Page 177 of 376

177 Controls in detail
Loading
Folding seat backrest forward
Remove the head restraints
(page 96).
Pull release lever1 in direction of ar-
row and fold seat backrest forward un-
til it locks in place.
Folding seat bench forward
Fold seat backrest forward.
Pull release lever2 in direction of ar-
row and fold seat bench forward to-
gether with the seat backrest.Returning seat bench and seat back-
rest to sitting position
Fold up seat bench until it locks in
place.
Pull release lever1 and raise seat
backrest until it locks in place.
Check to ensure the seat is locked by
pushing and pulling on the seat back-
rest.
Warning!
G
Failure to assure that seats and seat back-
rest 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.
For safety reasons, the rear seat bench
must only be adjusted when the vehicle is
stationary.
Never ride vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.!Before folding the seat backrest for-
ward and the rear seat bench down, be
sure that all containers in the rear cup
holder are removed.
Warning!
G
Failure to assure that seats and seat back-
rests are locked into place could result in an
increased chance of injury in an accident.
Page 178 of 376
178 Controls in detailLoadingPartition net* (MB Accessory)
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.
While the partition net will help protect you
from smaller objects, it cannot prevent the
movement of large, heavier objects into
the passenger area in an accident. Such
items must be properly secured using the
cargo tie-down rings in the cargo compart-
ment floor.The partition net can be installed behind
the seat backrests of the rear seat bench,
or behind the front seats if the rear seat
bench is folded down.Installation behind rear seat bench
1Partition net
2Mounting
Fold the rear seat bench forward
(page 176).
Hook partition net1 in mountings2
on both sides.
iInstallation can be performed by open-
ing the rear doors.
iThis cannot be done by folding the rear
seat backrest forward.
Page 179 of 376
179 Controls in detail
Loading
3Lift tensioner
4Tie down
Lift tensioner3 on tie downs4 must
point in the direction of the arrow.5Hook
6Ring
Set the length of the tie downs4 and
lift tensioner3 to the rings6.
Insert tie down hooks5 in rings6.
Pull on loose ends of tie downs until net
is slightly tensioned.
Fold up seat bench until it locks in
place.
The partition net will be tightened by
the rear seat bench cushion.
After driving a short period, check the ten-
sion of the partition net, retighten if neces-
sary.Installation behind front seats
1Partition net
2Mounting
Fold rear seat bench fully forward
(page 176).
Engage partition net1 in holders2.
Page 180 of 376

180 Controls in detailLoading3Lift tensioner
4Tie down
5Hook
6Ring
Lift tensioner3 must point in the direc-
tion of the cargo compartment.
Set the length of tie downs4 and lift
tensioner3 to the rings6.
Insert tie down hooks5 in rings6.
Pull loose ends of tie downs4 until
net is tight.
After driving a short-distance, check the
tension of the partition net, retighten if
necessary.Removing partition net
Lift tensioner upward to a horizontal
position to release tensioning of strap.
Disengage tie down hooks from rings.
Remove partition net from holders.
Storing partition net
Roll up partition net and secure it.
Store partition net behind rear seat
bench.
Loading instructions
The gross vehicle weight which is the
weight of the vehicle including fuel, tools,
spare wheel, installed accessories, pas-
sengers and luggage / cargo must never
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) for your vehicle. In addition, the
load must be distributed in such a way so
t h a t t h e w e i g h t o n e a c h a x l e n e v e r e x c e e d s
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for
the front and rear axle. The GVWR and
GAWR for your vehicle are indicated on the
certification label which can be found on
the left door pillar (
page 326).
Page 181 of 376

181 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 possi-
ble.
The heaviest portion of the cargo
should always be kept as low as possi-
ble against front or rear seat backrest
since it influences the handling charac-
teristics of the vehicle.
For additional safety when transporting
cargo while the rear seats are unoccu-
pied, fasten the outer seat belts cross-
wise into the opposite side buckles.
Always pad off sharp edges.
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 ride vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.
iThe rear cargo compartment is the pre-
ferred place to carry objects. The en-
larged cargo compartment (rear seats
folded) should only be used for items
which do not fit in the rear cargo com-
partment alone.
Page 182 of 376
182 Controls in detailLoadingCargo tie-down rings
The cargo compartment is provided with
four tie-down anchors.
Carefully secure cargo by applying even
load on all rings with rope of sufficient
strength to hold down the cargo.
Warning!
G
While the partition net will help protect you
from smaller objects, it cannot prevent the
movement of large, heavier objects into the
passenger area in an accident.
Such items must be properly secured using
the cargo tie-down rings in the cargo com-
partment floor.
Page 183 of 376

183 Controls in detail
Useful features
Useful features
Interior storage spaces
Glove box
1Unlocked position
2Locked position
3HandleOpening the glove box
Pull handle to open.
The glove box is illuminated with SmartKey
in starter switch position1 or2 when
opening the lid.
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.Warning!
G
Do not load items on the roof. It may cause
instability during some maneuvers which
could result in an accident.
Warning!
G
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident and sudden maneuvers.
iThe glove box can be locked and un-
locked with the mechanical key.
Page 184 of 376
184 Controls in detailUseful featuresStorage compartments below the arm-
rest
Opening small compartment
Press button1 and lift armrest.Closing small compartment
Lower armrest until it engages in lock.
Opening large compartment
Press button2 and lift armrest.
Closing large compartment
Lower armrest until it engages in lock.Storage compartment in front of arm-
rest
Opening
Slide cover3 backward.
Closing
Slide cover3 forward.
iLocated in the cover of the storage
compartment is a storage area for
small items such as checks.iIn the large storage compartment there
is a storage area for up to three CDs.