
Airbag system
40Safety notes on the operation of the side airbag system
If airbags are used correctly, they can considerably reduce the
risk of injury in side impact collisions.
WARNING
•
If you do not wear a seat belt, if you lean forward, or are not seated
correctly while the vehicle is in motion, you are at greater risk of injury
should the side airbag system be triggered in an accident.
•
In order for the side airbags to provide their maximum protection, the
prescribed sitting position must always be maintained with seat belts
while travelling.
•
Occupants of the outer seats must never carry any objects or pets in the
deployment space between them and th e airbags, or allow children or
other passengers to travel in this position. It is also important not to attach
any accessories (such as cup holders) to the doors. This would impair the
protection offered by the side airbags.
•
The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing. Do
not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.
•
Great forces, such as hard blows or kicks, must not be exerted upon the
backrest bolster because the system may be damaged. In this case the side
airbags would not be triggered.
•
Under no circumstances should protective covers be fitted over the
driver seat or front passenger seat unless the covers have been expressly
approved for use in your vehicle. Because the airbag deploys from the side
of the backrest, the use of non-approved seat covers would obstruct the
side airbag seriously reducing the airbag's effectiveness ⇒page 196,
“Accessories, parts replacement and modifications”.
•
Any damage to the original seat upho lstery or around the seams of the
side airbag units must be repaired immediately by a qualified workshop.
•
The airbags provide protection for one accident only, if they have been
deployed they must be replaced.
•
When children assume an incorrect si tting position, they expose them-
selves to an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident. This is
particularly the case if the child is travelling on the front passenger seat
and the airbag system is triggered in an accident; this could have critical
consequences including serious injury or death ⇒page 46, “Child safety”.
•
Any work on the side airbag system or removal and installation of the
airbag components for other repairs (such as removal of the front seat)
should only be performed by qualified workshop. Otherwise, a fault may be
introduced into the operatio n of the airbag system.
•
Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any way.
•
The side and head airbags are managed through sensors located in the
interior of the front doors. To ensure the correct functioning of the side and
head airbags neither the doors nor the door panels should be modified in
any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the front door is damaged in any way,
this may affect the correct working of the system. All work carried out on
the front door must be made in a qualified workshop.WARNING (continued)
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Airbag system43
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
There must be no other persons, animals or objects between the occu-
pants of the outer seats and the deployment space of the curtain airbags
so that the curtain airbag can deploy without restriction and provide the
greatest possible protection. Therefore, sun blinds which have not been
expressly approved for use in your vehicle may not be attached to the side
windows ⇒ page 196, “Accessories, parts replacement and modifica-
tions”.
•
The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing. Do
not leave any heavy or sharp-edged obje cts in the pockets. When using the
coat hooks, do not hang th e clothes on coat hangers.
•
The airbags provide protection for one accident only, if they have been
deployed they must be replaced.
•
Any work on the curtain airbag system or removal and installation of
the airbag components for other repairs (such as removal of the roof lining)
should only be performed by qualified workshop. Otherwise, a fault may be
introduced into the operation of the airbag system.
•
Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any way.
•
The side and head airbags are managed through sensors located in the
interior of the front doors. To ensure the correct functioning of the side and
head airbags neither the doors nor the door panels should be modified in
any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the front door is damaged in any way,
this may affect the correct working of the system. All work carried out on
the front door must be made in a qualified workshop.WARNING (continued)
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Airbag system45
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
– Check that the warning lamp “PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF” in the
dash panel does ⇒ page 44, fig. 27 not light u p
when the igni-
tion is switched on ⇒.
WARNING
•
The driver is responsible for the proper position of the key-operated
switch.
•
You should deactivate the front passenger airbag only if you have to use
a rear-facing child seat in exceptional cases. ⇒ page 46, “Child safety”.
•
Never install a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat unless
the front passenger airbag has been disabled. Risk of potentially fatal inju-
ries to the child! However, if it is necessary in exceptional circumstances to
transport a child in a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat, you
must always disable the front passenger airbag.
•
As soon as the child seat is no longer needed on the front passenger
seat, enable the front passenger airbag again.
