65
Cockpit
Using the menus on the instrument panel Fig. 37 In vehicles with-
out mu
ltif
unction steer-
ing wheel: On the wind-
screen washer lever: but-
ton A to confirm the
menu point and r oc
ker
switch B to change the
menu Fig. 38 Right side of
multif
u
nction steering
wheel: Buttons to access
the instrument panel me-
nus. Enabling the main menu
●
Switch the ignition on.
● If a message or vehicle symbol is displayed, press OK (⇒
fig. 37 A or
⇒ fig. 38).
● If managed from the windscreen wiper lever: the main menu lis
t is dis-
played.
● If managed from the multifunction steering wheel: the main menu lis
t is
not displayed. To scroll through the options of the main menu, press the ar-
row keys or
several times
⇒ pag
e 66.
Select a submenu
● Press the rocker switch ⇒ fig. 37 B upwards or downwards, or, on the
multif u
nction steering wheel, the arrow keys or
, until reaching the re-
quired menu option.
● The sel ect
ed option is displayed between two horizontal lines. In addi-
tion, a triangl
e is displayed on the right .
● To select the submenu, press OK .
Mak in
g changes according to the menu
● Use the rocker switch on the windscreen wiper lever or the arrow keys on
the multifu
nction steering wheel to make the required modifications. If the
switch or keys are held down, the scroll speed is faster (fast forward or re-
turn).
● Mark or confirm the selected option with OK .
Ret urnin
g to the main menu
● Via the menu: in the submenu, select
the option Return to exit the sub-
menu.
● If managed from the windscreen wiper lever: hold do
wn the rocker
switch.
● If managed from the multifunction steering wheel: pres
s button .
Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data
107
Lights and visibility
Windscreen wiper functions Windscreen wiper performance in different situations:
If the vehicle is at a stand-
sti
l
l: The activated position provisionally changes
to the pr
ev
ious position. During the automatic wipe: The air conditioning comes on for approxi-
mat
ely
30 seconds in air recirculation mode
to prevent the smell of the windscreen wash-
er fluid entering the inside of the vehicle. For the intermittent wipe: The intervals between wipes vary according
to the s
peed of
the vehicle. The higher the
vehicle speed the shorter the intervals. Heated windscreen washer jets
The heatin
g on
ly thaws the frozen jets, it does not thaw the water in the
washer hoses. The heated windscreen washer jets automatically adjust the
heat depending on the ambient temperature, when the ignition is switched
on.
Headlight wash /wipe system
The headlight washers/wipers clean the headlight lenses.
After the ignition is switched on, the first and every fifth time the wind-
screen washer is switched on, the headlights are also washed. Therefore,
the windscreen wiper lever should be pulled towards the steering wheel
when the dipped beam or main beam are on. Any incrusted dirt (such as in-
sects) should be cleaned regularly (e.g. when refuelling).
To ensure the headlight washers work correctly in winter, any snow which
has got into the bumper jet supports should be cleaned away. If necessary,
remove snow with an anti-icing spray. Note
The wiper will try to wipe away any obstacles that are on the windscreen.
The wiper w i
ll stop moving if the obstacle blocks its path. Remove the ob-
stacle and switch the wiper back on again.
Windscreen wipers service position Fig. 68 Wipers in service
pos
ition.
The w
iper arms can be raised when the wipers are in service position.
⇒ fig. 68 To p l
ace the windscreen wipers in the service position, proceed as
follows:
● The bonnet must be closed ⇒ page 275.
● Sw
itching the ignition on and off.
● Press the windscreen wiper lever downwards briefly ⇒ fig. 66 4 .
Bef or
e driving, always lower the wiper arms. Using the windscreen wiper
lever, the windscreen wiper arms return to their initial position. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data
139
Seats and storage compartments
Additional information and warnings:
● Light ⇒ page 95
● Tr
ansporting ⇒ page 13
● E
cological driving ⇒ page 225
● Wheel
s and tyres ⇒ page 293
● A
ccessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 257WARNING
The risk of an accident is increased by transporting heavy or bulky loads
on the roof , whic
h affects the car's handling by shifting the centre of
gravity and increasing susceptibility to cross winds.
