weight MERCEDES-BENZ METRIS 2016 MY16 Operator’s Manual

restraint system. You willalsof ind the state-
ment in the instruction manua lprovided with the
child restraint system.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicl einte-
rior and on the child restraint system.
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) chil dseat secur-
ing system
GWARNING
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint systems
do not offer sufficient protective effect for
children whose weight is greater than 48 lbs
(22 kg )who are secure dusing the safety belt
integrated in the child restraint system. In the
event of an accident, achild might not be
restrained correctly. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
If the child weighs more than 48 lbs (22 kg),
only use LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint
systems with which the child is als osecured
with the vehicl eseat belt. Also secure the
child restraint system with the Top Tether
belt, if available.
Make sure you observe the manufacturer's
installation and operating instructions of the
child restraint system used.
Before each journey ,make sure that the LATCH-
type (ISOFIX) child restraint system is properly
engage dinboth LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing
rings.
!When fitting the child restraint system in
vehicles with arear bench seat, make sure
that the seat belt for the center seat does not
get trapped. Otherwise, the seat belt could be
damaged.
:LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing rings (basic
illustration)
XInstall the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint system on both LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing
rings :.
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) is astandardized securing
system for specia lchild restraint systems and
specifi crear seats. LATCH-type (ISOFIX) secur-
ing rings :for aLATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system are installed between the seat
cushion and the seat backrest.
Secure child restraint systems withou taLATCH-
type (ISOFIX) child seat securing system using
the seat belts in the vehicle. Always comply with
the manufacturer's installation and operating
instructions for the child restraint system.
Top Tether
Introduction
Top Tether provides an additional connection
between the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint system and the vehicle. This help sreduce the
risk of injury even further. If the child restraint
system has aTop Tether belt, this should be
used at all times.
Children in the vehicle59
Safety
Z

ESP®(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
ESP®monitors driving stabilitya nd detectsa
tendenc yofthevehicle to understeer or over-
steer (skidding) in good time. If ESP
®detects
that th evehicle is deviatin gfromt hedirection
desired by th edriver, oneorm orew heels are
braked to stabilizet hevehicle .The engine out-
put is also modified to keep th evehicle on the
desired course within physical limits. ESP
®can
also stabilizet hevehicle durin gbraking.
ESP
®also monitors traction,i .e.p ower trans-
mission between th etires and th eroad surface.
The integrate dtraction control support syou
when pullinga way or acceleratin gonwet,slip-
pery or slickr oads. Should th edrivew heels spin,
traction control brakes them individually. In
addition,g reaterdrivet orque is transmitte dto
th ew heel or wheels with traction.Ift raction on
th er oad surface is no tsufficient ,even ESP
®will
no tallow you to pull away without difficulty. The
type of tires and total weightoft hevehicle as
well as th egradientoft heroad also play acru-
cial role .Tractio ncontrol remains active if you
deactivate ESP
®.
If the h warning lamp in th einstrumen tclus-
te rg oes out before beginnin gthe journey, ESP
®
is automaticall yactive.
The h warning lamp in th einstrumen tcluster
flashes when ESP
®intervenes:
XDo no tdeactivate ESP®unde rany circum-
stances.
Xwhen driving off ,apply as little throttle as
possible.
Xadapt your speeda nd driving style to th epre-
vailin groad conditions.
Important safety notes
Observ ethe important safety guidelines for the
driving safety system (Ypage 62).
GWARNING
If ESP
®is malfunctionin gitwill notprovide
any vehicle stabilization. Thereisani ncreased
risk of skiddingorofana ccident.
Exercise caution when continuing to drive.
Hav eESP
®checked at aqualified specialist
workshop.
!Do no trun th evehicle on aroller dynamom-
eter (e.g. for performanc etests) .Ifyou must
operate th evehicle on aroller dynamometer,
please consult aqualified specialist workshop
in advance. You coul dotherwise damag ethe
driv etrain or th ebrak esystem.
If ESP
®is malfunctioning, the hwarning
lamp (Ypage 221) lightsupc ontinuously while
th ee ngine is runnin gand th edisplay showsa
message.
Ron vehicle swithout steering wheel buttons
(Ypage 193)
Ron vehicle swith steering wheel buttons
(Ypage 207)
ESP®is deactivate diftheå warning lamp in
th ei nstrumentc lusterislit when th eengine is
running.
Only use wheels with th erecommended tire
sizes. Only then will ESP
®function properly.
Deactivating/activatin gESP®
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP
®,E SP®no longer sta-
bilizes th evehicle .Thereisani ncreased risk
of skiddinga nd an accident.
Only deactivate ESP
®in th esituations descri-
bed in th efollowing.
It may be best to deactivate ESP
®in th efollow-
ing situations:
Rwhen usings nowc hains
Rin deep snow
Ron sandorg ravel
Activate ESP®as soon as th esituations descri-
bed abovenol onger apply. Otherwise, ESP®
assistance for stabilizing th evehicle will remain
significantly reduced, even if th evehicle starts
to skid.
If you deactivate ESP
®:
Rthe å warning lamp in th einstrumen tclus-
te rlightsu p.
Rthe÷ warning lamp in th einstrumen tclus-
te rf lashes if th ewheels are spinning.
RESP®assistance for stabilizing th evehicle in
th el ower speedr ange up to approximately
37 mph (60 km/h) is significantly reduced.
Rengine torque is no longer limited and the
driv ewheels are able to spin
64Driving safety systems
Safety

Therefore notethe following:
ROnly installaball coupling that is approved
for your vehicle.
RBefore the journey, make sure that the ball
coupling is correctly installed and secured.
To do this, observe the operating instruc-
tions of the ball coupling manufacturer.
RDo not make any modification stothe ball
coupling or the trailer tow hitch.
You must observe the operating instructions
of the trailer tow hitch or ball coupling manu-
facturer.
GWARNING
If the ball coupling is not correctly installed
and secured, it could come loose while driving and endanger other road users. There is arisk
of an accident and injury.
Install and secure the ball coupling as descri-
bed in the ball coupling manufacturer's instal-
lation instructions .Make sure that the ball
coupling is correctly installed and secured
before every journey.
GWARNING
When the vehicle/trailer combination begins
to lurch, you could lose control of it. The vehi- cle/trailer combination could even rollover.
There is arisk of an accident.
On no account should you attempt to
straighten up the vehicle/trailer combination
by increasingt he speed. Reduce vehicle
speed and do not countersteer. Apply the
brake as necessary.
You can attach carrier systems such as bicycle
racks or load-bearing implements on the ball
coupling. The maximum noseweight of 165 lb
(75 kg) applies when using carrier systems on
the ball coupling.
Always observe the operating instructions pro-
vided by the manufacturers of the trailer cou-
pling and the ball coupling.
Couple and decouple the trailer carefully. When backing up the towing vehicle, make sure
nobody is standin gbetween the vehicle and the
trailer. At
railer which is incorrectly coupled to the tow-
ing vehicle could break away.Ac orrectly cou-
pled trailer must be positioned horizontally
behind the towing vehicle.
Ensure that the following weights are not excee-
ded:
Rthe permissible noseweight
Rthe permissible trailer load
Rthe permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
Rthe maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
Rthe maximum permissible gross weight of
vehicle/trailer combination
The applicable permissible values that may not
be exceeded can be found:
Rin your vehicle documents
Ron the type plates for the trailer tow hitch
Ron the type plates for the trailer
Ron the vehicle identification plate
(Ypage 294).
Where the values differ, the lowest is valid.
You will find the values approved by the manu-
facturer on the vehicle identification plates and
those for the towing vehicle in the "Technical
data" section (
Ypage 305).
Your vehicle behaves differently with atrailer
than without one.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
Ris heavier
Ris restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability
Rhas an increased braking distance
Ris more susceptible to stron gcrosswinds
Rrequires more sensitiv esteering
Rhas alarger turnin gcircle
This may impair the handling characteristics.
When towing atrailer, alwaysa djust your speed
to suit the road and weather conditions. Drive
carefully. Maint ainasafe

distance.
If you require any further explanation regarding
the information contained in the Operating
Instructions, please contact aMercedes-Benz
Commercial Van Center.
Towing atrailer163
Driving and parking
Z

General notes
RObserve the legally prescribed maximum
speed for vehicle/trailer combinations in the
relevant country, state or Canadianprovince.
Before setting off, check the vehicle docu-
ments of the you rtraile rtof ind out the per-
missible maximu mspeed.
This reduces the risk of accidents.
RInstall only an approved traile rcoupling on
you rvehicle .Only use aballc oupling that is
approved for you rvehicle and Sprinter trailer
tow hitch. More information on the availabil-
ity, mounting and installation of the trailer
electrics is available at any qualified specialist
workshop.
RThe traile rcoupling is one of the most impor-
tant vehicle parts with regard to road safety.
Observe the notes on operation, care and
maintenance of the traile rtow hitch (see the
manufacturer's operating instructions).
RThe bumpers of you rvehicle are not suitable
for installing detachable traile rcouplings.
RDo not attach rented traile rtow hitches or
other detachable traile rtow hitches to the
bumper.
RMinimize the risk of damage to the bal lcou-
pling. If you do not require the bal lcoupling,
remove it from the bal lcoupling recess.
You wil lfind weight information under "Techni-
cal Data" (
Ypage 305).
The heigh tofthe bal lneck changes according to
the loadont he vehicle.Ifthis is case, use a
traile rwith aheight-adjustabl etraile rdrawbar.
Driving tips
The maximu mpermissibl espeed for vehicle/
traile rcombinatio ndepends on the type of
trailer. Before setting off, check the vehicle
documents of the you rtraile rtof ind out the
permissibl emaximu mspeed.O bserve the
legally prescribed maximu mspeed for vehicle/
traile rcombinations in the relevant country,
state or Canadianp rovince.
When towing atrailer, you rvehicle's handling
characteristics wil lbedifferent in comparison to
when driving withou tatraile rand it wil lcon-
sume more fuel.
On long and steep downhill gradients, select a
lower gear.
iThis also appliesifc ruise control is activa-
ted. This enables you to utilize the engine's braking
effect and you do not need to brake so heavily to
keep the correct speed.w
hich protects the
brake system and prevents the brakes from
overheating and wearing too quickly. If you need to brake additionally, to not depress the brake
pedalc onstantly, but periodically.
Observe the notes on ESP
®traile rstabilization
(Ypage 65).
Driving tips
If the traile rbegins to swing from side to side:
XDo not accelerate.
XDo not counter-steer.
XBrake if necessary.
iYou can reduce the risk of the traile rswing-
ing and rocking by retrofitting anti-roll bars or traile rstability programs. More information is
available from you rauthorized Sprinter
Dealer.
RMaintain agreater distance than you would
when driving withou ttowing atrailer.
RAvoid sudden braking. Apply the brakes gen-
tly at first to allow the traile rbrake to overrun.
Then, increase the brake force quickly.
RThe figures for the gradient climbing capabil-
ities from astandstill refer to sea level.W hen
driving in mountainou sareas, note that the
powe routpu toft he engine, and with it its
gradient climbing capability, decrease with
increasing altitude.
164Towing atrailer
Driving and parking

RWhen driving withatrailer, check at regular
intervals that the load is secured and that the
brakes and lights are working.
RBear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing atrailer than when driving
without one. Avoid sudden steerin gmove-
ments.
RThe vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly and has adecreased
gradient climbing capability and alonger
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to crosswinds and
requires cautious steering.
RIf possible, do not brake suddenly, but rather
moderately at first so that the trailer can acti-
vate its brakes. Then increase the forceont he
brake pedal.
RIf the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears when driving on inclines,
restrict the shift range. Select shift range 4,3,
2 or 1.
Drivin ginal ow gear and at alow speed
reduces the risk of damaging the engine.
RWhen driving on adownhill gradient, shift to a
low gear and take advantage of the engine's
braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if instal-
led, the trailer brakes.
RIf the coolant temperature increases dramat-
ically while the air-conditionin gsystem is
switched on, switch off the air-conditioning
system.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by
switchin gthe airflow and the temperature of
the air conditioning to the maximum level.
Open the windows if necessary.
RWhen overtaking, pay particular attention to
the extended length of your vehicle/trailer
combination.
Due to the length of your vehicle/trailer com- bination you need an additional distance
before you can return to your original lane.
Uncoupling atrailer
GWARNING
If you uncouple atrailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is arisk of injury.
Do not uncouple atrailer if the overrun brake
is engaged.
!Do not disconnect atrailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your vehicle could
be damaged by the rebounding of the overrun
brake.
XMake sure that the selector lever of the auto-
matic transmission is in position P.
XEngage the vehicle's parking brake.
XClose all doors.
XApply the parking brake of the trailer.
XIn addition, secure the trailer against rolling
away withawheel chock or similar object.
XRemove the trailer cable and safety chains
and decouple the trailer.
Permissible trailer loads and trailer
drawbar noseweights
Weight information
!For vehicles with apermissible gross vehicle
weight of 6724 lbs (3050 kg), the permissible gross combination weight is less than the sum
of the permissible gross vehicle weight plus
the permissible trailer load. Exceeding the
permitted gross combination weight could
damage the powertrain ,transmission or
trailer tow hitch.
If either the vehicle or the trailer is fully laden,
the permitted gross vehicle weight or the per- mitted trailer load values are reduced accord-
ingly. In this case, you may only partially load
the trailer or the vehicle.
The gross trailer weight (GTW) is calculated by
adding the weight of the trailer to the weight of
the load and equipment. The permissible gross
trailer weight is 5000 lbs (2268 kg).
The maximum noseweight of the trailer drawbar
on the ball coupling is 500 lbs (227 kg). The
actual noseweight may not exceed the value
given on the identification plates of the trailer
tow hitch or the trailer. If the values vary, the
lowest value alwaysa pplies.
The gross combination weight rating (GCWR) is
calculated by adding the gross weight of the
trailer to the gross vehicle weight including a
166Towing atrailer
Driving and parking

driver'sweight of approximately 150 lbs (68 kg).
The permissible Gross Combination Weight Rat-
ing is vehicle-specific and depends on the equip-
ment level.
When driving with atrailer, you should not
exceed the permitted Gross Combination
Weight Rating (GCWR).
The permissible values, which must not be
exceeded, can be found in your vehicle docu-
ment sand on the trailer tow hitc htype plates for
the trailer and the vehicle (
Ypage 294). The
basic values approved by the manufacturer can
also be found in the "Technical data" section
(
Ypage 305). If the values vary, the lowest
value always applies.
Loading atrailer
!Utiliz ethe maximum permissible nose-
weight as fully as possible. Do not allow the
weight to fall below the minimum permissible
noseweight ,otherwise the trailer may come
loose.
RThe load must be distributed over the vehicle
and the trailer so as not to exceed either the
maximum permissible values for the gross
vehicle weight ratin g(GVWR) and gross trailer
weight (GTW), the gross combination weight
ratin g(GCWR), nor the maximum permissible
gross axle weight ratin g(GAWR) and trailer
drawbar noseweight ratin gofyour vehicle.
RAdd the drawbar noseweight on the ball cou-
pling (TWR) to the rear axle load. This will pre-
vent you from exceeding the permissible
gross axle weight (GAWR).
RAdd the drawbar noseweight on the ball cou-
pling (TWR) to the vehicle payload. This will
ensure that you do not exceed the permissi-
ble gross vehicle weight ratin g(GVWR).
Checking the vehicle and trailer weight
RMake sure the weights of the towing vehicle
and the trailer comply with the maximum per-
missible values. Have the vehicle/trailer com-
bination weighed on acalibrated weigh-
bridge. The vehicle/trailer combination con-
sists of the towing vehicle includin gthe driver,
passenger sand load, as well as the loaded
trailer.
RCheck the maximum permissible gross axle
weight ratin gofthe fronta nd rear axles
(GAWR), the gross trailer weight (GTW), the gross combination weight ratin
g(GCWR) and
the noseweight of the trailer drawbar (TWR).
Trailer power supply
!
Incorrectw iring of the connector plug could,
under certain circumstances, cause malfunc-
tion sint he vehicle's other electronic sys-
tems .Wet herefore recommend having the
connector plug wired at aqualified specialist
workshop.
!You can connec taccessories with amaxi-
mum power consumption of 240 Wtothe
permanen tpower supply.
You must not charge atrailer battery using the
power supply.
Your vehicle may be equipped with various elec-
trical installations for trailer towing .Depending
on your trailer, you may need an adapter to con-
nec tthe electrical system of the trailer with that
of the vehicle.
The trailer socket of your vehicle is equipped at
the factory with apermanen tpower supply.
The permanen tpower supply is on the trailer
socket pin assignmen t4.
Note that the permanen tpower supply of the
trailer is not switched off when the on-board
voltage is low. This can completely discharge
the starter battery of your vehicle.
Further information on the electrical equipment currently installed on your vehicle and on instal-
ling trailer electrics can be obtained at any quali-
fied specialist workshop.
Towing atrailer167
Driving and parking
Z

XTo open:brieflypress cover :.
The eyeglasses compartment opens down-
wards.
XTo close: press the eyeglasses compartment
into the overhead contro lpan el unti lit
engages.
Make sure thatt he eyeglasses compartment is
always closed whil ethe vehicl eisinmotion.
Stowage net
Youc an us ethe stowag enets on the back of the
sea tbackrests to stor esmall ,lig htweight items.
Observ ethe loading directions (
Ypage 232)
and the safety informatio nabout the stowage
spaces (
Ypage 228).
Sun visors
Overview
GWARNING
If the mirror cove rofthe vanity mirror is folded
up when the vehicl eisinmotion, yo ucould be
blinded by incident light. There is ariskofa n
accident.
Alway skeept he mirror cove rfolde ddown
whil edriving.
Sun visor (exampl ewithi llum inated vanity mirror)
:
Mirror light
;Retainer
=Retaining clip, e.g .for ac ar park ticket
?Vanity mirror
AMirror cover
Vanity mirrori nthe sun visor
If yo ufoldm irror cover Aup and the key is in
position 1or 2in the ignition lock, mirror
light :lights up.
Glare from the side
XFoldthe sunv isor down.
XPull the sunv isor outofbracket;.
XSwing the sunv isor to the side.
Cup holder
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The cup holde rcanno tholdac ontaine rsecure
whilst traveling .Ifyouuseac up holde rwhilst
traveling ,the containe rmaybe flung around
and liquid maybes pilled.The vehicl eoccu-
pants mayc ome into contact with the liquid
and if it is hot, they maybes calded.You may
be distracted from the traffic conditions and
yo uc ould lose contro lofthe vehicle. There is
ar iskofana ccident and injury.
Onlyu sethe cup holde rwhent he vehicl eis
stationary .Onlyu sethe cup holde rfor con-
tainers of the right size. Alway sclose the con-
tainer, particularly if the liquid is hot.
!Onlyu sethe cup holders for containers of
the right size and which have lids. The drinks could otherwise spill.
Observe the loading guideline s(
Ypage 232).
Cuph older229
Stowing an dfeatures
Z

Useful information
This Operator's Manual describes all models as
well as standard and optional equipment of your
vehicle that were available at the time of going
to print.Country-specific variation sare possi-
ble. Note that your vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the described functions. This also
applies to system sand function srelevantt o
safety.
Read the information on qualified specialist
workshops (
Ypage 29).
Loading guidelines
Important safetyn otes
GWARNING
When objects are unsecured or inadequately
secured, they can slip, turn over or be thrown
about, strikin gvehicle occupants .This also
applies to:
Rluggage or loads
Rseats which have been removed and are
being transported in the vehicle in an
exceptional case.
There is arisk of injury, particularly in the
eventofab rakingmaneuver or abrupt change
in direction.
Always stow objects in such away that they
cannot be tossed about. Beforet raveling,
secure objects, luggage or loads to prevent
them slipping or tippin gover. If you removea
seat, stor eitpreferably outside the vehicle.
GWARNING
As aresult of improperly placed or unevenly
distributed loads, the center of gravityoft he
load being transported may be too high or too
far back. This can significantly impair handling
as well as steering and brakin gcharacteris-
tics. There is arisk of an accident.
Always make sure that the center of gravityo f
the load is:
Rbetween the axles
and
Ras low as possible, near the rear axle.
GWARNING
When the permissible wheel loads, axle loads
and/o rthe maximum permissible gross vehi-
cle weight are exceeded, drivings afetyis
compromised. The handlin gaswell as steer-
ing and brakin gcharacteristic smay be signif-
icantly impaired. Overloaded tires may over-
heat, causing them to burst. There is arisk of
an accident.
When transporting aload, always observet he
permissible wheel loads, axle loads and the
maximum permissible gross vehicle weight
for the vehicle (includin goccupants).
!If you are using aroof carrier,o bservethe
maximum roof load and maximum roof carrier
load.
RDo not stac kluggage or loads higher than the
backrests.
RObjects to be transported should preferably
be stowed in the cargo compartment.
RWhen transporting luggage, always use the
cargo tie-down rings for securingl oads and a
cargo net ,ifinstalled.
RUse cargo tie-down rings and fasteners which
are suitable for the weight and size of the
load.
When using suitable load securin gaids and tie
downs, always follow the manufacturer's oper-
ating instructions, in particular the notes on dis-
card criteria contained therein.
Load securin gaids or tie downs must not be
used if:
Ridentification marksa re missingorillegible
Rthereare yarn breakages ,damage to bearing
seams or other signs of tearing
Rther eare signs of shearing, deformation,
pinching or other damage
Rther eisd amage to clampingorc onnecting
elements
Load securinga ids and tie downs in this condi-
tion are ready for discard and must be replaced.
If you use load securinga ids or tie downs which
are worn out, the load may not be sufficiently
secured and could cause damage to property.
232Loading guidelines
Transporting loads

In the event of an accident, haveadamaged
cargo compartment floor or loading area ,the
cargo tie-down rings and the tie down checked
at as pecialist workshop. Otherwise ,the load
may not be correctly secured the next time any-
thing is stowed.
Even if you follow all loading guidelines, the load
increases the risk of injury in the event of an
accident. Observe the information in the "Secur- ing aload "(
Ypage 234) and "Loa ddistribution"
(Ypage 233) sections.
You wil lfind information abou tthe maximum
roof load and maximum tailgate load in the
"Cargo tie-down points and carrier systems"
section (
Ypage 304). You wil lfind information
abou troof carriers under "Carrier systems"
(
Ypage 238).
Before loading
!
The anti-slip mats cannot be used for secur-
ing goods and must be replaced when they
show signs of:
RPermanent deformatio nand crushing
RCrack formation
RCuts
XTire pressure: check the tire pressure and
correct if necessary (Ypage 270).
XCargo compartment floor: clean the cargo
compartment floor.
The cargo compartment floor must be free
from oil and dust, dry and swept clean to pre-
vent the load from slipping.
XPlace non-slip mats (anti-slip mats) on the
cargo compartment floor if necessary.
During loading
XObserve the gross axle weight rating and per-
missible gross vehicle weight for you rvehicle.
Take into account that you rvehicle's curb
weight is increased if accessorie soroptional equipment are installed. The maximum pay-
load is thus reduced.
XObserve the notes on load distribution
(Ypage 233).
The overal lcenter of gravity of the load should
always be as low as possible, centered and
betwee nthe axles near the rear axle.
XObserve the legalr equirements of the country
in which you are currently driving.
Checks after loading
GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. If the tail-
gate/rear door is open when the engine is
running, particularly if the vehicle is moving,
exhaust fumes could enter the passenger
compartment. There is arisk of poisoning.
Turn off the engine before opening the tail-
gate/rear door. Never drive off with the tail-
gate/rear door open.
XSecuring luggage/loads: make sure that
the luggage and/or load is secure before
every journey and at regular intervals during a
long journey, and correct it if necessary.
XDoors/tailgate: close the sliding doors and
tailgate/door.
