
Automatic gearbox123
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
gear matching the speed of the car and this allows you to accelerate
rapidly (e.g. when overtaking) without having to depress the accelerator
pedal fully into the kickdown range. The original programme will be reac-
tivated to match your particular style of driving once the gearbox has
shifted up again.
When driving in hilly regions, the gears are selected to match uphill and
downhill sections. This avoids the gearbox frequently shifting up and down
when negotiating an uphill stretch. When driving downhill, it is possible to
shift down into the Tiptronic position, in order to exploit the engine brake
torque.
Tiptronic
The Tiptronic allows the driver to also shift gears manually.
Switching over to
manual shifting
– Push the selector lever to the right out of position D. As soon
as the gearbox has switched over, 6 5 4 3 2 1 appears in the
display, with the gear engaged being highlighted.
Shifting up gears
– One-touch forward of the selector lever (in the Tiptronic posi- tion) ⇒fig. 107 .
Shifting down gears
– One-touch back of the selector lever (in the Tiptronic position) .
It is possible to switch over to manual both when the car is stationary and
also when driving.
When you accelerate, the gearbox shifts up automatically in gears 1, 2, 3,
4 and 5 into the next higher gear just before the maximum permissible
engine speed is reached.
Fig. 107 Selector
lever: Manual shifting
of gears
Fig. 108 Information
display: Manual
shifting of gears
A+
A-
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Automatic gearbox
124
If you select a lower gear, the automatic gearbox does not shift down until
there is no risk of the engine overrevving. (Does not apply for the shifting
from 2nd to 1st gear.)
If you operate the kickdown function, the gearbox shifts into a lower gear
in line with the vehicle speed and engine speed.
Emergency programme
An emergency programme exists in the event of a fault in
the system.
The gearbox operates in a corresponding emergency programme if there
are functional faults in the gearbox electronics. This is indicated by all of
the segments in the display lighting up or going out.
It is possible to continue to move the selector lever into all the positions.
In the positions D and S the gearbox remains engaged in the 3rd gear. It
is also possible to continue to engage reverse gear in the position R.
The manual shift programme (Tiptronic) is switched off in the emergency
mode.
If the gearbox has switched over to emergency mode, drive to the
nearest specialist garage in order to have the fault rectified.
Selector lever-emergency unlocking
In case of interruption of the power supply (e.g. flat vehicle
battery, defective fuse) or defect of the selector lever lock, the
selector lever can no longer be shifted from the position P in the
normal way and the vehicle can no longer be moved. The
selector lever must be unlocked in case of emergency.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Open the stowage compartment in front centre console* or the front ashtray.
– Carefully pull up the front left and right cover.
– Pull up rear cover.
– Press with a narrow object (e.g. ignition key) the yellow plastic hoop -arrow- to the left.
Fig. 109 Selector
lever-emergency
unlocking
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Automatic gearbox125
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
– Simultaneously press the shiftlock button in the handle of the
selector lever in the position N3).
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
Tow-starting a vehicle
It is not possible to tow-start vehicles fitted with automatic gearbox
⇒page 245.
you can use jump-start cables connected to the battery of another vehicle
for starting your car if the vehicle battery is flat ⇒page 243.
Towing a vehicle
Please pay attention to the following information if it comes necessary to
tow-in your car ⇒page 245.
3)If the selector lever is moved again into the position P, it is once again blocked.
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Intelligent Technology181
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Low brake fluid level
An insufficient level of brake fluid may result in problems in the brake
system. The level of the brake fluid is monitored electronically
⇒page 36,
“Brake system ”.
WARNING
•Only apply the brakes for the purpose of drying and cleaning the
brake discs if the traffic conditions permit this. Do not place any
other road users in jeopardy.
•When retrospectively mounting a front spoiler, solid wheel hubs
etc. one must ensure that the air supply to the front wheel brakes
is not reduced otherwise the braking system could run too hot.
•Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full
braking efficiency until approximately 200 kilometres. New brake
pads must be first “run in” before they develop their optimal fric-
tion force. You can, however, compensate for this slightly reduced
braking force by increasing the pressure on the brake pedal. This
guideline also applies to any new brake pads installed at a future
date.
