Page 235 of 442
235 Controls in detail
Loading
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.
Page 236 of 442

236 Controls in detailLoadingRemoval of ski sack
For removal of the ski sack we recommend
that you contact an authorized
Mercedes-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.Folding the backrest forward
1Release handle
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 241).
!You must always release the seat cush-
ion and fold it up before folding the seat
backrests forward. The upholstery on
the seat backrest may otherwise be
damaged.
Page 237 of 442
237 Controls in detail
Loading
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.
iIf tall persons have occupied the driv-
er’s and front passenger seats, it may
be necessary to move these seats for-
ward slightly in order to fold the rear
seat backrests forward.
iI f t h e r e a r c e n t e r s e a t i s t o b e o c c u p i e d
while driving, it may be necessary to
fold the seat belt buckle up again.
!Make sure the head restraints fit all the
way into the seat cushion pockets. This
will prevent the backrests from being
damaged during loading.
Page 238 of 442
238 Controls in detailLoadingReturning 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.
Page 239 of 442
239 Controls in detail
Loading
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.
Fold the seat backrest forward.!Leave the seat cushion hinge in this po-
sition. The upholstery could be dam-
aged if you fold the hinge back.
Page 240 of 442

240 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 rear-window
shelf.
Never drive vehicle with trunk open. Deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter ve-
hicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.
Page 241 of 442
241 Controls in detail
Loading
Cargo tie-down rings*
Four rings1 are located in the trunk.
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 240).Rear seat
There is a cargo tie-down ring located on
each side of the footwell under the rear
seat.
Page 242 of 442

242 Controls in detailUseful features
Useful featuresInterior storage spaces 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.Glove box
1Glove box lid release
2Compartment for mobile
phone / glasses
Opening the glove box
Push lid release1.
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-
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.
Warning!
G
The parcel net is intended for storing
light-weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel net.
The parcel net cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.