Warm Air Through Vents
 

Just bought a 1978 280SL (Euro). Love the auto, but I don't have an operator's manual. Hot air blowing out through vents (it's early August in New England), and can't seem to figure out the controls. I have two levers side by side on each side of the dash that slide up and down. One marked red and one marked white for each side. I have a round motor control knob and another knob that I believe is for A/C. Also have a lever that must be for recirc or outside air. Is there a place to get an owner's manual or some kind of help on understanding my heating and ventilating controls? I feel like a fool asking for this, but my first buy of a German-made car. And I've fooled around enough to think that maybe it's not just the controls, but a bigger problem. Pretty sure the A/C isn't working. Maybe needs a new charge (or worse). Would that adversely affect my heating/ventilating? Any ideas? Thanks for help.

Not sure about how to work the air condition on that car, but if you call 1-800 for merc they should be able to set you up with an owner's manual for the car.

Thanks for tip on owner's manual. Took it to local mechanic and he says there is a valve right at the firewall that is opened or closed by vacuum. Mine was stuck open and the hot air was being forced through. He cut a piece of tube and bypassed the old vacuum for a quick fix. Totally solved heat problem. I will take it back to have a look at the vacuum and the A/C.