Mercedes C320 owner's manual: Deactivating the climate control system

Climate control

P83.30-4020-31

178

Climate control

Depending on production date, your vehicle is equipped with either climate control panel design A or B.

Climate control panel design A

Climate control panel design B

For draft-free ventilation, move the sliders for the air vents ②, ⑤, ⑥, and ⑨ to the middle position.

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Climate control

The climate control is operational whenever the engine is running. You can operate the climate control system in either the automatic or manual mode. The system cools or heats the interior depending on the selected interior temperature and the current outside temperature.

Warning!

When operating the climate control, the air that enters the passenger compartment through the air vents in the footwell can be very hot or very cold (depending on the set temperature). This may cause burns or frostbite on unprotected skin in the immediate area of the air vents. Always keep sufficient distance between unprotected parts of the body and the footwell air vents. If necessary, change the air flow using the air distribution controls to direct the air away from the footwell air vents (▷ page 182).

Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and odors are filtered out before outside air enters the passenger compartment through the air distribution system.

The air conditioning will not engage (no cooling) if mode ACOFF is activated or mode A/C is deactivated (▷ page 185).

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.

Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollution) may require replacement of the filter before its scheduled interval. A clogged filter will reduce the air volume to the interior.

If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate the interior before driving off, see "Opening (Summer opening feature)" (▷ page 247).

Keep the air intake grille in front of the windshield free of snow and debris.

Do not obstruct air flow by placing objects on the air flow-through exhaust slots below the rear window.

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Deactivating the climate control system

Deactivating

▶ Set air volume control ① (> page 179) to position 0.

When the air conditioning 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.

Reactivating

▶ Set air volume control ① (> page 179) to any speed.

Setting the temperature

Use temperature controls ② and (> page 179) to separately 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°F (22°C).

When operating the climate control system in automatic mode, you will only rarely need to adjust the temperature, air volume and air distribution.

Controls in detail

Climate control

Increasing

▶ Turn temperature control ② or ③ (> page 179) slightly to the right.

The climate control system will correspondingly adjust the interior air temperature.

Decreasing

▶ Turn temperature control ② or ③ (> page 179) slightly to the left.

The climate control system will correspondingly adjust the interior air temperature.

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Climate control

Adjusting air distribution and volume

Use air distribution control ④ (▷ page 179) to adjust the air distribution. The following symbols are found on the controls:

Use the air volume control ① (▷ page 179) to adjust the air volume. You can select between six air volume speeds.

Adjusting manually

• Press button AUTO (▷ page 179).

The indicator lamp on the button goes out.

• Select any of the six air volume speeds and the air distribution.

Adjusting automatically

• Press button AUTO (▷ page 179).

The indicator lamp on the button comes on. The temperature, air distribution and volume are adjusted automatically.

Windshield fogged on the outside

• Switch the windshield wipers on (▷ page 51).
• Switch to manual mode.
• Turn air distribution control ④ to or (▷ page 179).

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Climate control

Defrosting

These settings should only be selected for a short time.

Activating

▶ Press button or (▷ page 179).

The indicator lamp on the button comes on.

The air conditioning switches automatically to the following functions:

• maximum blowing and heating power
• air flows onto the windshield and the front side windows
• the air recirculation mode is switched off

Deactivating

▶ Press button or (▷ page 179).

The indicator lamp on the button goes out. Defrosting is turned off.

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Climate control

Air recirculation mode

Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle from the outside. This setting cuts off the intake of outside air and recirculates the air in the passenger compartment.

Warning!

When the outside temperature is below 41°F (5°C), only switch to air recirculation mode for short periods to prevent window fogging.

Window fogging may impair visibility and endanger you and others.

Activating

▶ Press button [icon] (▷ page 179).

The indicator lamp on the button comes on.

If you keep button [icon] pressed the side windows and tilt/sliding sunroof* will close.

Warning!

Never operate the side windows and the tilt/sliding sunroof* if there is the possibility of anyone being harmed by the closing procedure.

In the event that the closing procedure causes potential danger, the closing of the side windows can be immediately halted by pressing or pulling the respective window switch. The closing of the tilt/sliding sunroof* can be immediately halted by moving the tilt/sliding sunroof* switch in the overhead control panel in any direction.

The closing of the side windows and tilt/sliding sunroof* can be reversed by again pressing and holding the [icon] button.

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Climate control

i The air recirculation mode is activated automatically at high outside temperatures.

The indicator lamp on the [icon] button is not lit when the air recirculation mode is automatically switched on.

After approx. 30 minutes, outside air is added to the air inside the vehicle.

