Stowage areas
Loading guidelines
GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
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 occupants
and luggage/cargo.
Do not exceed the load limit or permitted gross
vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for your vehicle.
The gross load limit and the GVWR are specified
on the vehicle identification plate on the B-pillar
of the driver's door (
Ypage 361).
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 (
Ypage 361).
Observe the notes on loading the vehicle
(
Ypage 361).
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:
RNever exceed the maximum permissible
gross vehicle mass or the gross axle weight
rating for the vehicle (including occupants).
RThe cargo compartment is the preferred place to carry objects.
RPosition heavy loads as far forward as possi-
ble and as low down in the cargo compart-
ment as possible.
RThe load must not protrude above the upper
edge of the seat backrests.
RAlways place the load against the rear or frontseat backrests. Make sure that the seat
backrests are securely locked into place.
RAlways place the load behind unoccupied
seats if possible.
RUse the cargo tie-down rings and the parcel
nets to transport loads and luggage.
RUse cargo tie-down rings and fastening mate-
rials appropriate for the weight and size of theload.
RSecure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant tie-downs. Pad sharp edges for
protection.
Stowage spaces
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you transport objects in the vehicle interior
and these are not adequately secured, they
could slip or be flung around and thereby
strike vehicle occupants. In addition, cup
holders, open stowage spaces and mobile
phone brackets may not always be able to
hold the objects placed in them in the event of
an accident. There is a risk of injury, particu-
larly in the event of sharp braking or sudden
changes of direction.
Stowage areas295
Stowage and features
Z
Vehicles with touchpad and COMAND
XTo open:press button :at the front.
Armrest ;folds out.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, there is a
multimedia connector unit with two USB ports,
e.g. for iPod
®, iPhone®or MP3 player in the
stowage compartment .
iThere is a removable stowage tray in the
storage compartment, in which objects such
as an iPod
®can be stored.
Eyeglasses compartment
XTo open: press marking :.
The eyeglasses compartment opens down.
XTo close: press marking :again and the
eyeglasses compartment moves up 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
XTo open: slide cover :forwards.
Stowage compartment ;appears.
XTo close: pull cover :back as far as it will go.
Stowage compartment in the rear cen-
ter console
XTo open: briefly press the stowage compart-
ment marking.
The stowage compartment opens.
iDepending on the vehicle's equipment,
there may be open stowage spaces above and
below the stowage compartment.
Stowage net
GWARNING
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.
Always observe the permissible gross weight
of 4.4 lb (2 kg). Stow and secure heavy
objects in the 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 (
Ypage 295)
and the safety notes regarding stowage spaces
(
Ypage 295).
Stowage areas297
Stowage and features
Z
There are four cargo tie-down rings:in the
cargo compartment.
The parcel net must be pushed down before
using the cargo tie-down rings on the front right-
hand side of the cargo compartment.
Bag hook
GWARNING
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.
There is a bag hook in the cargo compartment
on the left-hand side.
XPress bag hook marking :.
XTurn bag hook:until it engages.
Securing hooks
There is a securing hook :on 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
GWARNING
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 equip-
ment, behind the rear bench seat backrest.
300Stowage areas
Stowage and features
The stowage compartments in the doors provide
space for bottles with a capacity of up to
34 fl. oz. (1.0l).
The bottles are not secured or prevented from
tipping over. Therefore, do not place any open
drink containers in the stowage compartments.
Cup holder in the front center console
:Cup holder
;Cover
XTo open: slide cover ;to its foremost posi-
tion.
XTo close: pull cover ;back as far as it will go.
You can remove the cup holder's rubber mat for
cleaning. Clean with clear, lukewarm water only.
Temperature-controlled cup holder in
the front-compartment center console
:Cup holder
;Residual heat indicator lamp
=Switch
The temperature-controlled cup holder can be
used to keep cold drinks cool and warm drinks
warm.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
XTo switch on the cooling function: press
and hold button =until the blue indicator
lamp on the button lights up.
XTo switch on the heating function: press
and hold button =until the red indicator
lamp on the button lights up.
XTo switch off the function: press and hold
button =until the indicator lamp on the but-
ton goes out.
When the heating function is used, the metal
insert of the cup holder is heated. Once a certain
temperature is reached, residual heat indicator
lamp ;lights up. This means that the metal
insert of the cup holder is hot. For this reason,
you must not reach into the cup holder metal
insert.
Do not use hard or sharp objects to clean the
cup holder. Use only a soft cloth to clean it.
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.
XFold down the rear seat armrest.
