Anyone have advice on daily use of the E series/ W210 climate control that can get me past the new user curve? If I turn it way down to LO I can get 35 degree air out the vents. If I set it to 76 after it cools down it is OK but say the sun goes behind clouds I find myself needing to turn the temp up a bit, then for some reason 4-5 mins later down a bit. (and always adjusting both sides and not sure if this is "best practice") I also note if it is a hot 98 degree day like we are having right now if I get in the car and leave it where it was comfortable last (76) it will not blow as cold of air out the vents when cooling down the first 5 mins as if I would turn the temps down to 65 or below. In closing I find myself yearning for some basic hot/ cold knobs like my F350 has.

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1996 E300D
1996 E320 Wagon 4MATIC
2003 Jetta TDI- GLS, 5-spd
1997 Passat TDI
2002 F350 Crew cab 4x4 Powerstroke
Jacobsen HR 15' cut ZTR w/ 80 HP Perkins diesel
Hustler 6' front deck with 28HP Kubota diesel

that setting both side to "auto" mode and then adjusting the temperature to where I want it to stay works best. My W210 system then adjusts the cold air feed and the blower speed to get there. The blower really blows until its reached the desired temperature. There is a little fan built into the overhead control pod which sucks in a sample of the inside air for the inside temperature sensor. Make sure that is working properly. You could use a candle flame to see if it gets pulled toward the fan vent.

You don't use a candle flame for that. You use a 1cm square piece of paper. The aspirator should hold the paper to the grille.