Starting-off and Driving
119
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Park Assist: Speed too low. After the ignition is switched on, the vehicle must exceed the speed of 10 km/h at least once.Cruise control system (CCS)*IntroductionThe cruise control system (CCS) maintains
a constant speed, more than 30 km/h (20
mph), once it has been set, without you havi
ng to depress the accelerator pedal. This
is only possible within the range which is permitted by the power output and braking power of the engine. The cruise control system
makes it possible - particularly on long
journeys - for you to rest your “accelerator foot”.
WARNING
•
The cruise control system must not, for safety reasons, be used in dense
traffic or on unfavourable road surfaces
(such as icy roads, slippery roads or
loose chippings) - risk of accident!•
In order to prevent unintentional use of the cruise control system, always
switch off the system after use.
Note
•
Models fitted with a manual gearbox: Always
depress the clutch pedal if you switch
on the cruise control system when the gearbox is in Neutral. Otherwise the engine can rev up unintentionally.•
The cruise control system is not able to
maintain a constant speed when driving on
steep downhill sections. The weight of the vehicle increases the speed at which it travels. One should shift down in good time
to a lower gear or slow the vehicle down
by applying the foot brake.•
It is not possible on vehicl
es fitted with an automati
c gearbox to switch on the
cruise control system if the selector lever is in the position
P, N or R.
Storing a speedThe cruise control system is operated by means of the switch and rocker button in the left lever of the multi-functional switch. – Press the switch
⇒fig. 122
into the position
ON
.
– After the desired speed has been reached, press the rocker button into the
SET
position.
After you have released the rocker button out of the position
SET
, the speed you
have just stored is maintained at a consta
nt speed without having to depress the accel-
erator. You can
increase
the speed by depressing the accelerator. Releasing the accelerator
will cause the speed to
drop
again to the set speed.
This does not apply, however, if you drive at a speed which is more than 10 km/h higher than the set speed for a period of longer than 5 minutes. The stored speed will be cancelled in the memory. You then have to re-store the desired speed. One can
reduce
the speed in the usual manner. The system is switched off temporarily
by actuating the brake or clutch pedal
⇒page 120.
WARNING
First ensure that it is not too high for the traffic conditions which exist at that moment before resuming the stored speed.
Fig. 122 Operating lever: Rocker button and switch of cruise control system
AA
AB
AA
AB
AB
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Seat belts
141
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Seat beltsWhy seat belts?It is a proven fact that seat belt
s offer good protection in accidents
⇒fig. 132
. Thus
wearing a seat belt is a legal requirement in most countries. Seat belts which have been correctly fasten
ed and adjusted hold the occupants of the
car in the correct seated position
⇒fig. 132
. The belts reduce the kinetic energy
(energy of motion) to a considerable exte
nt. They also prevent uncontrolled move-
ments which, in turn, may well result in severe injuries. The occupants of a vehicle who have fastened
and correctly adjusted their seat belt,
profit to a major extent from the fact that
the kinetic energy is optimally absorbed by
the belts. The structure of the front end of the vehicle and other passive safety meas- ures, such as the airbag system, also cont
ribute to reducing the kinetic energy. The
energy produced is thus absorbed and there is less risk of injury. Accident statistics prove that seat belts which are fastened and properly adjusted reduce the risk of an injury and enhance the chance of survival in a major accident ⇒ page 141. It is important that you pay attention to
safety measures, particularly when trans-
porting children in the vehicle
⇒page 156, “What you should know about trans-
porting children!”.
WARNING
•
Fasten your seat belt each time before
setting off, also when driving in town!
This also applies to the people seated at the rear - risk of injury!•
Expectant women must also always wear
a seat belt. This is the only way of
ensuring optimal protection for the unborn child
⇒page 143.
•
It is important for the belt webbing to be
properly routed if the seat belts are
to offer the maximum protection. You can see a description of how safety belts should be fitted properly on the next pages.
Note
Please comply with any differing legal requirements when using the seat belts.The physical principle of a frontal collisionFig. 133 The driver is thrown forward if not wear
ing a belt / the rear seat occupant is thrown
forward if not wearing a beltThe physical principle of a frontal a
ccident can be explained quite simply:
Motion energy, so-called kinetic energy, is produced as soon as the vehicle is moving, both for the vehicle and its occupants. The
magnitude of this kinetic energy depends
essentially on the speed at which the vehicl
e is travelling and on the weight of the
vehicle and the occupants. The greater the speed and weight increase, the greater the amount of energy which has to be ab
sorbed in the event of an accident.
Fig. 132 Driver wearing seat belt
sgg.6.book Page 141 Thursday, September 24, 2009 2:32 PM
Seat belts
142
The speed of the vehicle is,
nevertheless, the most important factor. Doubling the
speed of the vehicle from 25 km/h up to 50 km/hour increases the kinetic energy four times. The common opinion that it is possible to su
pport your body in a minor accident with
your hands, is incorrect. Even in a collision at only a low speed, the forces acting on the body are such that it is no longer possible to support your body. Even if you only drive at a speed within the range from 30 km/hour to 50 km/hour, the forces which are produced on your body in
the event of an accident can easily exceed
10.000 N (Newton). This equals a weight of one tonne (1 000 kg). In the event of a frontal collision, occupant
s of the car not wearing a seat belt, are
thrown forward and strike in an uncontrolled
way parts of the interior of the car, such
as steering wheel, da
sh panel, windscreen,
⇒page 141, fig. 133
. The occupants of a
vehicle who have not fastened their seat belts may even be thrown out of the vehicle. This can result in fatal injuries. It is also important that rear seat occupants fasten their seat belts as they will otherwise be thrown through the vehicle in an uncontr
olled manner in the event of an accident.
A rear seat passenger who has not fastened the
s eat bel t i s a dang er not o nl y to hims elf
but also for those seated at the front
⇒page 141, fig. 133
.
Important safety information regarding the use of seat beltsThe correct use of the seat belts cons
iderably reduces the risk of injury!
WARNING
•
The belt webbing must no
t be jammed in-between at any point or twisted,
or chafe against any sharp edges.•
It is important that the belt webbing is properly routed if the seat belts are
to offer their maximum protection
⇒page 143.
•
No two persons (also not children) should ever use a single seat belt
together.•
The maximum protection which seat belts can offer is only achieved if you
are correctly seated
⇒page 138, “Correct seated position”.
•
The belt webbing must not run across solid or fragile objects (e.g. specta-
cles, ball-point pens, keys etc.) as this may be a cause of injuries.•
Bulky, loose clothing (e.g. a winter coat over a jacket) does not allow you to
be correctly seated and impairs proper operation of the seat belts.•
It is prohibited to use clamps or other objects to adjust seat belts (e.g. for
shortening the belts for smaller persons).•
The lock tongue should only be inserted into the lock which is the correct
one for your seat. Wrong use of the safety
belt will reduce its capacity to protect
and the risk of injury increases.•
The seat backrests of the front seats must not be tilted too far to the rear
otherwise the seatbelts can
lose their effectiveness.
•
The belt webbing must always be ke
pt clean. Soiled belt webbing may
impair proper operation of the inertia reel
⇒page 199, “Seat belts”.
•
The slot of the belt tongue must not be blocked by paper or similar objects
otherwise the belt tongue will not lock in place properly.•
Inspect the seat belts regula
rly to ensure they are in
good condition. If you
find seat belts which have damage to the seat belt webbing, seat belt connec- tions, to the inertia reels or to the lock,
the relevant safety belt must be replaced
by a specialist garage.•
The seat belts must not be removed or changed in any way. Do not make an
attempt to repair the seat belts yourself.•
Damaged seat belts which have been subjected to stress in an accident and
were therefore stretched, must be replaced - this is best done by a specialist garage. The anchorage points of the
belts must also be inspected. The
anchorage points for the belts should also be checked. •
In certain countries it is possible to use seat belts which differ in terms of
their operation from the seat belts wh
ich are described on the pages which
follow.
WARNING (continued)
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Transporting children safely
159
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Children of more than 150 cm in height may use the seat belts fitted to the vehicle without a seat bolster.Use of child safety seatsAn overview of the usefulness
of child seats on each of the seats according to the ECE-
R44 standard:
Universal category - seat is suitable for all approved types of child safety seats. The seat can be fitted with
fixing eyes for the “
ISOFIX
*”system.
The divided rear seat - seat can be fitt
ed with fixing eyes for the system “
To p
Te t h e r
*” ⇒page 162, “Attaching child seat using the “Top Tether” system”.
