2021 MERCEDES-BENZ V-CLASS Owners Manual

N
N
o
ot
tes on loading guidelines
es on loading guidelines &
D
DAN
AN GER
GER Risk of poisoning from exhaust
ga ses
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
ga ses, such as carbon monoxide. Exhaust
ga ses can enter theve hicle interior if theta il-
ga te is open when theve hicle is running, espe-
cially if theve hicle is in motion. #
Always switch o. theve hicle before
opening theta ilgate. #
Never drive with theta ilgate open. &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of injury from unsecured
objects in theve hicle
When objects are unsecured or inadequately
secured, they can slip, tip over or be thro wn
about, st riking vehicle occupants.
This also applies to:
R luggage or loads
R seats which ha vebeen remo ved and are
being transpor ted in theve hicle in an
ex ceptional case
There is a risk of injur y,particular lyin the
eve nt of braking manoeuvres or abrupt
ch anges in direction. #
Always st owobjects in such a wayth at
th ey cannot be tossed about. #
Before tr avelling, secure objects, luggage
or load toprev ent them slipping or tip-
ping over. #
When a seat is remo ved, keep it prefera-
bly outside theve hicle. &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of accident due toincor-
re ctly placed load
The cent reofgrav ity of the load may be too
high and/or toofar bac k.
This can signi/cantly impair the driving, steer-
ing and braking characteristics. #
Always ensu rethat the centre of grav ity
of the load is between the axles and as
low as possible near there ar axle. &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of accident due toexceed-
ing the permissible wheel/axle loads or
th egr oss vehicle weight
The driving characteristics, as well as steering
and braking, may be greatly impaired. Overloa-
ded tyres may overheat and burst as a conse-
qu ence. #
When transporting a load, alw ays
obser vethe permissible wheel loads,
axle loads and the maximum permissible
gr oss mass forth eve hicle (including
occupants). &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of injury if unsuitable
climbing aids are used
In theeve ntthat you use openings in the body-
wo rkor attachments as steps, you could:
R Slip and/or fall.
R Damage theve hicle and thus slip and fall. #
Always use non-slip, stable climbing aids,
e.g. a suitable ladder. *
N
NOOTE
TE Damage caused bythe use of open-
ings in the bodywork or de tach able part as
a step Using
the lo wer guide of the sliding door (car-
ri age) as a step can damage the trim and/or
mechanism of the sliding door. #
Do not use the guide of the sliding door
(car riage) as a step. If
yo u are using a roof luggage rack , please no te
th e maximum roof load and the maximum load
capacity of thero of luggage rack ( /page 280).
The handling characteristics of your vehicle are
dependent on the load distribution.
Therefore, please obser vethefo llowing no tes
when loading:
R the load must not pr otru de abo vethe upper
edge of the seat backrests.
R if possible, alw ays transport the load in the
load compartment.
R fasten the load tothe tie-down eyes and dis-
tribute the load evenly among them. 214
214
Tr
anspo rting

R
ifav ailable, use a load pr otection net tosecure
th e load (/ page 218).
R use tie-down eyes and fastening co mponents
which are suitable forth ewe ight and size of
th e load.
Obser vethe operating inst ructions of the manufac-
turer when using load securing aids or lashing
material and the no tes on their expiration dates.
In thefo llowing cases, load securing aids or lash-
ing materials are wornout, should not be used and
must be replaced:
R there is missing or illegible identi/cation
R there is cord breakage or damage toload-bear-
ing seams or other traces of cracking
R there are cuts, holes, deformations, crushed
areas or other damage
R there is damage toclamping elements or fas-
te ners
If th e luggage compartment 0oor or loading area
are damaged in theev ent of an accident, ha vethe
tie-down eyes and the lashing material checked at
a quali/ed specialist workshop.
Even if you adhere toall the loading guidelines, an
increased load increases therisk of injury in the
ev ent of an accident.
Bef
Bef or
ore loading
e loading
Check and, when necessar y,adjust the tyre pres-
sure (/ page 253).
When loading
When loading
Obser vethefo llowing when loading theve hicle:
R Neverex ceed the permissible axle load or the
ve hicle's permissible gross mass.
The vehicle's kerb we ight is increased if acces-
sories or optional equipment are /t ted. This
re duces the maximum pa yload.
