Page 190 of 666

188 Controls in detailDriving and parking
3
Do not accelerate to prevent your vehi-
cle from rolling backwards on an uphill
gradient. Instead, you should either use
the handbrake or depress the brake ped-
al. This prevents excessive wear on the
clutch.
Select a lower gear (shift range
3, 2 or
1)
(
\2
page 204) in good time on long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if
towing a trailer. This prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too rapidly.
It is best not to stop the vehicle immedi-
ately after the brakes have been subject-
ed to an extreme load; continue driving
for a short time instead. The brakes are
cooled down more quickly in the airflow.The first time the brakes are applied af-
ter a long period of driving in heavy rain
without braking, it is possible that:
\4
there will be a delayed braking
response
\4
you will need to depress the brake
pedal more firmly
You should therefore maintain a greater
distance from the vehicle in front.
BrakingWarning
G
There is no power assistance for the ser-
vice brake when the engine is not running.
You will need to use significantly more
force to brake and could therefore lose
control of the vehicle and cause an acci-
dent.
Never switch off the engine while driving.
Warning
G
Make sure that other road users are not
put at risk by your braking.
nf_BA.book Page 188 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 196 of 666

194 Controls in detailDriving and parking
3
Drinking and drivingSteering
Overrun cut-off
The gasoline/diesel supply is cut off if
the driver's foot is completely removed
from the accelerator pedal when the en-
gine is overrunning at engine speeds
outside of the idling control range.
General driving tipsWarning
G
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are very dangerous combina-
tions. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, percep-
tions and judgment. The possibility of a
serious or even fatal accident is sharply
increased when you drink or take drugs
and drive.
Never drink or take drugs and drive or al-
low anyone to drive after drinking or tak-
ing drugs.
Warning
G
There is no power-steering assistance
when the engine is not running.
You will need to use significantly more
force to steer and could therefore lose
control of the vehicle and cause an acci-
dent.
Never switch off the engine while driving.
!
CAUTION
Do not hold the steering wheel in its
end positions for longer than neces-
sary (e.g. when turning or maneuver-
ing).
The hydraulic pump can be damaged
by the increased temperature of the
hydraulic fluid.
nf_BA.book Page 194 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 583 of 666

581 Practical hints
Jump-starting
5
\3 Jump-startingIf the starter battery in the battery re-
cess in the driver’s footwell is dis-
charged, the engine can be jump-started
from another vehicle using jump leads.
For this purpose, the vehicle is equipped
with a jump-starting connection point.
Please note:
\4
Jump-starting must only be per-
formed when the engine and catalyt-
ic converter are cold.
\4
Do not start the engine if the battery
has frozen. Let the battery thaw out
first.
\4
Only use a battery of the same rated
voltage and of approximately the
same capacity for jump-starting.
\4
Only use jumper cables of adequate
cross-section with insulated battery
terminal clamps.
iThe auxiliary battery* in the engine
compartment is not suitable for
jump-starting operations. Only use
the jump-starting connection in the
engine compartment if you require
jump-starting assistance or wish to
provide jump-starting assistance.
!
CAUTION
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Never start the vehicle using a rapid
battery charger.
Warning
G
Avoid creating sparks. Keep naked flames
away from the battery, and do not smoke.
Comply with safety precautions and spe-
cial protective measures when handling
batteries (\2page 335).
nf_BA.book Page 581 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 645 of 666

643 Index
Display
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
vehicles with steering
wheel buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
display messages . . . . . . . . . . 489
outside temperature . . . . . . . . 157
standard display . . . . . . . . . . . 157
vehicles without steering
wheel buttons
display messages . . . . . . . . . . 484
outside temperature . . . . . . . . 148
Door control panel
. . . . . . . . . . . . 31
opening the door . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
power windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Doorsdisplay message . . . . . . . . . . . . 511
locking and unlocking . . . . . . . . . 84
opening/closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
DOT
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
,394
Downhill gradientscruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
,193
Drinking alcohol or taking drugs
and driving
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Drinks holdersee Cup holdersDriving abroad
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Driving on flooded roads
(fording)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Driving safety system
. . . . . . . . . 69
see Antilock Brake System (ABS)
see Acceleration Skid Control (ASR)
see Brake Assist (BAS)
see Electronic brake force distribution
(EBV)
see Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®)
Driving system
. . . . . . . . . . 248
–272
cruise control . . . . . . . . . . 248,258
malfunctions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 450
Parktronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
reverse warning feature . . . . . . 271
Driving tips
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
automatic transmission . . . . . . . 205
braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
driving in wet conditions . . . . . . 195
driving on flooded roads . . . . . . 195
in winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 406
overrun cut-off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
programmed maximum speed . . 311
pulling away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
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