
Contents3
ContentsManual structure
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safety First
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safe driving
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Proper sitting position for occupants . . . . . . . . . 
Pedal area  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Stowing luggage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seat belts
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief Introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Belt tension devices*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Airbag system
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Front airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Curtain airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Deactivating airbags*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Child safety
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Securing child seats  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Operating instructions
 . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Cockpit
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Overview  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Instruments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Digital display in the instrument panel  . . . . . . . 
Warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering column controls*
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
General information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Audio Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Audio + Telephone Control  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Unlocking and locking
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Keys  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Radio frequency remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Anti-theft alarm system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Windows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Panoramic tilting roof*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Lights and visibility
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Windscreen washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Rearview mirrors  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seats and stowage
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
The importance of correct seat adjustment . . . . 
Head restraints  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Rear seat bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Stowage compartments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Ashtrays, cigarette lighter and power point  . . .  First-aid kit, warning triangle, fire extinguisher*
Boot  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
 . . 
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Air conditioning* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
General notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Driving
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Address  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Starting and stopping the engine  . . . . . . . . . . . 
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Automatic gearbox*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Acoustic parking aid system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Cruise control system (CCS)*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Practical tips
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Intelligent technology
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brakes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Anti-lock brake system and traction control ABS
Electronic stabilisation programme (ESP)*  . . . . 
Driving and the environment
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Running-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Exhaust gas purification system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Economical and environmentally-friendly driving
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
5
6
7
7
7
9
14
15
16
16
18
21
25
26
26
29
31
35
38
40
40
42
45 49
49
49
51
52
57
68
68
68
70
72
72
77
78
79
82
84
87
89
89
95
96
97
100
103
103
104
106
108
109
113 115
115
118
118
121
124
127
129
129
130
131
132
134
135
142
144
145
149
149
149
150
151
153
153
154
155
157
161
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Cockpit49
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Operating instructionsCockpitOverviewOverview of the instrument panel
This overview will help you to  familiarise yourself with the 
controls and displays.
Door release lever 
Light switch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Light dimmer for instrument panel ligh ting*   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Headlight range control*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Air vent
Turn signal and dipped beam lever and cruise control system*
Instrument panel an d warning lights:
− Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Indication lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Horn (works only when the igni tion is on)/ and driver front 
airbag* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering and starter lock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Windscreen wiper and and windscreen wash* lever and opera-
tion of the multi-function display* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Radio
Glove box/Stowage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Passenger airbag* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Switches for: −
Heating and ventilation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Air conditioning*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Climatronic*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Cigarette lighter /Power point  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Drink-holder/Ashtray  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Controls on the centre console:
− Hazard warning lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Airbag disconnection warni ng light*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− ESP  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Tyre pressure control  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Rear window heater  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Heated seats* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Central locking*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− AUX connection  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Handbrake lever  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
A utomatic* / manual gearbox lever 
  
 . . . . . . . . . . .  . . .
  . . . . . . 
Storage space
Pedals  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering column control lever*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Bonnet release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering column controls for audio and telephone*  . . . . . . . . 
Fuse housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Control for adjusting electric wing mirrors*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Electric window controls* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
A1A2
89
A3
90
A4
90
A5A6
94, 145
A7
51
57
A8
26
A9
131
A10
97, 53
A11A12
109
A13
29
A14
118
121
124
A15
113
A16
112
A17
93
27
151 63
92
107 75
114
A18
142
A19 
135,  134
A20A21
14
A22
129
A23
183
A24
68
A25
211
A26
101
A27
84
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Cockpit
58
Item Symbol Meaning of warning and control lamps Further information
Engine fault (petrol engine)
⇒page 60
Glow plug system for diesel engine 
If lit:  preheating active 
If flashing:  engine fault ⇒
page 60
 
Pollen accumulation in the diesel engine particulate filter ⇒page 60
Engine oil pressure ⇒page 61
Bulb defective ⇒page 61
Rear fog light switched on ⇒page 61
Seat belt warning lamp* ⇒page 16
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) * ⇒page 61
If flashing : electronic stabilisation programme (ESP) is 
working
If it remains lit:  fault on ESP ⇒
page 62
Handbrake applied, 
 lack of brake fluid level or
 serious fault in the brake system ⇒
page 63
Cruise control system switched on ⇒page 63
Tyre pressure  ⇒page 63
Automatic selector lever lock (automatic gearbox) ⇒page 64
A1A1A2A3A4A5A6A7A8A9A10A11A12
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Cockpit63
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Brake system* / handbrake 
 
The warning lamp lights up if the handbrake is applied, if the 
brake fluid level falls too low or if there is a fault in the brake 
system.
