child seat MERCEDES-BENZ METRIS 2020 MY20 Operator’s Manual

Index
....................................................... 4Introduction .........................................
27
Operating Instructions ........................... 27
Service and vehicle operation ................ 27
Proper use ............................................. 29
Protection of the environment ............... 29
Operating safety and vehicle
approval ................................................. 30
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts ............... 34
QR code for rescue card ........................ 35
Data stored in the vehicle ...................... 35 At a glance
........................................... 37
Cockpit ..................................................
37
Instrument cluster (vehicles without
steering wheel buttons) ......................... 38
Instrument cluster (vehicles with
steering wheel buttons) ......................... 40
Steering wheel buttons .......................... 42
Center console ...................................... 43
Overhead control panel ......................... 44
Door control panel ................................. 44 Safety ...................................................
46
Useful information .................................
46
Occupant safety .................................... 46
Children in the vehicle ........................... 60
Pets in the vehicle ................................. 66
Driving safety systems ........................... 66
Theft deterrent locking system .............. 70 Opening and closing
...........................71
Useful information .................................
71
Key ........................................................ 71
Central locking ...................................... 75
Driver's door and co-driver's door ......... 76
Sliding door ........................................... 77
Electric sliding door ............................... 78
Tailgate .................................................. 81
Rear-end doors ...................................... 82
Side windows ......................................... 84 Seats, steering wheel and mir-
rors .......................................................
87
Useful information .................................

87
Seats ..................................................... 87
Steering wheel ....................................... 95
Mirrors ................................................... 96
Memory function ................................... 97 Lights and windshield wipers
............99
Useful information .................................
99
Exterior lighting ..................................... 99
Interior lighting .................................... 102
Replacing bulbs: interior lighting and
ambient lamps ..................................... 103
Replacing bulbs ................................... 105
Windshield wipers ................................ 109 Climate control
................................. 114
Useful information ...............................
114
Overview of climate control systems ... 114
Operating the climate control sys-
tem ...................................................... 117
Adjusting the air vents ......................... 124 Driving and parking ..........................
126
Useful information ...............................
126
Breaking-in notes ................................. 126
Driving ................................................. 126
Automatic transmission ....................... 130
Refueling ............................................. 136
Parking ................................................ 138
Driving tips .......................................... 140
Driving systems ................................... 146
Towing a trailer .................................... 168 On-board computer and displays
....174
Useful information ...............................
174
Important safety notes ........................ 174
Display and operation .......................... 174
On-board computer (vehicles without
steering wheel buttons) ....................... 176
On-board computer (vehicles with
steering wheel buttons) ....................... 181
Display messages (vehicles without
steering wheel buttons) ....................... 194 2
Contents

Cargo compartment
Options .......................................... 244
Seating ............................................ 90
Cargo compartment lamp
Changing bulbs .............................. 104
Cargo compartment lighting
Switching on centrally ................... 103
Switching on locally ....................... 103
Cargo tie-down points and tie
downs
Important safety notes .................. 244
Cargo tie-down rings
Permissible tensile load ................. 314
Center console
Controls ........................................... 43
Central locking
Activating/deactivating the
acoustic locking confirmation
(on-board computer) ...................... 194
Automatic locking ............................ 76
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 194
Locking/unlocking (buttons) ........... 75
Locking/unlocking (emergency
key element) .................................... 72
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ........ 71
Central locking system
see Central locking
Change of address .............................. 28
Change of ownership .......................... 28
Changing a bulb
Ambient lamp in the front door ...... 104
Halogen headlamps ....................... 105
Mirror lamp in the headliner .......... 104
Signal and ambient light in the
tailgate .......................................... 105
Trunk lamp in the side trim panel .. 104
Changing bulbs
Additional turn signals ................... 107
Ambient lamp in tailgate ................ 104
Backup lamps ................................ 108
Brake lamps ................................... 108
Cargo compartment lamp .............. 104
Daytime running lamps .................. 107
High-beam headlamps ................... 107
Installing/removing a rear lamp
cluster ........................................... 108 Installing/removing the cover in
the wheel arch
............................... 106
Installing/removing the tail lamp ... 108
Interior light ................................... 103
Interior lighting .............................. 103
Low-beam headlamps .................... 106
Overview of lamp types (front
bulbs) ............................................. 106
Overview of lamp types (rear
bulbs) ............................................. 108
Parking lamps ................................ 107
Rear fog lamp ................................ 108
Rear interior light in the head-
liner ............................................... 104
Standing lamps (front) ................... 107
Standing lamps (rear) .................... 108
Tail lamps ...................................... 108
Trunk lamp in the headliner ........... 103
Turn signals (front) ......................... 107
Turn signals (rear) .......................... 108
see Changing light bulbs
Child
Restraint system .............................. 62
Child seat
Forward-facing restraint system ...... 64
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ............................................ 63
On the front-passenger seat ............ 64
Rearward-facing restraint system .... 64
Top Tether ....................................... 63
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes .................... 65
Sliding door ..................................... 66
Children
Special seat belt retractor ............... 61
Children in the vehicle
Important safety notes .................... 60
Cigarette lighter ................................ 240
Cleaning
Trailer tow hitch ............................. 268
Cleaning
see Care
Climate control
Air conditioning in the rear com-
partment ........................................ 117
Control panel for dual-zone auto-
matic climate control ..................... 116
Controlling automatically ............... 119 Index
7

