2014 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK-Class warning

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Read the information on qualified
specialist workshops: (Y page 27).Loading guidelines
G
WARNING
If objects, luggage or loads are not secured or
not secured sufficiently, they could slip, tip
over or be flung around and thereby hit vehicle
occupants. There is a risk of injury,
particularly in the event of sudden braking or
a sudden change in direction.
Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around. Secure objects, luggage or
loads against slipping or tipping before the
journey. G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. If the tailgate
is open when the engine is running,
particularly if the vehicle is moving, exhaust
fumes could enter the passenger
compartment. There is a risk of poisoning.
Turn off the engine before opening the
tailgate. Never drive with the tailgate open.
The gross vehicle weight (GVW) is the vehicle
weight including fuel, vehicle tool kit, spare
wheel, installed accessories, vehicle
occupants and luggage/cargo.
The gross load limit and the gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR) for your vehicle must
never be exceeded. The gross load limit and the GVWR are specified on the vehicle
identification plate on the B-pillar of the
driver's door (Y
page 342).
The load must also be distributed so that the
weight on each axle never exceeds the gross
axle weight rating (GAWR) for the front and
rear axles. The specifications for GVWR and
GAWR are on the vehicle identification plate
on the B-pillar of the driver's door
(Y page 342).
Further information can be found in the
"Loading the vehicle" section ( Ypage 342).
The handling characteristics of a laden
vehicle are dependent on the distribution of
the load within the vehicle. For this reason,
you should observe the following notes when
transporting a load:
R The cargo compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects.
R Position heavy loads as far forwards as
possible and as low down in the cargo
compartment as possible.
R The load must not protrude above the
upper edge of the seat backrests.
R Always place the load against the rear or
front seat backrests. Make sure that the
seat backrests are securely locked into
place.
R Always place the load behind unoccupied
seats if possible.
R Use the cargo tie down rings and the parcel
nets to transport loads and luggage.
R Use cargo tie-down rings and fastening
materials appropriate for the weight and
size of the load.
R Hook in the cargo net (if installed) when
loading.
R Secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant tie-downs. pad sharp edges
for protection. 274
Loading guidelinesStowage and features

Stowage areas
Stowage space
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If objects in the passenger compartment are
stowed incorrectly, they can slide or be
thrown around and hit vehicle occupants.
There is a risk of injury, particularly in the
event of sudden braking or a sudden change
in direction.
R Always stow objects so that they cannot be
thrown around in such situations.
R Always make sure that objects do not
protrude from stowage spaces, parcel nets
or stowage nets.
R Close the lockable stowage spaces while
driving.
R Stow and secure objects that are heavy,
hard, pointy, sharp-edged, fragile or too
large in the cargo compartment.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 274).
Stowage compartments in the front Glove box
X
To open: pull handle 0043and open glove box
flap 0044.
X To close: fold glove box flap 0044upwards
until it engages.
The glove box can only be locked and
unlocked using the mechanical key. X
To lock: insert the mechanical key into the
lock and turn it 90° clockwise to position
0048.
X To unlock: insert the mechanical key into
the lock and turn it 90° counter-clockwise
to position 0047.
i The glove box can be ventilated
(Y page 141).
Stowage compartment under the armrest X
To open: press left-hand button 0044or right-
hand button 0043.
The stowage compartment opens.
i Depending on the vehicle's equipment, a
USB connection and an AUX IN connection
or a Media Interface are installed in the
stowage compartment. A Media Interface
is a universal interface for portable audio
equipment, e.g. for an iPod ®
or MP3 player
(see the separate Audio or COMAND
Operating Instructions). Stowage areas
275Stowage and features Z

