
Instruments and warning lights27
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
Rear fog light 
The warning light 
 comes on when the rear fog lights are operating  page 48.
Bulb failure 
The warning light 
 comes on if a bulb is faulty:
up to 2 seconds after the ignition is switched on; 
when switching on the defective light bulb.
The following text e.g will be displayed in the information display*: Check front right dipped beam!
The rear side lights and the licence plate li ghting require several light bulbs. The indi-
cator light 
 only lights up if all light bulbs of  the licence plate lighting or the parking 
light (in one rear light unit) are defective. Check regularly the function of the light 
bulbs.
Alternator 
The warning light 
 comes on after the ignition has  been switched on. It should go 
out after the engine has started.
If the warning light does not go out after  the engine has started, or comes on when 
driving, drive to the nearest specialist garage. The vehicle battery will be discharged in 
this case so switch off all non- essential electrical components.
Caution
If the warning light 
 comes on when driving and in addition the warning light 
 
(cooling system fault) also comes on in di splay, you must then stop the car immedi-
ately and switch the engine off - risk of engine damage! 
Fog lights* 
The warning light 
 comes on when the fog lights are operating  page 48.
Electrohydraulic power steering 
The warning light 
 comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
If the warning light after switching on the ignition or when driving lights up continu-
ously, a fault exists in the electrohydraulic power steering. The power steering operates 
with reduced steering assist or is completely without function.
Further information  page 137.
WARNING
Contact your specialist  garage if the power steering is defective.
Note
If the yellow warning light 
 goes out after starting the engine again and a short 
drive, it is not necessary to visit a specialist garage.
If the battery has been di sconnected and reconnected, the yellow warning light 
 
comes on after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a 
short distance.
There is no power-assisted steering su pport when the vehicle is being towed 
without the engine running or when the powe r-assisted steering is defect. The vehicle 
is fully steerable however. There is however increased force required to turn the 
steering wheel.
EPC fault light 
 (petrol engine)
The 
 (Electronic Power Control) warning light comes on for a few seconds when the 
ignition is switched on.
If the warning light 
 flashes after starting the engine  or flashes while driving, a fault 
exists in the engine control system. The engine management system selects an emer-
gency programme which enables you to drive to the nearest specialist garage by 
adopting a gentle style of driving.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Engine fault: Workshop!
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Instruments and warning lights
28
Glow plug system 
 (diesel engine)
The warning light 
 lights up for a  cold engine when switching on the ignition (pre-
heat position) 2   page 87. Start the engine after the indicator light goes out.
The glow plug indicato r light will come on for about 1  second if the engine is at a 
normal operating temperature  or if the outside temperature is above +5°C. This 
means that you can start the engine  right away.
There is a fault in the glow plug system if the  warning light 
 does not come on  or 
lights up continuously ; contact a specialist garage as soon as possible to obtain 
assistance.
If the warning light  
 begins to flash  while driving, a fault exists in the engine 
control. The engine management system  selects an emergency programme which 
enables you to drive to the nearest specialist garage by adopting a gentle style of 
driving.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Engine fault: Workshop!
Coolant temperature/ Coolant quantity 
 
The warning light   lights up until the engine reaches operating temperature
3). Avoid 
running at high engine speeds, at full  throttle and at severe engine loads.
The warning light 
 comes on for a few seconds when  the ignition is switched on.
The coolant temperature is too high or the  coolant level too low if the warning light 
 
lights up or flashes while driving.
3 peeps sound as an additional warning signal.
In this case stop and switch the engine off  and check the coolant level; top up the 
coolant as necessary  page 166, “Replenishing the coolant”.
Do not continue your journey  if for some reason it is not possible under the condi-
tions prevailing to top up with coolant.  Keep the engine switched off and obtain 
professional assistance from a specialist  garage, otherwise it could lead to severe 
engine damage. If the coolant is within the specified range, the increased temperature may be caused 
by an operating problem at the coolant fan. 
Check the fuse for the coolant fan, replace 
it if necessary  page 194, “Fuse assignment at th e battery (manual gearbox, auto-
matic gearbox DSG)”.
If the warning light 
 does not go out although the coolant is at the correct level and 
also the fuse of the fan is in proper order,  do not continue driving. Contact a specialist 
garage to obtain assistance.
Please also refer to the additional instructions  page 165, “Cooling system”.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: Check coolant! Owner's manual
WARNING
If you must stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe distance 
from the traffic and switch off the engine  and switch on the hazard warning light 
system  page 49, “Switch for hazard warning lights  ”.Fuel reserve 
The warning light 
 comes on, if the fuel leve l is less than 7 litres.
