Lights and Visibility 58
WARNING
The sun visors must not be swivelled to the side windows into the deploy-
ment area of the head airbags if any objects, such as ball-point pens etc. are
attached to them. This might result in injuries to the occupants if the head
airbag is deployed.Windshield wiper and wash systemWindshield wiper
You can operate the windscreen wipers and automatic wipe/wash
using the windscreen wiper lever.The windscreen wiper lever ⇒fig. 60 has the following positions:
Finger-operated wiping
– Position the lever down into position if you wish to wipe the wind-
screen only for a single wipe - spring-tensioned position.
Intermittent wiping
– Position the lever up into position .– Set with the switch the desired break between the individual wiper
strokes
Slow wipe
– Position the lever up into position .
Fast wipe
– Position the lever up into position .
Automatic wipe/wash for windscreen
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel into position and the
widescreen wiper and wash system will operate - in the sprung posi-
tion.
– Release the lever. The windscreen wash system stops and the wiper
continues for another 1 - 3 wiper strokes (depending on the period of
spraying of the windscreen).
Wiping the rear window pane*
– Push the lever away from the steering wheel into position
⇒fig. 60, the widescreen wiper will operate every 6 seconds.
Automatic wipe/wash for the rear window pane*
– Push the lever away from the steering wheel into position - the
widescreen wiper and wash system will operate - in the sprung posi-
tion.
– Letting go of the lever will cause the windscreen wash system to stop
and the wiper to continue for another 1 - 3 wiper strokes (depending
on the period of spraying of the windscreen). The lever will stay in
position after releasing it .
Switching windscreen wipers off
– Move the lever back into its home position .
Fig. 60 Windscreen wiper
lever
A4
A1
AA
A2A3
A5A6A7
A6
A0
s3f4.1.book Page 58 Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:07 AM
Lights and Visibility59
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data The windscreen wipers and the windscreen washer system only operate if the igni-
tion is switched on.
The rear window will be wiped again if the window wipers are on when reverse gear
is selected.
The windscreen washer nozzles are heated* when the ignition is switched on.
Top up with wash liquid ⇒page 197.
WARNING
•
Properly maintained windscreen wiper blades are essential for clear visi-
bility and safe driving ⇒page 59.
•
Do not use the windscreen washer system at low temperatures, without
heating the windscreen beforehand. Otherwise the window cleaner could
freeze on the windscreen and restrict the view to the front.
•
In the event of a freezing up of the windscreen, first of all eliminate the ice
⇒page 176 and then operate the windscreen wiper otherwise the wind-
screen wiper blades could be damaged.Caution
In frosty weather, please first of all check whether the windscreen wiper blades are
not frozen to the windscreen before switching them on. Switching on windscreen
wipers when the blades are frozen to the windscreen may result in damage both to
the blades and the motor of the windscreen wipers!Headlight cleaning system*The headlights are being cleaned after the windscreen washer system has been
operated for the fifth time, the low beam or main beam are switched on as well as
the windscreen wiper lever is held in the position ⇒page 58, fig. 60 for about 1
second.
You should remove stubborn dirt (such as insect residues) from the headlight
lenses at regular intervals, for example when refuelling. Please refer to the following
guidelines ⇒page 176, “The headlight lenses”.You should remove any snow from the fixtures of the washer nozzles and clear ice
in winter with a de-icing spray in order to ensure proper operation of the cleaning
system.
Replacing wiper blades for the windscreen wipersTaking off the wiper blade
– Fold windscreen wiper arm away from the windscreen.
– Press the locking button, in order to unlock the wiper blade and pull
off in the direction of arrow.
Attaching a wiper blade
– Push the wiper blade until it locks up to the stop.
– Check whether the wiper blade is correctly attached.
– Fold the windscreen wiper arm back onto the windscreen.Wiper blades in proper condition are essential to obtain good visibility. Wiper
blades should not be allowed to become dirtied by dust, insect remains and
preserving wax.
Juddering or smearing of the wiper blades could then be due to wax residues left
on the windscreen by vehicle washing in automatic vehicle wash systems. It is
A5
Fig. 61 Wiper blade for the
windscreen wiper
s3f4.1.book Page 59 Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:07 AM
Lights and Visibility 60therefore important to degrease the lips of the wiper blades after every pass
through an automatic vehicle wash system.
WARNING
•
If the windscreen wipers are handled carelessly, there is a risk of damage
to the windscreen.
