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Interior rearview mirror
Turn the knob to reduce glare from the head-
lamps of cars behind you when driving at night.
Interior and exterior mirrors, automatic 
dimming feature*
The automatic dimming feature of the interior 
and exterior mirrors
* is controlled by two photo 
cells in the interior rearview mirror. One photo 
cell is in the mirror frame, see arrow; the other is 
on the back of the mirror.
In order to ensure that the system functions 
correctly, keep the photo cells clean, do not 
cover the area between the interior rearview 
mirror and windshield, and do not affix adhesive 
labels or stickers of any kind to the windshield 
directly in front of the mirror.
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Do not adjust the steering wheel position 
while the car is in motion; otherwise, there 
is a risk of an accident due to unexpected move-
ment.<1.Fold the lever down.
2.Move the steering wheel to the preferred 
height and angle to suit your seated posi-
tion.
3.Swing the lever back up.
Do not use force to swing the lever 
back up; otherwise, the mechanism 
will be damaged.<
Steering wheel heating*
Press the button.
The LED in the button lights up when the steer-
ing wheel heating is switched on. 

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To lock the safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the 
belt.
2.Pull the belt strap all the way out.
3.Allow the belt strap to retract and pull it taut 
against the child restraint system.
The safety belt is locked.
To unlock the safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child restraint system.
3.Allow the safety belt strap to retract all the 
way.
LATCH child restraint fixing 
system
LATCH: Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
To install and use the LATCH child 
restraint system, follow the operating and 
safety instructions provided by the manufac-
turer of the system; otherwise, the protective 
function of the seat may be compromised.<
Mounts for the lower LATCH anchors
Before installing the child seat, pull the belt out 
of the area for the child restraint fixing system.
Ensure that both lower LATCH anchors 
are correctly engaged and that the child 
restraint system is resting firmly against the 
backrest; otherwise, the protective function of 
the seat may be compromised.
tive caps.
Upper LATCH retaining strap
Convertible
For Canadian Customers Only.
The following statement is required by Trans-
port Canada.
This vehicle is not equipped with user-ready 
tether anchorages. As such neither a child 
restraint system, nor a booster cushion, requir-
ing the use of a tether strap can be properly 
secured in the vehicle.
Coupe
Use the top tether anchors to secure child 
restraint systems only; otherwise, the 
anchors could be damaged.<
For child restraint systems with tether straps 
there are two additional anchors, see arrows. 

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Driving
Ignition lock
Insert the remote control into the 
ignition lock
Insert the remote control all the way into the 
ignition lock.
>Radio readiness is switched on.
Individual electrical consumers can operate.
Comfort Access*
If the car is equipped with Comfort Access, only 
insert the remote control into the ignition lock 
under special circumstances, refer to page33.
Removing the remote control from the 
ignition lock
Do not forcibly pull the remote control out 
of the ignition lock as this may cause 
damage.<
Before removing the remote control, push it all 
the way in to release the locking mechanism.
>The ignition is switched off if it was on.
Automatic transmission
You cannot take out the remote control unless 
the selector lever is in the P position: interlock.
Start/stop button
Pressing the start/stop button switches radio 
readiness or the ignition on or off.
Manual transmission: the engine is 
started when you press the start/stop 
button and depress the clutch.
Automatic transmission: the engine is started 
when you press the start/stop button and 
depress the brake.<
Radio readiness
Individual electrical consumers can operate. 
The time and the outside temperature are dis-
played in the instrument cluster.
Radio readiness is switched off automatically:
>When the remote control is removed from 
the ignition lock
>In cars with Comfort Access
*, by touching 
the surface above the door lock, refer to 
Locking on page34
Ignition on
All electrical consumers can operate. The 
odometer and trip odometer are displayed in 
the instrument cluster.
When the engine is off, please switch off 
the ignition and any unnecessary electri-
cal consumers in order to preserve the bat-
tery.< 

