
Controls
 53Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Driving
Ignition lock
Insert the remote control into the 
ignition lock
Insert the remote control all the way into the 
ignition lock.
>Radio readiness is switched on.
Individual electrical consumers can operate.
Convenient access*
If the car is equipped with convenient access, 
only insert the remote control into the ignition 
lock under special circ umstances, refer to 
page 34.
Removing the remote control from the 
ignition lock
Do not forcibly pull the remote control out 
of the ignition lock as this may cause 
damage. <
Before removing the remote  control, push it all 
the way in to release  the locking mechanism.
> The ignition is switched off if it was on.
Automatic transmission
You cannot take out th e remote control unless 
the selector lever is in the P position: interlock.
Start/stop button
Pressing the start/stop button switches radio 
readiness or the ignition on or off. Manual transmission: the engine is 
started when you press the start/stop 
button and depress the clutch.
Automatic transmission: the engine is started 
when you press the start/stop button and 
depress the brake. <
Radio readiness
Individual electrical consumers can operate. 
The time and the outside temperature are dis-
played in the instrument cluster.
Radio readiness is swit ched off automatically:
> When the remote control is removed from 
the ignition lock
> In cars with convenient access
*, by touch-
ing the surface above the door lock, refer to 
Locking on page 34
Ignition on
All electrical consumers can operate. The 
odometer and trip odometer are displayed in 
the instrument cluster.
When the engine is off, please switch off 
the ignition and any unnecessary electri-
cal consumers in order to preserve the bat-
tery. <
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator and warnin g lamps as well as dis-
plays in the instrument cluster go out.
Starting the engine
Do not run the engine in closed rooms, 
otherwise the inhalation of toxic exhaust 
gases can cause unconsciousness and death. 
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, 
an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas. 
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the 
engine running, otherwise such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential  safety hazard. 
Before leaving the car wi th the engine running, 
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Driving
54
place the transmission in neutral or engage 
selector lever position P 
and forcefully apply the 
parking brake to prevent the car from moving. <
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion as well as repeated start attempts in 
which the engine does no t start. Otherwise, the 
fuel is not burned or  incompletely burned and 
there is a danger of overheating and damaging 
the catalytic converter. <
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the 
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right 
away, but at moderate engine speeds.
Manual transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with con-
venient access, inside  the vehicle, refer to 
page 34.
1. Depress the brake.
2. Depress the clutch and shift to neutral posi-
tion.
3. Press the start/stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain 
time, and stops automatically as soon as the 
engine has started.
Automatic transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with con-
venient access, inside  the vehicle, refer to 
page 34.
1. Depress the brake.
2. Move the selector lever to position P.
3. Press the start/stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain 
time, and stops automatically as soon as the 
engine has started.
Diesel engine
When the engine is cold and temperatures are 
below approx. 32 7/06 , the starting process 
may take a little more  time due to automatic 
preheating. The preheating indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster comes on; at the same 
time a message appears  on the Control Display.
Switching off the engine
Always take the remote control with you 
when you leave the vehicle. 
When parking, apply th e parking brake force-
fully, otherwise the vehicle could begin to roll. <
Manual transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, press the start/
stop button.
2. Shift into first gear or reverse.
3. Forcefully apply the parking brake.
4. Removing the remote control from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page 53.
Automatic transmission
1. With the car at a standstill, move the selec-
tor lever to position P.
2. Press the start/stop button.
3. Forcefully apply the parking brake.
4. Removing the remote control from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page 53.
Parking brake
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it 
brakes the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp is lit, and when you 
drive off an acoustic signal sounds in 
addition. The parking brake is still 
applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Applying
The lever locks in po sition automatically.
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Controls
 55Reference
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Mobility
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and 
lower the lever.In exceptional cases, if the parking brake 
has to be used to slow or stop the car, do 
not pull the lever up too hard. In doing so, con-
tinuously press the button of the parking brake 
lever. 
Otherwise, excessive force on the parking 
brake can lock up the rear wheels and cause the 
rear of the car to swerve. <
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally apply the parking 
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming 
to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable.
The brake lamps do not light up when the park-
ing brake is applied. <
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, press 
the gearshift lever to  the right. Otherwise 
the engine could be da maged if you inadvert-
ently shift into 3rd or 4th gear. <
Reverse gear
Select this only when the vehicle is stationary. 
When the gearshift lever is pressed to the left, a 
slight resistance has to be overcome.
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*
In addition to fully automatic operation, you can 
also manually shift with the Steptronic, refer to 
page 56.
Vehicle parking
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, 
always select position P and apply the 
parking brake before leaving the vehicle with 
the engine running. <
Disengaging the remote control
In order to remove the remote control from the 
ignition lock, you must  first move the selector 
lever to position P and switch off the engine: 
interlock. Removing th e remote control from 
the ignition lock, refer to page 53.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in the instrument cluster
P R N D DS M1 to M6
The selector lever position is displayed, or the 
current gear in the manual mode.
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Controls
 57Reference
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Mobility
>When you use the shift paddles on the 
steering wheel to shif t gears in automatic 
mode, the transmission switches to manual 
mode.
> If you do not accelerate  or shift gears using 
the shift paddles for a certain amount of 
time, the transmission switches back to 
automatic mode.
If the selector lever is in the M/S gear 
plane, manual mode remains active. <
> To shift up: pull one of the shift paddles.
> To shift down: press one of the shift pad-
dles.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only 
when they will result in  a plausible combination 
of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example, 
a downshift that would  cause the engine to 
overrev will not be executed by the system. The 
gear selected is briefly  displayed in the instru-
ment cluster, followed by  the gear actually in 
use.
Overriding selector lever lock
Should the selector lever  refuse to move out of 
position P although the  button on the selector 
lever is pressed, the sele ctor lever lock can be 
overridden:
1. Unclip the sleeve of  the selector lever.
2. Pull the sleeve up over the selector lever 
until the sleeve is inside out. 3.
Using the screwdriver from the onboard 
tool kit, refer to page 222, press the red 
lever while moving the selector lever to the 
desired position.
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher
1 High beams
2 Headlamp flasher
3 Turn signals
Using turn signals
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
To turn off manually,  press the lever to the 
resistance point.
Unusually rapid flashi ng of the indicator 
lamp indicates that a turn signal indicator 
has failed. <
Indicating a turn briefly
Press the lever as far as  the resistance point for 
as long as you wish to indicate a turn.
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Controls
 59Reference
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Navigation
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Mobility
Do not use the washers if there is any 
danger that the fluid will freeze on the 
windshield. If you do, your vision could be 
obscured. Antifreeze should therefore be 
added to the fluid, refer to Washer fluid. 
Do not use the washers when the washer fluid 
reservoir is empty, otherwise you will damage 
the washer pump. <
Windshield washer nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles are heated 
automatically while the engine is running or the 
ignition is switched on
*.
Sports Wagon: re ar window wiper
1Intermittent operation.  When reverse gear 
is engaged, the system switches to contin-
uous operation.
2 Cleaning the rear window
The rear window wiper does not move if the 
lever is in position 1 before the ignition is 
switched on.
To switch on the rear window wiper:
1. Move the lever to  its home position.
2. Reselect the desired position.
Do not use the washers when the washer 
fluid reservoir is empty, otherwise you will 
damage the washer pump. <
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. 
Therefore, keep it away from ignition 
sources and only store it in the closed original 
container that is kept ou t of reach of children, 
otherwise there is a risk  of personal injury. 
Comply with the instructions on the con-
tainer. <
Washer fluid filler neck
Only refill washer fluid when the engine is 
cool to avoid contac t with hot engine 
parts. Otherwise, fluid spills constitute a fire 
hazard and a risk to personal safety. 
