
Seats and Stowage72
Storage box*
The storage box is foreseen for storage of small objects of up to 5 kg in
weight and can also be used as an armrest. You can place 2 cups or
beverage cans into the recess on the storage box.
Installing storage box
– Fold the backrest of the middle seat and the outer seat forwards.
– Move the fixing holder ⇒fig. 77 from the rear between the seat
cushion and seat backrest, then align the seat backrest to the vertical
position.
– Move the fixing arms of the storag e box into the locking eyes of the
fixing holder until they lock in place ⇒fig. 78.
– Check the interlock of both fixing arms by pulling on the storage
box.
Removing storage box
– Simultaneously press on each side of the storage box the red button in
direction opposite the seat back rest. The storage box releases.
– Fold the seat backrest forwards and remove the fixing holder, then
move the seat backrest into the original position.
WARNING
•Do not place any hot beverages into th e cup holder. If the vehicle moves, the hot beverages may spill - risk of scalding!
•Do not use any cups or beakers which are made of brittle material (e.g. glass, porcelain). You might be injured by them in the event of an accident.
Caution
Do not open the beverages in the cup holder while driving. There is a risk of spilling e.g. when braking and therefore the electrical components or the seat upholstery can be damaged.
Fig. 77 Holder for attachment
Fig. 78 Storage box
NKO A05F 20 MR08.book Page 72 Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:34 AM

Seats and Stowage73
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Removeable storage compartments in the luggage
compartment*
A removeable storage compartment*⇒fig. 79 is located on both sides in the side trim panel of the luggage compartment.
The removeable storage compartments* are intended for storing small objects of up to 2.5 kg in weight.
Flexible storage compartment*
A flexible storage compartment is located on the right side of the luggage
compartment. The flexible storage co mpartment is foreseen for storing
small objects of up to 8 kg. in weight.
Removing
– Take hold of the flexible storage compartment at both upper corners.
– Press the upper corners to the inside and release the storage compart-
ment by pulling upwards.
– Remove by pulling towards you.
Installing
– Insert both ends of the flexible storage compartment into the open-
ings of the right side trim panel of the luggage compartment and push
it downwards until it locks.
Clothes hooks*
A clothes hook is located above the rear doors ⇒fig. 81.
Fig. 79 Removeable storage compartments
Fig. 80 Flexible storage compartment
Fig. 81 Area above rear doors: Clothes hooks
NKO A05F 20 MR08.book Page 73 Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:34 AM

Starting-off and Driving86
Starting-off and Driving
Setting steering wheel position*
You can set the height and the forward/back position of the steering
wheel to the desired position.
– Adjust the driver seat ⇒page 56.
– Pull the lever below the steering column ⇒fig. 88 down ⇒.
– Set the steering wheel to the desired position (concerning height and
forward/back position).
– Then push the lever up against the steering column until it locks into
place.
WARNING
•You must not adjust the steering wh eel when the vehicle is moving!
•The driver must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the steering wheel ⇒fig. 89. Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean that the airbag system will not be able to properly protect you - hazard!
•For s afe ty re a so ns t he le ve r m ust al wa y s b e fi rm ly pus he d up to a voi d the steering wheel alteri ng its position unintentionally when driving - risk of accident!
•If you adjust the steering wheel furthe r towards the head, you will reduce the protection offered by the driver airb ag in the event of an accident. Check that the steering wheel is aligned to the chest.
•When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on the outer edge in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. Never hold the steering wheel firmly in the 12 o'clock position or in another way (e.g. in the middle of the steering wheel or at the inner steering wheel edge). In such cases, injuries to the arms, the hands and the head can occur when the driver airbag is deployed.
Fig. 88 Adjustable steering wheel: Lever below steering column
Fig. 89 Safe distance to steering wheel
NKO A05F 20 MR08.book Page 86 Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:34 AM

