2015 MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class tow

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional equip- ment 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 special-
ist workshops (Y page 29). Stowage areas
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, particu-
larly in the event of sudden braking or a sud-
den 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, particu-
larly 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 tail-
gate. Never drive with the tailgate open. G
WARNING
The exhaust tail pipe and tail pipe trim can
become very hot. If you come into contact
with these parts of the vehicle, you could burn
yourself. There is a risk of injury. Always be particularly careful around the
exhaust tail pipe and the tail pipe trim. Allow
these components to cool down before touch-
ing them.
The gross vehicle weight (GVW) is the vehicle
weight including fuel, vehicle tool kit, spare
wheel, installed accessories, vehicle occu-
pants 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 iden-
tification plate on the B-pillar of the driver's
door (Y page 412).
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 412).
Observe the notes on loading the vehicle
(Y page 412).
The handling characteristics of a laden vehi-
cle 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 Never exceed the maximum permissible
gross vehicle weight or the gross axle
weight rating of the vehicle (including occu-
pants).
R The cargo compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects.
R Position heavy loads as far forwards as pos-
sible and as low down in the cargo com-
partment 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. 334
Stowage areasStowage and features

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 when loading.
R Secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant tie-downs. Pad sharp edges
for protection. 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 pro-
trude 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 334).
Glove box X
To open: pull handle 0043and open glove box
flap 0044.
X To close: fold glove box flap 0044upwards
until it engages.
i The glove box can be cooled
(Y page 153). 0047
Glove box unlocked
0048 Glove box locked
The glove box can be locked and unlocked
using the mechanical key. Partition
0043for stowing flat objects is located
in the upper section of the glove box. It can be
removed to increase the stowage space in the
glove box.
X To remove: pull partition 0043forwards and
out
X To install: insert partition 0043and push it
back until it engages. Stowage areas
335Stowage and features Z

Stowage compartment under the arm-
rest X
To open: pull handle 0043up.
The armrest folds out.
In the stowage compartment, there is a stow-
age tray.
i Depending on the vehicle equipment, a
USB connection or a Media Interface is
installed in the stowage compartment.
A Media Interface is a universal interface
for mobile audio equipment, e.g. for an
iPod ®
or MP3 player (see the separate
COMAND Operating Instructions).
i There is a removable stowage tray in the
storage compartment, in which objects
such as an iPod ®
can be stored.
Eyeglasses compartment X
To open: press marking 0043.
The eyeglasses compartment opens down-
wards.
X To close: press marking 0043again and the
eyeglasses compartment returns upwards
and engages.
Make sure that the eyeglasses compartment
is always closed while the vehicle is in motion.
Stowage compartment in the front cen- ter console X
To open: slide cover 0043forwards.
Stowage compartment 0044appears.
X To close: pull cover 0043back as far as it will
go.
Stowage compartment in the rear cen-
ter console X
To open: briefly press the stowage com-
partment marking.
The stowage compartment opens. 336
Stowage areasStowage and features

i
Depending on the vehicle's equipment,
there may be open stowage spaces above
and below the stowage compartment. Stowage net
G
WARNING
Vehicles with the Occupant Classification
System (OCS):
If the gross weight of the objects in the stow- age net on the back of the front-passenger
seat is greater than 4.4 lb (2 kg), OCS cannot
correctly assess the occupant's weight cate-
gory. The front-passenger front air bag could
deploy without cause, or may fail to deploy in
the event of an accident. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Never exceed the permissible gross weight of 4.4 lb (2 kg). Stow and secure heavy objects inthe cargo compartment.
Stowage nets are located in the front-
passenger footwell and on the back of the
driver's and the front-passenger seat.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 334)
and the safety notes regarding stowage
spaces (Y page 335). Through-loading facility in the rear
If objects or loads are not secured when being
transported in the through-loading facility,
they could slip or be thrown around and
thereby hit vehicle occupants.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 334)
and the safety notes regarding stowage
spaces (Y page 335). The through-loading facility is opened from
the cargo compartment.
X Release the seat backrests in the second
row of seats and tilt them in the cargo/load
position (Y page 108).
X Fold down the rear seat armrest.
X Pull the center head restraint on the rear
bench seat into the uppermost position
(Y page 106).
X Slide release catch 0043to the left and swing
flap 0044to the left until it is lying on the rear
side of the rear bench seat. X
Push cover 0087forward until it is lying on the
rear seat armrest. Cargo compartment enlargement
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the rear bench seat/rear seat and seat
backrest are not engaged they could fold for- Sto
wage areas
337Stowage and features
Z

