Page 251 of 498
250 Controls in detailLoadingUnloading and folding
Loosen both straps.
Disconnect hook1 from eye2.
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.Removal of ski sack
For removal of the ski sack, we recom-
mend that you contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Cargo tie-down hooks
Four hooks are located in the trunk.
Carefully secure cargo by applying
even load on all hooks with rope of suf-
ficient strength to hold down the cargo.
Always follow loading instructions
(page 247).
Warning!
G
Never drive vehicle with trunk open while
the ski sack is removed. Deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle
interior, resulting in unconsciousness and
death.iTo prevent unauthorized persons from
access to the trunk, always close the
cover.
Page 252 of 498
251 Controls in detail
Useful features
Useful features
Storage compartments Glove box
1Unlocked
2Locked
3Glove box lid releaseOpening and closing the glove box
Press glove box lid release3 to open.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Push lid up to close.
Locking and unlocking the glove box
Insert mechanical key (
page 402)
into the glove box lock.
Turn the mechanical key to position2
to lock or to position1 to unlock the
glove box.
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.
Page 258 of 498
257 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cup holder in the rear seat armrest
Briefly press the front of the rear arm-
rest.
The cup holder extends automatically.
Ashtrays
Center console ashtray
1Cover
2Sliding button
Opening ashtray
Briefly press the marking on the bot-
tom of cover1.
The ashtray opens automatically.Removing ashtray insert
Secure vehicle from movement by set-
ting 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 and
hold.
Grip and remove insert from ashtray
frame.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.
Page 261 of 498

260 Controls in detailUseful featuresFloormats
1Retainer pins
2EyeletsRemoving
Pull floormats off of retainer pins1.
Remove the floormats.
Installing
Lay down the floormat.
Press the floormat eyelets2 onto re-
tainer pins1.
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on the installation of an approved
external antenna. Refer to the radio trans-
mitter operation instructions regarding use
of an external antenna.
iAn additional power outlet is located on
the left side in the trunk.iTo install or remove the floormat more
easily, move the driver’s seat or front
passenger seat as far to the rear as
possible (
page 40).
Warning!
G
Whenever you are using floormats, make
sure there is enough clearance and that the
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats should always be securely fas-
tened using eyelets2 and retainer pins1.
Before driving off, check that the floormats
are securely in place and adjust them if nec-
essary. A loose floormat could slip and
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Page 288 of 498

287 Operation
Driving instructions
Standing water
Passenger compartmentDriving 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
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Control and operation of radio trans-
mitter
COMAND, radio and telephone*
!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 dam-
age is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
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 cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry
objects.
Warning!
G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle safely.
Only operate the COMAND (Cockpit
Management and Data System), radio or
telephone
1 if road, weather and traffic con-
ditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements
Page 400 of 498

399 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Removing the spare wheel
Turn luggage bowl counterclockwise.
Remove spare wheel2.
Storing the spare wheel
Place spare wheel2 in wheel well.
Turn luggage bowl clockwise to its stop
to secure the spare wheel.
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit is stored in the com-
partment underneath the trunk floor
(page 398).
The vehicle tool kit includes:
One pair of universal pliers
One towing eye bolt
One wheel wrench
One alignment bolt
One fuse extractor
One collapsible wheel chock
Spare fusesVehicle jack
!Always lower trunk floor before closing
the trunk.iVehicles with collapsible tire:
The electrical air pump is located under
the luggage bowl3.
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use, es-
pecially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on a level surface. Make sure the jack arm is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jackstands before working under
the vehicle.
Page 401 of 498
400 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?The vehicle jack is located in the storage
compartment underneath the trunk floor.Storage position
Remove vehicle jack from its
compartment.
Turn crank handle in direction of arrow
as far as it will go.
Operational position
Turn crank handle clockwise.
Before storing the vehicle jack in its com-
partment:
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 plate upward
2Fold the lower plate outward
3Insert the plate
Page 434 of 498

433 Practical hints
Battery
Open the trunk.
Read and observe safety instructions
and precautions (
page 431).
Remove the luggage box (
page 401).
Disconnect battery negative lead2.
Remove cover1 from the positive ter-
minal.
Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing the battery
Remove the screw-nuts securing the
battery.
Remove the battery bracket.
Pull out the battery ventilation tube
from the battery (depending on battery
arrangement in your vehicle model, the
battery ventilation tube is located on
the left or right side of the battery).
Take out the battery.
Charging and reinstalling the batteryWarning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit* approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
An accessory battery charge unit* specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the
battery in its installed position. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for infor-
mation and availability. Charge battery in
accordance with the separate instructions
for the accessory battery charger*.