child restraint MERCEDES-BENZ R-Class 2012 W251 Owner's Manual

Cargo compartment floor ................. 296
Cargo net Attaching ....................................... 261
Important safety information .........260
Cargo tie down rings ......................... 257
Car wash (care) ................................. 288
CD player/CD changer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 203
Cell phone see Mobile phone
Center console
2nd row of seats ............................ 251
Lower section .................................. 33
Upper section .................................. 32
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 208
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ........72
Changing bulbs
High-beam headlamps ...................122
Important safety notes ..................119
License plate lighting .....................124
Low-beam headlamps ....................121
Overview of bulb types ..................120
Parking lamps ................................ 122
Removing/replacing the cover
(front wheel arch) .......................... 121
Reversing lamps ............................ 123
Side marker lamps .........................123
Standing lamps (front) ...................122
Turn signals (front) ......................... 122
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes ....................63
Rear doors ....................................... 63
Children
In the vehicle ................................... 56
Restraint systems ............................ 56
Child seat
LATCH-type (ISOFIX ) child seat
anchors ............................................ 58
Special seat belt retractor ...............58
Top Tether ....................................... 60
Cigarette lighter ................................ 266
Classification system for
occupants (OCS) Faults ............................................... 48
Operation ......................................... 44
System self-test ............................... 47Climate control
Automatic climate control (3-
zone) .............................................. 132
Controlling automatically ...............136
Cooling with air dehumidification ..135
Defrosting the windshield ..............138
Demisting the windows .................. 139
Dual-zone automatic climate
control ........................................... 131
Important safety notes ..................130
Indicator lamp ................................ 136
Notes on using automatic climate
control ................................... 131, 134
Overview of systems ......................130
Problems with cooling with air
dehumidification ............................ 136
Problem with the rear window
defroster ........................................ 139
Rear control panel .........................132
Refrigerant ..................................... 359
Setting the air distribution .............138
Setting the airflow .........................138
Setting the air vents ......................141
Setting the temperature ................137
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ............................................ 140
Switching on/off ........................... 134
Switching residual heat on/off ......140
Switching the MONO function on/
off .................................................. 138
Switching the rear window
heating on/off ............................... 139
Clock (on-board computer) ............... 206
Cockpit Overview .......................................... 28
see Instrument cluster
Collapsible spare wheel
Inflating ......................................... 307
see Emergency spare wheel
COMAND
see separate operating instructions
Combination switch .......................... 117
Compass Calling up ....................................... 278
Consumption statistics (on-board
computer) .......................................... 210
Convenience closing feature .............. 88
Convenience opening feature ............ 876Index

Setting for driving abroad
(symmetrical) ................................. 114
Switching on/off ........................... 115
Luggage net ....................................... 251
Lumbar support Adjusting the 4-way lumbar
support .......................................... 105
Luxury head restraints ....................... 99
M
M+S tires ................................... 169, 324
Maintenance see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
Malfunction message
see Display messages
Malfunctions relevant to safety
Reporting ......................................... 24
Matte finish (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 290
mbrace Call priority .................................... 273
Display message ............................ 218
Downloading destinations
(COMAND) ..................................... 273
Emergency call .............................. 270
Important safety notes ..................269
Locating a stolen vehicle ...............275
MB info call button ........................272
Roadside Assistance button ..........272
Search & Send ............................... 274
Self-test ......................................... 270
System .......................................... 270
Vehicle remote unlocking ..............274
Mechanical key
Function/notes ................................ 75
Unlocking the driver's door ..............81
Memory card (audio) ......................... 203
Memory function ............................... 112
Messages see Display messages
Mirrors
see Exterior mirrors
see Rear-view mirror
see Vanity mirror
Mobile phone
Menu (on-board computer) ............211
Modifying the programming
(SmartKey) ........................................... 75
MOExtended run-flat system ........... 309
MP3 Operating ....................................... 203
see separate operating instructions
Multicontour seat .............................. 105
Multifunction display ........................ 200
Multifunction steering wheel Operating the on-board computer . 199
Overview .......................................... 31
N
Navigation Menu (on-board computer) ............204
On-board computer .......................204
see separate operating instructions
NECK-PRO head restraints
Operation ......................................... 49
Resetting after being triggered ........50
NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
Operation ......................................... 49
Resetting after being triggered ........50
Notes on breaking-in a new
vehicle ................................................ 144
O
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) Faults ............................................... 48
Operation ......................................... 44
System self-test ............................... 47
Occupant safety
Children in the vehicle .....................56
System overview .............................. 38
Octane number (fuel) ........................ 356
Odometer ........................................... 202
see Trip odometer
Off-road system
4MATIC .......................................... 183
Oil
see Engine oil
On-board computer
Additional functions menu .............210
AIRMATIC/compass menu ............204
Audio menu ................................... 203
12Index

