rondocap

I recently changed my activated charcoal filter since it seemed old. What I noticed, is that I am not sure if they are always on - i.e there is a button on the climate control that shows an arrow/airflow into the filter, that seems to activate it.

Now, I am a bit confused. So they are off if the button isn't on, and if the button is on, what do they filter out exactly? Pollutants, smells, stuff like that? If the filter is left on off, it just will never do anything right? Or is it also a bit passive?

If someone could explain this to me I would appreciate it!

Edit: I read a bit in the manual, and it seems like the button must be on for it to work. Today I smelled a skunk, and I turned the button on, and pretty soon the smell went away!

Here's a new questions: Is it OK to keep it on all of the time? Recommended change is 60k miles, I wonder if that's with it always on..

my06clk

Just as you already figured out, it's just a secondary filtering system for the car. Actually very nice if you have allergies. Yes it's okay to keep it on all the time but I found that it get's a little stuffy when I use it all the time but that may just be a mental thing.

Texas993

Rondo,

I haven't look at my manual (traveling) - what is involved in changing the filter? How much?

Thanks!

Quadcammer

Filter is about $100 and changing it involves getting into the passenger side footwell and removing the underdash panels.

rondocap

Online the filter is about $100, from Mercedes it's $145 or so.

It's not that hard to change it out - basically it is under the passenger's footwell area. You remove the lower floor board covering, and the upper knee plastic. (In mine there was 1 screw and it just slid out.)

They will be vertical on the top - and you need to pull them down. I needed to get a bit upside down to do it, but if you mess around in there you will figure it out, and google a few DIY too with pictures.

MBtech1098

Also if you hold the activated charcoal or recirc button for about 3 sec. it will activate tunnel feature.

rondocap

What's the tunnel feature? I think if you hold it for 2 seconds the windows close up right? Or what did you mean?

MBtech1098

Yup, that is what that feature is called. If you press it again, all windows and sunroof will go back to their same locaion.

Il Capo

whoa nice! didnt know that, gonna go try it right now lol

rondocap

You learn something new with these cars even after you've had them for a while!