Starting-off and Driving87
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Ignition lock
Petrol engines
- ignition switched off, engine off, the steering can be locked.
- ignition switched on
- start engine
Diesel engines
- interruption of fuel supply, ignition sw itched off, engine off, the steering can be locked.
- heating glow plugs on, ignition switched on
•You should not switch on any major elec trical components during the heating period otherwise the vehicle batter y will be drained unnecessarily.
- start engine
Applies to all models:
Position
To lock the steering, with the ignition key withdrawn, turn the steering wheel until the steering locking pin is heard to engage. You should always lock the steering as a general rule if you leave your vehicle. This acts as a deterrent against possible theft of your vehicle ⇒.
Position
Move the steering wheel back and forward a little if the ignition key cannot, or cannot easily be turned into this position, in order to release the steering lock.
Position
The engine is started in this position. At the same time switched on low beam or main beam or other electrical compon ents with major power consumption are briefly switched off. The ignition key moves back into position when one releases the key.
The ignition key must be turned back into position each time before starting the engine again. The starter repeat lock in th e ignition lock prevents the starter being engaged when the engine is ru nning and thus getting damaged.
WARNING
•When driving, the ignition key must always be in the position (igni- tion 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 unex- pected locking of the steering wheel - risk of accident!
•Do not withdraw the ignition key from the lock until the car has come to a stop. The steering lock can engage immediately - 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 children are left in the vehicle. The children migh t otherwise start the engine or operate electrical equipment (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 and put on the handbrake 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.
Fig. 90 Ignition lock positions
A1
A2
A3
A1
A2
A3
A1
A2
A3
A2
A1
A2
NKO A05F 20 MR08.book Page 87 Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:34 AM

Starting-off and Driving90
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. 92.
– 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 6 km/h for more than 3 seconds.
WARNING
•Please note that the handbrake must be fully released. A handbrake which is only partially released can re sult in the rear brakes overheating which will have a negative 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!
Caution
After the car has come to a stop, always firs t of all apply the handbrake firmly before then additionally engaging a gear (manual gearbox) or moving the selector lever into position P (automatic gearbox).
Parking aid*
The parking aid provides a warning of obstacles behind the vehicle.
The audible parking aid determines the distance between the rear bumper and an obstacle located behind the vehicle with th e aid of ultrasound sensors. The sensors are integrated in the rear bumper.
Fig. 92 Centre console: Handbrake
Fig. 93 Parking aid: Range of sensors
NKO A05F 20 MR08.book Page 90 Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:34 AM

Automatic gearbox94
Automatic gearbox
6-speed automatic gearbox*
Introduction
Your car is equipped with an electronically controlled 6-speed automatic gearbox. Shifting up and also down through the gears is performed automatically.
At the same time this is a conventional automatic gearbox. The maximum speed is reached in the 5th gear. The 6th gear se rves as an economic driving programme, which is intended to reduce the fuel consumption.
Information for driving with an automatic gearbox
Shifting up and down through the gears is performed automatically.
You can also, however, switch the gearbox over into the Tiptronic mode.
This mode makes it possible for you to also shift gears manually
⇒ page 97.
Starting-off and Driving
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Press the Shiftlock button (button in handle of the selector lever),
move the selector lever into the desired position, e.g. D ⇒page 95,
and then release the Shiftlock button.
– Wait a moment until the gearbox has shifted (a slight engagement
nudge can be felt).
– Release the brake pedal and depress the accelerator ⇒.
Stopping for a short time
– The selector lever position N does not have to be selected when stop-
ping just for a short time, such as at a cross roads. It is sufficient to hold
the vehicle stationary using the foot brake. The engine can, however,
be allowed just to idle.
Parking
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Press and Shiftlock button in the selector lever, move the selector
lever to P and then release the Shiftlock button.
The engine can only be started when the selector lever is in position P or N ⇒ page 87.
It is sufficient to engage selector lever position P when parking on a flat surface. When parking on a slope you should first apply the handbrake firmly and then move the selector lever into position P. This is to ensure that there is no excessive pressure acting on the lock mechanism and that it is easier to subsequently move the selector lever out of position P.
If the selector lever position N is selected by accident while driving it is first neces- sary to release pressure on the accelerato r pedal and wait for idling speed of the engine to be reached before engaging a drive position in the selector lever.
WARNING
•Do not depress the accelerator when changing the position of the selector lever if the car is stationary and the engine is running - risk of acci-dent!
•Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving - risk of an accident!
NKO A05F 20 MR08.book Page 94 Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:34 AM

