Driving
58
Setting
Pull button. The parking brake is set.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up red. The parking brake
is set.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
The remote control does not have to be
inserted into the ignition lock for the parking
brake to be set.
While driving
If exceptional circumstances should make it
necessary to set the parking brake while the
vehicle is in motion, pull on the button longer.
The vehicle continues to brake forcefully for as
long as you pull on the button.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up red, a chime sounds
and the brake lamps light up.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
As soon as you brake the vehicle almost to a
stop, i.e., down to a speed of approx. 2 mph/
3 km/h or below, the parking brake remains set.
Releasing
With engine running
Press the button with the brake depressed.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
With engine switched off
Press the button with the brake depressed.
This function is useful, for example, in auto-
matic car washes, refer to pages36,124.
When leaving the vehicle, take the remote
control with you; this precaution prevents
children from releasing the parking brake, etc.<
Parking brake malfunction
In case of a failure of or fault in the parking
brake, secure the vehicle against rolling if you
leave the vehicle.
Releasing parking brake manually
In the event of an electrical power loss or elec-
trical malfunction, you can release the parking
brake manually.
Before manually releasing the parking
brake and each time you park the vehicle
without setting the parking brake, make sure
that the automatic transmission is in position P,
refer to page60. Be sure to pay attention to the
information in the instrument cluster.
In addition, secure the vehicle against rolling,
e.g. with a chock. Otherwise there is a danger
Driving
60
Displays in instrument cluster
P R N D DS M1 to M6
The transmission position is indicated, and in
the manual mode, the gear currently engaged.
Engaging transmission position
>You can only engage transmission posi-
tions D, R or N when the engine is running.
>With the vehicle stationary, depress the
brake pedal before shifting out of P or N;
otherwise the shift command will not be
executed.
>To prevent the vehicle from creeping after
you select a driving position, maintain pres-
sure on the brake pedal until you are ready
to drive off.
The engaged transmission position is displayed
on the selector lever.
Engaging D, R or N
Move the selector lever in the desired direction.
The selector lever immediately returns to the
center position when released.
>N Neutral:
Up to pressure point, arrowN.
>D Drive:
Depending on the driving position, press back up to the pressure point, arrowD, or
beyond.
>R Reverse:
Depending on the driving position, press
forward up to the pressure point, arrowR, or
beyond. Press the release button1 at the
same time.
Engaging P
Press buttonP.
Press the brake pedal before shifting out of N;
the shift command will not be executed unless
the brake is applied.
Also observe the additional information on the
automatic transmission.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
An interlock prevents inadvertent gearshifts
into transmission position R. To deactivate the
interlock, press the release button1.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
The rear wheels are locked.
P is engaged automatically as soon as
you switch off the engine unless N is
engaged and on vehicles with comfort access
the remote control is inserted in the ignition
lock, refer to page56.<
Engaging N, D or R
With transmission position P engaged, an inter-
lock prevents accidentally shifting into trans-
mission positions N, D and R. To deactivate the
interlock, press the release button1.
N Neutral
Can, for example, be engaged in automatic car
washes. The vehicle can roll.
N remains engaged even after the engine
is switched off whenever you leave the
remote control in the ignition lock. This function
is used, for example, in a car wash, refer to
page57. After approx. 30 minutes P is auto-
matically engaged.<
Controls
61Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation. All for-
ward gears are available.
Under normal operating conditions, the fuel
consumption is lowest when driving in posi-
tion D.
Kick-down
The kick-down mode provides maximum accel-
eration.
Depress the accelerator pedal past the
increased resistance point at the full-throttle
position.
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Move selector lever from transmission posi-
tion D toward the left into the M/S shifting slot:
The selector lever remains in the M/S shifting
slot, the sport program is activated and DS is
shown in the instrument cluster. This position is
recommended for a performance-oriented driv-
ing style.
When the selector lever is pressed forward or
back, the manual mode is activated and the
Steptronic shifts the gear. The instrument clus-
ter shows M1 through M6.
>Press selector lever forward:
The transmission downshifts.
>Press selector lever back:
The transmission upshifts.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combination
of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example,
a downshift that would cause the engine to
overrev will not be executed by the system. The
selected gear is briefly displayed in the instru-
ment cluster, followed by the current gear.To use the automatic function again, move the
selector lever to the right into position D.
If transmission position P is engaged, the
selector lever automatically returns to the
center position of the automatic slot.<
Manually releasing transmission lock
In case of a power failure, e.g. when the
battery is drained or disconnected, or an
electrical malfunction, the transmission lock
must be manually released, as otherwise the
rear wheels are blocked and the vehicle cannot
be towed.<
When manually releasing the transmis-
sion lock, depress the brake pedal, as
otherwise there is a danger of the vehicle rolling
when the transmission lock is manually
released.<
The transmission lock should only be released
for towing. Reengage the transmission lock
after parking the vehicle at its destination.
If it also becomes necessary to manually
release the parking brake, follow this sequence:
1.Secure the vehicle against rolling.
2.Manually release the parking brake, refer to
page58.
3.Manually release the transmission lock of
the automatic transmission.
Information on jump starting and towing from
page237.
Releasing
1.Slide back the cover of the cup holder and
remove the floor mat on the bar between
the cup holders.
2.Open the cover in the bottom of the cup
holder with the releasing tool.
Driving
64 Do not use the washers if there is any
danger that the fluid will freeze on the
windshield. If you do so, your vision could be
obscured. To avoid freezing, use a washer fluid
antifreeze, refer to Washer fluid. Do not use
washing mechanisms when the washer fluid
reservoir is empty, otherwise you will damage
the washer pump.<
Windshield washer nozzles
Both windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated with the engine running or the igni-
tion switched on.
