MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS 2023 Workshop Manual

To improve protection for children younger than12 years old or under 5 s (1.50 m) in height,
Mercedes-Benz recommends you observe the fol- lowing information:
= Always secure the child in a child restraint sys-
tem suitable for this Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
= The child restraint system must be appropriate
to the age, weight and size of the child.
= The vehicle seat must be suitable for Ntting a
child restraint system.
Accident statistics show that children secured on
the rear passenger compartment seats are gener- ally safer than children secured on the front seats.
For this reason, Mercedes-Benz strongly advises
that you Nt a child restraint system to a rear
passenger compartment seat.
The generic term child restraint system The generic term child restraint system is used in this Operator\bs Manual. A child restraint systemis, for example:
= a baby car seat
= a rearward-facing child seat=a forward-facing child seat
= a child booster seat with a backrest and seat
belt guide
Mercedes-Benz recommends using a child
booster seat with a backrest.
The child restraint system must be appropriate to
the age, weight and size of the child.
Observe laws and legal requirements
Always observe the legal requirements when
using a child restraint system in the vehicle.
Observe standards for child restraint systemsAll child restraint systems must meet the followingstandards:
= U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 225
= Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213
and 210.2
ConNrmation that the child restraint system com-
plies with the standards can be found on an instruction label on the child restraint system. This conNrmation can also be found in the instal-lation instructions that are included with the child
restraint system.
Detecting risks, avoiding danger
Securing systems for child restraint systems in the vehicle
Only use the following securing systems for child restraint systems:
= the ISOFIX mounting brackets
= the vehicle\bs seat belt system
= the Top Tether anchorages
Installing an ISOFIX child restraint system is pre- ferred.
Simply attaching to the securing rings on the vehi- cle can reduce the risk of installing the child
restraint system incorrectly.
When securing a child with the integrated seat
belt of the ISOFIX child restraint system, always comply with the permissible gross weight for thechild and child restraint system (  page 54).
A child booster seat may be necessary to achieve
proper seat belt positioning for children over
Occupant safety49

40 lbs (18 kg) in weight or until they reach a
height where a three-point seat belt can be instal-
led properly without a child booster seat.
Mercedes-Benz recommends a suitable child
booster seat with a backrest and seat belt guide.
Advantage of a rearward-facing child restraint sys-
tem
It is preferable to transport a baby or a small child
in a suitable rearward-facing child restraint sys- tem. In this case, the child sits in the oppositedirection to the direction of travel and faces back-wards.
Babies and small children have comparatively
weak neck muscles in relation to the size and weight of their head. The risk of injury to the cer-vical spine during an accident can be reduced in a
rearward-facing child restraint system.Always secure a child restraint system correctly&WARNING Risk of injury or death due to
incorrect installation of the child restraint
system
The child can then not be protected or restrained as intended.
Be sure to comply with the manufactur-
er\bs installation instructions for the child
restraint system and its correct use.Make sure that the entire base of the child restraint system always rests on
the sitting surface of the seat.Never place objects (e.g. cushions)
under or behind the child restraint sys- tem.Use child restraint systems only with the
original cover designed for them.Always replace damaged covers with
genuine covers.&WARNING Risk of injury or death due to
unsecured child restraint systems in the
vehicle
If the child restraint system is incorrectly
mounted or unsecured, it may come loose.
The child can then not be protected or
restrained as intended.
Unused child restraint systems could be Oung
around and hit vehicle occupants.
Always comply with the manufacturer\bs
installation instructions for the child
restraint system and its correct use.Always Nt child restraint systems cor-
rectly, even if they are transported in the vehicle unused.
= Always observe the child restraint system
manufacturer\bs installation and operating
instructions as well as the vehicle-speciNc
information:
- Installing the ISOFIX child restraint system
on the right and les rear seats
(  page 54).
50Occupant safety

