MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAGON 2003 S203 Owner's Manual

197 Controls in detail
Loading
Storage compartment under cargo compartment floor
To open cargo compartment floor
Press handle1 on the recess.

Lift compartment cover.To close cargo compartment floor

Lower the cover and lock by applying
light pressure to the handle1.
Retractable luggage cover and
partition net
The twin-reel roller blind comprises a lug-
gage cover and a partition net. It is mount-
ed on the backrest of the rear seat and can
also be used with backrest folded down.Partition net
Partition net with rear seats folded up
1Tab
2Eyelets on roof

Pull out upper blind (safety net) by
tabs1.

Engage it into eyelets on the roof2.
iThe compartment can be used to store
small, light or flat objects.
Warning!
G
If items are stored in the compartment,
make sure compartment is securely closed.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, they could be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, always use parti-
tion net when transporting cargo.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 197 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

198 Controls in detailLoadingPartition net with rear seats folded
down
1Tab
2Eyelets on roof
Pull out upper blind (safety net) by
tabs1 until it engages.

Fold seat forward (
page 199).

Pull out upper blind fully.

Engage it into eyelets on the roof2.Luggage cover
Closing

Pull luggage cover back by handle1
until it locks into position.
Opening

Press handle1 down and release.
The luggage cover retracts automati-
cally.Twin-reel roller blind

Retract the safety net and luggage cov-
er.
Removing

Fold split rear bench seat forward
(page 199).

Slide twin-reel roller blind1 to left and
remove.
iWith the luggage cover rolled up, fold
the lip down.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 198 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

199 Controls in detail
Loading
Installing
Fold split rear bench seat forward.

Place twin-reel roller blind1 into right
and left guide rails2.

Slide towards right to the end stop.
Split rear bench seat
The two sections can be folded down sep-
arately to enlarge the cargo compartment.Folding the backrest forward

Pull release handle1.

Fold seat cushion2 forward.
Right hand side of rear seat
Slip seat belt webbing behind
retainer3.

Retract head restraints fully and fold
rearward (
page 35).
Warning!
G
When expanding the luggage compartment,
always fold the seat cushions fully forward
and always use the partition net when trans-
porting cargo.
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 202).
S203 MY03_A.book Page 199 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

200 Controls in detailLoading
Pull release handle4 on the left or right
backrest as required.

Fold the rear seat backrests5 forward.Folding the backrest rearward

Fold the backrest5 rearward until it
engages.

Fold the seat cushions2 rearward until
they lock into position.If the backrest is not locked into position,
a red indicator6 will be visible.

Check for secure locking by pushing
and pulling on the backrest.
iWith the twin-reel roller blind installed:

When folding the backrest forward,
fold the right section first and then
the left section.


If only the left section is to be fold-
ed, first remove the twin-reel roller
blind (
page 198).
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 cargo compartment is not in use.
Check for secure locking by pushing and
S203 MY03_A.book Page 200 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

201 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage/cargo should not ex-
ceed the vehicle capacity weight indicated
on the certification tag which can be found
on the left door pillar.
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.
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.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible.
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.
Never drive vehicle with tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 201 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

202 Controls in detailLoadingCargo tie-down ringsFour rings1 are located in the cargo com-
partment.

Carefully secure cargo by applying
even load on all rings with rope of suffi-
cient strength to hold down the cargo.
Always follow loading instructions
(page 201).
S203 MY03_A.book Page 202 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

203 Controls in detail
Useful features
Useful features
Interior storage spaces Glove box
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box
Opening the glove box

Pull lid release1.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Closing the glove box

Push lid up to close.Locking the glove box

Insert mechanical key into the glove
box lock and turn it to position2.
Unlocking the glove box

Turn mechanical key in the glove box
lock to position1.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the cargo compartment if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher
than the seat backs.
Always use partition net when transporting
cargo. Partition net cannot secure hard or
heavy objects.
Parcel nets cannot secure hard or heavy ob-
jects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident.
iPrior to closing the glove box, close the
compartment for glasses first.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 203 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

204 Controls in detailUseful featuresCup holder in front seat armrestOpening cup holder

Slide cover1 rearward.

Push button2.
The cup holder opens automatically.Closing cup holder

Push in direction of arrow until cup
holder engages.
Warning!
G
When not in use, keep the cup holder closed
while traveling. Place only containers that fit
into the cup holder to prevent spills. Use lids
on open containers and do not fill containers
to a height where the contents, especially
hot liquids, could spill during vehicle maneu-
vers.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 204 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

205 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cup holder in rear seat armrest
Opening cup holder

Push front of sliding compartment1.
The cup holder slides out.
Closing cup holder

Push the sliding compartment1 back
until it engages.Storage compartment in front of arm-
rest
Opening

Slide cover1 rearward.
The compartment contains a cigarette
lighter (
page 208), a coin holder and
a cup holder (
page 204).
Closing

Slide cover1 forward.
Warning!
G
When not in use, keep the cup holder closed
while traveling. Place only containers that fit
into the cup holder to prevent spills. Use lids
on open containers and do not fill containers
to a height where the contents, especially
hot liquids, could spill during vehicle maneu-
vers.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 205 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

206 Controls in detailUseful featuresArmrest storage spaces
Opening compartment in armrest
Lift armrest by handle1.
Opening compartment under armrest

Lift armrest by handle2.
Closing

Lower armrest until it engages in lock.Changing inclination of armrest

Pull up on armrest.
Lowering armrest

Pull handle2 to lower armrest.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.iThe storage compartment can be heat-
ed or cooled.
The compartment can get very warm
due to its confined space. When storing
heat sensitive objects in the compart-
ment, close the air vent (
page 150)
while heating the passenger compart-
ment.
Warning!
G
Do not place heavy or fragile objects, or ob-
jects having sharp edges, in the parcel net.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, they could be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 206 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM