Optimum use of 3-zone automatic cli-
mate control
Climate control system The following contains instructions and rec-
ommendations to enable you to get the most
out of your 3-zone automatic climate control.
R Activate climate control using the 0058and
005A buttons. The indicator lamps in the
0058 and005A buttons light up.
R In automatic mode, you can also use the
00F0 button to set the climate mode
(FOCUS/MEDIUM/DIFFUSE). The
MEDIUM level is recommended.
R Set the temperature to 72 ‡ (22 †).
R Only use the "Windshield defrosting" func-
tion 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 oth-
erwise fog up, since no fresh air is drawn
into the vehicle in air-recirculation mode.
R Use the ZONE function to adopt the tem-
perature settings on the driver's side for
the front-passenger side and the rear com- partment as well. The indicator lamp in the
00D6 button goes out.
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 deac- tivated with the ignition switched off.
ECO start/stop function During automatic engine switch-off, the cli-
mate control system only operates at a
reduced capacity. If you require the full cli-
mate control output, you can switch off the
ECO start/stop function by pressing the ECO
button (Y page 153). Operating the climate control sys-
tems
Switching climate control on/off
General notes When the climate control is switched off, the
air supply and air circulation are also
switched off. The windows could fog up.
Therefore, switch off climate control only
briefly
i Switch on climate control primarily using
the 0058 button (Y page 139).
Activating/deactivating X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (Y page 149).
X To activate: press the0058button.
The indicator lamp in the 0058button lights
up. Airflow and air distribution are set to
automatic mode.
or
X Press the 0078button.
The indicator lamp in the 0078button goes
out. The previously selected settings are
restored.
X To deactivate: press the0078button.
The indicator lamp in the 0078button lights
up. Activating/deactivating cooling with
air dehumidification
General notes If you deactivate the "Cooling with air-dehu-
midification" function, the air inside the vehi-
cle will not be cooled. The air inside the vehi-
cle will also not be dehumidified. The win-
dows can fog up more quickly. Therefore,
deactivate the cooling with air-dehumidifica-
tion function only briefly.
The "Cooling with air dehumidification" func-
tion is only available when the engine is run-
ning. The air inside the vehicle is cooled and Operating the climate control systems
137Climate control
closed when the controls on the side air
vents are turned downwards.
Adjusting X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (Y page 149).
X Press the 008Fbutton repeatedly until the
desired symbol appears in the display.
The indicator lamp in the 0058button goes
out. Automatic control is deactivated and
the air distribution is controlled according
to the selected setting. Setting the airflow
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (Y page 149).
X To increase/reduce: press the0097or
0095 button.
i You can use 3-zone automatic climate
control to set the airflow in the rear com-
partment separately.
If the battery is not sufficiently charged,
blower output may be reduced. As soon as
the battery is sufficiently charged, full blower output will be available. Switching the ZONE function on/off
This function is only available in vehicles for
Canada. X To activate: press the00D6button.
The indicator lamp in the 00D6button lights
up.
Dual-zone automatic climate control: the
temperature setting for the driver's side is
not adopted for the front-passenger side.
3-zone automatic climate control: the tem-
perature setting for the driver's side is not
adopted for the front-passenger side and
the rear compartment.
When you press the buttons for temperature, airflow or air distribution, the temperature setting on the driver's side is not adopted for
the other climate control zones.
X To deactivate: press the00D6button.
The indicator lamp in the 00D6button goes
out.
Dual-zone automatic climate control: the
temperature setting for the driver's side is
adopted for the front-passenger side.
3-zone automatic climate control: the tem- perature setting for the driver's side is
adopted for the front-passenger side and
the rear compartment. Defrosting the windshield
You can use this function to defrost the wind-
shield or to defrost the inside of the wind-
shield and the side windows.
i You should only select the "Windshield
defrosting" function until the windshield is
clear again.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (Y page 149).
X To activate: press the0064button.
The indicator lamp in the 0064button lights
up.
The climate control system switches to the
following functions:
R high airflow
R high temperature
R air distribution to the windshield and
front side windows
R air-recirculation mode off
If the battery is not sufficiently charged,
blower output may be reduced. As soon as
the battery is sufficiently charged, full blower output will be available.
X To deactivate: press the0064button.
The indicator lamp in the 0064button goes
out. The previously selected settings are
restored. Air-recirculation mode remains
deactivated.
or Operating the climate control systems
141Climate control
X
Press the 0058button.
The indicator lamp in the 0064button goes
out. Airflow and air distribution are set to
automatic mode.
or X Turn temperature control 0043or0084 to the
left or right (Y page 133), (Ypage 136).
or
X Press the 0097or0095 button. MAX COOL maximum cooling
The MAX COOL function is only available in
vehicles for the USA.
MAX COOL is only operational when the
engine is running.
When you activate MAX COOL, climate con-
trol switches to the following functions:
R maximum cooling
R maximum airflow
R air-recirculation mode on
X To activate: press the00C9button.
The indicator lamp in the button lights up.
X To activate: press the00C9button again.
