MERCEDES-BENZ C230 2007 W203 Owner's Manual

230 Controls in detail
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Roof rack*
Mount the roof rack only between the
fastening points (see arrows).
Secure the roof rack according to
manufacturer’s instructions for
installation.
Ski sack* (Canada only)
1Handle
2Cover
3Armrest
Unfolding and loading
Fold armrest3 down (arrow).
Pull handle1 and swing cover2
down.
Warning!G
Only use roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to
avoid damage to the vehicle.
Follow the manufacturer’s installation in-
structions. Otherwise, an improperly at-
tached roof rack system or its load could
become detached from the vehicle.
Do not exceed the maximum roof load of
220 lbs (100 kg).
Take into consideration that when the roof
rack is loaded, the handling characteristics
are different from those when operating the
vehicles without the roof rack loaded.
!Load the roof rack in such a way that the ve-
hicle cannot be damaged while driving.
Make sure

you can fully raise the tilt/sliding sunroof*.

you can fully open the trunk.
!Do not sit on or lean your body weight
against the armrest when it is folded down, as
you could otherwise damage it.

231 Controls in detail
Loading
4Hook and loop fastener
Unfasten hook and loop fastener4.
Pull ski sack into passenger compart-
ment and unfold.5Button
Open trunk lid.
Press button5.
The flap opens downward.
From trunk, slide skis into ski sack.
Warning!G
The ski sack is designed for up to four pairs
of skis. Do not load the ski sack with other
objects.
Always fasten the ski sack securely. In an
accident, an unfastened ski sack can cause
injury to vehicle occupants.


232 Controls in detail
Loading
6Strap
Tighten strap6 by pulling at the loose
end (arrow) until the skis in the ski sack
are tightly secured.7Hook
8Eye
Connect hook7 to eye8.
Tighten strap by pulling at the loose
end (arrow).Unloading and folding
Loosen the straps.
Disconnect hook7 from eye8.
Unload skis.
Close flap in trunk.
Fold and flatten ski sack lengthwise.
Place folded ski sack inside recess of
backrest.
Fasten hook and loop fastener.
Close ski sack compartment cover.


233 Controls in detail
Loading
Removing the ski sack
You can remove the ski sack for cleaning
or drying.
1Button
2Ski sack frame
3Flap
Open trunk lid.
Press button1.
The flap3 opens downward.
Press button1 firmly until ski sack
frame2 is released.
Pull ski sack frame2 with ski sack
out.Installing the ski sack
Install the ski sack in the reverse order.
Push ski sack frame2 with ski sack
inward until the ski sack frame snaps
into place.
Close flap3.
Close trunk lid.
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
Never drive vehicle with trunk open while
the ski sack is removed. Deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle in-
terior, resulting in unconsciousness and
death.
iTo prevent unauthorized persons from ac-
cessing the trunk, always close the flap.
Warning!G
When expanding the luggage area, always
fold the seat cushions fully forward.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the
backrests must remain properly locked in
the upright position.
In an accident, during hard braking or
sudden 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 236).

234 Controls in detail
Loading
Folding the backrest forward
The release handle1 is located in the
trunk.
Pull release handle1.
Fully retract and fold rearward head
restraints (
page 103).
Pull release handle2.
Fold seat cushion3 forward.
Fold backrest4 forward.Returning the backrest to original
position
Fold backrest2 rearward until it
engages.
Fold seat cushion1 rearward until it
locks into position.!Always release the seat cushion and fold it
forward before folding the seat backrests for-
ward. Otherwise, the backrest covering may be
damaged.

235 Controls in detail
Loading
If the backrest is not locked into position,
a red indicator3 will be visible.
Check for secure locking by pushing
and pulling on the backrest.
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle
occupants and luggage/cargo should not
exceed the load limit indicated on the cor-
responding 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, cargo is
being carried in the trunk, 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
collision or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo.
iTo prevent unauthorized persons from ac-
cess to the trunk, always lock backrest in its up-
right position.

236 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 al-
ways be kept as low as possible since it in-
fluences the handling characteristics of
the vehicle.Cargo tie-down rings*
The four cargo tie-down rings are located
in the trunk.
Cargo tie-down rings
Carefully secure cargo by applying
even load on all rings with rope
sufficient strength to hold down the
cargo.
Always follow loading instructions
(
page 235).
Warning!G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible using cargo tie-down rings and
fastening materials appropriate for the
weight and size of the load.
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 trunk open. Deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter ve-
hicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.
iThe trunk is the preferred place to carry ob-
jects.
The enlarged cargo area should only be used for
items which do not fit in the trunk alone.

237 Controls in detail
Useful features
Useful features
Storage compartments Glove box
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box lid
Opening glove box
Pull glove box lid release1.
The glove box lid2 opens downward.
Closing glove box
Push glove box lid2 up to close.1Unlocking
2Locking
Locking glove box
Insert mechanical key (page 361)
into the glove box lock and turn it to
position2.
Unlocking glove box
Turn mechanical key in the glove box
lock to position1.
Warning!G
Do not store any flammable substances in-
side the vehicle or in the trunk. Otherwise
the flammable substances could ignite and
start a fire inside the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when storing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the trunk if possible. Do not
pile luggage or cargo higher than the seat
backs. Do not place anything on the shelf
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.
iAudio system/COMAND* with CD chang-
er*: The CD changer* is located in the glove box.

238 Controls in detail
Useful features
Storage compartment/telephone* tray
under front center armrest
A flat storage tray with a deeper storage
compartment underneath is located below
the front center armrest. Both can be
opened separately.
1Handle to open storage compartment
2Button to open storage tray/tele-
phone* tray, passenger side
3Button to open storage tray/tele-
phone* tray, driver’s side
Opening storage compartment
Pull handle1 and lift armrest.Closing storage compartment
Press armrest down until it engages
into place.
Opening the storage tray/telephone*
tray
Press button3 on driver’s side or
button2 on passenger side and lift
armrest.
Closing the storage tray/telephone*
tray
Press armrest down until it engages
into place.Armrest in the rear passenger
compartment
Pull the top of the armrest out and fold
it down.
iThe mobile phone cradle (page 245), the
Roadside Assistance button• (
page 250)
and the Information button¡ (
page 251)
are located in the storage tray (if equipped).
!Do not sit on or lean your body weight
against the armrest when it is folded down, as
you could otherwise damage it.

239 Controls in detail
Useful features
Parcel net in front passenger footwell
(all models, except C 280 4MATIC and
C 350 4MATIC)
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.Cup holders
Cup holders in front of seat armrest
Underneath 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.
Warning!G
The parcel net is intended for storing
light-weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel net. In an accident, during hard brak-
ing, or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
The parcel net cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.
Warning!G
In order to help prevent spilling liquids on
vehicle occupants and/or vehicle equip-
ment, only use containers that fit into the
cup holder. Use lids on open containers and
do not fill containers to a height where the
contents, especially hot liquids, could spill
during braking, vehicle maneuvers, or an ac-
cident. Liquids spilled on vehicle occupants
may cause serious personal injury. Liquids
spilled on vehicle equipment may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
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.