
Seat belts
28
– Press the upper part of the shoulder belt guide and hold it in this position  ⇒page 27, fig. 17.
– Move the shoulder belt guide up or down until you have adjusted  the seat belt  ⇒page 25.
– After adjusting, pull the shoulder belt sharply to check that the  catch on the shoulder belt guide is engaged securely.Incorrectly 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. 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 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 incr eases 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 23.
Belt tension devicesFunction of the belt tension device
During a frontal collision, the se at 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 ca n 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 system31
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
•
Always properly adjust the front seats.
The danger of fitting a child seat on the front passenger seat
Rear-facing child seats must never be used on the front 
passenger seat when the front  passenger airbag is enabled.An enabled front airbag on the front passenger side is potentially a major 
danger to a child. The front passenger seat is life threatening to a child if you 
transport the child in a rear-facing child seat. You should always transport all 
children up to 12 years of age on the rear seat.
If a rear-facing child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, an inflating 
airbag can strike it with such great force that critical or fatal injuries may 
result.
Therefore we urgently recommend that you transport children on the rear 
seats. That is the safest place in the vehicle for children. Alternatively, the 
front passenger airbag can be disabled with a key-operated switch 
⇒page 44. When transporting children, use a child seat appropriate to the 
age and size of each child ⇒ page 46.
For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to turn the airbag off, 
an Authorised Service Centre must be consulted.
WARNING
•
If a child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, the risk to the child 
of sustaining critical or fatal injuries in the event of an accident increases.
•
Never secure a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat if the 
front passenger airbag is enabled. The child can suffer critical or fatal inju-
ries when the front passenger airbag is triggered.
•
An inflating front passenger airbag can strike the rear-facing child seat 
and hurl it with great force against the door, the roof or the backrest.
•
If, under special circumstances, it should be necessary to transport a 
child in a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat, it is absolutely 
essential that you observe the following safety measures:
−Disable the front passenger airbag  ⇒page 44, “Deactivating 
airbags*”.
− The child seat must be approved by the child seat manufacturer for 
use on a front passenger seat with front or side airbag.
− Follow the installation instructio ns of the child seat manufacturer 
and absolutely observe the warnings  ⇒page 46, “Child safety”.
− Before properly installing the child seat, push the front passenger 
seat all the way to the rear so that  the greatest possible distance to the 
front passenger airbag is ensured.
− Ensure that no objects prevent the front passenger seat from being 
pushed completely back.
− The backrest of the front passenger seat must be in an upright 
position.
Warning lamp for airbag and belt tension device system 
This warning lamp monitors the airbag and belt tension 
device system.The warning lamp monitors all airbags and belt tension devices in the 
vehicle, including control units and wiring connections.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
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Airbag system
32Monitoring of airbag and belt tension device system
The functionality of the airbag and belt tension device system is constantly 
monitored electronically. Each time th e ignition is switched on, the warning 
lamp 
 lights for several seconds and the display in the instrument panel* 
shows  AIRBAG / TENSIONER .
The system must be checked when the warning lamp 
 :
•
does not come on when the ignition is switched on,
•
does not go out about 4 seconds after the ignition is switched on,
•
goes out and then comes on again after the ignition is switched on,
•
or if it comes on or flickers while the car is moving.
In the event of a malfunction, the warning lamp remains on continuously. In 
addition, depending on the malfunctio n, a fault message appears in the 
display of the combi-instrument for approx. 10 seconds and a short acoustic 
signal is given. In this event, you should have a qualified workshop check the 
system immediately.
If any of the airbags are de-activated by the Authorised Service Centre, the 
indicator lights for several  seconds more after the veri fication and will turn off 
if there is no fault.
WARNING
•
If there is a malfunction, the air bag and belt tension device system 
cannot properly perform its protective function.
•
If a malfunction should occur, have the system checked immediately by 
a qualified workshop. Otherwise there is a risk that, in the event of an acci-
dent, the airbag system and belt tension devices may not be triggered, or 
may not be triggered correctly.
Repair, care and disposal of the airbagsThe parts of the airbag system are installed in various places in your vehicle. 
If you work on the airbag system or remove and install parts of the system 
when performing other repair work, parts of the airbag system may be 
damaged. The consequence may be that, in the event of an accident, the 
airbag inflates incorrectly  or does not inflate at all.
The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or 
components of the airbag are scrapped . The specialist workshops and the 
Vehicle disposal centres are familiar with these requirements.
WARNING
•
If repairs are not carried out by a professional, or if the airbags are used 
incorrectly, the risk of severe or fatal injuries is increased. The airbags may 
fail to inflate, or could inflate in the wrong circumstances.
