
●
The air inlet in front of the windscreen must be free of ice, snow or leaves in
order to ensure that the auxiliary heating operates properly.
● So that warm air can flow into the vehicle interior after switching on the auxili-
ary heating, you must maintain the comfort temperature normally selected by you,
leave the fan switched on and leave the air outlet vents in an open position. It is
recommended to put the air flow in the position or .
Direct switching on/off Fig. 93 Button for direct switching on/
off of the auxiliary heating (auxiliary
heating and ventilation) on the operat-
ing part of the air conditioning system
The auxiliary heating (auxiliary heating and ventilation) can be switched on or off
directly with the button on the air conditioning system, Climatronic- or heating
⇒ fig. 93 .
If the auxiliary heating and ventilation is not switched off earlier, it switches off
automatically after the expiration of the set operating period, in the menu Run-
ning time.
Using the system So that the auxiliary heating (auxiliary heating and ventilation)
functions according to your expectations, it is necessary to carry
out the basic setting before its programming.
Basic setting
– On the information display, select in the Main menu the menu point Aux. heat-
ing.
– In the menu Aux. heating select the menu point Day of the wk. and set to-
day's date. –
By selecting the menu point Back, you will reach one level higher in the menu
Aux. Heating.
– In the menu Aux.
heating select the menu point Running time and set the de-
sired operating time in steps of 5 minutes. The running time can be 10 to 60
minutes.
– By selecting the menu point Back, you will reach in the menu Aux. heating.
– In the menu Aux.
heating select the menu point Mode.
– In the menu Mode select the desired mode Heating or Ventilation .
Programming For the programming of the auxiliary heating (auxiliary heating and ventilation) in
the menu Aux. heating there are three pre-set times:
● Starting time 1
● Starting time 2
● Starting time 3
In each pre-set time, the day and the time (hour and minute) can be set for
switching on the auxiliary heating and/or ventilation.
An empty position can be found between Sunday and Monday when selecting the
day. If this empty position is selected, the activation is performed without taking
into account the day.
If you leave the pre-set menu by selecting the menu Back or do not make changes
on the display for longer than 10 seconds, the set values are stored, but the pre-
set time is not active.
Both other pre-set times can be programmed and stored in the same way.
Only one programmed pre-set time can be active.
The last programmed pre-set time remains active.
After the auxiliary heating activates at the set time, it is necessary to pre-set a
time again.
Changing the active pre-set time is carried out after selecting the menu point Ac-
tivate in the menu Aux.
heating by selecting a pre-set time.
The prerequisite for the correct switching on of the auxiliary heating (auxiliary
heating and ventilation) according to the programmed pre-set time is the correct
setting of the current time and the weekday ⇒ page 96. £96
Heating and air conditioning system

If the system is running, a warning light in the button for direct switching on/off
of the auxiliary heating
lights up.
The running system deactivates after expiration of the operating period or is de-
activated earlier by pressing the button for direct switching on/off of the auxiliary
heating ⇒
page 96.
A random pre-set time can be deactivated by selecting the menu point Deactivate
in the menu Activate.
After selecting the menu Factory setting in the menu Aux. heating, it is possible
to return to the factory setting.
Radio remote control The auxiliary heating (auxiliary heating and ventilation) can be
switched on or off with the remote control. Fig. 94 Auxiliary heating: Radio remote control/bottom of the radio remote control with the
battery cover
–
For switching on, press the button ON .
– For switching off, press the button OFF .
The transmitter and the battery are housed in the housing of the remote control.
The receiver is located in the interior of the car.
If the battery is properly charged, the effective range is up to 600
m. For switching
on or off the auxiliary heating, hold the remote control vertically with the antenna A
⇒ fig. 94 towards the top. You must not cover over the antenna with the fin-
gers or the palm of the hand. Obstacles between the radio remote control and the
vehicle, bad weather conditions and a weaker battery can clearly reduce the
range. The auxiliary heating can only be switched on or off with the radio remote control,
if the distance between the radio remote control and the vehicle is at least 2 m.
Warning light in the radio remote control
The warning light in the radio remote control ⇒ fig. 94 indicates after a keystroke
if the remote control signal was received by the auxiliary heating and if the bat-
tery is adequately charged. Display warning light Importance
Lights up green for 2 seconds. The auxiliary heating was switched on.
Lights up red for 2 seconds. The auxiliary heating was switched off.
Slowly flashes green for 2 seconds. The ignition signal was not received.
