For best possible performance of the climate
control:
XKeep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow, leaves, sticks, and
any other debris.
XAlways keep all air vents and grilles in the
passenger compartment free from
obstruction.
iFor draft-free ventilation, move the
adjustable center and side air vents to the
middle position.
Center air vents
:Left center air vent, adjustable;Right center air vent, adjustable=Thumbwheel for air volume control for
adjustable right center air vent
?Thumbwheel for air volume control for
adjustable left center air vent
XOpening/closing: Turn thumbwheels =
and ? upward or downward.
Side air vents
Example illustration driver’s side
:Left side defroster air vent, fixed;Left side air vent, adjustable=Thumbwheel for air volume control for
adjustable left side air vent
XOpening/closing: Turn thumbwheel =
upward or downward.
Ventilated glove box
The glove box can be ventilated, for instance
to cool its contents, when the climate control
system is activated. The level of airflow to the
glove box depends on the airflow and air
distribution settings. The temperature of the
air is approximately the same as that of the
air flowing from the center air vents.
! Close the glove box air vent when heating
the vehicle interior. Activate the air
conditioning (cooling function) when the
outside temperature is high. Otherwise,
temperature-sensitive items stored in the
glove box could be damaged.
Climate control system193Controls in detail204_AKB; 5; 23, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T17:54:06+02:00 - Seite 193Z
:Thumbwheel;Air ventXOpening/closing: Turn thumbwheel :
clockwise or counterclockwise.
Rear center console air vents
:Thumbwheel for air volume control for
rear center air vents
;Right rear center air vent, adjustable=Left rear center air vent, adjustableXOpening/closing: Turn thumbwheel :
upward or downward.
Adjusting air distribution
The symbols shown in display G
(Y page 189) on the climate control panel
represent the following functions:
SymbolFunction¯Directs air through the
defroster air vents to the
windshield and front door
windows
PDirects air through the center
and side air vents
ODirects air to the footwellsNDirects air through the center
and side air vents and to the
footwells
_Directs air into the entire
vehicle interior (Canada only)
bDirects air through the center,
side and defroster air vents to
the windshield and front door
windows (Canada only)
aDirects air through the
defroster air vents to the
windshield and front door
windows and to the footwells
XPress button _ repeatedly until you
have select the desired setting and the
corresponding symbol is shown in display
G.
Adjusting air volume
XDecreasing/increasing: Press button
I or K.
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
front door windows.
194Climate control systemControls in detail
204_AKB; 5; 23, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T17:54:06+02:00 - Seite 194
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield or the front door windows are
clear again.XActivating: Press button ¬.
The indicator lamp in the button comes on.
The climate control switches to the following
functions automatically:
R cooling on to dehumidify
R most efficient blower speed and heating
power, depending on outside temperature
R air flows onto the windshield and the front
door windows
R the air recirculation mode is switched off
i You can adjust the air volume when the
front defroster is switched on.
XDeactivating: Press button ¬ again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes out.
The previous settings are once again in
effect. The cooling remains switched on.
The air recirculation remains switched off.
or
XPress button Ã.
The indicator lamp in button ¬ goes out.
Air volume and air distribution are adjusted
automatically.
i To deactivate defrosting, you can also
press button ^ or turn temperature
controls.
Windshield fogged on the outside
XSwitch the windshield wipers on
( Y page 96).
If the automatic mode of the climate control
is switched off:
XPress button _ repeatedly until one of
the following symbols appears in display
G (Y page 189) P or O .
Maximum cooling MAX COOL
MAX COOL is only available in U.S. vehicles.
MAX COOL is only operational when the
engine is running.
You can use this setting to provide the fastest
possible cooling of the vehicle interior (when
windows and tilt/sliding sunroof or tilt/
sliding panel are closed).XActivating: Press button Ù.
The indicator lamp in the button comes on.
The climate control switches automatically to
the following functions:
R maximum cooling
R maximum blowing power
R the air recirculation mode is switched on
XDeactivating: Press button Ù again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes out.
The previous settings are once again in
effect.
i To switch the maximum cooling function
off, you can also press button ^, Ã
or ¬ .
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.
GWarning!
Fogged windows impair visibility,
endangering 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 is activated, or press button
¬ .
XActivating: Press button g.
The indicator lamp in the button comes on.Climate control system195Controls in detail204_AKB; 5; 23, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T17:54:06+02:00 - Seite 195Z
iThe air recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside
temperatures.
The indicator lamp in button g is not lit
when the air recirculation mode is switched
on automatically.
A quantity of outside air is added after
approximately 30 minutes.XDeactivating: Press button g again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes out.
i The manually selected air recirculation
mode is deactivated automatically:
R after 5 minutes if the outside
temperature is below approximately
41‡ (5†)
R after 5 minutes if the air conditioning is
turned off
R after 30 minutes if the outside
temperature is above approximately
41‡ (5†)
Using driver-side settings for
passenger side
This feature is only available in Canada
vehicles.
You can use the settings of the driver’s side,
such as temperature, air volume and air
distribution, for the passenger side.
XActivating: Adjust the air temperature, air
volume and air distribution.XPress button ¸.
The indicator lamp in the button comes on.
The driver-side settings are used for the
passenger side.XDeactivating: Press button ¸ again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes out.Rear window defrosterGWarning!
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driving.
Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.
The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep the battery drain
to a minimum, switch off the defroster as
soon as the rear window is clear. The
defroster is switched off automatically after
some time of operation depending on the
outside temperature.
XSwitch on the ignition.XSwitching on: Press button ¤ on the
respective climate control panel.
The indicator lamp in the button comes on.XSwitching off: Press button ¤ again.