•
Do not cover or stick anything on  the steering wheel hub or the soft 
plastic surface of the airbag unit on the passenger side of the dashboard, 
and do not obstruct or modify them in any way.
•
It is important not to attach any objects such as cup holders or tele-
phone mountings to the surfaces covering the airbag units.
•
To clean the steering wheel or dash panel, you may use only a dry cloth 
or one moistened with water. Never clean the dash panel and surface of the 
airbag module with cleansers containing solvents. Solvents cause the 
surface to become porous. If the airbag inflates, disintegrating plastic 
parts can cause substantial injuries.
•
Never attempt to repair, adjust, remove or install parts of the airbag 
system.
•
Any work on the airbag system or re moval and installation of the airbag 
components for other repairs (such as repairs to the steering wheel) should 
be performed only by a qualified workshop. Qualified workshops have the 
necessary tools, repair information and qualified personnel.
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Airbag system
42•
during a frontal collision,
•
during a rear-end collision,
•
if the vehicle rolls,
•
during a minorside collision,
WARNING
If a fault should occur in the airbag system, have the system checked imme-
diately by a qualified workshop. Otherwise there is a danger that during a 
collision, the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.Function of curtain airbags
Fully inflated airbags reduce the ri sk of head or chest injury in 
a side collision.
During some  side collisions  the curtain airbag is triggered on the impact side 
of the vehicle ⇒ fig. 25.
In certain types of accident the front, side and curtain airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant gas. In the 
process, the curtain bag covers the side windows and door pillars.
In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the airbags 
have to deploy extremely rapidly (within fractions of a second). A fine dust 
may develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and is no indication 
that there was a fire in the vehicle.
The fully deployed airbags cushion the  movement of the front occupants and 
help to reduce the risk of injury to the upper body.
The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-
lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and 
chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag.Safety notes on the operation of the curtain airbag system
If you use airbags correctly, they can considerably reduce the 
risk of injury in many kinds of accident.
WARNING
•
In order for the side airbags to provide their maximum protection, the 
prescribed sitting position must alwa ys be maintained with seat belts 
fastened while travelling.
•
For safety reasons, the head air bag must be disconnected in those 
vehicles fitted with a passenger compartment separation screen. See an 
Authorised Service Centre  to make this adjustment.
Fig. 25  Deployed curtain 
airbags
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Child safety47
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Safety notes on using child seats
Proper use of child seats substantially reduces the risk of 
injury in an accident!As the driver, you are responsible for any children you transport in 
your vehicle.
– Protect your children by properly using appropriate child seats 
⇒page 48.
– Always ensure that the belt webbing is properly positioned  according to the instructions prov ided by the manufacturer of the 
child seat.
– When travelling, do not allow children to distract you from traffic.
– Take breaks regularly during long trips. Take a break at least  every two hours.
WARNING
•
Never install a child seat facing backwards (or rear-facing) on the front 
passenger seat unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This 
could lead to a risk of pote ntially fatal injuries to the child! However, if it is 
necessary, in exceptional cases, to transport a child in the front passenger 
seat, the front passenger airbag must always be disabled  ⇒page 44, 
“Deactivating airbags*”. If the passe nger seat has a height adjustment 
option, move it to the highest position.
•
For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to turn the 
airbag off, an Authorised Service Centre must be consulted.
•
All passengers, especially children, must assume the proper sitting 
position and be properly belted in while travelling.
•
Never hold children or babies on your lap, this can result in potentially 
fatal injuries to the child!
•
Never allow a child to be transported in a vehicle without being properly 
secured, or to stand up or kneel on a  seat while travelling. In an accident, 
the child could be flung through the vehicle, causing possibly fatal injuries 
to themselves and other occupants.
•
If children assume an improper sitting position when the car is moving, 
they expose themselves to greater risk of injury during a sudden braking 
manoeuvre or in an accident. This is particularly the case if the child is trav-
elling on the front passenger seat and the airbag system is triggered in an 
accident; this could have consequences including serious injury or death.
•
A suitable child seat can protect your child!
•
Never leave a child unsupervised in a child seat or alone in the vehicle.
•
Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or cold 
inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.
•
Children who are less than 1.5 metres  tall must not wear a normal seat 
belt without a child restraint system, as this could cause injuries to the 
abdominal and neck areas during a sudden braking manoeuvre or in an 
accident.
•
Do not allow the belt webbing to become twisted or jammed, or to rub 
on any sharp edges.
