat belt is also needed to provide the best possible pro- tection in a rollover. We caution you not to rely on the presence of the air bags in order to avoid wearing your seat belt. It is important to your safety and that of your passengers that you replace deployed air bags and repair any malfunctioning air bags to make sure the vehicle will continue to provide supple- mental crash protection for occupants.

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Safety guidelines for the seat belt, emergency tensioning device and air bag

Warning!

앫 Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly stressed in an accident must be replaced and their anchoring points must also be checked. Use only belts in- stalled or supplied by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

앫 Air bags and pyrotechnic emergency

tensioning devices (ETDs) are designed to function on a one-time-only basis. An air bag or ETD that is deployed must be replaced.

앫 Do not pass belts over sharp edges.

They could tear.

앫 Do not make any modification that could

change the effectiveness of the belts. 앫 Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may severely weaken them. In a crash they may not be able to provide ade- quate protection.

앫 No modifications of any kind may be made to any components or wiring of the SRS. This includes changing or removing any component or part of the SRS, the installation of additional trim material, badges, etc. over the steering wheel hub, front passenger front air bag cover, outboard sides of the front seat backrests, door trim panels, or door frame trims, and installation of addition- al electrical/electronic equipment on or near SRS components and wiring. Keep area between air bags and occupants free from objects (e.g. packages, purs- es, umbrellas, etc.).

앫 Do not hang items such as coat hangers from the coat hooks or handles over the door. These items may turn into projec- tiles and cause head and other injuries when window curtain air bag is de- ployed.

앫 Air bag system components will be hot

after an air bag has inflated. Do not touch.

앫 Never place your feet on the instrument panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always keep both feet on the floor in front of the seat.

앫 In addition, improper repair work on the SRS creates a risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or causing unintended air bag deployment. Work on the SRS must therefore only be performed by qualified technicians. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

앫 For your protection and the protection of others, when scrapping the air bag unit or emergency tensioning device, our safety instructions must be fol- lowed. These instructions are available from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

앫 Given the considerable deployment

speed, required inflation volume, and the textile structure of the air bags, there is the possibility of abrasions or potentially more serious injuries result- ing from air bag deployment.

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Warning!

Front air bags

Only use seat covers which have been test- ed and approved by Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model. Using other seat covers may interfere with or prevent the deployment of the front side impact air bags or the rear side impact air bags*. Contact your autho- rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for availability.

When you sell your vehicle we strongly urge you to give notice to the subsequent owner that it is equipped with an SRS by alerting them to the applicable section in the Operator’s Manual.

1 Driver air bag 2 Passenger air bag Driver and front passenger air bags are deployed: 앫 in the event of certain frontal impacts 앫 if impact exceeds a preset deployment

threshold

앫 independently of the side impact air

bags

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The air bags will not deploy in impacts which do not exceed the system’s deploy- ment thresholds. You will then be protec- ted by the fastened seat belts. The passenger front air bag will only be deployed if: 앫 the system, based on OCS weight sen-

sor readings, senses that the front passenger seat is occupied

앫 the 59 indicator lamp in

the center console is not lit (컄 page 92)

앫 the impact exceeds a preset deploy-

ment threshold

Side impact air bags, window curtain air bags

Warning!

The pressure sensors for side impact air bag control are located in the doors. Do not modify any components of the doors or door trim panels including, for example, the addi- tion of door speakers.

Improper repair work on the doors or the modification or addition of components to the doors creates a risk of rendering the side impact air bags inoperative or causing unintended air bag deployment. Work on the doors must therefore only be performed by qualified technicians. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

Safety and Security Occupant safety

i The front air bags in this vehicle have been designed to inflate in two stages. This allows the air bag to have different rates of inflation that are based on the rate of relevant vehicle decelera- tion as assessed by the air bag control unit. On the front passenger-side, the front air bag deployment is additionally influenced by the passenger’s weight category as identified by the Occupant Classification System (OCS) (컄 page 88). The lighter the front passenger side occupant, the higher the vehicle deceleration rate required for the second stage inflation of the air bag.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

In addition, the window curtain air bags 2 are deployed in certain vehicle rollovers. The front passenger side impact air bag will not deploy if the OCS senses that the front passenger seat is empty and the front passenger seat belt is not fastened (latch plate is not inserted into the buckle). With an empty front passenger seat and the seat belt fastened (latch plate properly in- serted into buckle) the front passenger side impact air bag will deploy indepen- dently of the empty seat. The side impact air bags and window cur- tain air bags are not deployed in impacts which do not exceed the system’s deploy- ment threshold.

