
Operation
Cockpit
OverviewElectrical power windows
61
Door opening lever
52
Central locking button
55
Air outlet vent
110
Parking ticket holder
Operating lever: › Turn signal light, headlight and parking light, headlight
flasher
69
› Speed regulating system
161
Steering wheel:
› with horn
› with driver’s front airbag
17
› with pushbuttons for radio, navigation system phone and in-
formation system
122, 134
Instrument cluster: Instruments, warning lights and display
30
Operating lever:
› Information system
42
›Windscreen wiper and wash system
77
Air outlets in the central part of the dash panel
110
Regulator for left seat heating
85
Button for hazard warning light system
72
Regulator for right seat heating
85
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Radio
› Navigation system
Storage compartment on the front passenger side
94
Front passenger airbag
17
Air outlet vent
110
Key switch for switching off the front passenger airbag (in front
passenger storage compartment)
21
Door opening lever
52
Electric exterior mirror adjustment
801234567891011121314151617181920Light switch68
Bonnet release lever
187
Regulator for the instrument lighting and regulator for the head-
light beam range adjustment
68, 68
Storage compartment on the driver's side
89
Lever for adjusting the steering wheel
10
Driver’s knee airbag
18
Ignition lock
139
Pedals
145
Handbrake
144
Bars with buttons depending on the equipment fitted:
›
START STOP
162
›
Tyre pressure loss indicator
165
›
Traction control ASR
155
›
Electronic Stability Control ESC
154
›
Park Assist
157
›
Parking aid
156
›
Tailgate operation (Superb Combi)
59
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Gearshift lever (manual gearbox)
144
›Selector lever (automatic gearbox)
145
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Ashtrays
91
›Stowage compartment
90
Warning light for the deactivated front seat passenger airbag
21
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Operating controls for the air conditioning system
112
›
Operating controls for Climatronic
115
Note
The arrangement of the controls right-hand drive models may differ from the
layout shown in » Fig. 20. The symbols on the controls and switches are the
same as for left-hand drive models.212223242526272829303132333429Cockpit

The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.Gearbox overheated. Stop! Owner's manual!
do not continue to drive! Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and wait
until the
icon goes out – risk of gearbox damage! You can continue your
journey as soon as the icon disappears.WARNINGIf you have to stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe
distance from the traffic, switch off the engine and activate the hazard
warning light system » page 72. The warning triangle must be set up at
the prescribed distance - observe the national legal provisions when doing
so.
Note
■ If the MAXI DOT display shows warning messages, these messages must be
confirmed in order to access the main menu » page 42 .■
As long as the operational faults are not rectified, the symbols are always in-
dicated again. After they are displayed for the first time, the symbols continue
to be indicated without any extra messages for the driver.
Warning lights
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Handbrake
35
Brake system
35
Seat belt warning light
35
Generator
35
Door open
36
Engine oil pressure
36
Coolant
36
Bonnet
36
Boot lid
36
Power steering / steering lock (system KESSY)
36
Engine oil level
37
Traction Control System (ASR)
37
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
37 Anti lock brake system (ABS)38 Rear fog light38
Lamp failure
38
Adaptive headlights (AHL)
38
Exhaust inspection system
38
Glow plug system (diesel engine)
38
Engine performance check (petrol engine)
39
Diesel particulate filter (diesel engine)
39
Fuel reserve
39
Airbag system
40
Tyre inflation pressure
40
Windscreen washer fluid level
40
Brake linings
41
Turn signal system
41
Low beam
41
Fog lights
41
Cruise control system
41
Selector lever lock / starter (system KESSY)
41
Main beam
41
The warning lights indicate certain functions or faults.
Some warning lights can be accompanied by acoustic signals and messages in
the display of the instrument cluster.
After switching on the ignition, some warning lights light up briefly as a func-
tion test.
If the tested systems are OK, the corresponding warning lights go out a few
seconds after switching on the ignition or after starting the engine.
34Operation

