Cockpit
80Brake light failure
This warning light will appear on the upper part of the display if any of the
brake lights has failed. A text message in the central part of the display indi-
cates which brake light has failed (left or right).Fuel level low
When this symbol
comes on for the first time, there are about 8 to 10 litres
of fuel left in the tank. You should fill up as soon as possible ⇒page 222.
Check engine oil level
If the
symbol lights up, please check the engine oil level as soon as
possible ⇒page 230. Top up the oil at the next opportunity ⇒page 230.
Engine oil sensor defective*
If the
symbol lights up, take the vehicle to a qualified workshop and have
the oil level sensor checked. Until then it is advisable to check the oil level
every time you fill up with fuel ⇒page 230.
Diesel particulate filter obstructed
If the symbol
lights up, you may be able to contribute towards automatic
filter cleaning by driving in the right manner. To do this, drive about 15
minutes in 4th or 5th gear (automatic gearbox: S gear range) at a speed of 60 km/h, with the engine running at approximately 2000 rpm. The increase in
temperature will burn off any soot in the filter. When cleaning is successful,
the symbol switches off.
If the light on symbol
does not go off, take the vehicle to a specialist
garage to repair the fault.
For further information on the diesel particulate filter, see ⇒page 197.
WARNING
It is essential that you adjust your speed to suit the weather, road, terrain
and traffic conditions. The recommended driving speed must never lead to
the driver disregarding the traffic regulations.Light sensor/ rain sensor faulty
Automatic headlights / automatic wipers faulty
If the symbol appears, this means that the light sensor / rain sensor is not
working. For safety reasons, the dipped beam headlights will then be
switched on permanently when the light switch is set to the AUTO position.
However, you can still switch the lights on and off in the normal way with the
light switch. If the rain sensor is faulty, the functions operated via the wind-
screen wiper lever will still be available. You should have the light sensor /
rain sensor checked by a specialist garage as soon as possible.
Worn brake pads
If the
symbol lights up, have the front brake pads (and, for safety's sake,
the rear pads as well) inspected by a specialist garage.
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Intelligent technology
192Traction control system (TCS)
The traction control system prevents the drive wheels from
spinning when the car is accelerating.General notes
The traction control system (TCS) is one of the functions incorporated in the
electronic stabilisation programme (ESP).
The traction control system (TCS) helps the car to start moving, accelerate or
climb a gradient in slippery conditions where this may otherwise be difficult
or even impossible.
How it works
The TCS acts automatically, i.e. without the driver's intervention. With the aid
of the ABS sensors ⇒page 190, the TCS monitors the speed of the driven
wheels. If the wheels start to spin, the engine power is reduced automatically
to match the amount of grip available. The system is active across the entire
speed range.
The TCS works in conjunction with the ABS. If a malfunction occurs in the ABS,
the TCS will also be inoperative.
Note
To ensure that the TCS works properly, all four wheels must be fitted with
identical tyres. The difference in size of the wheels may lead to an undesired
reduction in engine power. Also see ⇒page 248.
BrakesGeneral notesNew brake pads
New brake pads do not provide optimal performance during the first 200 km
they must be “run in”. However, the reduced braking capacity may be
compensated by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder. Avoid over-
loading the brakes during run-in.
Wear
T h e r a t e o f we a r o n t h e brake pads depends a great deal on how you drive and
the conditions in which the vehicle is operated. Negative factors are, for
instance, city traffic, frequent short trips or hard driving with abrupt starts
and stops.
Wet roads; road salt
In certain conditions, such as in heavy rain, or after washing the car or driving
through water, the full braking effect can be delayed by moisture (or in winter
by ice) on the discs and brake pads. The brakes should be “dried” by pressing
the pedal to restore full braking effect.
When the velocity is over 80 km/h windscreen wipers are on, the brake
system moves the pads towards the brake discs for a few seconds. This
occurs - without warning to the driver - at regular intervals and requires a
more rapid response from the brakes when driving on wet roads.
The effectiveness of the brakes can also be temporarily reduced if the car is
driven for some distance without using the brakes when there is a lot of salt
on the road in winter. In this case, the layer of salt on the brake discs and pads
has to wear off before braking.
