
Seat belts
30Incorrectly fastened seat belts
Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause severe injuries.Seat belts can provide optimal protection only if the belt web is 
properly worn. This is particularly true of seat belts with two buckles. 
The seat belts must be fastened exactly in the order described in this 
chapter. An incorrect sitting position impairs substantially the 
protection a seat belt offers and can lead to severe or fatal injuries. 
The risk of severe or fatal injuries is especially increased when a 
deploying airbag strikes an occupant who has assumed an incorrect 
sitting position. As driver, you are responsible for the safety of all 
vehicle occupants, especially children. Therefore:
– Never permit anyone to assume an incorrect sitting position in 
the vehicle while travelling  ⇒.
WARNING
An incorrectly worn seat belt increases the risk of severe injuries.•
Before every trip, instruct your passengers to adjust their seat belts 
properly and to wear them during the trip.
•
Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use 
of seat belts  ⇒page 22 and  ⇒page 27.
Belt tension devicesFunction of the belt tension device
During a frontal collision, the seat belts on the front seats are 
retracted automatically.The seat belts for the front occupants are equipped with belt tension devices. 
Sensors will trigger the belt tension devices during severe head-on, lateral 
and rear collisions only if the seat belt is being worn. This retracts and 
tightens the seat belts, reducing the forward motion of the occupants.
The belt tension device can be triggered only once.
The belt tension devices will not be triggered in the event of a light frontal, 
side or rear collision, if the vehicle overturns, or in situations where no large 
forces act on the front, side or rear of the vehicle.
Note
•
If the belt tension devices are triggered, a fine dust is produced. This is 
normal and is no indication that there was a fire in the vehicle.
•
The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or 
components of the system are scrapped. A qualified workshop is familiar with 
these regulations and will be pleased to pass on the information to you.
Service and disposal of belt tension devicesThe belt tension devices are components of the seat belts that are installed 
in the seats of your vehicle. If you work on the belt tension devices or remove 
and install parts of the system when performing other repair work, the seat 
belt may be damaged. The consequence may be that, in the event of an acci-
dent, the belt tension devices function incorrectly or not at all.
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Airbag system43
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
•
Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any way.
•
The side and head airbags are managed through sensors located in the 
interior of the front doors. To ensure the correct functioning of the side and 
head airbags neither the doors nor the door panels should be modified in 
any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the front door is damaged in any way, 
this may affect the correct working of the system. All work carried out on 
the front door must be made in a qualified workshop.
Deactivating airbags*Disabling front passenger front and side airbags
The passenger airbags must be disconnected when a rear 
facing child seat is fitted in the front passenger seat.
The key switch can be used to  disconnect the front and side airbag 
for the passenger seat. All the other airbags in the vehicle remain 
functional.
Disabling front and side airbags for front passenger
–Switch off ignition.
– Open centre compartment on instrument panel.
– Using the ignition key, turn the switch to  OFF ⇒fig. 28 .
– Check if, when the ignition is switched on, that the warning lamp  “PASS AIRBAG OFF” on the instrument panel  ⇒fig. 29  remains lit 
⇒ .
– Close centre compartment on instrument panel:
Enabling front and side airbags for front passenger
–Switch off ignition.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 28  Interior of centre 
compartment on instru-
ment panel: Key switch for 
switching off the front 
passenger airbags
Fig. 29  Warning lamp for 
disabling airbag in dash 
panel
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Cockpit
68Information symbols (priority 2) STOP OIL PRESSURE ENGINE OFF SERVICE MANUAL
 
Stop the car, turn the engine off and check the brake fluid level  ⇒page 214
ALTERNATOR WORKSHOP!
Take the vehicle to a qualified workshop as soon as possible and have the 
alternator checked.
FASTEN SEATBELT
Fasten your seat belt correctly; and make sure your passengers are also 
properly belted in  ⇒page 17
Fault message Symbol Action
CHECK OIL LEVEL
Check the oil level and top up with the right engine oil.  ⇒page 214
OIL SENSOR WORKSHOP
Take the vehicle to an Authorised Service Centre as soon as possible and 
have the engine checked.
STOP BRAKE FAULT SERVICE MANUAL
Take the vehicle to a qualified workshop as soon as possible and have the 
ABS checked.
PLEASE REFUEL
Refuel as soon as possible.
TOP UP WASHER FLUID
Fill up with water and washer fluid.
CHECK BRAKE PADS
Take the vehicle to a qualified workshop immediately and have the brake 
pads checked.