Pulling away (automatic
transmission) ..................................... 147
Q
Qualified specialist workshop ........... 24
R
Radar sensor system Activating/deactivating .................208
Radiator cover ................................... 283
Radio Selecting a station .........................203
see separate operating instructions
Radio-controlled devices
(installing) .......................................... 279
Reading lamp ..................................... 118
Rear axle level control ...................... 180
Rear bench seat Folding forwards/back ..................253
Rear compartment
Activating/deactivating climate
control ........................................... 134
Setting the air vents ......................142
Setting the temperature ................137
Rear-compartment seat
see Rear seat
Rear fog lamp
Display message ............................ 224
Switching on/off ........................... 116
Rear lamps
see Lights
Rear seat
Adjusting ....................................... 101
Rear view camera
Cleaning instructions .....................292
Function/notes ............................. 187
Rear-view mirror
Anti-glare (manual) ........................109
Dipping (automatic) .......................111
Rear window defroster
Problem (malfunction) ...................139
Rear window heating
Switching on/off ........................... 139
Rear window wiper
Replacing the wiper blade .............. 126
Switching on/off ........................... 125
Refueling
Fuel gauge ....................................... 29
Important safety notes ..................156
Refueling process ..........................158
see Fuel
Remote control
Garage door opener .......................275
Reporting
Malfunctions relevant to safety ........ 24
Reserve (fuel tank)
see Fuel
Reserve fuel
Display message ............................ 228
Warning lamp ................................. 244
see Fuel
Reset button ........................................ 29
Residual heat (climate control) ........ 140
Restraint system see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Roadside Assistance (breakdown) .... 22
Roller blind see Roller sunblind
Roller sunblind
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel ..................................... 91
Rear side windows .........................265
Roof carrier ........................................ 262
Roof lining and carpets (cleaning
guidelines) ......................................... 294
Roof load (maximum) see Technical data
Route
see Route guidance (navigation)
Route guidance (navigation) ............ 204
S
Safety Children in the vehicle .....................56
Child restraint systems ....................56
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) ............................................... 44
Overview of occupant safety
systems ........................................... 38
Safety systems
see Driving safety systems
14Index

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops ( Y page 24).
Occupant safety
Overview of occupant safety
In this section, you will learn the most
important facts about the restraint system
components of the vehicle.
The restraint system consists of:
R seat belts
R child restraint systems
R LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat anchors
Additional protection is provided by:
R SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
R NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO
luxury head restraints
R PRE-SAFE ®
R Air bag system components with:
- PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
- front-passenger seat with Occupant
Classification System (OCS)
The different air bag systems work
independently of each other. The protective
functions of the system work in conjunction
with each other. Not all air bags are deployed
in an accident.
GWARNING
Modifications to or work improperly
conducted on restraint system components
or their wiring, as well as tampering with
interconnected electronic systems, can lead
to the restraint systems no longer functioning
as intended.
Air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices
(ETDs), for example, could deploy
inadvertently or fail to deploy in accidents
although the deceleration threshold for air
bag deployment is exceeded. Therefore,
never modify the restraint systems. Do not
tamper with electronic components or their
software.
i See "Children in the vehicle"
( Y page 56) for more information on
infants and children traveling with you in
the vehicle and restraints for infants and
children.
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Introduction
SRS consists of:
R the + SRS warning lamp
R air bags
R air bag control unit (with crash sensors)
R Emergency Tensioning Devices
R belt force limiters
SRS reduces the risk of occupants coming
into contact with the vehicle's interior in the
event of an accident. It can also reduce the
effect of the forces to which occupants are
subjected during an accident.
SRS warning lamps
SRS functions are checked regularly when
you switch on the ignition and when the
engine is running. Therefore, malfunctions
can be detected in good time.
The + SRS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out no later than a few seconds
after the engine is started.
38Occupant safetySafety

