
Cockpit
54
WARNING
When working in the engine compartment, always bear in mind the safety 
warnings ⇒ page 180.
Caution
Accessories in front of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect of the coolant. At 
high outside temperatures and high engine loads, there is a risk of the 
engine overheating.Fuel gauge 
 and reserve indicator
Instrument panel: fuel gauge
The fuel tank has a capacity of approx. 45 litres. When the needle reaches the reserve zone 
⇒fig. 34  the warning lamp will 
light and an acoustic signal will sound  reminding the driver to refuel. At this 
point there are still about 7 litres of fuel in the tank.
SpeedometerThe speedometer is equipped with a digital odometer and a trip counter, in 
addition to a service intervals display.
During the running-in period, the instructions shown on  ⇒page 151 should 
be followed.Digital display in the instrument panelDigital clock* – Turn the setting knob  ⇒page 52, fig. 32    anti-clockwise to 
the stop to set the hour. If the kn ob is turned briefly anti-clock-
wise the clock will advance one hour further.
– Turn the setting knob clockwise to the limit stop to set the  minutes. If the knob is turned briefly clockwise the clock will 
advance one minute further.
Fig. 34  Fuel gauge
A5
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Cockpit
64Coolant temperature too high
First look at the coolant temperature gauge. The coolant temperature is too 
high if the needle is over the warning area on the dial.  Stop the vehicle, 
switch off the engine and wait for it to cool down. Check the coolant level.
If the coolant level is correct, the overheating may be caused by a malfunction 
of the radiator fan. Check the radiator fan fuse and have it replaced if neces-
sary  ⇒page 213.
If the warning lamp lights up again  after driving on for a short distance,  stop 
the vehicle and switch off the engine. Contact an Authorised Service Centre 
or a qualified workshop.
Coolant level too low
First look at the coolant temperature gauge. If the needle is in the normal 
range, top up with coolant at the earliest opportunity  ⇒.
WARNING
•
If your vehicle is immobilised for any technical reasons, move it to a 
safe distance from traffic. Turn off the engine, turn on the hazard lights and 
place the warning triangle.
•
Never open the bonnet if you can see or hear steam or coolant escaping 
from the engine compartment. Risk of scalding. Wait until you can no 
longer see or hear escaping steam or coolant.
•
The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a dangerous area! 
Before carrying out any work in the engine compartment, switch off the 
engine and allow it to cool down. Alwa ys note the corresponding warnings 
⇒ page 180.
Main beam headlights 
This warning lamp lights up when the main beams are on.The warning lamp 
 lights up when the main beams are on or when the 
headlight flasher is operated.
Further information  ⇒page 93.
Fuel level / reserve 
This symbol lights up to indicate that the fuel tank is down to 
the reserve level.This lights when only 7 litres of  fuel remain in the tank. Also, an  audible 
warning  is given. This serves as a reminder to fill up with fuel at the earliest 
opportunity  ⇒page 177.Anti-lock brake system (ABS) 
 
A warning lamp system monitors the ABS.
The warning lamp 
 should light up for a few seconds when the ignition is 
switched on. It goes out again after the system has run through an automatic 
test sequence.
There is a fault in the ABS if:
•
The warning lamp 
 does not light up when the ignition is switched on.
•
The warning lamp does not go  out again after a few seconds.
•
The warning lamp lights up when the vehicle is moving.
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning 125
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
•
If the function is not deactivated by pressing the button, this will be deac-
tivated after about 20 min.
Economic use of the air conditioningWhen the air conditioning is switched on, the compressor consumes engine 
power and has an effect on fuel consumption. Observe the following points 
in order to have the equipment operating for a short a time as possible.
•
If the vehicle interior has overheated due to excessive solar radiation, it is 
best to open the windows or doors to allow the hot air to escape.
•
When travelling the air conditioning  should not be switched on if the 
windows or sun roof are open.*
ClimatronicControl switchesThe air conditioning system only works when  t
he engine is 
running and the b lower
  is swit ched on.
Fig. 96  On the instrument panel: Climatronic controls
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Driving
140If, while driving, the selector lever accidentally moves to position  N, first 
release the accelerator pedal and wait until the engine slows to idling before 
selecting a forward gear  ⇒.
