
 
when you turn a corner. If you turn to the right, the right fog light comes on; turn left and the left fog 
light comes on. The light dims and goes out when the steering wheel is straightened out again. 
When you move the selector lever to Reverse (R), the static cornering lights on both sides of the 
vehicle may come on so that you can see the area around the vehicle better when backing up. 
The static cornering lights work only when the headlights are on. If you are using automatic headlight 
control (headlight switch in the AUT O position ⇒ fig. 73), they work only when the headlights have been 
automatically switched on. The static cornering lights do not come on when the headlight switch is in 
the O position or when the fog lights themselves have been switched on   
Automatic headlight control (AUTO) 
Automatic headlight control is a convenience feature only and cannot always recognize all lighting and 
driving situations. 
If the light switch is in the  ! 5 4 /, position, both vehicle lighting and instrument and switch lighting are 
automatically switched on and off in the following situations ⇒ : 
 
Automatic activation:  Automatic deactivation: 
If the low-light sensor registers darkness, for 
example when driving through a tunnel. 
If sufficient brightness is registered. 
If the rain sensor recognizes rain and switches 
the windshield wipers on. 
If the windshield wipers have not moved for 
several minutes. 
 
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) 
The Adaptive Front Lighting System works only with the low beams switched on and only at speeds 
above about 6 mph (10 km/h). The swivel-mounted lamps automatically improve road illumination 
during cornering. 
On vehicles equipped with the Adaptive Front Lighting System, the feature is switched on and off via 
the Assistants menu in the instrument cluster display   
  WARNING 
Crashes and other accidents can happen when you cannot see the road ahead and when you 
cannot be seen by other motorists. 
 x Never use daytime running lights (DRL) to see where you are going. DRL are not bright 
enough to light up the roadway and be seen by other motorists. You will not be able to see far 
enough ahead for safety, especially at dusk or when it is dark. Always switch on the low-
beam headlights at dusk or when it is dark. 
 x The taillights do not come on when the daytime running lights are switched on. A vehicle 
without taillights on cannot be seen by others in bad weather, at dusk, or when it is dark. 
 x If automatic headlight control (AUTO) is switched on, the low-beam headlights still may not 
be switched on in fog or heavy rain. You have to switch on the low-beam headlights yourself. 
  In cool or humid weather, the insides of the headlights, the rear lights, and turn signals can 
temporarily fog up. This is normal and does not affect the service life of the vehicle's lighting system. 
Applicable only in Canada 
Lights and vision features 
 

 
Daytime running lights (DRL) 
Separate lamps are installed in the headlights or in the front bumper for the daytime running lights 
(DRL). 
When the daytime running lights are switched on, only these separate lamps come on ⇒ . 
The daytime running lights are switched on whenever the ignition is switched on and the light switch is 
in position  / or  ! 5 4 /.The indicator light   or  $ 2 , may come on in the instrument cluster to indicate 
that the feature is active   
If the light switch is in position AUT O, a low-light sensor switches the low beams as well as the 
instrument and switch lighting on and off automatically. 
Static cornering lights 
Your vehicle may have fog lights under the front bumper, which on some models are also static 
cornering lights. On some models the static cornering lights may be integrated in the headlights. At 
speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h), the light on one side of the vehicle will come on automatically 
when you turn a corner. If you turn to the right, the right fog light comes on; turn left and the left fog 
light comes on. The light dims and goes out when the steering wheel is straightened out again. 
When you move the selector lever to Reverse (R), the static cornering lights on both sides of the 
vehicle may come on so that you can see the area around the vehicle better when backing up. 
The static cornering lights work only when the headlights are on. If you are using automatic headlight 
control (headlight switch in the AUT O position) ⇒ fig. 73, they work only when the headlights have been 
automatically switched on. The static cornering lights do not come on when the headlight switch is in 
the O position or when the fog lights themselves have been switched on. 
 Automatic headlight control  ! 5 4 / 
Automatic headlight control is a convenience feature only and cannot always recognize all lighting and 
driving situations. 
If the light switch is in the  ! 5 4 /, position, both vehicle lighting and instrument and switch lighting are 
automatically switched on and off in the following situations ⇒ : 
 
Automatic activation:  Automatic deactivation: 
If the low-light sensor registers darkness, for 
example when driving through a tunnel. 
If sufficient brightness is registered. 
If the rain sensor recognizes rain and switches 
the windshield wipers on. 
If the windshield wipers have not moved for 
several minutes. 
 
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) 
The Adaptive Front Lighting System works only with the low beams switched on and only at speeds 
above about 6 mph (10 km/h). The swivel-mounted lamps automatically improve road illumination 
during cornering. 
On vehicles equipped with the Adaptive Front Lighting System, the feature is switched on and off via 
the Assistants menu in the instrument cluster display    

 
  The delay period can be adjusted and the function can be switched on and off in the Lights & 
Vision menu   
  If the “Coming home” feature is switched on and the driver door is opened, no warning chime will 
sound to alert you that the lights are still on. 
Instrument panel lighting and headlight range adjustment 
 
Fig. 74 To the left of the steering wheel: Thumbwheel to adjust instrument panel lighting 1. 
 