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Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp is lit, and when you 
drive off an acoustic signal sounds in 
addition. The parking brake is still 
applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Applying
The lever locks in position automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and 
lower the lever.
In exceptional cases, if the parking brake 
has to be used to slow or stop the car, do 
not pull the lever up too hard. In doing so, con-
tinuously press the button of the parking brake 
lever. 
Otherwise, excessive force on the parking 
brake can lock up the rear wheels and cause the 
rear of the car to swerve.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally apply the parking 
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming 
to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable.
The brake lamps do not light up when the park-
ing brake is applied.<
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, press 
the gearshift lever to the right. Otherwise, 
the engine could be damaged if you inadvert-
ently shift into 3rd or 4th gear.<
Reverse gear
Select this only when the vehicle is stationary. 
When the gearshift lever is pressed to the left, a 
slight resistance has to be overcome.
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*
In addition to fully automatic operation, you can 
also manually shift with the Steptronic, refer to 
page58.
Vehicle parking
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, 
always select position P and apply the 
parking brake before leaving the vehicle with 
the engine running.<
Disengaging the remote control
In order to remove the remote control from the 
ignition lock, you must first move the selector 
lever to position P and switch off the engine: 
interlock. Removing the remote control from 
the ignition lock, refer to page55.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + – 

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Steptronic changes gear. M1 through M6 are 
displayed on the instrument cluster.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only 
when they will result in a plausible combination 
of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example, 
a downshift that would cause the engine to 
overrev will not be executed by the system. The 
gear selected is briefly displayed in the instru-
ment cluster, followed by the gear actually in 
use.
Shifting gears via shift paddles* on the 
steering wheel
The shift paddles allow you to shift gears 
quickly since both hands can remain on the 
steering wheel.
>When you use the shift paddles on the 
steering wheel to shift gears in automatic 
mode, the transmission switches to manual 
mode.
>If you do not accelerate or shift gears using 
the shift paddles for a certain amount of 
time, the transmission switches back to 
automatic mode.
If the selector lever is in the M/S gear 
plane, manual mode remains active.<
>To shift up: pull one of the shift paddles.
>To shift down: press one of the shift pad-
dles.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only 
when they will result in a plausible combination 
of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example, 
a downshift that would cause the engine to 
overrev will not be executed by the system. The 
gear selected is briefly displayed in the instru-
ment cluster, followed by the gear actually in 
use.
Overriding selector lever lock
Should the selector lever refuse to move out of 
position P even though the ignition is switched 
on, the brake is depressed and the button on 
the selector lever is pressed, the selector lever 
lock can be overridden:
1.Unclip the sleeve of the selector lever.
2.Pull the sleeve up over the selector lever 
until the sleeve is inside out.
3.Using the screwdriver from the onboard 
vehicle tool kit, refer to page223, press the 
red lever while moving the selector lever to 
the desired position.
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals
Using turn signals
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
To turn off manually, press the lever to the 
resistance point. 

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Deactivating intermittent wipe or rain 
sensor
Press the button again, arrow3. 
The LED goes out.
Deactivate the rain sensor before enter-
ing an automatic car wash. Failure to do 
so could result in damage caused by undesired 
wiper activation.<
Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
Pull the lever, arrow 4.
Washer fluid is sprayed onto the windshield and 
the wipers are operated for a short time.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched 
on, the headlamps are cleaned at regular and 
appropriate intervals.
Do not use the washers if there is any 
danger that the fluid will freeze on the 
windshield. If you do, your vision could be 
obscured. Antifreeze should therefore be 
added to the fluid, refer to Washer fluid. 
Do not use the washers when the washer fluid 
reservoir is empty; otherwise, you will damage 
the washer pump.<
Windshield washer nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles are heated 
automatically
* while the engine is running or 
the ignition is switched on.
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. 
Therefore, keep it away from ignition 
sources and only store it in the closed original 
container that is kept out of reach of children; 
otherwise, there is a risk of personal injury. 
Comply with the instructions on the con-
tainer.<
Washer fluid filler neck
Only refill washer fluid when the engine is 
cool to avoid contact with hot engine 
parts. Otherwise, fluid spills constitute a fire 
hazard and a risk to personal safety.
Fill with water and, if required, with a washer 
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
Mix the water and antifreeze before filling 
the washer fluid reservoir to make sure 
the correct concentration is maintained.<
Capacity
Approx. 6.3 US quarts/6 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
Cruise control is available for use at speeds of 
approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h. The car then stores 
and maintains the speed that you specify using 
the lever on the steering column. In order to 
maintain the specified speed, the system 
brakes the vehicle when the engine braking 
effect is insufficient on downhill gradients.
Do not use cruise control when driving at 
constant speed is prevented by adverse 
conditions, e.g. winding roads, dense traffic or 
poor road conditions due to, e.g., snow, rain, ice 
or loose surfaces. Otherwise, you could lose 
control of the vehicle and cause an accident as a 
result.<
Manual transmission
You can shift gears while cruise control is acti-
vated. The system is deactivated when you 
drive at very low engine speeds for an extended 
period. 

