2000 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 operation

90 Automatic climate control
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Automatic climate control

91 Automatic climate control
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Air volume control for left air outlet, turn left to
open.
2Air volume control for center air outlets, turn left to
open.
3Air volume control for right air outlet, turn left to
open.
4Center air outlets, adjustable
5Side air outlet, left and right, adjustable
Push-buttons for center air outlets
6Heated air supply
7Non-heated/cooled air supply
Basic mode:
None of the push-buttons (6 or 7) is pressed.
8Display and controls, see page 92The 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 h eat or cool a ny quicker by setting a
higher or lower temperature.
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 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.

92 Automatic climate control
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Display and controlsPress the desired button to activate, indicator lamp is on
while activated.
UAu tom atic mo de
fRaise temperature
gLower temperature
PDefrost
OAir recirculation
FRear window defroster
bAir distribution, manual
SEconomy mode
ïAir volume, manual
TResidual engine heat utilization

93 Automatic climate control
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Basic setting - automatic mode
Press U button for automatic mode.
Simultaneously press both f and gbuttons for
temperature setting of 72°F.
Air volume and distribution are controlled
automatically.
This setting can be used all year around.Economy
The function of this setting corresponds to the
automatic mode. However, because the air conditioning
compressor will not engage (fuel savings), it is not
possible to air condition in this setting.
Press S button to activate.
Press S button once again to return to previous
setting.

94 Automatic climate control
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Special settings (use only for short duration)
Defogging windows
Switch off O button.
Press U button.
Press b button repeatedly until air is directed
upward.
Turn wheels (1 and 3) left to open left and right side air
outlets (5).Defrosting
Turn wheels (1 and 3) left to open left and right side air
outlets (5).
Press P button. Maximum heated and automatically
controlled amount of air is directed to the windshield
and side windows.
Press P button once again to return to previous
setting.

95 Automatic climate control
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Rear window defroster
(only functions with hardtop installed)
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2.
To select, press F button.
To cancel, press F button again.
Note:
H eavy accu mul ation of snow and ic e shoul d be removed
before activating the defroster.
Th e rea r window defroster u ses a large am ou nt 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 b button repeatedly until the requested
symbol is displayed.
Air volume
Press “-” or “+” side of rocker switch ï 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 ï 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,
pressU, P, or “+” side ofï.

96 Automatic climate control
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Air recirculation
This mode can be selected to temporarily reduce the
entry of annoying odors or dust into the vehicle’s
interior.
Outside air is not supplied to the car’s interior.
To select, press O button.
To cancel, press O 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 S is pressed.
Notes:
If the windows should fog up from the inside, switch
from recirculated air back to fresh air.
At high outside temperatures, the system automatically
engages the recirculated air mode thereby increasing
the cooling capacity performance, switching to partially
fresh air within 20 minutes.Residual engine heat utilization
With the engine switched off, it is possible to continue
heating the interior for a short while.
Air volume and distribution are controlled
automatically.
To select:
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 0 or
remove electronic key.
Press T button.
This function selection will not activate if the battery
charge level is insufficient.
To c a n c e l :
Press T button.
The system will automatically shut off
• If you turn electronic key in steering lock to
position 2,
• after approx. 30 minutes,
• if the battery voltage drops.

97 Automatic climate control
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Dust filter
Nearly all dust particles and pollen are filtered out
before outside air enters the passenger compartment
through the air distribution system.
Notes:
D o not obstruct t he air f low by pla cing objects on th e air
f low through exhaust slots below the rear window.
Al so keep t he a ir inta ke g rill e in f ront of w indsh iel d free
of snow and debris.