Since the air bag inflates with considerable
speed and force, a proper seating position
and correct positioning of the hands on the
steering wheel will help to keep you at a safe
distance from the air bag. Occupants who are
not wearing their seat belt, are not seated
properly or are too close to the air bag can be
seriously injured or killed by an air bag as it
inflates with great force instantaneously:
R Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R Move the driver's seat as far back as
possible, still permitting proper operation
of vehicle controls. The distance from the
center of the driver's chest to the center of
the air bag cover on the steering wheel
must be at least 10 inches (25 cm) or more.
You should be able to accomplish this by
adjusting the seat and steering wheel. If
you have any difficulties, please contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
R Do not lean your head or chest close to the
steering wheel or dashboard.
R Only hold the steering wheel by the rim.
Placing hands and arms inside the rim can
increase the risk and potential severity of
hand/arm injury when the driver front air
bag inflates.
R Adjust the front-passenger seat as far back
as possible from the dashboard when the
seat is occupied.
R Occupants, especially children, should
never place their bodies or lean their heads
in the area of the door where the side
impact air bag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the side
impact air bag be deployed. Always sit as
upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriately sized
child restraint, infant restraint or booster
seat recommended for the size and weight
of the child.
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injuries to you or other occupants.If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you
make the buyer aware of this safety
information. Be sure to give the buyer this
Operator's Manual.GWARNING
Accident research shows that the safest place
for children in an automobile is in a rear seat.
A side impact air bag related injury may occur
if occupants, especially children, are not
properly seated or restrained when next to a
side impact air bag which needs to deploy
rapidly in a side impact in order to do its job.
To help avoid the possibility of injury, please
follow these guidelines:
(1)Always sit as upright as possible
and use the seat belts properly.
Make sure that children 12 years
old and under use an appropriately
sized child restraint, infant
restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and
weight of the child.(2)Always wear seat belts properly.
The air bags are only deployed if the air bag
control unit detects the need for deployment.
Only in the event of such a situation will they
provide their supplemental protection.
The driver and passenger should always wear
their seat belts. Otherwise, it is not possible
for the air bags to provide their supplemental
protection.
In the event of other types of impacts and
impacts below air bag deployment
thresholds, the air bags will not deploy. The
driver and passengers will then be protected
to the extent possible by a properly fastened
seat belt. A properly fastened seat belt is also
needed to provide the best possible
protection in a rollover.
Air bags provide additional protection; they
are not, however, a substitute for seat belts.
All vehicle occupants must fasten their seat
belts regardless of whether your vehicle is
equipped with air bags or not.
Occupant safety41SafetyZ

Rindependently of seat belt use
R if the vehicle overturns and the system
determines that window curtain air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R independently of the front air bags
Window curtain air bags : will not deploy in
impacts with deceleration rates which do not
exceed the system's preset deployment
thresholds for vehicle deceleration or
acceleration. You will then be protected by
the fastened seat belt.
Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
How the occupant classification
system works
The OCS categorizes the occupant on the
front-passenger seat by means of a weight
sensor. The front-passenger front air bag is
deactivated automatically for certain weight
categories. The 42 indicator
lamp shows you the current status. If the
42 indicator lamp is illuminated,
the front-passenger front air bag is
deactivated.
The system does not disable:
R the side impact air bag
R the window curtain air bag
R the Emergency Tensioning Devices
To be classified correctly, the front passenger
must sit:
R with the seat belt fastened correctly
R in a position that is as upright as possible
with their back against the seat backrest
R with their feet on the floor
If the front-passenger's weight is transferred
to another object in the vehicle (e.g. by
leaning on armrests), OCS may not be able to
approximate the occupant's weight category.
In addition, the occupant weight may appear
to increase or decrease due to the following:
R objects hanging on the seat
R objects lodged underneath the seat
R objects lodged between the seat and the
center console
R objects lodged between the seat and the
door
R other passengers exerting weight on the
seat
R objects applying pressure to the back of
the seat
Make sure that the seat always has clearance
in all directions.
If the front-passenger seat, the seat cover or
the seat cushion are damaged, have the
necessary repair work carried out at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use seat
accessories which have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Both the driver and the passenger should
always use the 42 indicator
lamp as an indication of whether or not the
passenger is properly positioned.GWARNING
If the 42 indicator lamp
illuminates when an adult or someone larger
than a small individual is in the front
passenger seat, have the front passenger
reposition himself or herself in the seat until
the 42 indicator lamp goes out,
or check whether objects are caught under or
around the seat.
In the event of a collision, the air bag control
unit will not allow front passenger front air bag
deployment when the OCS has classified the
front passenger seat occupant as weighing as
much as or less than a typical 12-month-old
child in a standard child restraint or if the front
passenger seat is classified as being empty.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat occupant is classified as
44Occupant safetySafety

