Page 157 of 399
154 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 170
6Economy mode, see page 159
Residual engine heat utilization, see page 159
7Air distribution and air volume (automatic)
8Air recirculation, see page 167
9Defrosting, see page 157
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. 
     
        
        Page 158 of 399

155 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. Adjust the temperature settings in small 
increments.
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 159. 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 171 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 cannot be switched off. Have 
the air conditioner checked by a Mercedes-Benz Center 
should this happen.
If the vehicle interior has been heated by direct sunlight 
and is very hot, ventilate the interior (open door or 
windows for a short period) before driving off.
Dust filter
Nearly all dust particles and pollen are filtered out 
before outside air enters the passenger compartment 
through the air distribution system. 
     
        
        Page 159 of 399

156 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Basic setting – automatic mode
In the automatic mode the climate control cools or heats 
the interior depending on outside temperature and the 
selected interior temperature. With the automatic mode 
switched off, the air volume and distribution can still be 
set manually.
Press U button. Air volume and distribution are 
controlled automatically.
We recommend to set the left and right temperature 
to 72
°F (22
°C). Please make changes from this setting to 
suit your personal requirements.
Heating mode:
To lower headroom temperature, use thumbwheel
(4, page 152).
Air conditioning mode:
Open air outlets at dashboard top center (7, page 152) 
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.
The air distribution for the right and left side operate 
together.
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. 
     
        
        Page 160 of 399

157 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 152) up to open left and right side 
air outlets (9, page 152). 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.
Set blower to the maximum blower speed.
Press the P button. The indicator lamp in the button 
illuminates.
Increase temperature setting.
Open the side air outlets (9, page 152) and direct them 
onto the side windows.
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 control switch to positionh 
ork. 
     
        
        Page 161 of 399

158 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Air recirculation
Select air recirculation:
The indicator lamp in the O button is not 
illuminated.
Press button O briefly. The indicator lamp in the 
button illuminates. 
To switch off the air recirculation:
The indicator lamp in the O button is illuminated.
Press button O briefly. The indicator lamp in the 
button goes out.
Switching on air recirculation and activating 
convenience closing of power windows:
The indicator lamp in the O button is not 
illuminated.
Press button O for more than 2 seconds, the side 
windows will be closed. The indicator lamp in the button 
illuminates.Switching off air recirculation and activating 
convenience opening:
The indicator lamp in the O button is illuminated.
Press button O for more than 2 seconds, the side 
windows return to the position they were in before 
closing.
A window 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 a maximum of 30 minutes. 
If the windows should fog up from the inside, switch 
from recirculated air back to fresh air. 
     
        
        Page 162 of 399

159 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. The indicator lamp in the button goes out.
Important!
In the S mode the windows could fog up on the 
inside. Switch off S mode.
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, or set air volume 
control switch to any speed.Residual engine heat utilization
With the engine switched off, it is possible to continue 
to heat or ventilate the interior for a short while, 
dependent of the temperature setting of the automatic 
climate control. 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. 
     
        
        Page 165 of 399

162 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 168
5Display
6Air distribution control switch right (automatic, 
manual operation)7Temperature control, right, raising
8Temperature control, right, lowering
9Rear window defroster, see page 170
10Economy mode, see page 169
Residual engine heat utilization, see page 169
11Air volume control +
switch on system
12Air volume control -
switch off system
13Air recirculation, see page 167
14Defrosting, see page 166
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.
P83.40-2303-26 
     
        
        Page 166 of 399

163 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. Adjust the temperature 
settings in small increments.
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 169.