Starting
Select a range ( R, D, 3, 2, 1). Wait until the change has taken place and the 
power transmission of the drive wheels has stabilised (slight pressure is 
noticeable). Then depress the accelerator.
Stopping
In the case of a temporary stop, for example at a traffic light, it is not neces-
sary to move to position  N, it is sufficient to brake using the brake pedal. The 
engine should only run at idle speed.
Parking
On slopes, first pull handbrake on firmly and then connect block. This 
prevents overloading of the locking mechanism, making the subsequent 
deactivation easier ⇒ .
Emergency start
For vehicles fitted with an automatic gearbox the engine can not be started by 
towing or pushing the vehicle ⇒ page 233.
If the vehicle battery is flat, a battery from another car can be used to jump-
start the car using a set of jump leads  ⇒page 133.
To w i n g
If the vehicle requires towing at any time, observe the instructions of 
⇒ page 233, “Towing and tow-starting”.
Back-up programme
In the event of a malfunction of  the gearbox electronics, emergency 
programmes are activated, according to the type of fault.•
The gearbox continues to connect gears automatically, but the operations 
are jerky. Consult the Authorised Service Centre.
•
The gearbox does not automatically engage gears.
In this case they can be changed manually.  3rd gear is only available in posi-
tions  D, 3 and  2 of the selector lever.
In positions  1 and R of the selector lever 1st  gear and reverse gear are avail-
able respectively as normal.
As the torque converter is required to work more, especially due to the lack of 
2nd  gear, it is possible that the gearbox oil may overheat. In this case, consult 
the Authorised Service Centre as soon as possible.
WARNING
•
In all the ranges the vehicle must always be held with the foot brake 
when the engine is running. This is because an automatic gearbox still 
transmits power even at idling speed , and the vehicle tends to “creep”.
•
If, when the car is at a standstill and the engine is idling, a range is 
connected, take care not to accelerate accidentally (for example, when 
working in the engine compartment), as the car will start to move immedi-
ately.
•
Before working on a running engine, place the selector lever in position 
P and apply the handbrake.
•
To prevent the vehicle from moving out of control, the handbrake 
should always be applied when the vehicle is at a standstill. In addition 
move the selector lever to position P.
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Intelligent technology
150Anti-lock brake system (ABS)The anti-lock brake system prevents the wheels locking during braking 
⇒ page 148.Electronic differential lock (EDL)*
The electronic differential lock helps prevent the loss of trac-
tion caused if one of the driven wheels starts spinning.EDL helps the vehicle to start moving, accelerate and climb a gradient in slip-
pery conditions where this may otherwise be difficult or even impossible.
The system will control the revolutions of the drive wheels using the ABS 
sensors (in case of an EDL fault the warning lamp for ABS lights up) 
⇒page 64.
At speeds of up to approximately 80 km/h, it is able to balance out differ-
ences in the speed of the driven wheel s of approximately 100 rpm caused by 
a slippery road surface on one side  of the vehicle. It does this by braking the 
wheel which has lost traction and distributing more driving force to the other 
driven wheel via the differential.
To prevent the disc brake of the braked wheel from overheating, the EDL cuts 
out automatically if subjected to excessive loads. The vehicle will continue to 
function normally without EDL. For this reason, the driver is not informed that 
the EDL has been switched off.
The EDL will switch on again automatically when the brake has cooled down.
WARNING
•
When accelerating on a slippery surface, for example on ice and snow, 
press the accelerator carefully. Despite EDL, the driven wheels may start to 
spin. This could impair the vehicle’s stability.
•
Always adapt your driving style to  suit road conditions and the traffic 
situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by EDL tempt you into taking 
any risks when driving, this can cause accidents.Caution
Modifications to the vehi cle (e.g. to the engine, the brake system, running 
gear or any components affecting the wheels and tyres) could affect the effi-
ciency of the EDL  ⇒page 172.The traction control system (TCS)The traction control system prevents the drive wheels from spinning when the 
car is accelerating  ⇒page 148.
WARNING (continued)
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Driving and the environment
152Braking effect and braking distance
The braking effect and braking distance are influenced by 
driving situations and road conditions.The efficiency of the brakes depends directly on the  brake pad wear. The rate 
of wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the conditions under 
which the vehicle is operated and the way the vehicle is driven. If you often 
drive in town traffic, drive short distances or have a sporty driving style, we 
recommend that you have the thickness of your brake pads checked by an 
Authorised Service Centre more frequently than recommended in the Service 
Schedule.
