child restraint MERCEDES-BENZ C WAGON 2005 S203 User Guide

66 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetySide impact air bags, window curtain
air bags
The window curtain air bags1 fill up the
area between the A and C pillars (see
arrows)
1Window curtain air bag
2Side impact air bagsThe side impact air bags and window
curtain air bags are deployed:


on the impacted side of the vehicle


in impacts exceeding a preset
deployment threshold


independently of the front air bags
The front passenger side impact air bag
will only deploy if the system senses that
the front passenger seat is occupied.
The side impact air bags and window
curtain air bags are not deployed in
impacts which do not exceed the system’s
deployment threshold.
Seat belts
When the engine is started, the seat belt
telltale< illuminates to remind you and
your passengers to fasten your seat belts.
If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened
before the engine is started, the seat belt
telltale< illuminates and a warning
chime sounds for approximately six
seconds when the engine is started.The use of seat belts and infant and child
restraint systems is required by law in all
50 states, the District of Columbia, the
U.S. territories and all Canadian provinces.
Even where this is not the case, all vehicle
occupants should have their seat belts
fastened whenever the vehicle is in
motion.
For more information on seat belts, see
“Fastening the seat belt” (
page 43).
!Do not place objects heavier than
20 lbs (9 kg) on the front passenger
seat. This could cause the front or side
impact air bag on the front passenger
side to deploy in a crash which exceeds
the system's deployment threshold.
iFor information on infants and children
traveling with you in the vehicle and
restraint systems for infants and
children, see “Children in the vehicle”
(page 69).

69 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Emergency tensioning device (ETD),
seat belt force limiter
The seat belts for the front and rear outer
seats are equipped with emergency
tensioning devices and belt force limiters.
The ETD is designed to activate in the
following cases:

in frontal or rear-end impacts
exceeding a preset severity level.


if the restraint systems are operational
and functioning correctly.
See 1indicator lamp (
page 60).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
reduce the force exerted by the seat belts
on occupants during a crash.
Children in the vehicle
If an infant or child is traveling with you in
the vehicle:

Secure the child using an infant or child
restraint appropriate to the age and
size of the child.


Make sure that the infant or child is
properly secured at all times while the
vehicle is in motion.
Infant and child restraint seats and infor-
mation on choosing an appropriate re-
straint system can be obtained from any
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Infant and child restraint systems
Only use a BabySmart
TM1
compatible child
restraint for the front passenger seat in
this vehicle.
iThe ETDs for the front seats will only
activate if the respective front seat belt
is fastened (latch plate properly
inserted into buckle).
The ETDs for the rear outer seats will
activate with or without the respective
seat belt fastened.
Warning!
G
An emergency tensioning device (ETD) that
was activated must be replaced.
When scrapping the emergency tensioning
device, our safety instructions must be
followed. These are available at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.!Do not place objects heavier than
20 lbs (9 kg) on the front passenger
seat. This could cause the front or side
impact air bag on the front passenger
side to deploy in a crash which exceeds
the system’s deployment threshold.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.

70 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetyWe 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 re-
straint instructions for mounting. Then pull
the shoulder belt out completely and let it
retract. During the seat belt retraction, a
ratcheting sound can be heard to indicate
that the special seat belt retractor is acti-
vated. The belt is now locked. Push down
on child restraint to take up any slack.
To deactivate, release seat belt buckle and
let seat belt retract completely. The seat
belt can again be used in the usual man-
ner.
iFor information on child seats with
anchor fittings for tether anchorages,
see “Installation of infant and child re-
straint systems” (
page 74).
For information on child seat anchors –
LATCH-type (
page 75).
Warning!
G
Never release the seat belt buckle while the
vehicle is in motion, since the special seat
belt retractor will be deactivated.
!The use of infant or child restraints is
required by law in all 50 states, the
District of Columbia, the U.S. territo-
ries and all Canadian provinces.
Infants and small children should be
seated in an appropriate infant or child
restraint system properly secured by a
lap-shoulder belt or, if so equipped, a
child restraint lower anchorage system
that complies with U.S. Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards 213 and 225
and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 210.2.

