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 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 173 of 406

170 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Rear window defroster
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
To select:
Press the F button in the control panel of the
automatic air conditioner. The indicator lamp in the
button illuminates.
To c a nc el:
Press the F button in the control panel of the
automatic air conditioner. The indicator lamp in the
button goes out.
Note:
Heavy accumulation of snow and ice should be removed
before activating the defroster. The rear wind ow de fr oster us es a large amount of power.
To keep the battery drain to a minimum, turn off the
defroster as soon as the rear window is clear.
The defroster is automatically turned off after
approximately 6–17 minutes of operation depending on
the outside temperature and vehicle speed.
If several power consumers are turned on
simultaneously, or the battery is only partially charged,
it is possible that the defroster will automatically turn
itself off. When this happens, the indicator lamp inside
the switch starts blinking.
As soon as the battery has sufficient voltage, the
defroster automatically turns itself back on.
OM_203.book Seite 170 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 175 of 406
172 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Rear passenger compartment adjustable air outlets 1Center air outlet, left
2Air volume control for center air outlets
To open: Turn the wheel upward.
3Center air outlet, right
Note:
The temperature at the air outlets for the rear passenger
compartment (1 and 3) is the same as at the dashboard
center air outlets.
OM_203.book Seite 172 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 200 of 406
197 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Power windows
The control panel is located on the driver’s door. Switches for:
1left, front
2right, front
3left, rear
4right, rear
There are individual switches in the front passenger
door and the rear doors for the respective windows.
Turn electronic key in starter switch to position 1 or 2.
Opening the windows:
Press the switch to resistance point.
Closing the windows:
Pull the switch to resistance point.
Release switch when window is in desired position.
P 54.25-2259-26
OM_203.book Seite 197 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11