2011 Mercedes ML-Class Owner's Manual - Page 261

Stowage areas vehicle occupants unless the items are securely fastened in the vehicle. Always use the cargo tie-down rings. 259 Never drive a vehicle with the tailgate open. Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness and death. ! Release and fold the seat cushion upwards before folding the rear bench seat forward. Otherwise, the backrests may be damaged. When the backrest is folded forwards, the front seats cannot be moved to their rearmost position. Otherwise, the front seats and the rear bench seat could be damaged. The left-hand and right-hand rear seat backrests can be folded forwards separately to increase the cargo compartment capacity. Folding the rear bench seat forward X Pull release lever = on left or right backrest ? in the direction of the arrow. Red safety tab A appears and seat backrest ? is unlocked. ! The backrest is heavy. Therefore, take care when folding it down. Make sure that the head restraints are pushed all the way in so that the backrests and seat cushions are not damaged. X Fold backrest ? forwards until it engages in the cargo compartment position. i If the driver's or front-passenger seat is set for a larger person, it may not be possible to fold the rear bench seat forwards. In this case, move the front seats as far forward as possible. X Move the head restraints to the lowest position (Y page 96). X Pull release loop : of seat cushion ;. Seat cushion ; is released. X Fold seat cushion ; upwards. X Guide seat belts ; under respective clips :. Z Loading, stowing and features G Warning!