
Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
26
Glow plug system (diesel engine)
The indicator light lights up for a cold engine when switching on the ignition
(pre-heat position) 2 ⇒ page 100. Start the engine just as soon as the indicator light
goes out.
The glow plug indicator light will come on for about 1 second if the engine is at a
normal operating temperature or if the outside temperature is above +5°C. This
means that you can start the engine right away.
There is a fault in the glow plug system if the indicator light
does not come on
at all or lights up continuously. Contact a specialist garage as soon as possible to
obtain assistance.
There is a system fault in the engine control system if the warning light
has
started to flash while driving. The engi ne management system selects an emer-
gency programme which enables you to drive to the nearest specialist garage by
adopting a gentle style of driving.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
ENGINE WORKSHOP! (ENG INE FAULT - WORKSHOP!)
Coolant temperature, Coolant quantity
The warning light comes on for a few seconds 1) when the ignition is switched on.
The coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level too low if the warning light
does not go out after the engine is started or flashes while driving.
3 peeps sound as an additional warning signal.
In this case stop and switch the engine off and check the coolant level; top up the
coolant as necessary. Please also re fer to the additional instructions ⇒page 190,
“Replenishing the coolant”.
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the
conditions prevailing to top up with coolant. Keep the engine switched off and obtain professional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to
severe engine damage.
If the coolant is within the specified range, the increased temperature may be
caused by an operating problem at the coolant fan. Check the fuse for the coolant
fan, replace it if necessary
⇒page 220, “Replacing fuses”.
Do not continue driving if the warning light does not go off although the fluid is at
the correct level and also the fuse of the fan is in proper order. Contact a specialist
garage to obtain assistance.
Please also refer to the additional instructions ⇒page 190, “Replenishing the
coolant”.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
STOP CHECK COOLANT SERVICE MANUAL (STOP! CHECK COOLANT!
OWNER'S MANUAL)
WARNING
•If you must stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe
distance from the traffic and switch off the engine and switch on the hazard
warning light system ⇒page 48.
•Take care when opening the coolant expa nsion bottle. If the engine is hot,
the cooling system is pressurized - risk of scalding! It is best to allow the
engine to cool down before removing the cap.
•Do not touch the coolant fan! The coolant fan may switch on automati-
cally even if the ignition is off.
Thickness of the brake pads
If the warning light comes on, contact a specialist garage immediately and have
the brake pads on all of the wheels inspected.
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: CHECK BRAKE PADS
1)The warning light on vehicles fitted with information display does not come on after
switching the ignition on, but only if the coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level
is too low.
NKO B5 20.book Page 26 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights27
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Bonnet
The warning light comes on when the ignition is switched on if the bonnet is
unlocked.
Fuel reserve
The warning light comes on, if the fuel level is still below 8 litres.
A peep sounds as an addi tional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: PLEASE REFUEL
Engine oil
The warning light lights up red (low oil pressure)
The warning light comes on for a few seconds 2) when the ignition is switched on.
Stop the vehicle and switch the engine off if the warning light does not go off
after the engine has started or flashes while driving. Check the oil level and top up
with oil as necessary ⇒page 188.
3 peeps sound as an additional warning signal.
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the
conditions prevailing to top up with oil. Keep the engine switched off and obtain
professional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe
engine damage.
Do not drive any further if the warning light remains on even if the oil is at the
correct level. Do not run the engine not at idling speed either. Contact the nearest
specialist garage to obtain professional assistance. The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
STOP! OIL PRESS. STOP MOTOR! SERVICE MANUAL (STOP! OIL PRESSURE
STOP ENGINE! OWNER'S MANUAL)
The warning light
lights up yellow* (oil quantity too low)
If the warning light lights up yellow, there is not the correct quantity of oil in the
engine. Check as soon as possible the oil level or top up ⇒ page 188 with engine
oil.
A peep sounds as an ad ditional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: CHECK OIL LEVEL
The warning light will go out if the bonnet is left open for more than 30 seconds. If
no engine oil has been replenished, the warning light will come on again after
driving about 100 km.
The warning light
flashes yellow* (engine oil level sensor faulty)
A fault on the engine oil level sensor is in dicated additionally by an audible signal
and the warning light coming on several ti mes after the ignition has been switched
on.
In this case have the engine inspecte d without delay by a specialist garage.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: OIL SENSOR WORKSHOP! (OIL SENSOR WORKSHOP)
WARNING
•If you must stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe
distance from the traffic and switch off the engine and switch on the hazard
warning light system ⇒ page 48.
•The red oil pressure light is not an oil level indicator! One should
therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably after every refu-
eling stop.
2)The warning light on vehicles fitted with information display does not come on after
switching the ignition on, but only if a fault exists or the engine oil level is too low.
NKO B5 20.book Page 27 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM

Lights and Visibility49
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
The turn signal and main beam lever
The parking lights and headlight flas her are also switched on and off
using the turn signal and main beam lever.
The turn signal and main beam lever perform the following functions:
Right
and left turn signal light
– Push the lever upwards or downwards ⇒fig. 39 .
– Turn signal for changing lanes - in or der to only flash briefly, move the
lever up or down to the pressure po int and hold it in this position.
Main beam
– Switch on the low beam.
– Push the lever forwards.
– Pull the lever back into the initial position in order to switch the main beam off again.
Headlight flasher
– Pull on the lever of the steering wheel (sprung position) - the main beam and warning light in the instrument cluster come on. Parking light
– Switch off the ignition.
– Push the lever up or down - the right-hand or left-hand parking light
is switched on.
Notes on light and indicator functions
•The turn signal system only operates when the ignition is switched on. The
corresponding indicator light or in the instrument cluster also flashes.
•The turn signal is automatically cancelled after negotiating a curve.
•The side light and rear light on the appropriate side of the vehicle are switched
on when the parking light is selected. The parking light function only operates if
the ignition is switched off.
•An acoustic warning signal will sound when the driver's door is opened if the
lever is not in the middle position after removing the ignition key. The acoustic
warning signal will stop just as soon as the driver's door is closed.
Caution
Use main beam or the headlight flasher only if this does not risk dazzling other road
users.
Note
Use only in accordance with the legal requirements the described lighting and
signal systems.
Coming Home Function
This function makes it possible to switch on low or main beam for a short
time after leaving the car, e.g. to illuminate the path to your front door,
etc.
Selecting function
– Switch off the light.
Fig. 39 Turn signal and
main beam lever
NKO B5 20.book Page 49 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM

Lights and Visibility57
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Exterior mirror with entry lighting*
The lighting is positioned on the bottom edge of the exterior mirror.
The light beam is aimed at the entry area of the front doors after the car is unlocked.
The light comes on after the doors have been locked or on opening the front door.
The lighting goes out about 30 seconds after the doors are closed or if the ignition
is switched on.
If the doors remain open, the lighting go es out automatically after about 10 minutes
provided the ignition is not switched on.
Electrically adjustable rear mirror
The heating of the external mirror functions only when ignition is
switched on.
Heating of the external mirror
– Turn the rotary knob to position
⇒ fig. 52 .
Adjusting left and right exterior mirrors simultaneously
– Turn the rotary knob to position
. The movement of the mirror surface
is identical to the movement of the rotary knob. Adjusting the right-hand exterior mirror
– Turn the rotary knob to position
. The movement of the mirror
surface is identical to the movement of the rotary knob.
Folding in both exterior mirrors*
– Turn the rotary knob to position
.
Tilting surface of front pa ssenger exterior mirror*
When the rotary knob is in position
⇒ fig. 52 and the reverse gear is engaged, the
s ur fa ce o f t h e m i rro r t i l ts d o w n s l i g h t l y. T h i s p ro v i d e s a n a i d i n s e e i n g th e ke r b o f t h e
pavement when parking the car.
If you shift out of reverse gear, or switch over to the driver exterior mirror in position
, the mirror surface on the passenger side moves back into the original position.
Memory for exterior mirrors*
On vehicles fitted with a memory for the driver seat, the relevant setting of the exte-
rior mirror is also stored automatica lly when the seat position is stored ⇒page 61.
WARNING
•Convex (curved outward) or a spherical exterior mirrors increase the
vision field. They do, however, make objects appear smaller in the mirror.
These mirrors are only of limited use, therefore, for estimating distances to
the following vehicles.
•Use whenever possible the interior rear mirror, for estimating the
distances to the following vehicles.
Caution
If the mirror housing has been shifted out of position as a result of external force
(e.g. striking an object when parking), the mirror must then be folded in fully with
the electric motor. On no account attemp t to move the mirror housing back by
hand otherwise proper operation of the mirror mechanism will be affected. This
applies only to models fitted with the fold-in function for both exterior mirrors*.
B1Z-0042HB1Z-0042H
Fig. 52 Inner part of
door: rotary knob
(joystick)
NKO B5 20.book Page 57 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM

Starting-off and Driving105
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
WARNING
•The parking aid is not a substitute fo r the driver paying proper attention
and it is always the driver's responsibility to take care when parking 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 po st, trailer drawbar etc., behind your
vehicle. Such an obstacle might not be within the range detected by the
sensors.
Note
•The parking aid does not operate if you are towing a trailer (applies to models
which feature a factory-fitted towing device*).
•If a warning signal sounds for about 3 se conds after switching the ignition on
and engaging reverse gear, and there is no obstacle close to your car, this indicates
a system fault. Have the fault rectified by a specialist workshop.
•The sensors must be kept clean and free of ice to enable the parking aid to
operate properly.
Front and rear parking aid*
The parking aid provides a warning of obstacles in front and behind
the vehicle.
The audible parking aid determines the dist ance between the front or rear bumper
and an obstacle with the aid of ultrasound sensors. The sensors are integrated in the
front and rear bumper. The signal tones for the front parking aid sound lower than
for the rear parking aid.
Range of sensors
The distance warning begins at a distance of about 60 cm from the obstacle in front
of the vehicle (area ⇒fig. 120 ) and about 160 cm from the obstacle behind the
vehicle (area ⇒page 104, fig. 118 ). The interval between the warning signals
becomes shorter as the clearance is reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a cleara nce of just 30 cm (Bereich ) - danger
area. From this moment on do not continue driving in the selected direction or
the direction from where the obstacle is reported!
Activating
The parking aid is activated when the reverse gear is engaged and the ignition is
turned on or by pressing the button ⇒fig. 119 - the symbol
lights up in the
button. The activation is confirmed by a brief acknowledgement signal.
Deactivating
The parking aid is deactivated after pressing the button
⇒ fig. 119 or at a speed
of more than 15 km/h - the symbol in the button is no longer illuminated.
B1Z-0042HB1Z-0042HFig. 119 Activating the
parking aid
B1Z-0042HB1Z-0042H
Fig. 120 Parking aid:
Detection range of the
front sensors
AAAA
AB
NKO B5 20.book Page 105 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM

Automatic gearbox*109
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Automatic gearbox*
5-speed automatic gearbox
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 113.
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 110,
and then release the Shiftlock button.
– Wait a moment until the gearbox ha s 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-
p i n g j u s t fo r a s h o r t t im e, s u c h a s a t 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 101.
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 an d the engine is running - risk of acci-
dent!
•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".
NKO B5 20.book Page 109 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM

Intelligent Technology161
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
If the diesel particle filter is clogged or there is a fault, it is indicated by the warning
light
⇒ page 25, “Diesel particle filter* (diesel engine)”.
WARNING
•The diesel particle filter achieves very high temperatures. Therefore do
not park at points where the hot filter comes into direct contact with dry
grass or other combustible materials - risk of fire!
•Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protection
agents for the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters, diesel particle filter or
heat shields. When the engine reaches its operating temperature, these
substances might ignite - risk of fire.
Note
•When using diesel fuel with high sulphur content the life of the diesel particle
filter is clearly reduced. A specialist gara ge will be able to tell you which countries
use only diesel fuel with high sulphur content.
NKO B5 20.book Page 161 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM

Driving and the Environment163
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Catalytic converter
Proper operation of the emission co ntrol system (catalytic converter)
is of major significance for drivin g your vehicle in an environmen-
tally conscious way.
Please refer to the following guidelines:
– For vehicles with petrol engine only refuel with unleaded petrol
⇒ page 181, “Grades of petrol”.
– Never run the fuel tank completely empty.
– Do not switch off the ignition while you are driving the vehicle.
– Do not pour too much oil into the engine ⇒page 188, “Replenishing
engine oil”.
– Do not tow-start the vehicle over a distance of more than 50 metres ⇒page 218, “Tow-starting a vehicle”.
If you drive your vehicle in a country in which unleaded petrol is not available, you
must have the catalytic converter replaced later when driving the vehicle into a
country in which use of a cata lytic converter is mandatory.
WARNING
•In view of the high temperatures wh ich may be produced in the catalytic
converter, one should always park a vehicle in such a way that the catalytic
converter cannot come into contact with easily flammable materials below
the vehicle - a risk of fire!
•Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protection
agents for the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters or heat shields. Such
substances might ignite when driving - risk of fire!
Caution
•Vehicles fitted with catalytic converter sh ould never be allowed to let the fuel
tank to run completely empty. An irregular fuel supply can result in poor ignition or misfiring. Unburnt fuel may get into the
exhaust system and damage the catalytic
converter.
•Filling the tank even only once with leaded petrol will result in the catalytic
converter being destroyed.
•If you detect misfiring, a drop in perf ormance or irregular engine running when
driving, reduce your speed immediately and have the vehicle inspected by the
nearest specialist garage. The symptoms described may be caused by a fault in the
ignition system. Unburnt fuel may get into the exhaust system and damage the
catalytic converter.
For the sake of the environment
Even if the exhaust system is operating properly, a sulphur-like exhaust odour may
be produced under certain op erating conditions of the engine. This depends on the
sulphur content of the fuel. It is often sufficient to refuel with unleaded premium-
grade petrol of a different brand or at a different filling station.
Driving in an economical and environmentally
conscious manner
General
Your personal style of driving is a major factor.
Your fuel consumption, any pollution of the environmental and the wear-and-tear
to the engine, brakes and tyres, depend essentially on three factors:
•your personal style of driving,
•the conditions under which your vehicle is operated,
•technical aspects.
You can easily improve your fuel economy by 10 - 15 percent by driving in an
economical way with foresight. This section is intended to provide you with a
number of tips on how to protect the en vironment and at the same time save
money.
NKO B5 20.book Page 163 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM