2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 seats

96 Controls in detailSeatsThird row seats* Folding down single seat
1Head restraint
2Hook
3Tensioner
4Hook and loop strip

Remove cargo floor plate
(page 144).

Remove head restraint1 from seat
cushion.

Lift tensioner3 upward to a horizontal
position to release tension of the belt.

Disengage hook2 while holding onto
the seat firmly with one hand.

Attach belt at hook and loop strip4 on
underside of seat.
5Backrest release
6Seat release

Fold seat down until it locks securely in
place.
The red marking on the seat release
should6 not be visible.

Store cargo floor plates inside the
backrest (
page 144).

Pull backrest release5 and unfold
backrest until it locks securely in place.

Install head restraint1 in backrest
(page 92).
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of
the head approximately at ear level.
Failure to assure that seats are locked into
place could result in an increased chance of
injury in an accident.
Never place hands under seat or near any
moving parts while a seat is being adjusted.

97 Controls in detail
Seats
Storing single seat
Remove head restraint from backrest
(page 92).

Pull backrest release5 and fold back-
rest forward until it locks securely in
place.

Remove cargo floor plates from the
backrest.

Pull seat release6 (
page 96) and
fold seat up.

Disengage belt and engage hook2
(page 96) in ceiling mount.

Pull on free end of belt until tight.

Install head restraint in openings pro-
vided in seat cushion.

Install cargo floor plates (
page 144).
Warning!
G
After folding the seats up, manually place
the lap belt portion of the seat belt behind
the seat (arrow). Otherwise, the lap belt may
be subject to damage and could rip.

98 Controls in detailSeatsRemoving single seat
1Hook
2Tensioner
3Hook and loop strip
4Release lever

Lift tensioner2 upward to a horizontal
position to release tension of the belt.

Disengage hook2 while holding onto
the seat firmly with one hand.

Attach belt at hook and loop strip3 on
underside of seat.

Move release lever4 upward and re-
move seat.Installing single seat

Place seat into the mounting clamps
and click the seat into place.

100 Controls in detailMemory function*Storing positions in memory
Adjust the seat (
page 36) and exteri-
or rear view mirrors (page 38) to the
desired position.

Push memory button2.

Release memory button and press one
of the position buttons1 within three
seconds.
All the settings are stored at the select-
ed position.
Recalling positions from memory
Press and hold one of the position
buttons1 until seat and rear view mir-
rors have fully moved to the stored po-
sitions.Exterior rear view mirror parking posi-
tion (passenger side)
For easier parking, you can adjust the pas-
senger exterior rear view mirror so that you
can see the right rear wheel as soon as you
engage reverse gearR.
!Do not operate the power seats using
the memory button if the seat backrest
is in an excessively reclined position.
Doing so could cause damage to front
or rear seats.iReleasing the button immediately
stops movement to the stored posi-
tions.

139 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage / cargo should not ex-
ceed the vehicle capacity weight 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.
For additional safety when transporting
cargo while the rear seats are unoccupied,
fasten the outer seat belts crosswise into
the opposite side buckles.
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.

140 Controls in detailLoadingCargo 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.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 9lbs.(4kg).
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.
iWhile the partition net (
page 141)
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.

141 Controls in detail
Loading
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 hook

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.
Warning!
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 140).
Passenger use of seats behind installed par-
tition net is restricted because of the foot-
well being taken up by the net.

142 Controls in detailLoadingTightening partition netInstallation 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.Removing partition net

Lift tensioner3 upward to a horizontal
position to release tensioning of the
strap.

Disengage tie-down hooks1 from
rings2.

Remove mounting hooks2
(page 141) from holder1
(page 141).

Roll up and close the partition net.

Store partition net behind rear seat
bench.
iBefore tightening the partition net, re-
move the cargo floor plates.