Airbag systemRead and observe
on page 35 first.
If the warning light
illuminates , there is a fault in the airbag system.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Fault: Airbag
The operational capability of the airbag system is monitored electronically,
even if one of the airbags is switched off.
If a front, side or head airbag or belt tensioner has been switched off using
the vehicle system tester:
› The warning light
illuminates for approximately 4 seconds after the igni-
tion is switched on and then flashes again for approximately 12 seconds.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Airbag/belt tensioner deactivated.
If the front passenger's front airbag was switched off using the key-operat-
ed switch on the side of the dash panel on the passenger side:
› The warning light
illuminates for approximately 4 seconds after the igni-
tion is switched on;
› The deactivated air bag is indicated by the illumination of the warning light
in the middle of the dash panel
» page 21.
WARNINGWhen a fault in the airbag system occurs, there is a risk of the system not
being triggered in the event of an accident. Therefore, this must be
checked immediately by a specialized company.
Tyre inflation pressure
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light is illuminated
If while driving, the warning light illuminates, a tyre pressure change has oc-
curred.
An audible signal sounds as a warning signal.
›
Immediately reduce speed and avoid sudden steering and braking manoeu-
vres.
› Stop the vehicle, turn the ignition off and check the tyres and their inflation
pressure » page 198 .›
Correct the tyre pressure, if necessary or replace the wheel » page 205 or
use the repair kit » page 209.
›
Store the tyre pressure values in the system » page 166.
The warning light
flashes for about 1 min. and remains lit
If the warning light
flashes for approximately 1 minute and stays on, there
may be a fault in the tyre pressure monitoring system.
›
Stop the vehicle, turn the ignition off and start the engine again.
If the warning light
flashes again after the engine has started, there is a
system error.
Seek help from a specialist garage.
The following reasons can explain the warning light being illuminated.
› The vehicle is loaded on one side. Distribute loads as evenly as possible.
› The wheels of one axle are loaded more heavily (e.g. when towing a trailer or
when driving uphill or downhill).
› Snow chains are mounted.
› A wheel has been changed.
Store the tyre pressure values in the system » page 166.
CAUTION
Under certain circumstances (e.g. sporty style of driving, wintry or unpaved
roads) the warning light in the instrument cluster can be delayed or does
not light up at all.
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 that there is an error in
the system. Seek help from a specialist garage.
Windscreen washer fluid level
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
If the windscreen washer fluid level is too low, the warning light
illumi-
nates .
40Operation

›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

Locking/unlocking the vehicle from the insideFig. 35
Central locking button
Read and observe on page 51 first.
If the vehicle was not locked from the outside, it can also be unlocked and
locked with the rocker switch on the door opening lever of the driver or front
passenger door » Fig. 35 even without the ignition switched on. While a door is
opened, the vehicle cannot be locked.
Locking
›
Press the button /
» Fig. 35 press.
The symbol in the button illuminates.
Unlocking
›
Press the button /
» Fig. 35 press.
The symbol in the button goes out.
The following applies if your vehicle has been locked using the central locking
button.
› It is not possible to open the doors or the boot lid from the outside (safety
feature, e.g. when stopping at traffic lights etc.).
› The doors can be unlocked and opened from the inside by a single pull on the
opening lever of the respective door.
› 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.
WARNING■ Doors locked from the inside make it difficult for rescuers to get into the
vehicle in an emergency – risk to life!■
If the safe lock system is switched on » page 54, the door opening lever
and the central locking buttons do not operate.
Child safety lockFig. 36
Child safety lock: Left rear door
Read and observe on page 51 first.
The child safety lock prevents the rear door from being opened from the in- side. The door can only be opened from the outside.
You can switch the child safety lock on and off using the vehicle key.
Switching on
›
Turn the slot of the safety lock in the direction of the arrow » Fig. 36 (the
other way around on the right-hand door).
Switching off
›
Turn the slot of the safety lock in the opposite direction to the ar-
row » Fig. 36 (the other way around on the right-hand door).
Anti-theft alarm system
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Activating/deactivating
56
Interior monitor and towing protection
56
The anti-theft alarm system increases the level of protection against people
trying to break into the vehicle.
The alarm system triggers audible and visual signals if an attempt is made to
break into the vehicle (hereafter referred to only as alarm).
Triggering the alarm
The alarm is triggered when the following unauthorized actions are carried out
on the locked vehicle.
55Unlocking and opening

