
OperationFig. 79
The air conditioning system: Control elements
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn- ings
on page 80.
Functions of the individual controls » Fig. 79 .
Set the temperature (turn to the left to reduce the temperature: turn to the right to increase temperature)
Set the blower level (level 0: blower off, level 4: the highest blower speed)
Set the direction of the air outlet » page 77
Recirculating air operation on/off » page 82
Switch cooling system on/off
Note
The warning light in the button lights after activation, even if not all of the con-
ditions for the function of the cooling system are met » page 80. The operational
readiness of the cooling system is indicated by the indicator light in the button
lighting up.
ABC81Heating and air conditioning

Setting the air conditioning systemFirst read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings
on page 80.
Recommended basic settings of the air conditioning controls.
SettingControl dial position » Fig. 79 on page 81Button » Fig. 79 on page 81Air outlet vents 4 » Fig. 77
on page 77ABC
Defrost/defog windscreen and
side windows a)Desired tempera-
ture3 or 4Do not switch onAutomatically switched onOpen and align with the sidewindowThe fastest heatingTo the stop to theright3Briefly switch onSwitched offOpeningComfortable heatingDesired tempera-
ture2 or 3
Do not switch onSwitched offOpeningThe fastest coolingTo the left up to
the stopbriefly 4, then 2 or 3Briefly switch on b)ActivatedOpeningOptimal coolingDesired tempera-
ture1, 2 or 3Do not switch onActivatedOpen and align to the roofFresh air mode - ventilationTo the stop to the leftDesired positionDo not switch onSwitched offOpeninga)
We recommend that you do not use this setting in countries with high humidity levels. This can result in heavy cooling of the window glass and the following fogging from outside.
b)
Under certain conditions, recirculated air mode » page 82 may come on automatically; the warning light will then light up in the
button.
We recommend that you leave the air outlet vents
3 » Fig. 77 on page 77 in the
open position in all operating modes.
Recirculated air mode
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 80.
Recirculated air mode prevents polluted air from outside the vehicle getting into
the vehicle, for example when driving through a tunnel or when standing in a traffic jam.
Switching on/off
›
Press the
button.
The indicator light in the button lights up.›
Press the button again.
The indicator light in the button goes out.
Recirculated air mode is switched off automatically if the air distribution control
C
» Fig. 79 on page 81 is turned to the position.
Recirculated air mode can be switched on again from this setting by pressing the
button again.
82Using the system

WARNINGNever leave recirculated air mode on over a longer period, as “stale air” can
cause fatigue in the driver and the passengers, reduce attention levels and al- so cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an accident increases.Switch off recirculated air mode as soon as the windows start to mist up.
Climatronic (automatic air conditioning system)
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Control elements
83
Automatic mode
84
Setting the temperature
84
Recirculated air mode
84
Controlling the blower
85
Defrosting windscreen
85
Climatronic in automatic mode ensures the best-possible setting of the tempera-
ture of the outflowing air, the blower stage and air distribution.
The system also takes sunlight into account, which eliminates the need to alterthe settings manually.
The cooling system operates only if the following conditions are met. The cooling system is switched on » page 83.
The engine is running.
The outside temperature is above approximately +2 °C.
If the coolant temperature is too high, the cooling system is switched off to en- sure that the engine cools down.
Note
We recommend that you have Climatronic cleaned by a specialist garage once ev-
ery year.Control elementsFig. 80
Climatronic: Control elements
First read and observe the introductory information given on page 83.
The buttons/control dial Setting the interior temperature » page 84
Display
Display of selected interior temperature
Degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit, change the displayed temperature units » page 84
Automatic operation of the air conditioning system Ventilation or defrosting of the windscreen activated
Direction of air flow
Recirculated air mode activated
Cooling system activated
Blower speed set
The buttons/control dial Adjust the blower speed » page 85
Interior temperature sensor Automatic mode » page 84
De-mist or de-ice the windscreen » page 85
123456789101183Heating and air conditioning

