Page 176 of 522

175 Controls in detail
Control system
Setting ambient lighting
Use this function to adjust the brightness
of the ambient lighting.
Move the selection marker with
buttonæ orç to the
Lighting
submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until the message
Ambient light lev-
el
appears in the multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
Press buttonæ orç to select
the desired brightness of the ambient
lighting.
The setting
1 represents the darkest
level and setting
5 the brightest level.
The ambient light is switched off at set-
ting
0.Setting night security illumination
(Headlamps delayed shut-off)
Use this function to set whether you would
like the exterior lamps to remain on for
15 seconds during darkness after exiting
the vehicle and closing all doors.
With the delayed shut-off feature activated
and the exterior lamp switch in
positionU before the engine is turned
off, the following lamps will switch on
when the engine is turned off:
Parking lamps
Tail lamps
License plate lamps
Side marker lamps
Front fog lamps
If after turning off the engine you do not
open a door or do not close an opened
door, the lamps will automatically switch
off after 60 seconds.
Move the selection marker with
buttonæ orç to the
Lighting
submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until the message
Headlamps delayed
shut-off
appears in the multifunction
display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
Press buttonæ orç to switch Headlamps delayed shut-off
On or
Off
.
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionU before turning off the en-
gine.
Page 187 of 522
186 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionGear selector lever positions
The current gear selector lever position
appears in the multifunction display.
1Current gear selector lever position
Effect
ì
Park position
Gear selector lever position
when the vehicle is parked. Place
gear selector lever in park
positionP only when vehicle is
stopped. The park position is not
intended to serve as a brake
when the vehicle is parked.
Rather, the driver should always
set the parking brake in addition
to placing the gear selector lever
in park positionP to secure the
vehicle.
EffectThe SmartKey can only be
removed from the starter switch
with the gear selector lever in
park positionP. With the
SmartKey removed, the gear
selector lever is locked in park
positionP.
If the vehicle’s electrical system
is malfunctioning, the gear
selector lever could remain
locked in park positionP
(page 438).
í
Reverse gear
Place gear selector lever in
positionR only when vehicle is
stopped.
Page 274 of 522
273 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Roof rack*
1Trim
Open trim1 at the trim strips in the
roof.
Secure the roof rack according to man-
ufacturer’s instructions for installation.
Warning!
G
Only use roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to
avoid damage to the vehicle.
Follow the manufacturer’s installation in-
structions. Otherwise, an improperly at-
tached roof rack system or its load could
become detached from the vehicle.
Do not exceed the maximum roof load of
220 lb (100 kg).
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.
!
Load the roof rack in such a way that the ve-
hicle 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 276 of 522
275 Controls in detail
Loading
From trunk, slide skis into ski bag.1Strap
Tighten strap1 by pulling at the loose
end (arrow) until the skis in the ski bag
are tightly secured.1Hook
2Eye
Connect hook1 of front strap to
eye2 located on center tunnel in
front of rear seat bench.
Tighten strap by pulling at the loose
end (arrow).
Warning!
G
The ski bag is designed for up to four pairs
of skis. Do not load the ski bag with other
objects.
Always fasten the ski bag securely. In an ac-
cident, an unfastened ski bag can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants.
Page 277 of 522

276 Controls in detailLoadingUnloading and folding
Loosen both straps.
Disconnect hook1 from eye2.
Unload skis.
Close flap in trunk.
Fold and flatten ski bag lengthwise and
place folded ski bag inside recess of
backrest.
Close ski bag compartment cover.Removal of ski bag
For removal of the ski bag, we recommend
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.
Warning!
G
Never drive vehicle with trunk open while
the ski bag is removed. Deadly carbon mon-
oxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior,
resulting in unconsciousness and death.i
To prevent unauthorized persons from ac-
cess 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 280).
Page 279 of 522
278 Controls in detailLoadingReturning 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.
Swing the head restraint forward by
hand until it engages.
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 281 of 522

280 Controls in detailLoadingThe 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*
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 279).
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. 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.
Page 283 of 522
282 Controls in detailUseful featuresStorage compartments Glove box
1Compartment for mobile phone/glass-
es
2Glove box lid release
Opening the glove box
Push glove box lid release2.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Closing the glove box
Push glove box lid up to close.Storage compartment in the rear cen-
ter console
Briefly press the top of the compart-
ment.
It extends automatically.
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
around and injuring vehicle occupants dur-
ing an accident.
i
Close the compartment for mobile
phone/glasses1 first before closing the glove
box.