Lights and Visibility
46
Lights and VisibilityLightsSwitching lights on and offSwitching on side lights– Turn the light switch into position
.
Switching on the low beam and main beam– Turn the light switch into position
.
– Press the main beam lever forward in order to switch on the main beam page 49, fig. 45 .
Switching off all lights– Turn the light switch into position°0.Switching on daylight driving lights*– Remove the cover of the fuse box on the left side of the dash panel page 177.
– Insert the activation fuse No. 17 in the fuse box.
Switching off daylight driving lights*– Remove the cover of the fuse box on the left side of the dash panel page 177.
– Take the activation fuse No. 17 out of the fuse box.
Low beam comes on only if the ignition is switched on. After switching off the ignition,
the low beam is switched off automatica lly and only the side lights come on.
On models fitted with right-hand steering the position of certain switches differs
from that shown in fig. 40 . The symbols which mark the switch positions are iden-
tical.
In certain countries, the low beam is on a reduced brightness as well as the side lights,
when the ignition is switched on.
WARNING
Never drive with side lights on - risk of accident! The side lights are not bright
enough to light up the road sufficiently in front of you or to be seen by other
oncoming traffic. In this case, always switch on the low beam when it is dark or
if visibility is poor.
Note
An audible warning will sound if you wi thdraw the ignition key and open the
driver's door when the vehicle lights are still on.
The acoustic warning signal is switched off over the door contact when the driver's
door is closed (ignition off). The vehicle can be parked with the side lights on.
If the car is parked for a lengthy period, we recommend switching off all lights, or
leaving only the parking lights switched on.
The switching on of the described lights should only be undertaken in accordance
with the legal requirements.
If a fault occurs in the light switch , the low beam comes on automatically
In the event of cool or humid weather conditions, the headlights can be misted up
from inside.
Fig. 40 Dash panel: Light switch
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Heating and air conditioning system79
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Recirculated air mode
In 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 standi ng in a traffic jam.Switching recirculated air mode on– Press the button - the warning light lights up in the button page 77, fig. 95 .Switching recirculated air mode off– Press again the button - the warning light in the button goes out.
The button cannot be pressed if the control dial is in the position
or close
to this position.
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 atten-
tion and also cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an accident
increases. Switch recirculated air mode off as soon as the windows begin
misting up.Air conditioning system*Description
The air conditioning system is a combined cooling and heating system.
It makes it possible to optimally control the air temperature at any
season of the year.Description of the air conditioning system
It is important for your safety and for your driving comfort that the air conditioning
system is operating properly. The air conditioning only operates if button
page 80, fig. 96 is pressed and
the following conditions are met:
engine running,
outside temperature above +5 °C and
blower switch switched on (positions 1 to 4).
If the cooling system is switched on, the temperature and air humidity drops in the
vehicle. The wellbeing of the occupants of the car is enhanced as a result of this partic-
ularly at high outside temperatures and a high air humidity. The system prevents the
windows misting up during the cold season of the year.
The heating effect is dependent upon the c oolant temperature, thus full heat output
only occurs when the engine has reached its operating temperature.
It is possible to briefly activate recirculat ed air mode in order to enhance the cooling
effect .
Air at a temperature of about 5°C may flow out of the vents under certain circum-
stances when the cooling system is operating. Lengthy and uneven distribution of the
air flow out of the vents (in particular at the leg area) and large differences in temper-
ature, for example when getting out of the ve hicle, can result in chills in sensitive
persons.
The air inlet in front of the windscreen must be free of ice, snow or leaves in order to
ensure that the heating and cooling systems operate properly.
After switching on the cooling Condensation from the evaporator of the air condi-
tioning may drip down and form a puddle be low the vehicle. This is quite normal and
not an indication of a leak!
WARNING
For your own safety and that of other road users, ensure that all the
windows are free of ice, snow and misting. Please familiarize yourself about
how to correctly operate the heating and ventilation systems, how to demist
and defrost the windows, as well as with the cooling mode.