R Obser vethe no tes on load distribution
(/ page 215).
R Obser vethe no tes on load securing
(/ page 216) and the legal requ irements of
th e country in which you are cur rently driving.
R Obser vethe information on the car rier systems
(/ page 221). ATer ATer
loading
loading
Obser vethefo llowing aTer loading theve hicle:
R Check that the luggage and/or load is secure
before every journey and at regular inter vals on
long trips.
R Close all doors and theta ilgate.
R Adjust thera nge of the headlamps according
to theve hicle load (/ page 108).
R Adjust the tyre pressure according totheve hi-
cle load (/ page 253).
R Adapt your driving style according totheve hi-
cle load. Load dis
Load dis
tr
tr ibution
ibution
* NO
NOTE
TEDamage tothe 0oor co vering due to
une ven loading Excessive point loading on
the load compart-
ment 0oor or on the load area can negatively
a.ect the driving characteristics and could
damage the 0oor co vering. #
Distribute the load evenl y.When doing
so, ensure that theove rall centre of grav-
ity of the load is alw ays as low and close
to the centre as possible and between
th e axles near there ar axle. Obser
vethefo llowing no tes:
R Always transport loads in the load compart-
ment and with the seat backrests folded up
and proper lyloc ked in position.
R Always place the load against the front or rear
seat backrests.
R Movelarge and heavy loads as far as possible
to wa rdsth e front of theve hicle in the direction
of tr avel, against the front or rear seats. Stow
loads 0ush with there ar or front seats.
R Additionally secure the load with suitable load
securing aids or lashing material.
R The load must not pr otru de abo vethe upper
edge of the seat backrests.
R Transport loads behind seats that are not
occupied.
R Ifth ere ar ben chseat is not occupied, inse rt
th e seat belts crosswise into the seat belt
buckle of the opposite seat belt. Tr
anspo rting
215
215

Load com
Load com
par
partment v
tment v ar
ariants
iants
Yo u can vary the load compartment according to
yo ur transpor tation requ irements as follo ws:
R byfolding there ar seat backrests or rear
ben chseat backrests forw ard totheta ble posi-
tion
R byfolding there ar seats forw ards
R byfolding there ar ben chseat forw ards
R byremoving there ar seats and/or there ar
ben chseat
R byremoving the seat/bunk combination
R byfolding up or removing the bed extension of
th e seat/bunk combination
Yo u will /nd information about there ar seats and
th ere ar ben chseat in the "Seats" section
(/ page 76). Secur Secur
ing loads
ing loads N No
ot
tes on load secur
es on load secur ing
ing *
N
NOOTE
TE Damage totheve hicle if the maxi-
mum loading capacity of the lashing points
is exceeded If
yo u combine various lashing points tosecure
a load, alw aysta ke the maximum loading capa-
city of thewe akest lashing point into account.
During maximum full-stop braking, forc es may
act which can multiply thewe ight of the load. #
Always use se veral lashing points todis-
tribute and spread the load. #
Distribute the load on the lashing points
ev enl y. Obser
vethe information relating tothe maximum
loading capacity of the lashing points
(/ page 280).
As the driver, you are responsible for ensuring the
fo llowing:
R The load is secured against slipping, tipping,
rolling or falling o..
Ta ke usual tra1c conditions as well as swer v-
ing or full brake application and bad roads into
account.
R The applicable requi rements and guidelines
re lating toload-securing practices are met.
If th is is not the case, this may constitute a
punishable o.ence, depending on local legisla- tion and any ensuing consequences. Obser
ve
countr y-speci/c la ws.
Make sure that the load is secure before every
journey and at regular inter vals during a long jour-
ne y.Ad just the load securing as necessar y.Infor-
mation on how tosecure loads cor rectly can be
obtained from the manufacturers of the load
securing aids or lashing material for load securing,
fo rex ample.
Also obser vethe no tes on loading guidelines
(/ page 214).
When securing loads, obser vethefo llowing:
R Fill spaces between the load and the load com-
partment walls or wheel wells. Forth is pur-
pose, use rigid load securing aids, such as
ch oc ks,wo oden /xings or padding.
R Attach secured and stabilised loads in all direc-
tions.
Use the lashing points or the tie-down eyes
and guide rails in there ar compartment.