Quickly flashes green for 2 seconds. The auxiliary heating is blocked, e. g
because the tank is nearly empty or
there is a fault in the auxiliary heating.
Flashes red for 2 seconds. The switch off signal was not received.
Lights up orange for 2 seconds, then
green or red. The battery is weak, however the
switching on or off signal was received.
Lights up orange for 2 seconds, then
flashes green or red. The battery is weak, however the
switching on or off signal was not re-
ceived.
Flashes orange for 5 seconds. The battery is discharged, however the
switching on or off signal was not re-
ceived. CAUTION
There are electronic components in the radio remote control, protect the remote
control against water, severe shocks and direct sun rays.
Changing the battery of the radio remote control If the warning light of the radio remote control indicates a weak or discharged
battery,
⇒ fig. 94 , it must be replaced. The battery is located under a cover on the
back of the radio remote control.
– Insert a flat, blunt object, such as a coin, into the gap of the battery cover, turn
it against the direction of the arrow up to the mark, and unlock the cover
⇒ fig. 94 - right.
– Change the battery, replace the battery cover and lock it by moving it in the
direction of the arrow. £ 97
Heating and air conditioning system Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

For the sake of the environment
Dispose of a used battery in accordance with environmental regulations. Note
● Pay attention to the correct polarity when changing the battery.
● The replacement battery must have the same specification as the original bat-
tery. 98
Heating and air conditioning system

Starting-off and Driving
Setting steering wheel position Fig. 95 Adjustable steering wheel: Lever next to the steering column/safe distance to the
steering wheel
You can set the height and the forward/back position of the steering wheel to the
desired position.
– Adjust the driver seat ⇒ page 61.
– Pull the lever below the steering wheel down ⇒ fig. 95 - left ⇒ .
– Set the steering wheel to the desired position (concerning height and forward/
back position).
– Push the lever upwards as far as the stop. WARNING
● You must not adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving!
● The driver must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the steering wheel
⇒ fig. 95 - right. Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean that the air-
bag system will not be able to properly protect you - hazard!
● For safety reasons the lever must always be firmly pushed up to avoid the
steering wheel altering its position unintentionally when driving - risk of acci-
dent! WARNING (Continued)
● If you adjust the steering wheel further towards the head, you will reduce
the protection offered by the driver airbag in the event of an accident. Check
that the steering wheel is aligned to the chest.
● When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on the outer
edge in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. Never hold the steering wheel
firmly in the 12 o'clock position or in another way (e.g. in the middle of the
steering wheel or at the inner steering wheel edge). In such cases, injuries to
the arms, the hands and the head can occur when the driver airbag is de-
ployed.
Ignition lock Fig. 96 Ignition lock positions
Petrol engines 1 - ignition switched off, engine off, the steering can be locked.
2 - ignition switched on
3 - start engine
Diesel engines 1 - interruption of fuel supply, ignition switched off, engine off, the steering can
be locked.
2 - heating glow plugs on, ignition switched on
● You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heating
period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily. £ 99
Starting-off and Driving Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

CAUTION
● The starter may only be operated (ignition key position 3 ), if the engine is not
running. If the starter is immediately operated after switching off the engine, the
starter or the engine can be damaged.
● Avoid high engine revolutions, full throttle and high engine loads as long as
the engine has not yet reached its normal operating temperature - risk of damag-
ing the engine!
● Do not tow start the engine - danger of damaging the engine. On vehicles with
a catalytic converter, unburnt fuel may get into the catalytic converter where it
may ignite. This in turn may damage or destroy the catalytic converter. You can
use the battery of another vehicle as a jump-start aid ⇒ page 216, Jump-starting
.For the sake of the environment
Never warm up the engine when the vehicle is standing. Drive off right away.
Through this the engine reaches its operating temperature more rapidly and the
pollutant emissions are lower.
Petrol engines These engines are fitted with a starter system which selects the correct fuel-air
mixture for every external air temperature.
●
Do not operate accelerator before and when starting engine.
● Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not start
right awayand wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the attempt.
● It is possible that the fuse on the electrical fuel pump is defect if the engine
still does not start. Check the fuse and replace it if necessary ⇒ page 220.
● Contact the nearest specialist garage to obtain professional assistance.
It may be necessary, if the engine is very hot, to slightly depress the accelerator
after the engine has started.
Diesel engines Glow plug system
Diesel engines are equipped with a glow plug system, the preglow period being
controlled automatically in line with the coolant temperature and outside temper-
ature.