The indicator lamp goes out. The previously
selected settings are restored. Defrosting the windows
Windows fogged up on the inside X
Activate the 005Acooling with air dehu-
midification function.
X Activate automatic mode 0058.
X Adjust the side air vents so that the warmed
air is directed to the side windows.
X If the windows continue to fog up, activate
the 0064 "Windshield defrosting" function.
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 Press the 008Fbutton repeatedly until the
009B or009C symbol appears in the dis-
play.
X Adjust the side air vents so that no air is
directed to the side windows. Rear window defroster
General notes The rear window defroster has a high current
draw. You should therefore switch it off as
soon as the rear window is clear. Otherwise,
the rear window defroster switches off auto-
matically after several minutes.
If the battery voltage is too low, the rear win-
dow defroster may switch off.
Activating/deactivating X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (Y page 149).
X Press the 006Cbutton.
The indicator lamp in the 006Cbutton lights
up or goes out. 142
Operating the climate control systemsClimate control
Problems with the rear window defroster
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions The rear window
defroster has deactiva-
ted prematurely or can-
not be activated. The battery has not been sufficiently charged.
X Switch off any consumers that are not required, e.g. reading
lamps, interior lighting or the seat heating.
When the battery is sufficiently charged, the rear window
defroster can be activated again. Activating/deactivating air-recircula-
tion mode
General notes You can deactivate the flow of fresh air if
unpleasant odors are entering the vehicle
from outside. The air already inside the vehi-
cle will then be recirculated.
If you switch on air-recirculation mode, the
windows can fog up more quickly, in particu-
lar at low temperatures. Only use air-recircu-
lation mode briefly to prevent the windows
from fogging up.
Activating/deactivating X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (Y page 149).
X To activate: press the0072button.
The indicator lamp in the 0072button lights
up.
i In the event of high pollution levels 10
or at
high outside temperatures, air-recircula-
tion mode is automatically activated. When
air-recirculation mode is activated auto-
matically, the indicator lamp in the 0072
button is not lit.
Outside air is added after about
30 minutes.
X To deactivate: press the0072button.
The indicator lamp in the 0072button goes
out. i
Air-recirculation mode deactivates auto-
matically:
R after approximately five minutes at out-
side temperatures below approximately
41 ‡ (5 †)
R after approximately five minutes if cool-
ing with air dehumidification is deactiva-
ted
R after approximately 30 minutes at out-
side temperatures above approximately
41 ‡ (5 †) if the "Cooling with air dehu-
midification" function is activated Activating/deactivating the residual
heat function
General notes The residual heat function is only available in
vehicles for Canada with 3-zone automatic
climate control.
It is possible to make use of the residual heat
of the engine to continue heating the vehicle
for approximately 30 minutes after the engine
has been switched off. The heating time
depends on the set interior temperature.
i The blower will run at a low speed regard-
less of the airflow setting.
i If you activate the residual heat function
at high temperatures, only the ventilation
will be activated. The blower runs at
medium speed.
10 3-zone automatic climate control only. Operating the climate control systems
143Climate control
Switching on/off
X
Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the igni-
tion lock (Y page 149) or remove it.
X To activate: press the004Bbutton.
The indicator lamp in the 004Bbutton lights
up.
i If the residual heat function is activated,
the windows may fog up on the inside.
X To deactivate: press the004Bbutton.
The indicator lamp in the 004Bbutton goes
out.
i Residual heat is deactivated automati-
cally:
R after approximately 30 minutes
R when the ignition is switched on
R if the battery voltage drops Setting the air vents
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Very hot or very cold air can flow from the air vents. This could result in burns or frostbite in the immediate vicinity of the air vents. There
is a risk of injury.
Make sure that all vehicle occupants always
maintain a sufficient distance to the air out-
lets. If necessary, redirect the airflow to
another area of the vehicle interior.
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 inlet between the windshield
and the hood free of blockages, such as ice, snow or leaves.
R never cover the air vents or air intake grilles
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
X
To open the center air vents: turn the
adjuster in one of center air vents 0043to the
left.
X To close the center air vents: turn the
adjuster in one of center air vents 0043to the
right until it engages. Setting the side air vents
0043
Side window defroster vent
0044 Side air vent
X To open a side air vent: turn the adjuster
in the side air vent 0044to the left.
X To close a side air vent: turn the adjuster
in the side air vent 0044to the right until it
engages. Setting the glove box air vent
When automatic climate control is activated,
the glove box can be ventilated, for instance
to cool its contents. The level of airflow 144
Setting the air ventsClimate control
Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning If water has accumulated to a certain depth
on the road surface, there is a danger of
hydroplaning occurring, even if:
R you drive at low speeds.
R the tires have adequate tread depth.
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or in
conditions in which hydroplaning may occur,
you must drive in the following manner:
R lower your speed.
R avoid ruts.
R avoid sudden steering movements.
R brake carefully.
Driving on flooded roads !
Do not drive through flooded areas.
Check the depth of any water before driving
through it. Drive slowly through standing
water. Otherwise, water may enter the
vehicle interior or the engine compartment.