 
Headlight washer system 
The headlight washer system cleans the headlight glass. 
If the ignition and the headlights (high or low beams) are switched on, the headlights are cleaned the 
first time and every fifth time the front windshield washers are activated. This happens only when the 
low or high beams are on when the windshield wiper lever is pulled towards the steering wheel. 
However, the headlights must still be washed by hand periodically (for instance, during refueling) in 
order to get rid of hard-to-remove dirt (like insect splatter). 
To help make sure that the headlight cleaning system works during winter weather, always keep the 
headlight washer nozzles free of snow and remove any ice with a deicer spray before driving. Use a 
deicer spray to remove any ice. 
  If there is something on the windshield, the wiper will try to wipe it away. If it continues to block 
the wiper, the wiper will stop moving. Remove the obstacle and switch the wiper on again. 
Windshield wiper service position 
 
Fig. 80 Windshield wiper in service position. 
 

 
Driving with an open luggage compartment lid can lead to serious personal injury. If you have to drive 
with an open luggage compartment lid, make sure that all objects and the lid itself are properly 
secured and take appropriate measures to keep toxic exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. 
  WARNING 
Driving with an unlatched or open luggage compartment lid can lead to serious personal 
injury. 
 x Never transport objects larger than those that fit completely in the luggage compartment, 
because the luggage compartment lid cannot be fully closed properly. 
 x After closing the lid, always pull up on it to make sure that it is properly closed and cannot 
open suddenly when the vehicle is moving. 
 x Always stow all objects securely in the luggage compartment. Loose objects can fall out 
of the luggage compartment and injure others on the road behind you. 
 x Drive carefully; anticipate what other drivers will do. 
 x Avoid abrupt or sudden acceleration, steering, or braking, because the unlatched luggage 
compartment lid can move suddenly. 
 x Always mark objects sticking out from the luggage compartment clearly for others to see. 
Obey all applicable legal requirements. 
 x Never use the luggage compartment lid to “clamp” or “hold” objects that stick out of the 
luggage compartment. 
 x Always remove any luggage rack or other rack mounted on the luggage compartment lid 
(along with any luggage on the rack) before driving with an open luggage compartment lid.  
  WARNING 
Driving with an open luggage compartment lid can cause poisonous carbon monoxide in the 
engine exhaust to get into the passenger compartment. 
 x Carbon monoxide causes drowsiness, inattentiveness, poisoning, and loss of 
consciousness. It can lead to accidents and severe personal injuries. 
 x Always keep the luggage compartment lid closed while driving to help keep poisonous 
exhaust fumes from being drawn into the vehicle. 
 x Never transport objects that are too large to fit completely into the luggage area, because 
then the luggage compartment lid cannot be fully closed. 
 x If you absolutely must drive with an open luggage compartment lid, do the following to 
reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning: 
 – Close all windows and the power sunroof. 
 – Switch off the climate control system's air recirculation feature. 
 – Open all air vents in the instrument panel. 
 – Set the fresh air fan to the highest speed.  
  NOTICE 
The open luggage compartment lid changes the vehicle height. 
Driving a loaded vehicle 
 

 
  WARNING 
Unsecured or incorrectly stowed items can fly through the vehicle, causing serious personal 
injury during hard braking or sharp steering or in an accident. Loose items can also be struck 
and thrown through the passenger compartment by the front airbags if they inflate. To help 
reduce the risk of serious personal injury: 
 x Always stow all objects securely in the vehicle. Always put luggage and heavy items in the 
luggage compartment. 
 x Always secure objects in the passenger compartment properly with suitable straps so that 
they cannot move into the deployment zone of a side or front airbag during sudden braking, 
in a sudden maneuver, or in a collision. 
 x Always keep storage compartments closed while driving. 
 x Never stow hard, heavy, or sharp objects in the vehicle's open storage compartments, on 
the shelf behind the rear seat bench, or on the top of the instrument panel. 
 x Always remove hard, heavy, or sharp objects from clothing and bags in the vehicle 
interior and stow them securely in the luggage compartment.  
  WARNING 
Transporting heavy objects causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change and 
increases braking distances. Heavy loads which are not properly stowed or secured in the 
vehicle can lead to a loss of vehicle control and cause serious personal injury. 
 x Transporting heavy items causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change by 
shifting the vehicle's center of gravity. 
 x Always distribute luggage evenly and as low as possible within the vehicle. The vehicle 
capacity weight figures apply when the load is distributed evenly in the vehicle (passengers 
and luggage). 
 x Always stow luggage and heavy items in the luggage compartment as far forward of the 
rear axle as possible and secure them with appropriate straps to the tie-downs provided. 
 x Never exceed the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or Gross Axle Weight Ratings, 
which are printed on the Safety Compliance Certification Label located on the door jamb of 
the driver door. Exceeding the permissible weight can cause the vehicle to skid and behave 
differently. 
 x Always adapt your speed and driving style to accommodate your payload and its weight 
distribution within your vehicle. 
 x Be especially cautious and gentle when stepping on the accelerator pedal and avoid 
sudden braking and other maneuvers. 
 x Brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a loaded vehicle.  
  NOTICE 
The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that rub 
against them. 
  The ventilation slots between the rear window and the shelf behind the rear seat backrest must 
not be blocked so that stale air can escape from the vehicle.