
Heating and air conditioning system 127
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Air outlet vents
Fig. 120 Air vents at the front
Fig. 121 Air vents at the rear
Open air outlet vents
– Turn the vertical thumbwheel (not when in the end position). Close air outlet vents
– Turn the vertical thumbwheel into the end position.
Redirecting air flow
– Swivel upward or downward the gr
ille of the vents in order to
change the direction of the air flow using the vertically
arranged thumbwheel.
– Turn the horizontal thumbwheel on the vent to the right or left in order to change the air flow to the appropriate side.
You can set the air supply to the individual air outlet vents using the control
dial . Air outlet vents 3, 4 ⇒ fig. 120 and 6 ⇒ fig. 121 can also be opened
or closed individually.
The air outlet vents 6 are only fitted on vehicles with higher centre
console.
Unwarmed or cooled air will flow out of the air outlet vents according to the
setting of control dial ⇒page 124, fig. 119 and the atmospheric condi-
tions.
Note
The air outlet vents 2 ensure in the ventilation and cooling mode for a
comfortable (no-draught) ventilation of the interior of the vehicle, also if the
air outlet vents 4 are closed.
Using the air conditioni ng system economically
The compressor on the air conditioning system uses power from the
engine when in cooling mode which will effect the fuel consumption.
AC
AA
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Heating and air conditioning system 133
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
– Turn the control dial ⇒page 130, fig. 122 to the left (reduce
blower speed) or right (increase blower speed).
Switch off the blowers, the Climatronic is switched off and on the displays
appears OFF.
The set blower speed is displayed above the control dial when the
respective number of warning lights come on.
WARNING
•The “stale” air may result in fatigue, divert your attention and
also cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an accident
increases.
•Do not switch the Climatronic system off for longer than neces-
sary.
•Switch the Climatronic system on as soon as the windows mist
up.
Air outlet vents
Fig. 123 Air vents at the front
Fig. 124 Air vents at the rear
Open air outlet vents
– Turn the vertical thumbwheel (not when in the end position).
A10
A10
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Heating and air conditioning system
134
Close air outlet vents
– Turn the vertical thumbwheel into the end position.
Redirecting air flow
– Swivel upward or downward the gril le of the vents in order to
change the direction of the air flow using the vertically
arranged thumbwheel.
– Turn the horizontal thumbwheel on the vent to the right or left in order to change the air flow to the appropriate side.
You can control the air distribution to the air outlet vents via the buttons of
the operating part of the Climatronic ⇒page 130. Air outlet vents 3, 4
⇒ page 133, fig. 123 and 6 ⇒ page 133, fig. 124 can also be opened or
closed individually.
The air outlet vents 6 are only fitted on vehicles with higher centre
console.
Note
The air outlet vents 2 ensure in the ventilation and cooling mode for a
comfortable (no-draught) ventilation of the interior of the vehicle, also if the
air outlet vents 4 are closed.
Auxiliary heating (auxiliary heating and
ventilation)*
Description
The auxiliary heating (auxiliary heating and ventilation)
heats or supplies the interior of the vehicle with fresh air
independent of the engine.
Auxiliary heating (auxiliary heating )
The auxiliary heating (auxiliary heating) functions in connection with the
heater or with the Climatic or Climatronic.
It can be used when stationary, when engine is switched off for preheating
of the vehicle as well as while driving (e.g. during the heating phase of the
engine).
The auxiliary heating (auxiliary heating) warms up the coolant during the
combustion of fuel from the vehicle tank. The coolant warms up the air,
which (if the blower speed is not set to zero) flows into the occupant
compartment.
6)
Auxiliary ventilation
The auxiliary ventilation enables fresh air to flow into the vehicle interior
by switching on the blower, if the blower speed is not set to zero, whereby
the interior temperature is effectively decreased (e.g. with a vehicle
parked in the sun).
6)However the coolant does not warm up the engine.
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Starting-off and Driving
138
Starting-off and Driving
Setting steering wheel positionYou can set the height and the forward/back position of the
steering wheel to the desired position.
– Adjust the driver seat ⇒page 82.
– Pull the lever below the steering column ⇒fig. 127 down ⇒.
– Set the steering wheel to the desired position (concerning height and forward/back position).