Fill with water and, if required, with a washer 
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
Mix the water and antifreeze before filling 
the washer fluid rese rvoir to make sure 
the correct concentration is maintained. <
Capacity
Approx. 6.3 US quarts/6 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
Cruise control is available for use at speeds of 
approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h. The car then stores 
and maintains the speed that you specify using 
the lever on the steering column. In order to 
maintain the specified speed, the system 
brakes the vehicle when the engine braking 
effect is insufficient  on downhill gradients.
Do not use cruise control when driving at 
constant speed is prevented by adverse 
conditions, e.g. winding roads, dense traffic or 
poor road conditions due to, e.g. snow, rain, ice 
or loose surfaces. Otherwise you could lose 
control of the vehicle and cause an accident as a 
result. <
Manual transmission
You can shift gears while  cruise control is acti-
vated. An indicator lamp notifies you that you 
should shift gears wh en you drive for an 
extended period at very high or very low engine 
speeds, or the system is deactivated.
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Driving
60
One lever for all functions
1Storing and maintainin g speed or accelerat-
ing
2 Storing and maintaining speed or deceler-
ating
3 Deactivating cruise control
4 Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Maintaining current speed
Tap the lever, arrow  1, or pull it briefly, arrow  2.
The car's current speed is stored and main-
tained. It is displayed  on the speedometer and 
briefly in the instrument cluster.
On uphill gradients, it may prove impossible to 
maintain the set speed if current engine power 
output is insufficient. If the engine braking 
effect is insufficient on  downhill slopes, the sys-
tem will brake the vehicle slightly.
Increasing desired speed
Repeatedly press the lever to the resistance 
point or beyond, arrow 1, until the desired 
speed is reached.
> Each time the lever is  pressed to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is increased 
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
> Each time the lever is  pressed beyond the 
resistance point, the desired speed is 
increased by up to 5 mph or 10 km/h.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
Accelerating using the lever
Accelerating slightly:
Press the lever to the resistance point, arrow  1, 
until the desired speed is reached.
Accelerating significantly: Press the lever beyond the resistance point, 
arrow 
1, until the desired speed is reached.
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on 
the accelerator pedal. The system stores and 
maintains the speed.
Decreasing speed
Repeatedly pull the lever  to the resistance point 
or beyond, arrow  2, until the desired speed is 
displayed.
> Each time the lever is  pulled to the resis-
tance point, the desire d speed is decreased 
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
> Each time the lever  is pulled beyond the 
resistance point, the desired speed is 
reduced by  up to  5 mph o r 10 km/h until the  
minimum speed of 20 mph or 30 km/h is 
achieved.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
Deactivating cruise control
Tap the lever upwards or downwards, arrow 3. 
The displays on the speedometer disappear.
In addition, the system  is automatically deacti-
vated:
> When you brake the vehicle
> When you switch gears very slowly or shift 
to neutral in cars with a manual transmis-
sion
> When you engage selector lever position N 
in cars with an automatic transmission
> When you activate DTC or deactivate DSC
> When DSC or ABS is intervening
Cruise control is not de activated by depressing 
the accelerator pedal.  Once the accelerator 
pedal is released, the st ored speed is achieved 
again and maintained.
Warning lamp
The warning lamp comes on when 
cruise control has been deactivated 
by applying the parking brake or as a 
result of DSC intervention. A message appears 
on the Control Display.
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Controls
 61Reference
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Mobility
Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Press the button, arrow 4. The last stored 
speed is resumed and maintained.
In the following instances, the stored speed is 
deleted and can no longer be resumed:
> When driving stability control systems are 
intervening
> In cars with a manual transmission: when 
you switch gears very sl owly or shift to neu-
tral
> In cars with an automatic transmission: 
when you engage selector lever position N
> When the ignition is switched off
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored speed
2 Selected speed is displayed briefly
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears 
in the instrument cluster display, it is pos-
sible that the system prerequisites for operation 
are currently not met. 
