The menu item Vehicle status is shown in the main menu of the MAXI DOT dis-
play whenever at least one fault message exists. After selecting this menu, the
first of the error messages is displayed. Several error messages are shown on the
display under the message e.g. 1/3. This indicates that the first of a total of three
error messages is being displayed.
Warning symbols in the MAXI DOT displayEngine oil pressure too low» page 16Clutches of the automatic gearbox are too hot» page 14Check engine oil level,
engine oil sensor faulty» page 18Thickness of brake pads» page 21Problem with engine oil pressure» page 14
Problem with the engine oil pressure
If the
symbol is shown in the MAXI DOT display, you must have your vehicle
checked immediately by a specialist garage. The information about the maximum
permissible engine speed is displayed together with this symbol.
Clutches of the automatic gearbox are too hot
A
symbol in the MAXI DOT display indicates that the temperature of the auto-
matic gearbox clutches is too high.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.
Gearbox overheated. Stop! Log book!
do not continue to drive! Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and wait until
the
icon goes out – risk of gearbox damage! You can continue your journey as
soon as the symbol disappears.
WARNINGIf you have to stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe dis-
tance from the traffic, switch off the engine and activate the hazard warning
light system » page 56.Note■
If the MAXI DOT display shows warning messages, these messages must be
confirmed in order to access the main menu » page 23 .■
As long as the operational faults are not rectified, the symbols are always indi-
cated again. After they are displayed for the first time, the symbols continue to be indicated without any extra messages for the driver.
Warning Lights
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Handbrake
15
Brake system
15
Seat belt warning light
15
Generator
16
Open door
16
Engine oil pressure
16
Coolant
16
Bonnet
17
Boot lid
17
Power steering/steering lock (KESSY system)
17
Engine oil level
18
Traction Control System (ASR)
18
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
18
Antilock brake system (ABS)
19
The rear fog light
19
Bulb failure
19
Adaptive headlights
19
Exhaust inspection system
19
Glow plug system (diesel engine)
19
EPC fault light (petrol engine)
20
Diesel particulate filter (diesel engine)
20
Fuel reserve
20
Airbag system
21
Tyre pressure
21
14Using the system
After emergency stop of the ignition, the steering is unlocked.
Brakes
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Information on braking
137
Handbrake
138WARNING■ Greater physical effort is required for braking when the engine is switched
off – risk of accident!■
The clutch pedal must be actuated when braking on a vehicle with manual
transmission, when the vehicle is in gear and at low revs. Otherwise, the func-
tion of the brake booster may be impaired – risk of accident!
■
Never leave children unattended in the vehicle. The children might, for ex-
ample, release the handbrake or take the vehicle out of gear. The vehicle
could then start to move – risk of accident!
WARNING■ In the case of damage to the standard fitted front spoiler or if retrofitting
another front spoiler, hub caps etc. » page 193, Services, modifications, and
technical alterations , make sure that the air supply to the front brakes is not
affected. The front brakes may overheat, which can have a negative impact on
the functioning of the braking system – risk of accident!
CAUTION
■ Observe the recommendations on the new brake pads » page 143.■Never let the brakes slip with light pressure on the pedal if braking is not neces-
sary. This causes the brakes to overheat and can also result in a longer braking distance and excessive wear.
Information on braking
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 137.
If the brakes are applied in full and the control unit for the braking system consid-
ers the situation to be dangerous for the following traffic, the brake light flashes
automatically.
After the speed was reduced below around 10 km/h or the vehicle was stopped,
the brake light stops flashing and the hazard warning light system switches on.
The hazard warning light system is switched off automatically after accelerating
or driving off again.
Before travelling a long distance with a steep gradient, reduce speed and shift in-
to the next lowest gear. As a result, the braking effect of the engine will be used, reducing the load on the brakes. Any additional braking should be completed in-
termittently, not continuously.
Wear-and-tear
The wear of the brake pads is dependent on the operating conditions and driving style.
The brake pads wear more quickly if a lot of journeys are completed in towns and over short distances or if a very sporty style of driving is adopted.
Under these severe conditions , the thickness of the brake pads must also be
checked by a specialist garage between service intervals.
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 appropriate-
ly, as you will not know the exact extent of the damage.
137Starting-off and Driving
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 15, 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. 121
Handbrake
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn- ings on page 137.
Apply
›
Pull the handbrake lever firmly upwards.
Release
›
Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and at the same time push in the locking
button » Fig. 121 .
›
Move the lever right down while pressing the lock button.
The handbrake indicator light
lights up when the handbrake is applied, provi-
ded the ignition is on.
A warning signal sounds if the vehicle is inadvertently driven off with the hand-
brake applied.
