Page 145 of 385
142 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Display and controls
1Air volume
2Temperature control, left
3Temperature control, right
4Air distribution control switch5Rear window defroster, see page 149
6Economy mode AC
OFF, see page 147
Residual engine heat utilization, see page 148
7Air distribution and air volume (automatic)
8Air recirculation, see page 146
9Defrosting, see page 145
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.
72
F
6480
72
F
6480ACOFF
J_G463.book Seite 142 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08
Page 146 of 385

143 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, see page 147.
The climate control only operates with the engine
running.
The air conditioning will not engage (no cooling) if the
economy mode AC
OFF
is selected, see page 147.
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.Notes:
Do not obstruct the air f low by placing objects on the air
flow-through exhaust slots on the back left and right
trim panel in the rear cargo compartment.
Also keep the air intake grill in front of the windshield
free of snow and debris.
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
Light Truck 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.
J_G463.book Seite 143 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08
Page 147 of 385

144 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). Pleas e make chan ges f rom t his s etting to
suit your personal requirements.
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.
The air distribution for the right and left side operate
together.Air distribution, manual:
hAir from the center, side and rear passenger
compartment air outlets.
jAir from the windshield and side defroster air
outlets.
kAir from the footwell and rear passenger footwell
air outlets.
VAir from the windshield, center, side defroster,
footwell, rear passenger footwell and rear
passenger compartment air outlets.
To return to automatic mode:
Press the U button. The indicator lamp in the button
illuminates.
J_G463.book Seite 144 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08
Page 148 of 385

145 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 and the fan is set to a higher speed. The
warm 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.
Close center air outlets.
Turn thumbwheels (6, page 140) to the right to open lef t
and right side air outlets. Adjust side air outlets upward.
Pressing the P button again returns the system to
the previous setting.
Notes:
Heavy accumulation of snow and ice should be removed
before activating the defroster.
The defroster uses a large amount of power. To keep the
battery drain to a minimum, turn off the defroster as
soon as the windshield is clear.Windows fogged up on the inside
Switch off the economy mode, if selected. Press
button AC
OFF
. 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.
Press the P button. The indicator lamp in the button
illuminates.
Increase temperature setting.
Open the side air outlets and direct them onto the side
windows.
J_G463.book Seite 145 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08
Page 149 of 385

146 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Windshield fogged up on the outside
Switch on the windshield wiper.
Switch to manual mode.
Turn air distribution switch to positionh ork.
Air recirculation
Select air recirculation:
Press button O briefly. The indicator lamp in the
button illuminates.
To switch off the air recirculation:
Press button O briefly. The indicator lamp in the
button will go out. 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 AC
OFF is selected.
The system switches automatically to air recirculation at
high outside temperatures. A quantity of outside air is
added after about 30 minutes.
If the windows should fog up from the inside, switch
from recirculated air back to fresh air.
J_G463.book Seite 146 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08
Page 150 of 385

147 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Climate control - OFF/ON
To switch the 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 climate control on again, set air volume
control switch to any speed.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 AC
OFF
button to activate. The indicator lamp in the
button illuminates.
Press AC
OFF
button once again to return to the previous
setting. The indicator lamp in the button goes out.
Important!
In the AC
OFF
mode the windows could fog up on the
inside. Switch off AC
OFF
mode.
J_G463.book Seite 147 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08
Page 194 of 385

191 The first 1 000 miles
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle during the
break-in period, the more satisfied you will be with its
performance later on. Therefore, drive your vehicle
during the first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) at moderate
vehicle and engine speeds.
During this period, avoid heavy loads (full throttle
driving) and excessive engine speeds.
Avoid accelerating by kickdown. It is not recommended
to brake t he vehicle by man ually shif tin g to a lower gear.
We recommend that you select positions “3”, “2” or “1”
only at moderate speeds (for hill driving).
After 1 000 miles (1 500 km) speeds may be gradually
increased to the permissible maximum.Maintenance
We strongly recommend that you have your vehicle
serviced by your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center, in accordance with the Service Booklet at the
times called for by the FSS.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in accordance
with the Service Booklet at the designated times /
mileage may result in vehicle damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
For information on the Flexible service system (FSS),
see page 124.
J_G463.book Seite 191 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08
Page 196 of 385

193 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
Always make sure that the indicator lamps in the
“SOS” button, in the “Roadside Assistance” button and
in the “Information” button do not remain illuminated
constantly in red and the message “TELE AID – VISIT
WORKSHOP” is not displayed in the multifunction
display after the system self check.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined above, have the
system checked at the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated automatically:
•following an accident in which the Emergency
Tensioning Retractors (ETR’s) or airbags deploy,
•if the antitheft alarm or the tow away alarm stays on
for more than 20 seconds, see pages 42 and 43.
An emergency call can also be initiated manually by
opening the cover next to the inside rear view mirror
labeled “SOS”, then briefly pressing the button located
under the cover. See below for instructions on initiating
an emergency call manually.Once the emergency call is in progress, the indicator
lamp in the “SOS” button will begin to flash. The
message “EMERGENCY CALL – CONNECTING CALL”
appears in the multifunction display. When the
connection is established, the message “EMERGENCY
CALL – CALL CONNECTED” appears in the
multifunction display. All information relevant to the
emergency, such as the location of the vehicle
(determined by the GPS satellite location system),
vehicle model, identification number and color are
generated.
A voice connection between the Response Center and
the occupants of the vehicle will be established
automatically soon after the emergency call has been
initiated. When a voice connection is established the
audio system mutes and the message “TELE AID –
EMERGENCY CALL ACTIVE” appears in the
multif un ction d isp lay. The Res pon se Cen ter will attemp t
to determine more precisely the nature of the accident
provided they can speak to an occupant of the vehicle.
J_G463.book Seite 193 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08