2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 window

96 Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Window curtain airbags
The head protection window curtain airbags afford
greater protection against injuries to the head and
upper body. They fill up in the area between the A and
C pillars (see arrows) between the side windows and an
occupant’s head.
The window curtain airbags are designed to activate
only in certain side impacts exceeding a preset
threshold. Only the head protection window curtain
airbag on the impacted side of the vehicle deploys.
Important!
Airbags are designed to activate only in certain
frontal (front airbags) impacts, or side (side impact
and head protection window curtain airbags)
impacts which exceed preset thresholds.
Only during these types of impacts, if of sufficient
severity to meet the deployment thresholds, will
they provide their supplemental protection.
The driver and passenger should always wear their
seat belts, oth erwi se i t i s not possi ble for the airbags
to provide their supplemental protection.In cases of other frontal impacts, angled impacts,
roll-overs, other side impacts, rear collisions, or
other accidents, the airbags will not be activated.
The driver and passengers will then be protected by
the fastened seat belts.
We caution you not to rely on the presence of the
airbags in order to avoid wearing your seat belt.
Wa r n i n g !
Airbags are designed to reduce the potential of
injury in certain frontal (front airbags) impacts, or
side (side impact and head protection window
curtain airbags) impacts which may cause
significant injuries, however, no system available
today can totally eliminate injuries and fatalities.The activation of the “SRS” temporarily releases a
small amount of dust from the airbags. This dust,
however, is neither injurious to your health, nor
does i t indicate a fire in th e veh icle. Th e dust migh t
cause some temporary breathing difficulty for
people with asthma or other breathing trouble. To
avoid this, you may wish to get out of the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so. If you have any breathing
difficulty but cannot get out of the vehicle after the
airbag inflates, then get fresh air by opening a
window or door.

100 Restraint systems
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and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Safety guidelines for the seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor and airbag
Wa r n i n g !
• Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly
stressed in an accident must be replaced and
their anchoring points must also be checked.
Use only belts installed or supplied by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.• Airbags and “ETR’s” are designed to function
on a one-time-only basis. An airbag or
emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) that was
activated must be replaced.• No modifications of any kind may be made to
any components or wiring of the “SRS”. This
includes changing or removing any component
or part of the “SRS”, the installation of
additional trim material, badges etc. over the
steering wheel hub, front passenger airbag
cover, door trim panels, or door frame trims,
and installation of additional electrical/
electronic equipment on or near “SRS”
components and wiring. Keep area between
airbags and occupants free from objects (e.g.
packages, purses, umbrellas, etc.).
• Do not pass belts over sharp edges.• Do not make any modification that could
change the effectiveness of the belts.• Do not use handles or coat hooks above doors
and rear windows for placing such items as
coat hangers etc..• An airbag system component within the
steering wheel gets hot after the airbag has
inflated. Do not touch.• Improper work on the system, including
incorrect installation and removal, can lead to
possible injury through an unintended
activation of the “SRS”.• In addition, through improper work there is a
risk of rendering the “SRS” inoperative or
causing unintended airbag deployment. Work
on the “SRS” must therefore only be performed
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

166 Automatic climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Display and controls
1Defrosting
2Rear window defroster, see page 176
3Residual engine heat utilization, see page 174
4Automatic climate control on/off
5Air distribution, right (automatic, manual operation)
6Economy mode, see page 173
7Temperature control, right8Air volume (automatic, manual)
9Display
Depending on the ambient light conditions, the
figures on the display will be shown as dark figures
on a bright background (in daylight), or as bright
figures on a dark background (at night).
10Temperature control, left
11Air recirculation, see page 171
12Air distribution, left (automatic, manual operation)
13Activated charcoal filter
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.
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P83.40-2116-26

167 Automatic climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic 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.
Th e system w il l not hea t or c ool a ny q uicker 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 modeS is selected, see page 173. Notes:
Do not obstruc t th e air f low by pl acing objec ts on th e a ir
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 175 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 a c e . E c o no my m od eS c a n n ot b e s w i tch e d o f f . H ave
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.

170 Automatic climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Defrosting
Press the Pbutton. The display showsP.
The fan is set to a higher speed and the warm air is
directed to the defroster and windshield air outlets.
Pressing the switch again returns the system to the
previous setting.Windows fogged 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.
Adjust left and right air outlets upwards.
Set blower to the maximum blower speed.
Increase temperature setting.
Open the side air outlets and direct them onto the side
windows.
P83.40-2009-21

171 Automatic climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Windshield fogged on the outside
Switch on the windshield wiper.
Press on both U buttons until they click in.
Theh, jand ksymbols will no longer be
visible.
Air recirculation
Select air recirculation:
The indicator lamp in the Obutton is off.
Press buttonO briefly. The indicator lamp in the
button illuminates.
To switch off the air recirculation:
The indicator lamp in the Obutton is on.
Press buttonO briefly. The indicator lamp in the
button will go out. 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 modeS is selected.
The system switches automatically to air recirculation at
high outside temperatures. A quantity of outside air is
added after about 30 minutes.
Important!
If the windows should fog up from the inside, switch
from recirculated air back to fresh air.

172 Automatic climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Activated charcoal filter
An activated charcoal filter markedly reduces bad odors
and removes pollutants from air entering the passenger
compartment.
To select, press ebutton. The indicator lamp in the
button illuminates.
To cancel, press ebutton. The indicator lamp in the
button goes out.The system switches automatically to the air
recirculation mode, if the carbon monoxide (CO) or
nitrogen oxides (NO
X) concentration of the outside air
increases beyond a predetermined level.
The automatic air recirculation mode does not function
if economy modeS is selected or if the outside
temperature has fallen below 40°F(5°C).
The activated charcoal filter should be switched off
when windows fog up on the inside, or if the passenger
compartment needs to be quickly heated or cooled
down.

173 Automatic climate control
Te ch n ica 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 Sbutton to activate. The indicator lamp in the
button illuminates.
Press Sbutton once again to return to the previous
setting.
Important!
In the Smode the windows could fog up on the
inside. Switch off Smode.