•
You should clean the wiper blades regularly with a windscreen cleaner in
order to avoid any smears. Clean a wiper blade with a sponge or cloth if it is
very dirty, for example from insect residues.
•
Replace the wiper blades once or twice a year for safety reasons. The
wiper blades are available from specialist garages.
Replacing the wiper blade on the rear window wiperTaking off the wiper blade
– Fold windscreen wiper arm out from the windscreen and position the
wiper blade at right angles to the wiper arm ⇒fig. 62.
– Hold the window wiper arm at the top end with one hand.
– With the other hand unlock the locking button in the direction of
arrow and remove the wiper blade.Attaching a wiper blade
– Position the wiper blade onto the wiper arm and lock the locking
button .
– Check whether the wiper blade is correctly attached.
The same remarks apply here as for ⇒page 59.Rear mirrorYou can adjust the exterior mirrors electrically*.Adjust the rear mirror before commencing to drive so that there is a clear
view to the rear.
Dimming the interior mirror
– Pull the lever on the bottom edge of the mirror toward rear (the lever
on the interior mirror must point forwards in it home position).
Heating of the external mirror*
– Turn the rotary knob to position
⇒fig. 63.
Fig. 62 Wiper blade for rear
windowAA
AA
Fig. 63 Inner part of door:
Rotary knob
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Lights and Visibility61
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Adjusting the left-hand exterior mirror*
– Turn the rotary knob to position
. The movement of the mirror surface
is identical to the movement of the rotary knob.
Adjusting the right-hand exterior mirror*
– Turn the rotary knob to position . The movement of the mirror
surface is identical to the movement of the rotary knob.
The vehicle can also be equipped with a second rear mirror*, which is attached
above the inner main rear mirror. The second rear mirror* enables an extensive
look into the area of the rear seats, e.g. to check on the seated passengers. You can
adjust it in the horizontal as well as vertical direction regardless of the inner main
rear mirror.
The exterior mirror heater only operates when the engine is running.
WARNING
•
Convex (curved outward) or spherical (differently curved) exterior
mirrors increase the vision field. They do, however, make objects appear
smaller in the mirror. These mirrors are only of limited use, therefore, for
estimating distances to the following vehicles.
•
Use whenever possible the interior rear mirror, for estimating the
distances to the following vehicles.Note
•
Do not touch the surfaces of the exterior mirrors if the exterior mirror heater is
switched on.
•
You can set the exterior mirrors by hand, if the power setting function fails at any
time by pressing on the edge of the mirror surface.
•
Contact your specialist garage if a fault exists with the power setting of the exte-
rior mirrors.
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Heating and air conditioning system89
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Heating and air conditioning systemAir outlet ventsFig. 118 Air outlet ventsOpen air outlet vents
– Turn the rotary knob into the upper position.
Close air outlet vents
– Turn the rotary knob into the lower position.
Redirecting air flow
– The horizontal as well as the vertical direction of the air flow is set with
the handle in the middle of the air outlet vents.You can set the air supply to the individual vents with the air distribution control
⇒page 90, fig. 119. Air outlet vents 3 and 4 can also be opened or closed individ-
ually.
Unwarmed or cooled air will flow out of the opened air outlet vents according to
the setting of the control dial ⇒page 90, fig. 119 and according to atmospheric
conditions.
Recirculated air modeIn recirculated air mode air is sucked out of the interior of the vehicle
and then fed back into the interior.Recirculated air mode prevents polluted air outside the vehicle from
getting into the vehicle, for example when driving through a tunnel or
when standing in a traffic jam.
Switching recirculated air mode on
– Press button , the button symbol
lights up ⇒page 90, fig. 119.
Switching recirculated air mode off
– Press button again, the button symbol
goes out.
The recirculated air mode is switched off automatically if the air distribution control
is in position
. You can also switch recirculated air mode on again from this
setting by repeatedly pressing button .
WARNING
You should not leave recirculated air mode on over a longer period of time,
as “stale” air may result in fatigue in the driver and occupants, divert your
attention and also cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an acci-
dent increases. Switch recirculated air mode off as soon as the windows
begin misting up.
AC
AA
AC
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Heating and air conditioning system 98Setting temperature– You can set the desired interior temperature after switching on the
ignition with the control dial .You can set the interior temperature between +18°C and +29 °C. The interior
temperature is regulated automatically within this range. If you select a tempera-
ture of less than +18 °C, “LO” is shown on the display. If you select a temperature
above +29 °C, “HI” is shown on the display. In both limit positions the Climatronic
operates at maximum cooling or heating capacity, respectively. The temperature is
not controlled in this case.