71 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
A statement by the child restraint man-
ufacturer of compliance with this stan-
dard can be found on the instruction
label on the restraint and in the
instruction manual provided with the
restraint.
When using any infant or child restraint
system, be sure to carefully read and
follow all manufacturer’s instructions
for installation and use.
Please read and observe warning labels
affixed to inside of vehicle and to infant
or child restraints.
Warning!
G
Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart
TM1

compatible child seat, which operates with
the BabySmart
TM system installed in the ve-
hicle to deactivate the passenger front
air bag when it is properly installed. Other-
wise they will be struck by the air bag when
it inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious
or fatal injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing positions. Infants and small children
must ride in back seats and be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system,
which is properly secured with the vehicle’s
seat belt and top tether strap, or secured via
lower anchors and top tether strap, fully in
accordance with the child seat manufactur-
er’s instructions.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.
Infants and small children should never
share a seat belt with another occupant.
During an accident, they could be crushed
between the occupant and seat belt.
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.
Children too big for child restraint systems
must ride in back seats using regular seat
belts. Position shoulder belt across chest
and shoulder, not face or neck. A booster
seat may be necessary to achieve proper
belt positioning for children from 41 lbs until
they reach a height where a lap/shoulder
belt fits properly without a booster.
When the child restraint is not in use, re-
move it from the vehicle or secure it with the
seat belt to prevent the child restraint from
becoming a projectile in the event of an ac-
cident.


72 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetyBabySmart
TM1
air bag deactivation
system
The56 indicator lamp is located in
the center console.
1Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lampSpecial BabySmart
TM compatible child
seats, designed for use with the
Mercedes-Benz system and available at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center are
required for use with the BabySmart
TM
air bag deactivation system. With the spe-
cial child seat properly installed, the pas-
senger front air bag will not deploy.
The56 indicator lamp will be
illuminated, except with the SmartKey
removed or in starter switch position0.Self-test BabySmart
TM without special
child seat installed
After turning the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position1 or2,
the56indicator lamp comes on
for approximately six seconds and then
goes out.
If the56indicator lamp should not
come on or is continuously lit, the system
is not functioning. You must see an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center before
seating any child on the front passenger
seat.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 300).
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle; even if the children are secured in a
child restraint system. Unsupervised chil-
dren in a child restraint system may use ve-
hicle equipment and may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.
iThe system does not deactivate the
side impact air bag and the emergency
tensioning device.


73 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Warning!
G
The BabySmart
TM1
air bag deactivation sys-
tem will ONLY work with a special child seat
designed to operate with it. It will not work
with child seats which are not BabySmart
TM
compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion
and child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces
the effectiveness of the deactivation sys-
tem. The bottom of the child seat must
make full contact with the passenger seat
cushion. An incorrectly mounted child seat
could cause injuries to the child in case of an
accident, instead of protecting the child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.
Warning!
G
When using a BabySmart
TM compatible
child seat on the front passenger seat, the
passenger front air bag will not deploy only
if the56indicator lamp (
page 72)
remains illuminated.
Please be sure to check
the56indicator lamp every time
you use the special system child seat.
Should the56indicator lamp go out
while the restraint is installed, please check
installation. If the56indicator lamp
remains out, do not use the BabySmart
TM
restraint to transport children on the front
passenger seat until the system has been
repaired.
Warning!
G
Do not place powered-on laptops, cell
phones and like electronic devices on the
front passenger seat. Signals from such de-
vices may interfere with the BabySmart
TM
system. Such signal interference may cause
the56indicator lamp (
page 72)
not to come on during self-test or be contin-
uously lit, indicating that the system is not
functioning.

74 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetyInstallation of infant and child restraint
systems
Prior to installing a tether strap, note the
following steps:
Roll up retractable luggage cover and
partition net.

If you place a child seat in the left or
center rear seat position, remove twin
roller blind (
page 229) and return
seat to its original position.

If you place a child seat in the right rear
seat position, the twin roller blind can
remain installed if so desired.

Fold the rear backrest slightly forward
(page 230).

