2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320 COUPE Owner's Manual

241 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 re-
straint (
page 110).

Pull release handle2.

Fold seat cushion3 forward.

Fold rear seat backrests4 forward.

242 Controls in detailLoadingSetting up rear seat bench
Fold backrest4 rearward until it en-
gages.

Fold seat cushions3 rearward until it
locks into position.
If a backrest is not locked into position, a
red indicator5 or6 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.
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, 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.iTo prevent unauthorized persons from
access to the trunk, always lock back-
rest in its upright position.

243 Controls in detail
Loading
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.
Cargo tie-down rings
Four rings are located in the cargo com-
partment.
Carefully secure cargo by applying
even load on all rings with rope of suffi-
cient strength to hold down the cargo.
Always follow loading instructions
(page 242).
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 rear-window
shelf.
Never drive vehicle with trunk open. Deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter ve-
hicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.

244 Controls in detailUseful features
Useful featuresInterior storage spaces Glove box
1Glove box
2Glove box lid releaseOpening the glove box

Pull lid release2.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Closing the glove box

Push lid up to close.
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.
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.
iThe glove box lid contains a compart-
ment for eyeglasses.
Close the compartment for glasses first
before closing the glove box.
Audio system/COMAND* with CD
changer*: The CD changer is located in
the glove box.

245 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cup holder in the dashboard
Opening cup holder
Push cover1.
The cup holder opens automatically.Closing cup holder

Push the cup holder back until it engag-
es.
Cup holder in rear seat armrest
Opening cup holder

Push front of sliding compartment1.
The cup holder slides out.
Closing cup holder

Push sliding compartment1 back un-
til it engages.
Warning!
G
When not in use, keep the cup holder
closed. Place only containers that fit into the
cup holder to prevent spills. Use lids on
open containers and do not fill containers to
a height where the contents, especially hot
liquids, could spill during vehicle
maneuvers.
Warning!
G
When not in use, keep the cup holder
closed. Place only containers that fit into the
cup holder to prevent spills. Use lids on
open containers and do not fill containers to
a height where the contents, especially hot
liquids, could spill during vehicle
maneuvers.

246 Controls in detailUseful featuresArmrest storage space
Opening compartment in armrest
Lift armrest by pulling on handle1.
Closing

Lower armrest until it locks into place.Opening telephone compartment

Lift armrest by pushing button2
or3.
Closing telephone compartment

Lower armrest until it locks into place.
Locking compartment

Remove the mechanical key from the
SmartKey (
page 343).

Turn the compartment lock to
position5.
Unlocking compartment

Turn the compartment lock to
position4.

Insert the mechanical key in the
SmartKey.Changing inclination of armrest

Pull up on armrest.
Lowering armrest

Pull handle1 to lower armrest.
!Do not store any items between the
telephone holder and the cover for the
blower. Otherwise these items could
be damaged when the holder is closed.
Use the space in the front door pocket
for stowing.

247 Controls in detail
Useful features
Storage bags
Storage bags are located on the rear side
of the front seats.Parcel net in front passenger footwell
A small convenience parcel net is located
in the front passenger footwell. It is for
small and light items, such as road maps,
mail, etc.
Ashtrays
Center console ashtray
Opening ashtray
Briefly touch cover plate1.
The ashtray opens automatically.
Warning!
G
Do not place heavy or fragile objects, or ob-
jects having sharp edges, in the storage
bags.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, they could be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants.
Warning!
G
Do not place heavy or fragile objects, or ob-
jects having sharp edges, in the parcel net.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, they could be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants.

248 Controls in detailUseful featuresRemoving ashtray insert
Secure vehicle from movement by set-
ting the parking brake. Move the gear
selector lever to positionN.
Now you have more room to take out
the insert.

Push sliding button2 to the right.
The ashtray is disengaged and slides a
short way in direction of arrow3.

Remove insert from ashtray frame.
Reinstalling the ashtray insert

Install insert by pushing back into
frame until it engages again.Rear seat ashtray
Opening ashtray

Pull at top of cover to open ashtray.
Removing ashtray insert

Press latch1 to disengage ashtray in-
sert and remove it.
Reinstalling the ashtray insert

Install ashtray insert.

Close the ashtray.
Cigarette lighter
1Cover
2Cigarette lighter
Turn SmartKey in the starter switch to
position1 or2.

Briefly touch cover plate1.

Push in cigarette lighter2.
The lighter will pop out automatically
when hot.
Warning!
G
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle
standing still. Set the parking brake to se-
cure vehicle from movement. Move gear se-
lector lever to positionN. With gear selector
lever in positionN, turn off the engine.