child seat MERCEDES-BENZ GLS 2017 Owners Manual

Index ....................................................... 4
Introduction ......................................... 25
Protecting the environment .................. .2 5
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts .............. .2 5
Operator's Manual ................................. 26
Service and vehicle operation ............... .2 6
Operating safety .................................... 28
QR codes for the rescue card ............... .3 0
Data stored in the vehicle ...................... 30
Information on copyright ....................... 32
At a glance ........................................... 33
Cockpit .................................................. 33
Instrument cluster ................................. 34
Multifunction steering wheel ................. 35
Center console ...................................... 36
Overhead control panel ........................ .3 9
Door control panel ................................. 40
Safety ................................................... 41
Panic alarm ............................................ 41
Occupant safety .................................... 41
Children in the vehicle ........................... 57
Pets in the vehicle ................................. 62
Driving safety systems ........................... 63
Protection against theft ........................ .7 2
Opening and closing ........................... 74
SmartKey ............................................... 74
Doors ..................................................... 80
Cargo compartment .............................. .8 1
Side windows ......................................... 85
Sliding sunroof ....................................... 89
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors .... 94
Correct driver's seat position ................ 94
Seats ..................................................... 94
Steering wheel ..................................... 105
Mirrors ................................................. 107
Memory function ................................. 110
Lights and windshield wipers .......... 112
Exterior lighting ................................... 112 Interior lighting .................................... 116
Replacing bulbs (vehicles with LED
headlamps) .......................................... 117
Replacing bulbs (vehicles with halo-
gen headlamps) ................................... 117
Windshield wipers ................................ 119
Climate control ................................. 123
Overview of climate control systems ... 123
Operating the climate control sys-
tems .................................................... 129
Setting the air vents ............................ 134
Driving and parking .......................... 137
Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle ..... 137
Driving ................................................. 137
DYNAMIC SELECT controller ............... 145
Automatic transmission ....................... 146
Refueling ............................................. 153
Parking ................................................ 159
Driving tips .......................................... 162
Driving systems ................................... 172
Towing a trailer .................................... 221
On-board computer and displays .... 229
Important safety notes ........................ 229
Displays and operation ........................ 229
Menus and submenus ......................... 232
Display messages ................................ 243
Warning and indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster ............................... 274
Multimedia system ........................... 287
General notes ...................................... 287
Important safety notes ........................ 287
Function restrictions ............................ 287
Operating system ................................ 288
Stowage and features ...................... 294
Stowage areas ..................................... 294
Features .............................................. 302
Maintenance and care ...................... 319
Engine compartment ........................... 319
ASSYST PLUS ...................................... 3232
Contents

Roof linin g ...................................... 33 0
Se at belt ........................................ 330
Seat cover .................................... .3 30
Sensors ......................................... 328
Side running board ........................ 327
Steering wheel ............................... 329
Trim pieces ................................... .3 30
Washing by hand ........................... 325
Wheels .......................................... .3 26
Windows ........................................ 327
Wiper blades .................................. 327
Wooden trim .................................. 330
Cargo compartment cover
Notes/how to use ......................... 300
Cargo compartment enlargement
Important safety notes .................. 297
Cargo compartment floor
Important safety notes .................. 301
Opening/closing ............................ 301
Stowage well (under) ..................... 301
Cargo tie down rings ......................... 299
CD
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ................................................. .2 87
CD player (on-board computer) ....... .2 35
Center console
Lower section .................................. 37
Upper section .................................. 36
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 239
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ....... .7 4
Child
Restraint system .............................. 58
Child seat
Forward-facing restraint system ...... 61
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ............................................ 59
On the front-passenger seat ............ 61
Rearwar d-fac ing restraint system .... 61
Top
Tether ...................................... .6 0
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes .................... 61
Rear doors ...................................... .6 2
Children
Special seat belt retractor .............. .5 7
Cigarette lighter ................................ 306 Cleaning
Mirror turn signal .......................... .3 27
Trailer tow hitch ............................ .3 29
Climate control
3-zone automatic climate control
with additional rear-compartment
climate control ............................... 127
Automatic climate control (3-
zone) .............................................. 125
Controlling automatically .............. .1 30
Cooling with air dehumidification .. 130