Jacking points ................................ 298
Scope of tire-changing tools
.......... 270
Storage location ............................ 270
Stowage compartment in the
rear ................................................ 271
Stowage space in the cargo com-
partment ........................................ 272
Using ............................................. 298
Jump starting (engine) ...................... 272
Jump-start (engine)
see Jump starting (engine) K
Key Display messages (vehicle with
steering wheel buttons)

................. 227
Display messages (vehicle with-
out steering wheel buttons) ........... 209
Position in the ignition lock ............ 127
Kickdown ........................................... 135L
Lamps Display messages (vehicle with-
out steering wheel buttons) ...........

202
see Warning and indicator lamps
Lane detection (automatic)
see Lane Keeping Assist
Lane Keeping Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 154
Display message ............................ 222
Function/information .................... 153
Important safety notes .................. 154
Setting sensitivity (on-board
computer) ...................................... 191
Setting the sensitivity .................... 155
Language
Display (vehicle with steering
wheel buttons) ............................... 192
Display (vehicle without steering
wheel buttons) ............................... 179
Lashing points and tie downs
Permissible tensile load ................. 313
Lashing strap
Important safety notes .................. 246
Tensioning strap ............................ 247 LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors
................................................

63
License plate lamp
Changing bulbs .............................. 105
License plate lamps
Display messages (vehicle with
steering wheel buttons) ................. 217
Display messages (vehicle with-
out steering wheel buttons) ........... 203
Light sensor
Display messages (vehicle with
steering wheel buttons) ................. 216
Display messages (vehicle with-
out steering wheel buttons) ........... 202
Lighting
see Lights
Lights
Activating/deactivating the inte-
rior lighting delayed switch-off ....... 193
Automatic headlamp mode ............ 100
Changing bulbs (halogen head-
lamps) ............................................ 105
Changing bulbs (interior lights) ...... 103
Display messages (vehicle with
steering wheel buttons) ................. 216
Driving abroad ............................... 141
Fog lamps ...................................... 100
Hazard warning lamps ................... 101
High beam flasher .......................... 101
High-beam headlamps ................... 101
Important safety notes .................... 99
Light switch ..................................... 99
Low-beam headlamps .................... 100
Parking lamps .................................. 99
Rear fog lamp ................................ 100
Replacing bulbs (halogen head-
lamps) ............................................ 105
Standing lamps ................................ 99
Switching the daytime running
lamps on/off (switch) .................... 100
Switching the exterior lighting
delayed switch-off on/off (on-
board computer) ............................ 193
Switching the surround lighting
on/off (on-board computer) .......... 193
Turn signals ................................... 101
Limited Warranty ................................ 27
Load distribution ............................... 243 14
Index

