! Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the brakes
reduces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
i Once the vehicle is in motion, the
automatic central locking function engages
and the locking knobs in the doors move
down.
The automatic central locking function can
be switched off ( Y page 138).
Automatic transmissionGWarning!
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission out of park position P or neutral
position N if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
! Only shift the automatic transmission into
reverse gear R or park position P when the
vehicle is stopped. Otherwise the
automatic transmission could be damaged.
XDepress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever can now be used.XShift the automatic transmission into drive
position D or reverse gear R.
i
Shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P is only possible with the
brake pedal depressed.
Without the brake pedal depressed, the
gear selector lever can be moved up or
down. However, the parking pawl remains
engaged, not allowing shifting to occur.
XWait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.XIf engaged, release the parking brake.XRelease the brake pedal.XCarefully depress the accelerator pedal.
After a cold start, the automatic transmission
shifts at a higher engine speed. This allows
the catalytic converter (gasoline engine) or
the oxidation catalyst (diesel engine) to reach
its operating temperature earlier.
For more information on driving, see “Driving
instructions” ( Y page 259).
For information on off-road driving, see “Off-
road driving” ( Y page 262).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
R Gasoline engine: An ignition cable may be
damaged.
R The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.
R Gasoline engine: Unburned gasoline may
have entered the catalytic converter and
damaged it.
XGive very little gas.XHave the problem checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
The coolant temperature is above
248‡ (120†)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer cooling
the engine.
XStop the vehicle in a safe location as soon
as possible.XTurn off the engine immediately.XAllow the engine and coolant to cool off.XCheck the coolant level and add coolant if
necessary ( Y page 231).Driving and parking111Controls in detailX164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 111Z
Overview of climate control system functions and air vents
Your vehicle is equipped with either of the following climate control systems:
Climate control (Y page 175)3-zone automatic climate control
USA only (Y page 181)
Canada only (Y page 183)
The climate control combines an automatic
heating and ventilation system with a cooling
system. You can adjust the automatic
climate control separately for the driver’s
and passenger side.
The 3-zone automatic climate control
combines an automatic heating and
ventilation system with a cooling system.
You can adjust the 3-zone automatic climate
control separately for each zone in the
vehicle.
Rear automatic climate
control (Y page 185)
The rear automatic climate control allows
separate climate settings for the rear
compartment.
Air ventsGWarning!
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.
172Overview of climate control system functions and air ventsControls in detail
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Climate control
Control panel
FunctionRecommendation/Notes:Temperature control, driver’s
side
iSet the temperature to 72‡
(22†).
(Y page 178);Air distribution and air volume
(automatic mode)
iSwitches on the automatic
mode. The indicator lamp in
button à comes on.
(Y page 178)=Front defrosteriKeep this setting selected
only until the windshield or the
side windows are clear again.
(Y page 179)?Increasing air volume(Y page 179)AAir distribution (directs air
through the windshield and side
air vents)
(Y page 178)BAC cooling on/offiSwitches on the air
conditioning. The indicator
lamp in button Á comes
on.
(Y page 177)Residual heat/ventilationiWith the engine turned off, it
is possible to continue to heat
or ventilate the interior.
(Y page 180)Climate control175Controls in detailX164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 175Z
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 is deactivated
( Y page 177).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.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.
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
system
GWarning!
When the climate control system is switched
off, the outside air supply and circulation are
also switched off. 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 in the button comes on.XReactivating: Press button Ã.
i
You can also press button ^ on the
climate control panel.
If you press button ¦ to reactivate the
climate control system, the defrosting
mode is activated.
Deactivating the rear climate control
from the frontXDeactivating: Press button ±.
The indicator lamp in the button comes on.XReactivating: Press button ±.
The indicator lamp in the button goes out.
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 switch off 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 Condensation may drip out from
underneath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.
Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air
conditioning. The interior air will then no
longer be cooled or dehumidified.
XPress button Á.
The indicator lamp in 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 Á again.
The indicator lamp in the button comes on.Climate control177Controls in detailX164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 177Z
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs which
are harmful to the ozone layer.
! If the air conditioning cannot be activated
again, this indicates that the air
conditioning is losing refrigerant. The
compressor has turned off.
