Page 257 of 474

256 Controls in detailLoadingAlways 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.
Cargo tie-down rings*
The four cargo tie-down rings are located
in the trunk.Cargo tie-down rings
Carefully secure cargo by applying
even load on all rings with rope
sufficient strength to hold down the
cargo.
Always follow loading instructions
(page 255).
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 trunk open. Deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter ve-
hicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.iThe trunk is the preferred place to carry
objects.
The enlarged cargo area should only be
used for items which do not fit in the
trunk alone.
Page 258 of 474

257 Controls in detail
Useful features
Useful features
Storage compartments Glove box
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box
Opening glove box
Pull glove box lid release1.
The glove box lid opens2 downward.
Closing glove box
Push glove box lid2 up to close.1Unlocking
2Locking
Locking glove box
Insert mechanical key (
page 389)
into the glove box lock and turn it to
position2.
Unlocking 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 storing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the trunk if possible. Do not
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.
iAudio system/COMAND* with CD
changer*: The CD changer* is located
in the glove box.
Page 262 of 474

261 Controls in detail
Useful features
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 (manual transmission:
second gear).
Now you have more room to take out
the ashtray insert.
Push sliding button2 to the right.
The ashtray insert3 slides out
slightly.
Remove the ashtray insert.Reinstalling ashtray insert
Push the ashtray insert3 down into
the retainer until it engages.
Push down cover plate1 to close
ashtray.
The cover plate engages.
Rear seat ashtray
1Button
2Ashtray insert
3Cover
Pull at top of cover3.
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 (manual trans-
mission: second gear). With gear selector
lever in positionN (manual transmission:
second gear) turn off the engine.
Page 291 of 474

290 OperationDriving instructionsStanding 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 trunk is the preferred place to carry
objects.
Page 365 of 474

364 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Front-pass.
airbag
activated
See Operator’s
Manual
Front passenger front air bag is
activated while driving even though
a child, small individual, or object
below the system’s weight
threshold is on the front passenger
seat, or the front passenger seat is
empty. Objects on the seat or
forces acting on the seat may
make the system sense supple-
mental weight.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the front
passenger seat for the following:
Switch off the ignition (
page 33).
Remove child and child restraint from front passenger seat and proper-
ly secure the child in rear seat employing the child restraint if neces-
sary.
Make sure that no objects applying supplemental weight onto the seat
are present. The system may recognize such supplemental weight and
sense that an occupant on the front passenger seat is of a greater
weight than actually present.
Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front passenger door and switch
on the ignition (
page 33).
(Continued on next page)
Page 384 of 474
383 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Where will I find ...?
First aid kit
The first aid kit is located in the trunk on
the left side secured by a hook and loop
fastener.
1First aid kit
2Hook and loop fastener
Unfasten hook and loop fastener2.
Remove first aid kit1.
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit is located in the storage
compartment underneath the trunk floor.
The following is included:
Towing eye bolt
Wheel wrench
Alignment bolt
Vehicle jack
Spare fuses
Collapsible wheel chock
A pair of gloves Removing the vehicle tool kit
Lift up trunk floor cover and engage
trunk floor handle in upper edge of
trunk.
1Retaining screw
2Storage well casing
Loosen retaining screw1 by turning it
counterclockwise.
Remove storage well casing2.
iCheck expiration dates and contents
for completeness at least once a year
and replace missing/expired items.
Page 385 of 474
384 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?3Arrow
4Minispare wheel with spare wheel bolts
in container on wheel rim
5Vehicle tool kit storage well casing
6Vehicle tool kit
Remove vehicle tool kit6.Storing the vehicle tool kit
Place vehicle tool kit6 in vehicle tool
kit storage well casing5.
Place storage well casing2 over the
vehicle tool kit storage well casing5
and turn retaining screw1 clockwise
as far it will go to secure the Minispare
wheel.
iArrow3 on vehicle tool kit storage
well casing5 must point in the direc-
tion of travel. Otherwise you cannot
place the storage well casing2 on top
and secure the Minispare wheel with
retaining screw1.!To prevent damage, always disengage
trunk floor handle from upper edge of
trunk and lower trunk floor before
closing the trunk.
Page 387 of 474
386 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?Setting up the collapsible wheel chock
The collapsible wheel chock serves to
additionally secure the vehicle, e.g. while
changing the wheel.
1Tilt the plate 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.
Minispare wheel
The Minispare wheel is located in the
storage compartment underneath the
trunk floor.
Removing the Minispare wheel
Lift up trunk floor cover and engage
trunk floor handle in upper edge of
trunk.
Loosen the retaining screw
(page 383) in the middle of storage
well casing.
Remove the storage well casing
(page 383).