
If the warning light illuminates immediately after you start the engine, the
ESC might be switched off due to technical reasons.›
Switch the ignition off and on again.
If the warning light
does not illuminate again after the engine is switched
on again, the ESC is fully functional again.
Further information » page 154.
Note
The warning light illuminates after the ignition is switched on if the vehi-
cle's battery has been disconnected and reconnected. If the warning light
does not go out after moving a short distance, this means there is an error in
the system. Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Anti lock brake system (ABS)
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
If the warning light
is illuminated , there is a fault in the ABS.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Fault: ABS
The vehicle will only be braked by the normal brake system without the ABS.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
WARNING■ If the warning light together with the warning light » page 35 ,
Brake system illuminates, do not continue to drive! Seek help from a
specialist garage.■
A fault to the ABS system or the braking system can increase the vehi-
cle's braking distance – there is a risk of accident.
Rear fog light
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates when the rear fog light is switched on.
Lamp failure
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates if a lamp is faulty .
The warning light
illuminates within a few seconds after switching on the
ignition or when a light with a faulty lamp is switched on.
The following message may be shown in the MAXI DOT display, for example. INFORMATION Check front right low beam!
Adaptive headlights (AHL)
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
If the warning light
flashes for 1 minute while driving or after switching on
the ignition, there is a problem with the adaptive headlights.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. No bend lighting (AHL) function. Owner's manual!
When the AHL mode “tourist light” (travel mode) is active » page 71, the
warning light flashes
for 10 seconds each time the ignition is switched on.
Exhaust inspection system
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
If the warning light
is illuminated , there is a fault in the exhaust inspection
system. The system allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Glow plug system (diesel engine)
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates after the ignition has been turned on. Once
the light has gone out, the engine can be started immediately.
There is a fault in the glow plug system if the warning light
does not come
on at all or illuminates continuously .
If the warning light begins to
flash while driving, a fault exists in the engine
control. The system allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.
38Operation

The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.Top up wash fluid!
Top up with liquid » page 188, Windscreen washer system .
Brake linings
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
If the warning light
is illuminated , the brake pads are worn.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Check brake wear!
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Turn signal system
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
Either the left or the right
warning light
flashes depending on the position
of the turn signal lever.
If there is a fault in the turn signal system, the warning light flashes at twice
its normal rate.
Switching off the hazard warning light system is switched on will cause all of
the turn signal lights as well as both warning lights to flash.
Low beam
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates when low beam is selected.
Fog lights
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates when the fog lamps are operating.
Cruise control system
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates when the cruise control is active.
Selector lever lock / starter (system KESSY)
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
If the warning light
illuminates , operate the brake pedal. This is necessary
to move the selector lever from position P and N » page 146 or to start the en-
gine in vehicles with the KESSY system » page 142.
Main beam
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates when the main beam or the headlight flasher
is being operated.
41Instruments and Indicator Lights