Load protection net ...........................
248
Loading guidelines ............................ 242
Loading rails
Maximum tensile strength ............. 314
Loads
Securing ........................................ 244
Transporting .................................. 242
Locking
see Central locking
Locking centrally
see Central locking
Low-beam headlamps
Display messages (vehicle with
steering wheel buttons) ................. 216
Display messages (vehicle with-
out steering wheel buttons) ........... 202
Driving abroad ............................... 141
Replacing bulbs ............................. 106
Switching on/off ........................... 100
Lumbar support ................................... 89M
M+S tires ............................................
280
Maintenance ...................................... 257
Maintenance points under the
hood .................................................... 252
Maximum permissible speed
Speed limitation (tires) .................. 141
Mechanical key
Function/notes ................................ 72
Inserting .......................................... 73
Locking vehicle ................................ 73
Removing ......................................... 72
Media Interface
Connections ..................................... 43
Memory card (audio) ......................... 187
Memory function
Seat ................................................. 97
Mercedes-Benz Commercial Van
Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
Mercedes-Benz Service24h .............. 272
Message memory
On-board computer (vehicle with
steering wheel buttons) ................. 209
On-board computer (vehicle with-
out steering wheel buttons) ........... 195 Messages
see Warning and indicator lamps
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors

................................ 97
Important safety notes .................... 96
Rear-view mirror .............................. 96
see Vanity mirror
Mobile phone
Type approval/frequency .............. 304
Mobile phone
see Telephone
Model series
see Vehicle identification plate
Modifying the programming
(SmartKey) ........................................... 72
Mounting wheels
Lowering the vehicle ...................... 300
Mounting a new wheel ................... 300
Preparing the vehicle ..................... 298
Raising the vehicle ......................... 298
Removing a wheel .......................... 299
Removing and mounting the
spare wheel ................................... 303
Securing the vehicle against roll-
ing away ........................................ 298
MP3
Operation ....................................... 187 N
Navigation Menu (on-board computer) ............

185
Notes on breaking-in a new vehi-
cle ....................................................... 126 O
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) Conditions .......................................

54
Faults ............................................... 57
Operation ......................................... 54
Self-test ........................................... 56
Occupant safety
Air bags ........................................... 51
Automatic measures after an
accident ........................................... 60
Belt warning ..................................... 50
Children in the vehicle ..................... 60 Index
15

Fuel gauge (vehicle without
steering wheel buttons) .................
176
Refueling procedure (fuel) ............. 137
see Fuel
Remote control
see Key
Replacing bulbs
Important safety notes .................. 105
Replacing bulbs
see Replacing bulbs
Reporting safety defects .................... 32
Rescue card ......................................... 35
Reserve (fuel tank) see Fuel
Reserve fuel
Display messages (vehicle with
steering wheel buttons) ................. 221
Display messages (vehicle with-
out steering wheel buttons) ........... 206
Warning lamp ................................. 233
Residual heat (climate control) ........ 123
Restraint system
Display message (vehicle with
steering wheel buttons) ................. 215
Display message (vehicle without
steering wheel buttons) ................. 201
Important safety notes .................... 46
Introduction ..................................... 46
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indica-
tor lamp ........................................... 47
Warning lamp ................................. 232
Warning lamp (function) ................... 46
Reverse warning feature .................. 129
Reversing feature
Electric sliding door ......................... 78
Side windows ................................... 84
Roadside Assistance (breakdown) .... 28
Roof carrier
Maximum payload .......................... 314
Notes ............................................. 249
Roof lining and carpets (cleaning
guidelines) ......................................... 269
Roof load (roof carrier) ..................... 314S
Safety Children in the vehicle

..................... 60 Operating safety and registration .... 30
see Occupant safety
Safety system
see Driving safety systems
Seat
Correct driver's seat position ...........

87
Seat belts
Adjusting the height ......................... 50
Cleaning ......................................... 269
Correct usage .................................. 49
Fastening ......................................... 50
Important safety guidelines ............. 48
Introduction ..................................... 47
Releasing ......................................... 50
Warning lamp ................................. 228
Warning lamp (function) ................... 50
Seat sliders
Problems ......................................... 89
Seats
Adjusting (electrically) ..................... 88
Adjusting (manually) ........................ 88
Adjusting lumbar support ................ 89
Adjusting the head restraint ............ 93
Armrest ............................................ 95
Cleaning the cover ......................... 269
Important safety notes .................... 87
Seat heating .................................... 95
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ................................................. 97
Selecting a gear
see Automatic transmission
Selector lever
Cleaning ......................................... 269
see Automatic transmission
Sensors (cleaning instructions) ....... 267
Service interval display
Calling up the service due date ...... 258
Hiding service messages ............... 258
Notes ............................................. 257
Service menu (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 191
Service phone number ...................... 272
Service products
Brake fluid ..................................... 310
Coolant (engine) ............................ 310
Engine oil ....................................... 308
Fuel ................................................ 306
Important safety notes .................. 305 Index
19