•
Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause injuries even in a minor collision 
or sudden braking manoeuvres.
•
The seat belt provides maximum protection only when the belt web is 
properly positioned  ⇒page 24, “Safety belts”.
•
Only one child may occupy a child seat  ⇒page 48, “Child seats”.WARNING (continued)
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Child safety
52Securing the child seat by “ISOFIX” and “Toptether” systems or anti-rotating system.
The child seat with “ISOFIX” system can be secured quickly, 
easily and safely on the rear outer seats using the systemWhen removing or fitting the child seat, please be sure to follow the 
manufacturer's instructions.
– Move the seat as far to rear as it will go.
– Press the child seat onto the “ISOFIX” retaining rings until the 
child seat can be heard to engage securely. If the child seat is 
equipped with “Toptether” anchor  points, secure it to the corre-
spondent ring. If the child seat is fitted with any other antirota-
tion system, follow the manufacturer instructions carefully.
– Pull on both sides of the child se at to ensure that it is secure.
Two “ISOFIX” retaining rings are fitted on each rear seat. In some vehicles, the 
rings are secured to the seat frame and in  others they are secured to the rear 
floor. Access to “ISOFIX” rings is between the rear back rest and the seat. 
“Toptether” rings are located in the space behind the rear seats. They are 
often located on the rear of the seat backs.
Child seats with “ISOFIX” and “Topteth er” mountings are available from the 
Authorised Service Centres.
WARNING
•
The retaining rings are designed only for use with “ISOFIX” and 
“Toptether” child seats.
•
Never secure child seats that do not have the “ISOFIX” or “Toptether” 
system, retaining belts or objects to the fastening rings – this can result in 
potentially fatal injuries to the child!
•
Ensure that the child seat is secu red correctly using the “ISOFIX” and 
“Toptether” anchors.
Fig. 31  ISOFIX securing 
rings
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Cockpit59
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Digital display in the instrument panelDisplay (without warning or information texts)
The display in the instrument panel shows, amongst other 
things, the mileage and trip recorder as well as the selector 
lever position.
Digital clock display  ⇒page 58.
Distance display or service interval display  ⇒page 60.
Selector lever position display for the automatic gearbox*.
Display for the gears in Tiptronic mode (automatic gearbox)*. The 
selected gear appears in the display field with a light background 
⇒ fig. 37 .
Fig. 36  Detail of the 
instrument cluster: screen 
with different indicators
Fig. 37  Detail of the 
instrument cluster: screen 
with Tiptronic gear indi-
cator
A1A2A3A4
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Cockpit
60Displayed categories
The display in the instrument panel shows the mileage and 
trip recorder as well as the selector lever position.
Warning and monitoring indicators:  “Warning and indication lamps”
Clock: “Setting the time”. In some vehicles the ambient temperature is 
displayed to the right of the clock.
There are optional and automatic displays in this field.
- Optional indicators:  e.g. Multi-function display (MFD) and ambient 
temperature display
- Automatic indicators:  Information texts and warnings: “Warning and 
information messages on the screen”
- Menus providing further information and which can be used to make  diverse settings are also shown: “Instrument panel menus” Distance display or flexible service interval display: “Distance display or 
flexible service interval display”
Selector lever position display for the automatic gearbox. The actual 
position of the selector lever or the gear which is engaged (for Tiptronic) 
are highlighted.
Mileage display or Service Interval DisplayDistance display
The left-hand counter in the display registers the total amount of distance 
covered by the vehicle.
The right-hand counter regi
sters the short journeys. The last digit indicates 
steps of 100 metres. The trip recorder counter may be reset by the reset 
button  ⇒page 56, fig. 33 .
Service interval display
A  Service pre-warning will appear in the mileage displays if a service is due 
soon. A “spanner” symbol appears and the display “km” with the distance 
that can be driven until the next service appointment is due. The display will 
change after approximately 10 seconds. A “clock symbol” appears and the 
number of days until the service appointment should be carried out. The 
following message is shown in the instrument panel display:  SERV. IN ... KM 
OR ... DAYS . The service message will disappear approximately 20 seconds 
after the ignition is switched on or th e engine is running. The normal display 
can be resumed by pressing the reset button on the trip counter or by 
pressing the rocker switch of the MFI  ⇒page 61, fig. 39  .
With the ignition switched on, you can call up the current  service message by 
pressing the trip counter reset knob for 2 seconds.
An  overdue service is indicated by a minus sign in  front of the mileage or day 
information.
Fig. 38  Digital display in 
the instrument panel
A1A1A2
A3A4
A6
AB
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