● Always secure loads correctly with suitable and undamaged attach-
ment rope or s
traps.
● Large, heavy, wide and flat loads negatively affect the vehicle aerody-
namics, c
entre of gravity and handling.
● Avoid brusque manoeuvres and sudden braking.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather c
onditions. CAUTION
● Always remove the roof carrier system from the roof before entering a car
w a
sh.
● The height of your vehicle is changed by the installation of the roof carri-
er and the load sec
ured on it. Compare the vehicle height with the passage
height, for example in underground car parks or entering garage doors.
● The roof antenna, the range of the panoramic sliding roof and the tail-
gate shou
ld not be affected by the roof carrier system and the load being
transported.
● Take extra care not to let the tailgate strike the roof load when opening. For the sake of the environment
The vehicle uses more fuel when the roof carrier system is fitted.
Securing the base supports and roof carrier system Fig. 101 Attachment
points
f
or the basic sup-
port and the roof carrier
system.
The mounts are the basis of a complete roof carrier system. Special fixtures
mus t
then be added in order to safely transport luggage, bicycles, skis, surf
boards or boats on the roof. All these system components are available
from an Authorised Service Centre.
It will only be possible to install a basic support or roof carrier system if the
vehicle has a roof rail.
Securing the base supports and roof carrier system
Always secure the base supports and roof carrier system correctly.
The roof carrier system must always be installed exactly according to the in-
structions provided. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data
140
Seats and storage compartments
The position holes are located on the inner side of the rail ⇒ fig. 101.WARNING
If the base supports and the roof carrier system are incorrectly fitted or
used in an u n
suitable manner, the entire system could break free causing
accident and injury.
● Always take the manufacturer assembly instructions into account.
● Only use base supports and roof carrier systems that are not dam-
aged and are c
orrectly fitted.
● The base support should only be fitted to the points indicated in the
diagram
⇒ fig. 101.
● Secure the base supports and roof carrier system correctly.
● Check the screw fittings and attachments before driving and after a
short di
stance. During each long journey, check the attachments during
every break.
● Always fit the roof carrier system correctly for wheels, skis and surf-
board
s.
● Never change or repair the basic supports or roof carrier system. Note
Read and take into account the instructions included with the roof carrier
sys t
em fitted and keep them in the vehicle.
Loading the roof carrier system Loads can only be correctly secured when the roof carrier system is correctly
fitted
⇒ .
Max imum authori
sed roof load
The maximum authorised roof load is 100 kg (about 220 lbs). The roof load
includes the roof carrier system and the load being transported ⇒ .Always check the roof carrier system weight and the weight of the load to be
tran
s
ported and, if necessary, weigh them. Never exceed the maximum au-
thorised roof load.
If you are using a roof carrier with a lower weight rating, you cannot trans-
port the maximum roof load. Do not exceed the maximum weight limit for
the roof carrier given in the fitting instructions.
Distributing a load
Uniformly distribute loads and secure them correctly ⇒ .
Check att
achments
After fitting the base supports and the roof carrier system, always check the
attachments after a short trip or at regular intervals. WARNING
Exceeding the maximum authorised roof load can result in accidents
and/or v ehic
le damage.
● Always respect the maximum authorised weight for the roof, the max-
imum authorised weight
on the axles and the total maximum authorised
weight of the vehicle.
● Never exceed the capacity of the roof carrier system even if this is
les
s than the maximum authorised roof load.
● Secure heavy objects towards the front and distribute the load even-
ly. WARNING
Loose and incorrectly secured loads can fall from the roof carrier system
cau s
ing accidents and injury.
● Always use suitable ropes and straps in good condition.
● Always secure loads correctly.
169
Driving WARNING
The counter steering assistance system combined with ESC (ESP) helps
the driver t o s
teer the vehicle in critical driving conditions. At all times, it
is the driver who steers the vehicle. The counter steering system does
not steer the vehicle.
