climate settings MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2004 W163 Owner's Manual

136 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlThe automatic climate control is operatio-
nal 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 depend-
ing on the selected interior temperature
and the current outside temperature.
Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.Warning!
G
When operating the automatic climate con-
trol, the air that enters the passenger com-
partment through the air vents in the
footwell can be very hot or very cold (de-
pending 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 un-
protected 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 138).
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
iSevere conditions (e.g. strong air pollu-
tion) may require replacement of the fil-
ter 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.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.
Do not touch the interior temperature
sensor to maintain a precise tempera-
ture.
The set value is indicated by a lighted
segment on the control wheels.

137 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Automatic mode
Switching on
Briefly press buttonU
(page 135).
The indicator lamp comes on. The tem-
perature, air volume and distribution
are controlled automatically.

Adjust the temperature with the tem-
perature control4 (
page 135).
Temperature control is switched off in
the extreme position (blue or red dot).
Switching off

Briefly press buttonU
(page 135).
The indicator lamp goes out. The auto-
matic mode is switched off.
Air volume control1 is set to fan
speed 2 and air distribution is set
toV.Activating basic setting

Press buttonU at least
three seconds.
All functions are switched to automatic
mode and temperature is set to 72°F
(22°C).
Changing basic setting

Set temperature control4
(page 135) to desired temperature.

Press buttonU for ten seconds.
The selected temperature value is
stored and set.Adjusting air volume and air distribu-
tion manually
Adjusting air volume
Turn air volume control1 to one of
five air volume settings.
iAdjust temperature settings in small
increments.
iIf you turn air volume control1 or air
distribution control8 (
page 135),
the automatic mode switches off. The
indicator lamp in the buttonU goes
out. The temperature control will still
be in automatic mode.
iWhen set to 0 the system is fully deac-
tivated and no fresh air is supplied. This
setting should only be selected for
short periods of time.

138 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlAdjusting air distribution
Turn air distribution control8
(page 135) to one the following
symbols:
Windshield fogged on the outside

Switch the windshield wipers on,
(page 50).

Turn air distribution control8 toh
ork.
Defrosting
Activating
Press buttonP (
page 135).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Deactivating

Press buttonP again.
or

Press buttonU (
page 135).
The indicator lamp on the buttonP
goes out.
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.
Symbol
Function
h
Directs air to the center
and side air vents
j
Directs air to the wind-
shield and side air vents
V
Directs air into the en-
tire vehicle interior
k
Directs air to the foot-
wells and side air vents
iThese settings should only be selected
for a short time.
When the defrost setting has been se-
lected, only the rear window defroster
can be switched on. No other settings
are possible.
Warning!
G
When the outside temperature is below
41°F (5°C), only switch to air recirculation
mode for short periods to prevent window
fogging.