EXHAUST WORKSHOP
Take the vehicle to an Authorised Service Centre as soon as possible and 
have the engine checked.
ENGINE FAULT CONSULT WORKSHOP
 or
Take the vehicle to an Authorised Service Centre as soon as possible and 
have the engine checked.
AIRBAG FAULT
Take the vehicle to a qualified workshop immediately and have the airbag 
system checked.
Fault message
Symbol Action
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Cockpit
82•
To protect your face, hands and arms from hot steam or fluid, cover the 
fan cap with a large cloth in order to open it.
•
Take care to avoid coolant spilling on the exhaust pipe or any other hot 
component as antifreeze is inflammable.
Priority 2 (yellow symbols)If a yellow symbol appears, a sound signal is emitted. The symbols indicate 
a dangerous situation. The function shown should be controlled as fast as 
possible. If various faults occur at the same time, the symbols will be 
displayed one by one for approx. 2 seconds.
Oil level too low 
The corresponding warning is:
CHECK LEVEL OIL
If the symbol lights up: stop, switch off the engine and check the oil level, 
topping up where necessary.
Oil level too low 
The corresponding warning is:
OIL SENSOR WORKSHOP!
If the symbol flashes this probably means that the oil level sensor is defec-
tive. The vehicle should immediately be taken to a Technical Service Centre. 
It is possible to continue driving, but  the oil level should be continually moni-
tored, e.g. every time the vehicle is refuelled.
Engine fault
- Petrol engine  
- Diesel engine 
The corresponding warning is:
ENGINE FAULT WORKSHOP!
If a fault in the running of the engine arises while driving, the corresponding 
light will come on (petrol engine) or flash (diesel engine). In this case the 
engine should be checked immediately by a Technical Service Centre.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) 
The corresponding warning is:
ABS FAULT
A fault in the ABS system is shown in the following manner:
If the ABS warning light comes on separately, it is possible to brake the 
vehicle using the normal brake system (without ABS). Consult a Technical 
Service Centre as soon as possible.
Electronic immobiliser 
The corresponding warning is:
IMMOBILIS.ACTIVE
When the ignition is switched on, the vehicle key data is automatically 
consulted. The warning light will flash to confirm that the data is being 
checked
If an unauthorised key is used, the warning light will flash constantly. It will 
not be possible to start the vehicle.
Tailgate/bonnet open display * 
The corresponding warning is:
TA ILGATE OPEN
This warning light only indicates that the tailgate is open.
WARNING (continued)
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Unlocking and locking
96We recommend having the batteries changed by a qualified workshop if 
required.
Caution
Use of inappropriate batteries may damage the remote control. For this 
reason, always replace the dead battery with another of the same size and 
power.
For the sake of the environment
The flat batteries must be disposed of in accordance with regulations 
governing the protection of the environment.
Anti-theft alarm systemDescription of anti-theft alarm system
The anti-theft alarm triggers an alarm if unauthorised move-
ments are detected around the vehicle.Activating the anti-theft alarm
– Blocking the engine.
Deactivating the alarm
– Unblock the vehicle using the unlock button on the remote 
control or switch on ignition.
Opening the doors mechanically (emergency opening)
– If the remote control function fails, you will have to use the key to  unlock the car. This is done as follows:
Fig. 62  Interior moni-
toring system sensor
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Unlocking and locking97
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
– Press button ⇒page 94, fig. 61    to fold out the key bit.
– Use the lock on the driver door to unlock the vehicle. The anti- theft alarm system remains active, but an alarm is not triggered 
immediately.
– Switch on the ignition within 15 seconds. When the ignition is  switched on, the electronic immobiliser recognises a valid 
vehicle key and deactivates the anti-theft alarm system. If you do 
not switch on the ignition within 15 seconds, the alarm is trig-
gered.The anti-theft alarm makes it more difficult to break into the vehicle or steal 
it. Audible and visible alarms
13) are triggered if the car is opened using the 
mechanical key, or if unauthorised access is gained to the vehicle.
When does the system trigger an alarm?
The system triggers an alarm if the following unauthorised actions are carried 
out when the car is  locked:
•
Opening of vehicle using mechanical key without switching on ignition 
within the next 15 seconds
•
Opening a door
•
Opening the bonnet
•
Opening the tailgate
•
Switching on the ignition
•
Movement inside the vehicle (in vehicles with interior monitoring).