Defrosting the windows ................. 132
Defrosting the windshield .............. 132
Dual-zone automatic climate con-
trol ................................................. 123
General notes ................................ 123
Indicator lamp ................................ 130
Ionization ....................................... 134
Maximum cooling .......................... 132
Notes on using the automatic cli-
mate control .................................. 129
Overview of systems ..................... .1 23
Problem with the rear window
defroster ........................................ 133
Problems with cooling with air
dehumidification ............................ 130
Rear control panel ......................... 125
Rear control panel (3-zone auto-
matic climate control with addi-
tional rear-compartment climate
control) .......................................... 127
Refrigerant ..................................... 383
R ef
rigerant filling capacity ............. 384
Setting the air distribution ............. 131
Setting the air vents ..................... .1 34
Setting the airflow ......................... 131
Setting the climate mode (AIR
FLOW) ............................................ 130
Setting the temperature ................ 131
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ............................................ 133
Switching on/off ........................... 129
Switching residual heat on/off ...... 133
Switching the rear window
defroster on/off ............................ 133
Switching the ZONE function
on/off ............................................ 132
Coat hooks ......................................... 300 Index 7

Interior lighting
Automatic control .......................... 117
Emergency lighting ........................ 117
General notes ................................ 117
Manual control .............................. .1 16
Overview ........................................ 116
Reading lamp ................................. 116
iPod ®
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ................................................. .2 87
J Jack
Storage location ............................ 331
Using ............................................. 368
Jump starting (engine) ..................... .3 38
K Key positions
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 138
SmartKey ....................................... 138
KEYLESS-GO
Activating ......................................... 75
Convenience closing feature ............ 88
Deactivation ..................................... 75
Display message ............................ 273
Locking ............................................ 75
Removing the Start/Stop button ... 139
Start function ................................... 76
Start/Stop button .......................... 138
Starting the engine ........................ 140
Unlocking ......................................... 75
Kickdown
Driving tips ................................... .1 49
Manual gearshifting ....................... 152
Knee bag .............................................. 47
L
Lamps
see Warning and indicator lamps
Lane Keeping Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 238
Display message ............................ 264
Function/information .................... 209
see Active Lane Keeping Assist
Lap time (RACETIMER) ...................... 241 LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ................................................ 59
Level control
AIRMATIC ...................................... 188
Level control (display message) ...... 261
Level control (vehicle with the Off-
Road Engineering package)
Basic settings ................................ 182
Function/notes ............................. 182
Important safety notes .................. 182
License plate lamp (display mes-
sage) ................................................... 256
Light function, active
Display message ............................ 256
Light sensor (display message) ....... 256
Lights
Activating/deactivating the Intel-
ligent Light System ........................ 239
Active light function ....................... 114
Adaptive Highbeam Assist ............. 115
Automatic headlamp mode ............ 112
Fog lamps (extended) .................... 115
Hazard warning lamps ................... 114
High beam flasher .......................... 113
High-beam headlamps ................... 113
Highway mode ............................... 114
Light switch ................................... 112
Low-beam headlamps .................... 113
Off-road lights ................................ 115
Parking lamps ................................ 113
Rear fog lamp ................................ 113
Standing lamps .............................. 113
Switching the daytime running
lamps on/off (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 239
Turn signals ................................... 113
see Interior lighting
see Replacing bulbs
Loading guidelines ............................ 294
Locking
see Central locking
Locking (doors)
Automatic ........................................ 81
Emergency locking ........................... 81
From inside (central locking but-
ton) .................................................. 80 Index 13

Mounting wheels
Lowering the vehicle ...................... 370
Mounting a new wheel ................... 369
Preparing the vehicle .................... .3 67
Raising the vehicle ......................... 368
Removing a wheel .......................... 369
Securing the vehicle against roll-
ing away ........................................ 367
MP3
Operation ....................................... 235
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ................................................. .2 87
see separate operating instructions
Multifunction display
Function/notes ............................ .2 31
Permanent display ......................... 238
Multifunction steering wheel
Operating the on-board computer .. 230
Overview .......................................... 35
Multimedia system
see Separate operating instructions
Music files
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ................................................. .2 87
N
Navigation
Menu (on-board computer) ............ 233
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ................................................. .2 87
see separate operating instructions
Notes on breaking-in a new vehi-
cle ....................................................... 137
O
Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
Conditions ....................................... 49