Stowage space in the rear
Stowage compartment in the rear
!
Do not sit on or support your body weight
on the rear seat armrest when it is folded
down, as you could otherwise damage it.
! Close the cover of the stowage
compartment before folding the rear seat
armrest back into the seat backrest. X
To open: fold down seat armrest 0044.
X Fold cover 0043of the armrest upwards. Stowage net
Stowage nets are located in the front-
passenger footwell and on the left-hand side
of the cargo compartment.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 274)
and the safety notes regarding stowage
spaces (Y page 275). Cargo compartment enlargement
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the rear bench seat/rear seat and seat
backrest are not engaged they could fold
forwards, e.g. when braking suddenly or in the
event of an accident.
R The vehicle occupant would thereby be
pushed into the seat belt by the rear bench
seat/rear seat or by the seat backrest. The
seat belt can no longer offer the intended level of protection and could even cause
injuries.
R Objects or loads in the trunk/cargo
compartment cannot be restrained by the
seat backrest.
There is an increased risk of injury.
Before every trip, make sure that the seat
backrests and the rear bench seat/rear seat
are engaged.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 274).
The left-hand and right-hand rear seat
backrests can be folded forwards separately
to increase the cargo compartment capacity.
Folding the rear seat backrest forward X
Fully insert the backrest head restraints
(Y page 102).
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
X Pull left-hand or right-hand release
handle 0044of the seat backrest forwards.
Corresponding seat backrest 0043is
released.
X Fold backrest 0043forwards.
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary. 276
Stowage areasStowage and features

Folding the rear seat backrest back
0043
Backrest
0044 Lock verification indicator
0087 Backrest release handle
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
! Make sure that the seat belt does not
become trapped when folding the rear seat
backrest back. Otherwise, it could be
damaged.
X Fold seat backrest 0043back until it engages.
Red lock status indicator 0044is no longer
visible.
X Adjust the head restraints if necessary
(Y page 102).
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary. Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down rings G
WARNING
The Top Tether anchorages cannot secure a
load. If you secure a load with the Top Tether
anchorages, the Top Tether anchorages could
be pulled out during braking, abrupt changes
in direction or in the event of an accident. The
load could slip, tip over or be flung around and
thereby hit vehicle occupants. There is a risk
of injury. Only use the cargo tie down rings when
securing a load.
Observe the following notes on securing
loads:
R Observe the loading guidelines
(Y page 274).
R Secure the load using the cargo tie-down
rings.
R Distribute the load on the cargo tie down
rings evenly.
R Do not use elastic straps or nets to secure
a load, as these are only intended as an
anti-slip protection for light loads.
R Do not route tie-downs across sharp edges
or corners.
R Pad sharp edges for protection.
There are four cargo tie down rings in the
cargo compartment and two in the rear-
compartment footwells 14
. 0043
Cargo tie-down rings in the cargo
compartment
14 Canada only. Stowage areas
277Stowage and featu res Z

0043
Cargo tie down rings in the rear-
compartment footwell (Canada only)
Bag hook G
WARNING
The bag hooks cannot restrain heavy objects
or items of luggage. Objects or items of
luggage could be flung around and thereby hit
vehicle occupants when braking or abruptly
changing directions. There is a risk of injury.
Only hang light objects on the bag hooks.
Never hang hard, sharp-edged or fragile
objects on the bag hooks.
! The bag hook can bear a maximum load
of 11lbs (5kg) and should not be used to
secure a load.
There is one bag hook on the left side wall in
the cargo compartment and there are two
hooks on the right and left of the lower D-pillar
trim. Cargo compartment cover
Important safety notes G
WARNING
On its own, the cargo compartment cover
cannot secure or restrain heavy objects,
items of luggage and heavy loads. You could
be hit by an unsecured load during sudden
changes in direction, braking or in the event
of an accident. There is an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around. Secure objects, luggage or
loads against slipping or tipping over, e.g. by
using tie downs, even if you are using the
cargo compartment cover.
! When loading the vehicle, make sure that
you do not stack the load in the cargo
compartment higher than the lower edge of
the side windows. Do not place heavy
objects on top of the cargo compartment
cover.
The cargo compartment cover is located
behind the rear bench seat backrest.
i You can fold up the solid section of the
cargo compartment cover approximately
45° to facilitate loading the cargo
compartment.
Extending/retracting the cargo
compartment cover 278
Stowage areasStowage and featu
res