– Then push the lever up against the steering column until it locks into place.
WARNING
•You must not adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is
moving!
•The driver must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the
steering wheel ⇒fig. 128 . Not maintaining this minimum distance
will mean that the airbag system will not be able to properly protect
you - hazard!
•For safety reasons the lever must always be firmly pushed up to
avoid the steering wheel altering its position unintentionally when
driving - risk of accident!
•If you adjust the steering wheel further towards the head, you
will reduce the protection offered by the driver airbag in the event
of an accident. Check that the steering wheel is aligned to the
chest.
•When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on
the outer edge in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. Never hold
the steering wheel firmly in the 12 o'clock position or in another
Fig. 127 Adjustable
steering wheel: Lever
below steering column
Fig. 128 Safe distance
to steering wheel
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Starting-off and Driving139
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
way (e.g. in the middle of the steering wheel or at the inner steering
wheel edge). In such cases, injuries to the arms, the hands and the
head can occur when the driver airbag is deployed.
Ignition lock
Petrol engines
- ignition switched off, engine off, the steering can be locked.
- ignition switched on
- start engine
Diesel engines - interruption of fuel supply, ignition switched off, engine off, the
steering can be locked. - heating glow plugs on, ignition switched on
•You should not switch on any major electrical components during the
heating period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
- start engine
Applies to all models:
Position
To lock the steering , with the ignition key withdrawn, turn the steering
wheel until the steering locking pin is heard to engage. You should always
lock the steering as a general rule if you leave your vehicle. This acts as
a deterrent against possible theft of your vehicle ⇒.
Position
Move the steering wheel back and forward a little if the ignition key cannot,
or cannot easily be turned into this position, in order to release the
steering lock.
Position
The engine is started in this position. At the same time switched on low
beam or main beam or other electrical components with major power
consumption are briefly switched off. The ignition key moves back into
position when one releases the key.
The ignition key must be turned back into position each time before
starting the engine again. The starter repeat lock in the ignition lock
prevents the starter being engaged when the engine is running and thus
getting damaged.
Ignition key withdrawal lock (automatic gearbox)
You can only withdraw the ignition key after switching off the ignition if the
selector lever is in position P.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 129 Ignition lock
positions
A1
A2
A3
A1
A2
A3
A1
A2
A3
A2
A1
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Starting-off and Driving
140
WARNING
•When driving, the ignition key mu st always be in the ignition
lock in the position (ignition switched on) without the engine
running. This position is indicate d by the warning lights coming on.
If this is not the case, it could result in unexpected locking of the
steering wheel - risk of accident!
•Only remove the ignition key from the ignition lock when the
vehicle has come to a standstill (put on the handbrake or select the
selector lever position P). The steering lock might otherwise
engage unintentionally - risk of accident!
•Always withdraw the ignition key if you are going to leave the
vehicle, even for a short time. This is particularly important if chil-
dren are left in the vehicle. The children might otherwise start the
engine or switch on electrical equipment (e.g. power windows) -
risk of accident or injury!
Starting engine
General
You can only start the engine only using an original ignition
key.
•Place the gearshift lever into neutral (or place the selector lever to the
position P or N in the case of an automatic gearbox) and put on the hand-
brake firmly before starting the engine.
•The clutch pedal should be fully depressed when starting the engine
which means that the starter only has to crank the engine.
•Let go of the key as soon as the engine starts otherwise there may be
damage to the starter. The engine running noises may at first be louder for a short time after
starting the cold engine until oil pressure can be built up in the hydraulic
valve clearance compensation. This is quite normal and is not an oper-
ating problem.
If the engine does not start ...
You can use the battery of another vehicle as a jump-start aid
⇒page 281.
It is only possible to tow-start vehicles fitted with a manual gearbox. The
tow-starting distance must not be more than 50 metres ⇒page 286.
WARNING
•Never run the engine in non ventilated or enclosed areas. The
exhaust gases of the engine contain besides the odorless and
colourless carbon monoxide a poisonous gas - hazard! Carbon
monoxide can cause unconsciousness and death.
•Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
Caution
•The starter may only be operated (ignition key position ), if the
engine is not running. If the starter is immediately operated after switching
off the engine, the starter or the engine can be damaged.