•
Only deactivate the passenger airbag when the ignition is off, other-
wise a fault may occur in the airbag system, this will create a danger that
in case of an accident, the airbag do es not deploy properly or does not
deploy at all.
•
If the passenger airbag is disabled the monitor indicatorPASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF does not remain lit, the airbag system may be faulty:
−Have the airbag system inspected immediately by a qualified work-
shop.
− Do not use a child seat on the front passenger seat! The front
passenger airbag could be triggered despite the fact that there is a fault
in the system and, as a result, a child could sustain serious or fatal inju-
ries.
− It is not certain whether the front passenger airbag will deploy
during an accident! Inform your passengers of this.
•
When using the ignition key to activate / deactivate the passenger
frontal airbag, only the passenger frontal airbag will be activated / deacti-
vated. The side airbag and head airbag on the passenger side will remain
active.WARNING (continued)
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Cockpit55
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Operating instructionsCockpitOverviewOverview of the instrument panel
This overview will help you to familiarise yourself with the
controls and displays quickly.
Door release lever
Light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air vent
Lighting control for instrument and control lighting . . . . . . . .
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn signal and main beam lever and cruise control system* .
Instrument panel:
− Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Indication lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horn (works only when the igni tion is on)/ and driver front
airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windscreen wiper and windscreen wash lever and operation of
the multi-function display * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thumb wheel for left seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controls for
− Heating* and ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Air conditioning* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . −
Air conditioner* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radio
Thumb wheel for right seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Indication lamp for deactivated front passenger airbag . . . . .
Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glove compartment lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gear shift lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cup holder compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Handbrake
Pedals
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Handle for releasing the bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Button for opening and closing the front windows . . . . . . . . .
Safety switch* for the rear windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control* for opening and closing the rear windows . . . . . . . . .
Note
Some of the items of equipment listed here are fitted only on certain models
or are optional extras.
A1A2
111
A3A4
113
A5
113
A6
115
A7
56
59
71
A8
30
A9
120, 61
A10
131
A11
147
149 152
A12A13
131
A14
44
A15
30
A16
133
A17
164
A18
137
A19A20A21
159
A22
203
A23
106
A24
106
A25
106
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Cockpit57
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Fuel gauge
and reserve indicator
Details of the instrument panel: Fuel gauge
The fuel tank has a capacity of approx. 55 litres.
When the needle reaches the reserve zone ⇒fig. 34 (arrow), the warning
lamp w ill light and an ac oustic signal w ill sou
nd r
eminding the driv
er to
refuel . At this point there are still about 7 litres of fuel in the tank.
The following text appears in the instrument panel display
3) PLEASE
REFUEL *
Engine coolant temperature display
This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature.
Needle in cold zone
Avoid high engine speeds and heavy engine loads ⇒fig. 35.
Needle in normal zone
In normal driving conditions, the needle should be in the middle section of
the scale. The temperature may also rise when the engine is working hard,
especially at high outside temperatures. This is no cause for concern as long
as the warning lamp does not light up and no warning* text appears in the
combi-instrument display.
Needle in warning zone
The warning lamp* ⇒page 71, fig. 47 will light up if the needle is in the
warning zone. The following warning appears in the instrument panel display .
3)Depending on the model version
Fig. 34 Details of the
instrument panel: Fuel
gauge
Fig. 35 Details of the
instrument panel: Engine
coolant temperature
gauge
AAABAC
A2
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4)
4)Depending on the model version

Cockpit59
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Digital display in the instrument panelDisplay (without warning or information texts)
The display in the instrument panel shows, amongst other
things, the mileage and trip recorder as well as the selector
lever position.
Digital clock display ⇒page 58
Distance display or service interval display ⇒page 60
Selector lever position display for the automatic gearbox*.
Display for the gears in Tiptronic mode (automatic gearbox)*. The
selected gear appears in the display field with a light background
⇒ fig. 37 .
Fig. 36 Detail of the
instrument panel: Screen
with various displays
Fig. 37 Detail of instru-
ment panel: Display with
Tiptronic gear selection
A1A2A3A4
A5
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Cockpit
60Displayed categories
The display in the instrument panel shows the mileage and
trip recorder as well as the selector lever position.