Refrigerant (air-conditioning sys-
tem) ............................................... 311
Transmission oil ............................. 310
Washer fluid ................................... 312
Setting a speed
see Cruise control
Setting the air distribution ............... 120
Setting the airflow ............................ 120
Settings
Factory (vehicle with steering
wheel buttons) ............................... 194
Factory (vehicle without steering
wheel buttons) ............................... 179
On-board computer (vehicle with
steering wheel buttons) ................. 191
On-board computer (vehicle with-
out steering wheel buttons) ........... 179
Side impact air bag ............................. 52
Side windows
Cleaning ......................................... 265
Convenience closing feature ............ 85
Convenience opening feature .......... 85
Hinged side windows ....................... 84
Important safety information ........... 84
Opening/closing .............................. 85
Overview .......................................... 84
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 86
Resetting ......................................... 86
Signal and ambient light
Changing a bulb ............................. 105
Sliding door
Child-proof locks .............................. 66
Cleaning ......................................... 267
Important safety notes .................... 77
Indicator lamp ................................ 237
Opening/closing from the inside ..... 77
Opening/closing from the out-
side .................................................. 77
see Electric sliding door
SmartKey
Changing the battery ....................... 73
Changing the programming ............. 72
Checking the battery ....................... 73
Convenience closing feature ... 85, 123
Convenience opening feature .......... 85
Door central locking/unlocking ....... 71
Important safety notes .................... 71
Loss ................................................. 74 Mechanical key ................................ 72
Problem (malfunction)
..................... 74
SmartKey positions (ignition
lock) .................................................... 127
Snow chains ...................................... 281
Sockets .............................................. 241
Spare wheel
General notes ................................ 302
Important safety notes .................. 302
Removing/mounting ...................... 303
Special seat belt retractor .................. 61
Specialist workshop ............................ 32
Speed, controlling
see Cruise control
Speedometer
Activating/deactivating the addi-
tional speedometer (vehicle with
steering wheel buttons) ................. 192
Activating/deactivating the addi-
tional speedometer (vehicle with-
out steering wheel buttons) ........... 180
Digital (vehicle with steering
wheel buttons) ............................... 185
Digital (vehicle without steering
wheel buttons) ............................... 178
General notes ................................ 175
In the instrument cluster (vehicle
with steering wheel buttons) ............ 40
In the instrument cluster (vehicle
without steering wheel buttons) ...... 38
Setting the display unit (vehicle
with steering wheel buttons) ......... 192
Setting the display unit (vehicle
without steering wheel buttons) .... 180
SRS (Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tem)
see Restraint system
Standing lamp
Display messages (vehicle with
steering wheel buttons) ................. 217
Standing lamps
Display messages (vehicle with-
out steering wheel buttons) ........... 203
Replacing bulbs (front) ................... 107
Replacing bulbs (rear) .................... 108
Switching on/off .............................. 99 20
Index

Useful information
This Operator's Manual describes all models
as well as standard and optional equipment of
your vehicle that were available at the time of
going to print. Country-specific variations are
possible. Note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all of the described functions.
This also applies to systems and functions rel-
evant to safety.
Read the information on qualified specialist
workshops (Y page
32).Occupant safety
Restraint system introduction
The restraint system can reduce the risk of
vehicle occupants coming into contact with
parts of the vehicle's interior in the event of an
accident. In the event of an accident, the
restraint system can also reduce the forces to
which the vehicle occupants are subjected.
The restraint system includes the following
components:
R Seat belt system
R Air bags
R Child restraint system
R Child seat securing system
The various components of the restraint sys-
tem work complementary to one another. They
can only perform their intended protective
function if all vehicle occupants:
R have correctly fastened their seat belt
( Y page