•Avoid high engine revolutions, full throttle and high engine loads as
long as the engine has not yet reached its normal operating temperature
- risk of damaging the engine!
•Vehicles which are fitted with an exhaust gas catalytic converter
should not be tow-started over a distance of more than 50 metres.
For the sake of the environment
Never warm up the engine when the vehicle is standing. Drive off right
away. Through this the engine reaches its operating temperature more
rapidly and the pollutant emissions are lower.
A2
A3
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Automatic gearbox
150
WARNING
•Do not depress the accelerator when changing the position of
the selector lever if the car is stationary and the engine is running
- risk of accident!
•Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving
- risk of an accident!
•When the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary, it is
necessary to hold the car with the brake pedal in all the positions
of the selector lever (except P and N) since the power transmission
is never completely interrupted, also not when the engine is idling
- the vehicle "creeps".
Selector lever positionsThe selector lever position you have engaged is shown in the information
display of the instrument cluster with the corresponding gear symbol high-
lighted ⇒fig. 137 . In the positions D and S the gear you have engaged will
be additionally displayed on the display.
P - Parklock
The driven wheels are locked mechanically in this position.
The Parklock must only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary ⇒.
If you wish to move the selector lever into or out of this position, you must
press the Shiftlock button in the handle of the selector lever and at the
same time depress the brake pedal.
If the battery is used, the selector lever cannot be moved out of the posi-
tion P ⇒ page 154.
R - Reverse
Reverse gear must only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary and
the engine idling ⇒.
Fig. 136 Selector lever
Fig. 137 Information
display: Selector lever
positions
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Automatic gearbox
152
in the instrument cluster as a reminder for the driver when the selector
lever is in position P and N
In addition, the symbol
for the automatic selector lever lock in the shift
gate lights up.
A time delay element ensures that the selector lever is not blocked when
rapidly switching over the position N (e.g. from R to D). This does, for
example, allow one to seesaw out a stuck vehicle. The selector lever lock
will click into place if the lever is in the N position for more than 2 seconds
without the brake pedal being pressed.
The selector lever lock is only active if the vehicle is stationary or moving
at speed of less than 5 km/hour. The lock is switched off automatically into
position N when the car is travelling at a higher speed.
Shiftlock button
The Shiftlock button in the handle of selector lever prevents certain
selector lever positions being engaged inadvertently. The selector lever
lock is cancelled when you press the Shiftlock button.
Keylock - Ignition key withdrawal lock
You can only withdraw the ignition key after switching off the ignition if the
selector lever is in position P. If the ignition key is withdrawn, the selector
lever is blocked in postion P.
Kickdown function
The kickdown function provides you with maximum accel-
eration power.
Depressing the accelerator pedal allows the kickdown function to be acti-
vated in the desired driving program. This function has precedence over
the driving programme and serves for maximum acceleration of the
vehicle when exploiting the maximum power potential of the engine without taking into account the current selector lever position (
D, S or
Tiptronic ). The gearbox shifts down to one or several gears in line with
the driving state and the vehicle accelerates. The gearbox does not shift
up into the highest gear until the engine has reached its maximum revolu-
tions for this gear range.
WARNING
Please note that using the kickdown function can result in the
driven wheels spinning on a smooth or slippery road surface - risk
of skidding!
Dynamic shift programme
The automatic gearbox of your vehicle is controlled electronically. Shifting
up and down through the gears is performed automatically on the basis of
pre-defined driving programmes.
Adopting a moderate style of driving will cause the gearbox to select the
most economical driving programme. Shifting up into a higher gear as
soon as possible and shifting down as late as possible will have a favour-
able effect on your fuel consumption.
Adopting a sporty style of driving with rapid movements of the acceler-
ator pedal combined with sharp acceleration and frequent changes in
speed, exploiting the top speed of the car or depressing the accelerator
pedal (kickdown function), will cause the gearbox to switch over to this
style of driving and shift down earlier with frequent changes in gears in
comparison to the moderate style of driving.
Selecting the most appropriate driving programme for the particular style
of driving is a continuous process. Irrespective of this it is, however,
possible to switch or shift down into a dynamic shift programme by
depressing the accelerator rapidly. The gearbox shifts down into a lower
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