2000 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Switch

Instruments and Controls
For more detailed descriptions see Index.
For adjustments of air outlets, refer to Automatic
Climate Control (see Index).
1. Side air outlet, adjustable
2. Air volume control for side air outlet
3. Exterior lamp switch
4. Parking brake release
5. Hood lock release
6. Parking brake pedal
7. Steering wheel adjustment lever
8. Combination switch
9. Cruise control switch
10. Horn, airbag
11. Instrument cluster
12. Steering lock with ignition/starter switch
13. Center air outlets, adjustable
14. Air volume control for center air outlets
15. Glove box (illuminated with electronic
key in steering lock position 1 or 2)
16. Left front seat heater switch

17. ASR or ESP control switch
18. Switch for rear seat head restraints
19. Hazard warning flasher switch
20. Central locking switch,
21. Switch for Tow-Away Protection
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system
22. Right front seat heater switch
23. Climate control (C 230)
Automatic climate control (C 280,
C43 AMG)
Rear window defroster switch
24. Audio system
25. Open storage compartment
26. Ashtray with lighter
27. Storage/eyeglasses compartment
28. Power window switches, front doors
29. Power window safety switch, rear doors
30. Airbag off indicator lamp
31. Power window switches, rear doors
32. Trunk lid release switch
33. Mirror adjustment switch

Indicator Lamp Symbols
Function Indicator Lamp
High beam
Battery not being charged properly.
See Index

Warning Lamps
(should go out with the engine running unless)


Exterior lamp failure. See Index

ASR or ESP.
Adjust driving to road condition. See Index

BAS malfunction. See Index
ASR malfunction. See Index

Fluid level for windshield and headlamp
washer system low. See Index
BAS malfunction. See Index
ESP malfunction. See Index
Coolant level low. See Index ABS malfunction. See Index
Engine oil level low. See Index Fasten seat belts. See Index
Brake pads worn down. See Index SRS malfunction. See Index

Brake fluid low (except Canada).
Parking brake engaged. See Index
Telescoping steering column not locked.
See Index

Brake fluid low (Canada only).
Parking brake engaged.
See Index
Engine malfunction indicator lamp. If the
lamp comes on when the engine is running,
it indicates a malfunction of the fuel
management system or emission control
system, or the fuel cap is not closed tight. In
all cases, we recommend that you have the
malfunction checked as soon as possible.
See Index
Additional Function Indicator Lamps in
the Instrument Cluster Function Indicator Lamp on
the Center Console

FSS indicator (distance).
See Index
Passenger Airbag automatically switched
off. See Index

FSS indicator (days).
See Index

Climate Control
1. Air volume control for center air outlets, turn wheel
up to open.
2. Air volume control for side air outlet.
To open side air outlet:
Turn wheel to position
3. Center air outlets, adjustable
4. Side air outlet, adjustable
5. Windshield air outlet
6. Temperature selector, left side passenger compartment
7. Temperature selector, right side passenger compartment
8. Air volume control switch
9. Air distribution control switch
10. Rear window defroster
11. Economy mode
12. Air recirculation,
Residual engine heat utilization.


(Model C 230 Kompressor)

The system is always at operational readiness, except when manually switched off. The climate control only
operates with the engine running. To quickly cool down the passenger compartment, turn temperature
selectors fully downward. Turn temperature selector to maintain desired temperature. The climate control removes
considerable moisture from the air during operation in the cooling mode. It is normal for water to drip on the ground
through ducts in the underbody.

Basic Setting - Heater

Select temperature for each side of the passenger compartment.
Select air volume with control switch, set at least to position 2 to
prevent windows from fogging up. Set air distribution control switch to
position shown above.
Turn side air outlets (4) to the detent position.
Open center air outlets as desired.


Basic Setting - Air Conditioner

Select temperature for each side of the passenger compartment.
Select air volume with control switch, at least to position 1 to start
the air conditioner. Set air distribution control switch to position
Open center air outlets .
Open left and right side air outlets .


Special Settings (use only for short duration)

Defrosting
Set temperature selectors and switches for air volume and air distribution to position
.

Close center air outlets.
Turn wheels (2) to position to open left and right side air outlets (4).
Adjust side air outlets upward.

Defogging Windows

Windows fogged up on inside
Switch off economy mode Indicator lamp goes out.
Switch off air recirculation . Indicator lamp goes out.
Set air distribution control switch to position .
Increase air volume with control switch.
Close center air outlets.
Turn wheels (2) to position to open left and right side
air outlets (4). Adjust side air outlets upward.

Windshield fogged up on outside
Switch on windshield wipers. Set air distribution control switch to position or


Economy
The function of this setting corresponds to the air conditioning mode. However, because the air
conditioning compressor will not engage (fuel savings), it is not possible to air condition in this setting.
Press button to activate.
Press button once again to return to previous setting.


