MERCEDES-BENZ C COUPE 2005 CL203 Owner's Manual

250 Controls in detailLoadingRoof rack*
1Fastening points
2Rubber strip

Mount the roof rack only between the
fastening points1 and in the recess
of the rubber strip2.

Secure the roof rack according to
manufacturer’s instructions for
installation.
Split rear bench seat
To expand the cargo area, you can fold
down the left and right rear seat backrests.
The two sections can be folded down
separately.
Warning!
G
Use only roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to
avoid damage to the vehicle. Follow manu-
facturer’s installation instructions.
!Load the roof rack in such a way that
the vehicle cannot be damaged while
driving.
Make sure

you can fully raise the tilt/sliding
panel*.


you can fully open the trunk lid.
Warning!
G
When expanding the luggage compartment,
always fold the seat cushions fully forward.
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.

251 Controls in detail
Loading
Folding the backrest forward
1Release handle
2Seat cushion
3Release lever
4Backrest

Pull release handle1.

Fold seat cushion2 forward.

Fully retract and fold rearward head
restraints (
page 104).

Pull release lever3.

Fold backrest4 forward.Setting up rear seat bench
1Indicator

Fold backrest rearward until it engag-
es.

Fold seat cushion rearward until it
locks into position.
If the backrest is not locked into position,
a red indicator1 will be visible.

Check for secure locking by pushing
and pulling on the backrest.
!Always release the seat cushion and
fold it forward before folding the seat
backrests forward. Otherwise, the
backrest covering may be damaged.


252 Controls in detailLoading
Luggage cover
1Securing straps
Removal
Take off securing straps1.

Pull cover in direction of arrow2.
Installation

Place cover into holder.

Attach securing straps to trunk lid.
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle
occupants and luggage/cargo should not
exceed the load limit or vehicle capacity
weight indicated on the corresponding
placard located on the driver’s door
B-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.
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
extended 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.
!Do not place anything on the luggage
cover below the rear window.


253 Controls in detail
Loading
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
always be kept as low as possible since it
influences the handling characteristics of
the vehicle.
Cargo tie-down rings
Four rings 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 252).
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. Put luggage or car-
go in the trunk if possible. Do not pile lug-
gage or cargo higher than the seat backs.
Do not place anything on the rear-window
shelf.
Never drive vehicle with trunk lid open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.

254 Controls in detailUseful featuresStorage compartments 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.1Unlocked
2Locked
Locking the glove box

Insert mechanical key (
page 377)
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-
g a g e o r c a r g o i n t h e t r u n k i f p o s s i b l e . D o n o t
pile luggage or cargo higher than the seat
backs. Do not place anything on the luggage
cover below the rear window.
Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy
objects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident.

255 Controls in detail
Useful features
Armrest storage compartments
1Handle
2Button (passenger side)
3Button (driver’s side)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 side or
button2 on passenger side and lift
armrest.
Closing telephone compartment

Press armrest down until it engages
into place.Changing inclination of armrest
1Handle

Pull up on armrest.
Lowering armrest

Pull handle1 to lower armrest.iDepending on production date, the
changing inclination of armrest feature
may not be available in your vehicle.

256 Controls in detailUseful featuresCup holders in front of seat armrestUnderneath the swiveling cup holder is
another stationary cup holder. You can
only use this when the swiveling cup holder
is pulled out and completely turned
outward.
Sliding out the swiveling cup holder

Press button1.
The cup holder slides upward.Turning the swiveling cup holder
outward

Turn the cup holder in the direction of
arrow2 until it engages.
You can now use both cup holders.
Warning!
G
In order to help prevent spilling liquids on
vehicle occupants, only use containers that
fit into the cup holder. Use lids on open con-
tainers and do not fill containers to a height
where the contents, especially hot liquids,
could spill during braking, vehicle maneu-
vers, or in an accident.
When not in use, keep the cup holder
closed. An open cup holder may cause injury
to you or others when contacted during
braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an acci-
dent.
Keep in mind that objects placed in the cup
holder may come loose during braking, vehi-
cle maneuvers, or in an accident and be
thrown around in the vehicle interior.
Objects thrown around in the vehicle interi-
or may cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
!No objects should be in the swiveling
cup holder when the swiveling cup
holder is slided upward. Otherwise the
swiveling cup holder or the objects
could be damaged.

257 Controls in detail
Useful features
Turning the swiveling cup holder inward
and sliding it in
Turn the cup holder in the direction of
arrow3 until it engages.
Turn the cup holder in the direction of
arrow4 until it engages.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
1Cover plate
2Sliding button
3Ashtray insert
Briefly press the bottom of cover
plate1.
The cover plate1 opens
automatically.
!No objects should be in the stationary
cup holder when the swiveling cup
holder is turned inward and pushed in.
Otherwise the swiveling cup holder or
the objects could be damaged.
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.

258 Controls in detailUseful featuresRemoving ashtray insert
Secure vehicle from movement by
setting the parking brake.

Move the gear selector lever to
positionN (manual transmission:
second gear).
Now you have more room to take out
the ashtray insert.

Push sliding button2 to the right.
The ashtray insert3 slides out
slightly.

Remove the ashtray insert.Reinstalling ashtray insert

Push the ashtray insert3 down into
the retainer until it engages.

Push down cover plate1 to close
ashtray.
The cover plate engages.
Rear seat ashtray
1Button
2Ashtray insert
3Cover

Pull at top of cover3 to open ashtray.Removing ashtray insert

Push button1 to disengage ashtray
insert2 and remove it.
Reinstalling the ashtray insert

Push the ashtray insert2 down into
the retainer until it engages.

Push at the top of cover3 to close
ashtray.
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 (manual trans-
mission: second gear). With gear selector
lever in positionN (manual transmission:
second gear) turn off the engine.

259 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cigarette lighter
1Cover plate
2Cigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition (
page 33).

Briefly press the bottom of cover
plate1.
The ashtray opens automatically.

Push in cigarette lighter2.
The cigarette lighter will pop out
automatically when hot.

Push down cover plate1 to close
ashtray.
The cover plate engages.
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, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle 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.