
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 

Opening and closing
36
Unlocking
Grasp the handle on the driver's or front pas-
senger's door completely, arrow 1. This corre-
sponds to pressing the  button.
If a remote control is detected inside the car 
after the vehicle is unlocked, the electric steer-
ing wheel lock is released, refer to page52.
Locking
Touch the surface, arrow 2, with your finger for 
approx. 1 second. This corresponds to pressing 
the button.
For convenient closure, keep your finger on the 
surface, arrow 2.
If the vehicle detects that a remote con-
trol has been accidentally left inside the 
locked vehicle's luggage compartment after the 
luggage compartment lid is closed, the luggage 
compartment lid will reopen slightly. The hazard 
warning flashers flash and an acoustic signal
* 
sounds.<
Unlocking just the luggage 
compartment lid
Press the button on the outside of the luggage 
compartment lid. This corresponds to pressing 
the button.
Switching on radio readiness
Radio readiness is switched on by pressing the 
start/stop button, refer to page52.
Do not depress the brake or the clutch, 
otherwise the engine will start immedi-
ately.<
Starting the engine
You can start the engine or switch on the igni-
tion when a remote control is inside the vehicle. 
It is not necessary to insert a remote control into 
the ignition switch, refer to page52.
Switching off the engine in vehicles 
with automatic transmission
The engine can only be switched off when the 
selector lever is in position P, refer to page54.
To switch the engine off when the selector lever 
is in position N, the remote control must be in 
the ignition switch.
Before driving a vehicle with automatic 
transmission into a car wash
1.Insert remote control into ignition switch.
2.Depress the brake.
3.Move the selector lever to position N.
4.Switch off the engine.
The vehicle can roll.
Malfunction
Convenient access may malfunction due to 
local radio waves. If this happens, open or close 
the vehicle via the buttons on the remote con-
trol or using the integrated key. To start the 
engine afterward, insert the remote control into 
the ignition switch.
Warning lamps
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up when you attempt to 
start the engine: the engine cannot 
be started. The remote control is not inside the 
vehicle or is malfunctioning. Take the remote 
control with you inside the vehicle or have it 
checked. If necessary, insert another remote 
control into the ignition switch.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up while the engine is 
running: the remote control is no 
longer inside the vehicle. After the engine is 
switched off, the engine can only be restarted 
within approx. 10 seconds. 

Driving
52
Driving
Ignition lock
Insert the remote control all the way into the 
ignition lock.
>Radio readiness switches on.
Individual electrical consumers can operate.
>The electric steering wheel lock disen-
gages audibly.
Insert the remote control into the ignition 
lock before you move the vehicle, other-
wise the electric steering wheel lock will not dis-
engage and you will not be able to steer the 
car.<
Removing the remote control from the 
ignition lock
Press the remote control in briefly; it is ejected 
part of the way.
At the same time:
>The ignition switches off if it was on before-
hand.
>The electric steering wheel lock engages 
audibly.
Automatic transmission
You cannot take out the remote control unless 
the selector lever is in the P position: interlock.
Start/stop button
Each time the start/stop button is pressed, 
radio readiness or the ignition is switched on or 
off.
Briefly pressing the start/stop button 
while the brake or clutch is depressed 
starts the engine.<
Radio readiness
Individual electrical consumers can operate. 
The time and the outside temperature are dis-
played in the instrument cluster.
Radio readiness is switched off automatically:
>Immediately when the remote control is 
removed from the ignition lock
>In cars with convenient access
*, by touch-
ing the surface above the door lock, refer to 
Locking on page36
Ignition on
Most of the indicator and warning lamps in the 
indicator area1 of the instrument cluster, refer 
to page13, light up and remain on for different 
lengths of time.
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator and warning lamps in the instru-
ment cluster go out. 

Controls
 53Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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.< 

Controls
 55Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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