If you drive with  wet brakes, for example, after crossing areas of water, in 
heavy rainfall or even after washing the car, the effect of the brakes is less-
ened as the brake discs are wet or even frozen (in winter): The brakes should 
be “dried” by pressing the pedal to restore full braking effect.
WARNING
Longer braking distances and faults in the brake system increase the risk 
of accidents.•
New brake pads must be run in and  do not have the correct friction 
during the first 200 km. However, the reduced braking capacity may be 
compensated by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder. This also 
applies when new brake pads are fitted.
•
If brakes are wet or frozen, or if you are driving on roads which have 
been gritted with salt, braking power may set in later than normal.
•
On steep descents if the brakes are excessively used they will over 
heat. Before driving down a long steep gradient, it is advisable to reduce 
speed and change to a lower gear (or mo ve the selector lever to a lower gear 
if your vehicle has automatic transmission). This makes use of engine 
braking and relieves the brakes.
•
Never let the brakes “rub” by applying light pressure. Continuous 
braking will cause the brakes to overheat and will increase the braking 
distance. Apply and then release the brakes alternately.
•
Never let the vehicle coast with the engine switched off. The braking 
distance is increased considerably as the brake servo does not function.
•
Very heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake fluid 
is left in the system for too long . This impairs the braking effect.
•
Non-standard or damaged front spoilers  could restrict the airflow to the 
brakes and cause them to overheat. Observe the relevant instructions 
before purchasing accessories  ⇒page 172, “Modifications”.
•
If a brake circuit fails, the braking distance will be increased consider-
ably. Contact a qualified workshop immediately and avoid unnecessary 
journeys.
Exhaust gasses purification systemCatalytic converter*To conserve the useful life of the catalytic converter
– Always use unleaded petrol.
– Do not run the fuel tank dry.
– For engine oil changes, do not replenish with too much engine oil  ⇒page 186, “Topping up engine oil  ”.
– Never tow the vehicle to start it, use jump leads if necessary  ⇒page 230.
WARNING (continued)
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Driving and the environment153
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
If you notice misfiring, uneven running
 or loss of power when the vehicle is 
moving, reduce speed immediately and have the vehicle inspected at the 
nearest qualified workshop. In general,  the exhaust warning lamp will light 
up when any of the described symptoms occur  ⇒page 60. If this happens, 
unburnt fuel can enter the exhaust system and escape into the environment. 
The catalytic converter can also be damaged by overheating.
WARNING
The catalytic converter reaches very high temperatures! Fire hazard!•
Never park where the catalytic converter could come into contact with 
dry grass or inflammable materials under the vehicle.
•
Do not apply additional underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the 
exhaust pipes, catalytic converter or the heat shields on the exhaust 
system. These materials could catch fire when the vehicle is driven.Caution
Never fully drain the fuel tank, in this case, the irregularity of the fuel supply 
may cause ignition problems. This allow s unburnt fuel to enter the exhaust 
system, which could cause overheating and damage the catalytic converter.
For the sake of the environment
Even when the emission control system is working perfectly, there may be a 
smell of sulphur from the exhaust unde r some conditions. This depends on 
the sulphur content of the fuel used.  Quite often the problem can be reme-
died by changing to another brand of fuel.
Diesel engine particulate filter*
The diesel engine particulate filter eliminates soot produced 
by burning diesel.The diesel engine dust filter eliminates most of the soot from the exhaust gas 
system. Under normal driving conditions, the filter cleans itself. If the driving 
conditions do not allow the filter to clean itself (for example, multiple short 
trips) the filter will be obstructed by dust and pollen and the indicator 
 for 
the diesel engine particulate filter indicator will light. See under Warning 
Lights.
WARNING
•
The diesel engine particulate filter may reach extremely high tempera-
tures; it should not enter into contact with flammable materials under-
neath the vehicle. Failure to comply could result in fire.Caution
Vehicles equipped with a diesel engine particulate filter must not be refueled 
using biodiesel (RME), given that the fuel system may be damaged.Driving abroadNotesFor driving abroad, the following must be taken into consideration:•
For vehicles fitted with a catalytic converter ensure that unleaded petrol is 
available for the journey. See the chap ter “Refuelling”. Automobile organisa-
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