Adjusting the steering wheel position Fig. 126 Mechanical
st
eerin
g wheel adjust-
ment.
Adjust the steering wheel before your trip and only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary
.
● Push the lever ⇒ fig. 126 1 downwards.
● Adjust the steering wheel so that you can hold onto the steering wheel
with both h and
s on the outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock
positions and your arms slightly bent.
● Push the lever firmly upwards until it is flush to the steering column
⇒ . WARNING
Incorrect use of the steering wheel adjustment function and an incorrect
adju s
tment of the steering wheel can result in severe or fatal injury.
● After adjusting the steering column, push the lever 1 firmly upwards
to en s
ure the steering wheel does not accidentally change position while
driving.
● Never adjust the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion. If you
need to adju
st the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion, stop
safely and make the proper adjustment.
● The adjusted steering wheel should be facing your chest and not your
face so a
s not to hinder the driver's frontal airbag protection in the event
of an accident.
● When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the
outside of
the ring at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions to reduce inju-
ries when the driver's frontal airbag deploys.
● Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position or in any oth-
er manner (e.g. in the c
entre of the steering wheel). In such cases, if the
driver's airbag deploys, you may sustain injuries to your arms, hands and
head.
Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data
178
Driving
Automatic gearbox*: Selecting gears Fig. 131 Left-hand drive
vehic
l
es: Automatic gear-
box selector lever with
locking button (arrow). Fig. 132 Right-hand
drive
v
ehicles: Automatic
gearbox selector lever
with locking button (ar-
row).
The gear selection lever has a lock. When changing the selector lever from
position
P to a range of gears, press the brake pedal and press the lock on
the selector lever, located on the front part of the knob, in the direction of the arrow ⇒ fig. 131 or ⇒
fig. 132.
To move the gear selector lever from the
position N to D or to R, first press and hold the brake pedal.
When the ignition is on, the current position of the selector lever is shown
on the instrument panel. Selector
lev er po-
s
itions Denomination Meaning ⇒
Parking lock The drive wheels are locked mechanically.
They on
ly
engage when the vehicle is at a
standstill. To change the position of the selec-
tor lever, press the brake pedal and switch on
the ignition. Reverse gear Reverse gear is engaged.
Only
sel
ect reverse gear when the vehicle is at
a standstill . Neutral The gear box is in neutral. No movement is
tran
smitt
ed to the wheels and the engine
does not act as a brake. Standard for-
war d
s driving
position (nor- mal pro-
gramme) The gears are changed (up and down) auto-
matic
al
ly. The gear shifts are determined by
the engine load, your individual driving style
and the speed of the vehicle. Standard for-
war d
s driving
position
(sports pro- gramme) The shift up to a higher gear is automatically
dela
y
ed and the shift down is faster with re-
spect to the D range of gears, to take full ad-
vantage of the engine power. The gear shifts
are determined by the engine load, your indi-
vidual driving style and the speed of the vehi-
cle. Selector lever locking
The ge
ar sel
ector lever lock prevents, in P or N, a gear selection from being
inadvertently engaged and the vehicle moving off accidentally.
180
Driving
Changing gears with Tiptronic* Fig. 133 Selector lever
in Tiptr
onic
position (left-
hand drive vehicles). The
lay-out in right-hand
drive vehicles is symmet-
rically opposed. Fig. 134 Steering wheel
with tw
o p
addle shifts for
Tiptronic.
The Tiptronic system allows you to manually change gears in vehicles with
an automatic
gearbox. When you change to the Tiptronic programme, the
vehicle remains in the currently selected gear. This is possible as long as
the system is not changing gear automatically due to a traffic situation. Using Tiptronic with the selector lever
●
Press the selector lever from position D to the right int
o the Tiptronic se-
lector gate ⇒ in Automatic gearbox*: Selecting gears on page 179.
● Press the lever forwards + or backwards
– to move up or down a gear
⇒ fig. 133.