An audible signal sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: Please refuel! Range...km
Engine oil 
 
The warning light 
 lights up red (low oil pressure)
The warning light comes on for a few seconds 
4) when the ignition is switched on.
Stop the vehicle and switch the engine off  if the warning light does not go off after 
the engine has started or flashes while driving. Check the oil level and top up with oil 
as necessary  page 163.
3)Not valid for vehicles with information display.
4)The warning light   on vehicles fitted with information  display does not come on after switch-
ing the ignition on, but only if a fault exists or the engine oil level is too low.
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Instruments and warning lights29
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
3 peeps sound as an additional warning signal.
Do not continue your journey
 if for some reason it is not possible under the condi-
tions prevailing to top up with oil.  Keep the engine switched off and obtain profes-
sional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe engine 
damage.
Do not drive any further if the warning light flashes even if the oil is at the correct 
level. Do not run the engine  not at idling speed either. Contact the nearest specialist 
garage to obtain professional assistance.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Oil Pressure Engine off! Owner's manual!
The warning light 
 lights up yellow* (oil quantity too low)
If the warning light lights up yellow, the quantity of oil in the engine is probably too low. 
Check as soon as possible the oil level or top up  page 163 with engine oil.
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: Check oil level!
The warning light will go out if the bonnet is le ft open for more than 30 seconds. If no 
engine oil has been replenished, the warning light will come on again after driving 
about 100 km.
The warning light 
 flashes yellow* (engine oil level sensor faulty)
A fault on the engine oil level sensor is indicated additionally by an audible signal and 
the warning light coming on several times after the ignition has been switched on.
In this case have the engine inspected without delay by a specialist garage.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Oil sensor Workshop!
WARNING
If you must stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe 
distance from the traffic and switch off the engine and switch on the hazard 
warning light system  page 49.
The red oil pressure light 
 is not an oil level indicator! One should there-
fore check the oil level at regular interval s, preferably after every refueling stop.
Pay attention to the following instructions  page 162, “Working in the 
engine compartment” before checking  the coolant fluid level and opening the 
bonnet.
Open door 
The warning light 
 comes on if one or several doors are opened or if the boot lid is 
opened. If one of the doors opens whil e driving, the warning light lights 
 up and an 
audible signal sounds.  
The warning light comes on even when the ignition is switched off. The warning light 
lights up for a maximum of 5 minutes.
O n  v e h i c l e s  w i t h  i n f o r m a t i o n  d i s p l a y *  t h i s  w a rning light is replaced by a vehicle symbol 
 page 23.
Windshield washer fluid level*
The warning light 
 comes on when the ignition is swit ched on if there is insufficient 
fluid in the windshield washer system. Top up with liquid  page 172.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: Top up wash fluid!
Control system for exhaust 
The warning light 
 comes on after the ignition has been switched on.
If the warning light does not go out after starting the engine or it lights up when driving, 
a fault exists in an exhaust relevant co mponent. The engine management system 
selects an emergency programme which enables you to drive to the nearest specialist 
garage by adopting a ge ntle style of driving.
WARNING (continued)
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Instruments and warning lights
30
Traction control system (TCS)*
The warning light 
 lights up if the TCS  system is switched off.
Further information about the TCS  page 134.
Tyre pressure monitoring system*
The warning light 
 lights up, if there is a substantia l drop in inflation pressure in one 
of the tyres. Reduce the speed and check or  correct as soon as possible the inflation 
pressure in the tyres  page 173.
An audible signal sounds as an additional warning signal.
If the warning light flashes 
, there is a system fault. Visit the nearest specialist garage 
and have the fault rectified.
Further information about the tyre pressure monitoring system  page 138.
WARNING
When the warning light 
 lights up, immediately reduce the speed and 
avoid sudden steering and brake manoeuvres. Please stop the vehicle without 
delay at the nearest possible stop and in spect the tyres and their inflation pres-
sures.
Under certain circumstances (e.g. sporty style of driving, wintry or unpaved 
roads) the warning light 
 can be delayed or does not light up at all.
Note
If the battery has been disc onnected, the warning light 
 comes on after switching on 
the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a short distance.
Selector lever lock* 
 (automatic gearbox)
If the green  warning light 
 lights up, operate the brake pedal. This is necessary, in 
order to be able to move the selector lever out of the position  P or  N.
Further information about the selector lever lock  page 96.
Traction control system (TCS)*
The warning light 
 comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
The warning light flashes quickly when a control cycle is activated while driving.
The warning light lights up permanently if there is a fault in the TCS system.
The fact that the TCS system operates together with the ABS means that the TCS 
warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating properly.