Rear window wiper
1Intermittent mode. When reverse gear is
engaged, continuous operation is switched
on automatically
2Cleaning the rear window
Do not use washing mechanisms when
the washer fluid reservoir is empty, other-
wise you will damage the washer pump.<
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable.
Always keep it well away from sparks and
open flames, and store it in tightly closed con-
tainers well out of the reach of children. Always
observe the instructions for use provided on the
containers.<
Washer fluid reservoir
All washer nozzles are supplied from one reser-
voir.
Fill with water and – if required – with a washer
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
In order to maintain the mixture ratio, mix
the washer fluid before filling.<
Capacity
approx. 6.3 US quarts/6 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
The cruise control with a braking function is
available for use at speeds of approx. 20 mph/
30 km/h and higher. The vehicle stores and
maintains the speed that you set using the lever
mounted on the steering column. To keep the
specified speed constant, the system brakes if
the engine braking effect is not sufficient on a
downhill grade.
Do not use the cruise control under driv-
ing conditions that do not permit a con-
stant speed, e.g. when driving on winding
roads , in heavy traffic or in poor roa d co nditions
such as snow, rain, ice, and loose road surface.
Otherwise you could lose control of the vehicle
and cause an accident.<
Controls
65Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
One lever for all functions
1Storing speed and maintaining or increas-
ing
2Storing speed and maintaining or decreas-
ing
3Deactivating cruise control
4Resuming stored setting
Maintaining current speed
Briefly press, arrow1, or briefly pull, arrow2
lever.
The speed currently being driven is stored and
maintained. It is indicated on the speedometer
and briefly in the instrument cluster.
The controlled speed can drop on uphill grades
if the engine output is insufficient. If the engine
braking effect is not sufficient on a downhill
grade, the system lightly brakes the vehicle.
Increasing desired speed
Repeatedly press the lever up to or beyond the
resistance point, arrow1, until the desired
speed is set.
>Each time the lever is pressed up to the
resistance point, the desired speed
increases by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pressed beyond the
resistance point, the desired speed
increases by a maximum of 5 mph or
10 km/h.
The system stores the setting and maintains
the set speed.
Accelerating with lever
Accelerate slightly:
Press the lever up to the resistance point,
arrow1, until the desired speed is reached.
Accelerate more rapidly:
Press the lever beyond the resistance point,
arrow1, until the desired speed is reached.
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on
the accelerator pedal. The system stores the
setting and maintains the set speed.
Reducing desired speed
Repeatedly pull the lever up to the resistance
point or beyond, arrow2, until the desired
speed is displayed.
>Each time the lever is pulled up to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed decreases
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pulled beyond the
resistance point, the desired speed is
decreased by a maximum of 5 mph or
10 km/h until the minimum speed of
20 mph or 30 km/h is reached.
The system stores the setting and maintains
the set speed.
If the speed is to be considerably
reduced, depress the brake, as otherwise
a dangerous situation could result due to insuf-
ficient deceleration.<
Deactivating cruise control
Briefly press the lever up or down, arrow3.
The displays in the speedometer go out.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:
>when braking
>when transmission position N is engaged
>when DTC is activated or DSC is deacti-
vated
>when HDC is activated
>when DSC or ABS is active
Accelerating does not deactivate the cruise
control. After releasing the accelerator pedal,
Everything under control
68
Tachometer
Do not operate the engine with the needle in the
red overspeed zone of the gauge, refer to arrow.
In this range, the fuel supply is interrupted to
protect the engine.
Coolant temperature
Should the coolant, and with it the engine
become too hot, a warning lamp lights up. In
addition, a message appears on the Control
Display.
Checking coolant level, refer to page225.
Energy Control
Displays the current fuel consumption. This
allows you to see whether your current driving
style is conducive to fuel economy with mini-
mum exhaust emissions.
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 22.5 US gal/
85 liters. You will find information on refueling
on page212.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period,
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
Reserve
After the reserve quantity has been reached, a
message briefly appears on the Control Display;
the remaining range is shown in the computer.
Below a range of approx. 30 miles/50 km, the
message remains on the Control Display.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Controls
69Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Computer
Displays in instrument cluster
To display the information, press the BC button
on the turn signal lever.
The following information is displayed in the
specified order:
>Cruising range
>Average speed
>Average fuel consumption
Cruising range
Displays the estimated cruising range available
with the remaining fuel. The range is projected
based on the driving style over the last 20 miles/
30 km.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Average speed
Periods with the vehicle parked and the engine
stopped are not included in the calculations of
average speed.
To reset average speed: press the BC button on
the turn signal lever for approx. 2 seconds.
Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption is calculated for
the time during which the engine is running.
To reset average fuel consumption: press the
BC button on the turn signal lever for approx.
2seconds.
For different routes
You can display the average speed and average
consumption for two different routes on the
Control Display, refer to the following and to
Trip computer
*.
Displays on Control Display
You can also call up the computer via iDrive.
For explanation of concept, refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the right to open
"Navigation".
Without navigation system
*:
Open "Car Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
4.Select "Onboard info" and press the con-
troller.
>Estimated time of arrival at destination and
remaining distance:
>Entering a distance manually in the com-
puter, see below.
>Entering a destination in the navigation
system
*, refer to page131.
>Cruising range
Everything under control
72
Displaying service requirements
1Button for selecting display
2Service requirements
3Engine oil
4Legally mandated inspections
*
5Front brake pads6Rear brake pads
7Brake fluid
The sequence of the displayed maintenance
can vary. First the data for the next maintenance
are displayed.
Additional information
You can select a display of more detailed infor-
mation on the maintenance scope on the Con-
trol Display. For explanation of concept, refer to
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Info sources" and press the control-
ler.
4.Select "Service" and press the controller.5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Service requirements" is
selected and press the controller.