-Securing the child restraint system with
the seat belt on the rear seat
(  page 57).
- Securing the child restraint system with
the seat belt on the front passenger seat
(  page 59). Observe the speciNc
instructions for the rearward-facing and
forward-facing child restraint systems (  page 58).
If the front passenger seat is occupied,
ensure, both before and during the jour- ney, that the status of the front passengerair bag is correct for the current situation
(  page 44).
= Observe the warning labels in the vehicle inte-
rior and on the child restraint system.
= Also secure Top Tether if present.Do not modify the child restraint system&WARNING Risk of injury due to modiNca-
tions to the child restraint system
The child restraint system can no longer func-
tion properly. This poses an increased risk of
injury.
Never modify a child restraint system.Only aPx accessories which have been
specially approved for this child restraint
system by the child restraint system\bs manufacturer.
Only use child restraint systems which are in
proper working condition
&WARNING Risk of injury or death caused
by the use of damaged child restraint sys- tems
Child restraint systems or their retaining sys-
tems that have been subjected to stress in an
accident may not be able to perform their
intended protective function.
It may be the case that the child cannot be
properly restrained.Always immediately replace child restraint systems that have been dam-
aged or involved in an accident.Have the securing systems for the child restraint systems checked at a qualiNed
specialist workshop before installing a
child restraint system again.
Avoid direct sunlight
&WARNING Risk of burns when the child
seat is exposed to direct sunlight
If the child restraint system is exposed to
direct sunlight or heat, parts could heat up
excessively.
Children could suMer burns from these parts,
particularly the metallic parts of the child
restraint system.
Always make sure that the child restraint
system is not exposed to direct sunlight.Occupant safety51

Cover the child restraint system with ablanket, for example.If the child restraint system has been
exposed to direct sunlight, allow it to
cool before securing a child into it.Never leave children unattended in the vehicle.
Observe when stopping or parking
&WARNING Risk of accident and injury due
to children les unattended in the vehicle
If you leave children unattended in the vehicle,
they could, in particular:
= open doors, thereby endangering other
persons or road users.
= get out and be struck by oncoming traPc.
= operate vehicle equipment and become
trapped, for example.
In addition, the children could also set the
vehicle in motion by, for example:
= releasing the parking brake.
= changing the gearbox position.
= starting the vehicle.Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.When leaving the vehicle, always take the key with you and lock the vehicle.Keep the key out of reach of children.&WARNING Risk of fatal injury due to expo-
sure to extreme heat or cold in the vehicle
If persons, particularly children, are subjected
to prolonged exposure to intense heat or cold,
there is a risk of severe injury or even death.
Never leave persons, particularly chil-
dren, unattended in the vehicle.Overview of suitable seats in the vehicle for instal-
ling a child restraint system
Les/right rear seat
Preferred securing system:
®ISOFIX child seat anchor¯Also secure Top Tether if present
(  page 55).
Alternative securing system:
vVehicle seat belt
Front passenger seat
Securing system:
vVehicle seat belt
Be sure to observe:
= If the front passenger seat is occupied,
ensure, both before and during the journey, that the status of the front passenger air bagis correct for the current situation
(  page 44).
= Notes on the automatic front passenger air
bag shutoM ( page 43).
52Occupant safety

Center rear seat
Securing system:vVehicle seat belt¯Also secure Top Tether if present
(  page 55).
Activating or deactivating the special seat belt
retractor of the seat belt
&WARNING Risk of injury or death if a seat
belt is unfastened while the vehicle is in
motion
If the seat belt is released while the vehicle is
in motion, the special seat belt retractor is
deactivated and the child restraint system is no longer correctly secured. The seat belt is
drawn in slightly by the inertia reel and cannot
be immediately closed again.
Stop the vehicle immediately in accord-
ance with the traPc conditions.Activate the special seat belt retractor
again and correctly secure the child
restraint system.
When enabled, the special seat belt retractor
ensures that the seat belts of the front passenger seat and rear seats do not slacken once the childrestraint system is secured.
The seat belts on the following seats are equipped
with a special seat belt retractor:
= Front passenger seat
= Rear passenger compartment seats
Installing a child restraint system
When installing a child restraint system, always observe the manufacturer\bs installation
and operating instructions as well as the infor-
mation in this Operator\bs Manual.Pull the seat belt smoothly from the seat belt outlet.Engage the seat belt tongue in the seat beltbuckle.Activating the special seat belt retractorPull the seat belt out fully and let the inertia
reel retract it again.
When the special seat belt retractor is activa-
ted, you will hear a ratcheting sound.Push the child restraint system down until the seat belt sits tightly.
Deactivating the special seat belt retractor
Press the release button of the seat beltbuckle.Hold the seat belt tongue and guide back to
the seat belt outlet.Occupant safety53

