![](/html/28/2835/283511475fdaf8100a0d723d8e700bd083524dbe44cb2f01853bd05846b061ce/bg1.png)
Luggage compartment
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Folding the backrest of the rear bench forward and back into place
Luggage compartment cover
Luggage compartment pass-through
Tie-downs
Shopping bag hooks
Luggage compartment floor
Always stow heavy objects in the luggage compartment and make sure that the rear seat backrests
are securely latched in their upright position. Always secure objects to the tie-downs with suitable
straps. Never overload the vehicle. Remember that the vehicle load, as well as h ow it is distributed,
can affect vehicle handling and braking ⇒
More information:
Adjusting the se ating position
Safety belts
Airbag system
Child safety and child restraints
Lights
Transporting
Trailer towing
Tires and wheels
.
WARNING
.
An open or unlocked luggage compartment poses special risks for child r en.
Close and lock the rear hatch and all doors when the vehicle is not in use. First, make
certain that no one is left inside.
Never leave your vehicle unattended or let children pl a y around t he vehicle, especially
with the rear hatch left open. A child could crawl into the vehicle and pull the hatch shut,
becoming trapped and unable to get out. This could cause severe or fatal injuries.
A closed vehicle can become very hot or very cold, depe ndi ng on the season.
Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can cause unconsciousness or death, particularly
to small children.
Never let children play in or around the vehicle.
Never let anyone ride in the luggage compartment.
![](/html/28/2835/283511475fdaf8100a0d723d8e700bd083524dbe44cb2f01853bd05846b061ce/bg2.png)
WARNING
.
Unsecured or incorrectly stowed item s c an fly through the vehicle, causing seriou s per so nal
injury during hard braking or sharp steering or in an accident. Loose items can also be struck
and thrown through the passenger compartment by the front airbags if they inflate. To help
reduce the risk of serious personal injury:
Always stow all objects securely in the vehicle. Always put luggage and heavy items in the
luggage compartment.
Always secure objects in the passenger compartment properly w ith suitable straps so that
they cannot move into the depl o y ment zone of a side or front airbag dur ing a sudden braking,
in a sudden maneuver, or in a collision.
Always keep storage compartments closed while driving.
Never stow hard, heavy, or sharp objects in the vehicle's open st orage comp artments, on
the shelf behind the rear seat bench, or on the top of the instrument panel.
Always remove hard, heavy, or sharp objects from clothing and bags in the vehicle
interior and stow them securely in the luggage compartmen t.
WARNING
.
Transporting heavy objects causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change and
increases braking distances. Heavy loads which are not proper ly stowed or secured in the
vehicle can lead to a loss of vehicle control and cause seriou s perso nal inj ury.
Transporting heavy items causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change by
shifting the vehicle's center of gravity.
Always distribute luggage evenly and as low as possible within the vehicle. The vehicle
capacity weight figures apply w hen the load is di stributed evenly in the vehicle (passengers
and luggage).
Always stow luggage and heavy items in the luggage compartment as far forward of the
rear axle as possible and secure them with appropriate straps to the tie-downs provided.
Never exceed the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or Gross Axle Weight Ratings,
which are printed on the Safety Compliance Certifi ca tio n L ab el loca ted on the d oor jamb o f
the driver door. Exceeding the permissible weight can cause the vehicle to skid and behave
differently.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to accommodate your payload and it s w eight
distribution within your vehicle.
Be especially cautious and gentle when stepping on the accelerator pedal and avoid
sudden braking and other maneuvers.
Brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a loaded vehicle.
NOTICE
.
The defroster heating wi res or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by obj ects that
rub against them.
The antenna wiring in the side windows can be damaged by items rubbing against it.
The ventilation slots between the rear window and the luggage compartment cover must not be
.
blocked so that stale air can escape from the vehicle.
![](/html/28/2835/283511475fdaf8100a0d723d8e700bd083524dbe44cb2f01853bd05846b061ce/bg3.png)
Folding the backrest of the rear bench forward and back into place
Fig. 98 Lower part of the rear seat bench: Lever to unlock the rear seat backrest by hand.
Fig. 99 Right side wall of the luggage compartment: Buttons for power release of the rear seat backrest.
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
The rear seat backrest is divided into 2 sections. Each section of the rear seat backrest can be folded
down individually to increase luggage space.
There are power release buttons for the rear seat backrests in the luggage compartment ⇒ fig. 99.
(1) Release button for the right-hand backrest section.
(2) Release button for the left-hand backrest section.
Folding the rear seat backrest forward
Before folding down the rear seat backrest, push its head restr aint( s) all the way down and slide the
seat itself backwards as far as it will go.
Release the rear seat backrest by hand using the lever underneath the seat or the power buttons
in the luggage compartment The rear seat backrest then folds forwa r d by itself.
Move the rear seat backrest the rest of the way down by hand and push down on it until it locks
into place.
If the rear backrest is folded down, no one, including children, may ride on the rear seat.
Folding the rear backrest back into place
Release the rear seat backrest by hand using the lever underneath the seat or the power buttons
in the luggage compartment The rear seat will unlatch and spring up slightly.
Fold the rear seat backrest back up and push it securely into its latches, making sure it locks
securely into place ⇒
The rear backrest must be securely latched into place for the safety belts on the rear seats to
provide optimal protection.
After putting the seat backrest back up, the seat must be adjusted to the person using it.
. The seat release lever must return to its original position.