NotesUse while driving
If on a rare occasion it is necessary to use
the parking brake while driving, do not use ex‐
cessive force when applying it. When using it,
keep the button on the lever depressed.
Otherwise, using excessive force when applying
the parking brake may cause the rear wheels to
lock, resulting in fishtailing.◀
To prevent corrosion and braking control on one
side only, lightly apply the parking brake period‐
ically while coasting, if traffic conditions permit.
The brake lamps will not light up if the parking
brake is engaged.
Turn signal, high beams,
headlamp flasher
Turn signal Do not fold in the exterior mirrors
During driving and during the operation of
the turn signals/warning flashers, do not fold in
the exterior mirror, or else the additional flasher
lights in the exterior mirror do not have the pre‐
scribed position and can only be poorly de‐
tected.◀
Using turn signals
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
To switch off manually, press the lever to the re‐
sistance point.
Unusually rapid flashing of the indicator lamp in‐
dicates that a turn signal bulb has failed.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever to the resistance point.
The turn signal flashes three times.
The function can be activated or deactivated:1."Settings"2."Lighting"3."Triple turn signal"
Signaling briefly
Press the lever to the resistance point and hold
it there for as long as you want the turn signal to
flash.
High beams, headlamp flasher
▷High beams, arrow 1.▷Headlamp flasher, arrow 2.Seite 64ControlsDriving64
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490
Otherwise, there is the danger of fire and a risk
to personal safety if the fluid is spilled.◀
All washer nozzles are supplied from one reser‐
voir.
Fill with water and – if required – with a washer
antifreeze, according to the manufacturer's rec‐
ommendations.
Mix the washer fluid before adding to maintain
the correct mixing ratio.
Manual transmission
Shifting Shifting into 5th or 6th gear
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, push
the gearshift lever to the right; otherwise inad‐
vertent shifting into the 3rd or 4th gear could
lead to engine damage.◀
Reverse gear
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. When
the gearshift lever is pressed to the left, a slight
resistance needs to be overcome.
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
Transmission positions
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation. All for‐
ward gears are available.
R is Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N is Neutral
Use in automatic car washes, for example. The
vehicle can roll.
When the ignition is switched off, refer to
page 59, position P is engaged automatically.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The
drive wheels are blocked.
P is engaged automatically:▷After the engine is switched off, if the car is
in radio ready state, refer to page 60, or if the
ignition is switched off, refer to page 59, and
if position R or D is engaged.▷With the ignition is off, if position N is en‐
gaged.▷If the safety belt is unbuckled, the driver's
door is opened, and the brake pedal is not
pressed while the vehicle is stationary and
transmission position R or D is engaged.
Before exiting the vehicle, make sure that posi‐
tion P of the automatic transmission is engaged.
Otherwise, the vehicle may begin to roll.
Kickdown
Kickdown is used to achieve maximum driving
performance. Press on the gas pedal beyond the
resistance point at the full throttle position.
Engaging the transmission position
▷Transmission position P can only be disen‐
gaged if the engine is running and the brake
pedal is pressed.▷With the vehicle stationary, press on the
brake pedal before shifting out of P or N;
otherwise, the shift command will not be
executed: shift lock.Seite 67DrivingControls67
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490
Depress the brake until you start driv‐
ing
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after
you select a driving position, maintain pres‐
sure on the brake pedal until you are ready
to start.◀
Engaging D, R and N
Briefly push the selector lever in the desired di‐
rection, beyond a resistance point if necessary.
After releasing the selector lever, it returns to its
center position.
Press unlock button, in order to:
▷Engage R.▷Shift out of P.Engaging P
Press button P.
Sport program DS and manual mode M/
S
Activating sport program DS
Push the selector lever to the left out of trans‐
mission position D.
DS is displayed in the instrument cluster.
The sport program of the transmission is acti‐
vated.
Activating the M/S manual mode
Push the selector lever to the left out of trans‐
mission position D.