Faults ............................................... 52
Operation ......................................... 49
System self-test ............................... 51
Occupant safety
Air bags .......................................... .4 6
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 56
Children in the vehicle ..................... 57
Important safety notes .................... 41 Introduction to the restraint sys-
tem .................................................. 41
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) ............................................... 48
PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator
lamps ............................................... 42
Pets in the vehicle ........................... 62
PRE-SAFE ®
(anticipatory occu-
pant protection) ............................... 55
PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS (anticipatory
occupant protection PLUS) .............. 56
Restraint system warning lamp ........ 42
Seat belt .......................................... 42
OCS
Conditions ....................................... 49
Faults ............................................... 52
Operation ......................................... 49
System self-test ............................... 51
Odometer ........................................... 232
Off-road driving
Approach/departure angle ............ 386
Checklist after driving off-road ...... 169
Checklist before driving off-road .... 169
Fording depth ................................ 385
General information ....................... 168
Important safety notes .................. 168
Maximum gradient climbing abil-
ity .................................................. 386
Traveling uphill ............................... 171
Off-road lights .................................... 115
Off-Road program (vehicles with-
out Off-Road Engineering package)
Function/notes ............................. 217
Off-road programs (vehicles with
Off-Road Engineering package)
Function/notes ............................. 218
Off-road drive program .................. 218
Offroad Plus drive program ............ 218
Off-road programs (vehicles with
the Off-Road Engi neerin g package)
Di splays in the COMAND display ... 221
Off-road system
4MATIC .......................................... 215
DSR ............................................... 216
LOW RANGE off-road gear ............. 219
Off-road 4ETS .................................. 67
Off-road ABS .................................... 64 Index 15

Remote control
Garage door opener ....................... 315
Programming (garage door
opener) .......................................... 316
Replacing bulbs
General notes ................................ 117
High-beam headlamps ................... 119
Important safety notes .................. 117
Installing/removing the cover
(front wheel arch) .......................... 118
Low-beam headlamps .................... 118
Overview of bulb types .................. 118
Turn signals (front) ......................... 119
Reporting safety defects .................... 30
Rescue card ......................................... 30
Reserve (fuel tank)
see Fuel
Reserve fuel
Display message ............................ 259
Warning lamp ................................. 283
Residual heat (climate control) ........ 133
Restraint system
Display message ............................ 252
Introduction ..................................... 41
Warning lamp ................................. 282
Warning lamp (function) ................... 42
Reversing feature
Panorama sliding sunroof ................ 90
Roller sunblinds ............................... 91
Side windows ................................... 86
Sliding sunroof ................................. 90
Tailgate ............................................ 82
Reversing lamps (display mes-
sage) ................................................... 256
Roadside Assistance (breakdown) .... 27
Roller sunblind
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel ..................................... 91
Rear side windows ......................... 304
Roof carrier ........................................ 302
Roof lining and carpets (cleaning
guidelines) ......................................... 330
Roof load (maximum) ........................ 384
Route (navigation)
see Route guidance (navigation) Route guidance
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 287
Route guidance (navigation) ............ 233
S Safety
Children in the vehicle ..................... 57
see Occupant safety
see Operating safety
Safety system
see Driving safety systems
SD card
Inserting ........................................ 292
Inserting/removing ........................ 292
Removing ....................................... 292
SD memory card
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 287
Selecting ........................................ 235
Search & Send
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 287
Seat belts
Adjusting the driver's and front-
passenger seat belt ......................... 45
Adjusting the height ......................... 44
Cleaning ......................................... 330
Correct usage .................................. 44
Fastening ......................................... 44
Important safety guidelines ............. 43
Introduction ..................................... 42
Releasing ......................................... 45
Switching belt adjustment on/off
(on-board computer) ...................... 240
Warning lamp ................................. 275
Warning lamp (function) ................... 45
Seats
Adjusting (electrically) ..................... 96
Adjusting the 4-way lumbar sup-
port ................................................ 103
Adjusting the head restraint ............ 96
Calling up a stored setting (mem-
ory function) .................................. 111
Cleaning the cover ......................... 330
Correct driver's seat position ........... 94
Entry position (3rd row of seats) .... 10018
Index

Panic alarm X
To activate: press 3 button C for at least
one second.
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed. X
To deactivate: press 3 button C again.
or X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
or X
Press the KEYLESS-GO Start/Stop button.
The KEYLESS-GO key must be in the vehicle.
Occupant safety
Introduction to the restraint system The restraint system can reduce the risk of vehi-
cle occupants coming into contact with parts of
the vehicle's interior in the event of an accident.
The restraint system can also reduce the forces
to which vehicle occupants are subjected during
an accident.
The restraint system comprises: R
seat belt system R
air bags R
child restraint system R
child seat securing systems
The components of the restraint system work in
conjunction with each other. They can only
deploy their protective function if, at all times, all
vehicle occupants: R
have fastened their seat belts correctly
( Y
page 44) R
have adjusted their seat and head restraint
properly ( Y
page 94). As the driver, you also have to make sure that
the steering wheel is adjusted correctly.
Observe the information relating to the correct
driver's seat position ( Y
page 94).
You also have to make sure that an air bag can
inflate properly if deployed ( Y
page 46).
An air bag supplements a correctly worn seat
belt. As an additional safety device, the air bag
increases the level of protection for vehicle
occupants in the event of an accident. For exam-
ple, if, in the event of an accident, the protection
offered by the seat belt is sufficient, the air bags
are not deployed. When an accident occurs, only
the air bags that increase protection in that par-
ticular accident situation are deployed. How-
ever, seat belts and air bags generally do not
protect against objects penetrating the vehicle
from the outside.
Information on restraint system operation can
be found under "Triggering of the Emergency
Tensioning Devices and air bags" ( Y
page 53).
For information on children traveling with you in
the vehicle and on child restraint systems, see
"Children in the vehicle" ( Y
page 57).
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Modifications to the restraint system may
cause it to no longer work as intended. The
restraint system may then not perform its
intended protective function and may fail in an
accident or trigger unexpectedly, for example.
This poses an increased risk of injury or even
fatal injury.
Never modify parts of the restraint system.
Never tamper with the wiring, the electronic
components or their software.
If it is necessary to modify components of the
restraint system to accommodate a person
with disabilities, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for details. USA only:
for further information contact our Customer
Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1 ‑ 800 ‑ 367 ‑ 6372).
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only use
driving aids which have been approved specifi-
cally for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz.Occupant safety 41
Safety Z

Restraint system warning lamp The functions of the restraint system are
checked after the ignition is switched on and at
regular intervals while the engine is running.
Therefore, malfunctions can be detected in
good time.
The u restraint system warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the ignition is
switched on. It goes out no later than a few sec-
onds after the vehicle is started. The compo-
nents of the restraint system are in operational
readiness.
A malfunction has occurred if the u restraint
system warning lamp: R
does not light up after the ignition is switched
on R
does not go out after a few seconds with the
engine running R
lights up again while the engine is running
G WARNING
If the restraint system is malfunctioning,
restraint system components may be trig-
gered unintentionally or may not deploy as
intended during an accident. This can affect
for example the Emergency Tensioning
Device or the air bag. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Have the restraint system checked and
repaired in a qualified specialist workshop as
soon as possible.
PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp C and
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp D are
part of the Occupant Classification System
(OCS). The indicator lamps display the status of the
front-passenger front air bag. R
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON lights up for 60 sec-
onds, subsequently both indicator lamps are
off (PASSENGER AIR BAG ON and OFF): the
front-passenger front air bag is able to deploy
in the event of an accident. R
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF lights up: the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated. It will
then not be deployed in the event of an acci-
dent.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp is
off, only the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp shows the status of the front-passenger
front air bag. The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp may be lit continuously or be off.
Depending on the person in the front-passenger
seat, the front-passenger front air bag must
either be deactivated or enabled; see the fol-
lowing points. You must make sure of this both
before and during a journey. R
Children in a child restraint system:
whether the front-passenger front air bag is
enabled or deactivated depends on the instal-
led child restraint system, and the age and
size of the child. Therefore, be sure to observe
the notes on the "Occupant Classification
System (OCS)" ( Y
page 48) and on "Chil-
dren in the vehicle" ( Y
page 57). There you
w ill also find instructions on rearward and
forward-facing child restraint systems on the
front-passenger seat. R
All other persons: depending on the classi-
fication of the person in the front-passenger
seat, the front-passenger front air bag is ena-
bled or deactivated ( Y
page 48). Be sure to
observe the notes on "Seat
belts“ ( Y
page 42) and "Air bags"
( Y
page 46). There you can also find infor-
mation on the correct seat position.
Seat belts
Introduction
Seat belts are the most effective means of
restricting the movement of vehicle occupants
in the event of an accident or the vehicle rolling
over. This reduces the risk of vehicle occupants
coming into contact with parts of the vehicle
interior or being ejected from the vehicle. Fur-
thermore, the seat belt helps to keep the vehicle42
Occupant safety
Safety

occupant in the best position in relation to the
air bag.