This warning lamp 
 lights up if
•
If the handbrake is applied
•
If the brake fluid level is too low  ⇒page 193
•
If there is a fault in the brake system
This warning lamp can light up together with the anti-lock brake system 
warning lamp.
WARNING
•
If the brake warning lamp does not  go out, or if it lights up when 
driving, the brake fluid level ⇒ page 193, “Brake fluid” in the reservoir is 
too low. Risk of accident. Stop the vehicle and do not drive on. Obtain tech-
nical assistance.
•
If the brake warning lamp 
 lights up together with the ABS warning 
lamp 
, the control function of the ABS could be out of action. This could 
cause the rear wheels to lock quickly when you brake. This could cause the 
rear to break away. Risk of skidding. Stop the vehicle and seek technical 
assistance.
Cruise control system* 
The warning lamp comes on when the cruise control system 
is switched on.The warning lamp 
 lights up when the cruise control system is switched on. 
Further notes on the cruise control system  ⇒page 145.
Tyre pressure* 
The tyre monitor 
5) compares wheel revolutions and with this information, the 
diameter of each wheel using the ESP sensors. If the diameter of a wheel 
changes, the tyre monitor indicator lights  . The wheel diameter changes 
when:
•
Tyre pressure is insufficient.
5)Depending on the model version
Fig. 37  Centre console: 
tyre monitor system 
button
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Lights and visibility93
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Hazard warning lights 
 
The hazard warning lights are used to draw the attention of 
other road users to your vehicle in emergencies.
If your vehicle breaks down:
1. Park your vehicle at a safe distance from moving traffic.
2.  Press the button to switch on the hazard warning lights  ⇒.
3.  Switch the engine off.
4.  Apply the handbrake.
5.  On a manual gearbox engage 1st gear, and for an automatic  move the selector lever to  P.
6.  Use the warning triangle to draw  the attention of other road users 
to your vehicle. 7.  Always take the vehicle key with you when you leave the vehicle.
You should switch on the hazard warning lights to warn other road users, for 
instance when:•
reaching the tail end of a traffic jam,
•
there is an emergency,
•
your vehicle breaks down due to a technical fault,
•
you are towing another vehicle or
 your vehicle is being towed.
All turn signals flash simultaneously when the hazard warning lights are 
switched on. That is that the two turn signal indicator lamps 
  and the 
indicator lamp in the switch 
 will flash at the same time. The hazard 
warning lights also work when  the ignition is switched off.
WARNING
•
The risk of an accident increases if your vehicle breaks down. Always 
use the hazard warning lights and a wa rning triangle to draw the attention 
of other road users to your stationary vehicle.
•
Never park where the catalytic converter could come into contact with 
inflammable materials under the vehicle, for example dry grass or spilt 
petrol. This could start a fire!Note
•
The battery will run down if the hazard  warning lights are left on for a long 
time, even if the ignition is switched off.
•
The use of the hazard warning lights de scribed here is subject to the rele-
vant statutory requirements.
Fig. 55  Centre console: 
switch for hazard warning 
lights
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Driving137
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Selector lever positions
The selector lever positions and gears are shown on the 
display on the instrument panel.Driving a car with an automatic gearbox
The gearbox changes gear ratios  automatically as the vehicle 
moves.Starting
– Start the engine with the selector lever in position  P or  N.
Driving
– Hold the brake pedal pressed down. – By holding the lock button (button on the left in the selector 
lever), select  R or  D.
– Release the lever and wait a little for the gearbox to engage the  gear (a slight movement can be felt).
– Release the brake and press the accelerator  ⇒.
Stopping briefly
– If stopping for a short time, keep the vehicle stationary by  pressing the foot brake hard to prevent the car moving back-
wards on a slope or “creeping” forwards, e.g. at traffic lights. The 
selector lever does not need to be put into the positions  P or  N.
– Do not press the accelerator.
Parking the vehicle
– Press and hold the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a  standstill  ⇒.
–Apply the handbrake.
– By pressing the lock button down, move the selector lever to  P 
and release the lock button.
Driving up and down hills
– Press the selector lever from position “D” to the right into the  Tiptronic selector gate.
– Lightly press the selector lever back to change down.
Fig. 99  Automatic 
gearbox
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Driving
138
Holding the car on a hill
– The footbrake must be always pressed down to prevent the vehicle from “rolling backwards”  ⇒. Do not try to prevent the 
vehicle from “rolling backwards” by increasing the engine speed 
while a range of gears is selected.
Starting the vehicle on a hill
–Apply the handbrake.
– With a selected gear, accelerate slowly and at the same time,  release the handbrake.The steeper the slope, the lower the gear required. This increases the braking 
effect of the engine. For example, when driving down a very steep slope in 3rd 
gear. If the engine brake effect is not enough, the vehicle will speed up. The 
automatic gearbox automatically changes up to prevent the engine over-
revving. Use the foot brake to reduce  speed and change into 3rd gear again 
using Tiptronic*  ⇒.
Your vehicle has an automatic interlock which prevents the selector lever 
from being put into a position for driving forwards or in reverse from positions 
P  or  N if the brake pedal is not depressed.
The ignition key cannot be removed unl ess the selector lever is in position P.
Warning lamp “Pressing brake pedal” 
When the warning lamp next to the selector lever lights up, press the brake 
pedal. This is necessary when the automatic gearbox selector lever is moved 
out of positions  P or  N. At the same time, a text message or instructions to 
perform necessary operations may appear on the instrument panel.
WARNING
•
As a driver, you should never leave your vehicle if the engine is running 
and a gear is engaged. If you have to leave your vehicle while the engine is 
running, you must apply the parking brake and engage parking lock P.
•
If the engine is running and D or R are engaged, you will need to hold 
the vehicle stopped by depressing the brake pedal. The car would keep on 
creeping forward as the power transmission is not fully interrupted even 
when the engine is idling.
•
Never accelerate when changing gear or you may cause an accident.
•
Never move the selector lever to R or  P when driving. Risk of accident!
•
Before driving down a long, steep slope, it is advisable to reduce speed 
and change into a lower gear.
•
If you stop the vehicle up hill, always hold the foot brake strongly 
depressed down to stop it from rolling back.
•
Never allow the brake to rub and do not use the brake pedal too often 
or for long periods. Constant braking  will cause the brakes to overheat and 
will considerably reduce the braking effect. This increases the braking 
distance and could cause the brake system to fail.
•
Never allow the car to roll down a mountain or a slope with the lever in 
the N or D position, regardless of whether the engine is running or not.Caution
•
If you stop the vehicle on a hill, do not attempt to stop it from rolling back 
by depressing the accelerator when a gear has been selected. Otherwise, the 
automatic gearbox may overheat causing damage. Pull the handbrake up or 
fully depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from rolling away.
•
If you allow the car to roll when the engine is not running, or with the 
selector lever in position N, lack of lubrication in the automatic gearbox will 
damage it.
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Driving
142HandbrakeUsing the handbrake
The handbrake should be applied firmly to prevent the 
vehicle from accidentally rolling away.Always apply the handbrake when you leave your vehicle and when 
you park.
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up firmly  ⇒fig. 102.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and press the release knob in the direc- tion of the arrow  ⇒fig. 102  and guide the handbrake lever down 
fully ⇒ .
Always apply the handbrake  firmly. This prevents you driving with the hand-
brake applied  ⇒.
The handbrake warning lamp 
 lights up when the handbrake is applied 
and the ignition switched on. The warning turns off when the handbrake is 
released.
WARNING
•
Never use the handbrake to stop the vehicle when it is in motion. The 
braking distance is considerably longer, because braking is only applied to 
the rear wheels. Risk of accident!
•
If it is only partially released, this will cause rear brakes overheating, 
which can impair the function of the brake system and could lead to an acci-
dent. This also causes premature wear on the rear brake pads.Caution
Always apply the handbrake before you leave the vehicle. The first gear 
should also be selected.Parking
The handbrake should always be firmly applied when the 
vehicle is parked.Always note the following points when parking the vehicle:
– Use the foot brake to stop the vehicle.
–Apply the handbrake.
– The first gear should also be selected.
Fig. 102  Handbrake 
between the front seats
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