2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C280 ESP

171 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors*
The reflection brightness of the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side and
the interior rear view mirror will respond
automatically to glare when

the ignition is switched on
and


incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the interior rear view
mirror.
The rear view mirror will not react if


reverse gearR is engaged


the interior lighting is turned on
Warning!
G
The auto-dimming function does not react if
incoming light is not aimed directly at
sensors in the interior rear view mirror.
The interior rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side do not
react, for example, if the rear window
sunshade* is in raised position.
Glare can endanger you and others.Warning!
G
In case of an accident, liquid electrolyte may
escape from the mirror housing if the mirror
glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not
allow the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
!Electrolyte drops coming into contact
with the vehicle paint finish can be
completely removed only while in the
liquid state and by applying plenty of
water.Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your
interior rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.

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.

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.

190 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control* (Canada only)Deactivating
Press buttonU (
page 187) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. The automatic operation of air vol-
ume and air distribution switches off.
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls3 andd for
the left side or6 andb for the right side
(page 187) to separately adjust the air
temperature on each side of the passenger
compartment. You should raise or lower
the temperature setting in small incre-
ments, preferably starting at 22°C (72°F).
The climate control will adjust to the set
temperature as fast as possible.Increasing

Press temperature button3
and/or6 (
page 187) until the de-
sired temperature appears in the con-
trol panel display4 (
page 187).
The automatic climate control system
will correspondingly adjust the interior
air temperature.
Decreasing

Press temperature buttonb
and/ord (
page 187) until the de-
sired temperature appears in the con-
trol panel display4 (
page 187).
The automatic climate control system
will correspondingly adjust the interior
air temperature.
Adjusting air distribution
Use air distribution controls1 and8
(page 187) to separately adjust the air
distribution on each side of the passenger
compartment. The following symbols are
found on the controls:Symbol
Function
a
Directs air through the center,
side and rear passenger
compartment air vents
Z
Directs air to the windshield
and the side defroster vents
b
Directs air into the entire
vehicle interior
Y
Directs air to the footwells

193 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control* (Canada only)
Activating
Press button, (
page 187).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
iThe air recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside tempera-
tures.
The indicator lamp on the 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
procedure.
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.

194 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control* (Canada only)Deactivating
Press button, (
page 187) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Charcoal filter
An activated charcoal filter markedly
reduces bad odors and removes pollutants
from air entering the passenger compart-
ment. The charcoal filter can be activated
or deactivated.
The system switches automatically to the
air recirculation mode, if the

charcoal filter is switched on


carbon monoxide (CO) or nitrogen
oxide (NO
X) concentration of the out-
side air increases beyond a predeter-
mined level
iThe air recirculation mode is deactivat-
ed automatically:

after 5 minutes if the outside tem-
perature is below
approximately 5°C (41°F)


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


after 30 minutes if the outside tem-
perature is above approximately
5°C (41°F)
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, is used to re-open
the remaining windows or tilt/sliding
sunroof*.
iThe automatic air recirculation mode
does not function if theA/C mode is
deactivated (indicator lamp on
button9 not lit), or if the
outside temperature has fallen
below 5°C (41°F).

195 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control* (Canada only)
Activating
Press buttone (
page 187).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Deactivating

Press buttone (
page 187).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
iThe activated charcoal filter should be
switched off when windows fog up on
the inside, or if the passenger compart-
ment needs to be quickly heated or
cooled down.iThe activated charcoal filter should be
switched off when windows fog up on
the inside, or if the passenger compart-
ment needs to be quickly heated or
cooled down.
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 buttone.
iPress and hold buttone for approx.
2 seconds. The side windows and or
tilt/sliding sunroof* will return to their
previous position. You can release
buttone 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 buttone. A
window or tilt/sliding sunroof* that
was moved will remain in its current po-
sition if buttone i s us ed to re -open
the remaining windows or tilt/sliding
sunroof*.