Center vent: heat or fresh air?
 

On every Benz I have owned, the center vent has given me either fresh or cold air. On my '98 ML320, the center vent blows hot air like all the other vents and I HATE IT. Are the center vents on the w163 supposed to do this, or is it not operating correctly (I hope)?

Can anyone tell me if this is normal operation or not?

I am not sure but a friend of mine has an ml430 and it's the same way. As far as I understand thats the new system on the ML, I am not sure but I think its working correctly. Hope this helps.

D***!

I hate that hot air. That's fine for my wife. It's never hot enough for her. But if I'm up front, I want some cool fresh air on my face. The darn baffle control has the vent on in all positions. I can't turn it off!

I see there is an ML forum. I'll confer with them.

On my 1991 300TE wagon I'm getting cold air out of both center vents, and warm air from the outboard vents. I thought there was a problem; maybe it's a feature?

Robert,
That's just how it works or should ( and intended by MB ).
About the ML, I don't know but normally I will be able to
check this up this evening : I will be seeing my mechanic
and ask him about.
Greetings, Danny.

According to the function description for the center vent, this is normal on the 163.



Joe

True dat!

No hot air on my W124 center vents...

But the R129 and W163 do blow hot air through the center vents!

I just aim the vents upward so the air gets to the rear compartment. The early MLs don't have the rear console vents like the 2K models, so its the only way I can keep my daughter comfy on cold days.;)

It would be nice if the selector switch had a position for floor and defrost only (no vent).

It's become very uncomfortable for me to drive this in the winter.

Only other thing you can do is turn the vent dial to the "0" position. That shuts the vent off completely...