MERCEDES-BENZ R320 2008 W251 Owner's Manual

130 Controls in detail
Seats
Pull and hold easy-entry lever 1 in
direction of arrow at resistance point.
The seat backrest folds forward.
Push the seat forward as far as it will
go.
You should now have sufficient space
to access the vehicle’s third-row seat.
Easy-entry/exit position
Enter the vehicle.
For information on how to fold down the
second-row seats completely, see “Folding
outboard second-row seats” (
page 294).Easy-exit feature for third-row seats
The easy-exit strap is located on the rear of
each outboard second-row seat base.
1Easy-exit strap
To exit the vehicle when seated on a
third-row seat, pull up and hold
easy-exit strap 1.
The second-row seat backrest folds
forward.
Push second-row seat forward a far as
it will go.
Easy-entry/exit position
Exit the vehicle.
For information on how to fold down the
second-row seats completely, see “Folding
outboard second-row seats” (
page 294).


131 Controls in detail
Seats
Returning outboard second-row seats to
their original position
Seat unlocked
1Lock status indicator
2Red markingWhen the seat is unlocked

lock status indicator 1 is extended

red marking 2 is clearly visible
When the seat is unlocked, push seat
backrest back until the seat audibly
engages.
Seat locked
1Lock status indicator
2Red marking
When the seat is locked

lock status indicator 1 is in hinged
position

red marking 2 is barely visible
WarningG
When occupants have entered or exited the
vehicle using the easy-entry/exit feature,
before driving off make sure

the outboard second-row seats are
properly locked

the seat backrests of the outboard
second-row seats are in an upright
position and are properly locked
An outboard second-row seat is properly
locked only when lock status indicator 1 is
in hinged position and red marking 2 is
barely visible.
If a seat and seat backrest are not properly
locked, the seat could move forward and the
seat backrest could fold. You could slide
under the seat belt during braking, vehicle
maneuvers, or in an accident. If you slide
under it, the seat belt would apply force at
the abdomen or neck. That could cause se-
rious or even fatal injuries.

132 Controls in detail
Seats
Lumbar support
The curvature of the driver’s seat can be
adjusted to help enhance lower back
support and seating comfort.
The lever for lumbar support adjustment is
located on the right hand side of the
driver’s seat backrest.
1Adjustment lever
Move adjustment lever 1 in direction
of arrows until you have reached a
comfortable seating position.
Multicontour seat*
The multicontour seat has an extendable
seat cushion and inflatable air chambers
built into the backrest to provide additional
lumbar and side support.
The seat cushion depth, seat backrest
cushion-height and curvature can be con-
tinuously varied with switches on the in-
side of each front seat base after the
ignition is switched on (
page 39).
1Seat cushion depth
2Backrest side bolsters
3Backrest center
4Backrest bottom
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Seat cushion depth
Adjust the seat cushion depth to the
length of your upper leg with
switch1.
Backrest contour
Adjust the contour of the seat backrest
to the desired position with switch
æ orç.
Move the seat backrest support to the
bottom with button4 or to the center
with button3.
Backrest side bolsters
Adjust the side bolsters so that they
provide good lateral support with
switch2.

133 Controls in detail
Seats
Front seat active head restraints
You cannot remove the active head
restraints on the driver’s and front passen-
ger’s seat.
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” (
page 43).
For information on active head restraints,
see “Active head restraints” (
page 86).
Rear seats Rear seat adjustment
Warning!G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint so that it is 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.
Warning!G
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. Re-
gardless 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” (
page 87).
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.
Warning!G
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 fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat
belts provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a nearly upright position and
belts are properly positioned on the body.
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt (
page 50).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being
adjusted.


134 Controls in detail
Seats
Fore and aft adjustment
(outboard second-row seats)
The handles for adjusting the seats are
located on the front of each seat base.
1Adjustment handle
Pull up handle 1 in direction of arrow
and hold it there.
Move seat to the desired position.
Release handle 1.
The seat must audibly engage.Seat backrest tilt
(outboard second-row seats)
The handles for adjusting the seats are
located on the rear of each seat base.
1Adjustment handle
While seated, pull handle 1 in direc-
tion of arrow to resistance point and
hold it there.
After adjusting rear seats, make sure

the seats are properly locked

the seat backrests are in an upright po-
sition and are properly locked
An outboard second-row seat is properly
locked only when lock status indicator 1 is
in hinged position and red marking 2 is
barely visible (
page 131).
If a seat and seat backrest are not properly
locked, the seat could move forward and the
seat backrest could fold. You could slide un-
der the seat belt during braking, vehicle ma-
neuvers, or in an accident. If you slide under
it, the belt would apply force at the abdomen
or neck. That could cause serious or even
fatal injuries.


