
▷The engine is not yet at operating temper‐
ature.▷The wheels are at a sharp angle or the
steering wheel is being turned.▷After driving in reverse.▷Fogging of the windows when the auto‐
matic climate control is switched on.▷Vehicle battery is heavily discharged.▷At higher elevations.▷The engine compartment lid is unlocked.▷The parking assistant is activated.▷Stop-and-go traffic.▷The selector lever is in position N, M/S or
R.▷Use of fuel with high ethanol content.
Starting the engine
The engine starts automatically under the fol‐
lowing conditions:
▷Steptronic transmission:
By releasing the brake pedal.▷Manual transmission:
The clutch pedal is pressed.
After the engine starts, accelerate as usual.
Safety mode
After the engine switches off automatically, it
will not start again automatically if any one of
the following conditions are met.
▷The driver's safety belt is unbuckled and
the driver's door is open.▷The hood was unlocked.
Some indicator lights light up for a varied
length of time.
The engine can only be started via the Start/
Stop button.
Note
Even if driving off was not intended, the deacti‐
vated engine starts up automatically in the fol‐
lowing situations:▷Excessive warming of the car's interior
when the cooling function is switched on.▷The steering wheel is turned.▷Steptronic transmission: change from se‐
lector lever position D to R, N or M/S.▷Steptronic transmission: change from se‐
lector lever position P to N, D, R or M/S.▷The vehicle begins rolling.▷Fogging of the windows when the auto‐
matic climate control is switched on.▷Vehicle battery is heavily discharged.▷Excessive cooling of the car's interior when
the heating is switched on.▷Low brake vacuum pressure; this can oc‐
cur, e.g., if the brake pedal is depressed a
number of times in succession.
Activating/deactivating the system
manually
Using the button
Press button.
▷LED comes on: Auto Start/Stop function is
deactivated.
The engine is started during an automatic
engine stop.
The engine can only be stopped or started
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▷LED goes out: Auto Start/Stop function is
activated.
Switching off the vehicle during an
automatic engine stop
During an automatic engine stop, the vehicle
can be switched off permanently, e.g., when
leaving it.
1.Press the Start/Stop button. The ignition is
switched off. The Auto Start/Stop function
is deactivated.
Selector lever position P is engaged auto‐
matically.2.Set the parking brake.
Engine start as usual via Start/Stop button.
Automatic deactivation
In certain situations, Auto Start/Stop function
is deactivated automatically for safety reasons
as if the driver were absent.
Malfunction
The Auto Start/Stop function no longer
switches off the engine automatically. A Check
Control message is displayed. It is possible to
continue driving. Have the system checked.
Parking brake Applying
The lever automatically engages after being
pulled up.
The indicator lamp lights up red. The
parking brake is set.
Lower lamp: indicator lamp in Canadian
models
Releasing
Raise lever slightly, press the button and guide
the lever down.
Hints Use while driving
On rare occasions if it is necessary to use
the parking brake while driving, do not use ex‐
cessive force when applying it. When using it,
keep the button on the lever depressed.
Otherwise, using excessive force when apply‐
ing the parking brake may cause the rear
wheels to lock, resulting in fishtailing.◀
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brake ac‐
tion, lightly apply the parking brake periodically
while coasting, if traffic conditions permit.
The brake lights will not light up if the parking
brake is set.
Turn signal, high beams,
headlight flasher
Turn signal Do not adjust the exterior mirrors
Do not adjust the exterior mirror while
driving and when blinker/hazards are on, or
else the additional blinker lights in the exterior
mirror are out of position and can't be seen.◀
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All washer nozzles are supplied from one res‐
ervoir.
Fill with a mixture of windshield washer con‐
centrate and tap water and – if required – with a
washer antifreeze, according to the manufac‐
turer's recommendations.
Mix the washer fluid before adding to find the
right mixture.
Do not add windshield washer concentrate and
antifreeze undiluted and do not fill with pure
water; this could damage the wiper system.
Do not mix window washer concentrates of dif‐
ferent manufacturers because they can clog
the windshield washer nozzles.
Recommended minimum fill quantity:
0.2 US gal/1 liter.
Manual transmission
Shifting Shifting into 5th or 6th gear
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, push
the gearshift lever to the right; otherwise, inad‐
vertent shifting into 3rd or 4th gear could lead
to engine damage.◀
Reverse gear Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
To overcome the resistance push the selector
lever dynamically to the left and engage the re‐
verse gear.
Steptronic transmission
Selector lever positions
D Drive Selector lever position for normal vehicle oper‐
ation. All gears for forward travel are activated
automatically.
R is Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral: The vehicle may roll. Use in automatic car
washes, e.g.
When the ignition is switched off, refer to
page 63, selector lever position P is engaged
automatically.
P Park Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The
drive wheels are blocked.
P is engaged automatically:▷After the engine is switched off when the
vehicle is in radio-ready state, refer to
page 64, or when the ignition is switched
off, refer to page 63, and when position R
or D is set.▷With the ignition off, if selector lever posi‐
tion N is set.▷If the safety belt is unbuckled, the driver's
door is opened, and the brake pedal is not
pressed while the vehicle is stationary and
position D or R is set.
Before exiting the vehicle, make sure that se‐
lector lever position P is set. Otherwise, the ve‐
hicle may begin to move.
Kickdown Kickdown is used to achieve maximum driving
performance. Step on the accelerator pedal
beyond the resistance point at the full throttle
position.
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Displays in the instrument clusterThe selector lever position is dis‐played, e.g.: P.
Electronic unlocking of the
transmission lock
General information
Electronically unlock the transmission lock to
maneuver vehicle from the danger area.
Unlocking is possible, if the started can spin
the engine.
Engaging selector lever position N1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Press the Start/Stop button. The starter
must audibly start.3.Press and hold the selector lever into posi‐
tion N.
A corresponding Check Control message
is displayed.4.Press the selector lever again into posi‐
tion N within approx. 6 seconds.
Position N is displayed in the instrument
cluster.5.Release brake, as soon as the starter
stops.6.Maneuver the vehicle from the danger area
and secure it against moving on its own.
Steptronic Sport transmission:
Launch Control
The concept Launch Control enables optimum accelerationon surfaces with good traction.
Hints
Component wear
Do not use Launch Control too often;
otherwise, this may result in premature wear of
components due to the high stress placed on
the vehicle.◀
Do not use Launch Control during the break-in,
refer to page 150, period.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC
again as soon as possible.
An experienced driver may be able to achieve better acceleration values in DSC OFF mode.
Requirements
Launch Control is available when the engine is
warmed up, that is, after uninterrupted driving
of at least 6 miles/10 km.
To start with Launch Control do not steer the
steering wheel.
Start with launch controlWhile the engine is running:1. Press button or select Sport+ with
the Driving Dynamics Control.
TRACTION is displayed in the instrument
cluster and the indicator lamp for DSC OFF
lights up.2.Engage selector lever position S.3.With the left foot, forcefully press down on
the brake.4.Press and hold down the accelerator pedal
beyond the resistance point at the full
throttle position.
A flag symbol is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster.5.The starting engine speed adjusts. Within
3 seconds, release the brake.
Before using Launch Control, allow the trans‐
mission to cool down for approx. 5 minutes.
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▷Current fuel consumption, refer to
page 81.▷Navigation display, see User's manual for
Navigation, Entertainment and Communi‐
cation.▷Range, refer to page 81.▷Status, Driving Dynamics Control, refer to
page 113.▷Service requirements, refer to page 81.▷Speed limit detection, refer to page 83.▷Time, refer to page 81.
Check Control
The concept The Check Control system monitors functions
in the vehicle and notifies you of malfunctions
in the monitored systems.
A Check Control message is displayed as a
combination of indicator or warning lights and
text messages in the instrument cluster.
In addition, an acoustic signal may sound and atext message may appear on the Control Dis‐
play.
Indicator/warning lights
General information
The indicator and warning lights in the instru‐
ment cluster can light up in a variety of combi‐
nations and colors.
Several of the lights are checked for proper
functioning and light up temporarily when the
engine is started or the ignition is switched on.
Red lights Safety belt reminder Flashing or illuminated: safety belt on
the driver or passenger side is not
buckled. The safety belt reminder can
also be activated if objects are placed on the
front passenger seat.
Make sure that the safety belts are positioned
correctly.
Airbag system Airbag system and belt tensioner are
defective.
Have the vehicle checked by the serv‐
ice center immediately.
Parking brake, brake system For additional information, refer to Re‐lease parking brake, refer to page 67.
Front-end collision warning Illuminated: advance warning is issued,
e.g., when there is the impending dan‐
ger of a collision or the distance to the
vehicle ahead is too small.
Increase distance.
Flashing: acute warning of the imminent dan‐
ger of a collision when the vehicle approaches
another vehicle at a relatively high differential
speed.
Intervention by braking or make an evasive ma‐
neuver.
Pedestrian warning Symbol in the instrument cluster.
If a collision with a person detected in this way
is imminent, the symbol lights up and a signal
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Yellow lights
Antilock Brake System ABS It reduces the braking distance to a
minimum during emergency stops.
Illuminated: avoid abrupt braking if pos‐
sible. Braking force boost in some
cases defective. Stop carefully. Take
into account longer brake travel. Have this
checked by the service center immediately.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control Flashing: DSC controls the drive and
braking forces. The vehicle is stabi‐
lized. Reduce speed and adapt driving
profile to the driving circumstances.
