Page 209 of 457

208 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading instructions
Load distribution
The gross vehicle weight which is the
weight of the vehicle including fuel, tools,
spare wheel, installed accessories, pas-
sengers and luggage/cargo must never
exceed the load limit and Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) for your vehicle as
specified on the certification label located
on the driver’s door B-pillar (
page 412).
In addition, the load must be distributed in
such a way so that the weight on each axle
never exceeds the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axle.
The GVWR and GAWR for your vehicle are
indicated on the certification label which
can be found on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
page 412).
For more information, see “Tire and Load-
ing Information” (
page 281).
Warning!G
Always fasten items being carried as
securely 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
sudden 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.
To help avoid personal injury during a
collision or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo. Put luggage or
cargo in the cargo compartment if possible.
Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the
seat backrests.
Never drive vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.
Page 210 of 457

209 Controls in detail
Loading
The handling characteristics of a fully
loaded vehicle depend greatly on the load
distribution. 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.
Please pay attention to and comply with
the following instructions when loading the
vehicle and transporting cargo:
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 always be kept as low as possi-
ble against front or rear seat backrests.
Always pad off sharp edges.For additional safety when transporting
cargo while the rear seats are unoccupied,
fasten the outer seat belts crosswise into
the opposite side buckles.
Cargo tie-down rings
iThe cargo compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects. The expanded cargo com-
partment (
page 206) should only be used for
items which do not fit in the cargo compartment
alone.
Warning!G
While the partition net* (page 210) will
help protect you from smaller objects, it
cannot prevent the movement of large,
heavier objects into the passenger compart-
ment in an accident.
Such items must be properly secured using
the cargo tie-down rings in the cargo com-
partment floor.
Page 211 of 457
210 Controls in detail
Loading
Your vehicle is equipped with four cargo
tie-down rings located in the cargo com-
partment floor.
1Cargo tie-down ringsCarefully secure cargo by applying even
load on all cargo tie-down rings with rope
of sufficient strength to hold down the
cargo.Partition net* (MB Accessory)
Warning!G
Make sure the partition net is properly
engaged at top and bottom position and the
tightening belts are securely fastened.
Never use a damaged partition net.
To help avoid personal injury from smaller
objects being thrown around in the occu-
pant compartment during a collision or
sudden 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 209) in the
cargo compartment floor.
Page 212 of 457
211 Controls in detail
Loading
Use of the partition net is a particularly
important safety factor when the vehicle is
loaded higher than the top of the seat
backrests with smaller objects. For your
safety, always use the partition net when
transporting cargo.
The partition net can be installed behind
the seat backrests of the rear seat bench,
or behind the front seats if the rear seat
bench is folded forward.Installing partition net behind rear seat
bench
Partition net installed behind rear seat
bench
Fold the rear seat bench forward
(
page 207).Hanging up partition net
1Partition net
2Holder
Hang partition net1 on holder2 and
push forward in direction of the arrow.
iInstallation can be performed by opening
the rear doors.
iThis cannot be done by folding the rear seat
backrest forward.
Page 213 of 457
212 Controls in detail
Loading
Pulling partition net tight
3Lift tensioner
4Tightening belt
5Belt hook
6Cargo tie-down ringLift tensioner3 on tightening belt4
must point in direction of the windshield
(indicated by the arrow).
Use lift tensioner3 to set the length
of tightening belt4 to cargo tie-down
ring6.
Hook belt hook5 into cargo tie-down
ring6.
Pull tightening belt4 by the loose end
until the partition net is slightly pulled
tight.
Fold the rear seat bench rearward until
it locks into place.
The partition net will be tightened by
the rear seat bench.
After driving a short distance, make
sure the partition net is still tight and, if
necessary, pull it tight again.Installation partition net behind front
seats
Partition net installed behind front seats
Fold the rear seat bench (together with
the rear seat backrest) forward
(
page 207).
Page 214 of 457
213 Controls in detail
Loading
Hanging up partition net
1Partition net
2Holder
Hang partition net1 on holder2 and
push forward in direction of the arrow.Pulling partition net tight
3Lift tensioner
4Tightening belt
5Belt hook
6Cargo tie-down ring
Lift tensioner3 on tightening belt4
must point in direction of the tailgate.
Use lift tensioner3 to set the length
of tightening belt4 to cargo tie-down
ring6.
Hook belt hook5 into cargo tie-down
ring6.
Pull tightening belt4 by the loose end
until the partition net is pulled tight.
After driving a short distance, make
sure the partition net is still tight and, if
necessary, pull it tight again.
Loosening partition net
Loosen tightening belt4 by pulling lift
tensioner3 upward.
Remove belt hook5 from cargo
tie-down ring6.
Removing and storing partition net
Take partition net1 out of holder2.
Roll up partition net and secure it.
Store partition net behind the rear seat
bench.
Page 215 of 457

214 Controls in detail
Loading
Cargo compartment cover blind
The cargo compartment cover blind can be
installed behind the rear seat bench.
1Rear seat bench cover blind
2Tailgate cover blindRolling out blind
Grip the blind strap and pull blind1
forward across the cargo compart-
ment.
Engage blind into the mounts on the
rear seat backrest and release.
Grip the blind strap and pull blind2
rearward across the cargo compart-
ment.
Engage blind into the mounts to the left
and right of the tailgate.
Rolling up blind
Disengage blind1 from the mounts
on the rear seat backrest and guide
retraction by its blind strap.
Disengage blind2 from the mounts to
the left and right of the tailgate and
guide retraction by its blind strap.Removing and installing blind
1Latch
2Blind
Removing blind
Roll the blind up (page 214).
Open latch1 on the right and left side
of blind2 in direction of the arrow.
Pull blind2 out upwards.
Installing blind
Place blind into recesses.
Press the right and left side of blind
down until blind locks into place.
Page 216 of 457

215 Controls in detail
Useful features
Useful features
Storage compartments
Glove box
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box lidOpening the glove box
Pull glove box lid release1 in
direction of arrow.
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
luggage or cargo in the cargo compartment
if possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo
higher than the seat backrests.
Always use partition net* when transporting
cargo. Partition net* cannot secure hard or
heavy objects.
Parcel nets cannot secure hard or heavy
objects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
braking
vehicle maneuvers
an accident
Warning!G
Do not load items on the roof. It may cause
instability during some maneuvers which
could result in an accident.
iThe glove box is illuminated with SmartKey
in starter switch position1 or2 when opening
the lid.