Automatic gearbox95
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•When the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary, it is necessary to hold the car with the brake pedal in all the positions of the selector lever (except P and N) since the power transmission is never completely inter- rupted, also not when the engine is idling - the vehicle "creeps".
Selector lever positions
The selector lever position you have engaged is shown in the information display of the instrument cluster with the corresponding gear symbol highlighted ⇒fig. 96.
In the positions D and S the gear you have already engaged will be additionally displayed on the display.
P - Parklock
The driven wheels are locked me chanically in this position.
The Parklock must only be engage d when the vehicle is stationary ⇒.
If you wish to move the select or lever into or out of this position, you must press the Shiftlock button in the handle of the select or lever and at the same time depress the brake pedal.
R - Reverse
Reverse gear must only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary and the engine idling ⇒.
The brake pedal must be depressed and at the same time the Shiftlock must be pressed, if you wish to obtain the selector lever positions R, P or N.
When the ignition is switched on and the selector lever is in position R, the reverse lights will come on.
N - Neutral
The transmission is in Neutral in this position.
The brake pedal must be depressed (if the le ver is in its position for longer than 2 seconds) in order to move the selector lever out of the position N into the position D , with the ignition switched on, on a vehicle travelling at less than 5 km/hour or on a stationary vehicle.
The brake pedal must be depressed (if the le ver is in its position for longer than 2 seconds) in order to move the selector lever out of the position N into the position R , with the ignition switched on, on a vehicle travelling at less than 5 km/hour or on a stationary vehicle.
D - Drive, position for driving forward
When the selector lever is in this position, the forward gears are shifted up and down automatically in line with engine load, vehicle speed and the dynamic shift programme.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 95 Selector lever
Fig. 96 Information display: Selector lever positions
NKO A05F 20 MR08.book Page 95 Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:34 AM

Automatic gearbox96
You must depress the brake pedal ⇒ if you wish to move the selector lever into position D from N when the vehicle is travelling at less than 5 km/hour or is stationary.
In certain circumstances (e.g. when driving in mountainous regions or when towing a trailer) it may be beneficial to select the manual shift programme ⇒page 97 for a short time in order to adapt the gearbox ratios manually to the driving situations.
S - Position for sporty style of driving
Shifting up later into a higher gear ma kes it possible to fully exploit the power potential of the engine. The gearbox also th en shifts down at higher engine speeds as in the position D.
The gearbox does not shift into the 6th gear in the position S, because the maximum speed is achieved with the 5th gear.
The Shiftlock on the selector lever grip must be pressed when moving the selector lever out of the position D into the position S.
WARNING
•Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving - risk of an accident!
•When the engine is running and the ve hicle is stationary, it is necessary to hold the car with the brake pedal in all the positions of the selector lever (except P and N) since the power transmission is never completely inter-rupted, also not when the engine is idling - the vehicle "creeps".
•You must on no account unintentionally operate the throttle (e.g. by hand from the engine compartment) if a drive position is engaged when the car is stationary. The vehicle would ot herwise immediately start off - also when the handbrake is firmly a pplied - risk of an accident!
•You must move the selector lever into position P and firmly apply the handbrake first before you or any other person opens the bonnet and starts working on the engine when it is running - risk of accident! It is also essential to observe all warnings ⇒page 173, “Working in the engine compartment”.
Selector lever lock
Automatic selector lever lock
With the ignition on, the selector lever is locked when it is in the positions P and N. You must first of all depress the brake pedal in order to move the selector lever out of this position. The warning light ⇒page 27 lights up in the instrument cluster as a reminder for the driver when the selector lever is in position P and N:
A time delay element ensures that the selector lever is not blocked when rapidly switching over the position N (e.g. from R to D). This does, for example, allow one to seesaw out a stuck vehicle. The selector lever lock will click into place if the lever is in the N position for more than 2 seconds without the brake pedal being pressed.
The selector lever lock is only active if th e vehicle is stationary or moving at speed of less than 5 km/hour. The lock is switched off automatically into position N when the car is travelling at a higher speed.
Shiftlock button
The Shiftlock button in the handle of sele ctor lever prevents certain selector lever positions being engaged inadvertently. The selector lever lock is cancelled when you press the Shiftlock button.
Kickdown function
The kickdown function provides you with maximum acceleration
power.
Depressing the accelerator pedal allows th e kickdown function to be activated in the desired driving program. This function has precedence over the driving programme and serves for maximum accelera tion of the vehicle when exploiting the maximum power potential of the engi ne without taking into account the current selector lever position ( D, S or Tiptronic). The gearbox shifts down to one or several gears in line with the driving state and the vehicle accelerates. The gearbox does not shift up into the highest gear until the engine has reached its maximum revolutions for this gear range.
NKO A05F 20 MR08.book Page 96 Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:34 AM