Page 179 of 474

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. 
     
        
        Page 189 of 474

188 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control* (Canada only)The automatic climate control is operation-
al whenever the engine is running. You can 
operate the climate control system in ei-
ther the automatic or manual mode. The 
system cools or heats the interior depend-
ing on the selected interior temperature 
and the current outside temperature.Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and 
odors are filtered out before outside air 
enters the passenger compartment 
through the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no 
cooling) if the modeA/C is deactivated 
(
page 196).
Warning!
G
When operating the automatic 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 frost-
bite on unprotected skin in the immediate 
area of the air vents. Always keep sufficient 
distance between unprotected parts of the 
body and the air vents. If necessary, use the 
air distribution control (
page 190) 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 
heating and cooling given on the following 
pages. 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 automatic climate 
control will then adjust the interior 
temperature to the set value much fast-
er.
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. 
     
        
        Page 193 of 474

192 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control* (Canada only)The air conditioning switches 
automatically to the following functions:
cooling on to dehumidify
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 (
page 187) again. 
The indicator lamp on the button goes 
out.
The previous settings are once again in 
effect.Windshield fogged on the outside
Switch the windshield wipers on 
(page 54).
If the automatic mode of the climate con-
trol is switched off:
Turn air distribution control1 or8 
toa orY (
page 187).
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL
If the left and right air distribution controls 
as well as the airflow volume control are 
set toU (
page 187) and there is a 
high need for cooling, the display 
“MAXCOOL” appears.
This provides the fastest possible cooling 
of the vehicle interior (when side windows 
and tilt/sliding sunroof* are closed).
Air 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.
iThe cooling remains switched on.
iKeep this setting selected only until the 
windshield is clear again.
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 187) is activated, or 
press buttonP. 
     
        
        Page 458 of 474

457 Index
Brake lamps
Cleaning lenses 344
Messages in display 377
Replacing bulbs 403
Brake pads
Message in display 370
Brakes 284
Warning lamp 25, 351
Break-in period 282
Bulbs, replacing see Replacing bulbs
C
CAC 449
California retail buyers and lessees, 
important notice 11
CAN system 449
Cargo area see Trunk
Cargo tie-down rings* 256
Carpets, cleaning 347
Catalytic converter 291
CD changer* 216
CD player* 137, 216
Centigrade see Temperature display 
mode 142Central locking
Automatic 107, 152
From inside 107
Locking/unlocking from inside 107
Switch 107
Certification label 428
Charcoal filter
Automatic climate control* 
(Canada only) 194
Children in the vehicle 74
Air bags 64
Blocking rear door window 
operation 85
Indicator lamp, front passenger 
air bag 80, 356
Infant and child restraint systems 74
LATCH-type child seat anchors 83
Occupant Classification System 
(OCS) 77
Cigarette lighter 262
Climate control system 176
Control panel 177
Defrosting, Front 181
Rear window defroster 175Clock 25, 130
Setting time 145, 146
Cockpit 22, 449
Cockpit Management and Data System 
see COMAND
Cold tire inflation pressure 331
Collapsible wheel chock 386
COMAND* 449
COMAND* see separate COMAND 
operating instructions
Combination switch 52, 122
Control system 130, 450
Multifunction display 130
Multifunction steering wheel 131
Resetting to factory default 140
Control system menu 130, 450
AUDIO 136
Menus overview 133
NAV* 138
Settings 140
Standard display 135
TEL* 157
Trip computer 155
Vehicle status message 
memory 138