›The warning light in the driver door begins flashing.
› The anti-theft alarm system is activated.
Displaying an error If the warning icon in the driver's door initially flashes quickly for around 2 sec-
onds, and then illuminates for 30 seconds without interruption before flashing
again slowly, you will need to seek the assistance of a specialist garage.WARNING■ Never leave the key in the vehicle when you exit the vehicle. Unauthor-
ized persons, such as children, for example, could lock the car, turn on the
ignition or start the engine - there is a danger of injury and accidents!■
When leaving the vehicle, never leave people who are not completely in-
dependent, such as children, unattended in the vehicle. The children might,
for example, release the handbrake or take the vehicle out of gear. The ve-
hicle could then start to move – risk of injury and accidents! These individu-
als might also not be able to leave the vehicle on their own or to help
themselves. Can be fatal at very high or very low temperatures!
■
If the car is locked from the outside and the safe lock system is switched
on, no one must be in the car, as it is then not possible to open either a
door or a window from the inside. The locked doors make it more difficult
for rescuers to get into the vehicle in an emergency – risk to life.
Note
■ When leaving the vehicle, always check if it is locked.■In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed, the locked
doors are automatically unlocked in order to enable rescuers to gain access to
the vehicle.■
Upon failure of the central locking system the key can only be used to unlock
and lock the driver's door. The other doors and the boot lid can be emergency
opened or emergency released. ■ Emergency locking of the door » page 216.
■ Emergency unlocking of the boot lid » page 217.
Vehicle keyFig. 31
Remote control key
Read and observe on page 51 first.
Two remote control keys are provided with the vehicle » Fig. 31.
The transmitter with the battery is housed in the handle of the remote control
key. The receiver is located in the interior of the vehicle.
The wireless key has a flip out key bit.
The spare key must by initialised by a specialist garage after repair or replace- ment of the receiver unit. Only then can the remote control key be used again.
CAUTION
■ Each key contains electronic components; therefore it must be protected
against moisture and severe shocks.■
Keep the groove of the keys absolutely clean. Impurities (textile fibres, dust,
etc.) have a negative effect on the functionality of the locking cylinder and ig-
nition lock.
■
The battery must be replaced if the central locking or anti-theft alarm system
does react to the remote control at less than approx. 3 metres
away » page 215 .
■
When leaving the vehicle, always check if it is locked.
■
If the driver's door has been opened, the vehicle cannot be locked.
Note
Please contact a specialist garage if you lose a key as they can obtain a new
one for you.51Unlocking and opening

TwinDoor - open / close large bootFig. 39
Handle of boot lid / opened large boot lid
Read and observe
and on page 57 first.
After unlocking the vehicle, the boot lid can be opened with the button in the
handle above the number plate.
Opening
›
Press the button in the handle at the lower edge of the boot lid
1
» Fig. 39 .
›
Wait until the brake light
2
in the rear window flashes twice and then lift
the lid.
Closing
›
Pull down and strike the lid with the handle
3
» Fig. 39 .
Open / close (Superb Combi)
Fig. 40
Boot lid handle/opening the boot lid
Fig. 41
Handle in the inner panelling of
the boot lid
Read and observe and on page 57 first.
After unlocking the vehicle, the boot lid can be opened with the button in the
handle above the number plate.
Opening
›
Press the handle
A
» Fig. 40 and raise the lid in the direction of the arrow
B
.
Closing
›
Pull the lid down with the handle
C
» Fig. 41 and close with a slight swing.
Delayed locking of the boot lid
Read and observe
and on page 57 first.
If the boot lid is unlocked with the symbol button on the remote control
key, then the door is automatically locked after closing.
The period after which the boot lid is locked automatically can be extended by a specialist garage.
After activation of delayed locking, the boot lid can be opened again after clos-
ing within a limited period.
Delayed locking can be deactivated by a specialist garage at any time.
CAUTION
There is a risk of unwanted entry into the vehicle before the boot lid is locked
automatically. We therefore recommend locking the vehicle with the symbol
button
on the remote control key.58Operation

Electronic immobilizerRead and observe
and on page 138 first.
An electronic chip is integrated in the head of the key. The immobiliser is deac-
tivated with the aid of this chip when the key is inserted in the ignition lock.
The electronic immobiliser is automatically activated when the ignition key is
withdrawn from the lock.
The engine will not start if a non-authorized ignition key is used.
The following message is shown in the instrument cluster display. Immobilizer active.
IMMOBILIZER
Ignition Switch
Fig. 134
Positions of the vehicle key in
the ignition lock
Read and observe and on page 138 first.
Petrol engines » Fig. 134
Ignition switched off, engine off, the steering can be locked
Ignition switched on
Starting engine
Diesel engines » Fig. 134
Fuel supply interrupted, ignition switched off, engine switched off, the
steering can be locked.
Heating glow plugs on, ignition switched on
Starting engine
To lock the steering , with the ignition key withdrawn, turn the steering wheel
until the steering locking pin engages audibly.
123123If the steering is locked and the key cannot be turned or can only be turned
with difficulty to position 2 » Fig. 134 , move the steering wheel back and
forth and the steering lock will unlock.
Note
We recommend locking the steering wheel whenever leaving the vehicle. This
acts as a deterrent against the attempted theft of your car.
Starting the engine
Read and observe
and on page 138 first.
Vehicles with a diesel engine are equipped with a glow plug system. The glow
plug warning light illuminates after the ignition has been switched on. Start
the engine once the warning light has gone out.
You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heating
period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
Procedure for starting the engine
›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
Move the gearshift lever into neutral or move the selector lever into position
P or N.
›
Switch on the ignition
2
» Fig. 134 on page 139 .
›
Depress and hold the clutch pedal (vehicles with a manual gearbox) or brake
pedal (vehicles with an automatic gearbox) until the engine starts.
›
Turn the key to position
3
to the stop and release immediately the engine
has started – do not depress the accelerator.
After letting go, the vehicle key will return to position
2
.
If the engine does not start within 10 seconds, turn the key to position
1
. Re-
peat the start-up process after approx. half a minute.
Vehicles with manual transmission
The engine will not start if the clutch pedal is not depressed.
The following message is shown in the instrument cluster display. Depress clutch to start.
CLUTCH
139Starting off and Driving