Lengthy and uneven distribution of the air flow out of the vents (in particular at the
leg area) and large differences in temperature, for example when getting out of the
vehicle, can result in chills in sensitive persons.Controlling blower
There are a total of seven blower stages available.The Climatronic system controls the blower stages automatically in line
with the interior temperature. You can also, however, adapt the blower
stages manually to suit your particular needs.
– Turn the control dial ⇒page 96, fig. 121 to the left (reduce blower
speed) or right (increase blower speed).If you switch off the blowers, the Climatronic is switched off and OFF is shown in
the display.
The set blower speed is displayed next to the control dial when the respective
number of warning lights come on.
WARNING
•
“Stale air” may result in fatigue in the driver and occupants, reduce
attention levels and also cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an
accident increases.
•
Do not switch the Climatronic system off for longer than necessary.
•
Switch the Climatronic system on as soon as the windows mist up.
A11
A1
A1
WARNING (continued)
s3f4.1.book Page 98 Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:07 AM
Starting-off and Driving 100Ignition lockPetrol engines
- ignition switched off, engine off, the steering can be locked.
- ignition switched on
- start engine
Diesel engines
- interruption of fuel supply, ignition switched off, engine off, the steering can
be locked.
- heating glow plugs on, ignition switched on•
You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heating
period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
- start engine
Applies to all models:
Position
To lock the steering, with the ignition key withdrawn, turn the steering wheel until
the steering locking pin is heard to engage. You should always lock the steering as
a general rule if you leave your vehicle. This acts as a deterrent against possible theft
of your vehicle ⇒.
Position Move the steering wheel back and forward a little if the ignition key cannot, or
cannot easily be turned into this position, in order to release the steering lock.
Position
The engine is started in this position. At the same time switched on low beam or
main beam or other electrical components with major power consumption are
briefly switched off. The ignition key moves back into position when one
releases the key.
The ignition key must be turned back into position each time before starting the
engine again. The starter repeat lock in the ignition lock prevents the starter being
engaged when the engine is running and thus getting damaged.
WARNING
•
When driving, the ignition key must always be in the position (igni-
tion switched on) without the engine running. This position is indicated by
the warning lights coming on. If this is not the case, it could result in unex-
pected locking of the steering wheel - risk of accident!
•
Do not withdraw the ignition key from the lock until the vehicle has come
to a stop. The steering lock can engage immediately - risk of accident!
•
Always withdraw the ignition key if you are going to leave the vehicle,
even for a short time. This is particularly important if children are left in the
vehicle. The children might otherwise start the engine or operate electrical
equipment (e.g. power windows) - risk of injury!
Starting the engineGeneral
You can only start the engine only using an original ignition key.•
Place the gearshift lever into neutral (or place the selector lever to the position
P or N in the case of an automatic gearbox) and put on the handbrake firmly before
starting the engine.
Fig. 124 Ignition lock posi-
tions
A1A2A3A1A2A3
A1A2
A3
A2
A1
A2
s3f4.1.book Page 100 Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:07 AM
Starting-off and Driving103
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Note
•
One should not lay the hand on the shift lever while driving the vehicle. The
pressure of the hand will be transferred to the gearshift forks in the gearbox. This
can, over a period of time, lead to early wear of the gearshift forks.
•
Depress the clutch pedal fully when changing gears, in order to avoid unneces-
sary wear and damage.
HandbrakeApplying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up fully.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and at the same time press in the
locking button ⇒fig. 126.
– Hold the button pressed and push the handbrake lever down fully
⇒.The handbrake warning light
lights up when the handbrake is applied, provided
the ignition is on.A warning signal sounds and the following text appears in the display* if you have
inadvertently driven off with the handbrake applied:
HANDBRAKE ON
The handbrake warning is activated if you drive at a speed of more than 6 km/h for
more than 3 seconds.
WARNING
•
Please note that the handbrake must be fully released. A handbrake
which is only partially released can result in the rear brakes overheating
which will have a negative effect on the operation of the brake system - risk
of accident! In addition this can result in premature wear of the rear brake
pads.
•
Never leave children unattended in the vehicle. The children might, for
example, release the handbrake or take the vehicle out of gear. The vehicle
might then move off - risk of accident!Caution
After the car has come to a stop, always first of all apply the handbrake firmly before
then additionally engaging a gear (manual gearbox) or moving the selector lever
into position P (automatic gearbox).
Fig. 126 Centre console:
Handbrake
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