Cup holder :is located in the rear seat arm-
rest.
Sun visors
Overview
GWARNING
If the mirror cover of the vanity mirror is folded
up when the vehicle is in motion, you could be
Features305
Stowage and features
Z
iJumper cables and further information regarding jump-starting can be obtained at any qualified
specialist workshop.
Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
Plug-in hybrid: be sure to read the separate
Operator's Manual. You could otherwise fail to
recognize dangers, e.g. due to high voltage.
GWARNING
Functions relevant to safety are restricted or
no longer available if:
Rthe engine is not running.
Rthe brake system or the power steering is
malfunctioning.
Rthere is a malfunction in the voltage supply or the vehicle's electrical system.
If your vehicle is being towed, much more
force may be necessary to steer or brake.
There is a risk of an accident.
In such cases, use a tow bar. Before towing,
make sure that the steering moves freely.
GWARNING
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle
and its weight is greater than the permissible
gross weight of your vehicle, the:
Rthe towing eye could detach itself
Rthe vehicle/trailer combination could roll-
over.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the per- missible gross weight of your vehicle.
Details on the permissible gross vehicle weight
of your vehicle can be found on the vehicle iden-
tification plate (
Ypage 382).
!When Active Brake Assist, Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC or the HOLD function is activated,
the vehicle brakes automatically in certain
situations. To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
these systems in the following or similar sit-
uations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
!Make sure that the electric parking brake is
released. If the electric parking brake is faulty,
visit a qualified specialist workshop.
!Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes, or the trailer tow hitch, if availa-
ble. You could otherwise damage the vehicle.
!Observe the following points when towing
with a tow rope:
RSecure the tow rope on the same side on
both vehicles.
RMake sure that the tow rope is not longer
than legally permitted. Mark the tow rope in
the middle, e.g. with a white c
loth
(11.8 x 11.8 in). This will make other road
users aware that a vehicle is being towed.
ROnly secure the tow cable to the towing
eyes or, if available, to the trailer tow hitch.
RObserve the brake lamps of the towing
vehicle while driving. Always maintain a dis-
tance a distance so that the tow rope does not sag.
RDo not use steel cables or chains to tow
your vehicle. You could otherwise damage
the vehicle.
!Do not use the trailer tow hitch for recovery
or towing. Do not use the towing eye for
recovery. this could damage the vehicle. If in
doubt, have the vehicle recovered using a
crane.
!When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. Pull the towed vehicle as straight as
possible and not at an acute angle. Excessive
tractive power could damage the vehicles.
When towing, it is preferable to use a rigid tow-
ing bar as opposed to a tow rope. A rigid towing bar helps to keep the tractive power low.
!When towing away vehicles with KEYLESS-
GO, use the key instead of the Start/Stop
button. The automatic transmission may oth-
erwise shift to position jwhen you open the
Towing and tow-starting345
Breakdown assistance
Z
Restarting the tire pressure monitor
When you restart the tire pressure monitor, all
existing warning messages are deleted and the
warning lamps go out. The monitor uses the cur-
rently set tire pressures as the reference values
for monitoring. In most cases, the tire pressure
monitor will automatically detect the new refer-
ence values after you have changed the tire
pressure. However, you can also set reference
values manually as described here. The tire
pressure monitor then monitors the new tire
pressure values.
XSet the tire pressure to the value recommen-
ded for the corresponding driving situation on
the Tire and Loading Information placard on
the driver's side B-pillar (
Ypage 354).
You can find more tire pressure values for
various operating conditions in the tire pres-
sure table inside the fuel filler flap
(
Ypage 355).
XMake sure that the tire pressure is correct on
all four wheels.
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in position 2
in the ignition lock.
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Serv.menu.
XPress the9or: button to select
Tire Pressure.
XPress a.
The multifunction display shows the current
tire pressure for the individual tires or the
Tire pressure will be displayed
after driving a few minutesmessage.
XPress the :button.
The UseCurrentPressuresasNewRef‐erenceValuesmessage appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
If you wish to confirm the restart:
XPress the abutton.
The TirePress.MonitorRestartedmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
After driving for a few minutes, the system
checks whether the current tire pressures are
within the specified range. The new tire pres-
sures are then accepted as reference values
and monitored.
If you wish to cancel the restart:
XPress the %button.
The tire pressure values stored at the last
restart will continue to be monitored.
Radio type approval for the tire pres-
sure monitor
CountryRadio type approval number
USAFCC ID: MRXMW2433A
FCC ID: MRXGG4
FCC ID: MRXMC34MA4
CanadaIC: 2546A-MW2433A
IC: 2546A-GG4
IC: 2546A-MC34MA4
Loading the vehicle
Instruction labels for tires and loads
GWARNING
Overloaded tires can overheat, causing a
blowout. Overloaded tires can also impair the steering and driving characteristics and lead
to brake failure. There is a risk of accident.
Observe the load rating of the tires. The load
rating must be at least half of the GAWR of
your vehicle. Never overload the tires by
exceeding the maximum load.
Two instruction labels on your vehicle show the maximum possible load.
(1) The Tire and Loading Information placard is on the B-pillar on the driver's side. The Tire
and Loading Information placard shows the
maximum permissible number of occu-
pants and the maximum permissible vehicle
load. It also contains details of the tire sizes
and corresponding pressures for tires
mounted at the factory.
(2) The vehicle identification plate is on the B- pillar on the driver's side. The vehicle iden-
tification plate informs you of the gross
vehicle weight rating. It is made up of the
vehicle weight, all vehicle occupants, the
fuel and the cargo. You can also find infor-
mation about the maximum gross axle
weight rating on the front and rear axle.
The maximum gross axle weight rating is
the maximum weight that can be carried by
one axle (front or rear axle). Never exceed
the maximum load or the maxi mum g
ross
axle weight rating for the front or rear axle.
Loading the vehicle361
Wheels and tires
Z
:B-pillar, driver's side
Maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating
XSpecification for maximum gross vehicle
weight:is listed in the Tire and Loading
Information placard: "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kilograms or XXX lbs."
The gross weight of all vehicle occupants, load
and luggage must not exceed the specified
value.
iThe specifications shown on the Tire and
Loading Information placard in the illustration are examples. The maximum permissible
gross vehicle weight rating is vehicle-specific
and may differ from that in the illustration.
You can find the valid maximum permissible
gross vehicle weight rating for your vehicle on
the Tire and Loading Information placard.
Number of seats
Maximum number of seats :indicates the
maximum number of occupants allowed to
travel in the vehicle. This information can be
found on the Tire and Loading Information plac-
ard.
iThe specifications shown on the Tire and
Loading Information placard in the illustration
are examples. The number of seats is vehicle-
specific and can differ from the details shown.
The number of seats in your vehicle can be
found on the Tire and Loading Information
placard.
Determining the correct load limit
Step-by-step instructions
The following steps have been developed as
required of all manufacturers under Title 49,
Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575 pur-
suant to the "National Traffic and Motor Vehicle
Safety Act of 1966".
XStep 1: Locate the statement "The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." on your vehicle’s
Tire and Loading Information placard.
XStep 2: Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
XStep 3: Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from XXX kilograms or
XXX lbs.
XStep 4: The resulting figure equals the avail-
able amount of cargo and luggage load capa-
city. For example, if the "XXX" amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be five 150-lb pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
362Loading the vehicle
Wheels and tires
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
XStep 5:Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehi- cle. That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity cal-
culated in step 4.
Example: steps 1 to 3
The following table shows examples on how to calculate total and cargo load capacities with varying
seating configurations and number and size of occupants. The following examples use a load limit of
1500 lbs (680 kg).
This is for illustration purposes only. Make sure you are using the actual load
limit for your vehicle stated on your vehicle's Tire and Loading Information placard (
Ypage 361).
The greater the combined weight of the occupants, the lower the maximum luggage load.
Additional information when towing a trailer (
Ypage 220).
Step 1
Example 1Example 2Example 3
Combined maximum
weight of occupants
and cargo (data from
the Tire and Loading
Information placard)1500 lbs (680 kg)1500 lbs (680 kg)1500 lbs (680 kg)
Step 2
Example 1Example 2Example 3
Number of people in
the vehicle (driver and
occupants)531
Distribution of the
occupantsFront: 2
Rear: 3Front: 1
Rear: 2Front: 1
Weight of the occu-
pantsOccupant 1: 150 lbs
(68 kg)
Occupant 2: 180 lbs
(82 kg)
Occupant 3: 160 lbs
(73 kg)
Occupant 4: 140 lbs
(63 kg)
Occupant 5: 120 lbs
(54 kg)Occupant 1: 200 lbs
(91 kg)
Occupant 2: 190 lbs
(86 kg)
Occupant 3: 150 lbs
(68 kg)Occupant 1: 150 lbs
(68 kg)
Gross weight of all
occupants750 lbs (340 kg)540 lbs (245 kg)150 lbs (68 kg)
Loading the vehicle363
Wheels and tires
Z