The rear window defroster switches off when
the battery voltage is too low. Too many
electrical consumers may be operating
simultaneously.
XSwitch off consumers that are currently not
needed if required.
Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Opening and closing
GObserve Safety notes, see page 54.GWarning!
When opening or closing the tilt/sliding
sunroof, make sure there is no danger of
anyone being harmed by the opening/closing
procedure.
The tilt/sliding sunroof is equipped with the
express operation and automatic reversal
function. If the movement of the tilt/sliding
sunroof is blocked during the closing
procedure, the tilt/sliding sunroof will stop
and open slightly.
196Power tilt/sliding sunroofControls in detail
204_AKB; 5; 23, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T17:54:06+02:00 - Seite 196
Zone map North America
Zone map South America
XPress button = approximately 3 seconds.
The currently selected zone appears in
compass display ;.
XSelecting zone: Press button = until the
desired zone is selected.
Do not press the button again until the
direction is indicated.
XCompass calibration: Make sure you are
in an area where you can drive a full circle
with your vehicle without disturbing traffic
in order to calibrate the compass.
In order to calibrate the compass properly,
mind the following:
RCalibrate the compass in open terrain.
Nearby buildings, bridges, power lines and
large antenna masts, for example, could
impair compass calibration.
RSwitch off electrical consumers (e.g.
climate control, windshield wipers, or rear
window defroster).
RClose all doors and the trunk.
XStart the engine.XPress button = approximately 6 seconds
until symbol C appears in compass
display ;.
XDrive a full circle at a vehicle speed of
between 3 mph (5 km/h) and 6 mph
(10 km/h).
When calibration was successful, the
current direction appears in compass
display ;.
Tele Aid
! In order to activate the Tele Aid system, a
subscriber agreement must be completed.
To ensure your system is activated and
operational, please press Information
button ï to perform the acquaintance
call. Failure to complete either of these
steps may result in a system that is not
activated.
If you have any questions regarding
activation, please call the Customer
Assistance Center at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372)
(USA only) or 1-888-923-8367 (Canada
only).
Shortly after the completion of your Tele Aid
acquaintance call, you will receive a user ID
and password in the mail. You may use this
password to access the Tele Aid section in
“Owner’s Online” at www.mbusa.com (USA
only). The “My Tele Aid” section will give you
Useful features211Controls in detail204_AKB; 5; 23, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T17:54:06+02:00 - Seite 211Z
Storing tires
! Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry place
with as little exposure to light as possible.
Protect tires from contact with oil, grease
and fuels.
Cleaning tires
! Never use a round nozzle to power wash
tires. The intense jet of water can result in
damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading is a U.S.
Government requirement designed to give
drivers consistent and reliable information
regarding tire performance. Tire
manufacturers are required to grade tires
based on three performance factors:
treadwear :, traction ;, and temperature
resistance =. Although not a Government of
Canada requirement, all tires made for sale in
North America have these grades branded on
the sidewall.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and
may vary from data shown in above
illustration.
Quality grades can be found, where
applicable, on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
TreadwearTractionTemperature200AAA
All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to
these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
U.S. Government test course. For example, a
tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction
GWarning!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
GWarning!
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction will
be substantially reduced. Under such weather
conditions, drive, steer and brake with
extreme caution.
244Tires and wheelsOperation
204_AKB; 5; 23, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T17:54:06+02:00 - Seite 244
normally be done every 3 to 5 months,
depending on the climate and washing
detergent used.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Cleaner
should be applied if the paint surface shows
signs of embedded dirt (i.e. loss of gloss).
Do not apply any of these products or wax if
your vehicle is parked in the sun or if the hood
is still hot.XUse the appropriate MB-Touch-Up Stick for
quick and provisional repairs of minor paint
damage (i.e. chips from stones, vehicle
doors, etc.).
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical components
and connectors from contact with water and
cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB
Anticorrosion Wax should be applied to the
engine compartment after every engine
cleaning. Before applying, all control linkage
bushings and joints should be lubricated. The
poly-V-belt and all pulleys should be
protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces of
road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, do not
forget to clean the inner sides of the wheels.
i Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of
water, and a SmartKey is within
approximately 3 ft (1 m) of the vehicle, it
could be inadvertently locked or unlocked.
Hand-wash
XDo not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight.XOnly use a soft, wet cloth or sponge to
clean the vehicle.XOnly use a mild vehicle wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.XThoroughly spray the vehicle with a
diffused jet of water.XDo not spray directly towards the
ventilation intake.XUse plenty of water and rinse the sponge
and chamois frequently.XRinse with clean water and dry with a
chamois thoroughly.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on the
finish.
Automatic car wash
You can have your vehicle washed in an
automatic car wash from the start. Brushless
car washes are preferable.
XTo protect the filter system, activate the air
recirculation mode using button g on
the climate control panel.
! Do not clean your vehicle in an automatic
touchless car wash which uses caustic
spray. Caustic spray will damage the paint
or ornamental moldings.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it before
running it through the automatic car wash.
! Make sure the combination switch is set
to wiper setting $. Otherwise, the rain
sensor could activate and cause the wipers
to move unintentionally. This may lead to
vehicle damage.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in
exterior rear view mirrors prior to running
the vehicle through an automatic car wash
to prevent damage to the mirrors.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
XWhen taking the vehicle through an
automatic conveyor-type car wash:
Make sure the automatic transmission
remains in neutral position N.
When leaving the automatic car wash, make
sure the mirrors are folded out.
262Vehicle careOperation
204_AKB; 5; 23, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T17:54:06+02:00 - Seite 262