2008 Mercedes R-Class Owner's Manual - Page 89

Safety and Security Occupant safety Infant and child restraint systems We recommend all infants and children be properly restrained at all times while the vehicle is in motion. All lap-shoulder belts except the driver's seat belt have special seat belt retractors for secure fastening of child restraints. To fasten a child restraint, follow child restraint instructions for mounting. Then pull the shoulder belt out completely and let it retract. During seat belt retraction, a ratcheting sound can be heard to indicate that the special seat belt retractor is activated. The belt is now locked. Push down on child restraint to take up any slack. To deactivate, release seat belt buckle and let seat belt retract completely. To deactivate the special seat belt retractor for the front passenger seat, the front passenger seat must be in the most backward position. The seat belt can again be used in the usual manner. Warning! Do not expose the child restraint system to direct sunlight. The child restraint system's metal parts, for example, could become very hot, and the child could be burned on these parts. If children open a door, they could injure other persons get out of the car and injure themselves or be injured by following traffic Do not carry heavy or hard objects in the passenger or cargo compartment unless they are firmly secured in place. For more information, please refer to the "Loading" ( page 288) and "Useful features" ( page 304) sections in the "Controls in detail" chapter. Unsecured or improperly positioned cargo increases a child's risk of injury in the event of: strong braking maneuvers sudden changes of direction an accident G Never release the seat belt buckle while the vehicle is in motion, since the special seat belt retractor will be deactivated. i For information on child seats with mounting fittings for tether anchorages, see "Installation of infant and child restraint system" ( page 92). For information on LATCH type child seat mounts, see "Child seat anchors - LATCH type" ( page 91). The use of infant or child restraints is required by law in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories and all Canadian provinces. 88