Air flow to the windows
Air flow to the upper body
Air flow in the footwell
Recirculating air operation on/off » page 84
Switch cooling system on/off
Note
Do not stick anything on or cover the interior temperature sensor 11 » Fig. 80 ; it
could have an unfavourable effect on the Climatronic system.
Automatic mode
First read and observe the introductory information given on page 83.
The automatic mode is used in order to maintain a constant temperature and to
demist the windows in the interior of the car.
Switching on
›
Set a temperature between +18 °C and +29 ℃.
›
Move the air outlet vents 3 » Fig. 77 on page 77 and 4 so that the air flow is di-
rected slightly upwards.
›
Press the
button » Fig. 80 on page 83;
will appear in the display.
Automatic mode can be switched off by pressing any of the air distribution but-
tons or by increasing/decreasing the blower speed. The temperature is neverthe-
less regulated.
Setting the temperature
First read and observe the introductory information given on page 83.
Setting temperature
›
Switch on the ignition.
›
Turn the control dial
1
» Fig. 80 on page 83 to the left or to the right to in-
crease or decrease the temperature.
Switching between Celsius and Fahrenheit
›
Press and hold the
and
buttons simultaneously.
The information appears in the display in the desired temperature unit (no.3
» Fig. 80 on page 83).
The interior temperature can be set between +18 °C and +29 ℃. The interior tem-
perature is regulated automatically within this range.
If you set the temperature below +18 ℃, “LO” appears in the display.
If you set a temperature higher than +29 ℃, “HI” appears in the display.
Climatronic operates at maximum cooling or heating capacity respectively at ei- ther end position. There will be no automatic temperature control.
CAUTION
Lengthy and uneven distribution of the air flow out of the vents (especially
around the feet) and large differences in temperature, for example, when getting
out of the vehicle, can cause susceptible individuals to catch a cold.
Recirculated air mode
First read and observe the introductory information given on page 83.
Recirculated air mode prevents polluted air from outside the vehicle getting intothe vehicle, for example when driving through a tunnel or when standing in a
traffic jam.
Switching on
›
Press the
button » Fig. 80 on page 83.
The display shows the
icon.
Switching off
›
Press the
button » Fig. 80 on page 83 again.
The
icon in the display goes out.
WARNINGNever leave recirculated air mode on over a longer period, as “stale air” can
cause fatigue in the driver and the passengers, reduce attention levels and al-
so cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an accident increases.
Switch off recirculated air mode as soon as the windows start to mist up. 84Using the system

NoteIf recirculated air mode is switched on for around 15 minutes, the symbol will
begin to flash in the display as a sign that the recirculated air mode is switched on long-term. If the recirculated air mode is not switched off, the symbol flashes for
around 5 minutes.
Controlling the blower
First read and observe the introductory information given on page 83.
The Climatronic system controls the blower stages automatically in line with the
interior temperature. However, the blower level can be manually adjusted to suit your particular needs.
›
Turn control dial
10
» Fig. 80 on page 83 to the left or to the right to increase or
decrease the blower speed.
If the blower is switched off, the Climatronic system is switched off.
The blower speed set is indicated by displaying the corresponding number of seg- ments in icon
9
» Fig. 80 on page 83 in the display.
WARNING■
“Stale air” may result in fatigue in the driver and occupants, reduce attention
levels and also cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an accident
increases.■
Do not switch off the Climatronic system for longer than necessary.
■
Switch on the Climatronic system as soon as the windows mist up.
Defrosting windscreen
First read and observe the introductory information given on page 83.
Switching on
›
Press the
button » Fig. 80 on page 83.
Switching off
›
Press the
button » Fig. 80 on page 83 again or press the
button.
More air flows out of the air outlet vents 1 and 2 » Fig. 77 on page 77. The temper-
ature control is controlled automatically.
85Heating and air conditioning

