2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class climate control

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please
note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops (Y page 20). Overview of climate control systems
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
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 blocked filter replaced at a Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible. G
WARNING
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.
Automatic climate control controls the
temperature and the humidity in the vehicle
interior and filters undesirable substances
from the air.
The automatic climate control is only
operational when the engine is running 4
.
Optimum operation is only achieved if you
drive with the side windows and sliding
sunroof closed. i
Ventilate the vehicle for a brief period
during warm weather, e.g. using the
convenience opening feature ( Y page 69).
This will speed up the cooling process and
the desired vehicle interior temperature
will be reached more quickly.
i The integrated filter can filter out most
particles of

dust, and completely filters out
pollen. A clogged filter reduces the amount
of air supplied to the vehicle interior. For
this reason, you should always observe the
interval for replacing the filter, which is
specified in the Maintenance Booklet. As it
depends on environmental conditions, e.g.
heavy air pollution, the interval may be
shorter than stated in the Maintenance
Booklet.
4 The residual heat function can only be switched on/off if the ignition is switched off.104
Overview of climate control systems
Climate control

Control panel for dual-zone automatic climate control
:
To increase/reduce the airflow (
Y page 108)
To switch climate control on/off (Y page 106)
; To set the temperature, left (Y page 107)
= To set the temperature, right (Y page 107)
? To set the air distribution ( Y page 107)
A ª To switch the rear window defroster on/off (USA only) (Y page 109)
A £ To switch the rear window defroster on/off (Canada only) (
Y
page 109)
B To activate/deactivate cooling with air dehumidification (Y page 106)
To activate/deactivate the residual heat function ( Y page 110)
C To set climate control to automatic ( Y page 107)
D To activate/deactivate air-recirculation mode ( Y page 110)
E ¥ To defrost the windshield (USA only) (
Y
page 108)
E z To defrost the windshield (Canada only) (Y
page 108)Operating
the climate control system
Notes on using dual-zone automatic
climate control
The following contains notes and
recommendations on optimum use of dual-
zone automatic climate control. R
Activate climate

control using the à and
Á buttons. The indicator lamps above
the à and Á buttons light up.
R Set the temperature to 72 ‡ (22 †).
R Only use the "defrosting" function briefly
until the windshield is clear again.
R Only use "air-recirculation" mode briefly,
e.g. if there are unpleasant outside odors
or when in a tunnel. The windows could Operating the climate control system
105
Climate control Z

otherwise fog up as, in air-recirculation
mode,
no
fresh air is drawn into the vehicle.
R Use the residual heat function if you want
to heat or ventilate the vehicle interior
when the ignition is switched off. The
"residual heat" function can only be
activated or deactivated with the ignition
switched off.
R At very low temperatures, the rear window
defroster is only switched on once the
vehicle interior has warmed up. Activating/deactivating climate
control
Important information G
WARNING
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.
i Switch on climate control primarily using
the à button ( Y page 107).
Activating/deactivating X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X To switch on:
turn
control : clockwise to
the desired position (except position 0)
(Y page 105).
X The previously selected settings come into
effect again.
X To switch off: turn control : counter-
clockwise to position 0(Y page 105). Activating/deactivating the cooling
with air dehumidification function
Important information The cooling with air dehumidification function
is only available when the engine is running.
The air inside the vehicle is cooled and
dehumidified according to the temperature
selected.
G
WARNING
If you switch off the cooling function, 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.
Condensation may drip from the underside of
the vehicle when it is in cooling mode. This is
normal and not a sign that there is a
malfunction.
i The cooling with air dehumidification
function uses refrigerant R134a. This
coolant does not contain
chlorofluorocarbons, and therefore does
not damage the ozone layer.
Activating/deactivating !
If the cooling with air dehumidification
does not switch on, it is possible that the
climate control system has lost coolant.
Have the cooling with air dehumidification
checked at

a qualified specialist workshop.
X To activate: press the Á button.
The indicator

lamp in the Á button lights
up.
X To switch off: press the Á button.
The indicator

lamp in the Á button goes
out. The cooling with air dehumidification
function has a delayed switch-off feature. 106
Operating the climate control system
Climate control

Problems with the cooling with air
dehumidification function
If the indicator lamp in the
Á button does
not go out or flashes when switched on, the
cooling with air dehumidification function is
switched off
due to a malfunction. You can no
longer switch on the cooling with air
dehumidification function.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Setting climate control to automatic
G
WARNING
If you switch off the cooling function, 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.
In automatic mode, the set temperature is
maintained automatically at a constant level.
The system automatically regulates the
temperature of the dispensed air, the airflow
and the air distribution.
Automatic mode will achieve optimal
operation if cooling with air dehumidification
is also activated. If desired, cooling with air
dehumidification can be deactivated.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X Set the desired temperature.
X To switch on: press the à button.
The indicator

lamp in the à button lights
up. Automatic air distribution and airflow
are activated.
X To switch off: press the à button.
The indicator

lamp in the à button goes
out. Automatic air distribution and airflow
are deactivated. Setting the temperature
Different temperatures can be set for the
driver's and front-passenger sides. X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X To increase/reduce: turn controls ;
and
= clockwise or counterclockwise
(Y page 105).
Only change the temperature setting in
small increments. Start at 72 ‡ (22 †).
i If you

turn the temperature control on one
side of the vehicle fully clockwise or
counterclockwise, you will increase or
reduce the temperature on the other side
of the vehicle at the same time. Setting the air distribution
You can set the air distribution for the entire
vehicle.
The symbols for the air distribution have the
following meanings: Symbol Meaning
M
Directs the airflow through the
defroster vents to the
windshield and side windows
Q
Directs the airflow to the entire
vehicle interior
O
Directs the airflow through the
footwell and side air vents
P
Directs the airflow through the
center and side air vents
X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X Press the à button.
The indicator

lamp in the à button goes
out.
X Turn control ?(Y page 105) to the
corresponding symbol. The control can
also be turned to the area between two
symbols. Operating the climate control system
107
Climate control Z

