Page 64 of 330
64 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
REAR SEAT BENCH REMOVAL AND
INSTALLATION
Unlocked (1)
Locked (2)
To remove:
1. Turn all release levers on the legs of the appropriate
rear bench seat up. The rear bench seat can then
move in the seat mounting cups.
2. Lift the rear bench seat up and out of the seat
mounting cups.
WARNING!
The integrated seat belt can only offer the degree
of protection for which it is designed if you install
the specified rear bench seats correctly. Never op-
erate vehicle unless all rear bench seats are prop-
erly installed and all release levers are locked.
When retrofitting seat benches, make sure that the
exterior seat shells have four cross-ribs.
Keep the seat bench mounting cups in the vehicle
floor free from dirt and foreign objects. This is the
only way to guarantee that the locking
mechanisms will engage securely.
Page 157 of 330

STARTING AND OPERATING 157
5
The handling characteristics of a vehicle when laden
are dependent on the type of load and the distribution
of the load within the vehicle.
Carrying heavy or bulky loads may alter the vehicle’s
handling characteristic.
Loading Guidelines
Please note and comply with the following information
when loading and transporting goods.
Do not allow the load, including passengers, to
exceed the permitted gross vehicle weight or the
permitted axle loads for the vehicle. Bear in mind
that the unladen weight could be increased by
installing items of optional equipment and
accessories.
Distribute the load uniformly. Excessive loads on
individual points of the load surface could cause
damage to the floor covering.
Transport heavy loads between the axles near the
rear axle as low as possible in the vehicle.
Secure any kind of load with sufficient wear and
tear-resistant load restraints. See tie-down rings.WARNING!
Unsecured or poorly secured loads, and seats that
have been removed, could move around the vehi-
cle interior uncontrollably in the event of sudden
braking, a rapid change in direction or an acci-
dent. This increases the risk of injury to occu-
pants in these situations.
Secure and position a load as described in the
following loading guidelines.
Piling up heavy objects or placing them on upper
shelves or loading them otherwise high up in the
vehicle will significantly raise the center of
gravity of the vehicle. Placing excessive loads on
individual points of the load surface or behind
the rear axle will also adversely affect the
handling characteristics of your vehicle and may
lead to loss of control over the vehicle.
Road safety and tire durability are adversely
affected if the permissible axle loads or gross
vehicle weight are exceeded due to the vehicle’s
load. Braking and stopping distances can be
significantly longer.
Page 276 of 330

276 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing clothing that
have the tendency to give off coloring (e.g. when wet
etc.) may cause the upholstery to become permanently
discolored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate cover, contact discoloration will be
prevented.
Leather Upholstery
Wipe leather upholstery with a damp cloth and dry
thoroughly or clean with a leather care product.
Exercise particular care when cleaning perforated
leather as its underside should not become wet.
Cloth Upholstery
Clean with soft bristle brush, or use a dry-shampoo
cleaner in case of excessive dirt.
Tex Upholstery
Pour an interior care product onto soft lint-free cloth
and apply with light pressure.
Hard Plastic Trim Items
Pour an interior care product onto soft lint-free cloth
and apply with light pressure.Plastic and Rubber Parts
Do not use oil or wax on these parts.
Do not use any caustic or alcohol-based or solvent-
based substances to clean plastic surfaces.
Avoid the use of stain removers, iodine tincture, nail
varnish and nail varnish remover, acetone, methylated
spirits, chlorine or ammonium-based cleaning agents,
cleaning agents containing abrasive substances.
ELECTRICAL FUSES
Damaged fuses are recognizable from their burnt-out
filament.
Prior to exchanging a fuse, turn the key in the ignition-
column lock to the 0 position and switch off the
consumer involved.
NOTE: Fuses must not be bridged. Replace fuses with
specified rated current. Only replace fuses when the
cause of the malfunction has been rectified.
NOTE: Fuses and relays (standard equipment) are on
the underside of the ignition column, refer to "Fuses
and Relays Standard Equipment".