Only use lashing materials, such as lashing
nets and lashing st raps, which ha vebeen tes-
te d in accordance with cur rent standa rds (e.g.
DIN EN). Alw ays use the lashing points closest
to the load and pad sharp edges.
% You can obtain lashing material tested in
acco rdance with cur rent standa rds (e.g.
DIN EN) from a specialist company or from a
qu ali/ed specialist workshop.
N No ot
te on t
e on t he lashing points and tie-do
he lashing points and tie-do wney
wn eyes on
es on
t
t he load com
he load com par
partment
tment 0oor
0oorf
for passeng
or passeng er v
er vehicles
ehicles
(v
(v ehicle cat
ehicle cat egor
egor y M1)
y M1) Example: lashing angle
for best load security
d Vertical tothe load compartment 0oor
e Load compartment 0oor 216
216
Tr
anspo rting

1
Direction of pull with 75° lashing angle
2 Direction of pull with 45° lashing angle
The lashing angle is the angle form ed between the
load compartment 0oor and the lashing material.
Fo r optimum load securing in accordance with
standard ISO 27955 the lashing angle must be
between 45° 2and 75° 1. The maximum nomi-
nal tensile load of 350 daN forth e tie-down eyes in
th e load compartment 0oor or in the guide rails
may not be exceeded. Ov
Ov
er
ervie
vie w of lashing points
w of lashing points Example:
variable lashing points in the guide rails
1 Guide rails
2 Tie-down eye
Do not attem pttomodify or repair the lashing
points, tie-down eyes or lashing materials. Read
th e information on quali/ed specialist workshops
(/ page 24). F
F
itting and r
itting and r emo
emoving tie-do
ving tie-do wney
wn eyes
es &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of injury due toincor rectly
installed tie-down eyes
If th e tie-down eyes are not cor rectly ins talled,
th ey can slip or tear out.
This may cause objects, lug gage orthe load to
slip, tip over or be thro wn about theve hicle
interior, st riking vehicle occupants. #
Make sure that the tie-down eyes are
cor rectly ins talled and do not mo ve. #
Obser vethe no tes on the loading guidelines
and on securing loads (/ page 214). Example: guide
rails Ti
e-down eyes for guide rails
F
F itting
itting #
Turn me talreta ining ring 3 sothat it is paral-
lel tothe long axis of tie-down eye2 as illus-
trated.
The locking pin can only be pushed down su1-
cient lyand allow the tie-down eyeto be /tted,
mo ved or remo ved, if the me talre taining ring is
parallel tothe long axis of the tie-down eye. #
Hold tie-down eye2 between your fore /nger
and middle /nger as illustrated, and place your
th umb thro ugh me talreta ining ring 3 and on
th e central pressure point. #
Use your thumb topush the locking pin down
as far as it will go. #
Push tie-down eye2 near the load using the
notches on guide rail1, and mo veit appr ox-
imately 12 mm. #
Remo ve yo urthumb from the pressure point
and slide tie-down eye2 until it engages. #
Turn me talreta ining ring 3 sothat it is per-
pendicular tothe long axis of tie-down eye2.
The locking pin cannot be pushed down far if
th e me talreta ining ring is perpendicular tothe
long axis of the tie-down eye. This pr events the Tr
anspo rting
217 217

tie-down
eye from being released unintention-
all y,e.g. if the tie-down eye is stepped on. #
Check that tie-down eye2 is seated cor-
re ctl y.
The tie-d owney e cannot be mo ved.
R
R emo
emo ving
ving #
Turn me talreta ining ring 3 sothat it is paral-
lel tothe long axis of tie-down eye2. #
Grip tie-down eye2 as described abo ve
under /tting and use your thumb topush the
locking pin down as far as it will go. #
Slide tie-down eye2 and pull it up and out
th ro ugh the notch of guide rail1. Load secur
Load secur
ing aid
ing aid R
R
emo
emo ving or
ving or /tting
/ttinga load pr ot
a load pr otection net
ection net &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of injury or death due to
objects being poor lysecured
The load pr otection net alone cannot restrain
or secu reheavy objects, lug gage or heavy
loads.