If you have turned off the air conditioning (▷ page 185) or the outside temperature is below 41°F (5°C), the air recirculation mode will not switch on automatically.

Deactivating

▶ Press button [icon] (▷ page 179). The indicator lamp on the button goes out.

i If you keep button [icon] pressed the side windows and tilt/sliding sunroof* will return to their previous position.

The air recirculation mode is deactivated automatically:

• after five minutes if the outside temperature is below approximately 41°F (5°C)
• after five minutes if the air conditioning is turned off
• after 30 minutes if the outside temperature is above approximately 41°F (5°C)

At outside temperatures above 79°F (26°C) the system will not automatically switch back to outside air. A quantity of outside air is added after approximately 30 minutes.

Air conditioning

The air conditioning is operational while the engine is running and cools the interior air to the temperature set by the operator.

i Condensation may drip out from underneath the vehicle. This is normal and not an indication of a malfunction.

Warning! If you turn 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.

185

Climate control

Deactivating It is possible to deactivate the air conditioning (cooling) function of the climate control system. The air in the vehicle will then no longer be cooled or dehumidified.

Climate control panel design A ► Press button AC$^{OFF}$ (▷ page 179). The indicator lamp on the button comes on. The cooling function switches off after a short delay.

Climate control panel design B ► Press button A/C (▷ page 179). The indicator lamp on 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 air with the air conditioning.

Climate control panel design A ► Press button AC$^{OFF}$ (▷ page 179). The indicator lamp on the button goes out.

Climate control panel design B ► Press button A/C (▷ page 179). The indicator lamp on the button comes on.

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 turned on again, this indicates that the air conditioning is losing refrigerant. The compressor has turned itself off.

Have the air conditioning checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

186

Climate control

Rear passenger compartment adjustable air vents

The air conditioning for the rear passenger compartment is controlled via the climate control panel (▷ page 179).

The temperature at the center air vents for the rear passenger compartment ① and ③ is the same as at the dashboard center air vents.

The air vents for the rear passenger compartment are located in the rear center console.

① Left center air vent ② Thumbwheel for air volume control for center air vents ③ Right center air vent

P83.00-2093-31

Adjusting air distribution

▶ Push the slide for the left center vent ① or right center vent ③ to the left, right, up, or down.

The air flow is directed in the corresponding direction.

For draft-free ventilation, push slides ① and upward.

Adjusting air volume

▶ Turn thumbwheel ② up or down.

The air volume is increased or decreased.

187

Automatic climate control*

P83.40-2823-31

188

Automatic climate control*

Depending on production date, your vehicle is equipped with either automatic climate control panel design A or B.

Automatic climate control panel design A

Automatic climate control panel design B

For draft-free ventilation, move the sliders for the air vents ②, ⑤, ⑥, and ⑨ to the middle position.

189

Automatic climate control*

i Feature availability is based on preliminary information at time of printing. The automatic climate control may not be available as optional equipment on all models.

The automatic climate control is operational whenever the engine is running. You can operate the climate control system in either the automatic or manual mode. The system cools or heats the interior depending on the selected interior temperature and the current outside temperature.

Warning When operating the automatic climate control, the air that enters the passenger compartment through the air vents in the footwell can be very hot or very cold (depending on the set temperature). This may cause burns or frostbite on unprotected skin in the immediate area of the air vents. Always keep sufficient distance between unprotected parts of the body and the footwell air vents. If necessary change the air flow using the air distribution controls to direct the air away from the footwell air vents (▷ page 192).

Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and odors are filtered out before outside air enters the passenger compartment through the air distribution system.

The air conditioning will not engage (no cooling) if the mode ACOFF is activated or mode A/C is deactivated (▷ page 198).

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.

i Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollution) may require replacement of the filter before its scheduled interval. A clogged filter will reduce the air volume to the interior.

If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate the interior before driving off, see “Opening (Summer opening feature)” (▷ page 247).

Keep the air intake grille in front of the windshield free of snow and debris.

Do not obstruct air flow by placing objects on the air flow-through exhaust slots below the rear window.

190

Automatic climate control*

Deactivating the automatic climate control system

Deactivating

It is possible to deactivate the automatic climate control system.

• Press button OFF (▷ page 189). The indicator lamp on the button OFF comes on. The automatic climate control system is deactivated.

When the air conditioning 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.

Reactivating

• Press button OFF (▷ page 189). The indicator lamp on the button OFF goes out. The automatic climate control system is reactivated.

Setting the temperature

Use temperature controls ③ and ⑬ for the left side or ⑥ and ⑪ for the right side (▷ page 189) to separately 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°F (22°C).

