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155
Driving
The selector lever lock is released as follows:
– Switch the ignition on.
– Hold the brake pedal pressed down and at the same time, hold
the selector lever lock on the left of the selector lever also
pressed down.
The warning lamp on the instrument panel lights up when the brake ped-
al should be applied. This is essential when the selector lever is taken from
the P or N positions.
The selector lever lock only works if the vehicle is stationary or driving at
speeds up to 5 km/h (3 mph). At higher speeds the selector lever lock is
automatically unlocked in the N position.
The selector lever lock is not engaged if the selector lever is moved quickly
through position N (e.g. when shifting from R to D). This makes it possible,
for instance, to “rock” the vehicle backwards and forwards if it is stuck in
snow or mud. The selector lever lock engages automatically if the brake
pedal is not depressed and the lever is in position N for more than about
1second. Driving a car with an automatic gearbox
The gearbox changes gear ratios automatically as the vehi-
cle moves.
Fig. 115 Automatic gear-
box
Starting
– Start the engine with the selector lever in position P or N.
Driving
– Hold the brake pedal pressed down.
– By holding the lock button (button on the left in the selector lev-
er), select R, or D.
– Release the lever and wait a little for the gearbox to engage the
gear (a slight movement can be felt).
– Release the brake and press the accelerator ⇒
.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
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156Driving
Stopping briefly
–If stopping for a short time, keep the vehicle stationary by
pressing the foot brake hard to prevent the vehicle moving
backwards on a slope or “creeping” forwards, e.g. at traffic
lights. The selector lever does not need to be put into the posi-
tions P or N.
– Do not press the accelerator.
Parking
– Press and hold the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a
standstill ⇒
.
– Apply the handbrake.
– By pressing the lock button down, move the selector lever to P
and release the lock button.
Driving up and down hills
– Press the selector lever from position “D” to the right into the
tiptronic selector gate.
– Lightly press the selector lever back to change down.
Holding the car on a hill
– The brake must be always pressed down to prevent the vehicle
from “rolling backwards” ⇒
. Do not try to prevent the vehicle
from rolling backwards by increasing the engine speed while a
range of gears is selected.
Starting the vehicle up hills
– Apply the handbrake. –
With a selected gear, accelerate slowly and at the same time,
release the handbrake.
The steeper the slope, the lower the needed gear. This increases the brak-
ing effect of the engine. For example, when driving down a very steep slope
in third gear. If the engine brake effect is not enough, the vehicle will speed
up. The automatic gearbox automatically changes up to prevent the engine
over-revving. Use the foot brake to reduce speed and change into third gear
again using Tiptronic* ⇒
.
Your vehicle has an automatic interlock which prevents the selector lever
from being put into a position for driving forwards or in reverse from posi-
tions P or N if the brake pedal is not depressed.
The ignition key cannot be removed unless the selector lever is in position
P.
Control lamp “Pressing brake pedal”
When the warning lamp next to the selector lever lights up, press the brake
pedal. This is necessary when the automatic gearbox selector lever is
moved out of positions P or N. At the same time, a text message or the in-
structions to perform necessary operations may appear on the instrument
panel.
WARNING
● As a driver, you should never leave your vehicle if the engine is run-
ning and a gear is engaged. If you have to leave your vehicle while the
engine is running, you must apply the parking brake and put the selector
lever in position P.
● If the engine is running and D or R are engaged, you will need to hold
vehicle stopped by depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle would keep
on creeping forward as the power transmission is not fully interrupted
even when the engine is idling.
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159
Driving
Selector lever positions
The selected gear is displayed on the side of the selector lever and on the
instrument panel display. The currently selected gear for the automatic
gearbox will also be shown on the display.
Tiptronic gear indicator
If the automatic gearbox is shifted manually, the selected gears are shown
on the screen.
P - parking lock
When the selector lever is in this position, the driven wheels are locked me-
chanically.
Position P on the lever must only be selected if the vehicle is stationary.
To move selector lever from position P, the locking button on the selector
lever handle must be pressed and the brake pedal depressed at the same
time while the ignition is switched on.
To put the selector lever in position P, simply press the lock button down
and, if necessary, depress the brake pedal down.
R - Reverse gear
The reverse gear is engaged in this position.
Reverse gear must be engaged only when the vehicle is stationary and the
engine is idling.
To move the selector lever to position R, press the lock button down and, at
the same time, press the brake pedal down, with the ignition switched on.
With the selector lever in position R and the ignition switched on the follow-
ing occurs:
● Reverse lights light up.
● The air conditioner automatically changes the air recirculation mode. ●
The wiper starts if the windscreen washer is on.
● The parking distance warning system switches on.*
N - Neutral (idling)
If this position is selected, the gearbox is in neutral. Power is not transmit-
ted to the wheels and the engine does not have a braking function.
Never use the N position to drive down a hill. The engine does not function
as a brake and the brakes are subjected to excessive stain.
You could damage the automatic gearbox if you drive down hills with the
gearbox lever in position N and the engine switched off.
D - Drive (forward)
In this position the gearbox automatically changes to a lower or higher gear,
according to the engine's requirements, the driving style and speed. The
braking effect of the engine when driving downhill is very limited when the
selector is in this position. The instrument panel display shows the selected
gear as well as the selector lever in position D.
If position N has been selected and you wish to select D, you must press the
foot brake if the vehicle is stationary, or travelling at under 5 km/h (3 mph).
S - Standard driving position (Sport programme)
When the selector lever is in position S, it will automatically change up into
a higher gear later, and change down into a low gear, if compared with posi-
tion D. This way, it is possible to take full advantage of the engine reserve
power, depending on the engine demand, driving style and speed. The
braking effect of the engine when driving downhill is very limited. On the
instrument panel display the selected gear is shown as well as the selector
lever to position S.
To select gear range S, press the lock button on the selector lever.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications