187 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
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 en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the ±mode is activated
(
page 194).
Warning!
G
When operating the automatic climate con-
trol, the air that enters the passenger com-
partment through the air vents can be very
hot or very cold (depending on the set tem-
perature). This may cause burns or frostbite
to unprotected skin in the immediate area of
the air vents. Always keep sufficient dis-
tance between unprotected parts of the
body and the air vents. If necessary, use the
air distribution controls (
page 190) to di-
rect 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
pages. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you
and/or others.
i
Severe 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. 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.
298 OperationVehicle careYou should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible.Vehicle washingHand-wash
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight.
Only use a mild car wash detergent,
which is recommended by
Mercedes-Benz.
Only use a soft sponge or a washing
brush.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a
diffused jet of water.
Direct only a very weak spray towards
the ventilation intake.
Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.
Rinse with clean water and thoroughly
dry with a chamois.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on
the finish.Automatic car wash
You can have your car washed in an auto-
matic car wash from the start. Automatic
car washes without brushes are
preferable.
To protect the filter system, switch the
automatic climate control to air
recirculation mode (
page 193).
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it be-
fore running it through the automatic car
wash.
!
When washing the vehicle, fine and rigid
particles in sponges or brushes could scratch or
otherwise damage the paint. This applies to
both, hand-wash or automatic car wash.
Mercedes-Benz recommends you to have your
vehicle cleaned at an automatic car wash from
the start, preferably one without brushes, or to
use plenty of water when hand-washing your
vehicle.
Do not wash the car in direct sunlight and when
the body surface is hot.
In the winter, remove salt residue quickly and
thoroughly.
!
Do not use scouring agents on these parts.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the vehicle.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the paint.
!
Do not clean your vehicle in an automatic
touchless car wash which uses caustic spray.
Otherwise, the caustic spray will damage the
paint or ornamental moldings.
Do not choose final hot-wax conservation when
taking the vehicle to an automatic car wash.
414 Index
First aid kit 356
Flat tire 365
Hazard warning flasher 111
Instrument cluster, Indicator
lamps 304
Roadside Assistance 16, 218
Towing the vehicle 373
Emission control 245
Information label 382
System warranties 14
Engine
Break-in recommendations 234
Cleaning 299
Compartment 250
Malfunction indicator lamp 29, 308
Number 382, 404
Poly-V-belt layout 383
Starting 47
Tachometer 29
Technical data 384
Turning off 56Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine oil 253, 395
Adding 254, 393
Additives 253, 395
Checking level 253
Consumption 253
Filler neck 253
Message in the multifunction
display 344
Recommended engine oils and oil
filter 395
Temperature 29
Oil temperature indicator 311
Viscosity 404
ESP
®
82, 84, 404
Messages in the multifunction
display 323
Resetting 323
Warning lamp 84, 304
ETD 75, 404
Safety guidelines 64
Exterior lamp switch 51, 106
Exterior rear view mirrors 44F
Filler neck, Engine oil 253
First aid kit 356
Flat tire 365
Preparing the vehicle 365
TIREFIT kit 365
Floormats* 227
Floormats* (Only Mercedes-Benz SLR
McLaren 722 S) 228
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 254,
393
Brake fluid 249, 393, 396
Capacities 393
Engine coolant 255, 394, 398
Engine oil 253, 393, 395
Power steering fluid 393
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system 257, 394
Fog lamps 109, 362
Message in the multifunction
display 346
Front air bags 65
Front lamps see Headlamps