2003 Mercedes ML-Class Owner's Manual - Page 56

Safety and Security Occupant safety Occupants, especially children, should never lean their heads in the area of the door where the side impact airbag inflates. This could result in serious injuries or death should the airbag be triggered. Always sit upright, properly use the seat belts and appropriate size infant or child restraint system. Children 12 years old and under must never ride in the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmartTM compatible child seat, which operates with the BabySmartTM system installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger side front airbag when it is properly installed. Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag 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 you are responsible to make the buyer aware of these points. Be sure to give the buyer this Operator's Manual. Warning G Accident research shows that the safest place for children in an automobile is in the rear seat. Should you choose to place a child 12 years old or under in the passenger seat of your vehicle, you must properly use a BabySmartTM child restraint which will turn off the passenger side front airbag ( page 65). BabySmartTM will not, however, turn off any side impact airbag. It should be noted that with respect to both front and rear side impact airbags there is a possibility for a side airbag related injury if occupants, especially children, are not properly seated or restrained when next to a side airbag 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) occupants, especially children, should never place their bodies or lean their heads in the area of the door where the side airbag inflates. This could result in serious injuries or death should the side airbag be activated; (2) always sit upright, properly use the seat belts and use an appropriately sized infant or child restraint system for all children 12 years old or under; and (3) always wear seat belts properly. If you believe that, even with the use of these guidelines, it would be safer for your rear seat occupants to have both rear door mounted side airbags deactivated, then deactivation can be accomplished upon your written election to do so at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center at an additional cost. Please contact your local authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or call our Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) for details. 56