Seat belts

Always wear your seat belt. All vehicle occupants always need to have their seat belts fastened and wear them properly. In addition, applicable motor vehicle safety laws require you to wear seat belts. Even where this is not the case, we strongly recommend that all vehicle occupants have their seat belts fastened and wear them properly. For more information, see “Fastening the seat belts” (컄 page 51).

i For information on infants and children trav- eling with you in the vehicle and restraint sys- tems for infants and children, see “Children in the vehicle” (컄 page 84).

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1 Front side impact air bag 2 Window curtain air bag 3 Rear side impact air bag* The side impact air bags and window curtain air bags are deployed: 앫 on the impacted side of the vehicle 앫 in impacts exceeding a preset deploy-

ment threshold

앫 independently of the front air bags

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Warning!

Warning!

Warning!

Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat backrest in an excessively reclined position as this can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt would apply force at the ab- domen or neck. That could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint when the wearer is in a nearly upright position and the belt is properly positioned on the body.

Warning!

Never let more people ride in the vehicle than there are seat belts available. Make sure everyone riding in the vehicle is cor- rectly restrained with a separate seat belt. Never use a seat belt for more than one per- son at a time.

Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly stressed in an accident must be replaced and their anchoring points must also be checked.

Only use seat belts which have been ap- proved by Mercedes-Benz.

Do not make any modifications to the seat belts. This can lead to unintended activation of the ETDs or to failure.

Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may severely weaken them. In a crash they may not be able to provide adequate protection.

Have all work carried out only by qualified technicians. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

Always fasten your seat belt before driving off. Always make sure all of your passengers are properly restrained, even those sitting in the rear and pregnant women.

Failure to wear and properly fasten and po- sition your seat belt greatly increases your risk of injuries and their likely severity in an accident. You and your passengers should always wear seat belts.

If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can be considerably more severe without your seat belt properly buckled. Without your seat belt buckled, you are much more likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed.

In the same crash, the possibility of injury or death is lessened if you are properly wearing your seat belt. Air bags can only protect as they are designed if the occupants are prop- erly wearing their seat belts.

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Warning!

USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY 앫 Seat belts can only work when used

properly. Never wear seat belts in any other way than as described in this sec- tion, as that could result in serious inju- ries in case of an accident.

앫 Each occupant should wear their seat

belt at all times, because seat belts help reduce the likelihood of and potential severity of injuries in accidents, includ- ing rollovers. The integrated restraint system includes SRS (driver air bag, pas- senger front air bag, side impact air bags, head protection window curtain air bags for side windows) and ETD (seat belt emergency tensioning device), and front seat knee bolsters. The system is designed to enhance the protection of- fered to properly belted occupants in certain frontal (front air bags and ETD) and side (side impact, window curtain air bags and ETD) impacts which exceed preset deployment thresholds and in

certain rollovers (window curtain air bags and ETD). 앫 Never wear the shoulder belt under your arm, against your neck or off your shoul- der. In a frontal crash, your body would move too far forward. That would in- crease the chance of head and neck in- juries. The belt would also apply too much force to the ribs or abdomen, which could severely injure internal or- gans such as your liver or spleen.

앫 Never wear belts over rigid or breakable objects in or on your clothing, such as eyeglasses, pens, SmartKeys, etc., as these might cause injuries.

앫 Position the lap belt as low as possible on your hips and not across the abdo- men. If the belt is positioned across your abdomen, it could cause serious injuries in a crash.

앫 Never use a seat belt for more than one person at time. Do not fasten a seat belt around a person and another person or other objects.

Safety and Security Occupant safety

앫 Belts should not be worn twisted. In a crash, you would not have the full width of the belt to distribute impact forces. The twisted belt against your body could cause injuries.

앫 Pregnant women should also use a

lap-shoulder belt. The lap belt portion should be positioned as low as possible on the hips to avoid any possible pres- sure on the abdomen.

앫 Never place your feet on the instrument panel, dashboard or on the seat. Always keep both feet on the floor in front of the seat.

앫 When using a seat belt to secure infant

or toddler restraints or children in booster seats, always follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

Enhanced seat belt reminder system When the engine is started, the seat belt telltale < will always illuminate for 6 seconds to remind you and your passengers to fasten your seat belts. If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened when the engine is started, an additional warning chime will also sound for a maxi- mum of 6 seconds or until the driver’s seat belt is fastened. If after these 6 seconds, the driver’s or the front passenger’s seat belt (with the front passenger seat occupied) are not fastened with all doors closed, 앫 the seat belt telltale < remains illu- minated for as long as either the driv- er’s or front passenger’s seat belt is not fastened

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앫 and if the vehicle speed exceeds 15 mph (25 km/h), the seat belt telltale < starts flashing and a warning chime sounds with increasing intensity for a maximum of 60 seconds or until the driver’s and the front passenger’s seat belt are fastened If the driver’s or the front passenger’s seat belt remains unfastened after 60 seconds, the the warning chime stops sounding and the seat belt telltale < stops flashing but continues to be illuminated.

