
Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2Indicator lamps for turn signals
3Indicator and warning lamps13
4Displays for active cruise control
*62
5Tachometer69
6Energy Control70
7Display for
>Clock69
>Outside temperature69
>Indicator and warning lamps798Display for
>Position of automatic transmission
*57
>Sequential manual gearbox SMG
*55
>Computer70
>Date of next scheduled service, and 
remaining distance to be driven74
>Odometer and trip odometer69
>Checking engine oil level
*199
>Settings and information73
9Fuel gauge70
10Resetting trip odometer69 

Controls
 53Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
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Mobility
Starting the engine
Do not run the engine in closed rooms, 
otherwise the inhaling of toxic exhaust 
gases can cause unconsciousness and death. 
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, 
an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas. 
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the 
engine running, otherwise such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard. 
Before leaving the car with the engine running, 
place the transmission in idle or move the 
selector lever to position P and apply the hand-
brake to prevent the car from moving.<
When starting the engine, do not press the 
accelerator pedal.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it 
running while the vehicle remains stationary. 
Instead, begin to drive immediately at a moder-
ate engine speed.
Do not depress either the brake or the 
clutch until you are ready to start the 
engine. The engine is started immediately 
when you briefly touch the start/stop button 
and depress the brake if the car has automatic 
transmission, or the clutch if the car has manual 
transmission.<
Manual transmission
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.Depress the clutch and shift to idle position.
3.Briefly press the start/stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain 
time, and stops automatically as soon as the 
engine has started.
Automatic transmission
1.Depress the brake.
2.Move the selector lever to position P.
3.Briefly press the start/stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain 
time, and stops automatically as soon as the 
engine has started.
Sequential manual gearbox SMG*
1.Depress the brake.
2.Engage selector lever position N and make 
sure that this position is displayed in the 
instrument cluster.
3.Start the engine.
The starter operates automatically for a certain 
time, and stops automatically as soon as the 
engine has started.
If the engine does not start, depress the 
brake and push the selector lever to the 
right, then engage position N. Observe the dis-
play in the instrument cluster while doing so.<
Special starting conditions
In the following situations, press the accelerator 
pedal halfway down when starting the engine:
>If the engine does not start on the first 
attempt, for instance when it is extremely 
hot or cold.
>If the engine is started at very low tempera-
tures, below approx. + 57/–156, at high 
altitudes above approx. 3,300 ft/1,000 m.
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated start attempts in which 
the engine does not start. Otherwise, the fuel is 
not burned or inadequately burned and there is 
a danger of overheating and damaging the cat-
alytic converter.<
Switching off the engine
Always take the remote control with you 
when you leave the vehicle. 
When parking on a downhill incline, apply the  

Driving
54 handbrake, otherwise the vehicle could roll 
away.<
Manual transmission
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.With the car at a standstill, briefly press the 
start/stop button.
3.Shift into first gear or reverse.
Automatic transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, move the selec-
tor lever to position P.
2.Briefly press the start/stop button.
3.Apply the handbrake.
Sequential manual gearbox SMG
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.Engage a drive position.
3.Briefly press the start/stop button.
If the engine is switched off while N is engaged, 
this will be signaled visually and acoustically.
Handbrake
The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent 
the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes 
the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp is lit, and when you 
drive off an acoustic signal sounds in 
addition. The handbrake is still applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Applying
The lever locks in position automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and 
lower the lever.
In exceptional cases, if the handbrake has 
to be used to slow or stop the car, do not 
pull the lever up too hard. In doing so, continu-
ously press the button of the handbrake lever. 
Otherwise, too violent an application of the 
handbrake can overbrake the rear axle and 
cause the rear of the car to swerve.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally apply the hand-
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming 
to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable.
The brake lamps do not light up when the hand-
brake is applied.<
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, press 
the gearshift lever to the right. Otherwise 
the engine could be damaged if you inadvert-
ently shift into 3rd or 4th gear.< 