Climate Control - OFF
To switch the climate control off, set air volume control switch to position 0.
The fresh air supply to the vehicle interior is shut off. While driving, use this setting only
temporarily, otherwise the windshield could fog up.


Rear Window Defroster
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2.
To select, press button.
To cancel, press button again.
Note:
Heavy accumulation of snow and ice should be removed before activating the defroster.
The rear window defroster uses a large amount of power. To keep the battery drain to a minimum,
turn off the defroster as soon as the window is clear.
The defroster is automatically turned off after a maximum of 12 minutes of operation.
If several power consumers are turned on simultaneously, or the battery is only partially charged, it is possible
that the defroster will automatically turn itself off. When this happens, the indicator lamp inside the switch starts
blinking. As soon as the battery has sufficient voltage, the defroster automatically turns itself back on.

Air Recirculation
This mode can be selected to temporarily reduce the entry of annoying odours or dust from vehicle's interior.
Outside air is not supplied to the car's interior.
To select, press button.
To cancel, press button again.
The system will automatically switch from recirculated air to fresh air
• after approx. 5 minutes at outside temperatures below approx. 40°F (5°C),
• after approx. 30 minutes, at outside temperatures above approx. 40°F (5°C),
• after approx. 5 minutes, if button is pressed.
At hight ouside temperatures, the system automatically engages the recirculated air mode for approx.
30 minutes, thereby increasing the cooling capacity performance. Press button again to extend the recirculated
air mode.

Residual Engine Heat Utilization
With the engine switched off, it is possible to continue heating the interior for a short while.
Air volume is controlled automatically
To select:
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 0 or remove . Close air outlet in rear passenger compartment.
Press button. Indicator lamp in the button lights up.
This function selection will not activate if the battery charge level is insufficient.
To cancel:
Press button. Indicator lamp in the button goes out
The system will automatically shut off
• if you turn key in steering lock to position 2,
• after approx. 30 minutes,
• if the battery voltage drops.


Dust Filter
Nearly all dust particles and pollen are filtered out before outside air enters the passenger compartment through the
air distribution system.

Note:
Keep the air intake grille in front of windshield free of snow and debris.

Important !
This vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner system that uses R-134a (HFC: hydrofluorocarbon)
as a refrigerant. Repairs should always be performed by a qualified technician, and refrigerant
should be collected in a recovery system for recycling.

Automatic Climate Control
(Models C 280 and C43 AMG)



The system is always at operational readiness, except when manually
switched off. The automatic climate control only operates with the engine
running. The temperature selector should be left at the desired temperature
setting.
The temperature selected is reached as quickly as possible. The system
will not heat or cool any quicker by setting a higher or lower temperature.


1. Air volume control for center air outlet,
turn wheel up to open
2. Air volume control for side air outlet.
To open air outlets:
Turn wheel to position
3. Center air outlets, adjustable
4. Side air outlets, adjustable
5. Display and Controls



The automatic climate control removes considerable moisture from the air during operation in the cooling mode.
It is normal for water to drip on the ground through ducts in the underbody.

Important !
This vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner system that uses HFC-134a (HFC hydrofluorocarbon) as a refrigerant.
Repairs should always be performed by a qualified technician, and refrigerant should be collected in a recovery
system for recycling.

Special Settings
(use only for short duration)
Defogging Windows
Switch off button.
Press . button.
Press button repeatedly until
air is directed upward.
Turn wheels (2) to position
to open left and right air outlets (4).
Adjust air outlets upward.

Defrosting
Turn wheels (2) to position to
open left and right air outlets (4).
Adjust air outlets upward.
Press button. Maximum heat-
ed and automatically controlled
amount of air is directed to the
windshield and side windows.
Press button once again to
return to previous setting.
Rear Window Defroster
Turn key in steering lock to position 2.
To select, press button.
To cancel, press button again.
Note:
Heavy accumulation of snow and
ice should be removed before
activating the defroster.
The rear window defroster uses a
large amount of power. To keep
the battery drain to a minimum, turn
off the defroster as soon
as the window is clear.
The defroster is automatically turned
off after a maximum of
12 minutes of operation.
If several power consumers are
turned on simultaneously, or the
battery is only partially charged, it
is possible that the defroster will
automatically turn itself off. When
this happens, the indicator lamp
inside the switch starts blinking.
As soon as the battery has
sufficient voltage, the
defroster automatically turns
itself back on.
Air Distribution
Press button repeatedly until
the requested symbol is displayed.

Air Volume
Press - or + side of rocker switch
until the requested blower
speed is attained.
A choice of 7 blower speeds is
available. To switch the
automatic climate control off,
press - side of rocker switch
until symbol OFF is displayed.
The fresh air supply to the car
interior is shut off.
While driving, use this setting only
temporarily, otherwise the
windshield could fog up.
To switch the automatic climate
control on again, press
or + side of