Page 140 of 406

137 Coolant temperature gauge
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Coolant temperature gauge
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 2.
Call up the trip odometer and main odometer by
pressing button è or ÿ on the multifunction
steering wheel. See page 106.
Press button j or k until the coolant
temperature gauge appears.During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to 120
°C.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature above 120
°C. Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Note:
Excessive coolant temperatures trigger a warning in the
multifunction display. See page 302.
Wa r n i n g !
• Driving when your engine is badly overheated
can cause some fluids which may have leaked
into the engine compartment to catch fire. You
could be seriously burned.• Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine if
you see or hear steam coming from it.Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.
OM_203.book Seite 137 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 156 of 406
153 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Display and controls
2Air volume control for left center air outlet
3Center air outlet, left, adjustable
4Thumbwheel for adding outside air at air outlets for
center, left and right sides, as well as dashboard top
center and rear passenger compartment
5Center air outlet, right, adjustable6Air volume control for right center air outlet
7Air volume control and air outlet on dashboard top
center
8Air volume control for side air outlet
9Side air outlet, adjustable
10Side defroster outlet, fixed
OM_203.book Seite 153 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 158 of 406

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
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.
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.
OM_203.book Seite 155 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 159 of 406

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.
Select any of the six air volume speeds and the air
distribution.
Air distribution, manual:
The air distribution for the right and left side operate
together.
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.
OM_203.book Seite 156 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 164 of 406
161 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Display and controls
2Air volume control for left center air outlet
3Center air outlet, left, adjustable
4Thumbwheel for adding outside air at air outlets for
center, left and right sides, as well as dashboard top
center and rear passenger compartment
5Center air outlet, right, adjustable6Air volume control for right center air outlet
7Air volume control and air outlet on dashboard top
center
8Air volume control for side air outlet
9Side air outlet, adjustable
10Side defroster outlet, fixed
OM_203.book Seite 161 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 166 of 406

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 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. Make 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.
OM_203.book Seite 163 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 167 of 406

164 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 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 can n ot be s witched of f. 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.Basic setting – automatic mode
In the automatic mode the automatic climate control
cools or heats the interior depending on the direction
and strength of the sunlight, outside temperature and
the selected interior temperature of the vehicle. With
the automatic mode switched off, the air volume and
distribution can still be set manually.
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.
We recommend to set the temperature switches on the
left and right 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 160).
Air conditioning mode:
Open air outlets at dashboard top center (7, page 160)
for an even air distribution.
OM_203.book Seite 164 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 168 of 406

165 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Special settings (use only for short duration)
Air distribution, manual
Press left or right U button. The button pops out, the
h, j andk symbols are visible. Turn the
button to select the air distribution desired.
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 left or right U button. The h, j
andk symbols will no longer be visible.Air volume, manual
Seven blower speeds are available.
Press rightQ or leftM side of air volume control
switch until the requested blower speed is attained.
The display “AUTO” disappears and the automatic mode
is switched off. The selected blower speed is shown in
the display.
To return to automatic mode:
Press left or right U button until it clicks in. The
h, j andk symbols will no longer be visible.
OM_203.book Seite 165 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11