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 55Reference
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Reverse gear
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. 
When the gearshift lever is pressed to the left, a 
slight resistance has to be overcome.
Sequential manual gearbox 
SMG*
The concept
The sequential manual gearbox SMG is an 
automated transmission in which operation of 
the clutch and gearshifts are performed by an 
electro-hydraulic system.
SMG is operated via the selector lever in the 
center console and two shift paddles on the 
steering wheel.
It offers you the following functions:
>Choice of manual or automatic operation: 
sequential mode or Drive mode
>Choice of two driving programs: Normal or 
Sport, refer to Dynamic Driving Control, 
page56
>Automatic downshifting and prevention of 
misshifting in sequential mode as well
>Acceleration assistant, refer to page57
Selector lever positions
The current selector lever position can be seen 
on the center console.
>R: Reverse gear
>N: Neutral, idle
>One-touch functions for sequential mode: 
+: manual upshifting 
–: manual downshifting>D: Drive mode or sequential mode
N is automatically selected when the 
driver's door is opened while the engine is 
running, as long as the pedals, shift paddles and 
selector lever are not operated. 
This is indicated by an acoustic signal and a 
flashing N in the instrument cluster.<
Gear indicator
R N 1 to 6
The gear currently engaged is displayed, pre-
ceded by a D in Drive mode.
This indicator is the only way you can 
confirm whether or not the desired selec-
tor lever position is engaged.<
Shiftlock
Before moving the lever away from N with the 
vehicle stationary, first depress the brake; oth-
erwise the desired gearshift will not be carried 
out.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
Gear-change mode
The gears can be changed in two different 
ways.
>Sequential mode
Gears are shifted by means of the shift pad-
dles or the selector lever.
>D Drive mode
All forward gears are shifted automatically.
You can switch from one mode to the other by 
pressing the selector lever towards the right in 
the direction of D. 

Controls
 57Reference
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Mobility
Acceleration assistant
The acceleration assistant provides for optimal, 
racing-style acceleration when starting off on a 
non-slippery surface.
Do not use the acceleration assistant too 
frequently, otherwise components could 
wear prematurely.<
1.Activate Dynamic Driving Control.
2.Deactivate DSC, refer to page85.
3.Quickly depress the accelerator pedal all 
the way: kick-down. The optimal engine 
speed for pulling away is achieved.
To maintain driving stability, reactivate 
DSC afterward.<
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*
In addition to fully automatic operation, you can 
also manually shift with the Steptronic, refer to 
page58.
Vehicle parking
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, 
always select position P and apply the 
handbrake before leaving the vehicle with the 
engine running.<
Disengaging the remote control
In order to remove the remote control from the 
ignition lock, you must first move the selector 
lever to position P and switch off the engine: 
interlock.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in the instrument cluster
P R N D DS M1 to M6
The selector lever position is displayed, or the 
current gear in the manual mode.
Changing selector lever positions
>With the ignition switched on or the engine 
running, the selector lever can be moved 
out of position P: interlock.
>Before moving the lever away from P or N 
with the vehicle stationary, first depress the 
brake; otherwise the selector lever will 
refuse to move: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping 
after you select a driving position, 
depress the brake until you are ready to 
start.<
A lock prevents you from inadvertently engag-
ing selector lever positions R and P. To cancel 
the lock, press the button on the front of the 
selector lever, refer to arrow.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The 
rear wheels are locked. 

Controls
 61Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
poor road surface, e.g. snow, rain, ice or loose 
material.<
Manual transmission/SMG
You can shift gears while cruise control is acti-
vated. An indicator lamp notifies you that you 
should shift gears when you drive for an 
extended period at very high or very low engine 
speeds, or the system is deactivated.
In Drive mode, the SMG acts similarly to an 
automatic transmission in position D.
One lever for all functions
1Storing and maintaining speed or accelerat-
ing
2Storing and maintaining speed or deceler-
ating
3Deactivating cruise control
4Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Maintaining current speed
Tap the lever, arrow 1, or pull it briefly, arrow 2.
The car's current speed is stored and main-
tained. It is displayed in the speedometer and 
briefly in the instrument cluster.
On uphill gradients, it may prove impossible to 
maintain the set speed if current engine power 
output is insufficient. If the engine braking 
effect is insufficient on downhill slopes, the sys-
tem will brake the vehicle slightly.
Increasing desired speed
Repeatedly press the lever to the resistance 
point or beyond, arrow1, until the desired 
speed is reached.>Each time the lever is pressed to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is increased 
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pressed beyond the 
resistance point, the desired speed is 
increased by up to 5 mph or 10 km/h.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
Accelerating using the lever
Accelerating slightly:
Press the lever to the resistance point, arrow 1, 
until the desired speed is reached.
Accelerating significantly:
Press the lever beyond the resistance point, 
arrow 1, until the desired speed is reached.
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on 
the accelerator pedal. The system stores and 
maintains the speed.
Decreasing desired speed
Repeatedly pull the lever to the resistance point 
or beyond, arrow 2, until the desired speed is 
displayed.
>Each time the lever is pulled to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is decreased 
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pulled beyond the 
resistance point, the desired speed is 
reduced by up to 5 mph or 10 km/h until the 
minimum speed of 20 mph or 30 km/h is 
achieved.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
If the speed is to be reduced significantly, 
depress the brake; otherwise, decelera-
tion may be insufficient and dangerous situa-
tions could result.<
Deactivating cruise control
Tap the lever upwards or downwards, arrow3. 
The displays in the speedometer disappear.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:
>When you brake the vehicle 