The following instruction is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Release parking brake!
The handbrake warning is activated if the vehicle is driven at a speed of more
than around 5 km/h for more than 3 seconds.
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 – risk of accident!
Manual gear changing and pedals
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Manual gear changing
138
Pedals
139
Manual gear changing
Fig. 122
Gearshift pattern of 5 gear or
6 gear manual gearbox
First read and observe the introductory information given on page 138.
Always depress the clutch pedal all the way down. This prevents uneven wear on the clutch.
The gearshift indicator must be observed when changing gear » page 24.
Only engage reverse gear when the vehicle is stationary. Depress the clutch pedal
and hold it fully depressed. Wait a moment before reverse gear is engaged to
avoid any shift noises.
The reversing lights will come on once reverse gear is engaged, provided the igni- tion is on.
138Driving
Launch control1)
The Launch control function allows the vehicle to reach maximum acceleration
when starting off in mode S or Tiptronic.›
Activate the ASR » page 150, Brake assist systems .
›
START STOP deactivate » page 160.
›
Fully depress and hold the brake pedal with your left foot.
›
Fully depress the accelerator pedal with your right foot.
›
Release the brake pedal.
The vehicle starts off with maximum acceleration.
Reactivate the ASR and START-STOP as soon as the desired speed is reached.
Kickdown
The kickdown function allows you to achieve the maximum acceleration of your
vehicle while driving.
When the accelerator pedal is fully depressed, the kickdown function is activated
in any forward driving mode.
The gearbox shifts down one or more gears depending on the vehicle speed and engine 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 – risk of accident!
Malfunction
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 139.
Emergency programme
The transmission switches to the emergency programme, if there is a fault in sys-
tem of the automatic gearbox.
Indications of an activated emergency programme include the following:
› Only certain gears are selected.
› The 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 14,
Clutches of the automatic gearbox are too hot .
Defective selector lever lock
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 must be unlocked specially » page 241.
Note
If the gearbox has switched to the emergency programme, visit a specialist ga-
rage.
Running in
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
New engine
142
New tyres
143
New brake pads
143
New engine
First read and observe the introductory information given on page 142.
The engine has to be run in during the first 1 500 kilometres.
1)
This function is only valid for some engines.
142Driving
The engine output falls as altitude increases, as does the vehicle's climbing pow-
er. Therefore, for every additional 1000 m in height (or part), the maximum per-
missible towed weight must be reduced by 10%.
The towed weight is made up of the actual weights of the loaded towing vehicleand the loaded trailer.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing device is
merely a test value for the towing device. The vehicle-specific values are detailed in the vehicle documents.WARNING■ Do not exceed the maximum permissible axle and drawbar load and the
maximum permissible total or towed weight of the vehicle and the trailer –
risk of accident and serious injury.■
Slipping loads can significantly impair the stability and safety of the vehicle/
trailer combination – risk of accident and serious injury.
Driving with a trailer
Fig. 142
Swivel out the 13-pin power
socket
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn- ings on page 165.
Before the journey
›
Grip the 13-pin socket at point
A
and swing out in the direction of ar-
row » Fig. 142 .
›
Lift off protective cap
5
» Fig. 137 on page 162.
After the journey
›
Grip the 13-pin socket at point
A
and swing in the opposite direction to the ar-
row » Fig. 142 .
›Place the protective cover 5
» Fig. 137 on page 162 onto the tow bar.
Safety eyelet
The purpose of the safety eyelet B
» Fig. 142 is to attach the breakaway cable of
the trailer.
When attaching the breakaway cable to the safety eyelet, it must sag freely
against the vehicle in all trailer positions (sharp bends, in reverse etc.).
Exterior mirrors
You have to have additional exterior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see the
traffic behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. The national legal requirements must be observed.
Headlights
The front of the vehicle may lift up when a trailer is being towed and the head-
lights may dazzle other road users.
Adjust the headlights using the headlight beam control » page 51, Parking and
low beam lights .
Driving speed
For safety reasons, do not drive faster than 80 km/h when towing a trailer.
Immediately reduce your speed as soon as even the slightest swaying of the trail- er is detected. Never attempt to stop the trailer from “swaying” by accelerating.
Brakes
Apply the brakes in good time! If the trailer is fitted with a trailer brake, apply the
brakes gently at first, then brake firmly. This will avoid brake jolts resulting from
the trailer wheels locking.
On downhill sections shift down a gear in good time to also use the engine as a
brake.
Engine overheating
If the needle for the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area or the red area of the scale, the speed must be reduced immediately.
