
Contents3
ContentsManual structure
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Content
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Safety First
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safe driving
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Proper sitting position for occupants . . . . . . . . . 
Pedal area  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Storing objects  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seat belts
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Belt tensioners* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Airbag system
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Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Front airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Deactivating airbags*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Child safety
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Securing child seats  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Operating Instructions
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Cockpit
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Overview  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Instruments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Digital instrument panel display  . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering column controls*
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
General information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Audio Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Audio + Telephone Control  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Unlocking and locking
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Keys  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Radio frequency remote control*  . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Anti-theft alarm system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Windows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Panorama tilting sunroof*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Lights and visibility
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Lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Windscreen wipers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Rear view mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seats and storage compartments
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The importance of correct seat adjustment . . . . 
Head restraints  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Rear seats  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Storage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Ashtrays, cigarette lighter and power socket  . . 
First-aid kit, warning triangle, fire extinguisher*
Luggage compartment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Air conditioning
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Air conditioning* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
General notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Driving
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Starting and stopping the engine  . . . . . . . . . . . 
Start-Stop function*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Automatic gearbox*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Acoustic parking aid system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Cruise control* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Practical Tips
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Intelligent technology
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brakes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Anti-lock brake system and traction control ABS
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)* . . . . . . . . 
Driving and the environment
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Running-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Exhaust gas purification system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Economical and environmentally friendly driving
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
 . . . . . . . . 
General notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Vehicle exterior maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Vehicle interior maintenance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
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Cockpit
64•If the brake fluid level is correct, the fault in the brake system may have 
been caused by a failure of the ABS system. This could cause the rear 
wheels to lock quickly when you brake. This could cause the rear to break 
away. Risk of skidding. Stop the vehicle and seek technical assistance.
Differential lock fault (EDL)*
EDL operates along with the ABS in vehicles equipped with an 
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)*A malfunction in the EDL is indicated by the ABS warning lamp 
 J. Take the 
vehicle to a specialised workshop as soon as possible. For further informa-
tion on the EDL see  ⇒page 156, “Electronic differential lock (EDL)*”.
Traction control system (TCS)* 
/ l
The traction control system prevents the driven wheels from 
spinning when the vehicle is acceleratingThere are two warning lamps for the traction control system: 
 and 
 l. The 
warning lamp 
 lights up when the ignition is switched on and should turn 
off after 2 seconds, which is the time taken for the function check.
The 
 lamp has the following function:
•It flashes when the TCS is on, and the vehicle is moving.
If the system is deactivated or if it has any fault, the warning lamp will remain 
li t . I t will  als o co m e o n i f a  fa ul t s hould  occur  in the  A B S b e caus e t he  TCS o pe r -
ates in conjunction with the ABS. For further information, see  ⇒page 153, 
“Brakes” The 
 l lamp provides information about the disconnection status of the 
system:
•It stays lit when the TCS is disconnected after pressing the TCS OFF switch.
By pressing again, TCS function is reactivated and the warning lamp switched 
off.Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)* 
/  l
There are two warning lamps for the electronic stability 
programme. The 
 lamp provides information concerning 
the function and the  l provides information on the discon-
nection status
The warning lamp 
 lights up when the ignition is switched on and should 
turn off after 2 seconds, which is the time taken for the function check.
This programme includes the ABS, EDL  and TCS. This also includes the brake 
assist system (BAS), automatic cleaning of the brake discs and the trailer 
stability programme (TSP).
The warning lamp  has the following functions:
•It flashes when the TCS/ESP is activated when driving.•It will light up continuously if there is a malfunction in the ESP.•It will also come on if a fault should occur in the ABS because the ESP 
operates in conjunction with the ABS.
If the ESP warning lamp 
 lights up and stays on after the engine is started, 
this may mean that the control system has temporarily switched off the ESP. 
In this case the ESP can be reactivated by switching the ignition off and then 
on again. If the warning lamp goes out, this means the system is fully func-
tional.
WARNING (continued)
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Driving131
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
SafetyElectronic Stabilit y Programme (ESP)* 
ESP helps make driving safer in certain situations.The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) contains the electronic differential 
lock (EDL) and the traction control system (TCS). The ESP function works 
together with the ABS. Both warning lamps will light up if the ESP or ABS 
systems are faulty.
The ESP is started automatically when the engine is started.
The ESP is always active, and cannot be switched off. With the ESP switch it is 
only possible to switch TCS off.
WARNING
•The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) cannot defy the laws of 
physics. This should be kept in mind, particularly on slippery and wet 
roads and when towing a trailer.•Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and 
the traffic situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by ESP tempt you 
into taking any risks when driving, as this can cause accidents.•Please refer to the corresponding warning notes on ESP in  ⇒page 153, 
“Intelligent technology”.
