oh its polished and waxed - 3 step mequiers this past weekend -6 hours haha

questions of the day
I know where the cabin filter is but the manual refers to a charchol filter - location?

and

Key fob - this massive unit - I think I understand how they work. Pretty reliable , Scary to think you cant ssart your car if the key cant talk to the computer in the car.... I travel a lot and just thinking out loud - thoughts , real life experiences?

I've not changed the charcoal filter in a 210 but understand it is buried quite deep in the dash and is not a lot of fun to change out. Given that it is not normally in the airflow path there isn't much value in swapping it.

The key will start the car even if the battery in it dies. The battery powers only the remote lock/unlock function.

MP,
I use the WIZARDS car care product line since none of their products use petroleum distillates that put off fumes that bother my lungs, unlike Mequiar's oily stuff! 3 steps?! No way - I use WIZARDS Mist N Shine pics below. Simply wash/chamois car, then spray n wipe == glossy finish. ONE step!

WIZARDS MIST N SHINE - ONE-STEP CAR PAINT FINISH PICS BELOW:


Of the two key fobs my car came with, I exclusively have used just one of them, storing the second in my home. The original fob's battery is still working well after 14 years, but the unused one's battery does not have power.:confused: Have you located the black lightweight fob called the valet key fob, that should have come with the car? I use it when I fly as I leave the electronic fob in the trunk at the park and fly lot - presumably for my heirs to find, if the plane goes down. (Always thinking ahead here;))

KEY FOB pics below including "valet" key FOB....

I've not changed the charcoal filter on my '99 either. However, I've never used the charcoal filter while driving, because I always want to preserve it for future use - in hindsight I should flip it on while in heavy urban traffic esp. in the summertime.

@ 100K miles, I have changed out the HVAC cabin MB filters. The twin, side-by-side fabric air filters located behind and under the glove box that you just pull out, after unscrewing 4 or so screws, to access. You have to pull out the glove box like you're stealing it! Ha! I thought I was going to hurt my car, but the glove box is 'wedged' into the cavity, and really needs a pull to get it out to access the air filters located on a tray.

I would flip the charcoal filter on when stuck behind a stinky car on Central Expressway. It really does work, you should try it sometime. It seems to have gone away on the 211 models though.

I-30/LBJ Frwy here for me.....:rolleyes:

The reason I've never used the charcoal cabin filtering is because I always wanted to extend something's life-span. My acquired discipline is to delay gratification.......to the point of never using it. With a 2008 E320 Bluetec 'in-shipment' from Southern Calif. right now to Texas, and a prospective buyer lined-up for the '99 E300, I guess I delayed gratification of using the cabin charcoal filtering system too long. Ha!

.......I wonder if the W211s have a charcoal-filtering system on 'all the time?' Hence - no dashboard HVAC switch on the W211s......?

thanks all, the part of the fob that starts the car , I realize needs no battery , but is it terchnology today that can still be counted on working?
never heard of the wizard stuff, I will check it out .
I doubt by the looks of this car that the charchol filter has been used . I do know the cabin filters were changed 5K ago or so
Thanks again

Well, as jcyuhn stated - the FOB will work, interact with it's computer 'chip' located in the 'tip' of the FOB to activate the car's 'match' in allowing the ignition to be turned? Stuff I didn't know about my '99, BTW.

RE: WIZARDS PRODUCTS
If you Google it, you can buy it on-line / 800 number from the manufacturer in Minneapolis, MN. They have a 'flashy' website.....very helpful/friendly CSR Customer Service Reps! (They talk funny being from Minn., but a treat to listen to their accent.....HA!)

Individual bottle pricing - as well as by the case 'dealer' pricing with free shipping if you buy like 3 or 5 cases - ask me know I know.....Ha! I bought three cases of Mist N Shine, but I'll use the stuff over time. They also sell by-the-gallon Mist N Shine, so that's cheaper to refill your 32 oz. spray bottle from the Gal.

I ran across their indy regional sales rep. in Baton Rouge, LA. years ago, and he turned me on to their products. They fired the guy in South Louisiana AFTER he built the territory from scratch for them, :mad: so they're weasels according to the rep I became pals with, but what can you say, unless you work for them.:o

I've had my '99 since it was new and have only replaced the key batteries a couple times over the years. I've had a few instances (unrelated to batteries) where the car did not initially recognize the key, so it wouldn't unlock the ignition. I would then remove the key, wait a few seconds and re insert it. I can only think of a handful of times over the years where I had to do this routine three times before the car would recognize the key and "clunk"- unlock the ignition. I'll take a good old fashioned stainless steel blade key any day of the week over all this electronic wizardry. Pretty soon my '99 will be gone and I'll be back to "blade key only" cars...

J.G.

On 211 chassis cars the cabin dust filter has moved under the hood. It's much easier and more convenient to change than the 210. MB specs a combination filter that has charcoal embedded in the filter element, so it does kinda/sorta have an always on function.

At least some of the 211 cars with the 4 zone climate control have additional charcoal filters located in the HVAC box. These are changed from inside the cabin, the passenger footwell lining must be removed. The 4 zone climate control is standard on the E500 and E55. Although it's optional on other models, I've never seen an E320/E350 or diesel equipped with it. Early model year 211 cars have a charcoal filter button just like the 210. On later model 211 cars this was replaced with the a/c button. What is not clear to me is whether lack of a button implies lack of charcoal filters?

At any rate, it's unlikely you need be concerned because your new Bluetec will almost certainly have the 2 zone climate control system.

You're probably right on this. I know the 040 black on the W124 chassis cars was single stage, but it doesn't make sense for the newer cars to not have a clear coat.

In a fit of maintenance energy I changed the charcoal filters on the 99 210. Not too hard - though easier if you're smaller than me. Getting yourself turned upside down in the footwell isn't pleasant. I should get one of the kids to do it next time.

The charcoal filters didn't seem dirty at all even though they were 12 years old. We don't press the charcoal filter button much, so that's probably why. I have started using it more.

Note to the wise re: the keys. I had one stop working recently. Just stopped for no apparent reason leaving me with only one key. I went to the dealer and quickly ordered another for nearly $300. Somewhat painful, but its the new design fob and makes it feel like a new car...!

My '93 124 in 147 arctic white was definately not clearcoat. If my bad memory serves it was for the '94 model year MB went to all water based paints; perhaps every color was clearcoated starting then? In the early 2000s MB went to the ceramic nanoparticle paints. My other 2006 E55 was 040 and it sure doesn't look like a clearcoat paint, though I have been told it is.

The charcoal filter is fairly easy to change. It is actually a pair of filters. It is accessed from the bottom of the HVAC housing. Drop the passenger side under dash panel by removing three screws and remove the footwell air outlet deflector. The filters are accessed by sliding the locks on the access hatches. Fairly obvious once you are in there.

you folks are a wealth of information.....:)
I sourced a CD changer today , looking forward to getting that in..:)

and I wish on this car there was a "back up " standard key to start ..oh well
Still loving the "new" benz. It is 27 years newer than my 72 450!

RE: "back up" key

MP,
The slender black hard plastic valet key fob is their answer to a back-up with this car I guess. But, I hear you......you'd like an actual metal 'key' to operate the ignition switch.

See above pics of the two different key fobs. BOTH key fobs (fat/valet) have a slide-out metal key to get in both the trunk, and the driver's door with a metal 'key,' presumably if your fat key fob's battery goes kaput.

Did your '99 not come with (skinny plastic valet fob) one?