Page 150 of 521
149 Controls in detail
Lighting
Interior lighting in the rear
The overhead control panel is located
above the rear seat bench.
1Ambient lighting switch, to brighten
2Rear reading lamp
3Rear reading lamp on/off
4Rear interior lamp
5Ambient lighting
6Ambient lighting switch, to dimRear reading lamps
Press respective rear reading lamp
switch3 to switch on the correspond-
ing rear reading lamp.
Press respective rear reading lamp
switch3 again to switch off the corre-
sponding rear reading lamp.
Ambient lighting
Press ambient lighting switch1or6
repeatedly until ambient lighting5
has reached the desired intensity.
You can switch the ambient lighting on and
off, using the Control system
(
page 172).
Trunk lamp
The trunk lamp switches on if the trunk is
opened.
If the trunk remains open, the trunk lamp
switches off automatically after approxi-
mately 10 minutes.
Page 269 of 521
268 Controls in detailLoadingRoof rack*
1TrimPreparing roof rack installation
Open trim1 at the trim strips in the
roof.
Secure the roof rack according to man-
ufacturer’s instructions for installation.
Ski sack*
Unfolding and loading
Fold rear armrest down (arrow).
Swing cover1 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* or tilt/sliding panel*
you can fully open the trunk
Page 270 of 521
269 Controls in detail
Loading
Open hook and loop strap1.
Pull ski sack into passenger compart-
ment and unfold.
From trunk, slide skis into ski sack.
Wrap strap around ski sack and rear
armrest.
Close clasp (arrows) and pull strap
tight to firmly secure skis.
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.
Page 271 of 521
270 Controls in detailLoading
Connect snap hook1 of front strap to
eye2 located on center tunnel in
front of rear seat bench.Unloading and folding
Loosen strap, open clasp by pressing
tabs together (arrows).
Unload skis.
Close flap in trunk.
Fold and flatten ski sack lengthwise
and place folded ski sack inside recess
of backrest.
Close ski sack compartment cover.
Page 272 of 521

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.
Page 273 of 521

272 Controls in detailLoading
Pull release handle1.
The seat cushion automatically springs
upward slightly.
1Seat cushion
2Seat backrest
Grip the back of seat cushion1 and
fold forward.
Push the rear seat head restraints all
the way in.
Pull the handle in the trunk.
The seat backrest is released and the
head restraints fold back.
Fold the seat backrest forward.Returning seat backrest to original po-
sition
1Seat cushion
2Seat backrest
Swing seat backrest2 to the rear until
it engages.
Swing seat cushion1 to the rear and
press the center front of the cushion
until it audibly engages.
iIf tall persons have occupied the driv-
er’s and front passenger seats, it may
be necessary to move these seats for-
ward slightly in order to fold the rear
seat backrests forward.
iI f t h e r e a r c e n t e r s e a t i s t o b e o cc u p i e d
while driving, it may be necessary to
fold the seat belt buckle up again.
!Make sure the head restraints fit all the
way into the seat cushion pockets. This
will prevent the backrests from being
damaged during loading.
Page 274 of 521
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.
Page 276 of 521

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.