For the sake of the environmentDo not warm up the engine while the vehicle is stationary. If possible, start your
journey as soon as the engine has started. Through this the engine reaches its operating temperature more rapidly and the pollutant emissions are lower.
Note
The radiator fan can intermittently continue to run for approximately 10 minutes
after the ignition has been switched off.
Electronic immobilizer
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 96.
An electronic chip is integrated in the head of the key. The immobiliser is deacti-
vated with the aid of this chip when the key is inserted in the ignition lock. The
electronic immobiliser is automatically activated when the ignition key is with-
drawn from the lock.
The engine will not start if a non-authorized ignition key is used. The MAXI DOT display shows the following:
Immobilizer active.
Ignition lock
Fig. 86
Positions of the vehicle key in
the ignition lockFirst read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 96.
Petrol engines » Fig. 86
Ignition switched off, engine off, the steering can be locked
Ignition switched on
Starting engine
Diesel engines » Fig. 86
Fuel supply interrupted, ignition switched off, engine switched off, the steer-
ing can be locked.
Heating glow plugs on, ignition switched on
Starting engine
To lock the steering , with the ignition key withdrawn, turn the steering wheel
until the steering locking pin engages audibly.
If the steering is locked and the key cannot be turned or can only be turned with
difficulty to position
2
» Fig. 86 , move the steering wheel back and forth and the
steering lock will unlock.
Note
We recommend locking the steering wheel whenever leaving the vehicle. This
acts as a deterrent against the attempted theft of your car.
Starting the engine
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 96.
Vehicles with a diesel engine are equipped with a glow plug system. The glow
plug warning light
lights up after the ignition has been switched on. Start the
engine once the
warning light has gone out.
You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heating pe- riod otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
Procedure for starting the engine
›
Move the gearshift lever into neutral or move the selector lever to position P or
N and firmly apply the handbrake.
›
Switch on the ignition
2
» Fig. 86 on page 97.
12312397Starting-off and Driving

Under these severe conditions , the thickness of the brake pads must also be
checked by a specialist garage between services.
Wet roads or road salt
The performance of the brakes can be delayed as the brake discs and brake pads may be moist or have a coating of ice or layer of salt on them in winter. The
brakes are cleaned and dried by applying the brakes several times.
Corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt on the bake pads occur if the vehicle has
been parked for a long period and if you do not make much use of the braking
system. The brakes are cleaned and dried by applying the brakes several times.
Faults in the brake surface
If it is found that the braking distance has suddenly become longer and that the brake pedal can be depressed further, the brake system may be faulty.
Visit a specialist garage immediately and adjust your style of driving appropriately as you will not know how great the damage is.
Low brake fluid level
An insufficient level of brake fluid may result in problems in the brake system. The level of the brake fluid is monitored electronically » page 20,
Brake system .
Brake booster
The brake booster increases the pressure generated with the brake pedal. The
brake booster only operates when the engine is running.
Handbrake
Fig. 87
Handbrake
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 98.
Apply
›
Pull the handbrake lever firmly upwards.
Releasing
›
Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and at the same time push in the locking
button » Fig. 87 .
›
Move the lever right down while pressing the lock button.
The handbrake warning light lights up when the handbrake is applied, provided
the ignition is on.
WARNINGPlease note that the handbrake must be fully released. A handbrake which is only partially released can result in the rear brakes overheating. This can have
a negative effect on the operation of the brake system – there is a risk of an
accident.
Manual gear shifting and pedals
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Manual gear changing
100
Pedals
100
99Starting-off and Driving

The gearbox shifts down one or more gears depending on the vehicle speed andengine speed, and the vehicle accelerates.
The gearbox does not shift up into the highest gear until the engine has reached
its maximum revolutions for this gear range.WARNINGRapid acceleration, particularly on slippery roads, can lead to loss of control of
the vehicle – there is a risk of an accident.
Malfunction
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 100.
Emergency programme
The transmission switches to the emergency programme if there is a fault in the
automatic gearbox system.
Indications of an activated emergency programme include the following:
› Only certain gears are selected.
› Reverse gear
R cannot be used.
› Shifting gears in Tiptronic mode is not possible.
Gearbox overheating
The gearbox may, for example, become too hot due to frequent repeated starting
or stop-and-go traffic. Overheating is indicated by the warning light » page 19,
Clutches in the automatic gearbox are too hot .
Note
Visit a specialist workshop if the gearbox has switched to the emergency pro-
gramme.
Selector lever-emergency unlockingFig. 91
Selector lever-emergency un-
locking
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 100.
If the selector lever lock is defective or its power supply is interrupted (e.g. dis-
charged vehicle battery, faulty fuse), the selector lever can no longer be moved
out of position P in the normal manner, and the vehicle can no longer be driven.
The selector lever emergency unlocking procedure is as follows.
›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
Carefully pull up the front left and right cover.
›
Pull up rear cover.
›
Use a finger to press the yellow plastic part in the direction of the ar- row » Fig. 91 .
›
At the same time, press the locking button in the selector lever and move the
selector lever to N.
The selector lever will be locked once more if it is moved again to P.
Running in
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
New engine
104
New tyres
104
New brake pads
104
103Starting-off and Driving