The seat belt telltale < will only go out if both the driver’s and the front passen- ger’s seat belt (with the front passenger seat occupied) are fastened, or the vehicle is standing still and a front door is opened. For more information, see “Practical hints” (컄 page 426).

Emergency tensioning device (ETD), seat belt force limiter The seat belts for the front and rear seats are equipped with emergency tensioning devices and belt force limiters. The ETD is designed to activate in the following cases: 앫 in frontal or rear-end impacts

exceeding the system deployment threshold

앫 in certain vehicle rollovers 앫 if the restraint systems are operational

and functioning correctly, see 1 indicator lamp (컄 page 430)

i The ETDs for the front seats will only acti- vate if the respective front seat belt is fastened (latch plate properly inserted into buckle). The ETDs for the rear seats will activate with or without the respective seat belt fastened.

In an impact, emergency tensioning devices remove slack from the belts in such a way that the seat belts fit more snugly against the body. Belt force limiters, when activated, are employed to help reduce the peak force exerted by the seat belts on occupants during a crash.

Warning!

A pyrotechnic emergency tensioning device (ETD) that was activated must be replaced.

When disposing of the pyrotechnic emer- gency tensioning device, our safety instruc- tions must be followed. These are available at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

Active head restraints

The active head restraints are intended to offer the driver and front passenger increased protection from whiplash type injuries. In the event of a rear-end collision, the active head restraints on the driver’s and front passenger’s seats are designed to move forward in the direction of travel, providing the head with increased support earlier on in the collision sequence. The active head restraints move forward whether the seat is occupied or not.

Warning!

Only use seat or head restraint covers which have been tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model. Using other seat or head restraint covers may interfere with or prevent the activation of the active head restraint. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for availability.

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Do not attach any objects (e.g. hangers) to the head restraints posts. Otherwise, the active head restraints may not be able to function properly or offer the intended degree of protection in the event of an accident.

Warning!

For your protection, drive only with properly positioned head restraints.

Adjust head restraint so that it is as close to the head as possible and the center of the head restraint supports the back of the head at eye level. This will reduce the potential for injury to the head and neck in the event of an accident or similar situation.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

You cannot remove the active head restraint on the driver’s and front passen- ger’s seats. For removal of the active head restraints we recommend that you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. For information on head restraint adjust- ment, see “Seats” (컄 page 43). For information on resetting the activated active head restraints, see “Resetting acti- vated head restraints” (컄 page 482).

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Rear head restraints

Children in the vehicle

Warning!

Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head restraints installed when the rear seats are occupied. Head restraints are intended to help reduce injuries during an accident.

With a third-row seat occupied, make sure to move the respective head restraint up from the lowest non-use position and have the occupant adjust the head restraint properly.

For your protection, drive only with properly positioned head restraints.

Adjust the head restraint in such a way that it is as close to the head as possible and the head restraint supports the back of the head at eye level. This will reduce the potential for injury to the head and neck in the event of an accident or similar situation.

If an infant or child is traveling with you in the vehicle: 앫 Secure the child using an infant or child

restraint appropriate to the age and size of the child.

앫 Make sure the infant or child is proper- ly secured at all times while the vehicle is in motion.

Warning!

Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, even if they are secured in a child restraint system. The children could 앫 injure themselves on parts of the vehicle 앫 be seriously or fatally injured through excessive exposure to extreme heat or cold

Do not expose the child restraint system to direct sunlight. The child restraint system’s metal parts, for example, could become very hot, and the child could be burned on these parts.

If children open a door, they could 앫 injure other persons 앫 get out of the car and injure themselves

or be injured by following traffic

Do not carry heavy or hard objects in the passenger or cargo compartment unless they are firmly secured in place. For more in- formation, please refer to the “Loading” (컄 page 297) and “Useful features” (컄 page 311) sections in the “Controls in detail” chapter.

Unsecured or improperly positioned cargo increases a child’s risk of injury in the event of: 앫 strong braking maneuvers 앫 sudden changes of direction 앫 an accident

Infant and child restraint systems We recommend all infants and children be properly restrained at all times while the vehicle is in motion. All lap-shoulder belts except the driver’s seat belt have special seat belt retractors for secure fastening of child restraints. To fasten a child restraint, follow child