Stop and switch off the engine if the indicator light
in the instrument cluster
lights up. Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant » page 213, Check-
ing the coolant level .
The following guidelines must be observed » page 16,
Coolant .
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
166Driving
■A coolant additive that does not comply with the correct specifications can sig-
nificantly reduce the corrosion protection.■
Any faults resulting from corrosion may cause a loss of coolant and can conse-
quently result in major engine damage!
■
Do not fill the coolant above the mark
A
» Fig. 165 on page 213.
■
If a fault causes the engine to overheat, we recommend visiting a specialist ga-
rage, as otherwise serious engine damage may occur.
Capacity
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 212.
Coolant capacity (in litres) 1)
Petrol enginesFilling level1.4 ltr./92 kW TSI7.71.8 ltr/112 kW TSI
1.8 ltr/118 kW TSI8.62.0 l/147 kW TSI8.63.6 l/191 kW FSI9.0Diesel enginesFilling level1.6 l./77 kW TDI CR8.42.0 ltr./103 kW TDI CR8.42.0 ltr./125 kW TDI CR8.4
Checking the coolant levelFig. 165
Engine compartment: Coolant
expansion reservoir
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 212.
The coolant expansion bottle is located in the engine compartment.
Inspecting the coolant level
›
Switch off the engine.
›
Open the bonnet.
›
Check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle. » Fig. 165.
Coolant level above mark
A
No coolant may be added.
The level may also rise slightly above the
A
marking when the engine is hot.
Coolant level between markings
A
and
B
Coolant may be added.
The coolant level must lie between the
A
and
B
markings when the engine is
cold.
Coolant level below mark
B
Coolant must be added.
Top up the coolant level to between the
A
and
B
markings when the engine is
cold.
1)
The coolant capacity is approximately 1 l greater on vehicles that are fitted with an auxiliary heater
(auxiliary heating and ventilation).
213Inspecting and replenishing
›Remove the empty tyre inflator bottle from the valve.›Screw the valve core back into the tyre valve using the valve remover 1.
Inflating›
Screw the tyre inflation hose
5
» Fig. 183 on page 233 of the air compressor
firmly onto the tyre valve.
›
Check that the air release valve
7
is closed.
›
Start the engine and run it in idle.
›
Plug the connector
9
into 12 Volt socket » page 77, Cigarette lighter .
›
Switch on the air compressor with the ON and OFF switch
8
.
›
Allow the air compressor to run until a pressure of 2.0 - 2.5 bar is achieved. Max-
imum run time of 8 minutes » !
›
Switch off the air compressor.
›
If you cannot reach an air pressure of 2.0 – 2.5 bar, unscrew the tyre inflation
hose
5
from the tyre valve.
›
Drive the vehicle 10 metres forwards or backwards to allow the sealing agent to
“distribute” in the tyre.
›
Firmly screw the tyre inflation hose
5
back onto the tyre valve and repeat the
inflation process.
›
If you cannot reach the required tyre inflation pressure here either, this means
the tyre has sustained too much damage. You cannot seal with tyre with the breakdown kit »
.
›
Switch off the air compressor.
›
Remove the tyre inflation hose
5
from the tyre valve.
Once a tyre inflation pressure of 2.0 – 2.5 bar is reached, continue the journey at a
maximum speed of 80 km/h (50 mph).
Check the tyre inflation pressure after driving for 10 minutes » page 234.
WARNING■
The tyre inflation hose and air compressor may get hot as the tyre is being
inflated – there is a risk of injury.■
Do not place the hot tyre inflation hose or hot air compressor on flammable
materials – there is a risk of fire.
■
If you cannot inflate the tyre to at least 2.0 bar, this means the damage sus-
tained was too serious. The sealing agent cannot be used to seal the tyre.
Do not drive the vehicle. Seek help from a specialist garage.
CAUTIONSwitch off the air compressor after running 8 minutes at the latest – there is a
risk of overheating. Allow the air compressor to cool a few minutes before switch- ing it on again.
Check after 10 minutes' driving
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 232.
Check the tyre inflation pressure after driving for 10 minutes!
If the tyre pressure is 1.3 bar or less
›
Do not drive the vehicle! You cannot properly seal with tyre with the break-
down kit.
If the tyre pressure is 1.3 bar or more
›
Adjust the tyre inflation pressure to the correct value (see inside of fuel filler cap).
›
Continue driving carefully to the nearest specialist garage at a maximum speed
of 80 km/h (50 mph).
Jump-starting
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Jump-starting using the battery from another vehicle
235
Jump-starting in vehicles with the START-STOP system
236
Jump-starting vehicles with the vehicle battery in the boot
236
234Do-it-yourself