2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E500 Owner's Manual

217 Controls in detail
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Open hook and loop strap1.

Pull ski sack into passenger compart-
ment and unfold.

From trunk, slide skis into ski sack.

Wrap strap around ski sack and arm-
rest.

Close clasp (arrows) and pull strap
tight to immobilize skis.
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.

218 Controls in detailLoading
Connect snap hook1 of front strap to
eye2 located on center tunnel in front
of rear seat bench.Unloading and folding

Loosen strap, open clasp by pressing
tabs together (arrows).

Unload skis.

Close flap in trunk.

Fold and flatten ski sack lengthwise
and place folded ski sack inside recess
of backrest.

Close ski sack compartment cover.

219 Controls in detail
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Removal of ski sack
For removal of the ski sack we recommend
that you contact an authorized Mer-
cedes-Benz Center.
Split rear bench seat*
To expand the trunk, you can fold down the
left and right rear seat backrests.
The two sections can be folded down sep-
arately to enlarge the trunk.
When transporting long items, the folding
front passenger seat* can be folded for-
ward, and you can remove the rear seat
cushions.
Warning!
G
Never drive vehicle with trunk 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 compartment,
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.
Always use the cargo tie down rings
(page 225).

220 Controls in detailLoadingFolding the backrest forward
1Release handle
Pull release handle1.
The seat cushion automatically springs
upward slightly.1Seat cushion
2Seat backrest

Grip the back of seat cushion1 and
fold forward.

Push the rear seat head restraints all
the way in.

Pull the handle in the trunk.
The seat backrest is released and the
head restraints fold back.

Fold the seat backrest forward.

221 Controls in detail
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Returning seat backrest to original po-
sition
1Seat cushion
2Seat backrest
Swing seat backrest2 to the rear until
it engages.

Swing seat cushion1 to the rear and
press the center front of the cushion
until it audibly engages.

Swing the head restraint forward by
hand until it engages.
Warning!
G
Always lock backrest in its upright position
when rear seat bench is occupied, or the ex-
tended trunk 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.

222 Controls in detailLoadingFolding front passenger seat*
Folding front passenger seat forward
1Release handle
Press the right-hand side of release
handle1.
The handle folds out.

Pull the left-hand side of the release
handle.
The front passenger seat backrest is
released and can be folded forward.

Fold the backrest all the way forward.

Press the backrest lightly downward
until it is resting on the seat cushion.Folding front passenger seat back
1Release handle

Using release handle1, pull the back-
rest to its original position. Pull the
handle until the backrest has reached
an angle of approximatley 45°.
Warning!
G
Make sure that the backrest engages and
locks when folding it back into place.

223 Controls in detail
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Expanding the cargo area*
Removing the rear seat cushions will pro-
vide you with a larger, flat cargo area.
Fold the seat cushions and the back-
rests forward.

Remove the head restraints.
(Raise the seat backrest and fold the
head restraints forward.)
1Release catch

Press head restraint release catch1
and pull the head restraints out of the
guides.

Fold the backrest into the vertical posi-
tion.
1Release lever

Pull seat cushion release lever1 and
remove the seat cushion by pulling it
upward.
!Leave the seat cushion hinge in this po-
sition. The upholstery could be dam-
aged if you fold the hinge back.

224 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. Put luggage or car-
go in the trunk if possible. Do not pile lug-
gage or cargo higher than the seat backs.
Do not place anything on the shelf below the
rear windows.
Never drive vehicle with trunk open. Deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter ve-
hicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.