The acoustic signals sound and the indicators flash for approx. 30 seconds. Interior monitoring system
The sensors for the interior monitoring system are located at the top of the 
door post between the front and rear door 
⇒page 96, fig. 62  The sensors 
must not be covered, as they will otherwise not be able to function properly.
The windows must be closed when the interior monitoring system is active as 
the anti-theft alarm could be triggered by a draft of air.
Note
•
If, after the alarm goes off, access is gained to a second secured zone 
(e.g. the tailgate is opened after a door has been opened), the warning signal 
is triggered again.
•
Vehicle monitoring remains active even if the battery is disconnected or 
not working for any reason.
13)Optional equipment
A3
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Driving
174
– Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition lock. Turn the steering wheel slightly to engage the steering lock.
– Always take you car keys with you when you leave the vehicle  ⇒ .Additional notes on parking the vehicle on gradients:
Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle would roll against the kerb if it did 
start to roll.•
If the vehicle is facing downhill , turn the front wheels so that they point 
towards the kerb .
•
If the vehicle is facing uphill , turn the front wheels so that they point  away 
from the kerb .
WARNING
Take measures to reduce the risk of injury when you leave your vehicle 
unattended.•
Never park where the hot exhaust system could ignite inflammable 
materials, such as dry grass, low bushes, spilt fuel etc.
•
Never allow vehicle occupants to remain in the vehicle when it is 
locked. They would be unable to open the vehicle from the inside, and 
could become trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. In the event of an 
emergency, locked doors will delay assistance to occupants.
•
Never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. They could set the 
vehicle in motion, for example, by releasing the handbrake or the gear 
lever / selector lever.
•
Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or cold 
inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.
Parking distance warning system*Description
The parking distance warning system is a parking aid which 
draws your attention to obstacles in front or behind the 
vehicle.The parking distance warning system assists the driver when parking. If the 
rear of the vehicle is approaching an obstacle, an intermittent sound signal is 
emitted. The shorter the distance, the shorter the intervals between tones. If 
the vehicle is too close to the obstacle, the sound signal becomes constant.
The distance to an obstacle at the front is indicated via a high tone and via a 
low tone at the rear. The shorter the distance, the shorter the intervals 
between tones. If the vehicle is too close to the obstacle, the sound signal 
becomes constant.
The obstacle may no longer be detected if the vehicle gets even closer to it!
The warning signal will stop when•
the vehicle moves away from the obstacle
•
the outer sensors measure a constant distance for approximately 3 
seconds.
The signal will not be switched off once the vehicle has reached the perma-
nent tone area.
Registering the obstacle
•
Exterior front and rear sensors: from approx 80 cm
•
Front central sensors: from approx 120 cm
•
Rear central sensors: from approx 160 cm
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Driving175
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Switching the parking distance warning system on and offSwitching on the parking distance warning system
The parking distance warning system is activated by either pressing the 
button ⇒fig. 132    or by selecting the reverse gear. A warning lamp in the 
button will indicate that the system is active.
Switching off the parking distance warning system
The parking distance warning system is switched off by pressing the button 
 (the warning lamp in the button goes out) or exceeding speeds of approx. 
25 km/h.
WARNING
•
The parking distance warning system cannot replace the driver's 
assessment of the situation. The driver is personally responsible for safe 
parking and other manoeuvres.
•
The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles and people are not 
registered.
•
Be particularly aware of small children or animals when reversing. The 
sensors may not always be able to detect them.Caution
•
The system may not always be able to detect objects such as trailer draw 
bars, thin rails, fences, posts etc. This could result in damage to your car.
•
The parking distance warning system works only at speeds of under 
approx. 15 km/h.
•
The parking distance warning sensors in the bumpers must be kept clean 
and free of ice. When cleaning with pressure hoses and steam cleaners, the 
sensors should be sprayed only briefly. A distance of 10 cm between the 
sensors and the steam / hose nozzle must be observed.Note
•
A system fault will be indicated via a tone when activated for the first time 
and by the warning lamp flashing in the button. Switch the system off at the 
button and have it checked by a qualified dealership as soon as possible.
•
If your vehicle has a factory-fitted towing attachment
41), the parking 
distance warning system is not  active when the reverse gear is engaged if you 
are towing a trailer.
•
The parking distance warning system registers water as an obstacle.
Fig. 132  Detailed view of 
dash panel Control button 
for the parking distance 
warning system
41)Optional equipmentWARNING (continued)
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