131
Heating and air conditioning
Heating selection
Recommended settings for the different modes:
SettingsControl positionbutton 1Air vents 4ABC
Windscreen and side window de-
frostClockwise as far as it
will go3Do not switch onOpen and direct towards the side window
Windscreen and side window de-
frostRequired tempera-ture2 or 3 Do not switch onOpen and direct towards the side window
Heat as quickly as possibleClockwise as far as itwill go3Switch on brieflyOpening
Mild heatingRequired tempera- ture2 or 3 Do not switch onOpening
Fresh air mode - blowerAnti-clockwise as faras it will goRequired positionDo not switch onOpening
Note
● Controls A ⇒ Fig. 97 ⇒ page 130, B, C and button 1.
● Air vents 4 ⇒ page 129.
● We recommend you leave the air vents 3 ⇒ page 129 in the open posi-
tion.
Air recirculation
Air recirculation prevents unpleasant smells, e.g. when passing
through a tunnel or in queuing traffic, from entering the interior. Switching on air recirculation mode
–
Press button
1 ⇒ Fig. 97 ⇒ page 130 and the lamp in the
button will light up.
Switching off air recirculation mode
– Press button
1 ⇒ Fig. 97 ⇒ page 130 again and the lamp
in the button will switch off.
If air vent C
⇒ Fig. 97 ⇒
page 130 is in position
, air recirculation
mode switches off automatically. Press the button to switch air recircula-
tion mode back on in this position.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
133
Heating and air conditioning
Switching cooling on and off
– Press button A/C
2 ⇒ Fig. 98 and the lamp in the button will
light up.
– Press the A/C
2 button again and the LED in the button will
switch off.
Note
● If the air distribution is directed towards the windows, all, of the heating
power is used to defrost the windscreen. No warm air is directed to the foot-
well area. This could limit heating comfort.
● The A/C
button lamp lights up after the system has been switched on,
even if not all of the conditions for cooling system operations are met. Cool-
ing is indicated as available once all of the conditions are met ⇒ page 132,
General notes.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
135
Heating and air conditioning
Switching off air recirculation mode
– Press button
1 ⇒ Fig. 98 ⇒ page 132 again and the lamp
in the button will switch off.
If air distribution control C
⇒ Fig. 98 ⇒
page 132 is in position , air recir-
culation mode switches off automatically Press the button to switch air
recirculation mode back on in this position.
WARNING
Never use the air recirculation system for too long, as it prevents fresh air
from entering the vehicle and “used” air can cause tiredness, reduce your
attention span and cause the windows to mist over. This increases the
risk of an accident. Switch off the air recirculation system as soon as the
windows begin to mist over.
Climatronic* (automatic air conditioning) General notes
Climatronic automatically maintains a comfortable temperature. To do so, it
automatically regulates the supplied air temperature and the blower and air
distribution levels. The system also allows for the effect of sunlight, so there
is no need for manual adjustment. Automatic operations ⇒ page 136 guar-
antee maximum comfort any time of year.
Climatronic description
Cooling only works if the following conditions are met:
● The engine is running
● the outside temperature is above +2 °C (+36 °F)
● AC
18 ⇒ Fig. 99 ⇒ page 136 on. In order to ensure engines subject to heavy loads are cooled, the air condi-
tioning compressor is switched off in the event of high coolant tempera-
tures.
Recommended setting for all seasons
●
Set the required temperature, we recommend +22 °C (72 °F).
● Press the AUTO
button 12 ⇒
Fig. 99 ⇒ page 136.
● Adjust vents 3 ⇒ page 129 and 4 so that the air flow is directed slightly
upwards.
Change between degrees Centigrade and degrees Fahrenheit
Keep the AUTO
and AC buttons
⇒ Fig. 99 ⇒ page 136 pressed down at the
same time. The data is displayed on the screen in the units required.
Note
A visit to the specialised service once a year is recommended to clean the
Climatronic system.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
137
Heating and air conditioning
Temperature selection
– When you switch on the ignition, control 1 ⇒ Fig. 99
⇒ page 136 can be used to set the required interior tempera-
ture.
The interior temperature can be adjusted between +18 °C (+64 °F) and
+29 °C (+84 °F). The temperature is regulated automatically within this
range. If a temperature below +18 °C (+64 °F) is selected, “LO” is displayed
on the screen. If a temperature above +29 °C (+84 °F) is selected, “HI” is
displayed on the screen. At both extremes, Climatronic works at maximum
cooling or heating power, respectively. The temperature is not regulated.
