2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 Page 16

285 Controls in detail
Loading
1Release handle
2Seat cushion
Pull release handle1.

Fold seat cushion2 forward.3Release handle
4Seat backrest

Make sure the rear seat head restraints
are in the lowermost position
(page 128).

Pull release handle3.A red indicator5 will be visible and the
seat backrest4 is released.
5Indicator

Fold seat backrest4 forward.

286 Controls in detailLoadingReturning the rear seat backrest to
original position
1Seat backrest
2Seat cushion
Fold seat backrest1 rearward until it
engages.
The red indicator5 (
page 285)
should no longer be visible.

Fold seat cushion2 rearward until it
locks into position.

Check for secure locking by pushing
and pulling on the seat backrest.
Cargo compartment cover blind
The cargo compartment cover blind can be
installed behind the rear seats.1Handle
2Mount
Rolling out blind

Pull blind on handle1 across the car-
go compartment.

Guide blind into mounts2 and re-
lease.
Rolling up blind

Disengage blind and guide retraction
by its handle1.
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.!
With the cargo compartment cover blind in-
stalled, do not pile luggage higher than the lower
edges of the rear side windows.

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*
i
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.

288 Controls in detailLoadingUse 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. For your
safety, always use the partition net when
transporting cargo.
The partition net can be installed in two
locations:
1Holder in B-pillar
2Holder in C-pillar


Without the cargo compartment ex-
panded (
page 284), use holders
above C-pillars2 and the cargo
tie-down rings in the cargo compart-
ment (
page 283).


With the cargo compartment expanded
(page 284), use holders above
B-pillars1 and the cargo tie-down
rings behind the front seats
(page 283).

Open the zipper on the partition net
package.

Roll out the partition net.

Unfold the partition net.
The partition net bars must audibly
engage.Installing the partition net
Partition net bar hung up behind the C-pillar1Holder
2Partition net bar
Hang partition net bar2 on holder1
as indicated by the arrow.

Push partition net bar2 forward into
holder1 in direction of arrow.

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.

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).
i
The telescoping rod can be used to tighten
the load against the rear seats so as to secure it
from slipping.


293 Controls in detail
Loading

Fold the seat backrest forward
(page 285).
!
Leave the seat cushion hinge in this posi-
tion. The upholstery could be damaged if you fold
the hinge back.