Page 185 of 372
FunctionRecommendation/NotesGAir volume(Y page 189)HTemperature
control, driver’s side
iSet the temperature to 72‡ (22†).(Y page 186)3-zone automatic climate control
Canada only
FunctionRecommendation/NotesFront climate
control panel
:Air distribution and
air volume
(automatic mode)
iSwitch on the automatic mode. The
indicator lamp in button à comes on.
(Y page 186);Front defrosteriKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield and the front side windows are
clear again.
(Y page 189)=ZONE-function on/
off
(Y page 191)?DisplayAAir recirculationiOnly use this function for a short time,
e.g. in a tunnel. Otherwise, the windows
can fog up due to lack of fresh air.
(Y page 190)Climate control system183Controls in detail212_AKB; 2; 41, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-17T09:14:21+02:00 - Seite 183Z
Page 186 of 372

FunctionRecommendation/NotesBResidual heat/
ventilationi With the engine turned off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the
interior.( Y page 191)CA/C cooling on/offi
Switch on/off the air conditioning.(Y page 185)DRear window
defroster( Y page 191)EClimate control on/
offi Switch on/off the climate control
system.( Y page 185)FTemperature
control, passenger
sidei Set the temperature to 72‡ (22†).(Y page 186)GControls the climate
control
automatically
(FOCUS/MEDIUM/
DIFFUSE)HAir volume( Y page 189)IAir distribution(Y page 189)JTemperature
control, driver’s sidei Set the temperature to 72‡ (22†).(Y page 186)Rear climate
control panelKTemperature
control, raisingi Set the temperature to 72‡ (22†).(Y page 186)LDisplayMIncreasing air
volume( Y page 189)NDecreasing air
volume( Y page 189)OTemperature
control, loweringi Set the temperature to 72‡ (22†).(Y page 186)Notes on climate control system
The climate control system is operational
whenever the engine is running. You canoperate the climate control system in either
the automatic or manual mode. The system
cools or heats the interior depending on the
selected interior temperature.184Climate control systemControls in detail
212_AKB; 2; 41, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-17T09:14:21+02:00 - Seite 184
Page 187 of 372

It can only function optimally when you are
driving with the windows, the tilt/sliding
sunroof or tilt/sliding panel closed.
Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and odors
are filtered out before outside air enters the
passenger compartment through the air
distribution system.GWarning!
Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollution)
may require replacement of the filter before
its scheduled replacement interval. A clogged
filter will reduce the air volume to the interior
and the windows could fog up, impairing
visibility and endangering you and others.
Have a clogged filter replaced as soon as
possible at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the A/C mode ( Y page 185) is
deactivated.
GWarning!
Follow the recommended settings for heating
and cooling given on the following pages.
Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
XKeep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.
Do not obstruct air flow by placing objects on
the air flow-through exhaust slots below the
rear window.
i If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate the
interior before driving off, see “Summer
opening feature” (Y page 107). The climate
control will then adjust the interior
temperature to the set value much faster.
Deactivating the climate control
systemGWarning!
When the climate control system is
deactivated, the outside air supply and
circulation are also deactivated. Only choose
this setting for a short time. Otherwise the
windows could fog up, impairing visibility and
endangering you and others.
XDeactivating: Press button ^.
The indicator lamp above the button comes
on.XReactivating: Press button ^.
The indicator lamp above the button goes
out. The previous settings are once again
in effect.
or
XPress button Ã.
The indicator lamp above the button comes
on. Air volume and air distribution are
adjusted automatically.
Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while the
engine is running and cools the interior air to
the temperature set by the operator. In
addition, the air conditioning dehumidifies
the interior air and helps prevent window
fogging.
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.
i Condensated water may drip out from
underneath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.
Climate control system185Controls in detail212_AKB; 2; 41, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-17T09:14:21+02:00 - Seite 185Z
Page 188 of 372

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
186Climate control systemControls in detail
212_AKB; 2; 41, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-17T09:14:21+02:00 - Seite 186
Page 189 of 372

in small increments, preferably starting at
72‡ (22†).
XIncreasing/decreasing: Press rocker
switch E or H (Y page 181) up or down.
3-zone automatic climate control
You can set the air temperature for each of
the 3 zones separately. You should raise or
lower the temperature setting in small
increments, preferably starting at 72‡
(22†).
Front zones
XIncreasing/decreasing: Press rocker
switch F or J (Y page 183) up or down.
Rear zones
XIncreasing/decreasing: Press rocker
switch F or J (Y page 183) up or down.
Rear climate control
XIncreasing/decreasing: Press button K
or O (Y page 183).
Adjusting air vents
GWarning!
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 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
adjustment to direct the air to air vents in the
vehicle interior that are not in the immediate
area of unprotected skin.
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.
Climate control system187Controls in detail212_AKB; 2; 41, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-17T09:14:21+02:00 - Seite 187Z
Page 190 of 372

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.
188Climate control systemControls in detail
212_AKB; 2; 41, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-17T09:14:21+02:00 - Seite 188
Page 191 of 372

B-pillar air vents
Vehicles with 3-zone automatic climate control,Canada only
:Side air vent, adjustable;Thumbwheel for air volume control for
side air vent
XOpening/closing: Turn thumbwheel ; to
the left or to the right.
Adjusting air distribution
USA only: The symbols shown in display I
(Y page 181) on the climate control panel
represent the following functions:
Canada only: The symbols shown in
display ? (Y page 181) or (Y page 183) on
the climate control panel represent the
following functions:
SymbolFunction¯Directs air through the
defroster air vents to the
windshield and door windows
PDirects air through the center
and side air vents
SDirects air through the center
and side air vents and to the
footwells, USA only
bDirects air through the center,
side and defroster air vents to
the windshield and door
windows, Canada only
SymbolFunctionODirects air to the footwellsaDirects air through the
defroster air vents to the
windshield and door windows
and to the footwells
XUSA only: Press rocker switch F
(Y page 181) up or down until you have
select the desired setting and the
corresponding symbol is shown in display
I.
XCanada only: Press rocker switch F
(Y page 181) or I (Y page 183) up or down
until you have select the desired setting
and the corresponding symbol is shown in
display ?.
Adjusting air volume
Dual-zone automatic climate control
XDecreasing/increasing: Press rocker
switch G (Y page 181) up or down.
3-zone automatic climate control
XDecreasing/increasing: Press rocker
switch H (Y page 183) up or down.
Rear air volume control with the rear
climate control panel
XDecreasing/increasing: Press button M
or N (Y page 183).
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.
Climate control system189Controls in detail212_AKB; 2; 41, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-17T09:14:21+02:00 - Seite 189Z
Page 192 of 372

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.
190Climate control systemControls in detail
212_AKB; 2; 41, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-17T09:14:21+02:00 - Seite 190