Installing a LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint
system on the les and right rear seats

qInstalling an ISOFIX child restraint system on
the les and right rear seats
&WARNING Risk of accident if the rear
bench seat, rear seat and seat backrest
are not engaged
The rear bench seat, rear seat and seat back-
rest may fold forwards, even when you are
driving.
= As a result, the vehicle occupant will be
pushed into the seat belt with increased
force. The seat belt will not be able to pro-
tect as intended and could cause addi-
tional injury.
= Objects or loads in the trunk or cargo
compartment will not be restrained by the
seat backrest.
Make sure that the rear bench seat, the rear seat and the seat backrest are engaged before every trip.If the rear seat backrest is not engaged and
locked in place, the red lock veriNcation indicator
will be visible.&WARNING Risk of injury or death if the
permissible gross mass of the child and
child restraint system together is excee-
ded.
Too much load may be placed on the LATCH- type (ISOFIX) or iSize child restraint systemsand the child may not be restrained correctly
in the event of an accident, for example.
If the child is secured in a LATCH-type
(ISOFIX) child restraint system with inte-
grated seat belt, the total mass of the
child and child restraint system must not
exceed 73 lb (33 kg).Always comply with the information about the
mass of the child:
= in the manufacturer\bs installation and operat-
ing instructions for the child restraint system used= on a label on the child restraint system, if
present
Regularly check that the permissible gross mass
of the child and child restraint system is still com- plied with.
When installing a child restraint system, observe the following:sAlways observe the correct use of the seatsand consider their suitability for attaching a
child restraint system.sAlways comply with the manufacturer\bs
installation and operating instructions for the
child restraint system used.sMake sure that the child\bs feet do not touch
the front seat. If necessary, move the front
seat slightly forwards.
® When installing an ISOFIX child restraint
system, also observe the following:
sWhen using a baby car seat in weight group
0/0\f and a rearward-facing child restraint
system in weight group 1 on a rear seat:
adjust the front seat so that the seat does
not touch the child restraint system.54Occupant safety

sWhen using a forward-facing child restraint
system in weight group 1: remove the head
restraint from the respective seat, if possible.
In addition, the backrest of the child restraint system must lie as Oat as possible against
the backrest of the vehicle seat.
Aser the child restraint system has been
removed, replace the head restraint immedi-
ately and adjust all head restraints correctly.sIf the head restraint of the child seat cannot
be fully extended when it is installed in the vehicle; this will result in restrictions on themaximum size setting for child restraint sys-tems in weight group 2 or 3.
Contact with the roof when the head restraint is fully extended and locked in place
will not result in any restrictions on use.sThe child restraint system must not be put under strain between the roof and the seat
cushion and/or be installed facing in the wrong direction. Where possible, adjust theseat cushion inclination accordingly.sThe child restraint system must not be put
under strain by the head restraint. Adjust the head restraints as appropriate.1ISOFIX mounting bracket
Before every journey, make sure that the ISOFIX child restraint system is engaged correctly in both
mounting brackets in the vehicle.
*NOTE Damage to the seat belt for the cen-
ter seat during installation of the child
restraint systemMake sure that the seat belt is not trap-
ped.Attach the ISOFIX child restraint system to both mounting brackets in the vehicle.
Fastening a Top Tether
&WARNING Risk of injury or death if the
rear seat backrests are not locked aser
Top Tether belts are installed
The rear seat backrests may fold forwards
when you are driving.
As a result, child restraint systems will no lon-
ger be able to perform their intended protec-
tive function. This may also cause additional injuries.
Always lock rear seat backrests aser
installing Top Tether belts.Occupant safety55

Observe the lock veriNcation indicator.If the rear seat backrest is not engaged and
locked in place, the red lock veriNcation indicator
will be visible.¯If the child restraint system is equipped
with a Top Tether belt:
The risk of injury may be reduced by Top
Tether. The Top Tether belt enables an
additional connection between the child
restraint system attached with LATCH-type
(ISOFIX) (les and right rear seats) or the
seat belt (all rear seats) and the vehicle.If necessary, slide head restraint 1 upwards
(  page 96).Fold up cover 2 of Top Tether anchorage 3.Install the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) or belt-
secured child restraint system with Top Tether. In doing so, comply with the child restraint
system manufacturer\bs installation instruc-
tions.Guide Top Tether belt 4 under head restraint
1 between the two head restraint bars.Hook Top Tether hook 5 of Top Tether belt
4 into Top Tether anchorage 3 without
twisting.Tension Top Tether belt 4. In doing so, com-
ply with the child restraint system manufactur-
er\bs installation instructions.Fold down cover 2 of Top Tether anchorage
3 .If necessary, slide head restraint 1 down-
wards (  page 96). Make sure that you do
not interfere with the correct routing of Top
Tether belt 4.56Occupant safety