49)
R have correctly adjusted their seat and head
restraint ( Y page 87)
As the driver, you must also ensure that the
driver's seat is in the correct position in rela-
tion to the pedals and the steering wheel.
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, you
can also adjust the steering wheel. Observe
the information relating to the correct driver's
seat position (Y page 87).
Additionally, you must ensure that an air bag
can deploy freely ( Y page 51).
The air bag is supplementary to a correctly fas-
tened seat belt. As an additional safety device,
the air bag increases the level of protection for
vehicle occupants in the event of an accident.
If the protection provided by the seat belt is sufficient, the air bags do not deploy. Further-
more, in the event of an accident, only air bags
which provide greater protection in the given
accident situation deploy. However, seat belts
and air bags generally do not protect against
objects penetrating the vehicle from the out-
side.
Information on how the restraint system oper-
ates can be found in "Deployment of the Emer-
gency Tensioning Devices and air bags"
( Y page

58).
See "Children in the vehicle" for information
on infants and children traveling with you in
the vehicle restraint systems for infants and
children ( Y page 60). 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 for a person with physical dis-
abilities, contact a Mercedes-Benz Commercial
Van Centerfor details. USA only: contact our
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
for details at 1‑877 ‑762‑8267. 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 6 restraint system warning lamp on
the instrument cluster lights up when the igni-
tion is switched on. It goes out no later than a
few seconds after the vehicle is started. The
restraint system is operational. 46
Occupant safety
Safety

A malfunction has occurred if the
6
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 be trig-
gered as intended in the event of an acci-
dent. This may affect the Emergency Ten-
sioning Devices or air bags, for example.
There is a risk of injury.
Have the restraint system checked and
repaired immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
: is
part of the Occupant Classification System
(OCS).
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
informs you about the status of the co-driver's
air bag.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp:
R is lit, the co-driver's air bag is deactivated.
It will not be deployed in the event of an
accident.
R is not lit , the co-driver's air bag is enabled.
If, in the event of an accident, all deploy-
ment criteria are met, the co-driver's air bag
is deployed. Depending on the person in the co-driver's
seat, the co-driver's air bag must be either
deactivated or enabled; see the following
points. You must make sure of this both
before and during a journey.
R Children in a child restraint system:
whether the co-driver's air bag is enabled or
deactivated depends on the installed child
restraint system and the age and size of the
child. It is thus essential to comply with the
instructions on the "Occupant Classification
System (OCS)" ( Y page
54) and "Children
in the vehicle" ( Y page 60). Information is
also included here on rearward or forward-
facing child restraint systems on the co-driv-
er's seat.
R All other persons: depending on the classi-
fication of the person in the co-driver's seat,
the co-driver's air bag must be either ena-
bled or deactivated (Y page 54). Be sure to observe the notes on "Seat belts"
( Y page 47) and "Air bags" (Y page 51).
Information is also included here on the cor-
rect seating position. Seat belts
Introduction A correctly fastened seat belt is the most
effective means of limiting the movement of a
vehicle occupant during a collision or in the
event that the vehicle overturns. This reduces
the risk of vehicle occupants coming into con-
tact with parts of the vehicle interior or being
ejected from it. Furthermore, the seat belt
helps to keep the vehicle occupant in the best
position in relation to a deployed air bag.
The seat belt system consists of:
R seat belts
R Emergency Tensioning Devices for the front
seat belts
The seat belt system includes a belt force
limiter for the respective seat if the vehicle
is equipped with a front air bag.
If the seat belt is pulled quickly or suddenly
from the belt outlet, the inertia reel locks. The
belt strap cannot be pulled out further.
In an impact, the Emergency Tensioning
Device tightens the belt to pull it close to the
body. It does not pull the vehicle occupant Occupant safety
47
Safety Z