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 accident
AC
AC
AD
s2rc.book Page 79 Thursd ay, April 22, 2010 10:58 AM
Heating and air conditioning system
80
increases. Switch recirculated air mode off as soon as the windows begin
misting up.
Note
We recommend that you do not smoke in the vehicle when the recirculating air
mode is operating since the smoke which is drawn at the evaporator from the interior
of the vehicle forms deposits in the evapor ator of the air conditioning system. This
produces a permanent odour when the air conditioning system is operating which can
only be eliminated through considerable effort and expense (replacement of
compressor).
Using the systemSetting temperature– Turn the control dial fig. 96 to the right in order to increase the temperature.
– Turn the control dial to the left in order to increase the temperature.Controlling blower– Turn the blower switch into one of the po sitions, 1 to 4, in order to switch the
blower on.
– Turn the blower switch into position 0 in order to switch the blower off. – IF you wish to close the inlet for fresh air, use the switch - Recirculated air
mode page 82.
Control for air distribution– You can adjust the direction of the air flow using the air distribution control
page 77.switching cooling on and off– Press the button fig. 96 . The warning light lights up in the button.
– When you again press the switch , the cooling system is switched off. The warning light in the button goes out.
Note
The whole heat output will be needed to unfrost the windscreen and side
windows. No warm air will be fed to the footwell. This can lead to restriction of the
heating comfort.
The used air streams out through the air removal openings in the luggage compart-
ment.
If the cooling system has not been switched on for a lengthy period, odours may
be produced at the evaporator because of deposits. Switch the cooling system on at
least once a month for approximately 5 minutes at the highest blower stage - also
during the cold season of the year - in order to avoid such odours. Also open a window
for a short time.
Please refer to the information regarding recirculated air mode page 82.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 96 The air conditioning
system: Control elements
AAAAABAB
AE
AC
AC
AD
AC
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Heating and air conditioning system83
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
The AC compressor is switched off at a hi
gh coolant temperature in order to provide
cooling at a high load of the engine.
After switching on the cooling Condensation from the evaporator of the air condi-
tioning may drip down and form a puddle be low the vehicle. This is quite normal and
not an indication of a leak!
If you make a change before switching off the ignition, which differs from the auto-
matic mode, the changed functi ons remain stored. Only the function “circulating air”
is erased 20 minutes after switching off the ignition.
Recommended setting for all periods of the year:
Set the temperature to 22 °C (72 °F).
Press the button page 83, fig. 97.
Move the air outlet vents 3 and 4, so that the air flow is directed slightly upwards
page 77, fig. 94 .
Switching over between degrees Celsius and degrees Fahrenheit
Press and hold the buttons 17 and 9 page 83, fig. 97 . The information
in the desired temperature measuring unit appears in the display.
WARNING
For your own safety and that of other road users, ensure that all the
windows are free of ice, snow and mistin g. Please familiarize yourself about
how to correctly operate th e heating and ventilation systems, how to demist
and defrost the windows, as well as with the cooling mode.
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 accident
increases. Switch recirculated air mode off as soon as the windows begin
misting up.Note
If the cooling system has not been switched on for a lengthy period, odours may
be produced at the evaporator because of deposits. Switch the cooling system on at
least once a month for approximately 5 minut es at the highest blower stage - also during the cold season of the year - in order to avoid such odours. Also open a window
for a short time.
We recommend that you do not smoke in
the vehicle when the recirculating air
mode is operating since the smoke which is drawn at the evaporator from the interior
of the vehicle forms deposits in the evapor ator of the air conditioning system. This
produces a permanent odour when the air conditioning system is operating which can
only be eliminated through considerable effort and expense (replacement of
compressor).
The used air streams out through the air removal openings in the luggage compart-
ment.
Using the cooling economically page 82.
