The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs which
are harmful to the ozone layer.
Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air
conditioning. The interior air will then no
longer be cooled or dehumidified.
XPress button ¿.
The indicator lamp above the button goes
out.
The cooling function switches off after a
short delay.
Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the interior air with the air
conditioning.
XPress button ¿.
The indicator lamp above the button comes
on.
Automatic mode
When operating the climate control system in
automatic mode, the interior air temperature,
air volume and air distribution are adjusted
automatically.
In automatic mode, cooling with
dehumidification is switched on. This function
can be switched off if necessary.
GWarning!
If you deactivate the air conditioning, the
vehicle will not be cooled when weather
conditions are warm. The windows can fog up
more quickly. Window fogging may impair
visibility and endanger you and others.
Dual-zone automatic climate controlXSet the desired temperature
( Y page 186).XActivating: Press button Ã.
The indicator lamp above the button comes
on. The air volume and air distribution are
adjusted automatically.XDeactivating: Press rocker switch F or
G (Y page 181).
or
XPress button ¬ or button Ù (USA
only)
The indicator lamp above button à goes
out.
3-zone automatic climate control
XSet the desired temperature
( Y page 186).XActivating: Press button Ã.
The indicator lamp above the button comes
on. The air volume and air distribution are
adjusted automatically.XPress rocker switch G (Y page 183) up or
down and select the desired level.
The automatic air conditioning settings:
FOCUSAir flow high/air distribution via
the center and side air ventsMEDIUMAir flow medium/air distribution
via the center and side air ventsDIFFUSEAir flow low/air distribution via the
center, side and defroster air ventsXDeactivating: Press rocker switch H or
I (Y page 183).
The indicator lamp above button à goes
out.
Setting temperature
Dual-zone automatic climate control
You can adjust the air temperature on each
side of the passenger compartment. You
should raise or lower the temperature setting
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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.
: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=Rear climate control panel (3-zone
automatic climate control, Canada only)
?Left rear center air vent, adjustableXOpening/closing: Turn thumbwheel :
upward or downward.
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iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield or the front door windows are
clear again.XActivating: Press button ¬.
The indicator lamp above 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 ¬.
The indicator lamp above 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 above button ¬ goes
out. Air volume and air distribution are
adjusted automatically.
or
XDual-zone automatic climate control:
Press rocker switch E or H
( Y page 181) up or down.
3-zone automatic climate control: Press
rocker switch F or J (Y page 183) up or
down.
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 above 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 above the button goes
out. The previous settings are once again
in effect.
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 above the button comes
on.
i The 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.
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control. Other settings may result in
damage to your vehicle.
! Some tire sizes do not leave adequate
clearance for snow chains. To help avoid
serious damage to your vehicle or tires,
make sure the use of snow chains is
permissible as specified in the “Technical
data” section of this Operator’s Manual.
Snow chains should only be driven on snow-
covered roads at speeds not to exceed
30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains as soon
as possible when driving on roads without
snow.
Observe the following guidelines when using
snow chains:
R Use of snow chains is not permissible with
all wheel/tire combinations ( Y page 353).
R Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions.
! If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body
or axle components. The tires or the vehicle
could be damaged as a result.
R Only use snow chains that are approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Any authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center will be glad to advise you on
this subject.
R Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check local
and state laws before installing snow
chains.
R Do not use snow chains on the spare wheel.
i When driving with snow chains, you may
wish to switch off the ESC ( Y page 66)
before setting the vehicle in motion. This
will improve the vehicle’s traction.Winter driving instructionsGWarning!
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) gases may enter vehicle interior
resulting in unconsciousness and death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open
a window slightly on the side of the vehicle
not facing the wind.
GWarning!
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
GWarning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt
acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control or
DISTRONIC PLUS system under such
conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, shift
the automatic transmission to neutral
position N. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
i For information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains” ( Y page 252).
Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce the
normal brake effect.
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