In the event of prolonged, irregular distribution of the air flow from the out-
lets (particularly the footwells) and significant differences in temperature,
e.g. on leaving the vehicle, sensitive people may catch a cold.
Air recirculation
Air recirculation prevents unpleasant smells, e.g. when passing
through a tunnel or in queuing traffic, from entering the interior.
Switching on air recirculation mode
– Press button
17 ⇒ Fig. 99 ⇒ page 136 and the
symbol
is displayed on the screen.
Switching off air recirculation mode
– Press button
17 ⇒ Fig. 99 ⇒ page 136 and the
symbol
disappears from the screen.
WARNING
Never use the air recirculation system for too long, as it prevents fresh air
from entering the vehicle and “used” air can cause tiredness, reduce your
attention span and cause the windows to mist over. This increases the
risk of an accident. Switch off the air recirculation system as soon as the
windows begin to mist over.
Note
If air recirculation mode remains on for 15 minutes, the symbol will
start to flash on the screen to indicate prolonged air recirculation. If air recir-
culation is not switched off, the symbol will continue to flash for 5 minutes.
Blower selection
Climatronic automatically regulates the blower speed according to
the interior temperature. It is possible, however, to set the blower
speed to suit requirements.
– Turn rotary control 10
⇒ Fig. 99 ⇒
page 136 anti-clockwise (de-
crease speed) or clockwise (increase speed).
Climatronic will switch off when the blower switches off.
WARNING
● “Used air” can cause tiredness, reduce attention spans and cause the
windows to mist over. This increases the risk of an accident.
● Do not switch off Climatronic for longer than necessary.
● Switch Climatronic back on as soon as the windows begin to mist
over.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
139
Driving
Driving Starting and stopping the engine
Introduction
WARNING
● Never adjust the steering wheel while the vehicle is moving!
● Maintain at least 25 cm distance between the steering wheel and the
upper part of your body 1
⇒ Fig. 100
⇒ page 140. The airbag system
will not be able to give the required protection if the minimum distance is
not observed. This can cause a risk of fatal injury!
● For safety reasons, the steering wheel adjustment lever must always
be pushed securely against the steering column to prevent the steering
wheel from accidentally changing position while driving. Risk of acci-
dent!
● If the steering wheel is adjusted closer to your face, the protective ef-
fect of the driver airbag will be decreased in the event of an accident.
Check that the steering wheel is pointing towards the upper part of your
body.
● When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the
outside part at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. Never hold the
steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, or in any other manner (e.g. in
the centre of the steering wheel). In such cases, if the airbag is triggered,
you may sustain injuries to the arms, hands and head.
● When moving with the engine switched off, the ignition key must al-
ways remain in position 2
⇒ Fig. 101 ⇒
page 141 (ignition on). The
control lamps will light up in this position. Otherwise, the steering lock
could engage suddenly. Risk of accident!
WARNING (Continued)
● Do not remove the key from the ignition until the vehicle has come to
a standstill and is secure (e.g. the handbrake is engaged). Otherwise, the
steering lock could suddenly engage. Risk of accident!
● Always take the ignition key with you when you leave the vehicle.
This is particularly important if you leave children in the vehicle. Children
could start the engine, for example, with the subsequent risk of accident.
● Never leave the engine running in unventilated or closed rooms. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an odourless and colourless
poisonous gas. Risk of fatal accidents! Carbon monoxide can cause peo-
ple to lose consciousness and can cause death.
● Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running.
● Never switch the engine off until the vehicle is stationary. Risk of ac-
cident!
CAUTION
● Turning the steering wheel fully in either direction when the vehicle is
stationary and the engine in gear puts the power steering under great
stress. This could lead to noise. Never leave the steering wheel turned fully
in either direction for more than 15 seconds. Risk of damage to the power
steering system!
● The starter motor may only be used (key position 3
⇒ Fig. 101
⇒ page 141 in the ignition) if the engine is off. Using the starter motor
when the engine is running could cause damage.
● Immediately release the ignition key when the engine starts, otherwise
damage could be caused to the starter motor.
● When the engine is cold, you should avoid high engine speeds, driving
at full throttle and over-loading the engine before it reaches operating tem-
perature. Risk of engine damage!
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
141
Driving
Start-up lock security system (immobiliser)
There is an electronic chip in the key. The electronic immobiliser is deactiva-
ted when the key is inserted into the ignition. The electronic immobiliser is
automatically activated when the key is removed from the ignition.
The engine will not start if an unauthorised key is used.
The informative display indicates: Immobiliser active!
