Page 227 of 570

226 Controls in detail
Climate control
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.Activating
Press button: (page 220).
The indicator lamp on the button 
comes on.DeactivatingPress button:.
The indicator lamp on the button goes 
out.
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 228) is activated, or 
press button0.
iThe air recirculation mode is activated auto-
matically at high outside temperatures.
The indicator lamp on button: is not lit when 
the air recirculation mode is switched on auto-
matically.
A quantity of outside air is added after approxi-
mately 30 minutes.
If you have turned off the air conditioning 
(
page 228) or the outside temperature is 
below 41°F (5°C), the air recirculation mode will 
not switch on automatically.
iTo cool the interior as fast as possible, the 
climate control automatically switches to air 
recirculation. The indicator lamp on button: 
is not lit when the air recirculation mode has 
been switched on automatically.
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 and 
air-drying are turned off
after 30 minutes if the outside temperature 
is above approximately 41°F (5°C) 
     
        
        Page 230 of 570

229 Controls in detail
Climate control
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
Switch off the ignition (page 39).
Press button9 (page 220).
The indicator lamp on the button 
comes on.
Deactivating
Press button9 (page 220) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes 
out.
Rear climate control*
The control panel for the rear climate 
control is only available if your vehicle is 
equipped with seat heating for the 
second-row seats*.
The control panel is located on the rear of 
the front center console.
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 tem-
perature 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 
     
        
        Page 231 of 570

230 Controls in detail
Climate control
Rear climate control panel
Activating rear climate control
Press buttonU.
The indicator lamp on the button 
comes on. The air volume and air distri-
bution are adjusted automatically.
Deactivating rear climate control
Press button´.
The indicator lamp on the button goes 
out.
The cooling function switches off after 
a short delay.
1Rear climate control on 
(automatic mode)
2Air distribution (directs air through 
the center air vents)
3Rear air conditioning off
4Air distribution (directs air through 
the footwells and side air vents)
5Right rear center air vent, adjustable
6Left rear center air vent, adjustable
iThe climate control must be switched on 
(
page 231).
iThe temperature is adjusted according to 
the settings for the front passenger side made 
on the front climate control panel (
page 223).
iSwitch off the rear climate control for 
improved cooling or heating output in the front 
passenger compartment.
You can also switch off the rear climate control 
from the front passenger compartment 
(
page 231). 
     
        
        Page 232 of 570

231 Controls in detail
Climate control
Operating from the front
Deactivating
Press button: on the front climate 
control panel (
page 220).
The indicator lamp on the button 
comes on.
Reactivating
Press button: on the front climate 
control panel (
page 220).
The indicator lamp on the button goes 
out. The rear climate control is 
adjusted automatically.Adjusting air distribution
Use the air distribution controls2 or4 
to adjust the air distribution for the rear 
passenger compartment.
The symbols on the controls represent the 
following functions:
Adjusting manually
Press the desired air distribution 
control2 or4.
The indicator lamp on buttonU 
goes out.Adjusting automatically
Press buttonU.
The indicator lamp on the button 
comes on. The air distribution is 
adjusted automatically.
Adjusting air volume
The air volume for the rear zone corre-
sponds to the air volume settings for the 
front passenger side. You can switch off 
the air supply for the rear zone.
You can switch off the supplied amount of 
air volume.
Press button´.
The indicator lamp on the button 
comes on.
SymbolFunction
ZDirects air to the center air 
vents
YDirects air to the footwells and 
the side air vents 
     
        
        Page 234 of 570
233 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
1Left side air vent, adjustable
2Thumbwheel for air volume control 
for left side and door air vent
3Left center air vent, adjustable
4Right center air vent, adjustable
5Thumbwheel for air volume control 
for left center air vent
6Thumbwheel for air volume control 
for right center air vent
7Thumbwheel for air volume control 
for right side and door air vent
8Right side air vent, adjustable
9Front passenger door air vent, fixed
aAutomatic climate control panel
bDriver’s door air vent, fixed
iFor draft-free ventilation, move the sliders 
for center air vents and side air vents to the 
middle position. 
     
        
        Page 235 of 570
234 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
1Temperature control, driver’s side
2Air distribution and air volume 
(automatic, manual)
3Air distribution, driver’s side
4Front defroster
0USA only
P Canada only
5Increasing air volume
6Rear window defroster
1 USA only
F Canada only
7Air distribution, passenger side
8Rear automatic climate control 
on/off
>USA only
™Canada only
9Temperature control, passenger side
aAutomatic climate control on/off
bAir distribution, passenger side
cAir distribution, passenger side
dAC cooling on/off 
Residual heat/ventilation
eDisplay
fDecreasing air volume
gAir recirculation
hAir distribution, driver’s side
jAir distribution, driver’s side
kInterior temperature sensor
lAdopting driver’s side settings for all 
zones 
     
        
        Page 236 of 570

235 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
The automatic climate control is a 3-zone 
intelligent automatic climate control 
system. Your vehicle interior is divided 
into 3 zones.With the help of a sun sensor, the 
automatic climate control determines the 
relation of the sun to the vehicle and auto-
matically adjusts the inside temperature 
for each individual zone.
The automatic climate control is oper-
ational whenever the engine is running. It 
cools the vehicle’s interior according to the 
angle and intensity of the sun’s rays, the 
outside temperature and the selected tem-
perature. You can operate the automatic 
climate control in either the automatic or 
manual mode.
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 243).
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 to 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 
controls (
page 234) to direct the air to air 
vents in the vehicle interior that are not in 
the immediate area of unprotected skin. 
     
        
        Page 237 of 570

236 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
Deactivating the automatic climate 
control system
Deactivating
Press button´ (page 234) until 
the displaye (
page 234) is cleared.
The indicator lamp on the button 
comes on.Reactivating
Press buttonU (page 234).Warning!G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing 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 254). The automatic 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.
Warning!G
When the automatic climate control system 
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.
iYou can also press button´ 
(
page 234) on the automatic climate control 
panel.
If you press button0 (
page 234) to reacti-
vate the automatic climate control system, the 
defrosting mode is activated.