Ignition lockPosition of the ignition key
Fig. 94  Detailed view of 
the centre console: ESP 
button
Fig. 95  Ignition key posi-
tions
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Driving145
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
•Power steering does not work when the engine is not running. That is 
why it is much more difficult to turn the steering wheel.•Never remove the key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion. The 
steering lock could suddenly engage, and you would not be able to steer 
the vehicle.•Never allow the car to roll downhill with the selector lever in “N”, 
regardless of the engine is running or not.Caution
If you allow the vehicle to move when the engine is switched off or with the 
selector lever in position “N”, take your foot off the accelerator and wait until 
the engine starts idling before returning to position “D”.Kickdown feature
This feature allows maximum acceleration.If you press the accelerator down thoroughly, the gearbox automatically 
changes down, depending on speed and e ngine speed, into a lower gear to 
take full advantage of give the vehicle maximum acceleration.
The gearbox does not change gear until the engine reaches the maximum 
determined engine speed for the gear.
WARNING
You could lose control of the vehicle if you accelerate on slippery road 
surfaces. Risk of serious injury.
•Be particularly careful when using the kickdown features on slippery 
road surfaces. With a fast acceleration, the vehicle could lose traction and 
skid.•You should use the kickdown feature only when traffic and weather 
conditions allow it to be used safely.
HandbrakeUsing the handbrake
The handbrake should be applied firmly to prevent the 
vehicle from accidentally rolling away.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 106  Handbrake 
between the front seats
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Intelligent technology
154•The brake assist system cannot defy the laws of physics. Slippery and 
wet roads are dangerous even with the brake assist system! Therefore, it is 
essential that you adjust your speed to suit the road and traffic conditions. 
Do not let the extra safety features tempt you into taking any risks when 
driving.
Anti-lock brake system and traction control 
ABSAnti-lock brake system (ABS)
The anti-lock brake system prevents the wheels locking 
during braking.The anti-lock brake system (ABS) is an important part of the vehicle’s active 
safety system.
How the ABS works
If one of the wheels is turns too slowly in relation to the road speed, and is 
close to locking, the system will reduce the braking pressure for this wheel. 
The driver is made aware of this control process by a  pulsating of the brake 
pedal  and audible noise. This is a deliberate warning to the driver that one or 
more of the wheels is tending to lock and the ABS control function has inter-
vened. In this situation it is important to keep the brake pedal fully depressed 
so the ABS can regulate the brake application. Do not “pump”.
If you brake hard on a slippery road surface, the best possible control is 
retained as the wheels do not lock. However, ABS will not necessarily gu
arantee shorter braking distances in  all 
conditions. The braking distance could even be longer if you brake on gravel 
or on fresh snow covering a slippery surface.
WARNING
•The anti-lock brake system cannot defy the laws of physics. Slippery 
and wet roads are dangerous even with ABS! If you notice that the ABS is 
working (to counteract locked wheels under braking), you should reduce 
speed immediately to suit the road and traffic conditions. Do not let the 
extra safety features tempt you into taking any risks when driving.•The effectiveness of ABS is also determined by the tyres fitted 
⇒ page 198.•If the running gear or brakes are modified, the effectiveness of the ABS 
could be severely limited.
Traction control system (TCS)*
The traction control system prevents the drive wheels from 
spinning when the vehicle is accelerating. The system always 
includes ABSDescription and operation of the traction control system during acceleration 
(TCS)
TCS reduces engine power to help prevent the drive wheels of front-wheel 
drive vehicles losing traction during acceleration. The system works in the 
entire speed range in conjunction with ABS. If a malfunction occurs in the 
ABS, the TCS will also be inoperative.
TCS helps the vehicle to start moving, accelerate and climb a gradient in slip-
pery conditions where this may otherwise be difficult or even impossible.
WARNING (continued)
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Intelligent technology155
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
T h e  T C S  is  s w i tch e d  o n  a u t o m a t i ca ll y  w h e n  t h e  e n g i n e  is  s ta r t e d .  I f  n e ce s sa r y,  
it may be turned on or off by briefly pushing the ESP button on the centre 
console.
When the TCS is off, the warning lamp 
 l is lit. The TCS should normally be left 
on. Only in exceptional circumstances, when the slipping of the wheels is 
required, can they be disconnected using the ESP button, for example.
•With compact temporary spare wheel.•When using the snow chains.•When driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces•When the vehicle is bogged-down, to free it by rocking.