Ignition lock
Fig. 101 Ignition key po-
sitions
Petrol engines 1
– Ignition switched off, engine stopped, steering can be locked
2
– Ignition switched on
3
– Starting Diesel engines
1
– Fuel supply stopped, ignition switched off, engine stopped,
steering can be locked
2
– Engine pre-heating, ignition switched on
3
– Starting
To engage the Steering lock without the key in the ignition, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly until it engages
If the steering lock is engaged and it is difficult or impossible to turn the key
to position 2
, release the lock by turning the steering wheel slightly in
both directions.
Starting the engine
Vehicles with a diesel engine are equipped with a glow plug system. When
you switch on the ignition, the glow plug warning lamp will light up. The
engine can be started straight away when the lamp switches off.
Do not connect electrical appliances during preheating so as not the drain
the vehicle battery unnecessarily.
Starting the engine
● Move the gearbox lever into neutral or move the selector lever to posi-
tion P or N and pull firmly on the handbrake.
● Press the clutch pedal all the way down 2
⇒ Fig. 101 ⇒ page 141 and
start the engine 3 – without pressing the accelerator. Keep the clutch ped-
al pressed down until the engine starts.
● Release the ignition key as soon as the engine starts. The key returns to
position 2
.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
143
Driving
● Vehicle modifications (e.g. to the engine, brakes, frame or a combina-
tion of wheels and tyres) could impair the brake assist systems
⇒ page 204, Accessories, modifications and spare parts.
● In the event of a fault in the ABS system, the ESC, ASR and EDL are
switched off automatically. A fault in the ABS is indicated by the
⇒ page 73 warning lamp.
Brakes
Wear
The rate of wear of the brake pads depends on the driving style and on the
way in which the vehicle is used. The brake pads will wear more quickly if
you use your vehicle frequently in urban traffic and short trips or drive in a
sporty style. Under these demanding conditions, visit your specialised serv-
ice, even before the scheduled service date, so that the thickness of the
brake pads can be measured.
Wet roads or road salt
If brakes are wet or frozen, or if you are driving on roads which have been
gritted with salt, braking power may set in later than normal. Dry the brakes
as soon as possible by braking repeatedly.
Corrosion
Long periods of inactivity and little use can lead to rust on the brake discs
and dirt on the brake pads. Where the brake system is subjected to light
stress or in the case of corrosion, clean the brake discs by braking fully sev-
eral times at a high speed.
Brake system fault
If you notice that the braking distance suddenly increases and the brake
pedal can be pressed down more fully, there may be a fault in the brake sys-
tem. Visit a specialised service immediately and adjust your driving style to
the extent of the damage and to limit the effect of the brakes. Low brake fluid level
Insufficient brake fluid could cause faults in the brake system. The brake flu-
id level is controlled electronically
⇒ page 70, Brake system .
Brake servo
The brake servo supplements the pressure you exert on the brake pedal.
The brake servo only works when the engine is running.
Handbrake
Fig. 102 Centre console:
handbrake
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up all the way.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and press the unlock button
at the same time ⇒ Fig. 102.
– Keep the button pressed down and push the lever all the way
down.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
145
Driving
The HHC is activated on gradients of over 5 %, as the driver door is closed.
It only works to start on hills, moving both forwards and in reverse. It is not
activated during start-up down hill.
Anti-lock system (ABS)
The ABS system prevents the wheels locking during braking. This helps the
driver keep control of the vehicle.
The driver is made aware of ABS assistance by the pulsating of the brake
pedal and a characteristic noise.
Keep the brake pedal pressed down while the ABS is working. The ABS will
switch off when the brake pedal is released. Never brake intermittently
while the ABS is working!
Traction control system (ASR)
If the wheels start to slide, the ASR adapts the engine speed to the driving
conditions. Particularly in unfavourable conditions, ASR helps starting, ac-
celerating and hill starts.
The 1)
warning lamp in the general instrument panel flashes when the
system is working. Electronic differential lock
If one of the wheels starts to skid, the EDL brakes that wheel, transmitting
the driving force to the other wheels. This increases vehicle stability and im-
proves driving stability.
To prevent the disc brake of the braking wheel from overheating, the EDL
cuts out automatically if subjected to excessive loads. The vehicle will con-
tinue to function normally without EDL. The EDL will switch on again auto-
matically when the brake has cooled down.
Manual gearbox
Fig. 104 Gear shift pat-
tern of a 5 or 6-speed
manual gearbox
When changing gear, always depress the clutch pedal fully and keep it
pressed down to avoid excessive clutch wear.
In order to drive at an optimum RPM, respect the gear change indications
⇒ page 60.
1)
Valid for vehicles not fitted with the stability control system (ESC).
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications