MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2008 W164 Owner's Manual

270 Controls in detail
Loading
1Release loop
2Seat cushion
Pull release loop1.
Fold seat cushion2 forward.3Release handle
4Seat backrest
Make sure the rear seat head restraints
are in the lowermost position
(
page 127).
Pull release handle3.A red indicator5 will be visible and the
seat backrest4 is released.
5Indicator
Fold seat backrest4 forward.


271 Controls in detail
Loading
Returning the rear seat backrest to
original position
1Seat backrest
2Seat cushion
Fold seat backrest1 rearward until it
engages.
The red indicator5 (
page 270)
should no longer be visible.
Fold seat cushion2 rearward until it
locks into position.
Check for secure locking by pushing
and pulling on the seat backrest.
Cargo compartment cover blind
The cargo compartment cover blind can be
installed behind the rear seats.1Handle
2Mount
Rolling out blind
Pull blind on handle1 across the car-
go compartment.
Guide blind into mounts2 and re-
lease.
Rolling up blind
Disengage blind and guide retraction
by its handle1.
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 the rear seats are occupied, or the ex-
tended cargo compartment is not in use.
Check for secure locking by pushing and
pulling on the backrest.
!With the cargo compartment cover blind in-
stalled, do not pile luggage higher than the lower
edges of the rear side windows.

272 Controls in detail
Loading
Installing blind
Place left side of blind2 in left mount.
Position right side of blind2 over right
mount.
Press release button1 and guide
cover2 into mount.
Make sure the cargo compartment
cover blind is securely fastened.Removing blind
1Release button
2Blind
Roll the blind up (page 271).
Push release button1.
Pull blind2 to the left against the
spring pressure until the spring in the
cover audibly engages.
Remove the blind.
Cargo net*
iBefore installing cargo compartment cover
blind behind the front seats, fold the rear seats
forward.
iBefore removing cargo compartment cover
blind behind the rear seats, fold the left or right
rear seat forward. Afterwards, return the left or
right rear seat into its original position.
Warning!G
Make sure the cargo net is properly engaged
at top and bottom position and the tighten-
ing belts are securely fastened.
Never use a damaged cargo net.
To help avoid personal injury from smaller
objects being thrown around in the occu-
pant compartment during a collision or sud-
den maneuver, always use cargo net when
transporting cargo.
The cargo net cannot prevent the movement
of large, heavier objects into the passenger
compartment in an accident. Such items
must be properly secured using the cargo
tie-down rings (
page 268) in the cargo
compartment floor.
Passenger use of seats behind installed
cargo net is restricted because of the
footwell being taken up by the net.

273 Controls in detail
Loading
Use of the cargo net is a particularly impor-
tant safety factor when the vehicle is load-
ed higher than the top of the seat
backrests with smaller objects. For your
safety, always use the cargo net when
transporting cargo.
The cargo net can be installed in two
locations:
1Holder in B-pillar
2Holder in C-pillar
Without the cargo compartment ex-
panded (
page 269), use holders
above C-pillars2 and the cargo
tie-down rings in the cargo compart-
ment (
page 268).

With the cargo compartment expanded
(
page 269), use holders above
B-pillars1 and the cargo tie-down
rings behind the front seats
(
page 268).
Open the hook and loop fasteners on
the cargo net package.
Roll out the cargo net.
Unfold the cargo net.
The cargo net bars must audibly
engage.Installing the cargo net
Cargo net bar hung up behind the C-pillar
1Holder
2Cargo net bar
Hang cargo net bar2 on holder1 as
indicated by the arrow.
Push cargo net bar2 forward into
holder1 in direction of arrow.

274 Controls in detail
Loading
Pulling the cargo net tight
Belt hook attached behind the front seats
1Belt hook
2Cargo tie-down ring
3Tightening belt
Hook belt hook1 into cargo tie-down
ring2 in direction of arrow.
Pull tightening belt3 by the loose end
in direction of arrow until the cargo net
is pulled tight.
After driving a short distance, make
sure the cargo net is still tight and, if
necessary, pull it tight again.Loosening the cargo net
Belt hook attached behind the front seats
1Buckle
2Belt hook
3Cargo tie-down ring
Loosen the tightening belt by pulling
buckle1 upward in direction of arrow.
Remove belt hook2 from cargo
tie-down ring3.Removing and storing the cargo net
Take cargo net bar2 out of holder1,
see “Installing the cargo net”
(
page 273).
Press the red button on the upper and
lower cargo net bar.
Fold the cargo net.
Roll up the cargo net.
Close the hook and loop fasteners on
the cargo net package.

