Seats and Stowage71
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
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 necessary 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 properl y 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 Stowage81
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Caution
•You should not kneel on the seats or otherwise apply pressure at
specific points in order to avoid damaging the heating elements of the seat
heaters.
•Do not clean the seats moist ⇒ page 211.
Note
The seat heating should only be switched on when the engine is running.
This has a significant effect of saving on the battery capacity.
Pedals
You should use only footmats which do not obstruct the movement of the
pedals and have an anti-slip protection.
Operation of the pedals must not be hindered!
WARNING
•Greater pedal distances may be needed when there is a fault in
the brake system.
•Do not place any footmats or other additional floor coverings in
the area of the pedals in order to ensure that all the pedals can be
fully depressed and are able to re turn unobstructed to their initial
position - risk of accident!
•There must be no objects on the floor which could roll under the
pedals. You would then no longer be able to apply the brakes,
operate the clutch or accelerator - risk of accident!
Luggage compartment
Loading the luggage compartment
Please observe the following in the interest of having good
handling characteristics of your vehicle:
– Distribute the items of luggage as evenly as possible.
– Place heavy objects as far forward as possible.
– Attach the items of luggage with the safety net* or with tensioning straps attached to the lashing eyes ⇒page 82.
In the event of an accident, there is such a high kinetic energy which is
produced by small and light objects that they can cause severe injuries.
The magnitude of the kinetic energy depends on the speed at which the
vehicle is travelling and on the weight of the object. The speed at which
the vehicle is travelling is in this case the more significant factor.
Example: In the event of a frontal collision at a speed of 50 km/h, an unse-
cured object with a weight of 4.5 kg produces an energy, which corre-
sponds to 20 times its own weight. This means that it results in a weight
of approx. 90 kg. You can imagine the injuries that can occur, if this “bullet”
is flying through the interior compartment and hits an occupant.
WARNING
•Store the objects in the luggage compartment and attach them
to the lashing eyes.
•Loose objects in the passenger compartment can be thrown
forward during a sudden manoeuvre or in case of an accident and
can injure the occupants or other onc oming traffic. This risk is still
increased, if the objects which are flying around are hit by a
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Seats and Stowage101
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Storage facilities
Overview
You will find the following storage facilities in your vehicle:
WARNING
•Please do not place anything on top of the dash panel. Such
objects might slide or fall down when driving (when accelerating or
cornering) and may distract you from concentrating on the traffic
situation - risk of accident!
•Ensure that when driving no objects from the centre console of
from other storage possibilities may get into the footwell of the driver. You would then no longer be able to apply the brakes,
operate the clutch or accelerator - risk of accident!
Storage compartment on the front passenger side
The storage compartment on the front passenger side is
lockable* and illuminated.
Opening the storage compartment
– Pull the handle in the lid in direction of arrow
⇒fig. 94 and pull
the lid down.
Closing the stor age compartment
– Raise the lid and press it until the catch is heard to engage.
First-aid box⇒ page 245
Stowage compartment for warning triangle⇒page 245
Storage compartment on the front passenger
side⇒page 101
Storage drawer*⇒page 102
Stowage compartment in centre console⇒page 103
Stowage compartment for spectacles*⇒page 103
Stowage compartment below steering wheel⇒page 104
Stowage compartment in door panel⇒page 104
Stowage compartment for an umbrella*⇒page 105
Armrest with stowage compartment⇒page 106
Rear armrest with stowage compartment*⇒page 107
Clothes hooks⇒page 107
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 94 Dash panel:
Storage compartment
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Starting-off and Driving
122
WARNING
•When driving, the ignition key must always be in the position
(ignition switched on) without the engine running. This position is
indicated by the warning lights coming on. If this is not the case, it
could result in unexpected locking of the steering wheel - risk of
accident!
•Only remove the ignition key from the ignition lock when the
vehicle has come to a standstill (put on the handbrake or select the
selector lever position P). The steering lock can engage immedi-
ately - risk of accident!
