Always observe the notes on correct driver's
seat position (
Y
page 67) and seat adjustment
(
Y
page 67).
Every car occupant must observe the following
notes to ensure a properly worn seat belt can
provide full protection.
R
The seat belt must:
-
not be twisted and must be tight and fit
snugly across your body
-
be routed across the centre of the shoulder
and as low down across your hips as pos-
sible
R
the shoulder section of the belt should not
touch your neck nor be routed under your arm
or behind your back.
R
avoid wearing bulky clothing, e.g. a winter
coat.
R
press the lap belt down into your hip joints
and pull taut by the shoulder section of the
belt. The lap belt must never be routed across
your stomach or abdomen.
R
never route the seat belt across sharp, poin-
ted, abrasive or fragile objects.
R
only one person per seat belt. Infants and
children must never travel sitting on the lap of
a vehicle occupant.
R
never secure objects with a seat belt if the
seat belt is also being used by one of the vehi-
cle's occupants. Always observe the notes on
"Loading the vehicle" for securing objects,
luggage or loads (
Y
page 72).
Also make sure that objects are never placed
between an occupant and the seat, e.g. a
cushion.
If children are travelling in the vehicle, be sure to
observe the instructions and safety notes on
"Children in the vehicle" (
Y
page 45).
Limitations of the protection provided
by the seat belt
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 seatbelt is routed
across the centre of your shoulder.
G
WARNING
Persons under 1.50 m tall cannot wear the
seat belts correctly without an additional suit-
able restraint system. If the seat belt is worn
incorrectly, it cannot perform its intended
protective function. Furthermore, an incor-
rectly worn seat belt can cause additional
injuries, e.g. in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction. There
is an increased risk of injury, possibly even
fatal.
Always secure persons less than 1.50 m tall in
additional suitable restraint systems.
G
WARNING
Seat belts cannot protect as intended, if:
R
they are damaged, have been modified, are
extremely dirty, bleached or dyed
R
the seat belt buckle is damaged or
extremely dirty
R
modifications have been made to the belt
tensioners, belt anchorages or inertia reels
Seat belts may sustain non-visible damage in
an accident, e.g. due to glass splinters. Modi-
fied or damaged seat belts can tear or fail, for
example in the event of an accident. Modified
seat belt tensioners may be deployed unin-
tentionally or not function as intended. There
is an increased risk of injury, possibly even
fatal.
Never modify seat belts, seat belt tensioners,
seat belt anchorages and inertia reels. Ensure
that seat belts are not damaged or worn and
are clean. After an accident, have the seat
belts checked immediately at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only use
seat belts that have been approved specifically
for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz.
38
Seat belts
Occup
ant
saf
ety