Yo u could be hit byan unsecured load during
sudden changes in direction, braking or in the
eve nt of an accident. #
Always st owobjects in such a wayth at
th ey cannot be thro wn about theve hicle. #
Secure objects, lug gage or loads against
slipping or tipping over,e.g. byusing
lashing material, even when you are
using the load pr otection net. &
W WARNING
ARNING Risk of injury due tositting
behind a load pr otection net
Ve hicle occupants can be pressed against the
load pr otection net. There is a risk of injury! #
Never allow vehicle occupants tosit
behind the load pr otection net. The load pr
otection net partitions the load com-
partment. It pr otects vehicle occupants from light
objects and/or lug gage slipping or tipping over.
Yo u can install the load pr otection net at an angle
behind the front seats or behind the /rst row of
re ar seats. #
Obser vethe no tes on securing loads
(/ page 216). Upper
retainer Floor anchorage (e
xample: secured tie-down eye)
F
F itting
itting #
Remo vethe luggage compartment partition if
necessary (/ page 219). #
Clip the load pr otection net into upper retain-
ers 1in such a wayth at tensioning straps 3
fa ce there ar of theve hicle. #
Fit tie-down eyes 5 into the guide rails close
to there ar seat legs (/ page 217).Position
th em at least 5 cm from the seat legs toallow
subsequent mo vement of there ar seat. #
Check that tie-down eyes 5 are seated cor-
re ctl y.
Ti e-down eyes 5 should not mo ve. #
Clip hooks 4ontensioning straps 3into tie-
down eyes 5. #
Foldtensioning element 2up. 218
218
Tr
anspo rting

#
Pull the loose end of tensioning straps 3
down in the direction of the ar row until ten-
sioning straps 3are tight. #
Foldtensioning element 2down toachie ve
th e /nal tension on the straps. #
If necessar y,/t the luggage compartment par-
tition (/ page 219). #
ATer tr avelling a short distance, check that the
load pr otection net is taut, and retighten it if
necessar y.
R R emo emo ving
ving #
Remo vethe luggage compartment partition if
necessary (/ page 219). #
Foldtensioning element 2up.
Te nsioning straps 3are sla ck. #
Unclip hooks 4oftensioning straps 3from
tie-d owney es 5 atthe bottom. #
Unclip the load pr otection net from upper
reta iners 1. #
When requ ired, remo vetie-down eyes 5
(/ page 217). #
If necessar y,/t the luggage compartment par-
tition (/ page 219). #
Roll up the load pr otection net and fasten it,
still rolled up, using theVe lcro fastene rs.
A A djus djus ting t
ting t he fr
he front seat wit
ont seat wit h t
h the load pr ot
he load pr otection
ection
ne
ne t
t/tt
/tt ed
ed #
Foldtensioning element 2on straps 3
upwards.
The load pr otection net slac kens. #
Correctly adjust the front seat. #
Re-tension the load pr otection net. Using t Using t
he lugg
he lugg ag
age com
e com par
partment par
tment par tition
tition &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of injury from unsecured
objects in theve hicle
When objects are unsecured or inadequately
secured, they can slip, tip over or be thro wn
about, st riking vehicle occupants.
This also applies to:
R luggage or loads
R seats which ha vebeen remo ved and are
being transpor ted in theve hicle in an
ex ceptional case There is a
risk of injur y,particular lyin the
eve nt of braking manoeuvres or abrupt
ch anges in direction. #
Always st owobjects in such a wayth at
th ey cannot be tossed about. #
Before tr avelling, secure objects, luggage
or load toprev ent them slipping or tip-
ping over. #
When a seat is remo ved, keep it prefera-
bly outside theve hicle. &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of accident or injury when
th e luggage compartment partition is not
loc ked in position
The luggage compartment partition can come
loose when driving and be thro wn about the
ve hicle interior. #
Fitth e luggage compartment partition as
described. #
ATer /tting the luggage compartment
partition, alw ays make sure that the lug-
ga ge compartment partition is loc ked
and folded down. *
N NOOTE
TE Damage tothe luggage compart-
ment partition due toheavy loads If
th e luggage compartment partition is loaded
with too much weight, the /xture points and
th e luggage compartment partition may be
damaged. #
Do not load more than 50 kg on the lug-
ga ge compartment partition. The luggage compartment partition is only secured
cor rectly when bo thleve rs are loc ked. #
Comply with the loading guidelines
(/ page 214). Tr
anspo rting
219
219

Opening t
Opening t
he stow
he st owag
age com
e com par
partments
tments #
Pull handle 2inthe direction of the ar row.
