
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.
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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.
P 83.40-2265-26
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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.
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168 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a 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. 
Select activated charcoal filter:
The indicator lamp in the button e is not 
illuminated.
Press e button briefly. The indicator lamp in the 
button illuminates.
Switch off activated charcoal filter:
The indicator lamp in the button e is illuminated.
Press e button briefly. 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 mode S 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.
Switching on the activated charcoal filter and activating 
convenience closing of power windows and sliding /
pop-up roof:
The indicator lamp in the e button is not 
illuminated.
Press button e for more than 2 seconds, the side 
wi nd ows and  t he slid in g / p op-up  r oof will b e c los ed . The 
indicator lamp in the button illuminates.
Switching off activated charcoal filter and activating 
convenience opening:
The indicator lamp in the e button is illuminated.
Press button e for more than 2 seconds, the side 
windows and the sliding / pop-up roof return to the 
position they were in before closing. The indicator lamp 
in the button goes out.
A window or the sliding / pop-up roof opened manually 
after convenience closing will no longer be returned to 
the position it was in before closing when convenience 
opening is selected.
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389 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Index
AAdding engine oil  .......................................................... 321
Airbags  .............................................................................. 73
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
Malfunction and warning message ........................ 297
Antilock brake system (ABS)  ....................................... 276
Antitheft alarm system  ................................................... 46
Ashtrays  .......................................................................... 213
Audio system
Button and soft key operation ..................................176
Cassette mode  ........................................................... 182
CD changer  ................................................................ 187
CD mode  ..................................................................... 186
Operating and display elements ............................. 174
Operating safety  ........................................................ 173
Operation  ....................................................................176
Operation Audio and telephone .............................. 173
Radio mode  ................................................................ 179
Telephone operation  ................................................. 190Audio systems ................................................................. 108
Cassette player  .......................................................... 110
CD Player  .................................................................... 109
Radio  ........................................................................... 108
Automatic central locking  .............................................. 40
Automatic climate control  ............................................ 160
Activated charcoal filter  ........................................... 168
Adjustable air outlets, 
rear passenger compartment  ............................. 172
Air recirculation  ........................................................ 167
Air volume, manual  .................................................. 165
Basic setting ............................................................... 164
Defrosting  ................................................................... 166
Display and controls  ................................................. 162
Dust filter  ................................................................... 164
Economy mode  .......................................................... 169
Front center console 
storage compartment ventilation  ....................... 171
Residual engine heat utilization  ............................. 169
Special settings  ......................................................... 165
Windows fogged up on the outside  ........................ 166
Automatic transmission  ................................................251
Fluid level  .................................................................. 322
Transmission selector lever, 
manually unlocking  ............................................ 350
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390 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 70
Battery  .............................................................................342
Block heater  .................................................................... 270
Brake assist system (BAS)  ............................................ 275
Bulbs
See Replacing bulbs  ................................................. 351
CCD changer
See CD changer installed  ......................................... 187
Cellular telephone  ......................................................... 224
Center console .................................................................. 24
Central locking switch  .................................................... 39
Central locking system  ................................................... 31
Automatic central locking  ......................................... 40
Central locking switch  ............................................... 39
Choosing global or selective mode ........................... 33
Doors  ............................................................................. 37
General notes ............................................................... 30
Locking and unlocking with remote control  .......... 33
Mechanical keys .......................................................... 36
Obtaining replacement keys  ..................................... 29Summer opening/convenience feature  ...................35
Vehicle keys  ................................................................. 28
Check regularly and before a long trip ...................... 284
Child seat
See Infant and child restraint systems  .................... 83
Climate control  ............................................................... 152
Adjustable air outlets, 
rear passenger compartment  ............................. 172
Air recirculation  ........................................................ 158
Basic setting ............................................................... 156
Defrosting  ................................................................... 157
Display and controls  ................................................. 154
Dust filter  ................................................................... 155
Economy mode  .......................................................... 159
Front center console
storage compartment ventilation  ....................... 171
Residual engine heat utilization  ............................. 159
Special settings  ......................................................... 156
Windows fogged up on the inside  .......................... 157
Windows fogged up on the outside  ................ 157, 166
COMAND, radio and telephone  .................................. 232
Combination switch  ....................................................... 148
Control and operation of
radio transmitters  .................................................... 232
Coolant level  .................................................................. 322
Coolant temperature gauge  .......................................... 137
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