CAUTION■Avoid high engine revolutions, full throttle and high engine loads before the
engine has reached its operating temperature – risk of damaging the engine!■
Do not switch the engine off immediately at the end of your journey after the
engine has been operated over a prolonged period at high loads but leave it to
run at an idling speed for about 1 minute. This prevents any possible accumula-
tion of heat when the engine is switched off.
For the sake of the environment
Do not warm up the engine while the vehicle is stationary. If possible, start
your journey as soon as the engine has started. Through this the engine rea-
ches its operating temperature more rapidly and the pollutant emissions are
lower.
Note
■ The system is protected against inadvertently switching off the engine while
driving, this means that the engine can only be switched off in an emergen-
cy » page 143 .■
After switching off the ignition, the radiator fan can intermittently continue
to operate for approx. 10 minutes.
■
Under certain circumstances (e.g. after switching off the ignition and opening
the driver's door), the steering is enabled only when the ignition is switched on
or the engine is started.
Steering lock / unlock
Fig. 135
Starter button
Read and observe and on page 140 first.
The steering lock (steering lock) deters attempted theft of your vehicle.
Locking
›
Stop the vehicle.
› Switch off the engine or the ignition by pressing the starter button
» Fig. 135.›Open the driver door.
The steering is locked automatically.
If the driver's door is opened and the ignition is switched off afterwards, the
steering is only locked after the vehicle is locked.
Unlocking›
Open the driver's door and get into the vehicle.
›
Close the driver's door.
The steering is unlocked within 2 seconds.
If the system does not unlock the steering at the first time (for example when
the front wheels are in contact with an obstacle), then two more unlocking at-
tempts are performed automatically.
If the steering is still not unlocked, then the following message is displayed on the display of the instrument cluster.
Move the steering wheel!
MOVE STEERING WHEEL
Slightly move the steering wheel and the system will make up to 3 more at-
tempts to unlock after 2 seconds. At the same time, the warning light flash-
es.
If the steering is still not unlocked, to try to eliminate the possible cause and
then repeat the unlocking attempt.
Ignition on/off
Read and observe
and on page 140 first.
›
Press the starter button » Fig. 135 on page 141 briefly.
The ignition is switched on or off.
On vehicles fitted with a manual transmission, the clutch pedal must not be
depressed while switching the ignition on or off, otherwise the system would
try to start.
On vehicles fitted with a automatic transmission, the brake pedal must not be
depressed while switching the ignition on or off, otherwise the system would
try to start.
141Starting off and Driving