Securing the child restraint system with the seatbelt

q Securing a child restraint system on the rear
seat with the seat belt
&WARNING Risk of accident if the rear
bench seat, rear seat and seat backrest
are not engaged
The rear bench seat, rear seat and seat back-
rest may fold forwards, even when you are
driving.
= As a result, the vehicle occupant will be
pushed into the seat belt with increased
force. The seat belt will not be able to pro-
tect as intended and could cause addi-
tional injury.
= Objects or loads in the trunk or cargo
compartment will not be restrained by the
seat backrest.
Make sure that the rear bench seat, the rear seat and the seat backrest are engaged before every trip.If the seat backrest in the rear passenger com-partment is not engaged and locked in place, thered lock veriNcation indicator will be visible.
When installing a belt-secured child restraint sys-
tem, observe the following: sAlways comply with the manufacturer\bs
installation and operating instructions for the
child restraint system used.sAlso secure Top Tether if present
(  page 55).sWhen using a baby car seat in weight group
0/0\f and a rearward-facing child restraint
system in weight group 1 on a rear seat: adjust the front seat so that the seat does
not touch the child restraint system.sWhen using a forward-facing child restraint system in weight group 1 : remove the head
restraint from the respective seat, if possible.
Aser the child restraint system has been
removed, replace the head restraint immedi-
ately and adjust all head restraints correctly.sThe backrest of a forward-facing child
restraint system must, as far as possible, be
resting on the seat backrest of the rear seat.sIf the head restraint of the child seat cannot
be fully extended when it is installed in the vehicle, this will result in restrictions on themaximum size setting for child restraint sys-tems in weight group 2 or 3.
Contact with the roof when the head restraint is fully extended and locked in place
will not result in any restrictions on use.sThe child restraint system must not be put under strain between the roof and the seat
cushion and/or be installed facing the wrong
direction. Where possible, adjust the seat
cushion inclination accordingly.sThe child restraint system must not be put under strain by the head restraint. Adjust thehead restraints as appropriate.sMake sure that the child\bs feet do not touch
the front seat. If necessary, move the front seat slightly forwards.Occupant safety57

The seat belts on the following seats are equipped
with a child seat safety feature:
= Front passenger seat
= Rear seats
When enabled, the child seat safety feature
ensures that the seat belts of the front passenger seat and rear seats do not slacken once the child
restraint system is secured (  page 53).Install the child restraint system.
The entire base of the child restraint system must always rest on the seat surface of the
rear seat.Always make sure that the shoulder belt strap is correctly routed from the seat belt outlet of
the vehicle to the shoulder belt guide on the
child restraint system.
The shoulder belt strap must be routed
forward from the seat belt outlet.
q Notes on rearward-facing and forward-facing
child restraint systems on the front passenger seat&WARNING Risk of injury or fatal injury
when using a rearward-facing child restraint system while the co-driver airbag
is enabled
If you secure a child in a rearward-facing child
restraint system on the co-driver seat and the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is
oM, the co-driver airbag can deploy in the
event of an accident.
The child could be struck by the airbag.
Always ensure that the co-driver airbag is
disabled. The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp must be lit.NEVER use a rearward-facing child restraint system on a seat with an ENA-
BLED FRONT AIRBAG; DEATH or SERI-
OUS INJURY to the CHILD can occur.Observe the speciNc instructions for the rear-
ward-facing and forward-facing child restraint sys-
tems (  page 59).
Always observe the status of the front passenger air bag on the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp:
= When using a rearward-facing child restraint
system on the front passenger seat, the front
passenger air bag must always be disabled. This is only the case if the PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp is lit continuously
(  page 44).
= If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is oM, the front passenger air bag is ena-
bled. The front passenger air bag may be
deployed during an accident.58Occupant safety