shahedC

Some observations:
* When I use the seat warmers, they warm up almost instantly.
* The AirScarf takes a little longer.
* BUT, the heated air from the vents take much longer, usually 10 - 15 minutes.

Here's the scenario:
* Outside: 50 degrees or less
* Inside: Temperature dial set to 74 degrees or higher (76 or even 80)
* Engine temperature: Reaches 90 degrees or higher fairly quickly

The Tele-Aid lady explained that the seat warmer has its own heating source, so that's why it gets warm fast. But why do my air vents take so long to give out hot air? Even the engine is already warm?

Is this normal?

Thanks,
shahedC

CalifSLK

The seat and airscarf heaters are electrical but the vents are heated by water. So the engine has to heat up the water first. Actually modern aluminum engines heat up much quicker than the older cast iron engines already.

shahedC

Oh ok.. well 15 minutes just seemed like an awfully long time. Maybe I should just sit and wait for the car to warm up first, instead of driving it cold.

I noticed that, when I speed up while the car is still warming up, the engine temperature actually shows a noticeable drop while I am speeding up. Maybe it's the rush of cold air blasting onto the car before I've given it a chance to warm up first...

Duo-Art

Sounds like the engine thermostat might be stuck in the open position.

shahedC

Really? What do I do to confirm/fix this? Do I have to take to the service center?

I just took it in for 1000-mile service...

shahedC

I could've sworn it took me 20 minutes before any warm air came out of the vents..!!

Again, everything else was warm:
* heated seats
* AirScarf
* engine internal

Heck, even the defroster was able to shoot out blasts of warm air... which I had to use because I was freezing...

How many minutes (if any) do you sit still in your car, after you start the car?

jbanks15

i would agree that something is wrong. my heater (when i would use it like in february) heats up in less than 5 mins or so.

shahedC

Thanks, I thought so.

Hopefully they can fix it quickly.

shahedC

Ynot

I agree, I let my engine run for 5 minutes before I hop in and drive, I have the heat running, heated seats, and airscarf on and feels like an oven in there. Have it checked out and make sure all vents are opened.

shahedC

The vents are open all right, because cool air is shooting out of it.

I called the Service dept today, and I have an appointment for Monday morning. They seemed to be confused about it too. They were not sure about the A/C button which says "REST" underneath the term "A/C".

It is red when lit, so is it ON when it is lit or OFF when it is lit? Apparently, the functionality was reversed in the 2007 model?

Also, is the "A/C" button for cold only or does it "condition" hot air as well?

What is supposed to happen when I turn up the temperature dial to "80" and leave the "A/C" button on?

jbanks15

if you leave ac button on and raise the temp to 80 it should get hot in the car. that is how i run it on chilly florida mornings. it was 55 today at 5 am and i pushed the auto ac and set both sides to 80 to get warm air cooking before returning it to its normal 72 position

shahedC

ok, that's what I thought.. but I still get cold air, and neither the Tele Aid lady nor the Service Dept guy could answer it over the phone.

They weren't sure if the A/C button is always cooling or just conditioning the air.

Besides, the Service guy on the phone even said that the air compressor is probably on, and that you have to turn it off with a button to get the cold air to stop.

I'll just wait till it's cold again (below 50 or 40), and I will just sit still in the car and see how long it takes to warm up.. I have yet to try this...

jbanks15

forgive me for saying this but have you checked the manual? i can point you to an online copy if you wish?

http://www.billsden.org/mercedes/slk/docs/#dtb

shahedC

LOL yes.. I have read it back to back.

It even recommends turning up the heat in small increments, which I tried as well.

So instead of starting off above 80, I tried starting at 72, then turning it up to 74, 76, and higher...

shahedC

So.. I finally took my car in to get the heating fixed last week.

What a nightmare...

* First, they "fixed" the problem, so I left the dealership with the heat at full blast.
* I parked in front of a restaurant and went inside for an hour.
* I came back to the car, to find the vents running at full speed, even though the key was in my hand. ???
* I turned the car on and drove straight to the dealership while burning up, because the heat was on at full blast.. couldn't turn it off...
* They kept the car for 2 more days, and installed something else, so that the heat was back to normal

The worst part was the lack of response from the service department. My service rep never calls me back, even when I leave messages.

In the end, I talked to the service manager who was more helpful, and actually took my calls and actually called me back.

This is my 2nd new Benz purchase from the same dealership, and the sales guy is excellent.. but I got stuck with the same service rep both times. I won't name him, but he shouldn't have the word "service" in his title.

Anyway... who here has had service from American Service Center in Arlington VA?

jbanks15

i had a bad rep and the next time i go in i ask for anyone but him. they have no issues with that.

RoadkingHI

Hopefully you got it fixed. I think all the high lights were hit but sure sounds like a possible thermostat but for sure a control problem.
A/C is kicked on automatically when you use the defrost to remove moisture in the air and you can leave it on and it will cycle for those medium days (as if I knew what that was!)

Different reasons but I just got off the phone with the dealer complaining about the service. Why can't good sales go with good service.
Interesting, I had several complaints about the service, the junky carwash that I told them NOT to do and overall stupid non-caring service rep. I get a call a couple of days later from dealer asking me to rate the service rep from one to 10. He didn't do well and after I told them the very low number she thanks me and says Mercedes may call me to rate the rep and asked that I give him good marks.
No concern as to why I rated him or my visit low, only what would I rate him at. I am willing to bet my name never gets turned into Mercedes....

shahedC

Well, that's what I thought as well when I first submitted a bad review.

I had the same service rep when I had the 2004 model since 2003, and got the same horrible service back then too. So, I filled out a review with honesty.

The rep actually called me personally to apologize and ask what he could do to improve his service. Afterwards, I actually got good service from him.

Fast forward to 2006, and I now have a new 2007 model, but the same service rep. I got really bad service (as I described in this thread), so I will be honest again in my next review.

I've already spoken to the manager about this, and will definitely ask for a different service guy next time.

After all, I had a very good experience during the sales process (both times, same salesman), and I expect (and deserve) a good experience during the service visits as well.

RoadkingHI

I agree. We spend the bucks and deserve the treatment!

I got a letter from the Asst. Service Manager hoping I will rate them EXCELLENT and if I can not he wants me to call..... now this is after they called me and asked the same thing. But at least the letter asks me to call him.
I will call.