Mercedes-Benz 2009 R-Class, Operator'S Manual

Page: 48 / 412

Occupant safety
46
a properly seated position and to wear their
respective seat belt.
For maximum protection in the event of a
collision always be in normal seated
position with your back against the seat
backrest. Fasten your seat belt and make
sure it is properly positioned on your body.
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:
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Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in
a position that is as upright as possible
with your back against the seat backrest.
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Move the driver 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.
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Do not lean your head or chest close to
the steering wheel or dashboard.
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Keep hands on the outside of the steering
wheel rim. Placing hands and arms inside
the rim can increase the risk and
potential severity of hand/arm injury
when the driver’s front air bag inflates.
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Adjust the front passenger seat as far as
possible rearward from the dashboard
when the seat is occupied.
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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 infant restraint,
toddler restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of
the child.
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Canada only: Children 12 years old and
under must never ride in the front seat,
except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized
BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM
air
bag deactivation system installed in the
vehicle to deactivate the front passenger
front air bag when it is installed properly.
Otherwise they will be struck by the air
bag when it inflates in a crash. If this
happens, serious or fatal injury will
result.
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.
G
Warning!
Accident research shows that the safest
place for children in an automobile is in the
rear seat.
There is a possibility for a side impact air
bag related injury 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.
Safety and security