Overview of the control elements
The controls enable a separate setting of the temperature for the left
and right side.Fig. 97 Climatronic: Control elementsThe buttons
Defrosting the windscreen
Display Display of blower stages
When switching off the automatic air cond itioning with the button 11, the outside
temperature now indicates OFF, ot her information is not indicated.
AUTO
ECON
AUTO
A1
A2A3
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Heating and air conditioning system85
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Defrosting windscreen - switching off– Once again press the button or the button .
The temperature control is controlled automatically. More air flows out of the air outlet
vents 1 and 2.Recirculated air mode
In 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 standi ng in a traffic jam.Switching recirculated air mode on– Press the button - the warning light lights up in the button.Switching recirculated air mode off– Press again the button or the button - the warning light in the button
goes out.
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 atten-
tion and also cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an accident
increases. Switch recirculated air mode off as soon as the windows begin
misting up.
Note
If the windscreen mists up, press the button page 83, fig. 97 . After the wind-
screen has been demisted, press the button .Setting temperatureYou can set the interior temperature randomly with the buttons and . You can set the interior temperature betw
een +18°C (64°F) and +29°C (84 °F). The
interior temperature is regulated automatica lly within this range. If you select the
temperature below +18°C (64°F), “LO” appears in the display. If you select the temper-
ature higher than +29°C (84 °F ), “HI” appears in the display. In both limit positions the
Climatronic operates at ma ximum 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 six blower stages available.The Climatronic system controls the blower st ages automatically in line with the inte-
rior temperature. You can also, however, adap t the blower stages manually to suit your
particular needs.
– Press the button or page 83, fig. 97 in order to decrease or increase the
speed.
Switch off the blowers, the Climatronic is switched off and in the display shows OFF.
The set blower speed is indicated by the ligh ting up of the respective number of bars
at the point .
WARNING
“Stale air” may result in fatigue in the driver and occupants, reduce atten-
tion 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.
AUTO
AUTO
A1
AUTO
A15
A16
A11
A12
A2
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Starting-off and Driving
90WARNING
Never switch off the engine before the ve hicle is stationary - risk of accident!
The brake booster only operates when the engine is running. Greater phys-
ical effort for braking is required when en gine is switched off. Because if you do
not stop as normal, this can cause an accident and severe injuries.Caution
you should not switch the engine off right away at the end of your journey after the
engine has been operated for a lengthy period at high loads but should be allowed it
to run at idling speed for about 2 minutes. This prevents any accumulation of heat
when the engine is switched off.
Note
The radiator fan may continue running fo r a further 10 minutes or so after the
engine and the ignition have been switched off. The coolant fan may, however, also
switch on again after some time if the co olant temperature rises because of an accu-
mulation of heat in the engine or if the engine is warm and the engine compartment is
additionally heated by strong sunlight.
This is why particular care is required when carrying out any work in the engine
compartment page 148, “Working in the engine compartment”.
Shifting
Shift into reverse only when the vehicle is stationary. Depress the clutch pedal and
hold it fully depressed. Wait a moment before engaging reverse gear in order to avoid
any shift noises.
The reversing lights will come on once reverse gear is engaged, provided the ignition
is on.
WARNING
Never engage the reverse gear when driving - risk of accident!
Note
One should not lay the hand on the shift lever while driving the vehicle. The pres-
sure of the hand will be transferred to the gearshift forks in the gearbox. This can, over
a period of time, lead to earl y wear of the gearshift forks.
Depress the clutch pedal fully when changi ng gears, in order to avoid unnecessary
wear and damage.
HandbrakeApplying the handbrake– Pull the handbrake lever up fully.
Fig. 101 Shift pattern on models
fitted with 5-speed manual
gearbox
Fig. 102 Centre console: Hand-
brake
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Seat belts107
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
The rear middle seat is fitted with a pelvic be
lt. The lock part of the two-point pelvic belt
is operated in the same way as for a three-point safety belt. An unused pelvic belt
should be stowed away together with the lock for safety reasons.
