cmaustin

I have the 4 zone AC and I can't get that "blow your face off" cold AC blowing. The car cools down ok but no strong breeze. How would you have it set if it's 90+ outside? e.g. What arrow do you point the controls at?

Also, why doesn't the recycle air stay on? Isn't that best? e.g. Cooling the inside cool air is better than cooling the outside hot air.

bmms8

the best way that we found is to turn on the A/C select the º and press auto, once you do that, auto will always be on, the auto light should be on for both the driver, and passenger, and on the screen, it will say auto, then it should be fine, my circ turns off also, i just turn it back on, i always keep the charcoal filter on also

voudou58

On all MBZ the recirculate function is designed to automatically turn its self off after approximately 30 minutes so that fresh air is allowed back into the cabin. This reduces any chance of carbon monoxide build up. MBZ HVAC is more sophisticated than lesser brands in that recirc does not necessarily cool the car any faster but keeps polluted air out of the cabin only. The active charcoal filter should always be left on because it allows fresh air into the cabin but reduces any contaminants. This filter is replaced as part of the free scheduled maintnence anyway, so leave it on. The sensors will automatically turn the recirc on if the sensors reach a threshold of pollutants coming through the HVAC intake plenum. Don't be alarmed by it's automatic function.

NitroShredder

That's funny. My salesman told me at delivery that I should NOT use the Microfilter button. He said it has a tendency to "clog" up and then needs to be replaced/serviced. Maybe it's the Houston air?? Or BS?

Thanks
Peter

ElDiabloJoe

Prolly the Houston air (competes with L.A. for worst smog in nation).

I put the charcoal filter on when I'm on the Fwy, in a largerly urban area, or on a heavily traveled secondary arterial roadway.

When I'm in suburbia, especially down around the coastal areas, I turn it off to get those nice fresh ocean breezes. 'cept during the Santa Ana winds, of course

EDJ

Double Eagle

I have found the Auto settings previously recommended are best; however, if you have your sun roof open in hot weather you may want to go to a temperature lower than 72 to cool it down fast.

I also leave the charcoal filter on all the time and plan to do so for at least the first four years when the filter replacement is free. Your salesman was correct about it clogging if you are in bad air, but that is EXACTLY what the filter was designed to do--FILTER OUT THE BAD AIR--I suggest you tell your salesman how to use the system in your part of the country with bad air and tell hjm to leave it on.

We also have a lot of bad air here in Southern California but the filter works great. In fact, two weeks ago, I was in Rocky Mountain National Park and they were having a controlled burn to remove some of the underbrush and the filter worked fine. I turned it off for a few minutes just to see if it was working and immediately smelled the burning wood but with it on, the air had little odor.

The AUTO function in the 2003 is far superior to any previous MB HVAC that I have seen. I've used mine set at 72 in temperatures as high as 112 and it's worked fine. Haven't had the opportunity to check it out at low temperatures yet so would be interested in hearing how you folks in cold climates find the AUTO setting to be.

cmaustin

What air directional setting do you all find the best?

bmw2mb

i set it on auto and point the vents away so the air does not blow directly on me.

akmal31

how abt a pic showing your settings?

bmms8

with auto on? or just using the knob to set the settings

LA320OWNER

How do you turn the charcoal filter on?
I was not aware that you had to proactivley do this !

bmms8

i believe it is only on the 500 models, but i may be wrong, if you have the upgraded A/C it is on the far right, left of the knob, and right of the blue arrow. it kind of shows two little boxes with air on it, if you have the standard 320 A/C, i am not sure where it is

slipnby

The 320 does not have the filter. The filter is available only with 4 zone systems.

LA320OWNER

Thanks all !
Just wanted to make sure I wasn;t going crazy.........
yet.

matt5555

I hate how MB cheapened out with the new E.

Both my '96 and '98 E320's had the charcoal filter.

When I asked my salesman about it, he told me they removed it. I didn't know that the 500 had it, nor did I know the 500 had the digital display too.

A bunch of things that used ot be on the E320 were removed, kind of sucks

bmms8

your right, MB cut corners with the new E, like the spare wheel, and other stuff, but they also added more stuff, more aluminum panels, the car is like 47% aluminum or something, plus SBC, and newer materials

bmw2mb

i'm glad to hear that others feel the same way...the e has many great features...but then you find out 'you dont' get this or that on a 50-60k car'! you have to spend 80k. bmw is doing the same with it's new 5 cheap interier controls

cmaustin

When I said "how to you set your ac", I was talking about the dial where you can set it to one of the arrows. Give me a break, not the vents.

ctouhey

I typically leave the air directional indicators at 9:00, which is full out the forward vents. The temperature is typically at 67 or 69, which is where I keep the thermostat in the house.

When I'm taking Mother somewhere, I change to bi-directional (3:00) or top only (12:00) on her side because she is sensitive to anything blowing on her head (she's old). However, I notice I get two circular fog spots on her side close to the dash. This is due to the high humidity outside, I'm sure. Once I drop her back at her place and set the directional control to 3:00 again, the moisture spots eventually disappear.

During light summer (winter in other parts of the country), I will use the 3:00 position occasionally.