Page 196 of 376
196 Controls in detailLoading
LoadingRoof rack*
Only mount the approved roof rack to the
fastening bolts (see arrows) located under
the door weatherstrips.
Ski sack*
Unfolding and loading
Fold armrest down (arrow).
Swing cover1 down.
Warning!
G
Use only those roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to
avoid damage to the vehicle. Follow manu-
facturer’s installation instructions.
!Be sure to stack a load on the roof rack
so that the vehicle cannot be damaged
while driving.
Make sure that
you can fully raise the
sliding/pop-up roof*.
you can fully open the trunk.
Page 197 of 376
197 Controls in detail
Loading
Open hook and loop strap2.
Pull ski sack into passenger compart-
ment and unfold.
Open flap in trunk by pulling handle3.
From trunk, slide skis into ski sack.Warning!
G
The ski sack is designed for up to four pairs
of skis. Do not load the ski sack with other
objects.
Always fasten the ski sack securely. In an
accident, an unfastened ski sack can cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
Page 198 of 376
198 Controls in detailLoading
Wrap strap4 around ski sack and arm-
rest.
Close clasp5 (arrows) and pull strap
tight to immobilize skis.
Connect snap hook6 of front strap to
eye7 located on center tunnel in front
of rear seat bench.Unloading and folding
Loosen strap, open clasp by pressing
tabs8 together (arrows).
Unload skis.
Close flap in trunk.
Disconnect snap hook6 from eye7.
Fold and flatten ski sack lengthwise
and place folded ski sack inside recess
of backrest.
Page 199 of 376
199 Controls in detail
Loading
Close ski sack compartment cover1.
Removal of ski sack
For removal of the ski sack we recommend
that you contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Split rear bench seat*
The two sections can be folded down sep-
arately to enlarge the cargo area.
Warning!
G
Never drive vehicle with trunk lid open while
the ski sack is removed. Deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle in-
terior, resulting in unconsciousness and
death.iTo prevent unauthorized persons from
access to the trunk, always close the
cover.
Warning!
G
When expanding the luggage area, always
fold the seat cushions fully forward.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the back-
rests must remain properly locked in the up-
right position.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
Page 200 of 376
200 Controls in detailLoadingFolding the backrest forward
The release handle1 is located in the
trunk.
Pull release handle1.
Retract head restraints fully and fold
rearward (
page 36).
Pull release handle2 on the left or
right* backrest as required.
Fold seat cushion3 forward.
Fold backrest4 forward.Setting up rear seat bench
Fold the backrest4 rearward until it
engages.
Fold the seat cushions3 rearward until
they lock into position.
Page 201 of 376
201 Controls in detail
Loading
If the backrest is not locked into position,
a red indicator5 will be visible.
Check for secure locking by pushing
and pulling on the backrest.
Warning!
G
If a red indicator is visible with the backrest
up, then the backrest is not properly locked
into position.
Always lock backrest in its upright position
when rear seat bench is occupied, cargo is
being carried in the trunk, or the extended
cargo compartment is not in use. Check for
secure locking by pushing and pulling on the
backrest.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo.
iTo prevent unauthorized persons from
access to the trunk, always lock back-
rest in its upright position.
Page 202 of 376

202 Controls in detailLoadingLoading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage/cargo should not ex-
ceed the vehicle capacity weight indicated
on the certification tag 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.Always place items being carried against
front or rear seat backrests, and fasten
them as securely as possible.
The heaviest portion of the cargo should al-
ways be kept as low as possible since it in-
fluences the handling characteristics of
the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible.
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, exercise care
when transporting cargo.
Never drive vehicle with trunk open. Deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter ve-
hicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.iThe trunk is the preferred place to carry
objects.
The enlarged cargo area should only be
used for items which do not fit in the
trunk alone.
Page 216 of 376

216 Controls in detailUseful features
Remote door unlock
In case you have locked your vehicle unin-
tentionally (e.g. key inside vehicle), and the
reserve key is not handy:
Contact the Mercedes-Benz Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
You will be asked to provide your pass-
word which you provided when you
completed the subscriber agreement.
Then return to your vehicle and pull the
trunk recessed handle for minimum
of 20 seconds until the SOS button is
flashing.
The message
EMERGENCY CALL –
CALL CONNECTED appears in the multi-
function display.
As an alternative, you may unlock the vehi-
cle via Internet using the ID and password
sent to you shortly after the completion of
your Acquaintance Call.
!If the indicator lamp continues to flash
or the system does not reset, contact
the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada), or
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) in the USA or Cus-
tomer Service at 1-800-387-0100 in
Canada.iThe indicator lamp in the respective
button flashes until the call is conclud-
ed. Calls can only be terminated by a
Response Center or Customer Assis-
tance Center representative except
Roadside Assistance and Information
calls, which can also be terminated by
pressing button
ì
on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.
iWhen a Tele Aid call has been initiated,
the audio system or the COMAND* sys-
tem audio is muted and the selected
mode (radio, tape or CD) pauses. The
optional cellular phone (if installed)
switches off. If you must use this
phone, the vehicle must be parked. Dis-
connect the coiled cord and place the
call. The COMAND* navigation system
(if engaged) will continue to run. The
display in the instrument cluster is
available for use and spoken com-
mands are only available by pressing
the RPT button on the COMAND* unit.
A pop-up window will appear in the CO-
MAND* display to indicate that a
Tele Aid call is in progress.