Control panel for 3-zone automatic climate control
Canada only
Front control panel
:Sets the temperature, left (Y page 140)
;Defrosts the windshield ( Y page 141)
=Switches the residual heat function on/off ( Y page 143)
?Switches cooling with air dehumidification on/off ( Y page 137)
ASwitches the rear window defroster on/off ( Y page 142)
BSets the temperature, right ( Y page 140)
CSwitches the ZONE function on/off ( Y page 141)
DSwitches climate control on/off ( Y page 137)
ESets the air distribution ( Y page 140)
FIncreases the airflow ( Y page 141)
GReduces the airflow ( Y page 141)
HAdjusts the climate mode settings ( Y page 139)
IActivates/deactivates air-recirculation mode ( Y page 143)
JSets climate control to automatic ( Y page 139)
Rear control panel
KIncreases the airflow ( Y page 141)
LReduces the airflow ( Y page 141)
MDisplay
NReduces the temperature ( Y page 140)
OIncreases the temperature ( Y page 140)
136Overview of climate control systems
Climate control
Optimum use of dual-zone climate
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 à and
¿ buttons. The indicator lamps in the
à and ¿ buttons light up.
R In automatic mode, you can also use theñ 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
á 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 ECObutton ( Y page 154).
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
iSwitch on climate control primarily using
the à button ( Y page 139).
Switching on/off
X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the igni-
tion lock ( Y page 149).
X To activate: press the à button.
The indicator lamp in the à button lights
up. Airflow and air distribution are set to
automatic mode.
or
X Press the ^ button.
The indicator lamp in the ^ button goes
out. The previously selected settings are
restored.
X To deactivate: press the ^ button.
The indicator lamp in the ^ button 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 systems137
Climate control
closed when the controls on the side air
vents are turned downwards.
Adjusting
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the igni-
tion lock ( Y page 149).
X Press the _ button repeatedly until the
desired symbol appears in the display.
The indicator lamp in the à button 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 2 in the igni-
tion lock ( Y page 149).
X To increase/reduce: press the K or
I button.
iYou 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 the á button.
The indicator lamp in the á button 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 the á button.
The indicator lamp in the á button 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.
iYou should only select the "Windshield
defrosting" function until the windshield is
clear again.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the igni-
tion lock ( Y page 149).
X To activate: press the ¬ button.
The indicator lamp in the ¬ button 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 the ¬ button.
The indicator lamp in the ¬ button goes
out. The previously selected settings are
restored. Air-recirculation mode remains
deactivated.
or
Operating the climate control systems141
Climate control
XPress the à button.
The indicator lamp in the ¬ button goes
out. Airflow and air distribution are set to
automatic mode.
or X Turn temperature control : or B counter-
clockwise or clockwise ( Y page 133),
( Y page 136).
or
X Press the K or I 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 the Ù button.
The indicator lamp in the Ù button lights
up.
X To deactivate: press the Ù button.
The indicator lamp in the Ù button goes
out. The previously selected settings are
restored.
Defrosting the windows
Windows fogged up on the inside
X Activate the ¿ cooling with air dehu-
midification function.
X Activate automatic mode Ã.
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 ¬ "Windshield defrosting" function.
iYou 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 _ button repeatedly until the
O or P 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.
Switching on/off
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the igni-
tion lock ( Y page 149).
X Press the ¤ button.
The indicator lamp in the ¤ button lights
up or goes out.
142Operating the climate control systems
Climate control
Problems with the rear window defroster
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions
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.
Switching on/off
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the igni-
tion lock ( Y page 149).
X To activate: press the g button.
The indicator lamp in the g button lights
up.
iIn 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 g
button is not lit.
Outside air is added after about
30 minutes.
X To deactivate: press the g button.
The indicator lamp in the g button goes
out.
iAir-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.
iThe blower will run at a low speed regard-
less of the airflow setting.
iIf 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 systems143
Climate control
Switching on/off
XTurn the key to position 0 in the ignition
lock ( Y page 149) or remove it.
X To activate: press the Ì button.
The indicator lamp in the Ì button lights
up.
iIf the residual heat function is activated,
the windows may fog up on the inside.
X To deactivate: press the Ì button.
The indicator lamp in the Ì button goes
out.
iResidual 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
GWARNING
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.
iFor 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 : to the
left.
X To close the center air vents: turn the
adjuster in one of center air vents : to the
right until it engages.
Setting the side air vents
:Side window defroster vent
;Side air vent
X To open a side air vent: turn the adjuster
in the side air vent ; to the left.
X To close a side air vent: turn the adjuster
in the side air vent ; to 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
144Setting the air vents
Climate control
Ravoid 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 in the case of standing water, the water
level may be no higher than the lower edge
of the vehicle body
R you should drive no faster than at a walking
pace
Winter driving
GWARNING
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.
GDANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter thevehicle. 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.
For more information on driving with snow
chains, see ( Y page 335).
For more information on driving with summer tires, see ( Y page 334).
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section ( Y page 334).
174Driving tips
Driving and parking
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
GWARNING
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,
pay attention to the respective lowest val-
ues.
R The trailer drawbar load on the ball coupling
must be added to the rear axle load to avoid exceeding the permissible gross axle
weight. The permissible gross vehicle
weight is indicated on the identification
plate on the B-pillar on the driver's side of
the vehicle.
iMercedes-Benz recommends a trailer
load where the trailer drawbar noseweight
accounts for 8% to 15% of the trailer's per-
missible gross weight.
216Towing a trailer
Driving and parking