2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C350 4MATIC Owner's Manual

248 Controls in detailDriving systems1Sets current or higher speed
2Sets current or lower speed
3Cancels cruise control
4Resumes at last set speed
Setting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.

Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise
control lever.
The current speed is set.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated.Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel cruise
control:

Step on the brake pedal.
Cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
or

Briefly push the cruise control lever to
position3.
Cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.iOn uphill or downhill grades, cruise
control may not be able to maintain the
set speed. Once the grade eases, the
set speed will be resumed.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Moving the gear selector lever to
positionN while driving also cancels
cruise control. However, the gear
selector lever should not be moved to
positionN while driving, except to
coast when the vehicle is in danger of
skidding (e.g. on icy roads).iVehicles with manual transmission:
The set cruise controlled speed is
switched off when declutching exceeds
4 seconds during shifting a new gear.iThe last stored speed is canceled when
you turn off the engine.

249 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
Lift cruise control lever to position1
and hold it up until the desired speed is
reached.

Release cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed

Depress cruise control lever to
position2 and hold it down until the
desired speed is reached.

Release cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster

Briefly tip cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1.
Slower

Briefly tip cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2.Setting to last stored speed
“Resume” function)

Briefly push cruise control lever to
position4.
The cruise control resumes the last set
speed.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does
not deactivate cruise control. After
brief acceleration (e.g. for passing),
cruise control will resume the last
speed set.
iVehicles with automatic transmission:
When you use the cruise control lever
to decelerate, the transmission will
automatically downshift if the engine’s
braking power does not brake the
vehicle sufficiently.
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to preset
speed could cause an accident and/or seri-
ous injury to you and others.

250 Controls in detailLoadingRoof rack*

Mount the roof rack only between the
fastening points (see arrows).

Secure the roof rack according to
manufacturer’s instructions for
installation.
Ski sack* (Canada only)
1Handle
2Cover
3Armrest
Unfolding and loading
Fold armrest3 down (arrow).

Pull handle1 and swing cover2
down.
Warning!
G
Only use roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to
avoid damage to the vehicle. Follow manu-
facturer’s installation instructions.
!Load the roof rack in such a way that
the vehicle cannot be damaged while
driving.
Make sure

you can fully raise the tilt/sliding
sunroof*.


you can fully open the trunk.

251 Controls in detail
Loading
4Hook and loop fastener
Unfasten hook and loop fastener4.

Pull ski sack into passenger compart-
ment and unfold.5Button

Open trunk lid.

Press button5.
The flap opens downward.

From trunk, slide skis into ski sack.Warning!
G
The ski sack is designed for up to four pairs
of skis. Do not load the ski sack with other
objects.
Always fasten the ski sack securely. In an
accident, an unfastened ski sack can cause
injury to vehicle occupants.


252 Controls in detailLoading6Strap
Tighten strap6 by pulling at the loose
end (arrow) until the skis in the ski sack
are tightly secured.7Hook
8Eye

Connect hook7 to eye8.
Tighten strap by pulling at the loose
end (arrow).Unloading and folding

Loosen the straps.

Disconnect hook7 from eye8.

Unload skis.

Close flap in trunk.

Fold and flatten ski sack lengthwise.

Place folded ski sack inside recess of
backrest.

Fasten hook and loop fastener.

Close ski sack compartment cover.


253 Controls in detail
Loading
Removing the ski sack
You can remove the ski sack for cleaning
or drying.
1Button
2Ski sack frame
3Flap
Open trunk lid.

Press button1.
The flap3 opens downward.

Press button1 firmly until ski sack
frame2 is released.

Pull ski sack frame2 with ski sack
out.Installing the ski sack
Install the ski sack in the reverse order.

Push ski sack frame2 with ski sack
inward until the ski sack frame snaps
into place.

Close flap3.

Close trunk lid.
Split rear bench seat*
To expand the cargo area, you can fold
down the left and right rear seat backrests.
The two sections can be folded down
separately.
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
accessing the trunk, always close the
flap.
Warning!
G
When expanding the luggage area, always
fold the seat cushions fully forward.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the
backrests must remain properly locked in
the upright position.
In an accident, during hard braking or
sudden 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 256).

254 Controls in detailLoadingFolding the backrest forward
The release handle1 is located in the
trunk.
Pull release handle1.

Fully retract and fold rearward head
restraints (
page 111).

Pull release handle2.

Fold seat cushion3 forward.

Fold backrest4 forward.Returning the backrest to original
position

Fold backrest2 rearward until it
engages.

Fold seat cushion1 rearward until it
locks into position.
!Always release the seat cushion and
fold it forward before folding the seat
backrests forward. Otherwise, the
backrest covering may be damaged.

255 Controls in detail
Loading
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.
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle
occupants and luggage/cargo should not
exceed the load limit or vehicle capacity
weight indicated on the corresponding
placard located on the driver’s door
B-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.
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, cargo is
being carried in the trunk, 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.iTo prevent unauthorized persons from
access to the trunk, always lock
backrest in its upright position.