135 Controls in detail
Seats
To move seat backrest back, lean
lightly against backrest.
To move seat backrest forward, lean
forward with handle 1 pulled and held
at resistance point.
The seat backrest will move forward
against your back.
Release handle 1 when the seat back-
rest has reached the desired position.
To make sure the seat backrest has
engaged, lean firmly against the back-
rest.Seat backrest tilt (third-row seats)
The handles for adjusting the seats are
located on the outer side of each seat
backrest.
1Adjustment handle
While seated, pull handle 1 in
direction of arrow and hold it there.
To move seat backrest back, lean
lightly against backrest.
To move seat backrest forward, lean
forward with handle 1 pulled.
The seat backrest will move forward
against your back.
Release handle 1 when the seat back-
rest has reached the desired position.
To make sure the seat backrest has
engaged, lean firmly against the back-
rest.
Head restraint height
Warning!G
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
center of the head restraint supports the
back of the head at eye level. This will re-
duce the potential for injury to the head and
neck in the event of an accident or similar
situation.

136 Controls in detail
Seats
Outboard second-row seat head restraint
1Head restraint
2Release button
Raising:
Manually adjust the height of head
restraint 1 by pulling it upward to the
desired position.
Lowering:
To lower head restraint 1, press
release button2 and push down on
head restraint 1.Head restraints
iThe head restraint of the second-row middle
seat* and the third-row seat head restraints are
adjusted in the same manner.
iThe tilt of the second-row head restraints is
adjusted in the same manner as the front-seat
head restraints, see “Head restraint fore and aft
adjustment” (
page 46).
The tilt of the head restraint of the second-row
middle seat* and the third-row seat head
restraints cannot be adjusted.
Warning!G
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 the second-row middle seat* or a
third-row seat occupied, make sure to move
the respective head restraint up from the
lowest non-use position and have the occu-
pant 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.
iWhen removing or installing the head
restraint of an outboard second-row seat, adjust
the seat to the rear as far as possible
(
page 134) and fold the seat backrest
(
page 129) forward.

137 Controls in detail
Seats
Removing head restraints
Seat position for removal of head restraints
from outboard second-row seats
1Head restraint
2Release button
To remove head restraint 1, pull head
restraint 1 to its uppermost position.
Press release button2 and pull out
head restraint 1.Installing head restraints
Insert head restraint 1 into openings
on the seat backrest.
Push head restraint 1 down until it
audibly engages.
Push release button2 and adjust
head restraint 1 to the desired
position (
page 135).Armrests
6-seat vehicles
The second-row seat armrests can be
folded up, when loading for example, and
adjusted.
Folding up:
Move the armrest into a vertical
position until it engages.
Adjusting:
With the armrest folded up, disengage
the armrest by pushing it towards the
rear slightly.
Fold the armrest down to the lowest
and then to the desired position until it
engages.
To readjust the armrest to a higher
position, move armrest up to the
desired position until it engages.
iThe head restraint of the second-row middle
seat* and the third-row seat head restraints are
removed in the same manner.
iOn the outboard second-row seats, the
guide bar with the detent must be on the left.
iThe head restraint of the second-row middle
seat* and the third-row seat head restraints are
installed in the same manner.
iTo readjust the armrest to a lower position,
you must first fold up the armrest again and re-
peat the steps above.

138 Controls in detail
Seats
7-seat vehicles*
You can use the seat backrest of the
second-row middle seat as an armrest for
the outboard seats.
Before folding the seat, completely
lower the head restraint of the
second-row middle seat (
page 135).
1Seat backrest release strap
2Seat backrest
3Seat cushion
Pull seat backrest release strap 1 in
direction of arrow.
Completely fold seat backrest 2 for-
ward so that it rests on seat cushion 3
(armrest position).
Armrest position
WarningG
The folded second-row middle seat is in-
tended to serve as an armrest only. Do not
fold the second-row middle seat and allow
occupants to use the folded second-row
middle seat as a footrest while driving. All
vehicle occupants must keep both feet on
the floor in front of their seat. Otherwise, oc-
cupants could slide under the seat belt in a
collision. If occupants slide under it, the belt
would apply force at the abdomen or neck.
That could cause serious or even fatal inju-
ries.
Do not fold the second-row middle seat
and allow occupants to use the folded
second-row middle seat as a table while
driving. Objects placed on the folded
second-row middle seat may move freely
during braking, vehicle maneuvers, or an ac-
cident and be thrown around in the vehicle
interior. Objects thrown around in the vehi-
cle interior may cause an accident and/or
serious personal injury.

139 Controls in detail
Seats
Seat heating*
The switches for front-seat heating are lo-
cated in the center console.
Front seat heating
1Seat heating switch
2Indicator lampsThe switches for the outboard second-row
seats are located in the rear center
console.
Outboard second-row seat heating
1Seat heating switch
2Indicator lampsThe red indicator lamps in the switch come
on to show which heating level you have
selected.
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Level
3Three indicator lamps on
(highest level)
The seat heating automatically
switches to level 2 after approxi-
mately 5 minutes.
2Two indicator lamps on
The seat heating automatically
switches to level 1 after approxi-
mately 10 minutes.
1One indicator lamp on
(lowest level)
The seat heating automatically
switches off after approximately
20 minutes.
offNo indicator lamp on.