Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class: Operating the climate control system

Activating/deactivating climate control

Important information

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.

Switch on climate control primarily using the button ().

Activating/deactivating

• Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition lock.
• To switch on: press the button. The indicator lamp in the button lights up. Airflow and air distribution are set to automatic mode.

or

• Press the button. The indicator lamp in the button goes out. The previously selected settings come into effect again.
• To switch off: press the button. The indicator lamp in the button lights up.

Activating/deactivating cooling with the 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.

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.

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

The evaporator is ventilated when the airconditioning system is operated. The blower is activated automatically approximately one hour after the vehicle has been locked. The blower operates on the lowest level for 30 minutes. The noise from the blower is normal and is not an indication of a malfunction. If you unlock the vehicle during this time, the ventilation is interrupted. To conserve battery life, the evaporator is not ventilated automatically if the starter battery is weak.

X To activate: press the button. The indicator lamp in the button lights up.

X To switch off: press the button. The indicator lamp in the button goes out. The cooling with air dehumidification function has a delayed switch-off feature.

Problems with the cooling with air dehumidification function

When you press the button, the indicator lamp in the button flashes three times or remains off. You can no longer switch on the cooling with air dehumidification function.

X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

Setting climate control to automatic

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.

• Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition lock.
• Set the desired temperature.
• To activate: press the button. The indicator lamp in the button lights up. Automatic air distribution and airflow are activated.
• To switch off: press the button. or
• Press the or button.
  The indicator lamp in the 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.

• Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition lock.
• To increase/reduce: turn controls 1 and 8 clockwise or counter-clockwise (). Only change the temperature setting in small increments. Start at 72 F (22 C).

Setting the air distribution

Air distribution settings

Dual-zone climate control: the air distribution can be set individually for the driver's and front-passenger sides.

Directs air through the defroster vents

Directs air through the center and side air vents

Directs the airflow through the footwell air vents

Directs the airflow through the center, side and footwell air vents

Directs the airflow to the entire vehicle interior

Directs the airflow through the defroster, center and side air vents.

Directs air through the defroster and footwell vents

Regardless of the air distribution setting, airflow is always directed through the side air vents.. The side air vents can only be closed when the controls on the side air vents are turned downwards.

• Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition lock.
• Press the button repeatedly until the desired symbol appears in the display. The indicator lamp in the button goes out. Automatic control is deactivated and the air distribution is controlled according to the selected setting.

Setting the airflow

• Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition lock.
• To increase/reduce: press the or button.

Activating/deactivating the MONO function

This function is only available in vehicles for Canada.

You can use the MONO function to adopt the temperature and air distribution settings on the driver's side for the front-passenger side.

• Press the button. The indicator lamp in the button lights up or goes out.

Defrosting the windshield

You can use this function to defrost the windshield or to defrost the inside of the windshield and the side windows.

You should only select the defrosting function until the windshield is clear again.

• Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition lock.
• To activate: press the ¬ button. The indicator lamp in the ¬ button lights up.

The climate control system switches to the following functions:

• cooling with air dehumidification on
• high airflow
• high temperature
• air distribution to the windshield and front side windows
• air-recirculation mode off

• To switch off: press the button. The indicator lamp in the button goes out. The previously selected settings come into effect again. The cooling with air dehumidification function remains on. Airrecirculation mode remains deactivated.

or

• Press the button. The indicator lamp in the button goes out. Airflow and air distribution are set to automatic mode.

or

X Turn temperature control 1 or 8 clockwise or counter-clockwise ().

or

• Press the or 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 control switches to the following functions:

• maximum cooling
• maximum airflow
• air-recirculation mode on

• To activate: press the button. The indicator lamp in the button lights up.
• To deactivate: press the button again.

The indicator lamp goes out. The previously selected settings come into effect again.

Defrosting the windows

Windows fogged up on the inside

• Activate the cooling with air dehumidification function .
• Activate automatic mode .
• If the windows continue to fog up, activate the defrosting function ().

You should only select this setting until the windshield is clear again.

Windows fogged up on the outside

• Switch on the windshield wipers.
• Press the button repeatedly until the or symbol appears in the display.

You should only select this setting until the windshield is clear again.

Rear window defroster

Activating/deactivating

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.

• Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition lock.
• Press the button. The indicator lamp in the button lights up or goes out.

Problems with the rear window defroster

The rear window defroster has deactivated itself prematurely or cannot be activated.

• 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.

Activating/deactivating airrecirculation 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.

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 the button.

• Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition lock.
• To activate: press the button. The indicator lamp in the button lights up.

In the event of high pollution levels19 or at high outside temperatures, airrecirculation mode is automatically activated. When air-recirculation mode is activated automatically, the indicator lamp in the button is not lit.

Outside air is added after about 30 minutes.

• To switch off: press the button. The indicator lamp in the button goes out.

Air-recirculation mode deactivates automatically:

• after approximately five minutes if outside temperatures are less than about 41 F (5 C)
• after approximately five minutes if cooling with air dehumidification is deactivated
• after approximately 30 minutes if outside temperatures are over about 41 F (5 C)

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 temperature that has been set.

The blower will run at a low speed regardless of the airflow setting.

If you activate the residual heat function at high temperatures, only the ventilation will be activated. The blower runs at medium speed.

It is possible that the residual heat function may be activated automatically an hour after the SmartKey is removed. The vehicle is then ventilated for 30 minutes to dry the air-conditioning system.

• Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the ignition lock or remove it.
• To activate: press the button. The indicator lamp in the button lights up.
• To switch off: press the button. The indicator lamp in the button goes out.

Residual heat is deactivated automatically:

• after about 30 minutes
• when the ignition is switched on
• if the battery voltage drops
• if the coolant temperature is too low

Overview of climate control systems

Setting the air vents