•Always withdraw the ignition key if you are going to leave the
vehicle, even for a short time. This is particularly important if chil-
dren are left in the vehicle. The children might otherwise start the
engine or operate electrical equi pment (e.g. power windows) - risk
of injury!
Starting the engine
General
You can only start the engine only using an original ignition
key.
•Place the gearshift lever into neutral (or place the selector lever to the
position P or N in the case of an automatic gearbox) and put on the hand-
brake firmly before starting the engine.
•The clutch pedal should be fully depressed when starting the engine
which means that the starter only has to crank the engine.
•Let go of the key as soon as the engine starts otherwise there may be
damage to the starter. The engine running noises may louder at first be louder for a short time
after starting the cold engine until oil pressure can be built up in the
hydraulic valve clearance compensation. This is quite normal and is not
an operating problem.
If the engine does not start ...
You can use the battery of another vehicle as a jump-start aid
⇒
page 255.
It is only possible to tow-start vehicles fitted with a manual gearbox. The
tow-starting distance must not be more than 50 metres ⇒page 257.
WARNING
•Never run the engine in non ventilated or enclosed areas. The
exhaust gases of the engine contain besides the odorless and
colourless carbon monoxide a poisonous gas - hazard! Carbon
monoxide can cause unconsciousness and death.
•Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
Caution
•The starter may only be operated (ignition key position ), if the
engine is not running. If the starter is immediately operated after switching
off the engine, the starter or the engine can be damaged.
•Avoid high engine revolutions, full throttle and high engine loads as
long as the engine has not yet reached its normal operating temperature
- risk of damaging the engine!
•Vehicles which are fitted with an exhaust gas catalytic converter
should not be tow-started over a distance of more than 50 metres.
A2
A3
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Starting-off and Driving
124
WARNING
•Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary - risk
of accident!
•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.
Caution
you should not switch the engine off right away at the end of your journey
after the engine has been operated for a lengthy period at high loads but
should be allowed it to run at idling speed for about 2 minutes. This
prevents any accumulation of heat when the engine is switched off.
Note
•The radiator fan may continue running for a further 10 minutes or so
after the engine and the ignition have been switched off. The coolant fan
may, however, also switch on again after some time if the coolant temper-
ature rises because of an accumulation of heat in the engine or if the
engine is warm and the engine compartment is additionally heated by
strong sunlight.
•This is why particular care is required when carrying out any work in
the engine compartment ⇒page 219, “Working in the engine
compartment”.
Shifting (manual gearbox)
Shift into reverse only when the car is stationary. Depress the clutch pedal
and hold it fully depressed. Wait a moment before engaging reverse gear
in order to avoid any shift noises.
Fig. 116 Shift pattern
on models fitted with 5-
speed manual gearbox
Fig. 117 Shift pattern
on models fitted with 6-
speed manual gearbox
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Starting-off and Driving125
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
The reversing lights will come on once reverse gear is engaged, provided
the ignition is on.
WARNING
Never engage the reverse gear when driving - risk of accident!
Note
•One should not lay the hand on the shift lever while driving the vehicle.
The pressure of the hand will be transferred to the gearshift forks in the
gearbox. This can, over a period of time, lead to early wear of the gearshift
forks.
•Depress the clutch pedal fully when changing gears, in order to avoid
unnecessary wear and damage.
Handbrake
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up fully.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and at the same time
press in the locking button ⇒fig. 118 .
– Hold the button pressed and push the handbrake lever down fully ⇒ .
The handbrake warning light lights up when the handbrake is applied,
provided the ignition is on.
A warning signal sounds and the following text appears in the display* if
you have inadvertently driven off with the handbrake applied:
"Handbrake on"
The handbrake warning is activated if you drive at a speed of more than 5
km/h for more than 3 seconds.
WARNING
•Please note that the handbrake must be fully released. A hand-
brake which is only partially released can result in the rear brakes
overheating which will have a nega tive effect on the operation of
the brake system - risk of accident! In addition this can result in
premature wear of the rear brake pads.
•Never leave children unattended in the vehicle. The children
might, for example, release the handbrake or take the vehicle out of
gear. The vehicle might then move off - risk of accident!