wards, 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 com-
partment 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.
! Fold the seat cushion upwards before
folding the rear bench seat forward. Other-
wise, the backrests may be damaged.
When the backrest is folded forwards, the
front seats should not be moved to their
rearmost position. Otherwise, the front
seats and the rear bench seat could be
damaged.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 334).
The left-hand and right-hand rear seat backr- ests can be folded forwards separately to
increase the cargo compartment capacity.
Folding the rear bench seat forwards !
The backrest is heavy. Therefore, take
care when folding it down. Make sure that
the head restraints are pushed all the way
in so that the backrests and seat cushions
are not damaged. i
If the driver's or front-passenger seat is
set for a larger person, it may not be pos-
sible to fold the rear bench seat forwards.
In this case, move the front seats as far
forward as possible.
X Move the head restraints to the lowest
position (Y page 108).
X Fold seat cushion 0043upwards. X
Pull release handle 0044upwards in the direc-
tion of the arrow until the backrest is fully
released.
X Fold the backrest forwards until it reaches
the cargo compartment position. X
Guide seat belts 0044under respective
clips 0043. 338
Stowage areasStowage and features

Folding the rear bench seat back
X
Fold seat backrest 0044back until it engages.
Make sure not to trap the seat belt while
doing so.
X Swing seat cushion 0043back.
X Pull up and adjust the head restraints if
necessary (Y page 108). Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down rings General notes
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 secur-
ing a load.
Observe the following notes on securing
loads:
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.
Cargo compartment There are four cargo tie-down rings
0043in the
cargo compartment.
Before using the cargo tie-down rings on the
front right-hand side of the cargo compart-
ment, the stowage net must be pushed down.
Bag hook G
WARNING
The bag hooks cannot restrain heavy objects
or items of luggage. Objects or items of lug-
gage 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
6.6lbs (3kg)and should not be used to
secure a load. Stowage areas
339Stowage and features Z

There is a bag hook in the cargo compartment
on the left-hand side.
X Press bag hook marking 0043.
X Turn bag hook 0043until it engages.
Securing hooks There is one securing hook
0043on each side of
the cargo compartment.
Only secure lightweight luggage items on the securing hooks (maximum 9 lbs (4 kg)). 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 com- partment higher than the lower edge of the
side windows. Do not place heavy objects
on top of the cargo compartment cover.
A cargo compartment cover or a combined
cargo cover and net (cargo compartment
cover with cargo net) is installed, depending
on equipment, behind the rear bench seat
backrest.
Extending/retracting the cargo com-
partment cover X
To extend: pull the cargo compartment
cover back by grab handle 0043and clip it into
retainers 0044on the left and right.
X To retract: unhook the cargo compartment
cover from left-hand and right-hand retain-
ers 0044.
X Guide cargo compartment cover forwards
by grab handle 0043until it is completely rol-
led up. 340
Stowage areasStowage and features

Removing/installing the cargo com-
partment cover (without integrated
cargo net) X
To remove: make sure that cargo com-
partment cover 0043is rolled up.
X Push end cap 0087of cargo compartment
cover 0043in the direction of the arrow on the
right or left-hand side.
X Push cargo compartment cover 0043into
opposite anchorage 0044.
X Remove cargo compartment cover 0043.
X To install: if installed, remove the protec-
tive caps from the side panels of the seat
row in which the cargo compartment cover is to be installed. Use a suitable object
here, e.g. a coin.
X Install the protective caps to the side pan-
els of the other seat row.
X Place cargo compartment cover 0043into
anchorage 0044on the right or left-hand side.
X Push in opposite end cap 0087of cargo com-
partment cover 0043in the direction of the
arrow and insert cargo compartment
cover 0043into opposite anchorage 0044.Removing/installing the combined
cargo cover and net (cargo compart-
ment cover with integrated cargo net) You can install and remove the combined
cargo cover and net from the cargo compart-
ment.
X Make sure that the cargo net and the cargo
compartment cover are rolled up.
X To remove: press button 0044.
X Swing the combined cargo cover and net in
the direction of the arrow.
X First, detach the combined cargo cover and
net from left-hand catch 0043and then
remove it from right-hand fixture 0087.
X To install: push the combined cargo cover
and net up to the stop into right-hand fix-
ture 0087.
X Place the combined cargo cover and net
into the left-hand fixture and push it into
catch 0043until the combined cargo cover
and net engages audibly. X
Make sure that red lock status indicator 0085
is no longer visible. The combined cargo Stowage areas
341Stowage and features Z