The preglow indicator light comes on after the ignition has been switched on. You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heating
period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
● You should start the engine immediately after the glow plug warning light
has gone out.
● The glow plug warning light will come on for about one 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.
● Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not start
right away and wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the attempt.
● It is possible that the fuse on the diesel preglow system is defect if the engine
still does not start. Check the fuse and replace it if necessary ⇒ page 220.
● Contact the nearest specialist garage to obtain professional assistance.
Starting the engine after the fuel tank has run dry
It may take longer than normal to start the engine after refuelling if the fuel tank
has run completely dry - up to one minute. This is because the fuel system must
first of all be filled while the attempting to start the engine.
Switching off the engine –
The engine can be switched off by turning the ignition key into position 1 ⇒
fig. 96 . WARNING
● Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary - risk of acci-
dent!
● The brake booster only operates when the engine is running. Greater
physical effort for braking is required when engine 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 al-
lowed it to run at idling speed for about 2
minutes. This prevents any accumula-
tion of heat when the engine is switched off. £ 101
Starting-off and Driving Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

The handbrake warning light
lights up when the handbrake is applied, provided
the ignition is on.
A warning signal sounds and the following text appears in the Information display
if you have inadvertently driven off with the handbrake applied:
Release parking brake!
The handbrake warning is activated if you drive at a speed of more than 6 km/h
for more than 3 seconds. WARNING
● Please note that the handbrake must be fully released. A handbrake which
is only partially released can result in the rear brakes overheating which will
have a negative effect on the operation of the brake system - risk of accident!
In addition this can result in premature wear of the rear brake pads.
● Never leave children unattended in the vehicle. The children might, for ex-
ample, release the handbrake or take the vehicle out of gear. The vehicle
might then move off - risk of accident! CAUTION
After the car has come to a stop, always first of all apply the handbrake firmly be-
fore then additionally engaging a gear (manual gearbox) or moving the selector
lever into position P (automatic gearbox).
Rear parking aid The parking aid provides a warning of obstacles behind the vehicle.
Fig. 99 Parking aid: Detection range of
rear sensorsThe audible parking aid determines the distance from the rear bumper to an ob-
stacle behind the car with the aid of ultrasound sensors. The tones of the parking
aid can be adapted in the menu of the Information display
⇒
page 20. The sensors
are integrated in the rear bumper.
Range of sensors
The clearance warning begins at a distance of about 160 cm from the obstacle
(area A ⇒
fig. 99 ). The interval between the warning signals becomes shorter as
the clearance is reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a distance of approx. 30 cm (area B ) - danger
area. You should not reverse any further after this signal sounds! If the vehicle is
equipped with a factory-fitted towing device, the indication threshold of the dan-
ger area starts -
continuous tone - 5 cm further behind the vehicle. The vehicle
can be extended through an installed detachable towing device.
On factory-fitted radio navigation systems and car stereos, the distance to the ob-
struction can also be shown graphically in the display. On vehicles with a factory-
fitted towing device, the rear sensors are deactivated when towing a trailer. The
driver is informed about this by a graphic display (vehicle towing a trailer) in the
radio or the radio navigation display. The factory-fitted radio or navigation system
can be set so that the play function volume decreases when activating the park-
ing aid, see Owner's Manual radio or radio navigation system. As a result, the sig-
nal tones from the parking aid can be better recognised.
Activating
The parking aid is activated automatically when reverse gear is engaged and the
ignition is turned on. This is confirmed by a brief audible signal.
Deactivating
The parking aid is deactivated by removing the reverse gear. £ 103
Starting-off and Driving Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Automatic gearbox DSG
Automatic gearbox DSG
Information for driving with the automatic gearbox DSG The abbreviation DSG means Direct shift gearbox (Direct shift gear-
box).
Two independent clutches are needed for the power transmission between the
engine and the gearbox. These replace the torque converter of the conventional
automatic gearbox. Their shifting is matched in such a way that there are no jerks
when shifting the gear and the power transmission of the engine to the front
wheels is not interrupted. You can also, however, switch the gearbox over into the
Tiptronic mode . This mode makes it possible for you to also shift gears manually
⇒
page 115.
Starting-off and Driving
– Depress the brake pedal fully and keep it depressed.
– Press the Shiftlock button (button in handle of the selector lever), move the
selector lever into the desired position, e.g. D ⇒
page 113, and then release
the Shiftlock button.
– Release the brake pedal and depress the accelerator ⇒
.
