Rear window defroster
Activating/deactivatingGWarning
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 heating has a high current
draw. You should therefore switch it off as
soon as the window is clear as it only switches
off automatically after several minutes.
If the battery voltage is too low, the rear
window heating may switch off.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XPress the ¤ rocker switch up or down.
The indicator lamp in the ¤ rocker
switch lights up or goes out.
Problems with the rear window heating
The rear window heating has deactivated
itself prematurely or cannot be activated.
XSwitch off any consumers that are not
required, e.g. reading lamps or interior
lighting.
When the battery is sufficiently charged,
the rear window heating is activated again
automatically.
Activating/deactivating air-
recirculation mode
You can deactivate the flow of fresh air if
unpleasant odors are entering the vehicle
from outside. The air already inside the
vehicle will then be recirculated.
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 the ¬
button.XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XTo activate: press the g rocker switch
up or down.
The indicator lamp in the g rocker
switch lights up.
i Air-recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside
temperatures. The indicator lamp in the
g rocker switch is not lit when
automatic air-recirculation mode is
activated.
Outside air is added after about 30
minutes.
X To deactivate: press the g rocker
switch up or down.
The indicator lamp in the g rocker
switch goes out.
i Air-recirculation mode switches off
automatically:
R after approximately five minutes if
outside temperatures are under about
41 ‡ (5 †)
R after approximately five minutes if
cooling with air dehumidification is
deactivated
R after approximately 30 minutes if outside
temperatures are over about
41 ‡ (5 †)
Switching the residual heat on/off
It is possible to make use of the residual heat
of the engine to continue heating the
stationary vehicle for up to 30 minutes after
the engine has been switched off. The heating
time depends on the temperature that has
been set.
i The blower will run at a low speed
regardless of the airflow setting.
Operating the control systems261Climate controlZ
iIf you activate the "residual heat" function
at high temperatures, only the ventilation
will be activated. The blower runs at
medium speed.
XTurn the key to position 0 in the ignition
lock or remove it.
XTo switch on: press the Ì rocker
switch up or down.
The indicator lamp in the Ì rocker
switch lights up.
XTo switch off: press the Ì rocker
switch up or down.
The indicator lamp in the Ì rocker
switch goes out.
iResidual heat is deactivated
automatically:
Rafter about 30 minutes
Rwhen the ignition is switched on
Rif the battery voltage drops
Rif the coolant temperature is too low
Setting the air vents
Important safety notes
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
could 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.
In order to ensure the direct flow of fresh air
through the air vents into the vehicle interior,
please observe the following notes:
Rkeep the air inlet grille on the hood free of
blockages, such as ice, snow or leaves
Rnever cover the vents or air inlet and outlet
grilles in the vehicle interior.
iFor virtually draft-free ventilation, adjust
the sliders of the air vents to the center
position.
Setting the center air vents
:Fixed center air vent;Center air vent, right=Center vent thumbwheel, right?Center vent thumbwheel, leftACenter air vent, leftXTo open/close: turn thumbwheels =
and ? up or down.
Setting the side air vents
262Setting the air ventsClimate control
XTo open/close: turn thumbwheel = up or
down.
iSide window defroster vent : is never
completely shut, even if side air vent ; is
shut.
Setting the stowage-compartment air
vent
When automatic climate control is activated
the stowage compartment can be ventilated,
for instance to cool its contents. The level of
airflow 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 stowage compartment air vent
when heating mode is activated and
activate "cooling with air dehumidification"
if the outside temperature is high.
Otherwise, temperature-sensitive items
stored in the stowage compartment could
be damaged.
XTo switch the ventilation on/off: push
rocker switch down ; or up :.
Setting the air vent in the glove box
When automatic climate control is activated,
the glove box can be ventilated, for instance
to cool its contents. The level of airflow
depends on the airflow and air distribution
settings.
! Close the air vent when heating the
vehicle.
At high outside temperatures, open the air
vent and activate the "cooling with air
dehumidification" function. Otherwise,
temperature-sensitive items stored in the
glove box could be damaged.
XTo open: turn thumbwheel : counter-
clockwise from position 3 to position 2.
XTo close: turn thumbwheel : clockwise
from position 2 to position 3.
Setting the rear-compartment air
vents
Setting the center vents in the rear
compartment
:Rear-compartment air vent, left;Rear-compartment air vent, right=Rear-compartment air vent thumbwheel,
right
?Rear-compartment air vent thumbwheel,
left
Setting the air vents263Climate controlZ
XTo open/close: turn thumbwheels =
or ? to the right or left.
i
Close the rear-compartment air vents
when heating mode is activated, as no
warm air flows through the rear-
compartment air vents in the basic heating
setting.
264Setting the air ventsClimate control
The COMAND display shows the Emergency
Call Activated message.
All important information on the emergency
is compiled, for example:
Rcurrent location of the vehicle (as
determined by the GPS system)
Rvehicle model
Rvehicle color
Rvehicle identification number
iIf the Emergency Call Activated
message appears in the COMAND display,
you cannot use other COMAND functions.
You can continue to operate climate
control via the automatic climate control
functions (Y page 257).
A voice connection between the Response
Center and the occupants of the vehicle will
be established automatically soon after the
emergency call has been initiated. If the
vehicle occupants are able to respond, the
Response Center will attempt to obtain more
detailed information on the emergency.
iIf no vehicle occupant answers, an
ambulance is immediately sent to the
vehicle.
GWarning
If the indicator lamp in the SOS button is
flashing continuously and there was no voice
connection to the Response Center
established, then the mbrace system could
not initiate an emergency call (e.g. the
relevant cellular phone network is not
available).
The message Call Failed appears in the
multifunction display for approximately
10 seconds.
Should this occur, assistance must be
summoned by other means.
iDuring the emergency call, the telephone
is switched off automatically. The
telephone must be switched back on for
further use.
Making an emergency callXTo initiate an emergency call
manually: press cover : briefly to open.
XPress SOS button ; briefly.
The indicator lamp in SOS button ;
flashes until the emergency call is ended.
XWait for the voice connection with the
Response Center.
XAfter the emergency call is ended, close
cover :.
GWarning
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle,
vehicle in a dangerous road location), please
do not wait for voice contact after you have
pressed the SOS button. Carefully leave the
vehicle and move to a safe location. The
Response Center will automatically contact
local emergency officials with the vehicle's
approximate location if they receive an
automatic SOS signal and cannot make voice
contact with the vehicle occupants.
Roadside Assistance call button
XOpen the stowage compartment under the
armrest (Y page 385).
Features393Loading, stowing and featuresZ
Tread wear
The tread wear 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 track. For example, a
tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government test track 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 conditions.
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. These grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on a wet surface 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.
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy
road is always lower than on dry road
surfaces.
You should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
the freezing point.
Mercedes-Benz recommends a minimum tire
tread depth of 1/6 in (4 mm) for all four winter
tires ( Y page 440) to maintain normal driving
characteristics in winter. Winter tires can
reduce the braking distance on snow covered
surfaces in comparison to summer tires. The
braking distance is still much further than on
surfaces that are not icy or snowy. Take
appropriate care when driving.
! Avoid wheelspin. This can lead to damage
to the drive train.
Temperature
GWarning
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
The temperature grades are A (the highest),
B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to
the build up of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life. Furthermore, excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. Grade C
corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.
109. Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Tire labeling
Tire labeling overview
The following markings are on the tire in
addition to the tire name (sales designation)
and the manufacturer's name:
Tire labeling453Tires and wheelsZ