Caution
•Never allow the brakes to rub by applying slight pressure if you do not
wish to brake the vehicle. This causes the brakes to overheat and can also
result in a longer braking distance and excessive wear.
•Before negotiating a steep downhill section, please reduce your speed
and shift down into the next lower gear (manual gearbox) or select a lower
driving stage (automatic gearbox). This enables you to make full use of
the braking power of the vehicle and reduces the strain on the brakes. Any
additional braking should be done intermittently, not continuously.
Brake booster
The brake booster boosts the pressure which you generate with the brake
pedal. The necessary pressure is only generated when the engine is
running.
WARNING
•Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary.
•The brake booster only operates when the engine is running.
Greater physical effort for braking is required when engine is
switched off. Because if you do not stop as normal, this can cause
an accident and severe injuries.
Antilock brake system (ABS)*
ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking.
General
The ABS contributes significantly to enhancing the active safety of your
vehicle. Compared to a car not fitted with the ABS brake system, you are
able to retain optimal steering ability even during a full brake application
on a slippery road surface because the wheels do not lock up.
You must not expect, however, that the braking distance will be shorter
under all circumstances as a result of the ABS. The braking distance for
example on gravel and fresh snow, when you should anyway be driving
slowly and cautiously, will be longer.
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Driving and the Environment185
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Driving and the Environment
The first 1 500 kilometres and then
afterwards
A new engine
The engine has to be run in during the first 1 500 kilome-
tres.
Up to 1 000 kilometres
– Do not drive faster than 3/4 of the mamimum speed of the gear
in use, that is 3/4 of the maximum permissible engine speed.
– Do not use full throttle.
– Avoid high engine revolutions.
– Do not tow a trailer.
From 1 000 up to 1 500 kilometres
– Increase the power output of the engine gradually up to the
full speed of the gear engaged, that is up to the maximum
permissible engine revolutions.
During the first operating hours the engine has higher internal friction than
later until all of the moving parts have harmonized. The driving style which
you adopt during the first approx.1 500 kilometres plays a decisive part in
the success of running in your car.
You should not drive at unnecessarily high engine revolutions even after
the running-in period is complete. The maximum permissible engine speed is marked by the beginning of the red zone on the scale of the revo-
lutions counter. Shift up into the next higher gear on a vehicle fitted with
manual gearbox before the red zone is reached.
Extremely high engine
revolutions are automatically governed, by the way.
For a vehicle fitted with a manual gearbox the converse situation also
applies: Do not drive at engine revolutions which are too low. Shift down
as soon as the engine is no longer running smoothly.
Caution
All the speed and engine revolution figures apply only when the engine is
at its normal operating temperature. Never rev up an engine which is cold,
neither when the vehicle is stationary nor when driving in individual gears.
For the sake of the environment
Not driving at unnecessarily high engine revolutions and shifting to a
higher gear as early as possible are ways to minimise fuel consumption
and operating noise levels and protects the environment.
New tyres
New tyres have to be “run in” since they do not offer optimal grip at first.
You should take account of this fact for the first 500 kilometres and drive
particularly carefully.
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Driving and the Environment
188
Shifting gears and saving energy
Shifting up early saves on fuel.
Manual gearbox
– Drive no more than about one length of your vehicle in first
gear. Always shift up into the next higher gear at approx. 2 000
to 2 500 revs.
Automatic gearbox
– Depress the accelerator pedal slowly. Do not depress it
beyond the kickdown position, however.
An effective way of achieving good fuel economy is to shift up early. You
will consume more fuel if you drive at unnecessarily high revolutions in
any given gear. The
⇒fig. 148 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your
vehicle for the individual gears. Fuel consumption in 1st gear is the
highest and in 5th gear is the lowest.
Note
•The optimal engine speed should be obtained when accelerating, in
order to avoid a high fuel consumption and resonance of the vehicle.
•Also use the information supplied by the multi-functional indicator*
⇒ page 17.
Avoiding full throttle
Driving more slowly means saving fuel.
