Set the parking brake and further secure
the vehicle as required
Set the parking brake firmly when parking; oth‐
erwise, the vehicle could roll. On steep upward
and downward inclines, further secure the vehi‐
cle, for example, by turning the steering wheel in
the direction of the curb. ◀
Before driving into a car wash
In order for the vehicle to be able to roll into a car
wash, heed the information regarding Washing
in automatic car washes, refer to page 273.
Manual transmission
Switching off the engine1.With the vehicle at a standstill, press the
Start/Stop button.2.Shift into first gear or reverse.3.Set the parking brake.
Automatic-Transmission
Switching off the engine
1.Engage transmission position P with the ve‐
hicle stopped.2.Press the Start/Stop button.
The engine is switched off.
The radio ready state is switched on.3.Set the parking brake.
Automatic Engine Start/Stop
Function
The concept
The automatic engine start-stop function helps
save fuel. The system switches off the engine
during a stop, e. g., in a traffic congestion or at
traffic lights. The ignition remains switched on.
The engine starts again automatically for driving
off.
Automatic mode
The automatic engine start/stop function is op‐
erational after each engine start.
The function is activated above a certain speed.▷Automatic transmission: from 5 mph, ap‐
prox. 9 km/h.
Engine stop
The engine is switched off automatically during
a stop under the following conditions:
Automatic transmission:
▷The selector lever is in transmission position
D.▷The brake pedal remains pressed while the
vehicle is stationary or the vehicle is held by
Automatic Hold.▷The driver's safety belt is buckled or the
driver's door is closed.
The air volume of the air conditioner is reduced
when the engine is switched off.
Display in the instrument cluster The display indicates that the Au‐
tomatic Engine Start/Stop Func‐
tion is ready for an automatic en‐
gine start.
Note
The engine is not switched off automatically in
the following situations:
▷External temperature below approx. +37 ℉/
+3 ℃.▷External temperature above approx. +95 ℉/
+35 ℃ and the automatic climate control is
operating.▷The passenger compartment has not yet
been heated or cooled to the required level.▷The engine is not yet at operating tempera‐
ture.▷The wheels are at a sharp angle or the steer‐
ing wheel is being turned.Seite 59DrivingControls59
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 971 - 09 11 490
Press the button.▷LED comes on: Auto Start Stop function is
deactivated.
The engine is started during an automatic
engine stop.
The engine can only be stopped or started
via the Start/Stop button.▷LED goes out: Auto Start Stop function is
activated.
Switching off the vehicle during an
automatic engine stop
During an automatic engine stop, the vehicle
can be switched off permanently, e.g., when
leaving it.
1.Press the Start/Stop button. The ignition is
switched off. The Automatic Engine Start/
Stop Function is deactivated.
Automatic transmission: the transmission
position P is engaged automatically.2.Set the parking brake.
Engine start as usual via Start-/Stop button.
Automatic deactivation
In certain situations, the Automatic Engine Start/
Stop Function is deactivated automatically for
safety reasons, such as when the driver is de‐
tected to be absent.
Malfunction
The automatic engine start/stop function no lon‐
ger switches of the engine automatically. A
Check Control message is displayed. It is pos‐
sible to continue driving. Have the system
checked.
Parking brake
The concept
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre‐
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it
brakes the rear wheels.
Setting
Pull the switch.
The LED lights up.
The indicator lamp lights up in red. The
parking brake is set.
Lower lamp: indicator lamp in Canadian
models
Set the parking brake and further secure
the vehicle as required
Set the parking brake firmly when parking; oth‐
erwise, the vehicle could roll. On steep upward
and downward inclines, further secure the vehi‐
cle, for example, by turning the steering wheel in
the direction of the curb. ◀
While driving
Use while driving serves as an emergency brak‐
ing function:
Pull the switch and hold it. The vehicle brakes
hard while the button is being pulled.
Seite 61DrivingControls61
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 971 - 09 11 490
The indicator lamp lights up in red, a sig‐
nal sounds and the brake lamps light up.
Lower lamp: indicator lamp in Canadian
models
If the vehicle is braked to a speed of approx.
2 mph/3 km/h, the parking brake remains set.
Releasing
With the ignition switched on:
Manual transmission: Press the switch
while the brake or clutch is pressed.
Automatic transmission: Press the switch while
the brake is pressed or transmission position P
is engaged.
The LED and indicator lamp go out.
The parking brake is released.
Automatic Release in cars with
automatic transmission
For automatic release, operate the accelerator
pedal.
The LED and indicator lamp go out.
Subject to the following requirements, the park‐
ing brake is automatically released by operation
of the accelerator pedal:▷Engine on.▷Drive position engaged.▷Driver buckled in and doors closed.
Inadvertent operation of the accelerator
pedal
Make sure that the accelerator pedal is not op‐
erated unintentionally; otherwise, the vehicle is
set in motion and there is a risk of an accident. ◀
Automatic Hold
The concept
This system assists the driver by automatically
setting and releasing the brake, such as when
moving in stop-and-go traffic.
The vehicle is automatically held in place when
it is stationary.
On inclines, the system prevents the vehicle
from rolling backward when driving away.
For your safety
Under the following conditions, Automatic Hold
is automatically deactivated and the parking
brake is set:
▷The engine is switched off.▷A door is opened and driver's safety belt is
unbuckled while the vehicle is stationary.▷The moving vehicle is brought to a standstill
using the parking brake.
The indicator lamp switches from green
to red and the letters AUTO H go out.
