
250 Manual transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Wa r n i n g !
For vehi cl es  eq ui pped w it h a  m an ual  tra ns mi s si on, 
getting out of your vehicle with the gearshift lever 
not engaged in 1st or reverse gear and parking 
brake engaged is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, an engaged 1st or 
reverse gear alone may not prevent your vehicle 
from moving, possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to 
engaging 1st or reverse gear, see page 260 for 
parking brake.When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel 
towards the road curb.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key 
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not 
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with 
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could move 
the gearshift lever, which could result in an 
accident or serious injury.Wa r n i n g !
On slippery road surfaces as well as high engine 
speeds, never downshift in order to obtain braking 
action. This could result in drive wheel slip and 
reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not 
prevent this type of loss of control.
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253 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the 
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service 
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N” 
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not 
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids 
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a 
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually 
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never 
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow), 
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying 
slight partial throttle.Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the 
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to 
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the 
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever 
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous. 
A ls o, w hen pa rked on a n in c li ne, pos i tion “P” a lon e 
may not prevent your vehicle from moving, 
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting 
to position “P”, see page 260 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel 
towards the road curb.Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key 
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not 
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with 
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could move 
the selector lever from position “P”, which could 
result in an accident or serious injury.
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260 Parking brake
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parking brakeTo engage, firmly depress parking brake pedal. When 
the electronic key is in starter switch position 2, the 
brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster should 
come on brightly. 
To release the parking brake, pull handle on instrument 
panel. The brake warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster should go out. 
A warning sounds and the parking brake warning 
message appears in the multifunction display 
(see page 299), if you start to drive without having 
released the parking brake. 
Also see brake warning lamp on page 288.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the 
electronic key from the starter switch, and lock the 
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. 
Children could release the parking brake, which 
could result in an accident or serious injury.
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390 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 70
Battery  .............................................................................342
Block heater  .................................................................... 270
Brake assist system (BAS)  ............................................ 275
Bulbs
See Replacing bulbs  ................................................. 351
CCD changer
See CD changer installed  ......................................... 187
Cellular telephone  ......................................................... 224
Center console .................................................................. 24
Central locking switch  .................................................... 39
Central locking system  ................................................... 31
Automatic central locking  ......................................... 40
Central locking switch  ............................................... 39
Choosing global or selective mode ........................... 33
Doors  ............................................................................. 37
General notes ............................................................... 30
Locking and unlocking with remote control  .......... 33
Mechanical keys .......................................................... 36
Obtaining replacement keys  ..................................... 29Summer opening/convenience feature  ...................35
Vehicle keys  ................................................................. 28
Check regularly and before a long trip ...................... 284
Child seat
See Infant and child restraint systems  .................... 83
Climate control  ............................................................... 152
Adjustable air outlets, 
rear passenger compartment  ............................. 172
Air recirculation  ........................................................ 158
Basic setting ............................................................... 156
Defrosting  ................................................................... 157
Display and controls  ................................................. 154
Dust filter  ................................................................... 155
Economy mode  .......................................................... 159
Front center console
storage compartment ventilation  ....................... 171
Residual engine heat utilization  ............................. 159
Special settings  ......................................................... 156
Windows fogged up on the inside  .......................... 157
Windows fogged up on the outside  ................ 157, 166
COMAND, radio and telephone  .................................. 232
Combination switch  ....................................................... 148
Control and operation of
radio transmitters  .................................................... 232
Coolant level  .................................................................. 322
Coolant temperature gauge  .......................................... 137
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392 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
FFirst aid kit  ..................................................................... 314
Flat tire
See Changing wheels  ............................................... 331
Flexible service system
(FSS) ............................................................................ 138
Front airbags  .................................................................... 73
Front center console 
storage compartment ventilation  ........................... 171
Front seat adjustment  ..................................................... 49
Fuel filler flap, manual release  ...................................360
Fuel reserve warning  ....................................................290
Fuse box  .......................................................................... 315
Fuses  ................................................................................ 315GGarage door opener  ....................................................... 226
Global locking
See Central locking system  ....................................... 31
Glove box  .........................................................................208
HHazard warning flasher switch  ................................... 151
Head restraints
Rear seat  ....................................................................... 60
Head restraints, front seats
Removal and installation  ...........................................55
Headlamp cleaning system ........................................... 147
Headlamp mode .............................................................. 144
Heated seats  ......................................................................58
High beams
See Combination switch  .......................................... 148IIdentification labels  ...................................................... 375
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster  ................ 286
Individual settings  ......................................................... 121
"CONVENIENCE"
(vehicles with memory function)  ...................... 134
"INSTRUMENT CLUSTER" ....................................... 124
"LIGHTING" ................................................................ 128
"VEHICLE"  ................................................................. 131
Infant and child restraint systems  ................................83
Child seat mounts  ....................................................... 86
Installation  ................................................................... 85
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