Sun visorsFig. 59
Sun visor: fold down / pivot to door
Fig. 60
Sun visor: Auxiliary panel fold down / makeup mirror
Sun visors » Fig. 59 , » Fig. 60
Fold down the cover
Swivel cover towards the door
Fold down the auxiliary cover
Make up mirror, the cover can be pushed in the direction of the arrow
Light - turns on automatically when the cover slides open
While sliding the cover
A
or when lifting the cover, the light turns off
B.WARNINGThe sun visors must not be swivelled towards the side windows in the de-
ployment area of the head airbags if any objects are attached to them. Ini-
tiation of the head airbags may cause injury.123ABSun screenFig. 61
Unroll the sun screen
The sun screen is located in the lower part of the boot cover.
Extending
›
Pull the sun screen on the handle
A
» Fig. 61 and hang it in the magnetic
brackets
B
.
Retracting
›
Remove the sun screen from the magnetic brackets
B
and hold it on the
handle
A
so that it can slowly roll up into the housing on the boot cover
without being damaged.
Note
Do not place any objects that react sensitively to influences of magnetic fields
(watches, electronics, etc.) in the immediate vicinity of the magnetic brackets.
They can be damaged by the magnetic field.
Sun screen in the rear doors
Fig. 62
Rear door: Sun screen
Extending
›
Pull out the sun screen with the handle
A
» Fig. 62 and hang it in the brack-
et on the top edge of the door.
76Operation

The mirror will be folded automatically if the following conditions are met.The function is activated via the MAXI DOT display in the menu item Mirror
down » page 47 , Settings .
The knob for the mirror control is in the position for the passenger mirror
adjustment.
The reverse gear is engaged.
The mirror setting was previously stored » page 84, Memory function of
the electrically adjustable seat or » page 84 , Memory function of the re-
mote control key .WARNINGDo not touch the exterior mirror surfaces if the exterior mirror heater is
switched on - risk of burns.
CAUTION
■ The exterior mirrors with fold in function never mechanically fold by hand -
there is a risk of damaging the electric mirror actuator!■
When the mirror is swung by external influences (due to impact during ma-
noeuvring, for example), then first fold-in the mirror by turning the knob and
wait for a loud clapping noise.
Note
■ The mirror heater only operates when the engine is running and up to an
outside temperature of +35 ℃.■
If the electrical mirror setting fails at any time, the mirrors can be adjusted by
hand by pressing on the edge of the mirror surface.
Seats and practical features
Adjusting the seats
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Manually adjusting the front seats
82
Electric front seat adjustment
82
Head restraints
83
Memory function of the electrically adjustable seat
84
Memory function of the remote control key
84
The driver's seat should be adjusted in such a way that the pedals can be fully
pressed to the floor with slightly bent legs.
The seat backrest on the driver's seat should be adjusted in such a way that the upper point of the steering wheel can be easily reached with slightly bent
arms.
Correct adjustment of the seats is particularly important for the following rea-
sons.
› Reaching the controls safely and quickly.
› A relaxed and fatigue-free body position.
› Achieving the maximum protection offered by the seat belts and the airbag
system.
WARNING■ Only adjust the driver's seat when the vehicle is stationary – risk of acci-
dent!■
Caution when adjusting the seat! You may suffer injuries or bruises as a
result of adjusting the seat without paying proper attention.
■
The electric front seat adjustment is also functional when the ignition is
turned off (even with the ignition key removed). Therefore, when leaving
the vehicle, never leave people who are not completely independent, such
as children, unattended in the vehicle - there is a danger of injury!
■
Never carry more people than the number of seats in the vehicle.
■
Do not carry any objects on the front passenger seat except objects de-
signed for this purpose (e.g. child seat) – risk of accident!
81Seats and practical features

Storage compartments in the doorsFig. 81
Storage compartment: in the front door/in the rear door
Read and observe
on page 89 first.
WARNINGUse the storage compartment only for storing objects which do not project
so that the effectiveness of the side airbag is not impaired.
Storage compartment in the front centre console
Fig. 82
Opening the storage compart-
ment
Read and observe on page 89 first.
Open/close
›
Press on the edge of the roof
A
» Fig. 82 in the direction of the arrow.
Closing takes place in reverse order.
WARNINGThe storage compartment must never be used as an ashtray or for the stor-
age of combustible materials - fire hazard and risk of damage to the stor-
age compartment!
Note
The storage compartment is equipped with an interior light which illuminates
when the parking light is on.
Cup holders
Fig. 83
Front centre console: Cup holder
Fig. 84
Rear armrest: Remove cup holder/insert cup holder
Read and observe
on page 89 first.
Two beverage containers can be placed into the cup holder.
Cup holder at the front
On vehicles that are fitted with a cover for cup holders, you can cover the cup
holder by pulling on the handle
A
» Fig. 83 in the direction of the arrow.
90Operation