2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350 warning

281 Controls in detail
Loading
Installing the ski bag
Install the ski bag in the reverse order.
Push ski bag frame2 with ski bag in-
ward until the ski bag frame snaps into
place.
Close flap3.
Close trunk lid.
Split rear bench seat (CLK coupe only)
To expand the cargo area, you can fold
down the left and right rear seat backrests.
The two sections can be folded down
separately.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).
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.
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 284).


283 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage/cargo should not ex-
ceed the load limit indicated on the
corresponding Tire and Loading Informa-
tion placard located on the driver’s door
B-pillar (
page 334).
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.
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.
!CLK cabriolet:
To prevent damage to the soft top or lug-
gage/cargo when lowering the roof:

load trunk only to the height of the luggage
cover

do not permit luggage/cargo to push up the
closed luggage cover

do not place anything on the shelf behind the
roll bar

do not place anything on the soft top com-
partment cover

284 Controls in detail
Loading
Cargo tie-down rings (CLK coupe only)
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 283).
Warning!G
CLK coupe:
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.
CLK cabriolet:
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible using fastening materials ap-
propriate 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.
CLK coupe: The enlarged cargo area should only
be used for items which do not fit in the trunk
alone.

285 Controls in detail
Useful features
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
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
objects.
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 and the AUX-socket are
located in the glove box.

286 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.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.

288 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cup holders
Cup holder in the center armrest
1Cup holder in compartment
(
page 287)
2Cup holderCup holder in rear seat armrest
(CLK coupe only)
Opening cup holder
Briefly press the front of cup holder.
The cup holder slides out slightly.
Pull out the cup holder until it stops.
Closing cup holder
Slide cup holder back in the direction
of arrow1 until it engages.
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.

289 Controls in detail
Useful features
Ashtrays
Center console ashtray
1Cover plate
2Sliding button
3Ashtray insert
Opening ashtray
Briefly press the bottom of cover
plate1.
The cover plate opens automatically.Removing ashtray insert
Secure vehicle from movement by
setting the parking brake.
Move the gear selector lever to
positionN.
Now you have more room to take out
the insert.
Push sliding button2 to the right.
The ashtray is disengaged and slides a
short way in the direction of arrow3.
Remove the ashtray insert.Reinstalling the ashtray insert
Push the ashtray insert 3 down into
the retainer until it engages.
Push down cover plate 1 to close the
ashtray.
The cover plate engages.
Rear seat ashtray
1Button
2Ashtray insert
3Cover
Opening ashtray
Pull at top of cover3.
Warning!G
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle
standing still. Set the parking brake to se-
cure vehicle from movement. Move the gear
selector lever to positionN and turn off the
engine.

290 Controls in detail
Useful features
Removing ashtray insert
Push button1 to disengage ashtray
insert2 and remove it.
Reinstalling ashtray insert
Push the ashtray insert2 down into
the retainer until it engages.
Push at top of cover3 to close
ashtray.
Cigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
1Cover
2Cigarette lighter
Briefly press the bottom of cover
plate1.
The cover plate opens automatically.
Push in cigarette lighter2.
The cigarette lighter will pop out
automatically when hot.
Push down cover plate 1 to close the
ashtray.
The cover plate engages.
Warning!G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the cigarette lighter; they are extremely hot.
Hold the knob only.
Make sure any children traveling with you do
not injure themselves or start a fire with the
hot cigarette lighter.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you,
and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children
unattended in the vehicle, or with access to
an unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised
access to a vehicle could result in an acci-
dent and/or serious personal injury.
!The lighter socket can accommodate 12V
DC electrical accessories (up to a maximum of
85 W) designed for use with the standard “ciga-
rette lighter” plug type. Keep in mind, however,
that connecting accessories to the lighter socket
(for example extensive connecting and discon-
necting, or using plugs that do not fit properly)
can damage the lighter socket. With the socket
damaged, the lighter may no longer be able to be
placed in the heating (pushed-in) position, or the
lighter may pop out too early with the lighter not
hot enough.
To help avoid damaging the cigarette lighter
socket, we recommend connecting 12V DC elec-
trical accessories designed for use with the stan-
dard “cigarette lighter” plug type to the 12V
power outlet (
page 291) in your vehicle when-
ever possible.