adaptive cruise control (ACC)129
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
•
Adaptive cruise control will not react when approaching a
stationary obstacle, e.g. the end of a traffic jam or a broken-down
vehicle, or if a vehicle should come towards you in the same lane.
•
Please make sure you do not unintentionally rest your foot on
the accelerator - this will override the adaptive cruise control
system which, as a result, will not automatically brake the vehicle.Note
•
For safety reasons, the speed setting will be deleted when the
ignition is switched off.
•
Switching on the adaptive cruise control automatically activates
the Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) and the traction control
system (ASR). These two systems cannot be deactivated while the
adaptive cruise control is switched on.
•
Damage caused by impacts (e.g. if the vehicle is damaged when
parking) can affect the radar sensor settings. This can cause the
system to malfunction or switch off completely.
•
The radar sensor is heated. However, in winter conditions, you
should make sure that the radar sensor is free of ice and snow
before you set off. If necessary, carefully clean the cover of the radar
sensor and the surrounding area ⇒page 128, fig. 136.
•
To make sure that the radar sensor is fully operative, do not
attach any objects (e.g. stickers, add-on parts or other accessories)
to the area surrounding the radar sensor. Do not paint the area
surrounding the radar sensor.
Applies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise control and manual gearboxVehicles with manual gearbox
The driver of a vehicle with a manual gearbox of course
has to change gears as appropriate, even when the adap-
tive cruise control is activated.The adaptive cruise control is available from the second to the sixth
gear (when driven in normal engine speed range).
When the adaptive cruise control is activated, the driver must press
the clutch pedal as normal in order to change gear. When changing
gear or pressing the clutch pedal (for up to 20 seconds), the adap-
tive cruise control will remain activated.
When changing gear, the driver does not have to accelerate after
engaging a gear as the engine torque will be coordinated by the
adaptive cruise control.
The following situations may lead to an automatic deactivation of
the adaptive cruise control:•
pressing the clutch pedal too long (longer than approx.
20 seconds)
•
incorrect changing of gears and/or use of the clutch pedalNote
•
The adaptive cruise control cannot be activated while changing
gears.
WARNING (continued)
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adaptive cruise control (ACC)137
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
•
The control lever has been pushed up / down to increase / reduce
the speed, but the resulting speed would be outside the range of 30
to 200 km/h.
ACC deactivation
The message ACC deactivation sometimes appears on vehicles with
a manual gearbox. If you press the clutch pedal for longer than
about 20 seconds, the adaptive cruise control will be automatically
deactivated and a warning tone will sound.
ACC not available
The text message ACC not available will appear if, for example, the
brakes are overheated. The adaptive cruise control will then tempo-
rarily not be available. This is indicated by a warning tone.
ACC not available!
The text message ACC not available! appears if a malfunction
should occur. The adaptive cruise control will then be switched off.
This is indicated by a warning tone. Have the system checked by a
qualified workshop.
ACC sensor blocked!
The text message ACC sensor blocked! appears if the ACC system
can no longer detect objects reliably. The adaptive cruise control
will then be switched off. This is indicated by a warning tone.
The ACC sensor is obstructed by dirt or foreign objects (e.g. leaves
or snow). Clean the sensor to restore the function ⇒page 128,
fig. 136.
Engine speed !
On vehicles with manual gearbox, the text message Engine speed !
will appear if the driver does not change gear in time when the
adaptive cruise control accelerates or brakes the vehicle. The adap-
tive cruise control will automatically be deactivated if the engine
speed is not maintained within the permissible range. This is indi-
cated by a warning tone.ESP activation
The text message ESP activation appears if the Electronic Stabilisa-
tion Programme (ESP) has intervened. In this case, the adaptive
cruise control will automatically be switched off. This is indicated by
a warning tone.
Speed (in km/h)
The target speed (in km/h) will appear in the display whenever it is
stored or changed ⇒page 131, “Setting the speed” and
⇒page 131, “Setting a new speed”.
Speed range
The text message speed range appears if the current speed is too
low to set or to maintain the target speed.
To set a target speed, the speed of the vehicle must be at least
30 km/h. The cruise control system switches off if the speed falls
below 20 km/h.
