
Driving139
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
– With a selected gear, accelerate slowly and at the same time, 
release the handbrake.The steeper the slope, the lower the needed gear. 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 unless 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 gear lever is moved out 
of positions  P or N . At the same time, a text message or the 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 
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 slop e, 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 brake 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 the engine is running or not.Caution
•If you stop the vehicle up hills, 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 gear 
lever in position N, a lack of lubrication in the automatic gearbox will damage 
it.WARNING (continued)
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Driving
142N - Neutral (idling)
If this position is selected, the gearbox is in neutral. Power is not transmitted 
to the wheels and the engine does not have a braking function.
Never use the  N position to drive down a hill. The engine does not function as 
a brake and the brakes are subjected to excessive stain.
You could damage the automatic gearbox if you drive down hills with the gear 
lever in position  N and the engine switched off.
D - Drive (forwards)
In this position the gearbox automatically changes to a lower or higher gear, 
according to the engine's requirements, the driving style and speed. The 
braking effect of the engine when driving downhill is very limited when the 
selector is in this position. The instrument panel displays the selected gear 
as well as the selector lever in position  D.
If position  N has been selected and you wish to select  D, you must press the 
foot brake if the vehicle is stationary, or travelling at under 5 km/h.
S - Standard driving position (Sport programme)
When the selector lever is in position S, it will automatically change up into a 
higher gear later, and change down into a low gear, if compared with position 
D . This way, it is possible to take full advantage of the engine reserve power, 
depending on the engine demand, driving style and speed. The braking 
effect of the engine when driving downhill is very limited. On the instrument 
panel display the selected gear is shown as well as the selector lever to posi-
tion  S.
To se lec t gea r  range   S, press the lock button on the selector lever.
WARNING
If the vehicle moves with no control,  an accident and serious injury may 
occur.
•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 always apply the handbrake and engage parking lock P.•If the engine is running and if D or R are engaged, you will need to hold 
the the vehicle stopped by depressing footbrake down. The car would creep 
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 acci-
dent.•Before driving down a very steep slope, reduce your speed and shift to 
position 1st.•Always hold the vehicle on the foot brake if you stop uphills. Otherwise, 
the vehicle could roll 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 brake effect. This increases the braking 
distance and could cause the brake system to fail.WARNING
Never switch the engine off until the vehicle is stationary. You could lose 
control of your vehicle. This could cause an accident and serious injury.•The airbags and belt tensioners do not work when the ignition is 
switched off.•The brake servo does not work when the engine is not running. You 
need more force to stop the vehicle.•Power assisted steering does not work when the engine is not running. 
That is why it is much more difficult to turn the steering wheel.WARNING (continued)
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Driving and the environment157
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
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 
your vehicle has automatic transmission). This makes use of engine 
braking and relieves the brakes.•Never let the brakes “slip” by applying light pressure. Continuous 
braking will cause the brakes to overheat and the braking distance will 
increase. Apply and then release the brakes alternately.•Never let the vehicle run with the engine switched off. The braking 
distance is increased considerably when the brake servo is not active.•Very heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake fluid 
is left in the system for too long. This impairs the braking effect.•Non-standard or damaged front spoilers could restrict the airflow to the 
brakes and cause them to overheat. Before purchasing accessories please 
observe the relevant ⇒ page 172, “Technical modifications” instructions.•If a brake circuit fails, the braking distance will be increased consider-
ably. Contact a qualified workshop immediately and avoid unnecessary 
journeys.
Exhaust gas purification systemCatalytic converter*To conserve the useful life of the catalytic converter
– Always use unleaded petrol.
– Do not let the fuel get too low in the tank.
– For engine oil changes, do not replenish with too much engine oil  ⇒page 184, “Topping up engine oil  ”.
– Never tow the vehicle to start it, use jump leads if necessary  ⇒page 222.If you notice misfiring, uneven running or loss of power when the vehicle is 
moving, reduce speed immediately and have the vehicle inspected at the 
nearest qualified workshop. In general, the exhaust gas warning lamp will 
light up when any of the described symptoms occur  ⇒page 56. If this 
happens, unburnt fuel can enter the exhaust system and escape into the envi-
ronment. The catalytic converter can also be damaged by overheating.
WARNING
The catalytic converter reaches very high temperatures! Fire hazard!•Never park where the catalytic converter could come into contact with 
dry grass or inflammable materials under the vehicle.•Do not apply additional underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the 
exhaust pipes, catalytic converter or the heat shields on the exhaust 
system. These materials could catch fire when the vehicle is being driven.
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