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Intelligent technology193
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Corrosion
There may be a tendency for dirt to build up on the brake pads and corrosion
to form on the discs if the car is used infrequently, or if you only drive low
mileages without using the brakes very much.
If the brakes are not used frequently, or if rust has formed on the disks, it is
advisable to clean off the pads and disks by braking firmly a few times from a
moderately high speed
⇒.
Faults in the brake system
If the brake pedal travel should ever increase suddenly, this may mean that
one of the two brake circuits has failed. Drive immediately to the nearest qual-
ified workshop and have the fault rectified. On the way to the dealer, be
prepared to use more pressure on the brake pedal, and allow for longer stop-
ping distances.
Low brake fluid level
Malfunctions can occur in the brake system if the brake fluid level is too low.
The brake fluid level is monitored electronically.
WARNING
When applying the brakes to clean off deposits on the pads and discs,
select a clear, dry road. Be sure not to inconvenience or endanger other
road users. Risk of accident.
Caution
•Never let the brakes “drag” by leaving your foot on the pedal when you do
not really intend to brake. This overheats the brakes, resulting in longer stop-
ping distances and greater wear.•Before driving down a long, steep gradient, it is advisable to reduce speed
and change to a lower gear (or move the selector lever to a lower gear position
if your car has automatic transmission). This makes use of engine braking and prolongs the service life of the brakes. If you still have to use the brakes,
it is better to brake firmly at intervals than to apply the brakes continuously.
Note
If you wish to equip the car with accessories such as a front spoiler or wheel
covers, it is important that the flow of air to the front wheels is not obstructed,
otherwise the brakes can overheat.Brake servo
The brake servo assists the driver when brakingThe brake servo amplifies the pressure you apply to the brake pedal. The
brake servo works only when the engine is running.
WARNING
Ensure the vehicle does not move while in neutral, when the motor is
stopped. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Note
If the brake servo is not working, e.g. because the vehicle has to be towed or
because it is broken, you will have to press the brake pedal considerably
harder to make up for the lack of servo assistance.
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Driving and the environment195
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Driving and the environmentRunning-inRunning in a new engine
The engine needs to be run-in over the first 1,500 km.Up to 1,000 kilometres
– Do not drive at speeds of more than 2/3 the maximum speed.
– Do not accelerate hard.
– Avoid high engine revolutions.
– Do not tow a trailer.
From 1000 to 1500 km
– Speeds can be gradually increased to the maximum road speed
or maximum permissible engine speed (rpm).During its first few hours of running, the internal friction in the engine is
greater than later on, when all the moving parts have bedded in.
For the sake of the environment
If the engine is run in gently, its life will be increased and its oil consumption,
reduced.
Braking effect and braking distance
The braking effect and braking distance are influenced by
driving situations and road conditions.The efficiency of the brakes depends directly on the brake pad wear. The rate
of wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the conditions under
which the vehicle is operated and the way the vehicle is driven. If you often
drive in town traffic, drive short distances or have a sporty driving style, we
recommend that you have the thickness of your brake pads checked by an
Authorised Service Centre more frequently than recommended in the Ser vice
Schedule.
If you drive with wet brakes, for example, after crossing areas of water, in
heavy rainfall or even after washing the car, the effect of the brakes is less-
ened as the brake discs are wet or even frozen (in winter): The brakes should
be “dried” by pressing the pedal to restore full braking effect.
WARNING
Longer braking distances and faults in the brake system increase the risk
of accidents.•New brake pads must be run in and do not have the correct friction
during the first 200 km. However, the reduced braking capacity may be
compensated by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder. This also
applies when new brake pads are fitted.•If brakes are wet or frozen, or if you are driving on roads which have
been gritted with salt, braking power may set in later than normal.•On steep slopes, if brakes are excessively used, they will overheat.
