It's confusing. I don't think the owner's manual helps.
You really only need to know 2 things about the levers.
Don't know about your Canadian model, but notice  the picture right on the
dash of the levers in the defrost setting - they are  right next to the fan
switch for the front heater .
In US models it's a federal requirement to have this picture of the levers
for Defrost - it's a safety thing. 
They show all levers to the full right, and fan on setting 2. 
So that's the first thing you need to know -all levers right for Defrost,
set fan as you wish. 
The only other mode I ever use is 'air to the floor' . 
To get that, put top lever to middle,
and the second from the bottom lever to the middle.
Set the second lever, the temp one, to whatever temp you want, between none
and max. 
You'll get foot heat or air this way. 
The bottom two levers control if air goes to the front, or some to the rear.
I just leave the bottom one full right. 
Scott
www.turbovans.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Bart Prinsen
Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2007 8:51 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: how to use heater controls on dash. '88 vanagon

I just bought an '88 vanagon and have spent the last couple days getting
used to it.

I am a little confused as to how the heater controls on the dash work. it is
4 sliding knobs. I have put them in farious configurations, but don't really
understand how it works. Can anyone help me out on this? I hope to get an
owners manual fairly soon and I think that may clear things up. I am going
on a trip in about a week and may not have the owners manual by then. If
anyone can explain how it works that would be great.

Bart Prinsen, Vancouver BC.