accident, heavy braking or sudden changes
of direction. As a result, child restraint sys-
tems cannot perform their intended protec-
tive function. Rear seat backrests that are
not locked can also cause additional inju-
ries, e.g. in the event of an accident. This
poses an increased risk of injury or even
fatal injury.
Always lock rear seat backrests after instal-
ling a Top Tether belt. Observe the lock veri-
fication indicator. Adjust the rear seat
backrests so that they are in an upright posi-
tion.
If the rear backrest is not engaged and locked,
the red lock verification indicator will be visible
(
Y
page 254).
Top Tether anchorages
The Top Tether anchorages are located on the
rear side of the seat backrests.
Vehicles with adjustable head restraints:
X
Move head restraint
:
up.
X
Route Top Tether belt
?
under head
restraint
:
between the two head restraint
bars.
Vehicles without adjustable head
restraints:
X
Top Tether belt with one belt strap: route
Top Tether belt
?
centrally over head
restraint
:
.
or
X
Top Tether belt with two belt straps:
route one Top Tether belt
?
to the left and
one to the right past the side of head
restraint
:
.
All vehicles:
X
Install the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system with Top Tether. Always
comply with the child restraint system man-
ufacturer's installation instructions when
doing so.
X
Hook Top Tether hook
=
of Top Tether
belt
?
into Top Tether anchorage
;
.
Make sure that:
R
Top Tether hook
=
is hooked into Top
Tether anchorage
;
as shown
R
Top Tether belt
?
is not twisted
R
Top Tether belt
?
is routed between the
seat backrest and cargo compartment
cover if the cargo compartment cover is
installed
X
Tension Top Tether belt
?
. Always comply
with the child restraint system manufactur-
er's installation instructions when doing so.
Vehicles with adjustable head restraints:
X
Move head restraint
:
back down again
slightly if necessary (
Y
page 96). Make
sure that you do not interfere with the cor-
rect routing of Top Tether belt
?
.
Child restraint system on the front-
passenger seat
General notes
Accident statistics show that children secured
in the rear seats are safer than children
secured in the front-passenger seat. For this
reason, Mercedes-Benz strongly advises that
Children in the vehicle
57
Saf
ety
Z