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99
Climate control
zCooling n on, the air conditioning
compressor automatically switches off in
low outdoor temperatures (ice
formation),
zTurn the temperature switch clockwise.
zSet fan to 3 or 4.
zAir distribution switch to V, air
recirculation system 4 switches off
automatically.
– or –
If there is still moisture in the system after
previous air conditioning operation, the
windows may mist up. To prevent this,
set air distribution to K before starting
engine and set to V approx. 5 seconds
after starting.
zActivate heated rear window Ü.
zOpen side air vents as required and
direct them towards side windows.
Picture no: 11615s.tif
Air intake The air intakes in front of the windscreen on
the far left and right-hand sides of the
engine compartment must be kept free of
leaves, dirt and snow so as not to obstruct
the air supply. Air outletDo not cover the air outlets when stowing
objects in the luggage compartment. Pollen filter The pollen filter cleans dust, soot, pollen
and spores from the air entering from
outside. The active carbon layer 3
eliminates most odours and noxious
environmental gases from the air.
Regular operationTo make sure that the AC compressor
is constantly working well, the cooling
system3 must be switched on several
minutes once a month regardless of the
weather or season. It is not possible to
activate cooling when outside
temperatures are low. Service For optimal cooling performance, we
recommend that the climate control
system be checked annually, starting
three years after initial vehicle registration.
zFunctionality and pressure test
zHeating functionality
zLeakage check
zCheck of drive belts
zCleaning of condenser and
evaporator drainage
zPerformance check
Page 106 of 212

100 Driving and operationDriving and operation
Manual transmission
automated
3
The Easytronic transmission permits
manual (manual mode) or automatic gear
shifting (automatic mode), both with
automatic clutch control.
Picture no: 12478s.tif
Transmission display
Shows the mode and current gear.
If the Winter programme is activated, T is
illuminated. Manual transmission automated3... 100
Manual transmission ........................... 105
Driving hints ......................................... 106
Saving Fuel, Protecting the
Environment ...................................... 108
Fuels, refuelling .................................... 110
Catalytic converter, engine exhaust .. 114
Hydraulic brake system ...................... 118
Anti-lock Braking System (ABSu)3 119
Hand brake .......................................... 120
Brake assist .......................................... 120
Wheels, tyres ........................................ 121
Roof racks 3......................................... 125
Towing equipment 3........................... 126
Caravan/trailer towing ........................ 126
Page 107 of 212

101
Driving and operation
Starting the engine
Briefly operate foot brake when starting
the engine. The engine can now be started
in position N and with the foot brake
operated. N appears in the gear display. If
the foot brake is not operated, "N" flashes
in the gear display and the engine cannot
be started.
If no brake lights are operational, the
engine will not start.
Picture no: 12466s.tif
Operation of the manual transmission
automated using the selector lever
Always move the selector lever all the way
in the chosen direction. Observe the gear
or mode indicator in the transmission
display.
Selector lever in N
Neutral. Selector lever in o (centre position)
Moving the selector lever from N to o
(centre position) while depressing the foot
brake time switches the manual
transmission automated to automatic
mode and engages first gear (second gear
if winter programme is enabled). "A"
appears in the gear display.
When the foot brake is released the vehicle
starts to "creep". If the foot brake is not
operated, "A" starts to flash. Start off by
immediately pressing the accelerator
pedal or move selector lever back to N and
repeat procedure with foot brake
operated.
In automatic mode, the transmission shifts
into other gears automatically based on
driving conditions.
Page 108 of 212

