Lights and visibility115
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Instrument and switch lighting / Headlight range controlInstrument and switch lighting
When the headlights are switched on, the brightness of the instruments and
switch lighting can be regulated to suit your requirements by turning the
thumb wheel ⇒fig. 74 .
The instrument lighting (dials and needles), the centre console illumination
and the illumination of the displays are regulated by a light sensor incorpo-
rated in the dash panel.
The instrument lighting (dials and needles) is switched on when the ignition
is on and the vehicle lights are off . The instrument lighting is dimmed auto-
matically as the daylight starts to fade. It goes out completely when the
ambient light level is very low. This function is intended to remind the driver
to switch on the dipped-beam headlights in good time when light conditions
become poor.
Headlight range control
By using the electrical headlight range control, you can adjust the head-
light range to the load level that is being carried in the vehicle. This way, it is possible to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic more than necessary. At the same
time, by using the correct headlight settings, the driver has the best possible
lighting for the road ahead.
The headlights can only be adjusted when the dipped beam is switched on.
To lower the beam, turn the thumb wheel down from the basic setting
0.
Dynamic headlight range control
Vehicles with gas discharge lamps (“xenon lamps”) are equipped with
dynamic headlight range control . This means that the headlights will be
adjusted to suit the load level of the vehicle and “nodding movements” when
pulling off and braking are automatically compensated for.
Vehicles with gas discharge lamps do not have headlight range control.
Adaptive headlights* (for driving through bends)
When driving around bends, the headlights will light the
most important areas of the road.
Fig. 74 Instrument panel:
regulation for instrument
and switch illumination
and headlight range
control
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Fig. 75 Cornering
lighting using self-direc-
tional headlights
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Lights and visibility
118Indicator and main beam headlight lever
The turn signal and main beam lever also operates the
parking lights and the headlight flasher.The turn signal and main beam headlight lever has the following
functions:
Switching on the turn signals
– Move the lever all the way up ⇒fig. 77 to indicate right , and
all the way down to indicate left .
Signalling a lane change
– Push the lever up or down to the point where you incur resistance and then release it. The turn signal will flash several
times. The corresponding warning lamp will also flash. Switching main beam on and off
– Turn the light switch to position
.
–Press the lever forward ⇒fig. 77 to switch on the main
beams.
– Pull the lever back towards you to switch the main beam head- lights off again.
Headlight flashers
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel to operate the flasher.
Switching on parking lights
– Switch the ignition off and remove the key from the lock.
– Move the lever up or down to turn the right or left-hand parking lights on, respectively.
WARNING
The main beam can dazzle other drivers. Risk of accident! Never use the
main beam headlights or the headlight flasher if they could dazzle other
drivers.
Note
• The turn signals only work when the ignition is switched on. The corre-
sponding warning lamp
or flashes on the dash panel. The warning lamp
flashes when the turn signals are operated, provided a trailer is correctly
attached and connected to the vehicle. If a turn signal bulb is defective, the
warning lamp flashes at double speed. If the trailer turn signal bulbs are
damaged, warning lamp
does not light up. Change the bulb.
Fig. 77 Indicator and
main beam headlight
lever
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Lights and visibility
122
Switching off the wipers
– Move the lever to position .
Intermittent wipe
– Move the lever up to position .
– Move the control to the left or right to set the length of the intervals. Control to the left: long intervals; control to the right:
short intervals. Four wiper interval stages can be set using switch .
Slow wipe
– Move the lever up to position .
Continuous wipe
– Move the lever up to position .
Brief wipe
– Move the lever down to position to give the windscreen a brief
wipe. The wiper will start to move faster if you keep the lever
pressed down for longer than 2 seconds.
Wash and wipe automatic system
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel - Position . The wash function will start immediately and the wipers will start with a
slight delay. The wash and wipe r systems will function at the
same time at speeds of over 120 km/h.
– Release the lever. The wipers wi ll keep running for approximately
four seconds.
Optional heated windscreen in the wiper blade* area (page
In some countries and with some versions, there is the possibility of heating
the windscreen in the area of the windscreen wiper blades in order to aid de-
icing in the zone. The function is switched on by pressing the rear heating
window key
.
