2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C280 window

175 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Rear window defroster
The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep the battery
drain to a minimum, switch off the
defroster as soon as the rear window is
clear.
The defroster is automatically deactivated
after approximately 6 to 17 minutes of op-
eration depending on the outside tempera-
ture.Activating

Press buttonF or 1 in the
climate control panel (
page 177) or
automatic climate control panel*
(
page 187).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Deactivating

Press buttonF or 1 again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Warning!
G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before
driving. Visibility could otherwise be
impaired, endangering you and others.
!If the rear window defroster switches
off too soon and the indicator lamp
starts flashing, this means that too
many electrical consumers are
operating simultaneously and there is
insufficient voltage in the battery. The
system responds automatically by
deactivating the rear window defroster.
As soon as the battery has sufficient
voltage, the rear window defroster
automatically turns itself back on.

177 Controls in detail
Climate control
Climate control panel (USA only)
Climate control panel (Canada only)
Item
1
Left side defroster vent, fixed
2
Left side air vent, adjustable
3
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for left side air vent
4
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for left center air vent
5
Left center air vent, adjustable
6
Right center air vent, adjustable
7
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for right center air vent
8
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for right side air vent
9
Right side air vent, adjustable
a
Right side defroster vent, fixed
b
Climate control paneliFor draft-free ventilation, move the
sliders for the air vents2, 5, 6,
and9 to the middle position.
Item
1
Air volume control
2
Left side temperature control
3
Right side temperature control
4
Air distribution control
5
Rear window defroster
6
AC cooling on/off
7
Air distribution and air volume
(automatic mode)
8
Air recirculation
9
Front defroster

178 Controls in detailClimate controlThe climate control is operational when-
ever the engine is running. You can oper-
ate the climate control system in either the
automatic or manual mode. The system
cools or heats the interior depending on
the selected interior temperature and the
current outside temperature.Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the modeA/C is deactivated
(
page 183).
Warning!
G
When operating the climate control, the air
that enters the passenger compartment
through the air vents can be very hot or very
cold (depending on the set temperature).
This may cause burns or frostbite on unpro-
tected skin in the immediate area of the air
vents. Always keep sufficient distance be-
tween unprotected parts of the body and the
air vents. If necessary, use the air distribu-
tion control (
page 180) to direct the air to
air vents in the vehicle interior that are not
in the immediate area of unprotected skin.
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
iSevere conditions (e.g. strong air
pollution) may require replacement of
the filter before its scheduled interval.
A clogged filter will reduce the air
volume to the interior.
If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate
the interior before driving off, see
“Summer opening feature”
(page 243). The climate control will
then adjust the interior temperature to
the set value much faster.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.
Do not obstruct air flow by placing
objects on the air flow-through exhaust
slots below the rear window.

179 Controls in detail
Climate control
Deactivating the climate control system
Deactivating
Set air volume control1 (
page 177)
to position0.
Reactivating

Set air volume control1 (
page 177)
to any speed.Operating the climate control system
in automatic mode
Activating
Press buttonU (
page 177) while
the engine is running.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on. The air volume and air distri-
bution are adjusted automatically.

Use temperature controls2 and3
(page 177) to separately adjust the
air temperature on each side of the
passenger compartment.
The temperature of the vehicle interior
is adjusted automatically.
Deactivating

Press buttonU (
page 177) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. The automatic operation of air vol-
ume and air distribution switches off.
iWhen the climate control system is de-
activated, the outside air supply and
circulation are also deactivated. Only
choose this setting for a short time.
Otherwise the windows could fog up.
iWhen operating the climate control
system in automatic mode, you will
only rarely need to adjust the tempera-
ture, air volume and air distribution.
In automatic mode, cooling with dehu-
midify is switched on. This function can
be switched off if necessary.

181 Controls in detail
Climate control
Adjusting air volume
Six blower speeds are available.
Press buttonU (
page 177).
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out. The automatic air volume control
is switched off. The air volume is
adjusted according to the currently
selected setting.

Use the air volume control4
(page 177) to adjust the air volume.
Front defroster
You can use this setting to defrost the
windshield, for example if it is iced up.
You can also defog the windshield and the
side windows.Activating

Press buttonP or0
(page 177).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The air conditioning switches
automatically to the following functions:


maximum blowing and heating
power


air flows onto the windshield and
the front side windows


the air recirculation mode is
switched off
Deactivating

Press buttonP or0
(page 177) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. Defrosting is turned off.Windshield fogged on the outside

Switch the windshield wipers on
(page 53).

Press buttonU (
page 177).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on. Air distribution and air vol-
ume are adjusted automatically.
If the automatic mode of the climate con-
trol is switched off:

Turn air distribution control4
toaorY (
page 177).
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield or the side windows are
clear again.
iThe cooling remains switched on.
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield is clear again.

182 Controls in detailClimate controlAir recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside (e.g. before driving
through a tunnel). This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.Activating

Press button, (
page 177).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Warning!
G
Fogged windows impair visibility, endanger-
ing you and others. If the windows begin to
fog on the inside, switching off the air
recirculation mode immediately should clear
interior window fogging. If interior window
fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning (
page 183) is activated, or
press buttonP or 0.
iThe air recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside tempera-
tures.
The indicator lamp on button, is
not lit when the air recirculation mode
is automatically switched on.
A quantity of outside air is added after
approximately 30 minutes.Warning!
G
Never operate the side windows and the
tilt/sliding sunroof* if there is the possibility
of anyone being harmed by the closing pro-
cedure.
In the event that the closing procedure
causes potential danger, the closing of the
side windows can be immediately halted by
pressing or pulling the respective window
switch. The closing of the tilt/sliding
sunroof* can be immediately halted by
moving the tilt/sliding sunroof* switch in
the overhead control panel in any direction.
The closing of the side windows and
tilt/sliding sunroof* can be reversed by
again pressing and holding the, button.iPress and hold button, for approx.
2 seconds. The side windows and
tilt/sliding sunroof* will close. You can
release button, once the closing
procedure has begun. The windows
and tilt/sliding sunroof* continue clos-
ing until they are fully closed.

183 Controls in detail
Climate control
Deactivating
Press button, (
page 177).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Air conditioning
The cooling function, only operational
when the engine is running, cools the vehi-
cle interior down to the selected tempera-
ture. The cooling function also
dehumidifies the air in the vehicle interior,
thus preventing the windows from fogging
up.
iThe air recirculation mode is deactivat-
ed automatically:

after 5 minutes if the outside
temperature is below
approximately 41°F (5°C)


after 5 minutes if the air condition-
ing is turned off


after 30 minutes if the outside
temperature is above
approximately 41°F (5°C)
iPress and hold button, for approx.
2 seconds. The side windows and or
tilt/sliding sunroof* will return to their
previous position. You can release
button, once the opening proce-
dure has begun. The windows and
tilt/sliding sunroof* continue opening
until they have reached their previous
position.
A window or tilt/sliding sunroof* will
only return to its previous position if it
has not been moved to another posi-
tion using the respective window
switch or tilt/sliding sunroof* switch
after it was closed with button,. A
window or tilt/sliding sunroof* that
was moved will remain in its current po-
sition if button, i s u se d to re -open
the remaining windows or tilt/sliding
sunroof*.
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.Warning!
G
If you turn off the cooling function, the
vehicle will not be cooled when weather
conditions are warm. The windows can fog
up more quickly. Window fogging may
impair visibility and endanger you and
others.

184 Controls in detailClimate controlDeactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the climate
control system. The air in the vehicle will
then no longer be cooled or dehumidified.
Press button2 (
page 177).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
The cooling function switches off after
a short delay.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.

Press button2 (
page 177).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents
The air conditioning for the rear passenger
compartment is controlled via the climate
control panel (
page 177).
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned
on again, this indicates that the air
conditioning is losing refrigerant. The
compressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
iThe temperature at the center air vents
for the rear passenger
compartment1 and3 is the same as
at the dashboard center air vents.