Page 961 of 4133

157 Controls in detail
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Loading instructions
The gross vehicle weight which is the 
weight of the vehicle including fuel, tools, 
spare wheel, installed accessories, pas-
sengers and luggage / cargo must never 
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 
(GVWR) for your vehicle. In addition, the 
load must be distributed in such a way so 
that the weight on each axle never exceeds 
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for 
the front and rear axle. The GVWR and 
GAWR for your vehicle are indicated on the 
certification label which can be found on 
the left door pillar.The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to 
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being 
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Please pay attention to and comply with 
the following instructions when loading the 
vehicle and transporting cargo:
Always place items being carried 
against front or rear seat backrests, 
and fasten them as securely as possi-
ble.
The heaviest portion of the cargo 
should always be kept as low as possi-
ble against front or rear seat backrests.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible using cargo tie-down rings and 
fastening materials appropriate for the 
weight and size of the load.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown 
around inside the vehicle, and can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items 
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, always use parti-
tion net when transporting cargo.
Never drive vehicle with the liftgate open. 
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may 
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death. 
     
        
        Page 962 of 4133
158 Controls in detailLoadingFor additional safety when transporting 
cargo while the rear seats are unoccupied, 
fasten the outer seat belts crosswise into 
the opposite side buckles.Cargo tie-down rings
The cargo area is provided with four 
tie-down rings. Additional two rings are lo-
cated at the rear of front seats.
Cargo tie-down ring
Carefully secure cargo by applying even 
load on all rings with rope of sufficient 
strength to hold down the cargo.
iThe cargo area is the preferred place to 
carry objects. The enlarged cargo area 
should only be used for items which do 
not fit in the cargo area alone.
iWhile the partition net* (
page 159) 
will help protect you from smaller ob-
jects, it cannot prevent the movement 
of large, heavier objects into the pas-
senger area in an accident. Such items 
must be properly secured using the 
cargo tie-down rings in the cargo area 
floor. 
     
        
        Page 963 of 4133

159 Controls in detail
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Hooks
Four hooks located on the rear compart-
ment trim panels, two on each side.HooksUse the hooks to secure light weight items. 
The maximum permissible weight per hook 
is 9 lbs (4 kg).
Partition net*Use of the partition net is a particularly im-
portant safety factor when the vehicle is 
loaded higher than the top of the seat 
backrests with smaller objects.
The partition net can be installed behind 
the backrests of the front or rear seats.
Engaging partition net
1Holder
2Mounting hookWarning!
G
Always lock backrest in its upright position 
when rear seat bench is occupied by pas-
sengers, or cargo is being carried behind the 
seat bench.
To help avoid personal injury from smaller 
objects flying in the occupant area during a 
collision or sudden maneuver, always use 
partition net when transporting cargo.
The partition net cannot prevent the move-
ment of large, heavier objects into the pas-
senger area in an accident. Such items must 
be properly secured using the cargo 
tie-down rings in the cargo area floor 
(page 158).
Passenger use of seats behind installed par-
tition net is restricted because of the foot-
well being taken up by the net. 
     
        
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160 Controls in detailLoading
One after the other, press the two 
mounting hooks2 inward against the 
spring pressure and turn them.
The mounting hooks are locked in this 
position and you can move the net into 
position more easily.
Turn one of the mounting hooks2 in 
the opposite direction.
The spring pressure will push it out.
Engage mounting hook2 in 
holder1.
Turn the other mounting hook and en-
gage it in the opposite holder.
Push both mounting hooks2 forward 
into holder1.Tightening partition net
Installation behind the front seats1Tie-down hook
2Ring
Installation behind the rear seats1Tie-down hook
2Ring
3Tensioner
Insert tie-down hook1 in rings2.
Pull on loose ends of tie-down straps 
until net is tight.
After driving a short distance, check 
the tension on the net and retighten if 
necessary.
iBefore tightening the partition net, 
remove the cargo floor plates 
(page 162). 
     
        
        Page 965 of 4133
161 Controls in detail
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Removing partition net
Lift tensioner3 upward to a horizon-
tal position to release tensioning of the 
strap.
Disengage tie-down hooks1 from 
rings2.
Remove mounting hooks2 
(page 159) from holder1 
(page 159).
Roll up and close the partition net.
Store partition net behind rear seat 
bench.
Cargo area cover blind*
1Handle
2Holder
Closing blind
Pull blind on handle1 across the car-
go area.
Guide blind into holders2.Opening blind
Disengage blind and guide retraction 
by its handle.
Removing blind
3Button
4Mounting sleeve
Roll the blind up.
Push mounting sleeve4 inward 
against spring pressure until it engag-
es.
Remove blind from mounts.
Warning!
G
Passenger use of third row seats with cargo 
area cover blind installed is restricted. 
     
        
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162 Controls in detailLoadingInstalling blind
Place left side of blind in left mount.
Position right side of blind over right 
mount.
Push button3, releasing mounting 
sleeve to slide into mount.
Cargo floor plates
Removing cargo floor plates
Lift cargo floor plate at rear edge 
(arrow).
Cargo floor plate unhinges automati-
cally.
Remove cargo floor plate by pulling it 
rearwards.Storing cargo floor plates
1Hook and loop strip
Fold the left cargo floor plate together.
Open the hook and loop strip at the 
bottom of backrest of the third row 
seats* and insert cargo floor plate.
Close the hook and loop strip.
iBefore you can remove the cargo floor 
plates, it is possible that the third row 
seats* (
page 102) must be removed. 
     
        
        Page 967 of 4133
163 Controls in detail
Loading
Installing cargo floor plates
1Opening
2Pins
3Attachment opening
4Latch
Grip into opening1 and guide pins2 
into attachment opening3.
The center pin must snap into place in 
latch4.
Roof rack*Roof rails
For further information, inquire at your 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!
G
Take into consideration that when the roof 
rack is loaded, the handling characteristics 
are different from those when operating the 
vehicles without the roof rack loaded.
The maximum roof load when using roof 
rack systems is 220 lbs (100 kg).
!Attach roof racks to the roof rails only.
Use only those roof racks approved by 
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model. 
Follow manufacturer’s installation in-
structions.
The vehicle could otherwise be dam-
aged. 
     
        
        Page 968 of 4133

164 Controls in detailUseful features
Useful featuresInterior storage spaces Glove box
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box lid
Opening the glove box
Grab in recess and pull lid release1.
The glove box lid2 opens downward.
Closing the glove box
Push glove box lid up to close.Storage compartment under front 
passenger seat*
The storage compartment is lockable with 
its separate key.
1Lock cylinder
2Handle
Locking and unlocking the storage com-
partment
Turn the key clockwise.
The storage compartment is locked.
Turn the key counterclockwise.
The storage compartment is unlocked.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care 
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the cargo compartment if 
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher 
than the seat backs.
Always use partition net when transporting 
cargo. Partition net cannot secure hard or 
heavy objects.
Parcel nets cannot secure hard or heavy ob-
jects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help 
to prevent stored objects from being thrown 
about and injuring vehicle occupants during 
an accident.
iThe opened glove box is illuminated 
with the key in steering lock position1 
(page 33).