MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAGON 2004 S203 Owner's Manual

211 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
To expand the cargo compartment, you
can fold down the left and right rear seat
backrests.
The two sections can be folded down
separately.Folding the backrest forward

Pull release handle1.

Fold seat cushion2 forward.
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 214).

212 Controls in detailLoadingRight hand side of rear seat
Slip seat belt webbing behind
retainer3.

Fully retract and fold rearward head
restraints (
page 93).

Pull release lever4.

Fold backrest5 forward.Setting up rear seat bench

Fold backrest5 rearward until it
engages.

Fold seat cushions2 rearward until
they lock into position.
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
folded, first remove the twin-reel
roller blind (
page 210).

213 Controls in detail
Loading
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.
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.
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
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.

214 Controls in detailLoadingThe 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.
Cargo tie-down rings
Four rings1 are located in the cargo
compartment.
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 213).
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.

215 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 (
page 305)
into the glove box lock and turn it to
position2.
Unlocking the glove box

Turn mechanical key (
page 305) 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.

216 Controls in detailUseful featuresCup holder in front of 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. 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.

217 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 sliding compartment1 back
until it engages.Storage compartment in front of
armrest
Opening

Slide cover1 rearward.
The compartment contains a cigarette
lighter (
page 220), a coin holder and
a cup holder (
page 216).
Closing

Slide cover1 forward.
Warning!
G
When not in use, keep the cup holder
closed. 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.

218 Controls in detailUseful featuresArmrest storage spaces
1Handle
2Armrest
3Button
Opening storage compartment
Pull handle1 and lift armrest.
Closing storage compartment

Press armrest down until it engages
into place.Opening telephone compartment

Press button3 on driver’s or
passenger side and lift armrest.
Closing telephone compartment

Press armrest down until it engages
into place.
Changing inclination of armrest

Pull up on armrest.
Lowering armrest

Pull handle1 to lower armrest.
iVehicles with climate control:
The storage compartment can be
heated 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 156)
while heating the passenger compart-
ment.
!Vehicles with climate control:
Do not obstruct the air vent in the
storage compartment.

219 Controls in detail
Useful features
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.
Ashtrays
Center console ashtray
Opening ashtray
Briefly touch cover plate1.
The ashtray opens automatically.Removing ashtray insert

Secure vehicle from movement by
setting the parking brake. Move the
gear selector lever to positionN.
Now you have more room to take out
the insert.

Slide ashtray insert in direction of
arrow2 until it disengages.

Grip ashtray at indents (arrows3) and
remove insert from ashtray frame.
Reinstalling the ashtray insert

Install insert by pushing back into
frame until it engages again.
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.
Warning!
G
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle
standing still. Set the parking brake to
secure vehicle from movement. Move gear
selector lever to positionN. With gear selec-
tor lever in positionN, turn off the engine.

220 Controls in detailUseful featuresRear seat ashtray
Opening ashtray
Pull at top of cover1 to open ashtray.
Removing ashtray insert

Press latch2 to disengage ashtray
insert and remove it.
Reinstalling the ashtray insert

Install ashtray insert.

Close the ashtray.
Cigarette lighter
The cigarette lighter is located in the
center console compartment in front of the
armrest.
1Cigarette lighter
2Cover
Turn SmartKey in the starter switch to
position1 or2.

Slide cover2 rearward.

Push in cigarette lighter1.
The cigarette lighter will pop out
automatically when hot.
Warning!
G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, and lock
your vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.iThe lighter socket can be used to
accommodate electrical accessories
up to a maximum 85 W.