2008 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 Owner's Manual

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 pa rts 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 an d 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.
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185
Controls in detail
Climate control
Deactivating the climate control
system
Deactivating
Set air volume control
1 (page 183)
to position 0.
Reactivating
Make sure the ignition is switched on
(
page 39).
Set air volume control 1 (page 183)
to any speed.
The previous settings are once again in
effect. Operating the climate control system
in automatic mode
Activating
Press button
U (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 controls 2 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 button
U (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 controls 2 and 3
(
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 choo se this setting for a
short time. Otherwise the windows could
fog up, impairing visi bility 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 button 9 if necessary
(
page 189).
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186 Controls in detail
Climate control
Increasing
Turn temperature control2
and/or 3 (
page 183) slightly
clockwise.
The climate control system will
correspondingly adjust the interior air
temperature.
Decreasing
Turn temperature control 2
and/or 3 (
page 183) slightly
counterclockwise.
The climate control system will
correspondingly adjust the interior air
temperature.
Adjusting air distribution
Use air distribution control 4
(
page 183) to adjust the air distribution.
The following symbols are found on the
controls:
Press button U (page 183).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. The automatic air distribution con-
trol is switched off. The air distribution
is adjusted according to the currently
selected setting.
Turn air distribution control 4
(
page 183) to the desired symbol.
Adjusting air volume
Six blower speeds are available.
Press button U (page 183).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. The automatic air volume control
is switched off. The air volume is
adjusted according to the currently
selected setting.
Turn air volume control 1
(
page 183) to the desired blower
speed.
iIf you turn the temperature control fully
clockwise for one side of the vehicle, you are
increasing the temperature for the other side of
the vehicle as well.
iIf you turn the temperature control fully
counterclockwise for one side of the vehicle, you
are decreasing the temperature for the other
side of the vehicle as well.
SymbolFunction
aDirects air through the center,
side, and rear passenger
compartment air vents
ZDirects air to the windshield
and the side defroster air vents
bDirects air into the entire
vehicle interior
YDirects air to the footwells
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187
Controls in detail
Climate control
Adjusting air volume for the center air
vents
Opening the center air vents
Turn thumbwheel
5 and/or 8
(
page 182) to the right.
Center air vent 6 and/or7
(
page 182) is open.
Closing the center air vents
Turn thumbwheel 5 and/or 8
(
page 182) to the left.
Center air vent 6 and/or7
(
page 182) is closed.
Adjusting air volume for the side air
vents
Opening the side air vents
Turn thumbwheel 3 and/or a
(
page 182) to the right.
Side air vent 2 and/orb
(
page 182) is open. Closing the side air vents
Turn thumbwheel
3 and/or a
(
page 182) to the left.
Side air vent 2 and/orb
(
page 182) is closed.
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 button
0 orP
(
page 183).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The climate control switches to the
following functions automatically:

maximum blower speed and
heating power

air flows onto the windshield and
the front side windows (side air
vents must be open)

the air recirculation mode is
switched off
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield or the side windows are clear again.
iIf you have switched on the defrost function
using button 0 orP , you cannot make
any other settings.
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188 Controls in detail
Climate control
Deactivating
Press button0 orP
(
page 183) once more.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. Defrosting is switched off.
Windshield fogged on the outside
Switch the windshield wipers on
(
page 58).
If the automatic mode of the climate
control is switched off:
Turn air distribution control 4
to a orY (
page 183).
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 183).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
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 foggin g. If interior window
fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning (
page 189) is activated, or
press button 0 orP .
iThe air recirculation mode is activated
automatically 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 189) or the outside temperature is
below 41°F (5°C), the air recirculation mode will
not switch on automatically.
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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 button
9 (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 coo ling 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.
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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 he at produced by the
engine. Activating
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position
0 or 1 (
page 39).
or
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Press button 9 (page 183).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Deactivating
Press button 9 (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
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191
Controls in detail
Climate control
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents
The air conditioning for the rear passenger
compartment is contro
lled via the climate
control panel (
page 183).
The air vents for the rear passenger
compartment are located in the rear
center console.
1Thumbwheel for air volume control for
center air vents
2 Left center air vent, adjustable
3 Right center air vent, adjustable Adjusting air
distribution
Push the slide for the left center
vent2 or right center air vent 3 to
the left, right, up, or down.
The air flow is directed in the
corresponding direction.
Adjusting air volume
Turn thumbwheel 1 up.
The air volume is increased.
Turn thumbwheel 1 down.
The air volume is decreased.iThe temperature at the center air vents 2
and 3 for the rear passenger compartment is
the same as at the dashboard center air vents.
iFor draft-free ventilation, move the sliders
for the center air vents 2 and 3 upward.
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