W211 Centre Vents

[Brian WH]

You learn something about your car every day!

I had reason to take off the centre vent grill today, to sort out hard wiring my Sat-Nav. Anyway I noticed that the centre vent is just that, and after two + years of ownership I see how they work.

So for any W211/S211 owners here's how they work

This is the RH Vent Wheel fully closed. No air to Centre OR Lower Vents.

This is the RH Vent Wheel open only to the arrow. Allowing air to the Centre Vent AND to the Lower Vents.

This is the RH Vent Wheel fully open. Allowing Air to the Lower Vent ONLY and closing the Centre Vent

 

[fuzzer]

ohh , the old yin has the mod bug i thinks

 

[RichardM]

You should have read the manual when you got the car Brian! Its an easier way to learn how things operate than taking everything apart.

 

[Brian WH]

You should have read the manual when you got the car Brian! Its an easier way to learn how things operate than taking everything apart.

I did look mate, and it is not that clear in my manual. Just shows air flow diagram but not where to put the controls to get different settings.

 

[Satch]

Ah, now I know.

But what does the blue centre wheel actually do? Supposed to regulate fresh air distribution but does not seem to make a bit of difference on my vehicle

 

[RichardM]

It only makes a difference when you have the climate control in manual made (not Auto). If you switch it so that air is coming out of the face vents you can feel the change in temp as you move the wheel.

It is useless though as most people (including me) just leave it on auto, so the dial doesn't do anything. They have removed it from 2005 cars.