being up to or less than the weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a standard child
restraint, the 42 indicator lamp
will illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated. This indicates that the
front passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat is classified as being empty,
the 42 indicator lamp will
illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated. This indicates that the
front passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being heavier than the weight of a typical 12-
month-old child seated in a standard child
restraint or as being a small individual (such
as a young teenager or a small adult), the
42 indicator lamp will illuminate
for approximately 6 seconds when the engine
is started. Depending on occupant weight
sensor readings from the seat, it will then
remain illuminated or go out. With the
42 indicator lamp illuminated,
the front passenger front air bag is
deactivated. With the 42
indicator lamp out, the front passenger front
air bag is activated.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat occupant is classified as an
adult or someone larger than a small
individual, the 42 indicator lamp
will illuminate for approximately six seconds
when the engine is started and then go out.
This indicates that the front passenger front
air bag is activated.
If the 42 indicator lamp is
illuminated, the front passenger front air bag
is deactivated and will not be deployed.If the 24 indicator lamp is not
illuminated, the front passenger front air bag
is activated and will be deployed
R in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if the impact exceeds a predetermined
triggering threshold
R independently of the side impact air bags
If the front passenger front air bag is
deployed, the rate of inflation will be
influenced by
R the rate of vehicle deceleration as assessed
by the air bag control unit
R the front passenger's weight category as
identified by the OCS
For further information, see "air bag display
messages" ( Y page 220).GWARNING
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained on the rear
seats than on the front-passenger seat. Thus,
we strongly recommend that children be
placed in the rear seats whenever possible.
Regardless of seating position, children 12
years old and under must be seated and
properly secured in an appropriately sized
child restraint system or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
The infant or child restraint system must be
properly secured with the vehicle's seat belt,
the seat belt and Top Tether strap, or lower
anchors and Top Tether strap, fully in
accordance with the child seat
manufacturer's instructions.
Occupants, especially children, should always
sit as upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriate sized infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
Occupant safety45SafetyZ

Children can be killed or seriously injured by
an inflating air bag. Note the following
important information when circumstances
require you to place a child in the front-
passenger seat:
R Your vehicle is equipped with air bag
technology designed to deactivate the
front-passenger front air bag in your vehicle
when the system senses the weight of a
typical 12-month-old child or less along
with the weight of a standard appropriate
child restraint on the front-passenger seat.
R A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the
front-passenger seat will be seriously
injured or even killed if the front-passenger
front air bag inflates in a collision which
could occur under some circumstances,
even with the air bag technology installed
in your vehicle. The only means to eliminate
this risk completely is never to place a child
in a rear-facing child restraint in the front-
passenger seat. We therefore strongly
recommend that you always place a child
in a rear-facing child restraint on the rear
seat.
R If you install a rear-facing child restraint on
the front-passenger seat, make sure the
42 indicator lamp is
illuminated, indicating that the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
Should the 42 indicator lamp
not illuminate or go out while the restraint
is installed, please check installation.
Periodically check the 42
indicator lamp while driving to make sure
the 42 indicator lamp is
illuminated. If the 42 indicator
lamp goes out or remains out, do not
transport a child on the front-passenger
seat until the system has been repaired.
A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the
front-passenger seat will be seriously
injured or even killed if the front-passenger
front air bag inflates.R If you place a child in a forward-facing child
restraint on the front-passenger seat:
- move the seat as far back as possible
- use the proper child restraint
recommended for the age, size and
weight of the child
- secure child restraint with the vehicle's
seat belt according to the child seat
manufacturer's instructions
R For children larger than a typical 12-month-
old child, the front-passenger front air bag
can be activated or deactivated.
If the driver's air bag deploys, this does not
mean that the front-passenger front air bag
also has to deploy.
The OCS may have detected that the seat:
R was empty or occupied by a person with a
weight of up to or less than that of a typical
12-month-old child seated in a standard
child restraint
R was occupied by a small individual, such as
a young teenager or a small adult
R was occupied by a child in a child restraint
system, whose weight is greater than that
of a typical 12-month-old child.
These are examples of when the OCS
deactivates the front-passenger front air bag.
Deactivation takes place although the
collision fulfills the criteria for deploying the
driver's air bag.
If the SmartKey has been removed from the
ignition lock or is in position 0, indicator lamp
42 : does not light up.
46Occupant safetySafety

