2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 Air conditioning

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.

142 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Basic setting – automatic mode
Press U button. Air volume and distribution are
controlled automatically.
Set the left and right temperature to 72
°F (22
°C). This
provides for comfortable conditions in the vehicle.
Heating mode:
To lower headroom temperature, use thumbwheel
(4, page 138).
Air conditioning mode:
Open air outlets at dashboard top center (7, page 138)
for an even air distribution.Special settings (use only for short duration)
Air distribution and air volume, manual
Press U button. The indicator lamp in the button will
go out.
Select any of the six air volume speeds and the air
distribution.
Air distribution, manual:
hAir from the center, side, dashboard top center
and rear passenger compartment air outlets.
jAir from the windshield, side defroster and rear
passenger compartment air outlets.
kAir from the center, side, footwell, rear footwell
and rear passenger compartment air outlets.
To return to automatic mode:
Press the U button. The indicator lamp in the button
illuminates.

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.

150 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
Do not obstruct the air f low 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
place. Economy mode S can n ot be s witched 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.Basic setting – automatic mode
Briefly press left or right U button. The h, j
and k symbols will no longer be visible.
The economy mode and air recirculation functions will
be switched off. The automatic blower will be activated
at the same time.
Set the temperature switches on the left and right
to 72
°F (22
°C). This provides for comfortable conditions
in the vehicle.
Heating mode:
To lower headroom temperature, use thumbwheel
(4, page 146).
Air conditioning mode:
Open air outlets at dashboard top center (7, page 146)
for an even air distribution.

155 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 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.Automatic 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, press the U
or Pbutton, or set air volume control switch to any
speed.