The TCS should be switched on again as soon as possible.WARNING
•It must be remembered that TCS cannot defy the laws of physics. This 
should be kept in mind, particularly on slippery and wet roads and when 
towing a trailer.•Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and 
the traffic situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by TCS tempt you 
into taking any risks when driving, this can cause accidents.Caution
•In order to ensure that TCS function correctly, all four wheels must be 
fitted with the same tyres. Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres can 
cause the system to reduce engine power when this is not desired.•Modifications to the vehicle (e.g. to the engine, the brake system, running 
gear or any components affecting the wheels and tyres) could affect the effi-
ciency of the ABS and TCS.
XDS*
Driveshaft differentialWhen taking a bend, the driveshaft differential mechanism allows the outer 
wheel to turn at a higher speed than the inner wheel. In this way, the wheel 
that is turning faster (outer wheel) receives less drive torque than the inner 
wheel. This may mean that in certain situations the torque delivered to the 
inner wheel is too high, causing the wheels to spin. On the other hand, the 
outer wheel is receiving a lower drive torque than it could transmit. This 
causes an overall loss of lateral grip on the front axle, resulting in understeer 
or “lengthening” of the trajectory.
By using the ESP sensors and signals, the XDS system is able to detect and 
correct this effect.
Through the ESP, the XDS brakes the inner wheel, thereby counteracting the 
excess drive torque in this wheel. This means that the driver’s desired trajec-
tory is much more precise,
The XDS system operates in combination with the ESP and is always active, 
even when the traction control, TCS, is disconnected.Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)*General notes
The Electronic Stability Programme increases the vehicle’s 
stability on the road.The Electronic Stability Programme helps reduce the danger of skidding.
The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) consists of  ABS, EDL and TCS.
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Intelligent technology
156Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)*
ESP reduces the danger of skidding by braking the wheels individually.
The system uses the steering wheel angle and road speed to calculate the 
changes of direction desired by the driver, and constantly compares them 
with the actual behaviour of the vehicle. If the desired course is not being 
maintained (for instance, if the vehicle is starting to skid), then the ESP 
compensates automatically by braking the appropriate wheel.
The forces acting on the braked wheel bring the vehicle back to a stable 
condition. If the vehicle tends to oversteer, the system will act on the front 
wheel on the outside of the turn.
WARNING
•It must be remembered that ESP cannot defy the laws of physics. This 
should be kept in mind, particularly  on slippery and wet roads and when 
towing a trailer.•Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and 
the traffic situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by ESP tempt you 
into taking any risks when driving, as this can cause accidents.Caution
•In order to ensure that ESP functions correctly, all four wheels must be 
fitted with the same tyres. Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres can 
cause the system to reduce engine power when this is not desired.•Modifications to the vehicle (e.g. to the engine, the brake system, running 
gear or any components affecting the wheels and tyres) could affect the effi-
ciency of the ABS, EDL, ESP and TCS.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)The anti-lock brake system prevents the wheels locking during braking 
⇒ page 154.Electronic differential lock (EDL)*
The electronic differential lock  helps prevent the loss of trac-
tion caused if one of the driven wheels starts spinning.EDL helps the vehicle to start moving, accelerate and climb a gradient in slip-
pery conditions where this may otherwise be difficult or even impossible.
The system will control the revolutions of the drive wheels using the ABS 
sensors (in case of an EDL fault the warning lamp for ABS lights up) 
⇒ page 63.
At speeds of up to approximately 80 km/h, it is able to balance out differ-
ences in the speed of the driven wheels of approximately 100 rpm caused by 
a slippery road surface on one side  of the vehicle. It does this by braking the 
wheel which has lost traction and distributing more driving force to the other 
driven wheel via the differential.
To prevent the disc brake of the braking wheel from overheating, the EDL cuts 
out automatically if subjected to excessive loads. The vehicle will continue to 
function normally without EDL. For this reason, the driver is not informed that 
the EDL has been switched off.
The EDL will switch on again automatically when the brake has cooled down.
WARNING
•When accelerating on a slippery surface, for example on ice and snow, 
press the accelerator carefully. Despite EDL, the driven wheels may start to 
spin. This could impair the vehicle’s stability.
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Intelligent technology157
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
•Always adapt your driving style to suit road conditions and the traffic 
situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by EDL tempt you into taking 
any risks when driving, this can cause accidents.Caution
Modifications to the vehicle (e.g. to the engine, the brake system, running 
gear or any components affecting the wheels and tyres) could affect the effi-
ciency of the EDL. ⇒ page 175The traction control system (TCS)The traction control system prevents the drive wheels from spinning when the 
vehicle is accelerating  ⇒page 154.
WARNING (continued)
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