If the warning light  comes on immediately after starting the engine, the TCS system 
can be switched off for technical reasons. In  this case, the TCS system can be switched 
on again by switching the igni tion on and off. If the warning light goes out, the TCS 
system is fully functional again.
Further information about the TCS  page 134, “Traction control system (TCS)*”.
Note
If the battery has been disconnected  and reconnected, the warning light 
 comes on 
after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a short 
distance.
Electronic stability programme (ESP)*
The warning light 
 comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
If the ESP helps to stabilise the vehicle (f or example when applying and releasing a 
braking force to an individual wheel), then the indicator light 
 flashes quickly.
The warning light 
 lights up permanently if there is a fault in the ESP system.
The fact that the ESP system operates together with the ABS means that the ESP 
warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating properly.
If the warning light  comes on immediately after starting the engine, the ESP system 
can be switched off for technical reasons. In  this case, the ESP system can be switched 
on again by switching the igni tion on and off. If the warning light goes out, the ESP 
system is fully functional again.
Further information on the ESP  page 133, “Electronic stab ility programme (ESP)*”.
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Instruments and warning lights31
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
Note
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the warning light 
 comes on 
after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a short 
distance.
Antilock brake system (ABS) 
The warning light 
 shows the functionality of the ABS.
The warning light comes on for a few seconds  after the ignition has been switched on 
or when starting the engine. The warning  light goes out after an automatic check 
sequence has been completed.
A fault in the ABS
The system is not functioning properly if the ABS warning light 
 does not go out 
within a few seconds after switching on the ignition, does not light up at all or lights up 
while driving. The vehicle will only be br aked by the normal brake system. Visit a 
specialist garage as quickly as possible and adjust your style of driving to take account 
of the fault in the meantime since you will  not know the extent of the fault and in how 
far the effect of the antilock brakes is affected.
Further information about ABS  page 136, “Antilock brake system (ABS)”.
A fault in the entire brake system
If the ABS warning light 
 comes on together with the brake system warning light 
 
(handbrake must be released), there is a fa ult not only in the ABS but also in another 
part of the brake system  .
WARNING
If the brake system warning light 
 comes on together with the ABS 
warning light 
 stop the vehicle immediately and check the brake fluid level in 
the reservoir  page 167, “Brake fluid”. If the fluid level has dropped below the 
MIN marking, do not drive any further -  risk of accident! Obtain professional 
assistance.
Pay attention to the following instruct ions before checking the brake fluid 
level and opening the bonnet  page 162, “Working in the engine compart-
ment”.
If the brake fluid is at the correct leve l, the ABS control function has failed. 
The rear wheels may then block very rapi dly when braking. In certain circum-
stances, this can result in the rear end of the car breaking away - risk of skid-
ding! Drive carefully to the nearest specialist garage and have the fault 
rectified.
Brake system 
The warning light 
 flashes or comes on if the brake fluid level is too low, if there is a 
fault in the ABS or if  the handbrake is applied.
If the warning light  flashes and an audible signal so unds three times (handbrake is 
not applied),  stop and check the brake fluid level  .
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: Brake fluid Owner's manual
If there is a fault in the ABS which also infl uences the function of the brake system (e.g. 
distribution of brake pressure), the ABS warning light 
 comes on and at the same 
time the brake system warn ing light starts flashing 
. Be aware that not only the ABS 
but also another part of th brake system is defective  .
An audible signal sounds three times as an additional warning signal.
One should get used to high pedal forces, an extended free play of the brake pedal and 
long braking distances when carefully driving to the specialist garage.
For further information on the brake system  page 135, “Brakes”.
Handbrake applied
The warning light 
 also comes on if the handbrake is applied. An audible warning is 
also given if you drive the vehicle for at least 3 seconds at a speed of more than 6 km/h.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Release parking brake!
WARNING (continued)
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Unlocking and locking
34
Unlocking and lockingKeyDescriptionFig. 22  Set of keys without remote control / Keys with remote control keyTwo keys are provided with the vehicle. Depending on the equipment, your vehicle can 
be equipped with keys without radio remote control or with radio remote control keys* 
 fig. 22 .
WARNING
Always withdraw the key whenever you leave the vehicle - even if it is only 
for a short time. This is particularly important if children are left in the vehicle. 
The children might otherwise start the en gine or operate electrical equipment 
(e.g. power windows) - risk of injury!
Do not withdraw the ignition key from the ignition lock until the vehicle has 
come to a stop. The steerin g lock might otherwise enga ge unintentionally - risk 
of accident!Caution
Each key contains electronic components; therefore protect them against moisture 
and severe shocks.