Co ver1 folds upwards in the middle. #
Slide co ver1 tothe stop in the direction of
th e ar row.
Closing t
Closing t he stow
he st owag
age com
e com par
par tments
tments #
Pull co ver1 on handle 2inthe direction of
th e ar row. #
Push co ver1 down in the middle until it is
fully closed.
F
F olding up t
olding up t he lugg
he luggag
age com
e com par
partment par
tment par titionto
tition to
an angle of 70°
an angle of 70° #
Pull handle 2inthe direction of the ar row.
Lu ggage compartment partition 1is
re leased. #
Fold up luggage compartment partition 1.
Make sure that lug gage compartment partition 1
is alw aysfo lded down when theve hicle is moving.
F F olding do olding do wn t
wn the lugg
he lugg ag
age com
e com par
partment par
tment par tition
tition #
Fold down luggage compartment partition 1
until it engages.
Lu ggage compartment partition 1is loc ked.
R R emo
emo ving t
ving t he lugg
he lugg ag
age com
e com par
partment par
tment par tition
tition #
Fold up luggage compartment partition 1. #
Swing le vers 2 inwa rds.
Lu ggage compartment partition 1is
re leased. #
Remo veluggage compartment partition 1.220
220
Tr
anspo rting

F
F
itting t
itting t he lugg
he lugg ag
age com
e com par
partment par
tment par tition
tition If possible, /t luggage compartment partition
1
with the help of ano ther person. #
Place luggage compartment partition 1into
th eve hicle at an angle. #
Rotate luggage compartment partition 1in
th eve hicle and inse rtit into the guide rails.
The guide rails ha vetriangular markings at the
place tobe inser ted which must be at the same
height as le vers 2 . #
Swing le vers 2 outwards.
Lu ggage compartment partition 1is loc ked. #
Fold luggage compartment partition 1down. Carr
Carr
ier sy
ier sy st
stems
ems N
No
ot
tes on carr
es on carr ier syst
ier systems
ems &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of accident due toexceed-
ing the maximum roof load
The vehicle cent reofgrav ity and the usual driv-
ing characteristics as well as the steering and
braking characteristics alter.
If yo uex ceed the maximum roof load, the driv-
ing characteristics, as well as steering and
braking, will be greatly impaired. #
Neverex ceed the maximum roof load
and adjust your driving style. Yo
u can /nd information on the maximum roof
load under "Lashing points and car rier systems"
(/ page 280). *
NO
NO TE
TEDamage due toexceeding the maxi-
mum permissible roof load If
th ewe ight of thero of luggage, including the
ro of luggage rack ,ex ceeds the maximum per-
missible roof load, this can cause damage to
th eve hicle. #
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
ro of load. #
Arrange the supporting feet ofthero of
luggage rack at an even distance from
each other. #
Installth e basic car rier bars forra il in
front of and behind the mid-section sup-
port. *
N
NOOTE
TE Damage totheth re aded holes of
th ero of luggage rack due toan exces-
sively high tightening torque An
excessively high tightening torque or an
insu1cient scr ew-in dep thcan cause damage
to theth re ad of thero of luggage rack 'sthre a-
ded holes. #
Tighten the scr ewsto a maximum torque
of 10 Nm. #
Comply with the minimum scr ewpene-
tration of four revo lutions in theth re ad. #
Toavo id damage totheve hicle, use roof
and rear lug gage rack sth at ha vebeen
appr oved or recommended for
Mercedes-Benz. *
N
NOOTE
TE Damage totheve hicle due tonot
observing the maximum permitted head-
ro om clearance If
th eve hicle height is greater than the maxi-
mum permitted headroom clearance, thero of
and other parts of theve hicle may be dam-
aged. #
Obser vethe signposted headroom clear-
ance. #
Ifth eve hicle height is greater than the
permitted headroom clearance, do not
enter. #
Obser vethech anged vehicle height with
add-on roof equipment. Yo
u can install a roof luggage rack on thero of and,
fo rex ample, a rear bicycle rack on theta ilgate. Tr
anspo rting
221 221