When operating the automatic climate control system in automatic mode, you will only rarely need to adjust the temperature, air volume and air distribution.

191

Automatic climate control*

Display

① Temperature, left
② Blower speed
③ Temperature, right

Increasing

▶ Push temperature control ③ and/or ⑥ (▷ page 189).
The automatic climate control system will correspondingly adjust the interior air temperature.

Decreasing

▶ Push temperature control ⑪ and/or ⑬ (▷ page 189).
The automatic climate control system will correspondingly adjust the interior air temperature.

Adjusting air distribution

Use the button AUTO for automatic mode or air distribution controls ① and ⑧ (▷ page 189) to separately adjust the air distribution on each side of the passenger compartment. The following symbols are found on the controls:

Adjusting manually

▶ Turn air distribution control ① or ⑧ (▷ page 189) to the desired symbol.
The indicator lamp on the button AUTO goes out.
The automatic air distribution is switched off. The air distribution is controlled according to the selected control setting.

Adjusting automatically

▶ Press button AUTO (▷ page 189).
The indicator lamp on the button comes on.
The air volume is controlled automatically for the entire vehicle, and the air distribution is controlled automatically for each separate half of the vehicle.

192

Automatic climate control*

Windshield fogged on the outside

• Switch the windshield wipers on (▷ page 51).
• Switch to manual mode.
• Turn air distribution control ① or ⑧ to [icon] or [icon] (▷ page 189).

Adjusting air volume

Use button AUTO for automatic mode or air volume controls [icon] or [icon] (▷ page 189) to adjust air volume manually.

Adjusting manually

Seven blower speeds are available.

• Press air volume control [icon] or [icon] (▷ page 189) until the requested blower speed is attained.

The indicator lamp on the button AUTO goes out.

The automatic air distribution remains switched on.

Adjusting automatically

• Press button AUTO (▷ page 189).

The indicator lamp on the button comes on.

The air volume is controlled automatically for the entire vehicle, and the air distribution is controlled automatically for each separate half of the vehicle.

193

Automatic climate control*

Defrosting

These settings should only be selected for a short time.

Activating

• Press button or (▷ page 189).

The indicator lamp on the button comes on.

The air conditioning switches automatically to the following functions:

• maximum blowing and heating power
• air flows onto the windshield and the front side windows
• the air recirculation mode is switched off

Deactivating

• Press button or (▷ page 189).

The indicator lamp on the button goes out. Defrosting is turned off.

The previous settings are once again in effect.

Maximum cooling MAXCOOL

If the left and right air distribution controls as well as the airflow volume control are set to AUTO (▷ page 189) and there is a high need for cooling, the display “MAXCOOL” appears.

This provides the fastest possible cooling of the vehicle interior (when side windows and tilt/sliding sunroof* are closed).

194

Automatic climate control*

Air recirculation mode

Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle from the outside. This setting cuts off the intake of outside air and recirculates the air in the passenger compartment.

Warning!

When the outside temperature is below 41°F (5°C), only switch to air recirculation mode for short periods to prevent window fogging.

Window fogging may impair visibility and endanger you and others.

Activating

▶ Press button (▷ page 189). The indicator lamp on the button comes on.

If you keep button pressed the side windows and tilt/sliding sunroof* will close.

Warning!

Never operate the side windows and the tilt/sliding sunroof* if there is the possibility of anyone being harmed by the closing procedure.

In the event that the closing procedure causes potential danger, the closing of the side windows can be immediately halted by pressing or pulling the respective window switch. The closing of the tilt/sliding sunroof* can be immediately halted by moving the tilt/sliding sunroof* switch in the overhead control panel in any direction.

The closing of the side windows and tilt/sliding sunroof* can be reversed by again pressing and holding the button .

The air recirculation mode is activated automatically:

• at high outside temperatures
• if the concentration of carbon mon-oxide and nitrogen oxide in the outside air increases, for example in a tunnel (charcoal filter must be activated for the air recirculation mode to be activated automatically)

The indicator lamp on the button is not lit when the air recirculation mode is automatically switched on.

After approx. 30 minutes, outside air is added to the air inside the vehicle.

If you have turned off the air conditioning (▷ page 198) or the out-side temperature is below 41°F (5°C), the air recirculation mode will not switch on automatically.

195

Automatic climate control*

Deactivating

► Press button (▷ page 189). The indicator lamp on the button goes out.

If you keep button pressed the side windows and tilt/sliding sunroof* will return to their previous position.