Keep the groove of the keys absolutely clean as impurities (textile fibres, dust etc.) 
have a negative effect on the proper operation of the locking cylinder and the ignition 
lock.Note
Please approach a specialist garage if you lose a key since he can obtain a new one for 
you.Changing the battery in the remote control keyFig. 23  Remote control key - remove cover / remove batteryEach remote control key contains a batt ery which is housed under the cover   
 fig. 23 . If the battery is discharged, the red in dicator light   does not light up after 
pressing a button on the remote control  fig. 23 . Change the battery as follows:
– Fold open the key.
– Carefully press off the cover at the points of the arrows  .
– Remove the discharged battery from the key by pressing the battery downwards at  the point of the arrow    fig. 23 .
– Insert the new battery. Ensure that the “+” symbol on the battery is facing upwards.  The correct polarity is shown on the battery cover.
– Position the battery cover on the key and pres s on it until it is heard to lock in place.
AB
AAA1
A2
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Unlocking and locking39
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
the door handle. If the child safety lock is activated (only on the rear doors), first of all 
it is necessary to pull once on the inner door
 handle and then open the door from the 
outside.
Boot lid*Fig. 28  Unlock the boot lid / handle of the boot lidOpening the boot lid– On vehicles with central locking  unlock the boot lid by pressing the button on the 
driver door  fig. 28 .
On vehicles with central locking  unlock the boot lid by pressing the hand grip above 
the licence plate.Closing the boot lid– Pull the boot lid down and close it with a slight swing  .
On vehicles with central locking  unlock the boot lid by pressing the button on the 
driver door  fig. 28 .
On vehicles with central locking  unlock the boot lid by pressing the hand grip above 
the licence plate.
A handle which makes the closing easier is located on the inner paneling of the boot 
lid.
WARNING
Ensure that the lock is properly enga ged after closing the boot lid. Other-
wise, the boot lid might open suddenly when  driving even if the boot lid lock is 
closed - risk of accident!
Never drive with the boot lid fully open ed or slightly ajar otherwise exhaust 
gases may get into the interior of the vehicle - risk of poisoning!
Do not press on the rear window when closing the boot lid, it could crack - 
risk of injury!Note
After closing the boot lid, it is automatically locked within 1 second and the 
anti-theft alarm system* is activated.  This applies only if the vehicle was locked 
before closing the boot lid.
The function of the hand grip above the licence plate is deactivated when starting 
off or as of a speed of more than 6 km/hour  for vehicles with central locking. The func-
tion of the hand grip is ac tivated again when the vehicle has stopped and a door is 
opened.
Hold the boot lid when opening.
Emergency unlocking of the boot lidIf there is a fault in the central locking, you can open the boot lid as follows:
– Fold one of the outer rear seats forwards.
Fig. 29  Emergency unlocking of the 
boot lid
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Unlocking and locking
40
– Move the operating lever A with the aid of  a narrow object e.g. screwdriver up to 
the stop in the direction of arrow; the boot lid is then unlocked.
– Open the boot lid from the outside.Remote control*DescriptionYou can use the remote control:
to unlock and lock the vehicle;
unlocking boot lid.
The transmitter with the battery is incorporat ed in the handle of the master key. The 
receiver is located in the interior of the ca r. The operating range of the remote control 
is approx. 10 m. But this range of the remote  control can be reduced if the batteries are 
weak.
The master key has a fold-open key bit whic h can be used for unlocking and locking 
the car manually and also for starting the engine.
If a lost key is replaced or if the receiver unit has been repaired or a new unit installed, 
it is then necessary for a specialist garage to adapt the system. Only after this is it 
possible to again use the remote control.Note
The remote control is automatically deactivated when the ignition is switched on.
The operation of the remote control may temporarily be affected by interference 
from transmitters close to the car and which operate in the same frequency range (e.g. 
mobile phone, TV transmitter).
The battery must be replaced if the centra l locking or anti-theft alarm system does 
not react to the remote control at less th an 3 metres away. We recommend having the 
battery replaced by a specialist garage.
Unlocking and locking carUnlocking the vehicle 
– Press the button    fig. 30  for about 1 second.Locking the vehicle 
– Press button   for about 1 second.Deactivating safe securing system– Press button   twice in 2 seconds. Further information  page 36.Boot lid remote release 
– Press button   for about 1 second  fig. 30 .Folding out of the key– Press button  .Folding up of the key– Press button   and collapse the key bit in the housing.
The turn signal lights flash twice as confir mation that the vehicle has been unlocked. 
The vehicle will lock again automatically if  you unlock the vehicle using button   but 
do not open a door or the boot lid within th e next 30 seconds. This function is intended 
to prevent the car being  unlocked unintentionally.
Fig. 30  Remote control key
A1
A3A3A2A4A4
A1
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