WARNING
•Worn and dirty wiper blades obstruct visibility and reduce safety levels.•In cold conditions, you should not use the wash / wipe system unless
you have warmed the windscreen with the heating and ventilation system.
The washer fluid could otherwise freeze on the windscreen and obscure
your view of the road.•Always note the corresponding warnings on ⇒page 225.Caution
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the
glass before using the wipers for the first time. If you switch on the wipers
when the wiper blades are frozen to the windscreen, you could damage both
the wiper blades and the wiper motor.
Note
•The windscreen wipers will only work when the ignition is switched on.•In certain versions of vehicles with alarms, the windscreen wiper will only
work when the ignition is on and the bonnet closed.•When in use, the wipers do not go as far as the rest position. When the
lever is moved to the 0 position, they move to the rest position.•The next speed down will automatically be selected if wiper speed
⇒ page 121, fig. 82 or is selected when the vehicle stops. The set speed
will be resumed when the vehicle starts again•The windscreen will be wiped again after approximately five seconds once
the “automatic wipe/wash system” has been operated, provided the vehicle
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Lights and visibility
124
Switching on the rain sensor
– Move the windscreen wiper lever into position ⇒page 123,
fig. 84 .
– Move the control to the left or right to set the sensitivity of the rain sensor. Control to the right: highly sensitive. Control to the
left: less sensitive.The rain sensor is part of the interval wipe function. You will have to switch
the rain sensor back on if you switch off the ignition. This is done by switching
the wiper intermittent function off and back on.
Note
•Do not put stickers on the windscreen in front of the sensor. This may
cause sensor disruption or faults.
Rear window wiper
The windscreen wiper lever operates the windscreen wiper
and the wash and wipe system for the rear window.
Switching on the interval wipe
– Press the lever forwards to position ⇒ fig. 85. The wiper will
wipe the window approximately every 6 seconds.
Switching off the interval wipe function
– Pull the lever back from position towards the steering wheel. The wiper will continue to function for a short period if you switch
off whilst the wipers are in motion.
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Fig. 85 Windscreen wiper
and windscreen wash
lever: rear window wiper
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Lights and visibility125
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Switching on the windscreen wiper and washer system
– Press the lever fully forwards to position ⇒page 124, fig. 85 .
The wash function will start immediately and the wiper will start
with a slight delay. The windscreen wash system will function as
long as you hold the lever in this position.
– Release the lever. The wiper then wipes for approximately 4 seconds, and then in intervals again.
– Release the lever. The washer system stops and the wipers func- tion.
WARNING
•A worn or dirty wiper blade will obstruct visibility and reduce safety.•Always note the corresponding warnings on ⇒page 225, “Changing
the front windscreen wiper blades”.Caution
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blade is not frozen to the glass
before using the wiper for the first time. If you switch on the wiper when the
wiper blade is frozen to the glass, this could damage both the wiper blade
and the wiper motor.
Note
•The windscreen wiper will only function when the ignition is switched on
and the tailgate is closed.•In reverse gear, with the windscreen wipers switched on, the rear wind-
screen wiper will make one wipe.
Headlight washer system*
The headlight washers clean the headlight lenses.The headlight washers are activated automatically when the windscreen
washer is used and the windscreen wiper lever is pulled towards the steering
wheel for at least 1.5 seconds – provided the dipped headlights or main
beams are switched on. Clean off stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from the head-
lights at regular intervals, for instance when filling the fuel tank.
Note
•To ensure that the headlight washers work properly in winter, keep the
nozzle holders in the bumper free of snow and remove any ice with a de-icer
spray.•To remove water, the windscreen wipers will be activated from time to
time, the headlight wipers will be activated every three cycles.MirrorsInterior mirror
It is dangerous to drive if you cannot see clearly through the
rear window.Manual anti-dazzle function for interior mirror
In the basic mirror position, the lever at the bottom edge of the mirror should
be at the front. Pull the lever to the back to select the anti-dazzle function.
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Seats and stowage129
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Seats and stowageThe importance of correct seat adjustmentProper seat adjustment optimises the level of protection
offered by seat belts and airbags.Your vehicle has five passenger places, two individual front seats and three
places on the rear seat. Each seat is equipped with a three-point seat belt.