GWARNING
If the red + SRS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and the 42
indicator lamp light up simultaneously, the
OCS is malfunctioning. The front passenger
front air bag will be deactivated in this case.
Have the system checked by qualified
technicians as soon as possible. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only have the seat repaired or replaced at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
In order to ensure proper operation of the air
bag system and OCS:
R Do not place more than 4.4 lb (2 kg) into the
parcel net on the rear of the front
passenger seat. Otherwise, the OCS may
not be able to properly approximate the
occupant weight category.
R Do not place objects under and/or around
the front passenger seat.
R Do not hang anything from or attach any
items to the seats.
R do not store any objects, such as books,
between the front passenger seat and the
center console or the front-passenger door.
R Do not move the front passenger seat
backwards against rigid objects.
R Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R When seated, a passenger should not
position him/herself in such a way as to
cause the passenger's weight to be lifted
from the seat cushion as this may result in
the OCS being unable to correctly
approximate the passenger's weight
category.
R Read and observe all warnings in this
chapter.
System self-test
The 42 indicator lamp
illuminates when you:
R turn the SmartKey to position 1 or 2 in the
ignition lock
R press the KEYLESS-GO Start/Stop button
once or twice
If an adult occupant is properly sitting on the
passenger seat and the OCS classifies the
occupant as an adult, the 42
indicator lamp illuminates and goes out again
after approximately 6 seconds.
If the seat is not occupied and the OCS
classifies the front passenger seat as being
unoccupied, the 42 indicator
lamp will illuminate and not go out.
GWARNING
If the 4 2 indicator lamp does
not illuminate, the system is not functioning.
You must contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center before seating any child on the
front passenger seat.
For more information, see "Problems with the
Occupant Classification System"
( Y page 48).
GWARNING
Never place anything between seat cushion
and child seat (e.g. a pillow), since it reduces
the effectiveness of the OCS. The underside
and rear side child restraint system must be
placed entirely on the seat cushion and the
backrest of the front-passenger seat
backrest.
If necessary, adjust the tilt of the passenger
seat backrest.
An incorrectly mounted child seat could cause
injuries to the child in case of an accident,
instead of increasing protection for the child.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for
installation of child restraint systems.
Occupant safety47SafetyZ

Problems with the occupant classification systemProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsThe 42
indicator lamp
illuminates and
remains illuminated.
The person on the
front-passenger seat:
R has the weight of a
typical adult
R has been determined
by the system not to
be a child.The OCS is malfunctioning.XHave the OCS checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display ( Y page 220).GWARNING
If the 42 indicator lamp illuminates and remains illuminated when the weight of a
typical adult or someone larger than a small individual has been detected on the passenger seat,
the system then determines the occupant cannot be a child. Do not allow any occupant to use
the passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsThe 42
indicator lamp does not
illuminate and/or does
not remain illuminated.
The front-passenger
seat is:
R unoccupied
R occupied with a
weight up to or less
than a typical 12-
month-old child in a
standard child
restraint systemThe OCS is malfunctioning.XMake sure there is nothing between the seat cushion and the
child seat.XCheck the installation of the child restraint system.XMake sure that no objects are applying additional weight onto
the seat.XMake sure there are no objects applying additional force to the
seat. Head restraints that press against the roof or books that
are behind or trapped between the seat, for example, apply
additional force to the seat. The OCS senses such forces as
additional weight.XIf the 42 indicator lamp does not illuminate, have
the OCS checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not transport a child on the front-
passenger seat as long as the OCS is not functioning.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display ( Y page 220).48Occupant safetySafety