The seat belt system comprises: R
Seat belts R
Emergency Tensioning Devices for the front
seat belts and the outer seat belts in the sec-
ond row of seats as well as the seat belts in
the third row R
Seat belt force limiters for the front seat belts
and the outer seat belts in the second row of
seats as well as the seat belts in the third row
If the seat belt is pulled out of the belt outlet
quickly or with a jerky movement, the belt
retractor locks. The belt strap cannot be extrac-
ted any further.
The Emergency Tensioning Device tightens the
seat belt in an accident, pulling the belt close
against the body. However it does not pull the
vehicle occupant back in the direction of the
backrest.
The Emergency Tensioning Device does not cor-
rect an incorrect seat position or the routing of
an incorrectly fastened seat belt.
When triggered, a seat belt force limiter helps to
reduce the force exerted by the seat belt on the
vehicle occupant.
The seat belt force limiters for the front seats are
synchronized with the front air bags, which
absorb part of the deceleration force. This can
reduce the force exerted on the vehicle occu-
pants during an accident.
! If the front-passenger seat is unoccupied,
do not insert the belt tongue into the buckle of
the front-passenger seat. This may otherwise
lead to the triggering of the Emergency Ten-
sioning Device in the event of an accident,
which will then need to be replaced.
Important safety notes The use of seat belts and child restraint systems
is required by law in: R
all 50 states R
the U.S. territories R
the District of Columbia R
all Canadian provinces
Even where this is not required by law, all vehicle
occupants should correctly fasten their seat
belts before starting the journey. G WARNING
If the seat belt is not worn correctly, it cannot
perform its intended protective function. An
incorrectly fastened seat belt can also cause
injuries, for example, in the event of an acci-
dent or when braking or changing direction
abruptly. This poses an increased risk of injury
or even fatal injury.
Always ensure that all vehicle occupants have
their seat belts fastened correctly and are sit-
ting properly.
G WARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended level
of protection if you have not moved the back-
rest to an almost vertical position. When brak-
ing or in the event of an accident, you could
slide underneath the seat belt and sustain
abdomen or neck injuries, for example. This
poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal
injury.
Adjust the seat properly before beginning
your journey. Always ensure that the backrest
is in an almost vertical position and that the
shoulder section of your seat belt is routed
across the center of your shoulder.
G WARNING
Persons less than 5 ft (1.50 m) tall cannot
wear the seat belt correctly without an addi-
tional and suitable restraint system. If the
seat belt is not worn correctly, it cannot per-
form its intended protective function. An
incorrectly fastened seat belt can also cause
injuries, for example, in the event of an acci-
dent or when braking or changing direction
abruptly. This poses an increased risk of injury
or even fatal injury.
For this reason, always secure persons under
5 ft (1.50 m) tall in suitable additional restraint
systems.
If a child younger than twelve years old and
under 5 ft (1.50 m) in height is traveling in the
vehicle: R
always secure the child in a child restraint
system suitable for this Mercedes-Benz vehi-Occupant safety 43
Safety Z

cle. The child restraint system must be appro-
priate to the age, weight and size of the child R
always observe the instructions and safety
notes on "Children in the vehicle"
( Y
page 57) in addition to the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation and oper-
ating instructions R
be sure to observe the instructions and safety
notes on the "Occupant classification system
(OCS)" ( Y
page 48)
G WARNING
The seat belts may not perform their intended
protective function if: R
they are damaged, modified, extremely
dirty, bleached or dyed R
the seat belt buckle is damaged or
extremely dirty R
the Emergency Tensioning Devices, belt
anchorages or inertia reels have been modi-
fied.
Seat belts may be damaged in an accident,
although the damage may not be visible, e.g.
due to splinters of glass. Modified or damaged
seat belts may tear or fail, e.g. in an accident.
Modified Emergency Tensioning Devices
could accidentally trigger or fail to deploy
when necessary. This poses an increased risk
of injury or even fatal injury.
Never modify the seat belts, Emergency Ten-
sioning Devices, belt anchorages and inertia
reels. Make sure that the seat belts are
undamaged, not worn out and clean. Follow-
ing an accident, have the seat belts checked
immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Only use seat belts that have been approved for
your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz.
Proper use of the seat belts
Observe the safety notes on the seat belt
( Y
page 43).
All vehicle occupants must be wearing the seat
belt correctly before beginning the journey. Also
make sure that all vehicle occupants are always
wearing the seat belt correctly while the vehicle
is in motion. When fastening the seat belt, always make sure
that: R
the seat belt tongue is only inserted to the belt
buckle belonging to that seat. R
the seat belt is tight across your body.
