2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 ECO mode

132 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Daytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionM.
When the engine is running, the low beam headlamps
(includes parking lamps and license plate lamps) are
automatically switched on.
Canada only:
When shifting from a driving position to position “N”
or “P”, the low beam switches off (3 minutes delay).
For nighttime driving the exterior lamp switch should
be turned to position B to permit activation of the
high beam headlamps.
USA only:
The high beam headlamps can also be activated when
driving with the daytime running lamp mode activated
and exterior lamp switch in positionM.
See page 130 for notes on the exterior lamp switch.
To activate the daytime running lamp mode, see
“Individual settings” – “LIGHTING” on page 117.Night security illumination
When turning off the engine, the exterior lamps switch
on for added illumination, if they were previously
switched on (except in daytime running mode). After
the last door has been closed the lamp-on time period
commences.
The lamp-on time period for night security illumination
can be set at several different timed levels from 0 (off) to
60 seconds, see “Individual settings” - “LIGHTING” on
page 117.
Notes:
Within 10 minutes after closing the last door the night
security illumination can be reactivated by opening a
door.
See “Individual settings” – “LIGHTING” on page 117 for
instructions on how to activate the function.
Deactivating night security illumination temporarily:
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 0
then to position 2 and back to position 0 again before
getting out of the vehicle. The night security
illumination will not be activated when the door is
opened.

140 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Display and controls
1Air volume
2Temperature control, left
3Temperature control, right
4Air distribution control switch5Rear window defroster, see page 157
6Economy mode, see page 145
Residual engine heat utilization, see page 145
7Air distribution and air volume (automatic)
8Air recirculation, see page 153
9Defrosting, see page 143
Important!
This vehicle is equipped with an air conditioning
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.
P83.30-3425-26

141 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Climate control
The system is always at operational readiness, except
when manually switched off.
The 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.
The desired interior temperature can be selected
separately for the left and right side of the passenger
compartment.
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.
The air conditioning will not engage (no cooling) if the
economy mode S is selected, see page 145. Notes:
Do not obstruct the air flow by placing objects on the air
flow-through exhaust slots below the rear window.
Also keep the air intake grill in front of the windshield
free of snow and debris.
The storage compartment between the front seats can be
ventilated. See page 158 for notes on ventilating the
storage space under the armrest in the center console.
The air conditioner switches itself off for its own
protection if refrigerant is lost. No cooling will then take
pl ac e. Ec on omy mod e S cann ot be switched of f . Have
the air conditioner checked by a Mercedes-Benz Center
should this happen.
Dust filter
Nearly all dust particles and pollen are filtered out
before outside air enters the passenger compartment
through the air distribution system.

143 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Defrosting
Press the P button. The indicator lamp in the button
illuminates.
Switch off air recirculation, if selected. Press
buttonO, the indicator lamp in the button will go
out.
Close center air outlets.
Turn wheels (8, page 138) up to open left and right side
air outlets (9, page 138). Adjust side air outlets upward.
Pressing the switch again returns the system to the
previous setting.Windows fogged up on the inside
Switch off the economy mode, if selected. Press
buttonS. The indicator lamp in the button will go
out.
Switch off air recirculation, if selected. Press
buttonO. The indicator lamp in the button will go
out.
Press the P button. The indicator lamp in the button
illuminates.
Increase temperature setting.
Open the side air outlets (9, page 138) and direct them
onto the side windows.

144 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Windshield fogged up on the outside
Switch on the windshield wiper.
Close air outlet at dashboard top center.
Switch to manual mode.
Turn air distribution switch to positionh ork.
Air recirculation
Select air recirculation:
Press button O briefly. The indicator lamp in the
button illuminates.
To switch off the air recirculation:
Press button O briefly. The indicator lamp in the
button will go out.
Switching on air recirculation and activating
convenience closing of power windows and sliding/
pop-up roof:
Press button O for more than 2 seconds, the side
windows and the sliding / pop-up roof will be closed. The
indicator lamp in the button lights up.Switching off air recirculation and activating
convenience opening:
Press button O for more than 2 seconds, the side
windows and the sliding / pop-up roof return to the
position they were in before closing.
A window or the sliding / pop-up roof opened manually
after convenience closing will no longer be returned to
the position it was in before closing when convenience
opening is selected.
The system automatically switches from air
recirculation to fresh air:
•after 30 minutes if the outside temperature is above
about 40
°F(5
°C),
•after 5 minutes if the outside temperature is below
about 40
°F(5
°C),
•after 5 minutes if economy mode S is selected.
The system switches automatically to air recirculation at
high outside temperatures. A quantity of outside air is
added after about 30 minutes.
If the windows should fog up from the inside, switch
from recirculated air back to fresh air.

145 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Climate control - OFF/ON
To switch the climate control off, set the 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.
To switch the climate control on again, set air volume
control switch to any speed.
Economy mode
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. The indicator lamp in the
button illuminates.
Press S button once again to return to the previous
setting.
Important!
In the S mode the windows could fog up on the
inside. Switch off S mode.Residual engine heat utilization
With the engine switched off, it is possible to continue
to heat or ventilate the interior for a short while. Air
volume and distribution are controlled automatically.
To s e l e c t :
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 0 or remove it altogether.
Press button T. The indicator lamp in the button
illuminates.
This function selection will not activate if the battery
level is insufficient.
The function switches off automatically:
•if the electronic key in starter switch is turned to
position 2,
•after approximately 30 minutes,
•if the battery voltage drops.

148 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Display and controls
1Temperature control, left, lowering
2Temperature control, left, raising
3Air distribution control switch left (automatic,
manual operation)
4Activated charcoal filter, see page 154
5Display
6Air distribution control switch right (automatic,
manual operation)7Temperature control, right, raising
8Temperature control, right, lowering
9Rear window defroster, see page 157
10Economy mode, see page 155
Residual engine heat utilization, see page 156
11Air volume control +
switch on system
12Air volume control -
switch off system
13Air recirculation, see page 153
14Defrosting, see page 152
Important!
This vehicle is equipped with an air conditioning
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.
P83.40-2265-26

149 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Temperature, left
2Temperature, right
3Air volume
4Automatic mode is selectedAutomatic climate control
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.
The desired interior temperature and air distribution
can be selected separately for the left and right side of
the passenger compartment.
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.
The air conditioning will not engage (no cooling) if the
economy mode S is selected, see page 155.