Page 163 of 430

160 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Headlamp mode
Manual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and parking lamps can be
switched on and off with the exterior lamp switch. For
exterior lamp switch, see above.
Note:
With the daytime running lamp mode activated and the
engine running, the low beam headlamps can not be
switched off manually.Automat ic headlamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionU.
•Electronic key in starter switch position 1:
The parking lamps switch on and off automatically
depending on the brightness of the ambient light.
•Electronic key in starter switch position 2 and the
engine running:
The low beam headlamps and parking lamps are
switched on and off automatically depending on the
brightness of the ambient light.
The low beam headlamps and parking lamps can
still be switched on and off manually using the
exterior lamp switch.
Note:
With the daytime running lamp mode activated, the low
beam headlamps can not be switched off manually.
The headlamps will not be automatically switched on
under foggy conditions.
Front fog lamps and rear fog lamp can not be switched
on manually with exterior lamp switch in positionU.
To activate the fog lamps turn exterior switch to
positionB.
Wa r n i n g !
The driver is responsible for the operation of the
vehicle’s lights at all times. The automatic
headlamp feature is only an aid to the driver.
Switch on the vehicle lights by hand when driving
or traffic conditions require you to do so.
J_OM_215.book Seite 160 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
Page 164 of 430

161 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Daytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionM orU.
When the engine is running, the low beam headlamps
are automatically switched on. In low ambient light
conditions the parking lamps will also switch on.
•Canada only:
When shifting from a driving position to
position “N” or “P”, the low beam switches off
(3 minutes delay).
For nighttime driving the exterior lamp switch
should be turned to position B to permit
activation of the high beam headlamps.•USA only:
The high beam headlamps can also be activated
when driving with the daytime running lamp mode
activated and exterior lamp switch in positionM.
To activate the daytime running lamp mode, see the
individual setting menu “LIGHTING” – “LAMP
CIRCUIT HEADLAMP” on page 144.
Note:
See page 159 for notes on the exterior lamp switch.
J_OM_215.book Seite 161 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
Page 165 of 430

162 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Night security illumination
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionU.
At low ambient light conditions and with the engine
having been turned off, the exterior lamps (fog lamps
and parking lamps) switch on for added illumination.
After the last door has been closed the lamp-on time
period commences.
To activate the function see the individual setting menu
“LIGHTING” –“HEADLAMPS DELAYED SHUT-OFF” on
page 144.
The lamp-on time period for night security illumination
can be set at several different timed levels from 0 (off) to
60 seconds.Note:
Within 10 minutes after closing the last door the night
security illumination can be reactivated by opening a
door.
If after switching the engine off, no doors are opened or
if after opening the doors they are not closed, the night
security illumination will switch off after approximately
60 seconds.
Deactivating night security illumination temporarily:
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 0
then to position 2 and back to position 0 again before
getting out of the vehicle. The night security
illumination will not be activated when the door is
opened.
J_OM_215.book Seite 162 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
Page 166 of 430
163 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Locator lighting
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionU.
After unlocking the vehicle with the electronic key
during darkness the fog lamps and parking lamps
switch on for a approximately 40 seconds.
The exterior lamps will be switched off when opening
the driver’s door.
To activate the function see the individual setting menu
“LIGHTING” –“LOCATOR LIGHTING” on page 144.Headlamp cleaning system
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 2.
The headlamps will be cleaned with a high-pressure
water jet when you press the headlamp washer
button (1).
See page 340 for instructions on filling up the
windshield / headlamp washer reservoir.
P54.25-2391-26
1
J_OM_215.book Seite 163 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
Page 173 of 430

170 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Display and controls
1Defrosting
2Rear window defroster, see page 181
3Residual engine heat utilization, see page 179
4Automatic climate control on/off
5Air distribution, right (automatic, manual operation)
6Economy mode, see page 178
7Temperature control, right8Air volume (automatic, manual)
9Display
Depending on the ambient light conditions, the
figures on the display will be shown as dark figures
on a bright background (in daylight), or as bright
figures on a dark background (at night).
10Temperature control, left
11Air recirculation, see page 176
12Air distribution, left (automatic, manual operation)
13Activated charcoal filter
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.
1
2
3
5
4
6
7
10
11
13
12
89
P83.40-2291-26
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171 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic 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. 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 AC
OFF
selected, see page 178. Notes:
The current settings (Temperature, Air volume, AC
OFF,
Activated charcoal filter, ON / OFF) are stored for each
electronic key before the electronic key is removed from
the starter switch or when the vehicle is locked using
the KEYLESS-GO-card (vehicles with keyless-go), see
key dependent memory settings on page 113.
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 180 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 AC
OFF
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 it is very hot, ventilate the interior (open door or
windows for a short period) before driving off.
J_OM_215.book Seite 171 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
Page 176 of 430

173 Automatic 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 automatic climate control
cools or heats the interior depending on the direction
and strength of the sunlight, outside temperature,
selected interior temperature and the actual interior
temperature of the vehicle. With the automatic climate
control switched off, the air volume and distribution can
still be set manually.
There are three basic settings for the automatic mode:
•Automatic air volume control
•Automatic air outlet control, left and right
•Automatic air outlet control, center, see page 169
We recommend these settings to be used all year round.Air volume and distribution are controlled
automatically.
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.
Automat ic airf low regu lation:
Press the A on the air volume switch. The display
shows “AUTO”.
Automatic air distribution:
Press on both Uknobs until they click in. Theh,
jand ksymbols 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.
J_OM_215.book Seite 173 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
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176 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Windshield fogged on the outside
Switch on the windshield wiper.
Press on both U buttons until they click in.
Theh, jand ksymbols will no longer be
visible.
Air recirculation
Select air recirculation:
The indicator lamp in the Obutton is not
illuminated.
Press buttonO briefly. The indicator lamp in the
button illuminates.
Switch off the air recirculation:
The indicator lamp in the Obutton is illuminated.
Press buttonO briefly. The indicator lamp in the
button will go 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 and hold button O until the side windows and
the sliding / pop-up roof are closed. The indicator lamp
in the button lights up.
Switching off air recirculation and activating
convenience opening of power windows and sliding/
pop-up roof:
The indicator lamp in the button O is illuminated.
Press and hold button O until the side windows and
the sliding / pop-up roof are in the desired position.
J_OM_215.book Seite 176 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14