Fig. 118 Centre
console: Handbrake
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Starting-off and Driving
128
lights up in the button. The activation is confirmed by a brief acknowledge-
ment signal.
Deactivating
The parking aid is deactivated after pressing the button
⇒ page 127,
fig. 120 or at a speed of more than 15 km/h - the symbol in the button
is no longer illuminated.
WARNING
•The parking aid is not a substitute for the driver paying proper
attention and it is always the driver's responsibility to take care
when reversing the vehicle or carrying out similar manoeuvres.
•You should therefore satisfy yourself, before reversing, that
there is no small obstacle, such as a rock, thin post, trailer drawbar
etc., in front or behind your vehicle. Such an obstacle might not be
within the range detected by the sensors.
Note
•Only the front parking aid operates if you are towing a trailer (applies
only to models which feature a factory-fitted towing device*).
•If a warning signal sounds for about 3 seconds after activating the
system and there is no obstacle close to your car, this indicates a system
fault. The fault is confirmed additionally when the symbol
flashes in the
button ⇒page 127, fig. 120 . Have the fault rectified by a specialist work-
shop.
•The sensors must be kept clean and free of ice to enable the parking
aid to operate properly.
Cruise control system (CCS)*
Introduction
The cruise control system (CCS) maintains a constant speed, more than
30 km/h (20 mph), once it has been set, without you having to depress the
accelerator pedal. This is only possible within the range which is permitted
by the power output and braking power of the engine. The cruise control
system makes it possible - particularly on long journeys - for you to rest
your “accelerator foot”.
WARNING
•The cruise control system must not, for safety reasons, be used
in dense traffic or on unfavourable road surfaces (such as icy
roads, slippery roads or loose chippings) - risk of accident!
•In order to prevent unintentional use of the cruise control
system, always switch off the system after use.
Note
•Models fitted with a manual gearbox: Always depress the clutch pedal
if you switch on the cruise control system when the gearbox is in Neutral.
Otherwise the engine can rev up unintentionally.
•The cruise control system is not able to maintain a constant speed
when driving on steep downhill sections. The weight of the vehicle
increases the speed at which it travels. One should shift down in good time
to a lower gear or slow the vehicle down by applying the foot brake.
•It is not possible on vehicles fitted with an automatic gearbox to switch
on the cruise control system if the selector lever is in the position P, N , R
or 2.
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Starting-off and Driving129
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Storing a speed
– Move the slide switch ⇒fig. 122 into the ON position.
– After the desired speed has been reached, press the rocker button into the SET position.
After you have pressed press button into the SET position, the speed
you have just selected is maintained at a constant speed without having
to depress the accelerator.
You can increase the speed by depressing the accelerator. Releasing the
accelerator will cause the speed to drop again to the set speed.
This does not apply, however, if you drive at a speed which is more than
10 km/h higher than the set speed for a period of more than 5 minutes.
The stored speed will be cancelled in the memory. You then have to re-
store the desired speed.
One can reduce the speed in the usual manner. The system is switched
off temporarily by actuating the brake or clutch pedal ⇒page 130.
WARNING
First ensure that it is not too high for the traffic conditions which
exist at that moment before resuming the stored speed.
Changing a stored speed
You can also change the speed of the vehicle without
depressing the accelerator.
Faster
– You can increase the stored speed without depressing the
accelerator, by pressing the rocker button ⇒fig. 122 into
the RES position.
– The speed of the car will increase continuously if you hold the rocker button pressed in the RES position. Once the car has
reached the desired speed, release the rocker button. The set
speed is then stored in the memory.
Slower
– You can reduce the stored speed by pressing the rocker
button in the SET position.
– Holding down the rocker button pressed in the SET position
will cause the speed of the vehicle to reduce continuously.
Once the car has reached the desired speed, release the
rocker button. The set speed is then stored in the memory.Fig. 122 Operating
lever: Rocker button
and slide switch on the
cruise control system
AA
AB
AB
AB
AB
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