Have the air conditioning checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
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 switch off 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.
XSet the desired temperature
( Y page 178).XActivating: Press button Ã.
The indicator lamp in the button comes on.
The air volume and air distribution are
adjusted automatically.
i The settings for the passenger side are
also used for the rear passenger
compartment.
XDeactivating: Press button I or K .
The indicator lamp in button à goes out.
The automatic operation of air volume
switches off. The selected blower speed isshown in air volume display G
( Y page 175).
or
XPress air distribution button ¯, P , or
O .
The indicator lamp in button à goes out.
The automatic operation of air distribution
switches off.
Setting the temperature
You can adjust the air temperature on each
side of the passenger compartment. You
should raise or lower the temperature setting
in small increments, preferably starting at
72‡ (22†).
XIncreasing/decreasing: Turn
temperature control : and/or C
( Y page 175) slightly clockwise or
counterclockwise.
Adjusting air distribution
The air distribution can be adjusted manually.
The symbols on the buttons represent the
following functions:
SymbolFunction¯Directs air to the windshield and
side air ventsPDirects air through the center
and side air ventsODirects air to the footwells and
side air ventsXPress the desired air distribution button
¯ , P , or O .
The indicator lamp in button à goes out.
The automatic mode is switched off. Air
distribution is controlled according to the
desired button.178Climate controlControls in detail
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FunctionRecommendation/NotesBAC cooling on/offiSwitches on the air
conditioning. The indicator
lamp in button Á comes
on.( Y page 186)Residual heat/ventilationi
With the engine turned off, it
is possible to continue to heat
or ventilate the interior.( Y page 191)CTemperature control, passenger
sidei Set the temperature to 72‡
(22†).( Y page 187)DOperating the rear climate
control from the front( Y page 186)EAir distribution (directs air
through center and side air
vents)( Y page 188)FAir distribution (directs air
through the footwells and side
air vents)( Y page 188)GAir volume displayHDecreasing air volume(Y page 189)IRear window defroster(Y page 191)JAir recirculationi
Only 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)KInterior temperature sensorLClimate control on/offi
Switches on the climate
control system. The indicator
lamp in button ^ goes out.(Y page 185)1823-zone automatic climate controlControls in detail
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FunctionRecommendation/NotesFAutomatic climate control on/
offi Switches on the climate
control system. The indicator
lamp in button ^ goes out.(Y page 185)GAir distribution, passenger side
(directs air through the footwells
and side air vents)( Y page 188)HAir distribution, passenger side
(directs air through center and
side air vents)( Y page 188)IAC cooling on/offi
Switches on the air
conditioning. The indicator
lamp in button Á comes
on.( Y page 186)Residual heat ventilationi
With the engine turned off, it
is possible to continue to heat
or ventilate the interior.( Y page 191)JDisplayKDecreasing air volume(Y page 189)LAir recirculationi
Only 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)MAir distribution, driver’s side
(directs air through center and
side air vents)( Y page 188)NAir distribution, driver’s side
(directs air through the footwells
and side air vents)( Y page 188)OInterior temperature sensorPAdopting driver’s side settings
for all zones( Y page 191)1843-zone automatic climate controlControls in detail
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Rear automatic climate control:Increasing air volume;Temperature control=Air distribution and air volume (automatic
mode)
?Air distribution (directs air through the
side air vents)
AAir distribution (directs air through the
footwells and side air vents)
BRear automatic climate control on/offCDecreasing air volume
Notes on 3-zone automatic climate
control
With the help of a sun sensor, the automatic
climate control determines the relation of the
sun to the vehicle and automatically adjusts
the inside temperature for every individual
zone.
The automatic climate control is operational
whenever the engine is running. It cools the
vehicle’s interior according to the angle and
intensity of the sun’s rays, the outside
temperature and the selected temperature.
You can operate the automatic climate
control in either the automatic or manual
mode.
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 is deactivated
(Y page 186).
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.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.
iIf 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
system
GWarning!
When the climate control system is switched
off, the outside air supply and circulation are
also switched off. Only choose this setting for
a short time. Otherwise the windows could fog
up, impairing visibility and endangering you
and others.
Deactivating the front climate control
XDeactivating: Press button ^.
The indicator lamp in the button comes on.
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