Us in
g the Tiptronic with the steering wheel paddle shifts
● In D or S, move the s
teering wheel paddle shifts ⇒ fig. 134.
● Pull the right-hand side paddle + OFF ⇒
fig. 134 t
owards the steering
wheel to step up a gear.
● Pull the left-hand side paddle – ⇒ fig. 134 to
w
ards the steering wheel
step down a gear.
If the paddles are not used for a period of time, the vehicle leaves Tiptronic
mode. CAUTION
● When acc el
erating, the gearbox automatically shifts up into the next
gear shortly before the maximum engine speed is reached.
● When reducing speed manually, the gear box only shifts gear when the
engine can no lon
ger exceed the maximum engine speed.
Driving with an automatic gearbox The gearbox changes gear ratios automatically as the vehicle moves.
Drivin
g do
wn hills
The steeper the gradient, the lower the gear you will need. The lowest gears
increase the engine braking work. Never go down hills with the selector lev-
er in neutral N.
181
Driving
● You should reduce speed accordingly.
● Pre
ss the selector lever from position D to the right int
o the Tiptronic se-
lector gate ⇒ page 180.
● Gently pull the selector lever back to change down a gear.
● ALTERNATIVELY: Reduce u
sing the steering wheel paddles ⇒ page 180.
Emergency program
If all the selector lever positions on the instrument panel display are shown
with a light-coloured background, this means there is a fault in the system.
The automatic gearbox will operate in emergency programme mode. When
the emergency program is activated, it is possible to drive the vehicle how-
ever, at low speeds and within a selected range of gears.
For the DSG ®
dual clutch gearbox, in some cases, this may mean that re-
verse gear does not engage . The gearbox should be checked by a Technical
Service as soon as possible.
Overload protection for the 6-speed DSG gearbox ®
When the clutch is overloaded, the vehicle begins to jerk and the selector
lever position indicator begins to flash. To prevent damage to the clutch,
this interrupts the power transmission between the engine and the gearbox.
There is no more traction and it is not possible to accelerate. If the clutch is
opened automatically due to overloading, press the brake pedal. Wait a few
seconds before starting to move again.
Kick-down
The kick-down system provides maximum acceleration when the gear selec-
tor lever is in the positions D, S or in the Tiptronic position.
When the accelerator pedal is pressed right down, the automatic gearbox
will shift down to a lower gear, depending on road speed and engine speed.
This takes advantage of the maximum acceleration of the vehicle ⇒ .
When the acc el
erator is pressed to the floor, the automatic gearbox shifts to
the next gear only after the engine reaches the specified maximum engine
speed. Launch-Control Programme
The Launch-C
ontrol programme enables maximum acceleration while at a
standstill.
● Deactivate the ASR (TCS) ⇒ page 183.
● Pr
ess and hold the brake pedal with your left foot.
● Place the selector lever in position S or Tiptronic
.
● Press the accelerator with the right foot until the vehicle reaches an en-
gine speed of ap
proximately 3200 rpm.
● Lift the left foot off the brake ⇒ . The vehicle starts with maximum ac-
cel er
ation.
● Turn on the ASR (TCS) after accelerating! WARNING
Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction and skidding, especially on
slip per
y ground. This could cause loss of control of the vehicle resulting
in an accident and considerable damage.
● Only use kick-down and rapid acceleration when weather conditions,
surf
ace conditions and traffic conditions permit; accelerate and drive in a
manner that does not endanger other road users.
● Please remember that the drive wheels can slip and the vehicle can
skid if the ASR (T
CS) is turned off, especially on slippery ground.
● Turn on the ASR (TCS) after accelerating. CAUTION
● If you stop on a hill with a gear ratio engaged, do not try to prevent the
v ehic
le from rolling back by pressing on the accelerator. This could cause
overheating and damage the automatic gearbox.
● Never allow the vehicle to move with the gear selector lever in N, espe-
c
ially with the engine turned off. The automatic gearbox will not be lubrica-
ted and could be damaged. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data