Child seats of group 0/0+The optimal solution for babies
of up to about 9 months old weighing up to 10 kg or
babies up to about 18 months old weighing up
to 13 kg is a child safety seat which can
be adjusted into the reclining position
⇒fig. 148
.
In view of the fact that such child seats are installed that the child is seated with its back facing the direction of travel, they mu
st not be used on the front passenger
seat
⇒page 157, “Use of child safety se
ats on the front passenger seat”.
WARNING
•
It is essential to always switch off th
e front passenger airbag (airbags) when
attaching in exceptional circumstances a child safety seat on the front passenger seat where the child is seated
with its back facing in direction of
travel (in some countries also when the child is facing the direction of travel),
− in a specialist garage − or by using the switch for
the front passenger airbag*
⇒page 154,
“Switch for the front passenger airbag”.
•
In certain countries national legal provisions require that besides the front
airbag also the side or head airbags ar
e deactivated. Please comply with any
differing national legal r
egulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
•
If this is not done, a child seated on
the front passenger seat may suffer
severe or even fatal injuries if the
front passenger airbag or airbags are
deployed.
Group
Weight
0
0 - 10 kg
⇒ page 159
0+
up to 13 kg
⇒page 159
1
9 - 18 kg
⇒page 160
2
15 - 25 kg
⇒page 160
3
22 - 36 kg
⇒page 161
Child seat of the group
Front passenger
seat
Rear seat outside
Rear seat middle
0
0+
1
2 and 3
AUA+
AUA+AT
AU
AUA+
AUA+AT
AU
AUA+
AUA+AT
AU
AU
AU
AU
AUA+AT
Fig. 148 Child seats of group 0/0+
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Transporting children safely
160
•
You should have the front passenger airbag (or airbags) reactivated just as
soon as you no longer use a child safe
ty seat on the front passenger seat.
Child safety seats in Group 1Child seats in Group 1 are for babies and small children up to 4 years of age with a weight of between 9 and 18 kilograms. It is best for children in the lower range of this group, to use a child seat which allows the ch
ild to sit with its back to the direction of
travel. It is best for children in the uppe
r range of the Group 0+, to use a child seat
which allows the child to sit
⇒fig. 149
in the direction of travel.
Child safety seats in which the child is seated with its back facing the direction of travel, must not be used on the front passenger seat
⇒page 157, “Use of child safety seats on
the front passenger seat”.
WARNING
•
It is essential to always switch off th
e front passenger airbag (airbags) when
attaching in exceptional circumstances a child safety seat on the front passenger seat where the child is seated
with its back facing in direction of
travel (in some countries also when the child is facing the direction of travel).
− in a specialist garage − or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag*
⇒page 154,
“Switch for the front passenger airbag”.
•
In certain countries national legal provisions require that besides the front
airbag also the side or head airbags ar
e deactivated. Please comply with any
differing national legal r
egulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
•
If this is not done, a child seated on the front passenger seat may suffer
severe or even fatal injuries if the
front passenger airbag or airbags are
deployed.•
You should have the front passenger airbag (or airbags) reactivated just as
soon as you no longer use a child safe
ty seat on the front passenger seat.
Child safety seats in Group 2For children up to about 7 years of age weighing between 15 and 25 kg the optimal solution is a child safety seat in comb
ination with the three-point seat belt
⇒fig. 150
.
WARNING
•
When transporting a child on the fron
t passenger seat, please comply with
the appropriate national regulations regard
ing the use of child safety seats. If
required, the airbag has to be deactivated,
− in a specialist garage − or by using the switch for
the front passenger airbag*
⇒page 154,
“Switch for the front passenger airbag”.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 149 Child seat with padded table in Group 1 installed on rear seat bench facing the direction of travel
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 150 Child seat in Group 2 installed on the rear seat facing the direction of travel
sgg.6.book Page 160 Thursday, September 24, 2009 2:32 PM
Driving and the Environment
177
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Avoid driving short distances Short distances result in an above-average high fuel consumption.– Avoid driving a distance of no more
than 4 km if the engine is cold.
The engine and catalytic converter mu
st first have reached their optimal
operating
temperature
in order to effectively reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions.