Extending the pelvic belt– Hold the lock tongue at right angles to the belt webbing and pull through the
desired amount of belt webbing fig. 116 .Shortening the pelvic belt– Pull on the free end of the belt.
– Fix the excess belt length by thre ading it through the plastic slider.
The adjustment of the belt length is facili tated by simultaniously pressing the belt
tongue and the belt cover lengthwise.
WARNING
The pelvic belt must always sit firmly ac ross the pelvis; tighten the belt webbing
if necessary.
Belt tensionersSafety for the driver and front passenger wearing their seat belts is enhanced by the
belt tensioners fitted to the inertia reels of the front three-point seat belts, in addition
to the protection afforded by the airbag system.
The three-point seat belts are automatically te nsioned in the event of a frontal collision
of a certain severity. The belt tensioners can also be deployed if the seat belts are not
fastened.
The belt tensioner is deployed in the event of a frontal collision of major severity. A
powder charge is ignited in the inertia re els during deployment. The belt webbing is
pulled into the inertia reels by a mechanical system and the belt is tensioned.
Belt tensioners are not activated in the even t of minor frontal collisions, side and rear-
end collisions, in the case of a rollover an d also not in accidents in which no major
forces are produced from the front.
WARNING
Any work on the system including removal and installation of system
components because of other repair work, must only be carried out by a
specialist garage.
The protective function of the system is only adequate for a single accident.
If the belt tensioners have been deployed, it is then necessary to replace the
entire system.
The Owner's Manual must also be handed over to the new owner if the
vehicle is sold.Note
Smoke is generated when the belt tensione rs are deployed. This is not an indica-
tion of a fire in the vehicle.
It is essential to pay attent ion to relevant safety regulations if the vehicle or indi-
vidual parts of the system are scrapped. Specialist garages are familiar with these regu-
lations and will be able to provide you with detailed information in this respect.
When disposing of vehicle or parts of the system, it is important to comply with the
national legal requirements.
Fig. 116 Extending the pelvic
belt
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Driving and the Environment
130
guidelines given in this chapter in order to make best use of these characteristics and
to maintain their effectiveness.
The optimal engine speed should be obtained when accelerating, in order to avoid a
high fuel consumption and resonance of the vehicle.Looking ahead when driving
A vehicle's highest fuel consumption occurs it accelerates.Avoid accelerating and brakin g unnecessarily. If you drive with forsight you will not
need to brake so often and will also then not have to accelerate so much. Let your
vehicle coast to a stop, for example, if this is possible, when you see that the next set of
traffic lights is at red.Shifting gears and saving energy
Shifting up early saves on fuel.Manual gearbox– Drive no more than about one length of your vehicle in first gear.
– Always shift up into the next higher gear at approx. 2 000 to 2 500 revs.
An effective way of achieving good fuel economy is to shift up early. You will consume
more fuel if you drive at unnecessaril y high revolutions in any given gear. The
fig. 136 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your vehicle in the
relevant gears. Fuel consumptio n in 1st gear is the highest and in 5th gear is the lowest.
Note
Also use the information supplied by the multi-functional indicator* page 19.Avoiding full throttle
Driving more slowly means saving fuel.Sensitive use of the accelerator will not only significantly reduce fuel consumption but
also positively influence environmenta l pollution and wear of your vehicle.
You should avoid exploiting the top speed of your vehicle wherever possible. Fuel
consumption, pollutant emissions and vehicle noises increase disproportionally at
high speeds.
The fig. 137 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your vehicle. You
will cut your fuel consumption by half if you only make use three-quarters of the
possible top speed of your vehicle.
Fig. 136 Fuel consumption in
litres/100 km. and speed in
km/h.
Fig. 137 Fuel consumption in
litres/100 km. and speed in
km/h.
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