XTire pressure: adjust the tire pressure
according to the vehicle load (Ypage 270).
XDrivin gstyle: adapt you rdriving style
according to the vehicle load.
Load distribution
General notes
!
Excessive load sonindividual points of the
cargo floor or on the load surface impair vehi-
cle handling characteristics and could cause
damage to the floor covering.
The overal lcenter of gravity of the load should
always be as low as possible, centered and
betwee nthe axles near the rear axle.
Load distribution233
Transporting loads
Z

XAlwaystransport load sinthe cargo compart-
ment and with the sea tbackrests folde dup
and properly locked in position.
XAlway splace the load against the backrests of
the front or rea rseats.
XMov elarge and heavy load sasfar towards the
front of the vehicl easpossibl eagain st the
front or rea rseats. Stow the load flush with
the rea rorfront seats.
XAlway saddit ionally secur ethe load with suit-
able load-securing aids or tie downs.
Observ ethe following notes:
RDo not stack load shighe rthant he uppe redg e
of the backrests.
RTransport load sbehin dseats thata renot
occupied.
RIf the rea rbench sea tisn ot occupied ,insert
the sea tbelts crosswis einto the buckle of the
opposite sea tbelt.
Carg ocom partmen tvariations
Youc an vary the cargo compartment according
to your transportation requirements as follows:
Rby folding the sea tbackrests forwar dtothe
table position.
Rby removing the rea rbench seat.
Yo uw illf ind informatio nabout rearbench seats
in the "Rea rbench seats" sectio n(
Ypage 85).
Securingloa ds
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If yo uattach the tie-down incorrectly when
securing the load ,the following mayo ccurin
the event of abrupt changesind irection, brak-
ing maneuver soranaccident:
Rthe cargo tie-down ring smaybecome
detached or the tie-down mayt earifthe
permissibl eloa dise xceeded
Rthe load mayn ot be restrained.
Thi sm aycause the load to slip ,tip ove rorbe
tossed about, striking vehicl eoccupants.
There is ariskofana ccident and injury.
Alwaystension the tie-downs in the proper
manner and onlyb etween the described
cargo tie-down rings. Alway susetie-downs
designeds pecifically for the loads.
!Observethe informatio nonthe maximum
loading capacity of the individual cargo tie-
down points.
If yo uusesevera lcargo tie-down points to
secur eaload, youm usta lway stake the max-
imu mloadin gcapacity of the weakest cargo
tie-down point into account.
If yo ubrake hard, for example, the forces act-
ing could be up to severa ltime sthe weight
forc eoft he load .Alway susemultipl ecargo
tie-down points in order to distribute the force
absorption. Loa dthe anchorages evenly.
Spread the load evenly across the cargo tie-
down points/cargo tie-down rings. Yo uwillf ind
informatio nonthe maximu mloadin gcapacity of
the cargo tie-down points under "Cargo tie-
down points and carrie rsystems" (
Ypage 304).
Do not attempt to modify or repai rthe cargo tie-
down points/cargo tie-down ring sortie downs.
Read the informatio nonqualified specialist
workshops: (
Ypage 29).
As the driver ,you arer esponsibl efor ensuring
that:
RThe load is secured against slipping, tipping,
rolling or falling off in norma l traffic condi-
ti
ons, shoul dthe vehicl eswervetoa voidan
obstacle ,inthe event of full brake application
and on poor roa dsurfaces.
RThe applicabl erequirements and guidelines
relating to load-securing practice smustb e
met.
If thisisn ot the case, thism ayconstitute a
punishabl eoffense, depending on local legis-
latio nand any ensuing consequences.
Alway sobserve the legalr equirements for the
country yo uarecurrentl yin.
Make sure thatt he load is securebefore every
journey and at regular intervals during alon g
journey .Correct an incorrectly or inadequately
secured load if necessary.
Alway sobserve the operating instructions or the
notes of the lashing strapm anufacturer for the
operatio nofthe lashing strap.
Yo uc an obtai ninformatio nabout securing the
load correctl yfrom the manufacturer of the load
securing aids or tie down for securing the load.
234Securingl oads
Transporting loads