The driver seat and the front passenger seat can be adjusted in many ways to
suit the physical requirements of the vehicle occupants. The correct seat
position is very important for:•a fast and easy operation of all controls on the instrument panel,•a relaxed posture which does not cause drowsiness,•a safe driving ⇒ page 7,•ensuring that the seat belts and airbag system provide maximum protec-
tion ⇒page 19.WARNING
•If the driver and passengers assume improper sitting positions, they
may sustain critical injuries.•More people than available seats must never be transported in your
vehicle.•Every passenger in the vehicle must properly fasten and wear the seat
belt belonging to his or her seat. Chil dren must be protected with an appro-
priate child restraint system ⇒page 44, “Child safety”.•The front seats and all head restraints must always be adjusted to body
size and the seat belt must always be properly adjusted to provide you and
your passengers with optimum protection.
•Always keep your feet on the foot well when the vehicle is moving;
never rest them on the dash panel, out of the window or on the seat. This
is also applied to passengers. An incorrect sitting position exposes you to
an increased risk of injury in case of a sudden braking or an accident. If the
airbag is triggered, you could sustain severe injuries due to an incorrect
sitting position.•It is important for the driver and front passenger to keep a distance of
at least 25 cm from the steering wheel or dash panel. Failure to respect the
minimum distance means that the airbag will not protect you. Risk of fatal
injury. The distance between the driver and the steering wheel or between
the front passenger and the dash panel should always be as great as
possible.•Adjust the driver or front passenger seat only when the vehicle is
stationary. Otherwise, your seat could move unexpectedly while the
vehicle is moving. This could increase the risk of an accident and therefore,
injury. In addition, while adjusting your seat, you will assume an incorrect
sitting position. Risk of fatal accidents.•Special guidelines apply to installing a child seat on the front
passenger seat. When installing a child seat, observe the warning note in
the ⇒page 44, “Child safety”.WARNING (continued)
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Seats and stowage
132 Front seatsAdjustment of the front seatsThe control elements in ⇒fig. 91 are mirrored for the front right-
hand seat.
Adjusting the seat forwards and backwards
– Pull up the grip and move the seat forwards or backwards.
– Then release the grip and move the seat further until the catch engages.
Adjusting the seat height*
– Pull the lever up or push down (several times if necessary) from its home position. This adjust s the seat height in stages. Adjusting the backrest angle
– Take your weight off the backrest and turn the hand wheel.
Adjusting the lumbar support*
– Take your weight off the backrest and turn the hand wheel to adjust the lumbar support.
The backrest curvature of the cushioned area is determined by the settings
made in the lumbar region. This supports the natural curvature of the spine
very effectively.
WARNING
•Never adjust the driver or front passenger seat while the vehicle is in
motion. While adjusting your seat, you will assume an incorrect sitting
position. Risk of fatal accidents. Adjust the driver or front passenger seat
only when the vehicle is stationary.•To reduce the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger in case of
a sudden braking or an accident, never drive with the backrest tilted
towards the rear. The maximum protection of the seat belt can be achieved
only when the backrests are in an upright position and the driver and front
passenger have properly adjusted their seat belts. The further the back-
rests are tilted to the rear, the greater the risk of injury due to improper
positioning of the belt web!•Exercise caution when securing the seat height into forwards/back-
wards position. Injuries can be caused if the seat height is adjusted
without due care and attention.
Fig. 91 Front left seat
controls
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Seats and stowage133
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Heated seats*
The front seat cushions and backrests can be heated electri-
cally.
Front seat heating for vehicles without Climatronic
– Turn the appropriate thumb wheel ⇒fig. 92 t o s w i t ch o n t h e s e a t
heating. The seat heating is switched off in the 0 position.
Front seat heating for vehicles with Climatronic
– Press button to switch on the seat heating.
– Press once to set seat heating at maximum level (level 3).
– Press twice to set seat heating at medium level (level 2).
– Press three times to set seat heating at minimum level (level 1).
– When the button is pressed four times, the heating goes off and the LED goes out (level 0).The seat heating only works when the ignition is switched on. The left thumb
wheel controls the left seat and the right thumb wheel the right seat.
Caution
To avoid damaging the heating elements, please do not kneel on the seat or
apply sharp pressure at a single point to the seat cushion and backrest.
Fig. 92 Thumb wheel for
the front seat heatingFig. 93 Front seat
heating with Climatronic
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