Automatic gearbox*
112
Shiftlock button
The Shiftlock button in the handle of select or lever prevents certain selector lever
positions being engaged inadvertently. The selector lever lock is cancelled when
you press the Shiftlock button.
Keylock - Ignition key withdrawal lock
You can only withdraw the ignition key after switching off the ignition if the selector
lever is in position P. If the ignition key is withdrawn, the selector lever is blocked in
position P.
Kickdown function
The kickdown function provides you with maximum acceleration
power.
Depressing the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point casues the automatic
gearbox to shift down into a lower gear (in line with vehicle speed and engine
speed). The gearbox shifts up into the next higher gear when the engine has
reached its maximum revolutions.
WARNING
Please note that using the kickdown fu nction can result in the driven wheels
spinning on a smooth or slippery road surface - risk of skidding!
Dynamic shift programme
The automatic gearbox of your vehicle is controlled electronically. Shifting up and
down through the gears is performed auto matically on the basis of pre-defined
driving programmes.
Adopting a moderate style of driving will cause the gearbox to select the most
economical driving programme. Shifting up into a higher gear as soon as possible
and shifting down as late as possible will have a favourable effect on your fuel
consumption. Adopting a
faster style of driving with rapid movements of the accelerator pedal
combined with sharp acceleration and freq uent changes in speed, exploiting the
top speed of the car or operating the kick down function, will cause the gearbox to
switch over to the sporty driving programme. Shifting up later into a higher gear
makes it possible to fully exploit the powe r reserves of the engine. The gearbox also
then shifts down at higher engine speeds than is the case for the economy-oriented
programmes.
Selecting the most appropriate driving programme for the particular style of driving
is a continuous process. Irrespective of this it is, however, possible to switch into a
sporty driving programme by depressing the accelerator rapidly. The gearbox shifts
down into a lower gear matching the speed of the car and this allows you to accel-
erate rapidly (e.g. when overtaking) without having to depress the accelerator pedal
fully into the kickdown range. The original programme will be reactivated 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. Depressing the brake pedal while driving downhill causes the
gearbox to shift down into the next lower gear. This makes it possible for you to
exploit the engine braking power withou t the need for shifting gears manually.
NKO B5 20.book Page 112 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM
Automatic gearbox*113
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
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, 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 position) ⇒fig. 124 . 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 and 4 into
the next higher gear just before the maximum permissible engine speed is reached.
If you select a lower gear, the automatic ge arbox does not shift down until there is
no risk of the engine overrevving.
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 th e event of a fault in the system.
The gearbox operates in a corresponding emergency programme if there are func-
tional 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. The
gearbox always shifts into 4th gear in the positions D, 4 , 3 and 2. 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.
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
Tow-starting a vehicle
It is not possible to tow-start vehi cles fitted with automatic gearbox ⇒page 218.
you can use jump-start cables connected to the battery of another vehicle for
starting your car if the vehicle battery is flat ⇒page 216.
Fig. 124 Selector lever:
Manual shifting of gears
Fig. 125 Information
display: Manual shifting
of gears
A+
A-
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Automatic gearbox*
114
Towing a vehicle
Please pay attention to the following information if it comes necessary to tow-in
your car ⇒page 217.
NKO B5 20.book Page 114 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM
Intelligent Technology
158
Brakes
What has a negative effect on braking efficiency?
Wear-and-tear
Wear-and-tear to the brake pads is greatly dependent on the operating conditions
of the vehicle and your style of driving. Particularly if you drive a great deal in towns
and over short distances or if you adopt a sporty style of driving, it may be neces-
sary to have the thickness of the brake pads inspected at a specialist garage
between the service inspections.
Wet roads or road salt
There may be a certain delay before the brakes take full effect under certain condi-
tions such as when driving through water, during heavy rain showers or after the
vehicle has been washed in an automatic vehicle wash, since the brake discs and
brake pads may be moist or even have a coating of ice on them in winter. You
should dry the brakes as soon as possib le (by applying and releasing the brakes
several times, if the road conditions and the traffic situation allows it).
There also may be a certain delay before the full braking efficiency is available when
driving on roads which have been treated wi th road salt if you have not used the
brakes for some considerable time beforeha nd. The layer of salt on the brake discs
and brake pads must first be rubb ed off when you apply the brakes.
Corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt on th e bake pads occur if the vehicle has been
parked for a long period and if you do not make much use of the braking system.
We recommend cleaning the brake discs by firmly applying the brakes at a fairly
high speed if you do not make much use of the braking system or if surface corro-
sion is present ⇒.
Faults in the brake surface
If you notice that the braking distance has suddenly become longer and that the
brake pedal can be depressed further, it is possible that a brake circuit of the dual-
circuit brake system has failed. Drive, in such cases, to the nearest specialist garage
without delay in order to have the problem rectified. Drive at a reduced speed while
on your way to the dealer and adapt your style of driving to the higher brake pedal
pressure required. 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 29, “Brake system ”.
WARNING
•Only apply the brakes for the purpos e 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 sy stem could run too hot.
•Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full braking
efficiency until approximately 200 kilo metres. New brake pads must be first
“run in” before they develop their optimal friction force. You can, however,
compensate for this slightly reduced braking force by increasing the pres-
sure on the brake pedal. This guidelin e also applies to any new brake pads
installed at a future date.
Caution
•Never allow the brakes to ru b 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 sect ion, please reduce your speed, shift
down into the next lower gear (manual ge arbox) 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 gene rated when the engine is running.
NKO B5 20.book Page 158 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM
Driving and the Environment
162
Driving and the Environment
The first 1 500 kilometres and then afterwards
A new engine
The engine has to be run in du ring the first 1 500 kilometres.
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 enga ged, 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 harm onized. The driving style which you adopt
during the first 1 500 kilometres plays a de cisive 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 comple te. The maximum permissible engine speed is marked
by the beginning of the red zone on the scale of the revolutions 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.
New brake pads
Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full braking efficiency
until approximately 200 kilometres. New brak e pads must be first “run in” before
they develop their optimal friction 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.
During the running-in period , you should avoid excessive stresses on the brakes.
This includes, for example, violent braking, particularly from very high speeds, and
also when crossing mountain passes.
NKO B5 20.book Page 162 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM
Driving and the Environment
164
The fuel consumption can naturally also be influenced by factors which are beyond
the driver's control. It is, for example, no rmal for the fuel consumption to increase
in winter and under worsened conditions such as poor road conditions, towing a
trailer, etc.
The technical requirements for low fuel usage and economic efficiency of the
vehicle have already been bu ilt into the vehicle at the works. Special attention has
been given to minimisi ng negative effects on the envi ronment. It is necessary to
take note of the guidelines given in this chapter in order to make best use of these
characteristics and to maintain their effectiveness.
Looking ahead when driving
A vehicle's highest fuel consumption occurs it accelerates.
Avoid accelerating and braking unnecessarily. If you drive with forsight you will not
need to brake so often and will also then not have to accelerate so much. Let your
vehicle coast to a stop, for example, if this is possible, when you see that the next
set of traffic lights is at red.
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 unnecess arily high revolutions in any given gear.
The ⇒fig. 166 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your vehicle in
the relevant gears. Fuel cons umption in 1st gear is the highest, while that in 5th or
the 6th gear is the lowest.
Only depress the accelerator pedal slowly if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic
gearbox in order to automatically select an economic driving programme. You will
achieve good fuel economy by shifting up early and shifting down late. This applies
in particular if you make use of the ma nual mode (Tiptronic) for shifting gears.
Note
Also use the information supplied by the multi-functional indicator ⇒page 15.
Fig. 166 Fuel consump-
tion in litres/100 km. and
speed in km/h.
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Inspecting and Replenishing185
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
WARNING
•Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is flowing out of
the engine compartment - risk of scaldi ng! 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 prop-
erly after closing the bonnet.
•Stop your vehicle immediately while driv ing if you notice that the lock is
not properly engaged and close the bonne t 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 compart-
ment 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 scaldi ng! 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 ma nual gearbox, move the gearshift 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!
•Never spill oil and other fluids over the hot engine. Such fluids (e.g. the
antifreeze contained in the coolant) may ignite!
•Avoid short circuits in the electrical system - particularly on the battery.
•Never place your hand into the radiator fan as long as the engine is still
warm. The fan might suddenly start running!
•Never open the cap of the coolant expa nsion bottle as long as the engine
is still warm. The cooling system is pressurized!
•Cover over the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir with a large cloth
when opening it as protection for your face, hands and arms from hot steam
or hot coolant.
•Do not let objects, such as e.g cleaning cloth or tools lie in the engine
compartment.
•If you wish to work under the vehicle, you must secure the vehicle from
rolling away and support it with suitable supporting blocks: the car jack is
not sufficient for this - risk of injury!
•In cases where it be necessary to carry out inspection work when the
engine is running there is an additional risk from rotating parts (e.g. the V-
ribbed belt, alternator, radiator fan) and from the high-voltage ignition
system. Please observe in addition the following:
−Never touch the electrical cabl es of the ignition system.
− Absolutely avoid any jewellery, loose items of clothing or long hair
from getting into the rotating parts of the engine - Hazard! Therefore
remove any jewellery beforehand, tie up your hair and wear tight fitting
clothing.
WARNING (continued)
NKO B5 20.book Page 185 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM
Breakdown assistance209
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•The factory-supplied lifting jack is only intended for your model of
vehicle. On no account attempt to lift a heavier vehicle or other loads - risk
of injury!
•Ensure that the vehicle tool kit is safely attached in the luggage
compartment.
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 in the luggage compartment under floor covering and
is fixed in place using special screws ⇒fig. 191 .
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 200) to
ensure that the spare wheel is always ready to use.
Temporary spare wheel*
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 st icker must not be concealed (e.g. by the
wheel trim).
•D o n o t d r i v e w i t h th i s s p a re w h e e l a t m o re th a n 8 0 k m / h - ri s k o f a c c i d e n t. Av o i d
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 occu-
pants of the vehicle should not stan d 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 209 out of the
luggage compartment.
WARNING (continued)
B1Z-0042HB1Z-0042H
Fig. 191 Luggage
compartment: Spare
wheel
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