
car wash, for example, ensure that the ignition is
not switched off accidentally.◀
For example, the ignition is not switched off in
the following situations:
▷
The brake is applied.
▷ The low beams are switched on
Starting the engine
General information Enclosed areas
Do not let the engine run in enclosed
areas; otherwise, breathing of exhaust fumes
may lead to loss of consciousness and death.
The
exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless but highly toxic gas.◀
Unattended vehicle
Do not leave the car unattended with the
engine running; otherwise, it presents a poten‐
tial source of danger.
Before leaving the car with the engine running,
set the parking brake and place the transmission
in position P or neutral to prevent the car from
moving.◀
Frequent starting in quick succession
Avoid repeated futile attempts at starting
the car and avoid starting the car frequently in
quick succession. Otherwise, the fuel is not
burned or is inadequately burned, and there is
the danger of overheating and damaging the
catalytic converter.◀
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right
away, but at moderate engine speeds. Starting the engine
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with Com‐
fort
Access, inside the vehicle, refer to page 37.
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Press the Start/Stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain
time,
and stops automatically as soon as the en‐
gine has started.
Diesel engine
If the engine is cold and temperatures are below
approx. 32 ℉/0 ℃, the start process may be de‐
layed somewhat due to automatic preheating.
A message is displayed.
Engine stop
General information
Take the remote control with you
Take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle so that children, for example,
cannot operate the windows and injure them‐
selves.◀
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.◀ Seite 62
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Driving

Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
Transmission positions
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation. All for‐
ward gears are available.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel con‐
sumption is lowest when you are driving in po‐
sition D.
Kickdown
Kickdown is used to achieve maximum driving
performance. Press on the accelerator beyond
the resistance point at the full throttle position.
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
61, position P is engaged automatically.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The
drive wheels are blocked.
P is engaged automatically as soon as the en‐
gine
is switched off unless N is engaged and, in
vehicles with Comfort Access, the remote con‐
trol is inserted in the ignition lock, refer to
page 61. Before leaving the vehicle, ensure that
the transmission position P is engaged; other‐
wise, the vehicle may begin to roll.
Engaging 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. Press on the brake pedal until you start
driving
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after you
select a driving position, maintain pressure on
the brake pedal until you are ready to start.
◀
Shifting into D, R, N Briefly push the selector lever in the desired di‐
rection, beyond a resistance point if necessary.
When
shifting out of P or into R, simultaneously
push the unlock button 1.
The engaged transmission position is displayed
on the selector lever.
After releasing the selector lever, it returns to its
center position.
Engaging P Press button P.
P
is engaged if the driver's safety belt is unbuck‐
led and the driver's door is opened while the ve‐
hicle is stationary and transmission position R or
D is engaged. Before leaving the vehicle, ensure
that the transmission position P is engaged; oth‐
erwise, the vehicle may begin to roll. Seite 69
69Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500
Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

Driving in wet conditions
When
roads are wet or there is heavy rain, briefly
exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal every
few miles.
Ensure that this action does not endanger other
road users.
The heat generated in this process helps dry the
brake discs and pads.
In this way braking efficiency will be available
when you need it.
Hills
Drive long or steep downhill gradients in the gear
in which the least braking is required. Otherwise,
the brake system may overheat, resulting in a
reduction in the brake system efficiency.
The engine braking action can be further en‐
hanced by shifting down during manual opera‐
tion of the automatic transmission, refer to
page 69, if necessary all the way down to first
gear.
Avoid load on the brakes
Avoid placing excessive load on the brake
system. Light but consistent brake pressure can
lead to high temperatures, brake wear and pos‐
sibly even brake failure.◀
Do not drive in neutral
Do not drive in neutral or with the engine
stopped, as doing so disables engine braking. In
addition, steering and brake assist is unavailable
with the engine stopped.◀
Brake disc corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and contamination
on the brake pads are furthered by:
▷ Low mileage.
▷ Extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all.
▷ Infrequent use of the brakes.
Corrosion occurs when the minimum pressure
that must be exerted by the pads during brake
applications to clean the discs is not reached. Should corrosion form on the brake discs, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating ef‐
fect that generally cannot be corrected.
Condensation
under the parked vehicle
When using the automatic climate control, con‐
densation water develops that exits underneath
the vehicle.
Therefore, traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are normal.
Loading
Overloading the vehicle
To avoid exceeding the approved carrying
capacity of the tires, never overload the vehicle.
Overloading can lead to overheating and in‐
creases the rate at which damage develops in‐
side the tires. This could result in a sudden loss
of tire inflation pressure.◀
No fluids in the cargo area
Make sure that fluids do not leak into the
cargo area; otherwise, the vehicle may be dam‐
aged.◀
Determining the load limit 1.
Locate the following statement on your ve‐
hicle’s placard*:
▷The combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or
YYY lbs. Otherwise, damage to the ve‐ Seite 144
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Things to remember when driving