The cold engine vehicle consumes approx. 15 - 20 litres/100 km of fuel immediately after starting. Fuel consumption drops to 10
litres/100 km after just 1 kilometre. The
engine reaches its operating temperat
ure (outside temperature and engine
dependent) only after about
4 to 10
kilometres and the fuel
consumption then stabi-
lizes. You should therefore avoid driving short distances whenever possible. An important factor in this connection is also the
ambient temperature
⇒fig. 161
. It
shows the fuel consumption after driving a
certain distance, on the one hand at a
temperature of +20°C and on the other hand
at a temperature of -10°C. Your vehicle
has a higher fuel consumption in winter than in summer.Checking tyre inflation pressures Tyres which are correctly inflated save fuel.Always ensure that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure at all times. The rolling resistance will be increased if the tyre filling pressure is too low. This will not only increase fuel consumption but also tyre we
ar and the driving behaviour will worsen.
Always check the inflation pr
essure of the tyres when
cold
.
Do not drive with
winter tyres
all year round for this costs about 10 % more fuel. They
are also louder and have poorer handling
characteristics and higher wear at tempera-
tures more than 10°C.No unnecessary ballast Transporting ballast costs fuel.The fact that every kilogram of extra
weight
increases your fuel consumption means
that it is worth taking a look in the luggage compartment to avoid transporting any unnecessary ballast. It is particularly in town traffic, when on
e is accelerating quite often, that the vehicle
weight will have a significant effect upon th
e fuel consumption. A rule of thumb here
is that an increase in weight of 100 kilogr
ams will cause an increase in fuel consump-
tion of about 1 litre/100 kilometres. You may frequently also leave a
roof rack fitted
on just out of convenience, although
you no longer need it. The in
creased aerodynamic drag of yo
ur vehicle causes it to use
about 10% more fuel than normal at a speed of 100 - 120 km/h, even when you are not carrying a load on the roof.Saving electricity Generating electricity costs fuel.– Switch off electrical components as
soon as you no longer need them.
When the engine is running,
the alternator generates and
supplies electrical power.
The greater the load on the alternator as a result of having a large number of electrical components switched on, the more fuel
will be consumed for operating the
alternator.Keeping a log of your fuel consumptionIf you really wish to keep a close check on your
fuel consumption
, it is best to enter
the figures in a logbook. This does not take much time but is a very worthwhile exer- cise. It enables you to detect any change (p
ositive and negative) at an early stage and
to take any appropriate action.
Fig. 161 Fuel consumption in litres/100 km at different temperatures
sgg.6.book Page 177 Thursday, September 24, 2009 2:32 PM
Driving and the Environment
186
– Do not shift gears or release the
clutch during th
e climbing phase.
– Depress the accelerator only as much as
is necessary in order
to handle the slope.
If you can go no further on a slope– Never attempt to make a turn with the vehicle on a hillside. – If the engine cuts out, press the foot brake and restart the engine. – Engage the reverse gear and carefully
drive backwards in your own tracks.
– Press the foot brake in order to maintain a constant speed.Driving downhill–Switch on the Off-road mode
⇒page 170.
– Shift into first gear or select the first driving stage, while in the Tiptronic mode, to
drive downhill on steep hillsides in order
to use the Downhill Drive Support to its
maximum.
– Press the foot brake gently, so you do not lose the control over your vehicle. – If it is feasible and safe, drive straight down (maximum gradient).– Do not release the clutch or shift into Neutral.
WARNING
•
Never attempt to drive uphill or downhill if it is too steep for your vehicle.
The vehicle could slip or roll
over - risk of accident!
•
Never attempt to make a turn on a hillside. The vehicle could tilt or roll over.
This can result in serious accidents.•
If the engine cuts out on a slope or
you can no longer go on for whatever
other reason, then stop!•
Never let the vehicle roll down the hill
side at idling speed. You can lose the
control over your vehicle.•
If the engine cuts out, press the foot brake and restart the engine. Engage the
reverse gear and carefully drive backward
s in your own tracks. Use the engine
braking power and press the foot brake in order to maintain a slow and constant speed.
•
Observe the important guidelines
⇒page 180.