Setting the airflow
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X Press the à button.
The indicator

lamp in the à button goes
out.
X To increase/reduce: turn control :
clockwise or counterclockwise
(Y page 105).
i The airflow from the rear-compartment
vents and the center vents is the same. Defrosting the windshield
You can use this function to defrost the
windshield or to defrost the inside of the
windshield and the side windows.
i You should only select the defrosting
function until

the windshield is clear again.
i When you switch on the "defrosting"
function using the ¥5
or z 6
button,
you cannot adjust any of the other settings.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X To switch on: press the ¥ 5
or z 6
button.
The indicator lamp in the ¥5
or z 6
button comes on.
The climate

control system switches to the
following functions:
R cooling with air dehumidification on
R high airflow
R high temperature
R air distribution to the windshield and
front side windows
R air-recirculation mode off
i If necessary,

also activate the windshield
defroster (Y page 108). X
To deactivate: press the ¥5
or z 6
button.
The indicator lamp in the ¥5
or z 6
button goes off. The previously selected
settings come into effect again.
or
X Press the à button.
The indicator

lamp in the à button lights
up. The indicator lamp in the z button
goes out. Airflow and air distribution are set
to automatic mode. Defrosting the windows
Windows fogged up on the inside X
Activate the defrosting function.
X If necessary, activate the windshield
heating (
Y page 108).
i You should only select this setting until
the windshield is clear again.
Windows fogged up on the outside X
Activate the windshield wipers.
X Close the center air vents.
When automatic air distribution is switched
off:
X Turn the air distribution thumbwheel to the
O or P symbol.
i You should only select this setting until
the windshield is clear again.
X If necessary, activate the windshield
heating (Y page 108). Switching the windshield defroster
on/off
G
WARNING
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the windshield before driving.
5 USA only.
6 Canada only.108
Operating the climate control system
Climate control

Otherwise, your vision may be impaired,
which could endanger you or others.
i
At outside temperatures over
50 ‡ (10 † ) the windshield defroster
cannot be switched on. Indicator lamp ;
lights up briefly when you attempt to
activate it and then goes out again.
i The windshield defroster has a high
current draw. You should therefore switch
it
off as soon as the windshield is clear. The
windshield defroster switches off
automatically after ten minutes.
i If you switch on the windshield defroster
four times in a row, it switches off
automatically after five minutes.
i If too many electrical consumers are
switched on simultaneously and the
battery voltage is too low, indicator
lamp ; flashes in windshield defroster
switch :. After about 30 seconds the
windshield defroster switches off.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X Press button : on the windshield
defroster.
Indicator lamp ; lights up or goes out. Switching the rear window defroster
on/off
Activating/deactivating G
WARNING
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 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 defroster may switch off.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X To switch on, press the ª 7
or £ 8
button.
The indicator lamp in the ª7
or £ 8
button goes off.
Problems with the rear window
defroster If the indicator lamp in the
ª
7
or £ 8
rear window

defroster button flashes, the on-
board voltage is too low. The rear window
defroster has deactivated prematurely or
cannot be activated.
X Switch off any consumers that are not
required, e.g. reading lamps or interior
lighting.
When the battery is sufficiently charged,
the rear window defroster is activated
again automatically.
7 USA only.
8 Canada only. Operating the climate control system
109
Climate control Z

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. G
WARNING
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
z or ¥.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X To switch on: press the g button.
The indicator

lamp in the g button lights
up.
i Air-recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside
temperatures. When

air-recirculation mode
is activated automatically, the indicator
lamp in the g button is not lit.
Outside air is added after about 30
minutes.
X To switch off: press the g button.
The indicator

lamp in the g button goes
out.
i Air-recirculation mode switches off
automatically:
R after approximately five minutes if
outside temperatures

are less than 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 †) Activating/deactivating the residual
heat function
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 coolant temperature and
on the interior temperature that has been set.
i The blower will run at a low speed
regardless of the airflow setting.
i If you activate the residual heat function
at high temperatures, only the ventilation
will be activated.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock or remove it.
X To activate: press the Á button.
The indicator

lamp in the Á button lights
up.
X To switch off: press the Á button.
The indicator

lamp in the Á button goes
out.
i Residual heat is deactivated
automatically:
R after about 30 minutes
R when the ignition is switched on
R if the battery voltage drops
R if the coolant temperature is too low Setting the air vents
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
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 110
Setting the air vents
Climate control

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:
R keep the air intake grille on the hood free
of blockages, such as ice, snow or leaves
R never cover the air vents or air intake grille
in the vehicle interior.
i For virtually draft-free ventilation, adjust
the sliders of the air vents to the center
position. Setting the center air vents
Center air vents
:
Center air vent, left
; Center air vent, right
= Center vent thumbwheel, right
? Center vent thumbwheel, left
X To open/close: turn thumbwheels
=
and ? to the right or left. Setting the side air vents
Side air vents
:
Side air vent
; Swiveling side air vent
= Control for side air vent
X To open/close:
turn thumbwheel
=
to the
left or right. Setting the rear-compartment air
vents
X
To
open/close:
turn thumbwheel :
up or
down.
X To set the air direction: move slider ;
for the corresponding rear-compartment
air vent to the left, right, up or down. Setting the air vents
111
Climate control Z