Driving
62 >When you switch gears very slowly or shift 
to idle in cars with manual transmission
>When you select the automatic transmis-
sion's/SMG's neutral position N
>When you activate DTC or deactivate DSC
>When DSC or ABS is intervening
Cruise control is not deactivated by depressing 
the accelerator pedal. Once the accelerator 
pedal is released, the stored speed is achieved 
again and maintained.
Warning lamp
The warning lamp comes on when 
cruise control has been automatically 
deactivated by engaging the hand-
brake or as a result of DSC intervening. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Display.
Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Briefly press the button, arrow 4. the stored 
speed is resumed and maintained.
In the following instances, the stored speed is 
deleted and can no longer be resumed:
>When driving stability control systems are 
intervening
>In cars  with ma nual trans mis sio n: when you 
shift gears very slowly or shift to idle posi-
tion
>With automatic transmission/SMG: when 
you engage selector lever position N
>When the ignition is switched off
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored speed
2Selected speed is displayed brieflyIf --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears 
in the instrument cluster display, it is pos-
sible that the system prerequisites for operation 
are currently not met. 
Calling up Check Control messages, refer to 
page80.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp comes on when 
the system has failed. A message 
appears on the Control Display. You 
can find more information starting on page79. 
Active cruise control*
The concept
With active cruise control, you can select a 
desired speed which is not only automatically 
maintained when driving on open roadways, but 
also varied to maintain a selected distance set-
ting as slower traffic is encountered.
Active cruise control is a technological advance 
over the familiar cruise control and is a welcome 
relief from the constant adjustment of speed 
that can accompany driving in traffic on high-
ways or other high-speed thoroughfares. Espe-
cially on longer trips, the system can reduce 
fatigue and tension, while increasing your 
enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely and 
responsibly.
Within the limits of its capability, the system 
automatically adapts the car's speed to that of a 
slower vehicle in front of you. You can specify 
the distance to be maintained from the vehicle 
in front in four stages. For safety reasons, the 
distance is speed-dependent. Based on your 
selected distance setting, the system automat-
ically decreases the throttle setting and lightly 
applies the brakes if necessary. The vehicle 
brake lamps will automatically illuminate to sig-
nal a following driver to take action. In addition, 
it may be necessary for the vehicle or the driver 
to downshift, depending on the kind of trans-
mission your vehicle is equipped with, to main-
tain the distance setting selected. If the vehicle 
ahead speeds up or when the lane ahead  

Controls
 63Reference
At a glance
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Mobility
becomes clear, your vehicle will accelerate to 
the speed you have selected by increasing the 
throttle setting and shifting gears automatically 
or by the driver as needed. Your selected speed 
will be held when driving downhill, too.
Since this active cruise control system is a new 
technology and operates differently from con-
ventional cruise control systems which you may 
be accustomed to, you are strongly urged to 
read all of the pages relating to this system 
before use. Pay special attention to the System 
limitations section beginning on page66.
Braking sensation
The system's automatic brake operation results 
in a braking sensation that is slightly different 
from what you feel when you brake the vehicle 
yourself in a similar situation. Possible noises 
during automatic deceleration are normal.
Manual transmission/SMG
You can shift gears while cruise control is acti-
vated. An indicator lamp notifies you that you 
should shift gears when you drive for an 
extended period at very high or very low engine 
speeds, or the system is deactivated.
In Drive mode, the SMG acts similarly to an 
automatic transmission in position D.
Range of applications
The minimum desired speed is 20 mph or 
30 km/h, and the maximum desired speed is 
110 mph or 180 km/h.
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way 
diminishes or substitutes for the driver’s own 
personal responsibility, alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise 
controlling the vehicle. The driver should 
decide when to use the system on the basis of 
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions. 
Active cruise control is intended for use on 
highway-type roadways where traffic is moving 
relatively smoothly. Do not use this system in 
city driving; heavy traffic such as during rush 
hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or 
roads with sharp curves such as highway off-ramps; during inclement weather such as snow, 
strong rain or fog; or when entering inter-
changes, service/parking areas or toll booths. 
It is also important to regulate your vehicle's 
speed and distance setting within applicable 
legal limits. Always be ready to take action or 
apply the brakes if necessary, especially when 
the system is actively following a vehicle in front 
of you. Otherwise, driving conditions could 
result which violate the law or pose a risk of 
accident.<
One lever for all functions
1Store and increase desired speed
2Store and decrease desired speed
3Deactivate system, refer to page65
4Resume stored desired speed and dis-
tance, refer to page65
5Select distance to vehicle driving ahead, 
refer to page64
Maintaining current speed
Briefly press the lever, arrow 1, or briefly pull it, 
arrow 2, at a driving speed of more than approx. 
20 mph or 30 km/h.