2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E500 warning

271 Controls in detail
Loading
Removal of ski sack
For removal of the ski sack, we recom-
mend that you contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Split rear bench seat*
To expand the trunk, you can fold down the
left and right rear seat backrests.
The two sections can be folded down sep-
arately to enlarge the trunk.Folding the backrest forward
1Release handle
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
access to the trunk, always close the
cover.
Warning!
G
When expanding the luggage compartment,
always fold the seat cushions fully forward.
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 275).
!You must always release the seat cush-
ion and fold it up before folding the seat
backrests forward. The upholstery on
the seat backrest may otherwise be
damaged.

273 Controls in detail
Loading

Swing the head restraint forward by
hand until it engages.
Expanding the cargo area*
Removing the rear seat cushions will pro-
vide you with a larger, flat cargo area.
Fold the seat cushions and the back-
rests forward (
page 271).

Remove the head restraints
(page 133).

Fold the backrest into the vertical posi-
tion.
1Release lever

Pull seat cushion release lever1 and
remove the seat cushion by pulling it
upward.
Warning!
G
Always lock backrest in its upright position
when rear seat bench is occupied, or the ex-
tended trunk 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 colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo.


275 Controls in detail
Loading
Cargo tie-down rings*
Four rings1 are located in the trunk.
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 274).Rear seat
There is a cargo tie-down ring located on
each side of the footwell under the rear
seat.
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. Put luggage or car-
go in the trunk if possible. Do not pile lug-
gage or cargo higher than the seat backs.
Do not place anything on the rear-window
shelf.
Never drive vehicle with trunk open. Deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter ve-
hicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.

276 Controls in detailUseful featuresStorage compartments Glove box
1Glove box lid release
2Compartment for mobile phone/glass-
es
Opening the glove box

Push glove box lid release1.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Closing the glove box

Push glove box lid up to close.Storage compartment in the center
console (no CD changer* installed)
1Opening/closing button

Press button1 to open.
The control panel swings out upward
and the storage compartment extends
out.

Press button1 to close.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when storing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
g a g e o r c a r g o i n t h e t r u n k i f p o s s i b l e . D o n o t
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
around and injuring vehicle occupants dur-
ing an accident.
iClose the compartment for glasses2
first before closing the glove box.
iNever place any medications in the
storage compartment. If there is a pow-
er failure, the storage compartment
cannot be opened.

277 Controls in detail
Useful features
Storage compartment in the rear cen-
ter console
Briefly press the top of the compart-
ment.
It extends automatically.Ruffled storage bags
Ruffled storage bags are located on the
back of the front seats.
Warning!
G
Do not place objects with a combined
weight of more than 4.4 lbs (2 kg) into the
ruffled storage bag. Otherwise, the Occu-
pant Classification System OCS (
page 81)
may not be able to properly approximate the
occupant weight category.
The ruffled storage bag is intended for stor-
ing light-weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
ruffled storage bag. In an accident, during
hard braking, or sudden maneuvers, they
could be thrown around inside the vehicle
and cause injury to vehicle occupants.
The ruffled storage bag cannot protect
transported goods in the event of an acci-
dent.

278 Controls in detailUseful featuresParcel 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.
Cup holders
Warning!
G
The parcel net is intended for storing
light-weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel net. In an accident, during hard brak-
ing, or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
The parcel net cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.
Warning!
G
In order to help prevent spilling liquids on
vehicle occupants and/or vehicle equip-
ment, only use containers that fit into the
cup holder. Use lids on open containers and
do not fill containers to a height where the
contents, especially hot liquids, could spill
during braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an
accident. Liquids spilled on vehicle occu-
pants may cause serious personal injury.
Liquids spilled on vehicle equipment may
cause damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
When not in use, keep the cup holder
closed. An open cup holder may cause injury
to you or others when contacted during
braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an acci-
dent.

281 Controls in detail
Useful features
Ashtrays
Center console ashtray
Opening ashtray
Briefly press the marking on the bot-
tom of cover1.
The cover 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.Reinstalling ashtray insert

Install insert by pushing it back into
frame until it engages again.
Rear seat ashtray
Opening rear seat ashtray

Briefly press the top of the ashtray.
The cover opens automatically.
Warning!
G
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle
standing still. Set the parking brake to se-
cure vehicle from movement. Move gear se-
lector lever to positionN. With gear selector
lever in positionN, turn off the engine.

282 Controls in detailUseful featuresCigarette lighterThe cigarette lighter is located in the cen-
ter console compartment in front of the
center armrest (
page 28).
1Cigarette lighter

Switch on the ignition (
page 36).

Push in cigarette lighter1.
The lighter will pop out automatically
when hot.
Warning!
G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* from the starter switch, take
it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsu-
pervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
!The lighter socket can be used to ac-
commodate 12V DC electrical acces-
sories (up to a maximum of 85 W)
designed for use with the standard
“cigarette lighter” plug type. Keep in
mind, however, that connecting acces-
sories to the lighter socket (for exam-
ple extensive connecting and
disconnecting, or using plugs that do
not fit properly) can damage the lighter
socket. With the socket damaged, the
lighter may no longer be able to be
placed in the heating (pushed-in) posi-
tion, or the lighter may pop out too ear-
ly with the lighter not hot enough.
To help avoid damaging the cigarette
lighter socket, we recommend con-
necting 12V DC electrical accessories
designed for use with a standard “ciga-
rette lighter” plug type to the 12V pow-
er outlets in your vehicle whenever
possible.