john doe iii

I took my car in to the dealership to figure out how I can have the air/heater just blow on the bottom (foot area only)... so I adjust the display accordingly and it will blow down there but the upper vents are still on as well.

So when I got my vehicle back today, they told me "my car doesnt support that funtion"... in other words, there is not such thing as only having the lower vents on unless you manualy close the upper vents?????? Please tell me this is BS.. I have an 03 w211.

MB Fanatic

He is right. I can't get the W211 nor my old but not forgotten W210 to blow on the feet only. Must be a mercedes thing, but it doesnt bother me.

john doe iii

Then what is the point of those buttons that allow you to adjust where the air blows from?

AsianML

I think it's on all Mercedes. This happens on my ML too. Even though I have the vent thingy turned to blow to the feet all the way, some air will still blow to the top, but not a lot.

I believe the center console vents are slightly open and blowing regardless of the position of the switch. I haven't messed around with the switches in a while I can't really say about the other positions other than the feet and direct center console.

Can Drive 55

Strange, I am going to have to check this out.

jangy

The dealer told you the truth.

You have to manually turn off the upper vents if you want them to shut down completely. I agree it is a pain and takes control from the driver.

lkchris

Mercedes isn't going to let you go without any defrosting.

Is there something about this that hurts you?

epj1906

No so, the W220 S-Class has the option to direct the flow anywhere you want it. If you have the dual zone option, each passenger front and rear can control their air flow to a different place.

AsianML

Dad's friends S must be broken then. iirc, he had air blowing everywhere regardless of switch position.

SAguirre

I just noticed this on Sunday when I was driving and the outside temperature sank to -17F!!!!!!!!!!! My feet got a bit cold and the only way I could get the full power to the floor was to close the face vents manually. I kind of thought that this was normal because I remember having this issue on my parent’s MBs in the past.

My Audi can send the air anywhere, but you CAN NOT hit the recirculation air feature if the outside temp is colder than 41F. It also only lets you reticulate air if the A/C is on. That sucks too. The MB lets you recir. the air with or with out A/C, but it turns to fresh air a bit sooner when the outside temperature gets colder. There is no one car that has a perfect climate control system I think.

Steve