102 Driving and operation
Picture no: 12466s.tif
Selector lever in A/M
Switch between Automatic and Manual
mode.
In manual mode, a gear can be selected
manually by tapping the selector lever to
the
+ or
- position. The transmission display
indicates the current gear.
If the engine speed is too low the manual
transmission automated will automatically
shift to a lower gear even in Manual mode.
This prevents the engine from stalling. Selector lever in + or -
If a higher gear is selected when the
running speed is too low, or a lower gear
when the speed is too high, no shift is
carried out. This prevents the engine from
running at too low or too high revs.
Gears can be skipped by jogging the
selector lever repeatedly at short intervals.
When the vehicle is in automatic mode,
manual transmission automated switches
to manual mode when the selector lever is
tapped to position
+ or
-. The transmission
display indicates the current gear.
Selector lever in R
Reverse gear. Engage only when vehicle is
stationary.
Press knob on selector lever, select R, "R"
appears in gear display.
If R is selected when the vehicle is in motion,
"R" flashes in the transmission display and
no gear is engaged. Stopping the vehicle
In automatic or manual mode, first gear is
automatically engaged (second gear if the
Winter programme is engaged) and the
clutch is released when the vehicle is
stationary. In R, reverse gear remains
engaged.
If a warning signal sounds when the
driver’s door is opened (foot brake not
depressed), move the selector lever to N
and apply the hand brake.
When stopping on gradients, engage the
hand brake or depress the brake pedal. To
prevent overheating of the clutch, do not
increase engine speed to ensure smooth
idling when in gear.
Switch off engine if stopping for a lengthy
period, e.g. in traffic jams or at level
crossings.
Electronically controlled driving
programmes in automatic mode
zFollowing a cold start, the operating
temperature programme keeps engine
speed high to quickly and automatically
bring the catalytic converter to the
required temperature.
zAdaptive programmes automatically
change to other gears to suit the driving
conditions, such as if the vehicle is
towing a caravan/trailer, has a high
payload, or is being driven on inclines.
+
Shift to a higher gear.
-
Shift to a lower gear.
Page 109 of 212

103
Driving and operation
Picture no: 12479S.tif
Winter programme T
In the event of difficulties starting off on
slippery roads, press the T b u t t o n ( " A " a n d
T appear in the transmission display). The
manual transmission automated switches
to automatic mode and the vehicle sets off
in second gear.
The Winter programme is switched off by:
zpressing the T button again,
zturning off the ignition,
zswitching to Manual mode,
zwhen clutch temperature is too high.
Picture no: 13322a.tif
Kickdown
If the accelerator pedal is pressed past the
pressure point, the transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on engine speed.
During kickdown no manual gear shifting is
possible.
When the engine speed approaches its
upper limit, the transmission shifts to a
higher gear during kickdown even in
Manual mode.
Without kickdown this automatic shift is
not effected in Manual mode. Engine braking
Automatic mode
When driving downhill, the manual
transmission automated does not shift into
higher gears until a fairly high engine
speed has been reached. When braking,
the transmission shifts down in good time.
Manual modeTo utilise the engine braking effect, select a
lower gear in good time when driving
downhill.
"Rocking the car"
T o r o c k a v e h i c l e t h a t i s s t u c k i n s a n d , m u d ,
snow or a rut only, alternate the selector
lever between o (centre position) and R
positions and depress the accelerator
pedal slightly. Keep the engine speed as
low as possible and avoid rapid
acceleration.
Page 110 of 212

104 Driving and operation
Picture no: 14083j.tif
Manoeuvring the vehicle
To manoeuvre the vehicle back and forth
during attempts to park or in garage
entrances the creeping movement can be
utilised by releasing the foot brake.
Never actuate accelerator and brake
pedals simultaneously.
To prevent damage, the manual
transmission automated disengages the
"creep function" at extremely high
automatic clutch temperatures. Vehicle storage
Apply the handbrake and remove the key
from the ignition. The previously selected
gear (shown on the transmission display)
remains selected. No gear is selected in
selector lever position N.
When the ignition is switched off, the
manual transmission automated no longer
responds to movement of the selector
lever.
If the ignition key is not removed, the
battery may be discharged if the vehicle is
then left to stand for a lengthy period of
time.
If the hand brake has not been applied, the
control indicator R flashes for a few
seconds after the ignition is switched off.
Picture no: 12480s.tif
Fault
To prevent damage to the automated
manual transmission, the clutch is closed
automatically at high clutch temperatures.
Control indicator A illuminates in the
event of a fault. Continued driving is
possible. Manual mode cannot be used for
shifting.
If an "F" is also shown in the transmission
display, it is not possible to continue
driving.
Have cause of fault remedied by a
workshop. The system’s integrated self
diagnostics allow faults to be quickly
remedied.
Page 111 of 212