Push the selector lever forward or backward.
Manual mode becomes active and the gear is
changed.
The engaged gear is displayed in the instrument
cluster, e.g., M1.
▷To shift down: press the selector lever for‐
ward.▷To shift up: pull the selector lever rearwards.Seite 68ControlsDriving68
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490
Several of the lamps are checked for proper
functioning and light up temporarily when the
engine is started or the ignition is switched on.
Overview: indicator/warning lampsSymbolFunction or systemTurn signalFront fog lampsRear fog lampHigh beamsHigh-beam AssistantParking lamps, headlamp controlActive Cruise ControlVehicle detection, Active Cruise
ControlCollision warningAdjustable speed limitCruise controlLane departure warningSymbolFunction or systemDSC Dynamic Stability ControlDSC Dynamic Stability Control is de‐
activated or DTC Dynamic Traction
Control is activatedTire Pressure Monitor
Flat Tire MonitorSafety beltsAirbag systemSteering systemEmissionsParking brake
Brake systemIn Canadian models
Parking brake
Brake systemAntilock Brake System ABSAntilock Brake System ABS in Cana‐
dian modelsAt least one Check Control message
is displayed or is stored (symbol in
display)
Text messages
Text messages in combination with a symbol in
the instrument cluster explain a Check Control
message and the meaning of the indicator and
warning lamps.
Seite 74ControlsDisplays74
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490
LampsVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
At a glance1Rear fog lamps2Front fog lamps3Automatic headlamp control / Adaptive
Light Control / high-beam Assistant / wel‐
come lamps / daytime running lights4Lamps off / daytime running lights5Parking lamps / daytime running lights6Low beams / welcome lamps / High-beam
Assistant7Headlamp range control8Instrument lighting
Parking lamps/low beams,
headlamp control
General information
Switch position: 0,
If the driver door is opened with the ignition
switched off, the exterior lighting is automati‐
cally switched off at these switch settings:
Parking lamps
Switch position
: the vehicle lamps light
up on all sides, e.g., for parking.
Do not use the parking lamps for extended pe‐
riods; otherwise, the battery may become dis‐
charged and it would then be impossible to start
the engine.
When parking, it is preferable to switch on the
one-sided roadside parking lamps, refer to
page 87.
Low beams
Switch position
with the ignition switched
on: the low beams light up.
Welcome lamps
When parking the vehicle, leave the switch in
position
or : the parking and interior
lamps light up briefly when the vehicle is un‐
locked.
Activating/deactivating
1."Settings"2."Lighting"3."Welcome light"
The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Seite 86ControlsLamps86
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490
Interior lamps
General information
The interior lamps, footwell lamps, entry lamps
and courtesy lamps are controlled automati‐
cally.
The brightness of some of these lamps is influ‐
enced by the thumbwheel for the instrument
lighting.1Interior lamps2Reading lamp
Switching the interior lamps on and off
Press the button.
To switch off permanently: press the button for
approx. 3 seconds.
Switch back on: press button.
Reading lamps Press the button.
Reading lamps are located at the front and rear
next to the interior lamps.
With the interior lamps shut off, the reading
lamps cannot be switched on.
Ambient light
Depending on the equipment, the lighting can
be individually adjusted in the interior for some
lights.
Selecting color scheme1."Settings"2."Lighting"3."Ambient:"4.Select the desired setting.
If the color scheme of the line is selected and the
welcome lamps are activated, the welcome
lamps are displayed in color when unlocking the
vehicle.
Setting the brightness
The brightness of the ambient light can be ad‐
justed via the thumbwheel for the instrument
lighting but also independently of it.
1."Settings"2."Lighting"3."Brightness"4.Adjust the brightness.Seite 90ControlsLamps90
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490
Protective action
Airbags are not triggered in every impact situa‐
tion, e.g., in less severe accidents or rear-end
collisions.