X
To extend: pull cargo compartment
cover 0043back and clip it into the retainers
on the left and right.
X To retract: unhook cargo compartment
cover 0043from the retainers on the left and
right and guide it forwards by the grab
handle until it is fully retracted.
Installing/removing the cargo
compartment cover X
To remove: make sure that cargo
compartment cover 0043is rolled up.
X Press handle 0044on the right underside to
the left.
X Remove cargo compartment cover 0043.
X To install: attach cargo compartment
cover 0043to the opening on the left-hand
side.
X Press handle 0044to the left.
X Allow cargo compartment cover 0043to
engage in the appropriate recess. Cargo net
Important safety notes G
WARNING
On its own, the cargo net cannot secure or
restrain heavy objects, items of luggage and
heavy loads. You could be hit by an unsecured
load during sudden changes in direction,
braking or in the event of an accident. There is an increased risk of injury or even fatal
injury.
Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around. Secure objects, luggage or
loads against slipping or tipping over, e.g. by
using tie downs, even if you are using the
cargo net.
It is important to use a cargo net if you load
the vehicle with small objects above the seat
backrests. For safety reasons, always use a
cargo net when transporting loads.
Preparing the cargo net The cargo net can be used in two different
positions (behind the B-pillar or the C-pillar).
R
The brackets behind B-pillar 0043are
required for the cargo compartment
enlargement (Y page 276).
The corresponding cargo tie down rings to
tighten the net are located in the footwell
of the rear bench seat (Y page 277).
R The brackets behind C-pillar 0044are
required for the cargo compartment behind
the rear bench seat.
The corresponding cargo tie down rings to
tension the net are located in the cargo
compartment (Y page 277).
The cargo net is located in the loading tray in
the stowage well under the cargo
compartment floor (Y page 281). Stowage areas
279Stowage an d features Z

Stowage well under the cargo
compartment floor
G
WARNING
If you drive when the cargo compartment floor
is open, objects could be flung around, thus
striking vehicle occupants. There is a risk of
injury, particularly in the event of sudden
braking or a sudden change in direction.
Always close the cargo compartment floor
before a journey. X
To open: open the tailgate.
X Holding the ribbing, press handle 0043
downwards 0044.
Handle 0043folds up.
X Swing the cargo compartment floor
upwards using handle 0043until it rests
against the cargo compartment cover. X
Release hook 0087from the bracket on the
underside of the cargo compartment floor. X
Engage hook 0087into rain trough 0085.
i Stowage compartments 0083and 0084can be
used to stow small, light and flat objects.
! Before you close the tailgate, unhook the
hook from the rain trough and fold the trunk
floor down.
X To close: unhook hook 0087from rain
trough 0085.
X Fasten hook 0087to the bracket on the
underside of the cargo compartment floor.
X Fold the trunk floor down.
X Press the cargo compartment floor down
until it engages. Roof carrier
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When you load the roof, the center of gravity
of the vehicle rises and the driving
characteristics change. If you exceed the
maximum roof load, the driving
characteristics, as well as steering and
braking, will be greatly impaired. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never exceed the maximum roof load and
adjust your driving style.
! Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
only use roof carriers that have been tested
and approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Stowage areas
281Stowage and features Z

This helps to prevent damage to the
vehicle.
Position the load on the roof rack in such a
way that the vehicle will not sustain
damage even when it is in motion.
Ensure that, depending on the vehicle's
equipment, you can raise the panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel fully and
open the tailgate fully when the roof carrier
is installed.
The maximum roof load is 165 lbs(75 kg).
An incorrectly secured roof carrier or roof
load could become detached from the
vehicle. Therefore, always comply with the
installation instructions supplied by the
manufacturer of the roof carrier.
Attaching the roof carrier X
Secure the roof carrier to the roof rails.
X Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions. Features
Cup holder
Important safety notes !
Only use the cup holders for containers of
the right size and which have lids. The
drinks could otherwise spill.
Cup holder in the front-compartment
center console 0043
Cup holder Cup holder in the rear seat armrest !
Do not sit on or support your body weight
on the rear seat armrest when it is folded
down, as you could otherwise damage it.
! Close the cup holder before folding the
rear seat armrest up. Otherwise, the cup
holder could be damaged. X
Fold down the rear seat armrest.
X To open: raise the rear seat armrest cover.
X Press release catch 0043.
Cup holder 0044folds out forwards.
X Swing the rear seat armrest cover back
down, if necessary.
X To close: raise the rear seat armrest cover.
Swing cup holder 0044back until it engages. Sun visors
Overview G
WARNING
If the mirror cover of the vanity mirror is folded
up when the vehicle is in motion, you could be
blinded by incident light. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always keep the mirror cover folded down
while driving. 282
FeaturesStowage and features