2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 belt

282 Controls in detailLoadingLoad distributionThe 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 placard located on the
driver’s door B-pillar (
page 530). In addi-
tion, 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 indi-cated on the certification label which can
be found on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
page 530).
For more information, see “Tire and Load-
ing Information” (
page 369).
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.
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 possi-
ble.


The heaviest portion of the cargo
should always be kept as low as possi-
ble against front or rear seat backrests.For additional safety when transporting
cargo while the rear seats are unoccupied,
fasten the outer seat belts crosswise into
the opposite side buckles.
i
The cargo compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects. The expanded cargo com-
partment (
page 284) should only be used for
items which do not fit in the cargo compartment
alone.

287 Controls in detail
Loading
Removing blind
1Release button
2Blind
Roll the blind up (
page 286).

Push release button1.

Pull blind2 to the left against the
spring pressure until the spring in the
cover audibly engages.

Remove the blind.
Installing blind

Place left side of blind2 in left mount.

Position right side of blind2 over right
mount.

Press release button1 and guide
cover2 into mount.

Make sure the cargo compartment
cover blind is securely fastened.
Partition net*
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Before removing cargo compartment cover
blind behind the rear seats, fold the left or right
rear seat forward. Afterwards, return the left or
right rear seat into its original position.
i
Before installing cargo compartment cover
blind behind the front seats, fold the rear seats
forward.
Warning!
G
Make sure the partition net is properly en-
gaged 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 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 283) 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.

289 Controls in detail
Loading
Pulling the partition net tightBelt hook attached behind the front seats1Belt hook
2Cargo tie-down ring
3Tightening belt
Hook belt hook1 into cargo tie-down
ring2 in direction of arrow.

Pull tightening belt3 by the loose end
in direction of arrow 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 the partition net
Belt hook attached behind the front seats1Buckle
2Belt hook
3Cargo tie-down ring
Loosen the tightening belt by pulling
buckle1 upward in direction of arrow.

Remove belt hook2 from cargo
tie-down ring3.Removing and storing the partition net

Take partition net bar2 out of
holder1, see “Installing the partition
net” (
page 288).

Press the red button on the upper and
lower partition net bar.

Fold the partition net.

Roll up the partition net.

Close the zipper on the partition net
package.

290 Controls in detailLoadingCargo management system*
Your vehicle may be equipped with a cargo
management system and accompanying
accessories which enables you to utilize
your cargo compartment in a variety of
ways. You can store the cargo manage-
ment system in the pouch that comes with
the vehicle.
1Cargo railsInserting the mounting elements into
the cargo rails
1Cargo rail
2Mounting element
You can move the mounting element2 to
various engaging points on the
cargo rail1 and fix it in place.
These engaging points are located
2 inches apart from one another on the
cargo rail and are indicated by markings.

Turn mounting element2 toL.

Insert mounting element2 in cargo
rail1.

Turn mounting element2 until it en-
gages in the ‹position.
You should be able to feel the mounting
element engage in the cargo rail.
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The pouch and the telescoping rod are locat-
ed under the cargo compartment floor.
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You can turn the mounting element in the
cargo rail to four positions:
‹
To lock the mounting element.
N
To insert or remove the cargo tie-down
ring, the belt reel or the telescoping rod.
L
To insert or remove the mounting ele-
ment.
S
To move the mounting element to the
next engaging point.

291 Controls in detail
Loading
Inserting the cargo tie-down ring in the
mounting element
1Cargo tie-down ring
2Mounting element
Turn mounting element2 in the cargo
rail toN.

Insert cargo tie-down ring1 into
mounting element2.

Turn mounting element2 until it en-
gages in the ‹position.
You should be able to feel the mounting
element engage in the cargo rail.
Belt reel
1Belt reel
2Mounting element
3Locking button

Insert two mounting elements2 into a
cargo rail.

Turn mounting element2 in the cargo
rail toN.

Insert belt reel1 into mounting
element2.

Turn mounting element2 in the cargo
rail until it engages in the‹ posi-
tion.
You should be able to feel the mounting
element engage in the cargo rail.

Press locking button3 on the belt
reel1 and pull cargo net out in direc-
tion of arrow.
Warning!
G
The cargo tie-down rings should be subject
to equal loads. Make sure to comply with
the information provided in the loading in-
structions (
page 281).
i
The belt reel can be used to tighten
light-weight loads against the side wall of the
cargo compartment, thus securing them from
slipping.


292 Controls in detailLoading
Place load between the cargo net and
the side wall of the cargo compart-
ment.

Press locking button3 on belt
reel1. With the other hand, slowly
pull net over load until it is taut.
Telescoping 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 cargo compartment.

Fold the seat cushions forward
(page 285).
1Release lever

Pull seat cushion release lever1 and
remove the seat cushion by pulling it
upward.

Remove the head restraints
(page 129).
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The telescoping rod can be used to tighten
the load against the rear seats so as to secure it
from slipping.


386 OperationTires and wheelsGeneral:
Depending on the design standards used,
the tire size molded into the sidewall may
have no letter or a letter preceding the tire
size designation.
No letter preceding the size designation
(as illustrated above): Passenger car tire
based on European design standards.
Letter “P” preceding the size designation:
Passenger car tire based on U.S. design
standards.
Letter “LT” preceding the size designation:
Light Truck tire based on U.S. design
standards.
Letter “T” preceding the size designation:
Temporary spare tires which are high
pressure compact spares designed for
temporary emergency use only.Tire width
The tire width1 (
page 385) indicates
the nominal tire width in mm.
Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio2 (page 385) is the
dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width and is
expressed in percentage. The aspect ratio
is arrived at by dividing section height by
section width.
Tire code
The tire code3 (
page 385) indicates
the tire construction type. The “R” stands
for radial tire type. Letter “D” means diag-
onal or bias ply construction; letter “B”
means belted-bias ply construction.
At the tire manufacturer’s option, any tire
with a speed capability above 149 mph
(240 km/h) can include a “ZR” in the size
designation (for example: 245/40 ZR 18).
For additional information, see “Tire speed
rating” (
page 387).Rim diameter
The rim diameter4 (
page 385) is the
diameter of the bead seat, not the
diameter of the rim edge. Rim diameter is
indicated in inches (in).
Tire load rating
The tire load rating5 (page 385) is a
numerical code associated with the
maximum load a tire can support.
For example, a load rating of 91 corre-
sponds to a maximum load of 1 356 lbs
(615 kg) the tire is designed to support.
See also “Maximum tire load”
(
page 391) where the maximum load as-
sociated with the load index is indicated in
kilograms and lbs.

406 OperationVehicle careDo not apply any of these products or wax
if your vehicle is parked in the sun or if the
hood is still hot.
Use the appropriate MB-Touch-Up
Stick for quick and provisional repairs
of minor paint damage (i.e. chips from
stones, vehicle doors, etc.).
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from the intrusion of
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as
MB Anticorrosion Wax, should be applied
to the engine compartment after every en-
gine cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be lu-
bricated. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys
should be protected from any wax.Vehicle washing
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, do
not forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.
Hand-wash
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight.

Only use a mild car wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.

Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water.
Direct only a very weak spray towards
the ventilation intake.

Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.

Rinse with clean water and thoroughly
dry with a chamois.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on
the finish.
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Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of water, and
a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is in close
proximity, i.e. within approximately 3 ft (approxi-
mately 1 m), the vehicle could be inadvertently
locked or unlocked.
!
Do not use scouring agents on these parts.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-sratching cloth when cleaning the vehicle.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the paint.