This can damage the electronic compo-
nents in the engine or the automatic trans- mission. Water can also be drawn in by the engine's air suction nozzles and this can
cause engine damage.
Prevent water from entering the vehicle inte- rior or the engine compartment. If you must
drive through standing water, bear in mind
that:
R the maximum permissible fording depth in
still water is 12 in (30 cm)
R you should drive no faster than at a walking
pace Winter driving
G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip. There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface. G
DANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a quali-
fied specialist workshop at the onset of win-
ter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road
surfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and braking maneuvers. Do not use the cruise
control or DISTRONIC PLUS.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X Shift the transmission to position N.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges. The
vehicle could skid if you fail to adapt your
driving style. Always adapt your driving style
and drive at a speed to suit the prevailing
weather conditions.
You should pay special attention to road con- ditions when temperatures are around freez-
ing point. 174
Driving tipsDriving and pa
rking
R
When you couple up a trailer, check at reg-
ular intervals that the load is firmly secured.If the trailer is equipped with trailer lights
and brakes, check the trailer to ensure that
these are working.
R Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when driv-
ing without one. Avoid sudden steering
movements.
R The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering.
R If possible, avoid abrupt braking. Depress
the brake pedal moderately at first, so that the trailer can activate its own brakes. Thenincrease the pressure on the brake pedal.
R If the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears on uphill or downhill
gradients, shift to a lower gear using the
left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter.
A lower gear and lower speed reduce the
risk of engine failure.
R When driving downhill, shift to a lower gear
to utilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if
installed, the trailer brakes.
R If the coolant temperature increases dra-
matically while the air-conditioning system
is switched on, switch off the air-condition-
ing system.
Coolant heat can additionally be dissipated
by opening the windows and by setting the
blower fan and the interior temperature to
maximum.
R When overtaking, pay particular attention
to the extended length of your vehicle/
trailer combination.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer
combination, you require additional road
space in relation to the vehicle you are
overtaking, before you can change back to
the original lane. Decoupling a trailer
G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overrun brake is engaged.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the rebound- ing of the overrun brake.
X Make sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.
X Apply the vehicle's parking brake.
X Close all doors and the tailgate.
X Apply the trailer's parking brake.
X Remove the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer. Permissible trailer loads and drawbar
loads
Weight specifications The gross trailer weight is calculated by add-
ing the weight of the trailer to the weight of
the load and equipment on the trailer.
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (Y
page 381).
Loading a trailer R
When loading the trailer, make sure that
neither the permissible gross weight of the
trailer nor the gross vehicle weight is
exceeded. The permissible gross vehicle
weight is indicated on the identification
plate on the B-pillar on the driver's side of
the vehicle.
You can find the maximum permissible val-
ues on the type plates of your vehicle and
the trailer. When calculating how much
weight the vehicle and trailer may carry, 216
Towing a trailerDriving and parking
Displaying the assistance graphic
X
Press the 0059or0065 button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Assist.
Assist.menu.
X Press 0063or0064 to select Assist.
Assist.
graphic
graphic.
X Press the 0076button.
The multifunction display shows the DIS-
TRONIC PLUS distance display in the assis- tance graphic.
The assistance graphic displays the status of
and information from the following driving
systems or driving safety systems:
R DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 181)
R ATTENTION ASSIST (Y page 202)
R Lane Keeping Assist (Y page 205) or Active
Lane Keeping Assist (Y page 210)
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 73)
R Rear window wiper (Y page 127)
Activating/deactivating PRE-SAFE ®
Brake PRE
‑SAFE ®
Brake is only available in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
X Press the 0059or0065 button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the DriveAssist
DriveAssist menu.
X Press the 0063or0064 button to select
PRE-SAFE Brake
PRE-SAFE Brake. X
Press the 0076button.
The current selection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: press the0076
button again.
When PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is deactivated, the
assistance graphic shows the 00D4symbol
in the multifunction display.
If the PRE-SAFE Brake: Sensors Deacti‐ PRE-SAFE Brake: Sensors Deacti‐
vated vated message appears, the radar sensor
system is deactivated.
X Switch on the radar sensor system
(Y page 233).
For more information on PRE‑ SAFE®
Brake,
see (Y page 73).
Activating/deactivating ATTENTION
ASSIST X
Press the 0059or0065 button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the DriveAssist DriveAssistmenu.
X Press the 0063or0064 button to select
Attention Assist
Attention Assist .
X Press the 0076button.
The current selection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: press the0076
button again.
When ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated,
the 00D7 symbol appears in the multifunc-
tion display in the assistance graphics dis-
play.
For further information about ATTENTION
ASSIST, see (Y page 202).
Activating/deactivating Blind Spot
Assist X
Press the 0059or0065 button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the DriveAssist DriveAssistmenu.
X Press the 0063or0064 button to select
Blind Spot Assist
Blind Spot Assist .
X Press the 0076button.
The current selection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: press the0076
button again. Menus and submenus
229On-boardcompu ter and displays Z