Page 153 of 390

150 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 156
5Display
6Air distribution control switch right (automatic,
manual operation)7Temperature control, right, raising
8Temperature control, right, lowering
9Rear window defroster, see page 158
10Economy mode, see page 157
Residual engine heat utilization, see page 157
11Air volume control +
switch on system
12Air volume control -
switch off system
13Air recirculation, see page 155
14Defrosting, see page 154
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
qualif ied technician, and refrigerant should be collected
in a recovery system for recycling.
P83.40-2265-26
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Page 154 of 390

151 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 157.
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Page 155 of 390

152 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 159 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). This provides for
comfortable conditions in the vehicle.
Heating mode:
To lower headroom temperature, use thumbwheel
(4, page 148).
Air conditioning mode:
Open air outlets at dashboard top center (7, page 148)
for an even air distribution.
S203.book Seite 152 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 156 of 390

153 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.
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Page 157 of 390

154 Automatic 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.
Maximum heated and automatically controlled amount
of air is directed to the defroster and windshield air
outlets.
Switch off air recirculation, if selected: Press
buttonO. The indicator lamp in the button will go
out.
Pressing the P button 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.
Increase temperature setting.
Open the side air outlets 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 (7, page 148).
Switch to manual mode.
Turn air distribution control switch to positionh
ork.
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Page 158 of 390

155 Automatic 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 button O 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 button O 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 and sliding /
pop-up roof:
The indicator lamp in the button O is not
illuminated.
Press button O for more than 2 seconds, the side
windows and the sliding / pop-up roof will be closed. The
indicator lamp in the button illuminates.Switching off air recirculation and activating
convenience opening:
The indicator lamp in the button O is illuminated.
Press button O for more than 2 seconds, the side
windows and the sliding / pop-up roof return to the
position they were in before closing.
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.
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.
S203.book Seite 155 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 159 of 390

156 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
windows and the sliding / pop-up roof will be closed. The
indicator lamp in the button illuminates.
Switching off activated carbon 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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Page 160 of 390

157 Automatic 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.
Automatic climate control - OFF/ON
To switch the automatic 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 automatic climate control on again, press
the U or Pbutton, 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. 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.
S203.book Seite 157 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13