Lights and Visibility67
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
The rain sensor* automatically regulates the break between the individual
wiper strokes depending on the intensity of the rain.
Top up with wash liquid
⇒page 233.
WARNING
•Properly maintained windscreen wiper blades are essential for
clear visibility and safe driving ⇒page 68.
•Do not use the windscreen washer system at low temperatures,
without heating the windscreen beforehand. Otherwise the window
cleaner could freeze on the windscreen and restrict the view to the
front.
•The rain sensor only operates as a support. The driver is not
released from the responsibility to set the function of the wind-
screen wipers manually depending on the visibility conditions.
Caution
In frosty weather, please first of all check whether the windscreen wiper
blades are not frozen to the windscreen before switching them on.
Switching on windscreen wipers when the blades are frozen to the wind-
screen may result in damage both to the blades and the motor of the wind-
screen wipers!
Headlight cleaning system*
The headlight lenses are cleaned, when low beam or main beam are
switched on by holding ⇒page 66 the lever for about 2 seconds in the
position .
The headlight washer nozzles are moved forward out of the bumper by the
water pressure for cleaning the headlights.
You should remove stubborn dirt (such as insect residues) from the head-
light lenses at regular intervals, for example when refuelling. Please refer
to the following guidelines ⇒page 209, “The headlight lenses”.
You should remove any snow from the fixtures of the washer nozzles and
clear ice in winter with a de-icing spray in order to ensure proper operation
of the cleaning system.
Fig. 50 Headlight with
washer nozzle
extended
A5
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Lights and Visibility69
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Automatic dimming interior mirror*
Switching on the automatic dimming
– Press the button - the warning light lights up ⇒fig. 52.
Switching off the automatic dimming
– Press again the button - the warning light goes out .
If the automatic dimming is switched on, the mirror dims automatically
depending on the light striking the mirror from the rear. The mirror has no
lever on the bottom edge of the mirror. When the interior lights are
switched on or the reverse gear is engaged, the mirror always moves back
into the basic position.
Note
•Automatic mirror dimming operates only properly if the sun screen* for
the rear window is not in use or the light striking the rear of the interior
rear-view mirror is not affected by other objects.
•Do not affix any stickers in front of the light sensor, so that you do not
impair the automatic dimming function or put it out of operation.
Exterior mirror with entry lighting*
The lighting is positioned on the bottom edge of the exte-
rior mirror.
The light beam is aimed at the entry area of the front doors after the car is
unlocked.
The light comes on after the doors have been locked or on opening the
front door. The lighting goes out about 30 seconds after the doors are
closed or if the ignition is switched on.
If the doors remain open, the lighting goes out automatically after about
10 minutes provided the ignition is not switched on.
Fig. 52 Automatic
dimming interior mirror
ABAA
ABAA
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Seats and Stowage
72
Seats and Stowage
Front seats
Basic information
The front seats have a wide range of different settings and can thus be
matched to the physical characteristics of the driver and front passenger.
Correct adjustment of the seats is particularly important for
•safely and quickly reaching the controls,
•a relaxed, fatigue-free body position,
•achieving the maximum protection offered by the seat belts and
the airbag system.
The chapters which follow describe the procedure which you should adopt
for adjusting the seats.
WARNING
•Never transport more occupants than the maximum seating in
the vehicle.
•Each occupant must correctly fasten the seat belt belonging to
the seat. Children must be fastened ⇒page 174, “Transporting
children safely” with a suitable restraint system.
•The front seats and the head restraints must always be adjusted
to match the body size of the seat occupant as well as the seat belts
must always be correctly fastened in order to provide an optimal
protection for you and your occupants.
•Always keep your feet in the footwell when the car is being
driven - never place your feet on the instrument panel, out of the
window or on the surfaces of the seats. This is particularly impor- tant for the front seat passenger. You will be exposed to increased
risk of injury if it becomes nece
ssary to apply the brake or in the
event of an accident. If an airbag is deployed, you may suffer fatal
injuries when adopting an incorrect seated position!
•It is important for the driver and front passenger to maintain a
distance of at least 25 cm from the steering wheel or dash panel.
Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean that the airbag
system will not be able to properly protect you - hazard! The front
seats and the head restraints must always also be correctly
adjusted to match the body size of the occupant.
•Ensure that there are no objects in the footwell as any objects
may get behind the pedals during a driving or braking manoeuvre.
You would then no longer be able to operate the clutch, to brake or
accelerate.
WARNING (continued)
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Seats and Stowage83
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
deployed airbag. In this case, the objects which are thrown back
can injure the occupants - hazard!
•Please note that the handling properties of your vehicle may be
affected when transporting heavy objects as a result of the
displacement of the centre of gravity. The speed and style of
driving must be adjusted accordingly.
•The items carried in the luggage compartment should be stored
in such a way that no objects are able to slip forward if there are any
sudden driving or braking manoeuvres undertaken - risk of injury!
•Never drive with the boot lid slightly ajar or even fully opened
otherwise exhaust gases may get into the interior of the vehicle -
risk of poisoning!
•On no account exceed the permissible axle loads and the
permissible gross weight of the vehicle - risk of accident!
•Never transport occupants in the luggage compartment!
Note
•Tyre pressure must be adjusted to the load ⇒page 236, fig. 179 .
•The air circulation in the interior of the car helps to prevent the
windows from misting up. Stale air is diverted via the outlet nozzles into
the lateral trim panels of the luggage compartment. Check for yourself that
the outlet nozzles are not covered.
•On vehicles fitted without foldable backrest but with fixed backrest, the
luggage compartment cannot be enlarged.
Lashing eyes
Eyes are located on the sides of the loading area for lashing the goods to
be loaded ⇒ fig. 65.
You can also attach a securing net* to these eyes for lashing small objects.
WARNING
•The load to be transported must be fixed in place in such a way
that it cannot move during the journey and when braking.
•If the items of luggage or objects are attached to the lashing
eyes with unsuitable or damaged lashing straps, injuries can occur
in the event of braking manoeuvres or accidents. In order to
prevent the items of luggage being thrown forward, always use
suitable lashing straps which are firmly attached to the lashing
eyes. Never attach a child seat to the lashing eyes!
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 65 Position of
lashing eyes in luggage
compartment
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Seats and Stowage87
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
on the knob is visible. If the seat backrest is correctly locked, the knob is
pushed back and the red surface is not visible.
WARNING
•The belt locks and the pelvic belt must be in their original posi-
tion after folding back the seat backrest - they must be ready to use.
•The seat backrests must be securely interlocked in position so
that no objects in the luggage compartment can slide forward if
there is sudden braking - risk of injury!
•Pay attention that the rear seat backrest is correctly interlocked.
It is only then that the three-point seat belt for the middle seat can
reliably fulfil its function.
•Before folding the seat backrest back into the secure position,
place the rear lateral seat belt behind the edge of the side trim
panel. Take suitable measures to prevent that the seat belt is
jammed between the seat backrest and the side trim panel is thus
damaged.
The luggage compartment cover
You can use the luggage compartment cover behind the head restraints
of the rear seats for storing light and soft items.
WARNING
No objects should be placed on the luggage compartment cover,
the vehicle occupants could be endangered if there is sudden
braking or the vehicle co llides with something.
Caution
Please ensure that the heating elements of the rear window heater are not
damaged as a result of objects placed in this area.
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Seats and Stowage
104
•The storage compartment must always be closed when driving
for safety reasons!
Stowage compartment in centre console
Opening
– Press on the top part of the cover in direction of arrow. The drawer will come out.
Pulling out compartment
– Press the compartment in the opening direction as far as the stop. Grasp the compartment at the sides and pull it up and
out. Inserting compartment
– Insert the compartment back into its mount and close the
cover.
WARNING
•The storage compartment is not a substitute for the ashtray and
must also not be used for such purposes - risk of fire!
