Page 265 of 481

264 Controls in detail
Loading
Removing the ski sack
You can remove the ski sack for cleaning
or drying.
1Button
2Ski sack frame
3Flap
Open trunk lid.
Press button1.
The flap3 opens downward.
Press button1 firmly until ski sack
frame2 is released.
Pull ski sack frame2 with ski sack
out.Installing the ski sack
Install the ski sack in the reverse order.
Push ski sack frame2 with ski sack
inward until the ski sack frame snaps
into place.
Close flap3.
Close trunk lid.
Split rear bench seat
To expand the cargo area, you can fold
down the left and right rear seat backrests.
The two sections can be folded down
separately.
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 ac-
cess to the trunk, always close the flap.
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 267).
Page 266 of 481
265 Controls in detail
Loading
Folding the backrest forward
The release handle1 is located in the
trunk.
1Release handle
Pull release handle1.
Fully retract and fold rearward head re-
straint (
page 121).2Release handle
Pull release handle2.3Seat cushion
4Seat backrestFold seat cushion3 forward.
Fold rear seat backrest4 forward.
!Always release the seat cushion and fold it
forward before folding the corresponding seat
backrest forward. The covering on the seat back-
rest may otherwise be damaged.
Page 267 of 481

266 Controls in detail
Loading
Setting up rear seat bench
5Indicator right
6Indicator left
Fold backrest4 (page 265) rear-
ward until it engages.
Fold seat cushions3 (page 265)
rearward until it locks into position.
If a backrest is not locked into position,
ared indicator5 or6 will be visible.
Check for secure locking by pushing
and pulling on the backrest.
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage/cargo should not ex-
ceed the load limit indicated on the
corresponding placard located on the driv-
er’s door B-pillar (
page 316).
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 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.
iTo prevent unauthorized persons from ac-
cess to the trunk, always lock backrest in its up-
right position.
Page 268 of 481

267 Controls in detail
Loading
The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Always 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 of
sufficient strength to hold down the
cargo.
Always follow loading instructions
(
page 266).
Warning!G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible using cargo tie-down rings and
fastening materials appropriate for the
weight and size of the load.
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.
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 ob-
jects.
The enlarged cargo area should only be used for
items which do not fit in the trunk alone.
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268 Controls in detail
Useful features
Storage compartments Glove box
1Glove box lid
2Glove box lid release
Opening the glove box
Pull glove box lid release2.
The glove box lid1 opens downward.
Closing the glove box
Push glove box lid1 up to close.Storage compartment in the dashboard
Depending on your vehicle’s production
date, your vehicle is equipped with either a
cup holder (
page 272) or a storage com-
partment.
1Cover
Opening storage box
Push cover1.
The storage box opens automatically.
Closing storage box
Push the storage box back until it
engages.
Warning!G
Do not store any flammable substances in-
side the vehicle or in the trunk. Otherwise
the flammable substances could ignite and
start a fire inside the vehicle.
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.
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.
iAudio system/COMAND* with CD chang-
er*: The CD changer is located in the glove box.
Page 270 of 481
269 Controls in detail
Useful features
Ruffled storage bags
Storage bags are located on the rear side
of the front seats.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.
Warning!G
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
accident.
Page 271 of 481
270 Controls in detail
Useful features
Center armrest
The compartment in the center armrest
contains a cup holder and the telephone*
compartment.
1Cover
2Telephone* compartment
3Cup holder1Cover
Opening compartment
Slide cover1 in direction of arrow.
Closing compartment
Slide cover1 back.
Opening telephone compartment
Slide cover1 in direction of arrow and
open it fully.
Closing telephone compartment
Slide cover1 back.
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.
iThe Roadside Assistance button •
(
page 282) and the Information button¡
(
page 283) are located below the cover1.
Page 272 of 481

271 Controls in detail
Useful features
Armrest in the rear passenger
compartment
Pull the top of the armrest out and fold
it down.
Cup holders
Cup holder in the center armrest
1Cup holder in compartment
(
page 270)
2Cup holder
iThe armrest contains a cup holder
(
page 272).
!Do not sit on or lean your full body weight
against the armrest when it is folded down, as
you could otherwise damage it.
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 and others when contacted during
braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an
accident.
Keep in mind that objects placed in cup
holder may come loose during braking,
vehicle maneuvers, or in an accident and be
thrown around in the vehicle interior.
Objects thrown around in the vehicle
interior may cause an accident and/or
serious personal injury.