Information on how to ensure the optimal
protective effect of the airbags▷Keep at a distance from the airbags.▷Always grasp the steering wheel on the
steering wheel rim, holding your hands at
the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, to keep
the danger of injury to your hands or arms as
low as possible if the airbag is triggered.▷There should be no people, animals, or ob‐
jects between an airbag and a person.▷Do not use the cover of the front airbag on
the front passenger side as a storage area.▷Keep the dashboard and window on the
front passenger side clear, i.e., do not cover
with adhesive labels or coverings, and do not
attach holders such as for navigation instru‐
ments and mobile phones.▷Make sure that the front passenger is sitting
correctly, i.e., keeps his or her feet and legs
in the footwell; otherwise, leg injuries can
occur if the front airbag is triggered.▷Do not place slip covers, seat cushions or
other objects on the front passenger seat
that are not approved specifically for seats
with integrated side airbags.▷Do not hang pieces of clothing, such as jack‐
ets, over the backrests.▷Make sure that occupants keep their heads
away from the side airbag and do not rest
against the head airbag; otherwise, injuries
can occur if the airbags are triggered.▷Do not remove the airbag restraint system.▷Do not remove the steering wheel.▷Do not apply adhesive materials to the air‐
bag cover panels, cover them or modify
them in any way.▷Never modify either the individual compo‐
nents or the wiring in the airbag system. This
also applies to steering wheel covers, the
dashboard, the seats, the roof pillars and the
sides of the headliner.◀
Even when all instructions are followed closely,
injury from contact with the airbags cannot be
ruled out in certain situations.
The ignition and inflation noise may lead to
short-term and, in most cases, temporary hear‐
ing impairment in sensitive individuals.
In the case of a malfunction, deactivation
and after triggering of the airbags
Do not touch the individual components imme‐
diately after the system has been triggered; oth‐
erwise, there is the danger of burns.
Only have the airbags checked, repaired or dis‐
mantled and the airbag generator scrapped by
your service center or a workshop that has the
necessary authorization for handling explosives.
Non-professional attempts to service the sys‐
tem could lead to failure in an emergency or un‐
desired triggering of the airbag, either of which
could result in injury.◀
Warnings and information on the airbags are
also found on the sun visors.
Functional readiness of the airbag
system
When the ignition is switch on, the warn‐
ing lamp in the instrument cluster lights
up briefly and thereby indicates the op‐
erational readiness of the entire airbag system
and the belt tensioner.
Airbag system malfunctioning
▷Warning lamp does not come on when the
ignition is turned on.▷The warning lamp lights up continuously.Seite 92ControlsSafety92
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490
Driving stability control systemsVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during brak‐
ing.
The vehicle remains steerable even during full
brake applications, thus increasing active
safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the en‐
gine.
Brake assistant
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost. It thus helps to achieve the shortest
possible braking distance during full braking.
This system utilizes all of the benefits provided
by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the full braking.
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control
The concept
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels
when driving away and accelerating.
DSC also recognizes unstable vehicle condi‐
tions, such as fishtailing or nose-diving. Subjectto physical limits, DSC helps to keep the vehicle
on a steady course by reducing engine speed
and by applying brakes at individual wheels.
Adjust your driving style to the situation
An appropriate driving style is always the
responsibility of the driver.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, even
with DSC.
Therefore, do not reduce the additional safety
margin by driving in a risky manner.◀
Indicator/warning lamps The indicator lamp flashes: DSC con‐
trols the drive forces and brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC has
failed.
Deactivating DSC: DSC OFF
When DSC is deactivated, driving stability is re‐
duced during acceleration and when driving in
bends.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Deactivating DSC Press and hold the button, but not lon‐
ger than approx. 10 seconds, until the
indicator lamp for DSC OFF lights up in the in‐
strument cluster and DSC OFF is displayed.
The DSC system is switched off.
Activating DSC Press the button.
DSC OFF and the DSC OFF indicator
lamp go out.Seite 104ControlsDriving stability control systems104
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490