184 Controls in detail
Climate control
The 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
enters the passenger compartment
through the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the A/C mode is deactivated
(
page 189).
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
between unprotected parts of the body and
the air vents. If necessary, use the air distri-
bution control (
page 186) 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 fea-
ture” (
page 193). The climate control will then
adjust the interior temperature to the set value
much faster.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the wind-
shield free of snow and debris.
185 Controls in detail
Climate control
Deactivating the climate control
system
Deactivating
Set air volume control1 (page 183)
to position0.
Reactivating
Make sure the ignition is switched on
(
page 39).
Set air volume control1 (page 183)
to any speed.
The previous settings are once again in
effect.Operating the climate control system
in automatic mode
Activating
Press buttonU (page 183) while
the engine is running.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on. The air volume and air
distribution are adjusted automatically.
Use temperature controls2 and3
(
page 183) to separately adjust the
air temperature on each side of the
passenger compartment.
The interior air temperature is adjusted
automatically.Deactivating
Press buttonU (page 183) once
more.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. The automatic operation of the air
volume and air distribution switches
off.
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls2 and3
(
page 183) 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 72°F (22°C).
The climate control will adjust to the set
temperature as fast as possible.
Warning!G
When the climate control is switched off, the
outside air supply and circulation are also
switched off. Only choose this setting for a
short time. Otherwise the windows could
fog up, impairing visibility and endangering
you and others.
iWhen operating the climate control system
in automatic mode, you will only rarely need to
adjust the temperature, air volume and air
distribution.
In automatic mode, cooling with dehumidify is
switched on. This function can be switched off
by pressing button9 if necessary
(
page 189).
189 Controls in detail
Climate control
Deactivating
Press button, (page 183) once
more.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Air conditioning
The cooling function, only operational
when the engine is running, cools the
vehicle interior down to the selected
temperature. The cooling function also
dehumidifies the air in the vehicle interior,
thus preventing the windows from fogging
up.Deactivating
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 button9 (page 183).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
The cooling function switches off after
a short delay.iThe air recirculation mode is deactivated
automatically:
after 5 minutes if the outside temperature is
below approximately 41°F (5°C)
after 5 minutes if the air conditioning is
turned off
after 30 minutes if the outside temperature
is above approximately 41°F (5°C)
iCondensation may drip out from underneath
the vehicle. This is normal and not an indication
of a malfunction.
Warning!G
If you turn off the cooling function, the inte-
rior air is not dried. The windows can fog up
more quickly. Window fogging may impair
visibility and endanger you and others.
190 Controls in detail
Climate control
Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
Press button9 (page 183) once
more.
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.
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.Activating
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 or1 (
page 39).
or
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Press button9 (page 183).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Deactivating
Press button9 (page 183) once
more.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.!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 Light Truck Center.
iHow long the system will provide heating
depends on
the coolant temperature
the battery voltage
Regardless of the temperature and air volume
set on the climate control panel, an interior
temperature is aimed at by 72°F (22°C) and the
blower runs on low speed to protect the vehicle
battery.
iThe residual heat is automatically turned off:
when the ignition is switched on
after about 30 minutes
if the coolant temperature is too low
if the battery voltage drops
198 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Setting current or higher speed
2Setting current or lower speed
3Canceling cruise control
4Resuming to last speed set
Setting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1 or depress in
direction of arrow2.
The current speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The cruise control is activated.
Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
or
Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.Setting a higher speed
iOn uphill or downhill grades, the cruise
control may not be able to maintain the set
speed. Once the grade eases, the set speed will
be resumed.
!Moving the gear selector lever to neutral
positionN while driving also cancels the cruise
control. However, the gear selector lever should
not be moved to neutral positionN while driving,
except to coast when the vehicle is in danger of
skidding (e.g. on icy roads).
iThe last stored speed is canceled when you
turn off the engine.
Warning!G
If you increase the vehicle set speed, keep in
mind that it may take a brief moment until
the vehicle has reached the set speed.
Increase the vehicle set speed to a value
that the prevailing road conditions and legal
speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden and
unexpected acceleration of the vehicle
could cause an accident and/or serious in-
jury to you and others.
199 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Lift the cruise control lever in direction
of arrow1 and hold it up until the
desired speed is reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Setting a lower speed
Depress the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2 and hold it down
until the desired speed is reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly lift the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1.
Slower
Briefly depress the cruise control lever
in direction of arrow2.Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly pull the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow4.
The cruise control resumes to the last
speed set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After brief
acceleration (e.g. for passing), the cruise control
will resume the last speed set.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever to
decelerate, the transmission will automatically
downshift if the engine’s braking power does not
brake the vehicle sufficiently.
Warning!G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to the
preset speed could cause an accident
and/or serious injury to you and others.
221 Controls in detail
Useful features
Opening the ashtray
Briefly touch at top of cover plate3.
The ashtray opens automatically.
Removing the ashtray insert
Secure the vehicle from movement by
setting the parking brake.
Move the gear selector lever to neutral
positionN.
Now you have more room to take out
the ashtray insert.
Turn off the engine.4Sliding button
5Astray insert
Push sliding button4 to the right.
Ashtray insert5 disengages and
protrudes a short distance.
Remove ashtray insert5 from ashtray
frame in direction of the arrow.Reinstalling the ashtray insert
Push ashtray insert5 down into the
ashtray frame until it engages.
Push at top of cover plate3 to close
the ashtray.
Cover plate3 engages.
Ashtrays in the rear passenger
compartment
There is located one ashtray on each rear
passenger door.
1Cover
2Catch
3Ashtray insert
Warning!G
Remove ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. Set the parking brake to secure the
vehicle from movement. Move gear selector
lever to neutral positionN. With the gear se-
lector lever in neutral positionN turn off the
engine.
223 Controls in detail
Useful features
Electrical outlet
Power outlets are located
in the front passenger footwell
(
page 223)
in the rear passenger footwell
(
page 224)
on the left-hand side of the cargo
compartment (
page 224)Power outlet in front passenger
footwell
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Flip up cover and insert electrical plug
(cigarette lighter type).
!The lighter socket can accommodate
12 V DC electrical accessories (up to a maxi-
mum of 180 W) designed for use with the stan-
dard “cigarette lighter” plug type. Keep in mind,
however, that connecting accessories to the
lighter socket (for example extensive connecting
and disconnecting, or using plugs that do not fit
properly) can damage the lighter socket. With
the socket damaged, the lighter may no longer
be able to be placed in the heating (pushed-in)
position, or the lighter may pop out too early with
the lighter not hot enough.
To help avoid damaging the cigarette lighter
socket, we recommend connecting 12 V DC
electrical accessories designed for use with the
standard “cigarette lighter” plug type to the 12 V
power outlets (
page 223) in your vehicle
whenever possible.
iIf the engine is off, and the cigarette lighter
is being used extensively, the vehicle battery
may become discharged.
!If you use all power outlets in the vehicle,
make sure that the maximum current drawn
does not exceed 15 A.
iThe power outlets can be used to
accommodate 12 V DC electrical accessories
(e.g. auxiliary lamps) up to a maximum of 180 W.
If the engine is off, the battery may become
discharged if used for long periods of time.
N