Avoid wearing bulky clothing, e.g. a winter
coat. R
the seat belt is not twisted.
Only then can the forces which occur be dis-
tributed over the area of the belt. R
the shoulder section of the belt is always
routed across the center of your shoulder.
The shoulder section of the belt must not
come into contact with your neck or be routed
under your arm. Where possible, adjust the
seat belt to the appropriate height. R
the lap belt passes tightly and as low down as
possible across your lap.
The lap belt must always be routed across
your hip joints and not across your abdomen.
This applies particularly to pregnant women.
If necessary, push the lap belt down to your
hip joint and pull it tight using the shoulder
section of the belt. R
the seat belt is not routed across sharp, poin-
ted or fragile objects.
If you have su ch i tems located on or in your
cl
othing, e.g. pens, keys or eyeglasses, store
these in a suitable place. R
only one person is using a seat belt at a time.
Infants and children must never travel sitting
on the lap of a vehicle occupant. In the event
of an accident, they could be crushed
between the vehicle occupant and seat belt. R
objects are never secured with a seat belt if
the seat belt is also being used by one of the
vehicle's occupants.
Also ensure that there are never objects
between a person and the seat, e.g. cushions.
Seat belts are only intended to secure and
restrain vehicle occupants. Always observe the
"Loading guidelines" for securing objects, lug-
gage or loads ( Y
page 294).
Fastening and adjusting the seat belts
Observe the safety notes on the seat belt
( Y
page 43) and the notes on correct use of seat
belts ( Y
page 44).44
Occupant safety
Safety

driver or front passenger have fastened their
seat belts.
If the driver or front passenger unfasten their
seat belts during the journey, the seat belt warn-
ing is activated again.
Air bags
Introduction The installation point of an air bag can be rec-
ognized by the AIR BAG symbol.
An air bag complements the correctly fastened
seat belt. It is no substitute for the seat belt. The
air bag provides additional protection in appli-
cable accident situations.
Not all air bags are deployed in an accident. The
different air bag systems function independ-
ently from one another ( Y
page 53).
However, no system available today can com-
pletely eliminate injuries and fatalities.
It is also not possible to rule out a risk of injury
caused by an air bag due to the high speed at
which the air bag must be deployed.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If you do not sit in the correct seat position,
the air bag cannot protect as intended and
could even cause additional injury when
deployed. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
To avoid hazardous situations, always make
sure that all of the vehicle's occupants: R
have fastened their seat belts correctly,
including pregnant women R
are sitting correctly and maintain the great-
est possible distance to the air bags R
follow the following instructions
Always make sure that there are no objects
between the air bag and the vehicle's occu-
pants. R
Adjust the seats properly before beginning
your journey. Always make sure that the seat
is in an almost upright position. The center of the head restraint must support the head at
about eye level. R
Move the driver's and front-passenger seats
as far back as possible. The driver's seat posi-
tion must allow the vehicle to be driven safely. R
Only hold the steering wheel on the outside.
This allows the air bag to be fully deployed. R
Always lean against the backrest while driv-
ing. Do not lean forwards or lean against the
door or side window. You may otherwise be in
the deployment area of the air bags. R
Always keep your feet in the footwell in front
of the seat. Do not put your feet on the dash-
board, for example. Your feet may otherwise
be in the deployment area of the air bag. R
For this reason, always secure persons less
than 5 ft (1.50 m) tall in suitable restraint sys-
tems. Up to this height, the seat belt cannot
be worn correctly.
If a child is traveling in your vehicle, also
observe the following notes: R
Always secure children under twelve years of
age and less than 5 ft (1.50 m) tall in suitable
child restraint systems. R
Child restraint systems should be installed on
the rear seats. R
Only secure a child in a rearward-facing child
re straint system on the front-passenger seat
when the front-passenger front air bag is
deactivated. If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp is permanently lit, the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated
( Y
page 42). R
Always observe the instructions and safety
notes on the "Occupant Classification System
(OCS)" ( Y
page 48) and on "Children in the
vehicle" ( Y
page 57 )i n addition to the child
restraint system manufacturer's installation
and operating instructions.
Objects in the vehicle interior may prevent
an air bag from functioning correctly. Before
starting your journey and to avoid risks resulting
from the speed of the air bag as it deploys, make
sure that: R
there are no people, animals or objects
between the vehicle occupants and an air
bag. R
there are no objects between the seat, door
and B-pillar. R
no hard objects, e.g. coat hangers, hang on
the grab handles or coat hooks.46
Occupant safety
Safety