275 Controls in detail
Loading
Cargo management system*
Your vehicle may be equipped with a cargo
management system and accompanying
accessories which enables you to utilize
your cargo compartment in a variety of
ways. You can store the cargo manage-
ment system in the pouch that comes with
the vehicle.
1Cargo railsInserting the mounting elements into
the cargo rails
1Cargo rail
2Mounting element
You can move the mounting element2 to
various engaging points on the
cargo rail1 and fix it in place.
These engaging points are located
2 inches apart from one another on the
cargo rail and are indicated by markings.
Turn mounting element2 toL.
Insert mounting element2 in cargo
rail1.
Turn mounting element2 until it en-
gages in the ‹position.
You should be able to feel the mounting
element engage in the cargo rail.
iThe pouch and the telescoping rod are locat-
ed under the cargo compartment floor.
iYou can turn the mounting element in the
cargo rail to four positions:
‹To lock the mounting element.
NTo insert or remove the cargo tie-down
ring, the belt reel or the telescoping rod.
LTo insert or remove the mounting ele-
ment.
STo move the mounting element to the
next engaging point.

276 Controls in detail
Loading
Inserting the cargo tie-down ring in the
mounting element
1Cargo tie-down ring
2Mounting element
Turn mounting element2 in the cargo
rail toN.
Insert cargo tie-down ring1 into
mounting element2.
Turn mounting element2 until it en-
gages in the ‹position.
You should be able to feel the mounting
element engage in the cargo rail.
Belt reel
1Belt reel
2Mounting element
3Locking button
Insert two mounting elements2 into a
cargo rail.
Turn mounting element2 in the cargo
rail toN.
Insert belt reel1 into mounting
element2.
Turn mounting element2 in the cargo
rail until it engages in the‹ posi-
tion.
You should be able to feel the mounting
element engage in the cargo rail.
Press locking button3 on the belt
reel1 and pull cargo net out in direc-
tion of arrow.
Warning!G
The cargo tie-down rings should be subject
to equal loads. Make sure to comply with the
information provided in the loading instruc-
tions (
page 266).
iThe belt reel can be used to tighten
light-weight loads against the side wall of the
cargo compartment, thus securing them from
slipping.

277 Controls in detail
Loading
Place load between the cargo net and
the side wall of the cargo compart-
ment.
Press locking button3 on belt
reel1. With the other hand, slowly
pull net over load until it is taut.
Telescoping rod
1Telescoping rod
2Mounting elementInsert one mounting element2 into
each cargo rail.
Turn mounting element2 in cargo rail
toN.
Insert telescoping rod1 into mount-
ing element2.
Turn mounting element2 in cargo rail
until it engages in the‹ position.
You should be able to feel the mounting
element engage in the cargo rail.Removing rear seat cushions
If your vehicle is equipped with the cargo
management system* you can remove the
rear seat cushions.
Removing the rear seat cushions will pro-
vide you with a larger cargo compartment.
Fold the seat cushions forward
(
page 269).
Example illustration passenger-side
1Release lever
2Plug for seat heating*
iThe telescoping rod can be used to tighten
the load against the rear seats so as to secure it
from slipping.


278 Controls in detail
Loading
Press the plug connection on the
checkered surface and pull plug2 for
the seat heating out of the seat cush-
ion.
Pull seat cushion release lever1 and
remove the seat cushion by pulling it
upward.
Remove the head restraints
(
page 128).
Fold the seat backrest forward
(
page 270).
!Vehicles with rear seat heating*:
Depending on vehicle production date your vehi-
cle may equipped with a plug connection for the
rear seat heating*. In this case, the electrical
contact on the bottom of the seat cushion must
be disconnected before removing the rear seat
cushions.
iWhen placing the seat cushion back in,
guide the plug connection back together until the
plug engages.
!Leave the seat cushion hinge in this posi-
tion. The upholstery could be damaged if you fold
the hinge back.


279 Controls in detail
Useful features
Useful features
Storage compartments Glove box/CD changer*
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box lid
Opening the glove box
Pull lid release1 in direction of arrow.
Glove box lid2 opens downward.
Closing the glove box
Push glove box lid2 up to close.Releasing CD changer*
1Release button
2AUX-socket (Vehicles without Rear
Seat Entertainment System*)
3CD changer
Open the glove box (page 279).
Press release button1.
CD changer3 is released and swings
down automatically.
For information on CD changer operation,
see separate COMAND system operating
instructions.
Warning!G
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 cargo compartment if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher
than the seat backs.
If so equipped, always use the cargo net*
when transporting cargo. The cargo 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

braking

vehicle maneuvers

an accident
iDepending on vehicle equipment, a
CD changer* and an AUX-socket are located in
the glove box.