Transporting children safely
Vehicle features and options
This chapter describes model-specific equipment, systems, and functions that are currently available, or may become available in the future, even if they are not present in the vehicle.
Additional information:
Vehicle equipment.
The right place for children
Safety information
Do not leave children or animals unattended in the vehicle
Children in the vehicle's heated interior
Allow the child restraint system to cool down
Children in the rear seat
General information
Accident research shows that the safest place for children is in the rear seat.
Children younger than 13 years of age or shorter than 5 ft/150 cm should be transported in the rear seat in suitable child restraint systems designed for the age, weight and size of the child. Children 13 years of age or older must wear a seat belt as soon as a suitable child restraint system can no longer be used due to their age, weight, or size.
Safety information
Use suitable child restraint systems
Children on the front passenger seat
General information
Before using a child restraint system on the front passenger seat, ensure that the front, knee, and side airbags on the passenger's side are deactivated.
Additional information:
For automatic deactivation of front passenger airbags.
Safety information
Deactivating the front passenger airbags
Installing child restraint systems
General information
Pay attention to the specifications and the operating and safety information of the child restraint system manufacturer when selecting, installing, and using child restraint systems.
Safety information
Child restraint systems after an accident
Ensuring the stability of the child restraint seat
On the front passenger seat
Deactivating the airbags
Deactivating the front passenger airbags
Before installing a child restraint system in the front passenger seat, make sure that the front, knee and side airbags on the passenger's side are deactivated.
Additional information:
For automatic deactivation of front passenger airbags.
Seat position and height
After installing a child restraint system, move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go and, if possible, bring it up to the highest position. This seat position and height ensure the best possible position for the belt and offers optimal protection in the event of an accident.
After mounting a universal child restraint system, adjust the tilt of the seat backrest so that the belt is not constrained.
If the upper attachment point of the seat belt is located in front of the belt guide of the child restraint seat, move the front passenger seat carefully forward until the best possible belt guide position is reached.
Backrest width
Adjustable backrest width: Before installing a child restraint system on the front passenger seat, open the backrest width completely. Do not change the backrest width again and do not call up a memory position.
Child seat security
The seat belts in the rear and the front passenger seat belt can be permanently locked to fasten child restraint systems.
Locking the seat belt
Pull out the belt strap completely.
Secure the child restraint system with the seat belt.
Allow the belt strap to be pulled in and pull it tight against the child restraint system. The seat belt is disabled.
Unlocking the seat belt
Unbuckle the seat belt buckle.
Remove the child restraint system.
Allow the belt strap to be pulled in completely.
LATCH child restraint fixing system
General information
LATCH: Lower Anchors and Tether for Children.
Pay attention to the specifications, operating tips and safety instructions from the child restraint system manufacturer when selecting, installing, and using LATCH child restraint fixing systems.
Mounts for lower anchors
General information
The lower anchors may be used to attach the CRS to the vehicle seat up to a combined child and CRS weight of 65 lbs/30 kg when the child is restrained by the internal harnesses.
Safety information
Properly engaging the lower LATCH anchors
Use attachment points only for child restraint systems
Position
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Icon |
Meaning |
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The corresponding icon shows the mounts for the lower LATCH anchors. Seats equipped with lower mountings are marked with a pair (2) of LATCH icons. For vehicles equipped with a middle seat: It is not recommended to use the inner lower mountings of standard outer LATCH positions to fasten a child restraint system on the middle seat. Use the vehicle seat belt instead for the middle seat. |
Before attaching child restraint systems
Pull the seat belt away from the area of the child seat mountings.
Installing child restraint systems
Mount child restraint system, see manufacturer's information.
Make sure that the child restraint system mount is correctly engaged in the lower anchor on both sides.
Child restraint systems with tether strap
General information
When attaching child restraint systems to the upper attachment points, observe the specifications and the operating and safety information of the child restraint system manufacturer.
Safety information
Make sure the upper retaining strap is routed correctly
Lock rear seat backrests correctly
Use attachment points only for child restraint systems
Attachment points for upper retaining strap
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Meaning |
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The respective icon shows the attachment point for the upper retaining strap. Seats with an upper top tether are marked with this icon. It is located on the rear seat backrest, the rear shelf or the rear seat. |
Attaching the upper retaining strap to the attachment point
Open the attachment point cover.
Raise the head restraint.
Guide the upper retaining strap between or along both sides of the supports of the head restraint to the attachment point.
Center seat: guide the upper retaining strap over or along both sides of the head restraint to the attachment point.
Attach the hook of the retaining strap to the attachment point.
Tighten the retaining strap.
Locking the doors and windows in the rear
General information
In certain situations it may be advisable to secure the rear doors and windows, for instance when transporting children.
Doors
Unlock or lock the safety switch on the rear doors using the integrated key.
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Icon |
Function |
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Child safety latch is unlocked. |
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Child safety latch is locked. |
The door can now be opened from the outside only.
Safety switch for rear
Press the button on the driver's door.
Various functions are locked and cannot be operated in the rear such as the power windows.
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