2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 SEAT CONTROL

261 Controls in detail
Loading
Hooks
Four hooks located on the rear compart-
ment trim panels, two on each side.
1Hook
Use the hooks to secure light weight items.
The maximum permissible weight per hook
is 9 lbs (4 kg).
Split rear bench seat
To expand the cargo compartment, you
can fold down the left and right rear seat
backrests.
The two sections can be folded down sep-
arately to enlarge the cargo compartment.Folding the backrest forwardWarning!
G
When expanding the cargo compartment,
always fold the seat cushions fully forward
and always use the partition net when trans-
porting cargo.
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 can cause
injury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
Always use the cargo tie down rings
(page 260).
!Always release the seat cushion and
fold it up before folding the seat back-
rests forward. The covering on the seat
backrest may otherwise be damaged.
When the rear bench seat is folded for-
ward, the front seats cannot be moved
to the rearmost position. Otherwise
you could damage the front seats and
the rear bench seat.

262 Controls in detailLoading1Release handle
2Seat cushion
Pull release handle1.

Fold the seat cushion2 forward.3Release handle
4Seat backrest

Make sure the rear seat head restraints
are in the lowermost position
(page 130).

Pull release handle3.
A red indicator will be visible and the
seat backrest is released.

Fold the seat backrest4 forward.Returning seat backrest to original
position
1Seat backrest
2Seat cushion

Fold seat backrest1 rearward until it
engages.
The red indicator no longer should be
visible.

Fold seat cushion2 rearward until it
locks into position.

Check for secure locking by pushing
and pulling on the seat backrest.

263 Controls in detail
Loading
Partition net*Use of the partition net is a particularly im-
portant safety factor when the vehicle is
loaded higher than the top of the seat
backrests with smaller objects.
The partition net can be installed behind
the backrests of the front or rear seats.

Open the partition net zipper.

Roll out the partition net.

Unfold the partition net until it audibly
engages.
Engaging partition net
1Holder
2Mounting hook
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 the rear seats are occupied, or the ex-
tended cargo compartment is not in use.
Check for secure locking by pushing and
pulling on the backrest.
Warning!
G
Always lock backrest in its upright position
when rear seat bench is occupied by pas-
sengers, or cargo is being carried behind the
seat bench.
To help avoid personal injury from smaller
objects being thrown around in the occu-
pant compartment during a collision or sud-
den maneuver, always use partition net
when transporting cargo.
The partition net cannot prevent the move-
ment of large, heavier objects into the pas-
senger compartment in an accident. Such
items must be properly secured using the
cargo tie-down rings (
page 260) in the
cargo compartment floor.
Passenger use of seats behind installed par-
tition net is restricted because of the foot-
well being taken up by the net.

264 Controls in detailLoading
One after the other, engage the two
mounting hooks2 in the holder1.

Push both mounting hooks2 forward
into holder1.
Tightening partition net
Installation behind the front seats1Tie-down hook
2Ring
Installation behind the rear seats1Tie-down hook
2Ring
Insert tie-down hook1 in rings2.Removing partition net

Disengage tie-down hooks1 from
rings2.

Remove mounting hooks2
(page 263) from holder1
(page 263).

Roll up and close the partition net.

Store partition net behind rear seat
bench.iWhen storing the partition net after
use, press the red button on the
partition net bar to fold in.

268 Controls in detailLoadingTelescoping rod
1Telescoping rod
2Mounting element

Insert one mounting element2 into
each cargo rail.

Turn mounting element2 in cargo rail
toN.

Insert telescoping rod1 into mount-
ing element2.

Turn mounting element2 in cargo rail
until it engages in the‹ position.
You should be able to feel the mounting
element engage in the cargo rail.Removing rear seat cushions
If your vehicle is equipped with the cargo
management system* you can remove the
rear seat cushions.
Removing the rear seat cushions will pro-
vide you with a larger, flat cargo compart-
ment.

Fold the seat cushions forward
(page 262).
1Release lever

Pull seat cushion release lever1 and
remove the seat cushion by pulling it
upward.
iThe telescoping rod can be used to
tighten the load against the rear seats
so as to secure it from slipping.

269 Controls in detail
Loading

Remove the head restraints
(page 131).

Fold the seat backrest forward
(page 262).
Roof rack*Roof rails
For further information, inquire at your
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
!Leave the seat cushion hinge in this po-
sition. The upholstery could be dam-
aged if you fold the hinge back.
Warning!
G
Take into consideration that when the roof
rack is loaded, the handling characteristics
are different from those when operating the
vehicles without the roof rack loaded.
The maximum roof load when using roof
rack systems is 220 lb (100 kg).
!Attach roof racks to the roof rails only.
Only use those roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model.
Follow manufacturer’s installation in-
structions.
The vehicle could otherwise be dam-
aged.

270 Controls in detailUseful featuresStorage compartments Parcel 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.Glove box
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box lid
Opening the glove box

Grab in recess and pull lid release1.
Glove box lid2 opens downward.
Closing the glove box

Push glove box lid2 up 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-
gage or cargo in the cargo compartment if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher
than the seat backs.
Always use partition net when transporting
cargo. Partition net cannot secure hard or
heavy objects.
Parcel nets cannot secure hard or heavy ob-
jects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident.
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.
The parcel net cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.

273 Controls in detail
Useful features
Storage compartment in the rear arm-
rest
Fold down the rear armrest.

Press the handle upward and fold the
armrest up.Parcel net on the front seat backrest
1Parcel net
A small convenience parcel net is located
on each of the front seat backrests. It is for
small and light items, such as road maps,
mail, etc.
Warning!
G
The parcel net is intended for storing
light-weight items only.
Do not place more than 4.4 lbs (2 kg) into
the parcel net on the back of the front pas-
senger seat. Otherwise, the OCS may not be
able to properly approximate the occupant
weight category.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel net.
The parcel net cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.