Before driving down a long steep slope, it is advisable to reduce speed and
change down into a lower gear (or move the selector lever to a lower gear if
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Your vehicle maintenance and cleaning
212Vehicle exterior maintenanceAutomatic car wash tunnel
The car can normally be washed without problem in an auto-
matic car wash.The vehicle paintwork is so durable that the car can normally be washed
without problems in an automatic car washing tunnel. However, the paint-
work wear depends to a large extent, on the kind of the car washing tunnel,
the brushes used, its water filtering and the type of cleaning and preservative
products.
Before going through a car wash, be sure to take the usual precautions such
as closing the windows and sunroof. There is nothing to note apart from that.
If the vehicle has special accessories such as spoilers or a roof carrier or two-
way radio aerial, etc., it is advisable to consult the car washing tunnel oper-
ator.
After washing, the brakes could hesitate to respond as the brake discs and
pads could be wet, or even frozen in winter. “Dry” the brakes by braking
several times.
WARNING
Water, ice and salt on the brakes can reduce braking efficiency. Risk of
accident.Washing by handVehicle washing
– First soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse it off. – Clean your vehicle from top to bottom with a soft sponge, a glove
or a brush. Use very light pressure.
– Rinse the sponge or glove often with clean water.
– Special car shampoo should only be used for very stubborn dirt.
– Clean the wheels, sill panels etc. until last with a different sponge or glove.
– Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with water.
– Dry your vehicle surface gently with a chamois leather.
–When temperature is cold , dry the rubber seals and its surfaces
to prevent them from freezing. Apply silicone spray to the rubber
seals.
After washing
– Directly after washing, avoid sudden and sharp braking. “Dry” ⇒page 195, “Braking effect and braking distance”the brakes by
braking several times.
WARNING
•Wash your car with the ignition switched off.•Protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp metal edges when
cleaning the underbody, the inside of the wheel housings etc. Risk of
injury.•Water, ice and salt on the brakes can reduce braking efficiency. Risk of
accident.
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Index305
Index
AAccessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Adaptive headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Air conditioner 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Solar-powered blower/solar roof . . . . . . . . 169
Air duct Fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266, 273
Removing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265, 272
Air purity sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Airbag Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Airbag covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Alternator Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Ambient temperature display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Anti-freeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Anti-lock brake system How it works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Anti-puncture tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Interior monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Aquaplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Armrest Storage compartment in front armrest . . . . 142
Armrests Adjusting the front armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Ashtray Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Athermic windscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Auto-check system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Automatic car wash tunnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Automatic gearbox Dynamic gear control program . . . . . . . . . . 186
Kick-down feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
multitronic® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Paddle levers (tiptronic mode) . . . . . . . . . . 188
Safety interlock for ignition key . . . . . . . . . 171
Selector lever lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Steering wheel with paddle levers . . . . . . . 188
tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181, 187
Automatic headlight control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
BBackground lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Battery voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Disconnection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Long periods of non-use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238, 239
Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Winter operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238, 239
Belt tension device Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Belt tension devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Bicycle rack Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Biodiesel fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226 Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Releasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Brake light Failure control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Brake system Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
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Index
306Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Brake assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Worn brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Braking distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Bulb change general notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264CCar keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
CD-ROM player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98Manual locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Sunroof: opening and closing . . . . . . . . . . 113
Central locking system Anti-theft security system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Locking and unlocking the vehicle from inside100
Opening and closing the windows . . . . . . 111
Security central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Switch on the driver's door . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Cetane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Changing the main headlight bulb Main headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Changing the main headlight bulbs Dipped beam headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 Changing the rear lights
luggage compartment lights . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Changing windscreen wiper blades . . . . . . . . . 235
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Child safety seat ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Categorisation in groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Group 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Group 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Group 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Groups 0 and 0+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Child seats on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Childproof lock Rear doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Cleaning alloy wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Cleaning chrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Cleaning engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Cleaning steel wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Cleaning windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Climate control Air distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Air outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Air purity sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Air recirculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Air recirculation (automatic) . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 Automatic mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Blower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
ECON Mode (economy) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Economical use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Key settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Temperature selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Clock, setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Cloth seat covers cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Coat hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 In the door trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
In the front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Cool box in glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Cooling system Coolant temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Cruise control system Adjust stored speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Disabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Disabling temporarily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Setting speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
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