105
Driving and operation
Picture no: 13739s.tif
Interruption of power supply
The clutch is not disengaged if there is an
interruption of the power supply when a
gear is engaged. The vehicle cannot move.
If the battery is discharged, start the
vehicle using jump leads 3129.
If the cause is not a flat battery, contact a
workshop for assistance. If the vehicle has
to be moved out of flowing traffic,
disengage clutch as follows:
1. Apply hand brake and switch off
ignition.
2. Open bonnet and engage support.3. Clean the transmission around the cap
(see figure) so that no dirt can get into
the opening when the cap is removed.
4. Rotate cap to slacken and remove by
lifting upwards – see figure.
5. Turn the adjusting screw clockwise using
a flat-head screwdriver (vehicle tools 3
3136) until clear resistance can be felt.
The clutch has now been disengaged.
6. Fit cleaned cap again. The cap must be
in full contact with the housing.
Contact a workshop for assistance
immediately.
Picture no: 15120s.tif
Manual transmissionTo engage reverse, with the vehicle
stationary wait 3 seconds after declutching
and then pull up the button on the selector
lever and engage the gear.
If the gear does not engage, set the lever in
neutral, release the clutch pedal and
depress again; then repeat gear selection.
Do not grind the clutch unnecessarily.
When operating, depress the clutch pedal
completely. Do not use the pedal as a foot
rest (increases clutch wear).
Caution
Do not turn beyond the resistance, since
this can damage the manual
transmission automated.
Caution
Towing the vehicle and starting the
engine is not permitted when the clutch
has been released in this way, although
the vehicle can be moved a short
distance.
Page 112 of 212

106 Driving and operationDriving hints The first 1000 km
Drive your vehicle at various speeds. Do
not use full throttle. Never allow the engine
to labour at low revs.
Change gear frequently. Do not press the
accelerator pedal more than approx.
3/4 in
all gears.
Do not drive faster than three quarters of
maximum speed.
Do not brake unnecessarily hard for the
first 200 km.
During the first drive, smoke may develop
because of wax and oil evaporating off the
exhaust system. Park the vehicle in the
open for a while after the first drive and
avoid inhaling the fumes.
Fuel and engine oil consumption is higher
than normal during the running-in period.
Never coast with engine not running
Many units will not function in this situation
(e.g. brake servo unit, power steering3).
Driving in this manner is a danger to
yourself and others. Brake servo unit
When the engine is not running, the brake
servo unit is no longer effective once the
brake pedal has been depressed once or
twice. Braking effect is not reduced, but
significantly greater force is required for
braking.
Electric power steering 3
If the power-assisted steering fails when
being towed with the engine switched off –
the vehicle can still be steered, but
considerably more force is required.
Driving in mountainous terrain or with a
trailer/caravan
The cooling fan is electrically operated. Its
cooling power is therefore independent of
the engine speed.
Since a considerable amount of heat is
generated at high engine speeds and less
at slower speeds, do not shift down when
climbing hills whilst the vehicle is still coping
with the gradient in the higher gear.
Diesel engines: On gradients of 10 % or
more, do not drive faster than 30 km/h in
first gear or 50 km/h in second gear. Driving with a roof load
Do not exceed the permissible roof load,
3189. For reasons of safety, distribute the
load evenly and strap it down firmly using
retaining straps so that it cannot slip.
Check the tyre pressure when the vehicle is
loaded. Do not travel faster than 120 km/h.
Check and re-tighten the straps frequently.
Observe country-specific regulations.
Switching off the engine
When you switch off, fans in the engine
compartment may continue running for a
time to cool the engine.
If the engine temperature is very high, e.g.
after driving in mountainous terrain: allow
the engine to idle for approximately two
minutes in order to prevent heat
accumulation.
Vehicles with turbocharged engine
After running at high engine speeds or high
engine loads, operate the engine briefly at
a low load or run in neutral for approx.
30 seconds before switching off in order
to protect the turbocharger.