The air recirculation mode is deactivated automatically:

• after five minutes if the outside temperature is below approximately 41°F (5°C)
• after five minutes if the air conditioning is turned off
• after 30 minutes if the outside temperature is above approximately 41°F (5°C)

At outside temperatures above 79°F (26°C) the system will not automatically switch back to outside air. A quantity of outside air is added after approximately 30 minutes.

Charcoal filter

An activated charcoal filter markedly reduces bad odors and removes pollutants from air entering the passenger compartment. The charcoal filter can be activated or deactivated.

The system switches automatically to the air recirculation mode, if the

• carbon monoxide (CO) or
• nitrogen oxide (NO$_X$)

concentration of the outside air increases beyond a predetermined level.

The automatic air recirculation mode does not function if the AC$^{OFF}$ mode is activated (indicator lamp on button AC$^{OFF}_{REST}$ illuminated) or A/C mode is deactivated (indicator lamp on button A/C not lit), or if the outside temperature has fallen below 41°F (5°C).

196

Automatic climate control*

Activating

▶ Press button (▷ page 189). The indicator lamp on the button comes on.

ℹ If you keep button pressed the side windows and tilt/sliding sunroof* will close.

ℹ The activated charcoal filter should be switched off when windows fog up on the inside, or if the passenger compartment needs to be quickly heated or cooled down.

Warning!

Never operate the side windows and the tilt/sliding sunroof* if there is the possibility of anyone being harmed by the closing procedure.

In the event that the closing procedure causes potential danger, the closing of the side windows can be immediately halted by pressing or pulling the respective window switch. The closing of the tilt/sliding sunroof* can be immediately halted by moving the tilt/sliding sunroof* switch in the overhead control panel in any direction.

The closing of the side windows and tilt/sliding sunroof* can be reversed by again pressing and holding the button .

Deactivating

▶ Press button (▷ page 189). The indicator lamp on the button goes out.

ℹ If you keep button pressed the side windows an tilt/sliding sunroof* will return to their previous position.

197

Automatic climate control*

Air conditioning

The air conditioning is operational while the engine is running and cools the interior air to the temperature set by the operator.

Condensation may drip out from underneath the vehicle. This is normal and not an indication of a malfunction.

Warning!

If you turn 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.

Deactivating

It is possible to deactivate the air conditioning (cooling) function of the automatic climate control system. The air in the vehicle will then no longer be cooled or dehumidified.

Automatic climate control panel design A

► Press button AC OFF REST (▷ page 189). The indicator lamp on the button comes on. The cooling function switches off after a short delay.

Automatic climate control panel design B

► Press button A/C (▷ page 189). The indicator lamp on 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 air with the air conditioning.

Automatic climate control panel design A

► Press button AC OFF REST (▷ page 189) again. The indicator lamp on the button goes out. The cooling function is switched on.

Automatic climate control panel design B

► Press button A/C (▷ page 189) again. The indicator lamp on the button comes on. The cooling function is switched on.

198

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 turned on again, this indicates that the air conditioning is losing refrigerant. The compressor has turned itself off.

Have the air conditioning checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Residual heat and ventilation (available on automatic climate control panel design A only)

With the engine switched off, it is possible to continue to heat or ventilate the interior for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes use of the residual heat produced by the engine.

Activating

► Switch off ignition (▷ page 56).

► Press button AC OFF REST (▷ page 189).

The indicator lamp on the button comes on.

Controls in detail

Automatic climate control*

Deactivating

► Press button AC OFF REST (▷ page 189).

The indicator lamp on the button goes out.

The residual heat is automatically turned off:

• when the ignition is switched on
• after about 30 minutes
• if the battery voltage drops

i How long the system will provide heating depends on

• the coolant temperature
• the temperature set by the operator

The blower will run at speed setting 1 regardless of the air distribution control setting.

199

Automatic climate control*

Rear passenger compartment adjustable air vents

The air conditioning for the rear passenger compartment is controlled via the automatic climate control panel (▷ page 189).

The temperature at the center air vents for the rear passenger compartment ① and ③ is the same as at the dashboard center air vents.

The air vents for the rear passenger compartment are located in the rear center console.

P83.00-2093-31

① Left center air vent ② Thumbwheel for air volume control for center air vents ③ Right center air vent

Adjusting air distribution

▶ Push the slide for the left center vent ① or right center vent ③ to the left, right, up, or down.

The air flow is directed in the corresponding direction.

For draft-free ventilation, push slides ① and ③ upward.

Adjusting air volume

▶ Turn thumbwheel ② up or down.

The air volume is increased or decreased.

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