2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C32AMG Owner's Manual

209 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Roof rack*

Mount the roof rack only to the
fastening bolts (see arrows) located
under the door weatherstrips.

Secure the roof rack according to
manufacturer’s instructions for
installation.
Ski sack*
1Handle
2Cover
3Armrest
Unfolding and loading
Fold armrest3 down (arrow).

Pull handle1 and swing cover2
down.
Warning!
G
Only use roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to
avoid damage to the vehicle. Follow manu-
facturer’s installation instructions.
!Load the roof rack in such a way that
the vehicle cannot be damaged while
driving.
Make sure

you can fully raise the
sliding/pop-up roof*.


you can fully open the trunk.


210 Controls in detailLoading4Velcro strap
Unfasten velcro strap4.

Pull ski sack into passenger compart-
ment and unfold.5Button

Open trunk lid.

Press button5.
The flap opens downward.

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.


211 Controls in detail
Loading
6Strap
Tighten strap6 by pulling at the loose
end (arrow) until the skis in the ski sack
are tightly secured.7Hook
8Eye

Connect hook7 to eye8.
Tighten strap by pulling at the loose
end (arrow).Unloading and folding

Loosen the straps.

Disconnect hook7 from eye8.

Unload skis.

Close flap in trunk.

Fold and flatten ski sack lengthwise.

Place folded ski sack inside recess of
backrest.

Fasten velcro strap.

Close ski sack compartment cover.

212 Controls in detailLoadingRemoving the ski sack
You can remove the ski sack for cleaning
or drying.
1Button
2Ski sack frame
3Flap
Open trunk lid.

Press button1.
The flap3 opens downward.

Press button1 firmly until ski sack
frame2 is released.

Pull ski sack frame2 with ski sack
out.Installing the ski sack
Install the ski sack in the reverse order.

Push ski sack frame2 with ski sack
inward until the ski sack frame snaps
into place.

Close flap3.

Close trunk lid.
Split rear bench seat*
To expand the cargo area, you can fold
down the left and right rear seat backrests.
The two sections can be folded down
separately.
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
accessing the trunk, always close the
flap.
Warning!
G
When expanding the luggage area, always
fold the seat cushions fully forward.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the
backrests must remain properly locked in
the upright position.
In an accident, during hard braking or
sudden 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.

213 Controls in detail
Loading
Folding the backrest forward
The release handle1 is located in the
trunk.
Pull release handle1.

Fully retract and fold rearward head
restraints (
page 95).

Pull release handle2.

Fold seat cushion3 forward.

Fold backrest4 forward.Setting up rear seat bench

Fold backrest4 rearward until it
engages.

Fold seat cushion3 rearward until it
locks into position.

214 Controls in detailLoadingIf the backrest is not locked into position,
a red indicator5 will be visible.
Check for secure locking by pushing
and pulling on the backrest.
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 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.
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
collision or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo.iTo prevent unauthorized persons from
access to the trunk, always lock
backrest in its upright position.

215 Controls in detail
Loading
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.

216 Controls in detailUseful features
Useful featuresInterior storage spaces Glove box
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box
Opening the glove box

Pull lid release1.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Closing the glove box

Push lid up to close.Locking the glove box

Insert mechanical key (
page 305)
into the glove box lock and turn it to
position2.
Unlocking the glove box

Turn mechanical key (
page 305) in
the glove box lock to position1.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
g a g e o r c a r g o i n t h e t r u n k i f p o s s i b l e . D o n o t
pile luggage or cargo higher than the seat
backs. Do not place anything on the shelf
below the rear window.
Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy
objects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident.
iPrior to closing the glove box, close the
compartment for glasses first.