Driving at an angle on a hillsideFig. 166 Steer and maintain your trajectory
/ in direction to exit - facing uphill
Driving at an angle on a hillside is one of the most dangerous situations while driving off-road. It may look harmle
ss, but you must never underestimate the difficulties and
the dangers when driving at an angle on a
hillside. Basically you should avoid moving
your vehicle into a sideways
position on a hillside. Unde
r certain circumstances, the
vehicle can slide away uncontrollably or roll over. Check before driving in a tilted position, whether there is a different and safer route. If you have to drive in a tilted position, then
the ground should be as firm and even as
possible. Note that the vehicle may slide sideways or sink in and roll over when driving on slippery or soft ground. Make sure that
the inclination is not too steep when driving
over surface irregularities. Otherwise, the vehicle can roll over and then roll down the hillside. If the vehicle is at a very steep angle, the wheels on the low side must not sink deeply into the ground or into troughs and you mu
st not drive over stones, tree stumps or
other obstructions with the alternate raised wheels. If there is a risk your ve
hicle may tilt, steer immedi
ately in direction of dip
⇒fig. 166
and lightly depress the accelerator. The centre
of gravity of the vehicle should be as low
as possible. Distribute the weight of all the occupants of the vehicle evenly. Taller and heavier people should be seated on the rais
ed side of the vehicle. The luggage on the
WARNING (continued)
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Driving and the Environment
187
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
roof should be removed and secured, as the
vehicle could tilt by
a sudden shifting of
the luggage. A passenger, seated at the rear, should always
remain seated on the seat facing up the
hill during such a journey. In an extreme ca
se, the passenger on the relevant side must
exit the vehicle until you have
safely crossed the hillside.
Exiting the vehicle on a hillside If the vehicle comes to a standstill at a steep angle on a hillside and you and your passengers must exit the vehicle, then all th
e occupants should exit on the side facing
up the hill
⇒page 186, fig. 166
on the right.
WARNING
•
Never attempt to drive uphill or downhill if it is too steep for your vehicle.
The vehicle could slip, tilt or roll over - risk of accident!•
When driving at an angle on a hillside,
the vehicle can lose its grip and slide
sideways. The vehicle can tilt or roll over
and then roll down the hillside. This
can lead to serious injuries.•
Always make sure that when the vehicle
is at an angle, the wheels on the low
side do not sink deeply into the ground or into troughs and do not drive over stones, tree stumps or other obstructions
with the alternate ra
ised wheels - risk
of accident!•
Before you drive at an angle on a hillside
⇒page 186, fig. 166
, make sure
that you can steer and maintain your trajectory. If this is not possible, choose a different path. If you drive at an angle
on a hillside and there is a risk your
vehicle may tilt, steer imme
diately downhill on your trajectory and lightly
depress the accelerator.•
If the vehicle is stationary on a hillside
with a too great angle of lateral incli-
nation, avoid sudden and uncontrolled movements in the vehicle. The vehicle can roll over and then roll down the hillside. This can lead to serious injuries.•
If the vehicle is stationary on a hillside
with a too great angle of lateral incli-
nation, neither you nor your occupants must exit the vehicle through the doors facing downhill. This can lead to a shift of the overall centre of gravity. The vehicle can tilt or roll over and then roll down the hillside. This can lead to serious injuries. To avoid this, you and your occupants must exit the vehicle only on the side facing uphill
⇒page 186, fig. 166
.
•
When you exit the vehicle, make sure
that the door which faces uphill does
not close by its own weight or by carelessness - risk of injury!•
Observe the important guidelines
⇒page 180.
Driving over rutted roads and troughsYou will always encounter ruts when drivin
g on forest roads, through wet meadows
and fields as well as on rutted stretches of terrain. If the ruts and troughs are on firm and soft ground, you can simply follow the ruts.Do not drive over ruts and troughs which are
too deep. If you cannot avoid this, it is
better that you turn back.
Caution
If the ruts or troughs become too deep,
the underbody of the vehicle can touch the
ground, which might cause the
underbody to get damaged. Therefore, avoid driving in
deep ruts and troughs.Crossing a trenchIf possible, drive through the trench at an acute angle. Make sure when driving through the trench that the tilt angle is not too steep.
WARNING
Never attempt to drive through a trench if its embankment is too steep. The vehicle could slip, tilt or roll over - risk of accident!
Caution
If you drive into the trench at a right angle,
the front wheels will sink into the trench.
There is also the danger that the underbod
y of the vehicle touches the ground and is
damaged. For these reasons (even with four-wheel drive) it is rarely possible to get out of the trench.
WARNING (continued)
sgg.6.book Page 187 Thursday, September 24, 2009 2:32 PM