Guide top tether strap between head
restraint and top of seat back.
Head restraints must be installed
(if removable) and positioned such that
the top tether strap can pass freely
between the head restraint and top of
the seat back.
Make sure the tether strap is not
twisted.

Fold the rear backrest back until it
locks in place (
page 231).Anchorage rings1 are located on the
back side of the outer rear backrests and
on the floor behind the rear center seat.
1Anchorage ring
2Hook
!Do not reinstall twin roller blind with a
child seat and top tether installed in the
left and center rear seat position.
iWith a child seat and top tether
installed in the right rear seat position
and twin roller blind installed, make
sure the top tether strap is positioned
between seat backrest and twin roller
blind.
Warning!
G
Always lock backrest in its upright position
when rear seat bench is occupied by pas-
sengers, or the extended cargo area is not in
use. Check for secure locking by pushing
and pulling on the backrest.

75 Safety and Security
Occupant safety

Fold up anchorage ring1.

Securely fasten hook2, which is part
of the tether strap, to anchorage
ring1.
1Anchorage ring
2HookOnce the top tether anchorage hook is
attached, the child restraint itself can be
secured. Tighten the top tether strap
according to the child restraint
manufacturer's instructions
Child seat anchors – LATCH-type
This vehicle is equipped with two LATCH-
(L
ower A
nchors and T
ethers for CH
ildren)
type anchors (at each of the outer rear
seats) for the installation of a LATCH-type
child seat with the matching mounting
fittings.The foldable LATCH-type anchors are
located between the seat cushion and the
backrest.
1Anchors
2Button

Grip inner side of anchors1 and fold
forward until they audibly lock in place.

Install child seat according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
iFor safety, make sure the hook has
attached to the ring beyond the safety
catch, as illustrated.
iIf a child seat is not installed, the
LATCH-type anchors can be folded
back between the seat cushion and the
backrest (
page 76).

76 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetyTo fold anchors back
Press down button2 on each anchor
and return anchor1 to its catch.iThe child seat must be firmly attached
in the right and left side anchors1.
With a child seat installed in the left
rear seat, the seat belt for the center
seat occupied by a passenger must op-
erate freely. Guide seat belt between
its seat cushion mount and backrest
mount along outside of right side child
seat anchor.iNon-LATCH-type child seats may also
be used and can be installed using the
vehicle’s seat belt system. Install child
seat according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.
Warning!
G
Children too big for child restraint systems
must ride in back seats using regular seat
belts. Position shoulder belt across chest
and shoulder, not face or neck. A booster
seat may be necessary to achieve proper
belt positioning for children from 41 lbs until
they reach a height where a lap/shoulder
belt fits properly without a booster.
Before installing the child seat, make sure
anchors1 are folded out and locked in
place.
Install child seat according to manufactur-
er’s instructions.
T h e c h i l d s e a t m u s t b e f i r m l y a t t a c h e d i n t h e
right and left side anchors1.
An incorrectly mounted child seat may come
loose during an accident which could result
in serious injury or death to your child.
Damaged or impact damaged child seats or
child seat anchors1 must be replaced.
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, even if the children are secured in a
child restraint system.

105 Controls in detail
Memory function*
Memory function*
You can store up to three different settings
per SmartKey.
The following settings are stored when
using the buttons on the driver’s door:

Driver’s seat, backrest and head
restraint position


Steering wheel position


Exterior rear view mirror positions
These key-dependent memory settings
can be deactivated if desired. For informa-
tion on key-dependent memory settings,
see “Setting key-dependency”
(
page 145).The following settings are not
key-dependent. They are stored when
using the buttons on the front passenger
door:


Front passenger seat, backrest and
head restraint position
!Prior to operating the vehicle, the
driver should check and adjust the seat
height, seat position fore and aft, and
seat backrest angle if necessary, to
ensure adequate control, reach and
comfort. The head restraint should also
be adjusted for proper height. See also
the section on air bags (
page 61) for
proper seat positioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to
ensure adequate control, reach, opera-
tion and comfort. Both the interior and
exterior rear view mirrors should be
adjusted for adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small
children should be seated in a properly
secured restraint system that complies
with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 225 and Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213
and 210.2.
Warning!
G
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating the memory function
while driving could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.