back in the direction of the seat backrest,
however.
In addition, the Emergency Tensioning Device
cannot compensate for the seat position being
incorrect or for an incorrectly worn seat belt.
When triggered, seat belt force limiters help to
reduce the peak force exerted by the seat belt
on the vehicle occupant.
The belt force limiters on the front seats are
synchronized with the front air bags, which
take on a part of the deceleration force. This
helps to reduce the forces to which vehicle
occupants are subjected during an accident.
! If the front-passenger seat is not occupied,
do not engage the seat belt tongue in the
buckle on the front-passenger seat. Other-
wise, in addition to other systems, the Emer-
gency Tensioning Device could also be trig-
gered in the event of an accident and would
need to be replaced.
Important safety notes The use of seat belts and child restraint sys-
tems is required by law in:
R all 50 states
R the US territories
R the District of Columbia
R all Canadian provinces
Even where this is not required by law, all vehi-
cle occupants should correctly fasten their
seat belts before starting the journey. G
WARNING
If the seat belt is not worn correctly, it can-
not perform its intended protective function.
An incorrectly fastened seat belt can also
cause injuries, for example, in the event of
an accident 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 sitting properly. The various components of the restraint sys-
tem work complementary to one another. They
can only perform their intended protective
function if all vehicle occupants:
R have correctly fastened their seat belt
(Y page
49)
R have correctly adjusted their seat and head
restraint ( Y page 87) G
WARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended
level of protection if you have not moved the
backrest to an almost vertical position.
When braking or in the event of an accident,
you could slide underneath the seat belt and
sustain abdomen or neck injuries, for exam-
ple. This poses an increased risk of injury or
even fatal injury.
Adjust the seat properly before beginning
your journey. Always ensure that the back-
rest 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
vehicle. The child restraint system must be
appropriate to the age, weight and size of
the child.
R ensure that you observe the instructions
and safety notes in the "Children in the vehi- 48
Occupant safety
Safety

cle" section (Y page
60) in addition to the
child restraint system operating instructions
and manufacturer's instructions
R always observe the instructions and safety
notes on the "Occupant Classification Sys-
tem (OCS)" ( Y page 54)G
WARNING
Seat belts may not be able to perform their
protective function in the following situa-
tions, in particular:
R The seat belt is damaged, modified,
extremely dirty, bleached or dyed
R The seat belt buckle is damaged or
extremely dirty
R Modifications have been performed on the
Emergency Tensioning Device, belt
anchorage or inertia reel
Seat belts may be damaged in an accident,
although the damage may not be visible, e.g.
due to splinters of glass. Modified or dam-
aged seat belts may tear or fail, e.g. in an
accident. Modified Emergency Tensioning
Devices could accidentally trigger or not
function as intended. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Never modify the seat belts, Emergency Ten-
sioning Devices, belt anchorages or inertia
reels. Make sure that the seat belts are
undamaged, not worn out and clean. Have
the seat belts checked immediately at a
qualified specialist workshop after an acci-
dent.
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

48).
In order for the correctly worn seat belt to pro-
vide the intended level of protection, each
vehicle occupant must observe the following
information. Also make sure that all vehicle
occupants have their seat belt correctly fas-
tened during the journey. When fastening the seat belt, always make
sure that:
R the seat belt tongue is only inserted into the
correct belt buckle for the corresponding
seat
R the seat belt fits closely across your body
Avoid wearing bulky clothing, e.g. a winter
coat.
R the seat belt is not twisted
Only then can the forces produced during an
accident be distributed across the surface
of the seat belt.
R the shoulder section of the belt is routed
across the center of your shoulder
The shoulder section of the seat belt should
not touch your neck nor be routed under
your arm or behind your back. If possible,
adjust the seat belt to the appropriate
height.
R the lap belt is fastened closely and routed
as low as possible across your lap, i.e.
across your hips
The lap belt must always be routed across
the hip joints and never across your stom-
ach or abdomen. This is of particular impor-
tance for pregnant women. If necessary,
push the lap belt downwards into your pelvic
area and pull it tight using the shoulder sec-
tion of the belt.
R the seat belt is not routed across sharp-
edged, pointed or breakable objects
Should you have such objects on or in your
clothing, e.g. pens, keys or spectacles, stow
these in a suitable place.
R only one person uses each seat belt at any
one time
Infants and children must never travel sit-
ting on the lap of another vehicle occupant.
In the event of an accident, they could be
crushed between the vehicle occupant and
the seat belt.
R objects are never secured with a seat belt if
the seat belt is also being used by a vehicle
occupant
Also make sure that there are never any
objects between a person and the seat, e.g.
cushions.
Seat belts are solely intended to secure and
restrain vehicle occupants. When securing
objects, luggage or loads, always observe the
instructions and safety notes in "Loading
guidelines"

(Y page 242). Occupant safety
49
Safety Z