2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C WAGON ECU

230 Controls in detailLoadingSplit rear bench seat
To expand the cargo compartment, you
can fold down the left and right rear seat
backrests.
The two sections can be folded down
separately.Folding the backrest forward

Pull release handle1.

Fold seat cushion2 forward.
Right hand side of rear seat
Slip seat belt webbing behind
retainer3.

Fully retract and fold rearward head
restraints (
page 101).
Warning!
G
When expanding the luggage compartment,
always fold the seat cushions fully forward
and always use the partition net when trans-
porting cargo.
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 233).

231 Controls in detail
Loading

Pull release lever4.

Fold backrest5 forward.Returning the backrest to original
position

Fold backrest2 rearward until it
engages.

Fold seat cushion1 rearward until it
locks into position.If the backrest is not locked into position,
a red indicator3 will be visible.

Check for secure locking by pushing
and pulling on the backrest.
iWith the twin-reel roller blind installed:

When folding the backrest forward,
fold the right section first and then
the left section.


If only the left section is to be
folded, first remove the twin-reel
roller blind (
page 229).

232 Controls in detailLoading
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage/cargo should not ex-
ceed the vehicle capacity weight indicated
on the corresponding label located on the
driver’s 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
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
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.

233 Controls in detail
Loading
Cargo tie-down rings
The four cargo tie-down rings are located
in the cargo compartment.Cargo tie-down rings
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 232).
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 tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.

234 Controls in detailUseful featuresStorage compartments 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.1Unlocking
2Locking
Locking the glove box

Insert mechanical key (
page 326)
into the glove box lock and turn it to
position2.
Unlocking the glove box

Turn mechanical key 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-
gage or cargo in the cargo compartment if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher
than the seat backs.
Always use partition net when transporting
cargo. Partition net cannot secure hard or
heavy objects.
Parcel 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.

238 Controls in detailUseful featuresOpening cup holder
Briefly press the front of cup holder1.
The cup holder slides out slightly.

Pull out the cup holder until it stops.
Closing cup holder

Slide cup holder1 in until it engages.
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
1Cover plate
2Sliding button
3Ashtray insert
Briefly press the bottom of cover
plate1.
The cover plate opens automatically.Removing ashtray insert

Secure vehicle from movement by
setting 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 insert3 slides out
slightly.

Remove the ashtray insert.
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.
Warning!
G
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle
standing still. Set the parking brake to
secure vehicle from movement. Move gear
selector lever to positionN. With gear selec-
tor lever in positionN, turn off the engine.

263 Operation
Driving instructions
Standing water
Passenger compartment
Driving abroad
Abroad, there is an extensive
Mercedes-Benz service network at your
disposal. If you plan to drive into areas
which are not listed in the index of your
Mercedes-Benz Center directory, you
should request pertinent information from
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!Do not drive through flooded areas or
water of unknown depth. Before driving
through water, determine its depth.
Never accelerate before driving into
water. The bow wave could force water
into the engine and auxiliary equip-
ment, thus damaging them.
If you must drive through standing wa-
ter, drive slowly to prevent water from
entering the passenger compartment
or the engine compartment. Water in
these areas could cause damage to
electrical components or wiring of the
engine or transmission, or could result
in water being ingested by the engine
through the air intake causing severe
internal engine damage. Any such
damage is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as
securely as possible.
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.
The cargo compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects. Always use partition
net when transporting cargo. Partition net
cannot secure hard or heavy objects.

323 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Operational position
Turn crank handle clockwise until it
engages (operational position).
Before storing the vehicle jack in its
compartment:


It should be fully collapsed.


The handle must be folded in (storage
position).Setting up the collapsible wheel chock
The collapsible wheel chock serves to
additionally secure the vehicle, e.g. while
changing the wheel.
1Tilt the plates upward
2Fold the lower plate outward
3Insert the plate

Tilt both plates upward1.

Fold the lower plate outward2.

Guide the tabs of the lower plate all the
way into the openings of the base
plate3.