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Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Press the button, arrow4. The last stored 
speed is resumed and maintained.
In the following instances, the stored speed is 
deleted and can no longer be resumed:
>When driving stability control systems are 
intervening
>In ca rs  with manua l transmiss ion: when you 
shift gears very slowly or shift to neutral
>In cars with automatic transmission: when 
you engage selector lever position N
>When the ignition is switched off
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored speed
2Selected speed is displayed briefly
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears 
in the instrument cluster display, it is pos-
sible that the system prerequisites for operation 
are currently not met. 
Calling up Check Control messages, refer to 
page78.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp comes on when 
the system has failed. A message 
appears on the Control Display. More 
information can be found beginning on 
page77.
Active cruise control*
The concept
With active cruise control, you can select a 
desired speed which is not only automatically maintained when driving on open roadways, but 
also varied to maintain a selected distance set-
ting as slower traffic is encountered.
Active cruise control is a technological advance 
over the familiar cruise control and is a welcome 
relief from the constant adjustment of speed 
that can accompany driving in traffic on high-
ways or other high-speed thoroughfares. Espe-
cially on longer trips, the system can reduce 
fatigue and tension, while increasing your 
enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely and 
responsibly.
Within the limits of its capability, the system 
automatically adapts the car's speed to that of a 
slower vehicle in front of you. You can specify 
the distance to be maintained from the vehicle 
in front in four stages. For safety reasons, the 
distance is speed-dependent. Based on your 
selected distance setting, the system automat-
ically decreases the throttle setting and lightly 
applies the brakes if necessary. The vehicle 
brake lamps will automatically illuminate to sig-
nal a following driver to take action. In addition, 
it may be necessary for the vehicle or the driver 
to downshift, depending on the kind of trans-
mission your vehicle is equipped with, to main-
tain the distance setting selected. If the vehicle 
ahead speeds up or when the lane ahead 
becomes clear, your vehicle will accelerate to 
the speed you have selected by increasing the 
throttle setting and shifting gears automatically 
or by the driver as needed. Your selected speed 
will be held when driving downhill, too.
Since this active cruise control system is a new 
technology and operates differently from con-
ventional cruise control systems which you may 
be accustomed to, you are strongly urged to 
read all of the pages relating to this system 
before use. Pay special attention to the System 
limitations section beginning on page67.
Braking sensation
>If you step on the brake pedal while the sys-
tem is braking, pedal sensation will be 
slightly different from the usual.
>Possible noises during automatic braking 
are normal. 

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Selecting distance
>Press downward: 
Increase distance.
>Press upward: 
Decrease distance.
The selected distance is displayed in the instru-
ment cluster.
Use good judgment to select the appro-
priate following distance given road con-
ditions, traffic, applicable laws and driving rec-
ommendations for safe following distance. 
Otherwise, an accident risk could result.<
Deactivating cruise control
Press the lever upward or downward, arrow3. 
The displays on the speedometer disappear.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:
>When you brake the vehicle
>When the speed is reduced to below 
20 mph or 30 km/h due to a traffic situation
>When you switch gears very slowly or shift 
to neutral in cars with manual transmission
>When you select the automatic transmis-
sion's neutral position N
>When you activate the Dynamic Traction 
Control DTC
>When you deactivate the Dynamic Stability 
Control DSC
>When DSC or ABS is intervening
>When the system does not recognize any 
objects for a longer period of time, e.g. on 
infrequently traveled roads without a shoul-
der or guard rails, or if the radar sensor is 
covered with dirt, refer to page66
>When you apply the parking brake
When the system is deactivated, you 
must brake the vehicle yourself and/or 
maneuver as necessary; otherwise, there is a 
risk of accidents.<
Warning lamp
The warning lamp comes on when 
active cruise control has been auto-
matically deactivated, for example 
due to a driving speed below 20 mph or 
30 km/h or a DSC intervention. A message 
appears on the Control Display. Distance 1
Distance 2
Distance 3
Distance 4
This is always the preset dis-
tance when you use the system 
for the first time after starting the 
engine.