If the driver's door is opened while the ignition is on, an audible signal sounds
and the following message appears in the instrument cluster display.
Ignition on!
IGNITION SWITCHED ON
When leaving the vehicle always switch off the ignition.
Note
The ignition is switched on when indicated by the illuminating of certain indi-
cator lamps in the instrument cluster.
Starting the engine
Read and observe
and on page 140 first.
Vehicles with a diesel engine are equipped with a glow plug system. The glow
plug warning light illuminates after the ignition has been switched on. Start
the engine once the warning light has gone out.
You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heating
period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
Procedure for starting the engine
›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
Move the gearshift lever into neutral or move the selector lever into position
P or N.
›
Depress and hold the clutch pedal (vehicles with a manual gearbox) or brake
pedal (vehicles with an automatic gearbox) until the engine starts.
›
Press and hold » Fig. 135 on page 141 1)
the starter button until the engine
starts.
CAUTION
■ If the engine does not start-up after a second attempt, one of the following
fuses may be defective. ■ Petrol engine - fuse for the electric fuel pump.
■ Diesel engine - fuse for the control unit for glow plugs or glow plug relay
and fuel pump.■
Check the fuse and replace if necessary » page 220, or seek assistance from
a specialist garage.
Switching off the engine
Read and observe
and on page 140 first.
›
Stop the vehicle.
›
Press the starter button » Fig. 135 on page 141 briefly.
The engine and the ignition are switched off simultaneously.
The engine can be switched off up to a speed of 2 km/h.
Emergency start-up of the engine
Fig. 136
Emergency start-up of engine
Read and observe and on page 140 first.
If the authorisation check for the key fails, the following message appears in the instrument cluster display.
Key not found.
NO KEY
The emergency start-up must be completed.
› Press the starter button directly with the key
» Fig. 136.
or
› Press the starter button and then hold the key to the starter button.
Note
During an emergency engine start-up, the key bit must face the starter but-
ton » Fig. 136 .1)
On vehicles with the START STOP system, it is sufficient to press the starter button briefly. The motor
will then automatically start.
142Driving

Emergency ignition shutoff systemRead and observe
and on page 140 first.
The ignition can be turned off in an emergency even when travelling at a
speed of more than 2 km / hr.
›
Press the starter button » Fig. 135 on page 141 for longer than 1 second or
twice within 1 second.
After emergency stop of the ignition, the steering is unlocked.
Brakes
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Information on braking
143
Handbrake
144WARNING■ Greater physical effort is required for braking when the engine is switch-
ed off – risk of accident!■
The clutch pedal must be depressed when braking on a vehicle with man-
ual transmission, when the vehicle is in gear and at low revs. Otherwise,
the function of the brake booster may be impaired – risk of accident!
■
When leaving the vehicle, never leave persons who might, for example,
release the handbrake or take the vehicle out of gear unattended in the ve-
hicle. The vehicle could then start to move – risk of accident!
WARNINGIn the case of damage to the standard fitted front spoiler or if retrofitting
another front spoiler, hub caps etc. » page 173, Services, modifications and
technical alterations , make sure that the air supply to the front brakes is
not affected. The front brakes may overheat, which can have a negative im-
pact on the functioning of the braking system – there is a risk of an acci-
dent!CAUTION■ Observe the recommendations on the new brake pads » page 149.■Never let the brakes slip with light pressure on the pedal if braking is not
necessary. This causes the brakes to overheat and can also result in a longer
braking distance and excessive wear.
Information on braking
Read and observe
and on page 143 first.
If the brakes are applied in full and the control unit for the braking system con-siders the situation to be dangerous for the following traffic, the brake light
flashes automatically.
After the speed was reduced below around 10 km/h or the vehicle was stop-
ped, the brake light stops flashing and the hazard warning light system
switches on. The hazard warning light system is switched off automatically af- ter accelerating or driving off again.
Before travelling a long distance down a steep gradient, reduce speed and
shift into the next lowest gear. As a result, the braking effect of the engine will
be used, reducing the load on the brakes. Any additional braking should be
completed intermittently, not continuously.
Wear-and-tear
The wear of the brake pads is dependent on the operating conditions and driv- ing style.
The brake pads wear more quickly if a lot of journeys are completed in towns
and over short distances or if a very sporty style of driving is adopted.
Under these severe conditions , the thickness of the brake pads must also be
checked by a specialist garage between services.
Wet roads or road salt
The performance of the brakes can be delayed as the brake discs and brake
pads may be moist or have a coating of ice or layer of salt on them in winter.
The brakes are cleaned and dried by applying the brakes several times.
Corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt on the brake pads occur if the vehicle has
been parked for a long period and if you do not make much use of the braking
system. The brakes are cleaned by applying the brakes several times.
143Starting off and Driving