Lower lamp: indicator lamp in Canadian
models
Leaving the vehicle with the engine run‐
ning
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run‐
ning, engage position P of the automatic trans‐
mission and ensure that the parking brake is set.
Otherwise, the vehicle may begin to roll.◀
Activating
This function can be activated when the driver's
door is closed and the safety belt is fastened, or
while driving.
Press the button.
Seite 62ControlsDriving62
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 971 - 09 11 490
Rain sensor
The concept
The time between wipes is controlled automat‐
ically and depends on the intensity of the rainfall.
The sensor is located on the windshield, directly
in front of the interior rearview mirror.
Activating/deactivating the rain sensor
Press the button on the wiper lever.
When activated, the wipers move over the wind‐
shield once.
The LED in the steering column stalk lights up.
Deactivate the rain sensor in car washes
Deactivate the rain sensor when passing
through an automatic car wash; otherwise, dam‐
age could be caused by undesired wiper activa‐
tion.◀
Rain sensor sensitivity
Turn the thumbwheel.
Clean the windshield, headlamps
Pull the lever.
The system sprays washer fluid on the wind‐
shield and activates the wipers briefly.
In addition, the headlamps are cleaned at regular
intervals when the vehicle lights are switched
on.
Do not use the washer system at freezing
temperatures
Do not use the washers if there is any danger
that the fluid will freeze on the windshield; oth‐
erwise, your vision could be obscured. For this
reason, use antifreeze.
Avoid using the washer when the reservoir is
empty; otherwise, you could damage the
pump.◀
Windshield washer nozzles
The washer jets are automatically heated when‐
ever the ignition is switched on.
Fold-out position of the wipers
Required when changing the wiper blades or
under frosty conditions, for example.
1.Switch off the ignition.2.Under frosty conditions, ensure that the
wiper blades are not frozen onto the wind‐
shield.3.Press the wiper lever up beyond the point of
resistance and hold it for approx. 3 seconds,
until the wiper remains in a nearly vertical
position.Seite 65DrivingControls65
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 971 - 09 11 490
After the wipers are folded back down, the wiper
system must be reactivated.
Fold the wipers back down
Before switching the ignition on, fold the
wipers back down to the windshield; otherwise,
the wipers may become damaged when they are
switched on.◀1.Switch on the ignition.2.Press the wiper levers down. The wipers
move to their resting position and are ready
for operation.
Washer fluid
General information Antifreeze for washer fluid
Antifreeze is flammable. Therefore, keep
it away from sources of ignition.
Only keep it in the closed original container and
inaccessible to children.
Follow the instructions on the container.◀
Washer fluid reservoir Adding washer fluid
Only add washer fluid when the engine is
cool, and then close the cover completely to
avoid contact between the washer fluid and hot
engine parts.
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 57, position P is engaged automatically.Seite 66ControlsDriving66
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 971 - 09 11 490
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 58, or if the
ignition is switched off, refer to page 57, 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.
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.
Seite 67DrivingControls67
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 971 - 09 11 490
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 signalParking brakeParking brake in Canadian modelsAutomatic HoldFront fog lampsHigh beamsHigh-beam AssistantParking lamps, headlamp controlActive Cruise ControlVehicle detection, Active Cruise
ControlCruise controlLane departure warningSymbolFunction or systemDSC Dynamic Stability ControlDSC Dynamic Stability Control or
DTC Dynamic Traction ControlTire Pressure Monitor
Flat Tire MonitorSafety beltsAirbag systemSteering systemEmissionsEmissions in Canadian modelsBrake systemBrake system in Canadian modelsAntilock Brake System ABSAntilock Brake System ABS in Cana‐
dian modelsAt least one Check Control message
is displayed or is stored
Text messages
Text messages in combination with a symbol in
the instrument cluster explain a Check Control
Seite 71DisplaysControls71
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 971 - 09 11 490
message and the meaning of the indicator and
warning lamps.
Supplementary text messages
Addition information, such as on the cause of a
fault or the required action, can be called up via
Check Control.
The supplementary text of urgent messages is
displayed on the Control Display automatically.
Symbols
Depending on the Check Control message, the
following functions can be selected.▷ "Owner's Manual"
Display additional information about the
Check Control message in the integrated
owner's manual.▷ "Service request"
Contact the service partner.▷ "Roadside Assistance"
Contact Roadside Assistance.
Hiding Check Control messages
Press the computer button on the turn signal
lever.
▷Some Check Control messages are dis‐
played continuously and are not cleared un‐
til the malfunction is eliminated. If several
malfunctions occur at once, the messages
are displayed consecutively.
These messages can be hidden for approx.
8 seconds. After this time, they are dis‐
played again automatically.▷Other Check Control messages are hidden
automatically after approx. 20 seconds.
They are stored and can be displayed again
later.
Displaying stored Check Control
messages
1."Vehicle Info"2."Vehicle status"3. "Check Control"4.Select the text message.
Messages after trip completion
Special messages that are displayed during
driving are displayed again after the ignition is
switched off.
Fuel gauge The vehicle inclination may
cause the display to vary.
Notes on refueling, refer to
page 242.
Tachometer Always avoid engine speeds in
the red warning field. In this
range, the fuel supply is inter‐
rupted to protect the engine.
Engine oil temperature
▷Cold engine: the pointer is at
the low temperature end.
Drive at moderate engine and
vehicle speeds.▷Normal operating tempera‐
ture: the pointer is in the mid‐
dle or in the left half of the
temperature display.Seite 72ControlsDisplays72
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 971 - 09 11 490