Control and warning lamps: “Control and warning lamps”
Clock: “Setting the time”. In some vehicles the ambient temperature is
displayed to the right of the clock.
There are optional and automatic displays in this field.
- Selectable displays: e.g. Multi-function display (MFD) and ambient
temperature display
- Automatic indications: information or warning messages: “Information
or warning messages on the screen”
- Menus with diverse information are shown on the screen allowing many adjustments to be made: “Instrument panel menus” Mileage display or Service Interval Display“Mileage display or Service
Interval Display”
Selector lever position display for the automatic gearbox. The actual
position of the selector lever or the gear which is engaged (for Tiptronic)
are highlighted.
Mileage display or Service Interval DisplayDistance display
The left-hand counter in the display registers the total amount of distance
covered by the vehicle.
The right-hand counter regi
sters the short journeys. The last digit indicates
steps of 100 metres. The trip recorder counter may be reset by the reset
button ⇒page 56, fig. 33 .
Service interval display
A Service pre-warning will appear in the mileage displays if a service is due
soon. A “spanner” symbol appears and the display “km” with the distance
that can be driven until the next service appointment is due. The display will
change after approximately 10 seconds. A “clock symbol” appears and the
number of days until the service appointment should be carried out. The
following information text displaye d in the instrument panel display: SERV. IN
... KM OR ... DAYS . The service message will disappear approximately 20
seconds after the ignition is switched on or the engine is running. The normal
display can be resumed by pressing the re set button on the trip counter or by
pressing the rocker switch of the MFI ⇒page 61, fig. 39 .
With the ignition switched on, you can call up the current service message by
pressing the trip counter reset knob for 2 seconds.
An overdue service is indicated by a minus sign in front of the mileage or day
information.
Fig. 38 Digital display in
the instrument panel
A1A1A2
A3A4
A6
AB
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Cockpit63
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Miles - Distance travelled
The display shows the distance travelled since the ignition was switched on.
The maximum display value in both memories is 9999 miles. The memory will
automatically be deleted once this value has been reached.
Miles - Fuel range
The fuel range is calculated using the fi gures for tank content and current fuel
consumption. It shows how far the vehicle can travel using the same condi-
tions as a reference.
Ø litre/100km - Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption will be shown ⇒page 62, fig. 42 after a
distance of approximately 100 metres has been travelled. Dashes will appear
in the display until that time. The display will be updated every 5 seconds
whilst the vehicle is in motion. The am ount of fuel used will not be shown.
ltr/100km or ltr/hr - Current fuel consumption
The display will show the current fuel consumption in litre/km whilst the
vehicle is in motion or in litre/hour when the vehicle is in a stationary position
with the engine running.
Using this display you can see how your driving style affects fuel consump-
tion ⇒page 185.
Ambient temperature display
The measurement margin extends from -45° C to +58° C. At temperatures
lower than +4° C, an “ice crystal symbol” is displayed and a “warning”
sounds if the vehicle is moving at more than 20 km/h (ice warning). This
symbol will flash for about 10 seconds and remains lit until the exterior
temperature rises above +4° C or 6° C if it was already lit.
WARNING
There could be black ice on the road surface even if the “snowflake symbol”
is not shown. You should, for this reason, not rely exclusively on this
display - Risk of accident!
Note
When the vehicle is stationary or travelling at very low speeds, the tempera-
ture displayed may be slightly higher than the actual ambient temperature as
a result of the heat radiated from the engine.Warning or information text in the display
Faults are shown in the display with warning lamps and
warning/information reports.The system runs a check on certain components and functions when the igni-
tion is switched on and while the vehicle is moving. Functional faults are indi-
cated by symbols with warnings and information texts in the display. An
audible warning is gi ven in certain cases.
Warning symbols
There are red warning symbols (priority 1) and yellow warning symbols
(priority 2)
Information text
In addition to warning messages given on a fault, you will receive information
in the display on procedures or will be asked to carry out certain tasks.
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