Stop
– The selector lever position N does not have to be selected when stopping just
for a short time, such as at a cross roads. It is sufficient to hold the vehicle sta-
tionary using the foot brake. The engine can, however, be allowed just to idle.
Parking
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Press and Shiftlock button in the selector lever, move the selector lever to P
and then release the Shiftlock button.
The engine can only be started when the selector lever is in position P or N . If the
selector lever is not in the P or N positions when locking the steering, switching
the ignition on or off or when leaving the engine on, the following message will appear in the Information display
Move selector lever to position P/N! or, in the
instrument cluster display: P/N. At temperatures below -10 °C the engine can
only be started in the selector lever position P.
It is sufficient to engage selector lever position P when parking on a flat surface.
When parking on a slope you should first apply the handbrake firmly and then
move the selector lever into position P. This is to ensure that there is no excessive
pressure acting on the lock mechanism and that it is easier to subsequently move
the selector lever out of position P. If the selector lever is not in the P positin
when the driver's door is open and the ignition is switched off, or if it is not in the
P position when the ignition is switched off and the driver's door is opened, the
following message will appear in the Information display: Move selector lever to
position P! or, in the instrument cluster display: P. The message disappears af-
ter a few seconds by switching on the ignition or by moving the selector lever into
the position P .
If the selector lever position N is selected by accident while driving it is first nec-
essary to release pressure on the accelerator pedal and wait for idling speed of
the engine to be reached before engaging a drive position in the selector lever. WARNING
● Do not depress the accelerator when changing the position of the selector
lever if the car is stationary and the engine is running - risk of accident!
● Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving - risk of an
accident!
● If you are stopping at a hill (downhill section), never try to hold the car sta-
tionary with the gear engaged by means of the
“accelerator”, this means by
letting the clutch slip. This can lead to overheating of the clutch. If there is a
risk of overheating of the clutch due to overload, the clutch is opened auto-
matically and the vehicle rolls backward - risk of accident!
● If you must stop at a slope, depress and hold the brake pedal, so that you
can prevent the vehicle from rolling back. £112
Automatic gearbox DSG

Note
● All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve prob-
lem-free operation of the ESP. Differing rolling circumferences of the tyres can
lead to an undesirable reduction in the engine output.
● Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or another combi-
nation of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the ESP ⇒
page 207,
Accessories, changes and replacement of parts.
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) The electronic differential lock prevents an individual wheel from
slipping.
General
The EDL makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off, acceler-
ate and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface are unfavoura-
ble.
Operating principle
The EDL is activated automatically, that is without any action on the part of the
driver. It monitors the speeds of the driven wheels with the aid of the ABS sen-
sors. Should only
one drive wheel begin spinning on a slippery surface there will
be an appreciable difference in the speed of the driven wheels. The EDL function
brakes the slipping wheel and the differential transmits a greater driving force to
the other driven wheel. This control process is also accompanied by noises.
Overheating of the brakes
The EDL switches off automatically if unusually severe stresses exist in order to
avoid excessive heat generation in the disc brake on the wheel which is being
braked. The vehicle can continue to be driven and has the same characteristics as
a vehicle not fitted with EDL.
The EDL switches on again automatically as soon as the brake has cooled down.
EDL Off-road
After switching on the Off-road mode ⇒ page 160
, EDL Off-road is activated.
EDS Offroad assists vehicle traction when driving on unfirm ground.
EDL is activated earlier in the Off-road mode than in the normal mode. The brake
pressure builts up more quickly on the slipping wheel, on one axle, as well as diag-
onally. WARNING
● Carefully depress the accelerator when accelerating on uniformly slippery
road surfaces, such as ice and snow. The driven wheels might still spin despite
the EDL and affect the stability of the vehicle - risk of an accident!
● You should always adapt your style of driving to the condition of road sur-
face and to the traffic situation even when your vehicle is fitted with EDL. The
increased safety offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than other-
wise - risk of an accident! Note
● If the ABS or ESP warning light comes on, this may also indicate a fault in the
EDL. Have the vehicle inspected by your specialist garage as soon as you can.
● Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or another combi-
nation of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the EDL ⇒
page 207,
Accessories, changes and replacement of parts.
Traction control system (TCS) The traction control system prevents the driven wheels from spin-
ning when accelerating.
Fig. 138 TCS switch
General
The TCS makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off, acceler-
ate and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface are unfavoura-
ble. £154
Intelligent technology