If the speed exceeds 200 km/h (OVERRIDE), the system will remain
active and will reduce the speed to 200 km/h once the driver stops
accelerating.
ACC functionality limited
The text message ACC functionality limited appears if the ACC
system does not detect any objects for an extended period. The
distance to vehicles in front is not being controlled while the
message is displayed. The ACC system is not deactivated, and so
extra care should be taken! The text message ACC functionality
limited can appear for the following reasons:
•
The ACC sensor is dirty. The ACC system is not responding or is
not responding correctly to the vehicles in front!
•
You may be driving on a country road with no traffic and no clear
roadside demarcation (e.g. safety barriers, traffic signs, trees). As
soon as the system detects a vehicle, distance control is resumed
and the text message disappears.
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Automatic gearbox 162Automatic gearboxmultitronic
®, tiptronic (6-speed
gearbox)
Applies to vehicles: with multitronic® or tiptronicIntroductionApplies to vehicles with multitronic
® gearbox
The vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled continu-
ously variable transmission (multitronic
®). Unlike conventional
automatics, the gear ratios are not shifted in fixed steps but contin-
uously variable. This gives smoother transmission and makes for
better fuel economy.
The gearbox selects the gear ratio and shifts up or down automati-
cally according to the gear change programmes stored in the
control unit ⇒page 166.
If desired, you can also select the gears manually (tiptronic mode)
⇒page 166.
Please note that on vehicles with a multitronic® gearbox, torque is
transmitted via a multi-plate clutch, and not via a torque converter
as on conventional automatics. This means that the car will not
“creep” as much as conventional automatics when the engine is
idling if you stop temporarily with the selector lever in position D, S
or R.
Applies to vehicles with tiptronic gearbox
The vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled 6-speed
automatic gearbox. The gearbox changes up and down automati-
cally.
If desired, you can also select the gears manually (tiptronic mode)
⇒page 166.
Applies to vehicles: with multitronic® or tiptronicGeneral notes on using multitronic
®
The gears are changed automatically.Driving away from a standstill
– Press and hold the brake pedal.
– Press and hold the interlock button (the button in the
selector lever handle), move the selector lever to the
desired position, for instance D, and release the interlock
button.
– Wait for the gearbox to engage the gear (a slight move-
ment can be felt).
– Release the brake and press the accelerator ⇒.
Stopping briefly
– Apply the foot brake to hold the vehicle when stationary
(for instance at traffic lights).
Fig. 177 Detail of the
centre console:
Selector lever with
interlock button
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Safe driving 188Correct sitting positionsCorrect sitting position for driver
The correct driving position is important for safe and
fatigue-free driving.For your own safety, and to reduce the risk of injury in the
event of an accident, we recommend the following driving
position.
– Adjust the steering wheel so there is a distance of at least
25 cm between the steering wheel and your breastbone
⇒fig. 199.– Move the driver's seat forwards or backwards so that you
can press the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals all the
way to the floor with your knees slightly bent ⇒.
– Make sure that you can comfortably reach the top of the
steering wheel.
– Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the head
restraint is level with the top of your head ⇒fig. 200.
– Adjust the backrest to an upright position so that your
back remains in contact with the upholstery.
– Fasten your seat belt correctly ⇒page 194.
– Keep both feet in the footwell so that you are in full
control of the vehicle at all times.
For detailed information on how to adjust the driver's seat, see
⇒page 73, “Seats and storage”.
WARNING
•
A driver who is not sitting in the correct position or who is not
wearing a seat belt can be fatally injured if the airbag is triggered.
•
Adjust the driver's seat so there is a distance of at least 25 cm
between your breastbone and the centre of the steering wheel
⇒fig. 199.
•
While driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands
on the outside of the rim at about the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock posi-
tion. This reduces the risk of injury if the driver's airbag inflates.
•
Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, or
with your hands inside the rim or on the steering wheel hub. This
could result in serious injuries to the arms, hands and head if the
driver's airbag inflates.