Illuminated: DSC failed. Have the system
checked by the service center.
For additional information, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC, refer to page 111.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control is
deactivated or DTC Dynamic Traction
Control is activated
Dynamic Stability Control DSC is
switched off or Dynamic Traction Con‐
trol DTC is switched on.
For additional information, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control, refer to page 111, and Dy‐
namic Traction Control, refer to page 112.
FTM Flat Tire Monitor The Flat Tire Monitor signals a loss of
tire inflation pressure in a tire.
Reduce your speed and stop cau‐
tiously. Avoid sudden braking and steering ma‐
neuvers.
For more information, see Flat Tire Monitor, re‐
fer to page 100.Tire Pressure Monitor TPM
Illuminated: the Tire Pressure Monitorsignals a loss of tire inflation pressure
in a tire.
Reduce your speed and stop cautiously. Avoid
sudden braking and steering maneuvers.
Flashing and then continuously illuminated: no
flat tire or loss of tire inflation pressure can be
detected.▷Interference through systems or devices
with the same radio frequency: after leav‐
ing the area of the interference, the system
automatically becomes active again.▷RDC could not conclude the reset: perform
the reset of the system again.▷A wheel without TPM electronics is fitted:
have the service center check it if needed.▷Malfunction: have the system checked by
your service center.
For more information, see Tire Pressure Moni‐
tor, refer to page 97
Steering system Steering system in some cases defec‐tive.
Have the steering system checked by
the service center.
Engine functions Have the vehicle checked by the serv‐ice center.
For additional information, refer to On-
board Diagnostics socket, refer to page 185.
Lane departure warning System is switched on and under cer‐
tain circumstances warns if a detected
lane is left without flashing beforehand.
For additional information, refer to Lane depar‐
ture warning, refer to page 108.
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External temperatureIf the indicator drops to
+37 ℉/+3 ℃ or lower, a signal
sounds.
A Check Control message is displayed.
There is an increased risk of ice on roads.
Ice on roads
Even at temperatures above
+37 ℉/+3 ℃, roads might be icy.
Therefore, drive carefully on bridges and
shaded roads, e.g., to avoid the increased risk
of an accident.◀
Time The time is displayed in the in‐
strument cluster.
Setting the time on the Control
Display, refer to page 87.
Date The date is displayed in the in‐
strument cluster.
Set the date on the Control Dis‐
play, refer to page 88.
Range Display With a low remaining range:▷A Check Control message is
displayed briefly.▷The remaining range is
shown on the computer.▷With a dynamic driving style - e.g., taking
curves aggressively - engine operation
might vary.The Check Control message appears continu‐
ously below a range of approx. 30 miles/50 km.
Refuel promptly
Refuel no later than at a range of
30 miles/50 km or engine operation might fail
and damage might occur.◀
Current fuel consumption
Display Displays the current fuel con‐
sumption. Check whether you
are currently driving in an effi‐
cient and environmentally-
friendly manner.
Displaying the current fuel
consumption
Depending on your vehicle's optional features,
the current fuel consumption can also be dis‐
played as bar in the instrument cluster.1."Settings"2."Instrument cluster"3."Additional indicators"
Energy recovery
Display The kinetic energy of the vehicle
is converted to electrical energy while coasting. The vehicle bat‐
tery is partially charged and fuel
consumption can be reduced.
Service requirements The concept
After the ignition is turned on the instrument
cluster briefly displays available driving dis‐
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Manual transmission: displayingSymbolDescriptionFuel efficient gear is set.Shift up to fuel efficient gear.Shift down to fuel efficient gear.Shift into neutral.
Steptronic transmission: displays
ExampleDescriptionFuel efficient gear is set.Shift into fuel efficient gear.
Speed limit detection
The concept
Speed limit detection
Speed limit detection uses a symbol in the
shape of a traffic sign to display the currently
detected speed limit. The camera in the area of
the interior rearview mirror detects traffic signs
at the edge of the road as well as variable over‐
head sign posts. Traffic signs with extra sym‐
bols for wet road conditions, etc. are also de‐
tected and compared with the vehicle's
onboard data, such as for the rain sensor, and
will be displayed depending on the situation.
The system takes into account the information
stored in the navigation system and also dis‐
plays speed limits present on routes without
signs.
Hints Personal judgment
The system cannot serve as a substitute
for the driver's personal judgment of the traffic
situation.
The system assists the driver and does not re‐
place the human eye.◀
At a glance
Camera
The camera is found near the interior rearview
mirror.
Keep the windshield in the area behind the in‐
terior rearview mirror clean and clear.
Switching on/offOn the Control Display:
1."Settings"2."Instrument cluster"3."Speed limit information"
If speed limit detection is switched on, it can
be displayed on the info display in the instru‐
ment cluster via the computer.
Display The following is displayed in the instrument
cluster:
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