•The storage compartment must always be closed when driving
for safety reasons!
Stowage compartment for spectacles*
The stowage compartment is located above the front left window.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 97 Centre
console: Storage
compartment
Fig. 98 Stowage
compartment for spec-
tacles
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Heating and air conditioning system 109
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Heating and air conditioning system
The air conditioning system
Description
The air conditioning system is a combined cooling and
heating system. It makes it possible to optimally control
the air temperature at any season of the year.
Description of the air conditioning system
It is important for your safety and for your driving comfort that the air condi-
tioning system is operating properly.
The air conditioning system operates when switch ⇒page 110,
fig. 107 is pressed and the following conditions are met:
•engine running,
•outside temperature above +5 °C,
•blower switch switched on (positions 1 to 4).
If the cooling system is switched on, the temperature and air humidity
drops in the vehicle. The wellbeing of the occupants of the car is enhanced
as a result of this particularly at high outside temperatures and a high air
humidity. The system prevents the windows misting up during the cold
season of the year.
The heating effect is dependent upon the coolant temperature, thus full
heat output only occurs when the engine has reached its operating
temperature.
It is possible to briefly activate recirculated air mode in order to enhance
the cooling effect ⇒. Air at a temperature of about 5°C may flow out of the vents under certain
circumstances when the cooling system is operating. Lengthy and uneven
distribution of the air flow out of the vents (in particular at the leg area) and
large differences in temperature, for example when getting out of the
vehicle, can result in chills in sensitive persons.
The air inlet in front of the windscreen must be free of ice, snow or leaves
in order to ensure that the heating and ventilation systems operate prop-
erly.
After switching on the cooling
Condensation from the evaporator of the
air conditioning may drip down and form a puddle below the vehicle. This
is quite normal and not an indication of a leak!
Aeration of the vehicle when ignition is switched off*
On models fitted with power sliding/tilting roof with sollar cells, the fresh
air blower is automatically switched over to “solar mode ” if the sun ray's
are sufficient after switching off the ignition. The solar cells on the
sliding/tilting roof deliver power for the fresh air blower. This supplies the
interior of the car with fresh air.
For an optimum ventilation, the air outlet vents 3 and 4 must be opened
⇒ page 113.
The ventilation functions only when the sliding/tilting roof is closed.
WARNING
•For your own safety and that of other road users, ensure that all
the windows are free of ice, snow and misting. Please familiarize
yourself about how to correctly operate the heating and ventilation
systems, how to demist and defrost the windows, as well as with
the cooling mode.
ACAE
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Heating and air conditioning system
110
•You should not leave recirculated air mode on over a longer
period of time. “Stale air” may result in fatigue in the driver and
occupants, reduce attention levels and also cause the windows to
mist up. The risk of having an accident increases. Switch recircu-
lated air mode off as soon as the windows begin misting up.
Note
We recommend that you do not smoke in the vehicle when the recircu-
lating air mode is operating since the smoke which is drawn at the evap-
orator from the interior of the vehicle forms deposits in the evaporator of
the air conditioning system. This produces a permanent odour when the
air conditioning system is operating which can only be eliminated through
considerable effort and expense (replacement of compressor).
Using the system
Setting temperature
– Turn the control dial ⇒fig. 107 to the right in order to
increase the temperature.
– Turn the control dial to the left in order to increase the temperature.
Controlling blower
– Turn the blower switch into one of the positions, 1 to 4, in order to switch the blower on.
– Turn the blower switch into position 0 in order to switch the blower off.
– Pressing switch causes the recirculating air system ⇒page 112 to be switched on.
Control for air distribution
– You can adjust the direction of the inlet air flow ⇒page 113
using air distribution regulator .
switching cooling on and off
– Press the switch . The symbol
in the switch comes
on.
– When you again press the switch , the cooling system is switched off. The symbol
in the button is no longer illumi-
nated.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 107 The air condi-
tioning system:
Controls
AA
AA
AB
AB
AD
AC
ACAE
AC
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