•
To reduce any risk of injury to the driver during a sudden brake
application or in an accident, never drive with the backrest tilted
Fig. 199 Minimum
distance between
driver and steering
wheelFig. 200 Correct head
restraint position for
the driver
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Safe driving191
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Examples of incorrect sitting positions
Occupants can suffer severe or fatal injuries injuries if
they sit in an incorrect position while the vehicle is
moving.Seat belts can only provide maximum protection if the belt
webbing is positioned correctly. Sitting out of position
greatly reduces the effectiveness of the seat belts and
increases the risk of injury since the belt webbing is not
worn in the position for which it is designed. The driver is
responsible for the safety of all vehicle occupants, espe-
cially for children.
– Never allow anyone to sit out of position while the
vehicle is moving ⇒.The following list shows just some examples of incorrect sitting
positions which can be dangerous to all occupants. The list is not
complete, but will help to make you aware of possible dangers
which can be avoided.
Therefore, whenever the vehicle is moving:•
never stand up in the vehicle,
•
never stand on the seats,
•
never kneel on the seats,
•
never travel with the backrest reclined too far,
•
never lean against the dash panel,
•
never lie down on the rear seat,
•
never sit on the front edge of a seat,
•
never sit sideways,
•
never lean out of the window,
•
never put your feet out of the window,
•
never put your feet on the dash panel,
•
never put your feet on the seat cushion,
•
never ride in the footwell,
•
never travel on a seat without wearing the seat belt,
•
never climb into the luggage compartment.
WARNING
Sitting out of position increases the risk of severe injuries.•
Sitting out of position exposes the occupants to potentially
fatal injuries: if the airbags inflate they can strike any occupant
who is not in one of the designed seat positions.
•
Before starting a trip, sit in the correct position and stay in this
position as long as the vehicle is moving. Before every trip, make
sure all passengers are sitting in the correct positions and remain
correctly seated at all times ⇒page 73, “Seats and storage”.
Pedal are aPedal s
The pedals must always be free to move and must never
be obstructed by floor mats or any objects in the footwell.– Make sure that the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals
are not obstructed and can be pressed all the way down
to the floor.
– Make sure that all pedals are able to return freely to their
original positions.Only use floor mats which leave the pedal area free and can be
securely fastened in the footwell.
If one of the brake circuits should fail, increased brake pedal travel
will be required to bring the vehicle safely to a stop.
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Checking and topping up fluids 262
WARNING
•
The cooling system is under pressure. Do not unscrew the cap
on the expansion tank when the engine is hot: you could be
scalded by escaping steam
•
The coolant and coolant additive can be a health hazard. Store
the coolant additive in the original container in a safe place out of
reach of children – risk of poisoning.For the sake of the environment
Drained off coolant should not be used again. Drain off the used
coolant into a suitable container and dispose of it in the proper
manner (observe environmental regulations).Radiator fan
The radiator fan can start running spontaneously.The radiator fan is driven by the engine via a poly V-belt. The speed
of the fan is varied by a viscous clutch according to the temperature.
There is also an auxiliary electric fan, which cuts in automatically
whenever the temperature of the coolant and the engine compart-
ment rises above a certain level.
The auxiliary fan can continue to run for as long as 10 minutes after
stopping the engine – even after the ignition is switched off. It may
also start running suddenly ⇒ after a while if•
residual heat raises the coolant temperature, or
•
the hot engine compartment is additionally heated up by the
sun.
WARNING
When working in the engine compartment be aware that the radi-
ator fan may start running suddenly – risk of injury.
Brake fluidChecking brake fluid level
The brake fluid level can be checked at a glance.– Check the fluid level on the brake fluid reservoir
⇒fig. 258. It should always be between the “MIN” and
“MAX” marks.In right-hand drive vehicles the brake fluid reservoir is on the other
side of the engine compartment.
The fluid level may drop slightly after a period of time due to the
automatic compensation for brake pad wear. This is quite normal.
However, if the level goes down noticeably in a short time, or drops
below the “MIN” mark, there may be a leak in the brake system. If
the fluid level in the reservoir is too low, this will be indicated by the
brake warning lamp ⇒page 32. If this should happen, take the car
to a qualified workshop immediately and have the brake system
inspected.
Fig. 258 Engine
compartment: Mark-
ings on brake fluid
reservoir
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Self-help295
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data terminal must not touch metal parts of the vehicle: this can cause
short circuiting.
•
Do not bend over the batteries – risk of acid burns.
•
The screw plugs on the battery cells must be screwed in firmly.
•
Keep sparks, flame and lighted cigarettes away from batteries:
the gases given off can cause an explosion.
•
If jump-starting another vehicle, position the jump leads in
such a way that they cannot come into contact with any moving
parts in the engine compartment of the other vehicle.Caution
Please note that the above method of connecting the leads is meant
for jump-starting your vehicle. If jump-starting another vehicle, you
should not connect the negative lead (–) to the negative terminal of
the discharged battery, but directly to the engine block or a solid
metal part bolted to the engine block. If the battery of the other
vehicle does not have a gas vent, there is a risk that a mixture of
oxygen and hydrogen gas can accumulate and cause an
explosion.Tow-starting and towing awayGeneral notes
Points to observe when tow-starting or towing awayIf you use a towrope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– The towrope must be taut before driving off.– Engage the clutch very gently when starting to move; on
vehicles with automatic gearbox press the accelerator
slowly.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– The ignition should be switched on so that the turn
signals, horn, windscreen wipers and washers can be
used. Please ensure that the steering wheel is unlocked
when you switch on the ignition, and that it moves freely.
–Put gear lever in neutral (manual gearbox) or move
selector lever to position N (automatic gearbox).
– The brake servo and power steering only work when the
engine is running. Considerably more effort is required
on the brake pedal and steering wheel when the engine
is switched off.
– Ensure that the towrope remains taut at all times when
towing.
Towrope or towbar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a towbar. You should only
use a towrope if you do not have a towbar.
A towrope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both
vehicles. It is advisable to use a towrope made of synthetic fibre or
similar material.
Attach the tow-rope or tow-bar only to the towing anchorages
intended for this purpose ⇒page 296 or ⇒page 297.
Driving technique
Towing requires some experience – especially when using a
towrope. Both drivers should be familiar with the technique required
for towing. Inexperienced drivers should not attempt to tow-start or
tow away another vehicle.
WARNING (continued)
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Self-help297
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Rear towline anchorage
Vehicles which do not have a factory-fitted towing
bracket* have a towline anchorage on the right side of the
rear bumper.Vehicles with towline anchorage
– Take the towline anchorage out of the vehicle's tool kit.
– To detach the cover cap from the bumper, firmly press
the lower part of the cap inwards to release it ⇒fig. 282.
– Screw the towline anchorage firmly all the way into the
screw connection.
Vehicles with towing bracket*
– Fit the towing bracket.
– Attach the towbar or the towrope to the towing bracket.After use, unscrew the towline anchorage and put it back in the
toolbox. Replace the cap in the screw connection. The towline
anchorage or towing bracket should always be kept in the vehicle.
Vehicles which have a factory-fitted towing bracket* do not have a
screw connection at the rear for the towline anchorage.
WARNING
•
If the towline anchorage is not screwed in as far as the stop,
there is a risk of the screw connection shearing off during towing
(accident risk).
•
If your car has a towing bracket*, please use only special tow
bars with suitable attachments (i.e. tow bars which are specially
designed for use with towing brackets) to avoid damage to the
coupling equipment.
•
If your car has a towing bracket*, please use only special
towing ropes (risk of accident).
To w - s t a r t i n g
As a general rule, tow-starting is not recommended.– Engage 2nd or 3rd gear before moving off.
– Press the clutch and hold the pedal down.
– Switch on the ignition.
– Once both vehicles are moving, release the clutch.
– As soon as the engine starts: press the clutch and put the
gear lever in neutral.If the engine will not start, it is best to try starting it using the
battery of another vehicle ⇒page 293 before attempting to tow
start. You should only try to tow-start the engine if jump-starting is
not successful. Tow-starting is an attempt to start the engine via the
movement of the wheels.
When tow-starting a vehicle with a petrol engine, do not tow it more
than a short distance, otherwise unburnt fuel can enter the catalytic
converter and cause damage.
For technical reasons, it is not possible to tow-start a vehicle with
automatic gearbox.
Fig. 282 Rear bumper:
Fitting the towing eye
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