Calling up Check Control messages, refer to 
page 76.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp comes on when 
the system has failed. A message 
appears on the Control Display. You 
can find more information starting on page 75.
Active cruise control*
The concept
With active cruise cont rol, you can select a 
desired speed which is  not only automatically  maintained when driving 
on open roadways, but 
also varied to maintain  a selected distance set-
ting as slower traffic is encountered.
Active cruise control is a technological advance 
over the familiar cruise control and is a welcome 
relief from the constant adjustment of speed 
that can accompany driving in traffic on high-
ways or other high-speed thoroughfares. Espe-
cially on longer trips,  the system can reduce 
fatigue and tension, while increasing your 
enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely and 
responsibly.
Within the limits of its capability, the system 
automatically adapts the ca r's speed to that of a 
slower vehicle in front of you. You can specify 
the distance to be main tained from the vehicle 
in front in four stages.  For safety reasons, the 
distance is speed-dependent. Based on your 
selected distance setti ng, the system automat-
ically decreases the thro ttle setting and lightly 
applies the brakes if necessary. The vehicle 
brake lamps will automatically illuminate to sig-
nal a following driver to take action. In addition, 
it may be necessary for the vehicle or the driver 
to downshift, depending  on the kind of trans-
mission your vehicle is equipped with, to main-
tain the distance setting  selected. If the vehicle 
ahead speeds up or when the lane ahead 
becomes clear, your vehi cle will accelerate to 
the speed you have selected by increasing the 
throttle setting and shifting gears automatically 
or by the driver as needed. Your selected speed 
will be held when driving downhill, too.
Since this active cruise control system is a new 
technology and operates differently from con-
ventional cruise control systems which you may 
be accustomed to, you are strongly urged to 
read all of the pages re lating to this system 
before use. Pay special  attention to the System 
limitations section beginning on page 65.
Braking sensation
>If you step on the brake pedal while the sys-
tem is braking, pedal sensation will be 
slightly different from the usual.
> Possible noises during automatic braking 
are normal.
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Driving
62
Manual transmission
You can shift gears while cruise control is acti-
vated. An indicator lamp notifies you that you 
should shift gears when you drive for an 
extended period at very high or very low engine 
speeds, or the system is deactivated.
Range of applications
The minimum desired speed is 20 mph or 
30 km/h, the maximum desired speed is 
110 mph or 180 km/h.
As with conventional  cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way 
diminishes or substitutes for the driver’s own 
personal responsibility,  alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise 
controlling the vehicle.  The driver should 
decide when to use the system on the basis of 
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions. 
Active cruise control is intended for use on 
highway-type roadways where traffic is moving 
relatively smoothly. Do  not use this system in 
city driving; heavy traffic such as during rush 
hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or 
roads with sharp curves such as highway off-
ramps; during inclement weather such as snow, 
strong rain or fog; or when entering inter-
changes, service/parkin g areas or toll booths. 
It is also important to regulate your vehicle's 
speed and distance setting within applicable 
legal limits. Always be re ady to take action or 
apply the brakes if nece ssary, especially when 
the system is actively fo llowing a vehicle in front 
of you. Otherwise driving situations could result 
that pose the risk of accidents. <
One lever for all functions
1Store and increase desired speed
2 Store and decrease desired speed
3 Deactivate system, refer to page 63
4 Resume stored desired speed and dis-
tance, refer to page 64
5 Select distance to vehicle driving ahead, 
refer to page 63
Storing current speed
Briefly press the lever, arrow  1, or briefly pull it, 
arrow  2, at a driving speed of more than approx. 
20 mph or 30 km/h.
The car's current speed is stored. It is displayed 
on the speedometer and  briefly in the instru-
ment cluster.
Increasing desired speed
Press or tap the lever to the resistance point or 
beyond, arrow 1, until the desired speed is dis-
played.
> Each time the lever is  tapped to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is increased 
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
> Each time the lever  is tapped beyond the 
resistance point, the desired speed is 
increased by up to 5 mph or 10 km/h until 
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