Sensitive use of the accelerator will not only significantly reduce fuel
consumption but also positively influence environmental pollution and
wear of your vehicle.
Fig. 148 Fuel
consumption in
litres/100 km. and
speed in km/h.
Fig. 149 Fuel
consumption in
litres/100 km. and
speed in km/h.
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Inspecting and Replenishing
210
Opening the bonnet
– Unlock the bonnet ⇒page 209, fig. 153 .
– Ensure that the arms of the windscreen wipers are correctly in place against the windscreen before opening the bonnet
otherwise damage could occur to the paintwork.
– Press the locking button ⇒page 209, fig. 154 , the bonnet
unlocks itself.
– Grip the bonnet and lift it up.
– Take the bonnet support out of its holder and set it in the opening designed for it ⇒page 209, fig. 155 .
Closing the bonnet
– Lift the bonnet slightly and unhook the bonnet support. Press the bonnet support into the holder designed to hold it.
– Allow the bonnet to drop from a height of about 30 cm into the lock - bonnet do not press down on it!
WARNING
•Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is
flowing out of the engine compartm ent - risk of scalding! Wait long
enough until the steam or coolant has stopped escaping.
•For safety reasons, the bonnet must always be properly closed
when driving. One should therefore check that the lock has in fact
engaged properly after closing the bonnet.
•Stop your vehicle immediately wh ile driving if you notice that
the lock is not properly engaged and close the bonnet properly -
risk of an accident!
Caution
•Before opening the bonnet, ensure that the arms of the windscreen
wipers are correctly in place against the windscreen. Otherwise, there is
a risk of damage to the paintwork.
Working in the engine compartment
Particular care is required when carrying out any work in
the engine compartment!
There is a risk of injuries, scalding, accidents and fire when working
in the engine compartment, e.g. inspecting and replenishing oil and
other fluids. For this reason, it is essential to comply with the
warning instructions stated below and with the general applicable
rules of safety. The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous
area ⇒ .
WARNING
•Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is
flowing out of the engine compartment - risk of scalding! Wait long
enough until the steam or coolant has stopped escaping.
•Switch off the engine and pull out the ignition key.
•Apply the handbrake firmly.
•If your vehicle is fitted with a manual gearbox, move the gear-
shift lever into Neutral, or if it is fitted with automatic gearbox, move
the selector lever into position P.
•Allow the engine to cool down.
•Keep children clear of the engine compartment.
•Do not touch any hot engine parts - risk of burns!
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Breakdown assistance237
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Spare wheel*
The spare wheel is stowed in the spare wheel well in the
luggage compartment below the floor covering.
The spare wheel lies in a well under the luggage compartment floor and is
fixed in place along with the vehicle tool kit box using special screws
⇒fig. 167 .
One should check the inflation pressure in the spare wheel (at best when
generally checking the tyre air pressures - see sign on the fuel filler flap
⇒ page 207) to ensure that the spare wheel is always ready to use.
Unidirectional tyres*
If you have such tyres on your vehicle, please refer to the notes below:
•The spare wheel provided with a car fitted with unidirectional tyres has
different dimensions. The wheel is provided with a warning sticker.
•After fitting on the wheel, the warning sticker must not be concealed
(e.g. by the wheel trim).
•Do not drive with this spare wheel at more than 80 km/h - risk of acci-
dent. Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.
•The inflation pressure for this spare wheel is identical to the inflation
pressure of the standard tyres.
•Use this spare wheel only to reach the nearest specialist garage as it
is not intended for continuous use.
Changing a wheel
Preliminary work
The following steps should be carried out before actually
changing the wheel.
– If it is necessary to change a wheel, park the vehicle as far away as possible from the traffic flow. The place you choose
should be level.
– Have all the occupants get out. While changing a wheel, the
occupants of the vehicle should not stand on the road (e.g.
behind a crash barrier).
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Engage 1st gear or if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic
gearbox, position the selector lever into position P .
– If a trailer is coupled, uncouple it.
– Take the vehicle tool kit and the spare wheel ⇒ page 236
out of the luggage compartment.
Fig. 167 Luggage
compartment: Spare
wheel
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