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Driver's side
Note Close the glove compartment again im‐
mediately
Close the glove compartment immediately af‐
ter use while driving; otherwise, injury may oc‐
cur during accidents.◀
Opening
Pull the handle.
ClosingFold cover closed.
Front storage compartment
Raise the lid to open it.
Compartments in the doors Do not stow any breakable objects
Do not store any breakable objects, e. g.
glass bottles, in the compartments, or there is
an increased risk of injury in the event of an ac‐
cident.◀
Center armrest
Front
A storage compartment is located in the center
armrest between the front seats.
Opening
Fold the center armrest up.
Repositioning
Center armrest can be pushed forwards or
backwards. It engages in the end positions.
Connection for an external audio
device
An external audio device, e.g.,
an MP3 player, can be con‐
nected via the AUX-IN port or
the USB audio interface in the
center armrest.
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Cupholders
Hints Shatter-proof containers and no hot
drinks
Use light and shatter-proof containers and do
not transport hot drinks. Otherwise, there is the increased danger of injury in an accident.◀
Unsuitable containers
Do not forcefully push unsuitable con‐
tainers into the cupholders. This may result in
damage.◀
Front
Rear
In the center armrest.
Pull the center armrest forward at the strap.
To open: press the button.
To close: push both covers back in, one after
the other.
Pushing back the covers
Push back the covers before folding up
the center armrest; otherwise, the cupholder
could become damaged.◀
Clothes hooks Do not obstruct view
When suspending clothing from the
hooks, ensure that it will not obstruct the driv‐
er's view.◀
No heavy objects
Do not hang heavy objects from the
hooks; otherwise, they may present a danger
to passengers during braking and evasive ma‐
neuvers.◀
The clothes hooks are located in the grab han‐
dles in the rear.
Storage compartments in the
cargo area
Storage compartment A storage compartment is located on the left
side.
Net
Small objects can be stowed in the net on the
left side.Seite 166ControlsStorage compartments166
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Hooks/multi-function hook
A multi-function hook is located on each side
of the cargo area.
The multi-function hooks can be loaded up to
a max. of 8.8 lbs/4 kg.
Light and suitable objects only
Only hang light bags or suitable objects
from the holders. Otherwise, there is a danger
of objects flying about during braking and eva‐
sive maneuvers.
Only transport heavy luggage in the cargo area
if it has been appropriately secured.◀
Retaining strap A retaining strap is available on the right side
trim for fastening small objects.
Lashing eyes in the cargo area
To secure the cargo, refer to page 176, there
are four lashing eyes in the cargo area.
Floor net
The floor net can also be used to Secure the
load, refer to page 176, and to store small
parts.
Storage compartment under the cargo
floor panel
Maximum load
To avoid damage to the vehicle, do not
exceed a maximum permitted load of 44 lbs/
20 kg in the storage compartment under the
cargo floor panel.◀
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Driving tips
This chapter provides you with information useful in dealing with specific driving and operating modes.Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 956 725 - X/14
Page 174 of 247

Things to remember when drivingVehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems.
Breaking-in period
General information Moving parts need time to adjust to one an‐
other (break-in time).
The following instructions will help accomplish
a long vehicle life and good efficiency.
During break-in, do not use the Launch Con‐
trol, refer to page 78.
Engine, transmission, and axle drive Always obey the official speed limit.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Do not exceed the maximum engine and road
speed:▷For gasoline engine 4,500 rpm and
100 mph/160 km/h.
Avoid full load or kickdown under all circum‐
stances.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be
increased.
Tires
Tire traction is not optimal due to manufactur‐
ing circumstances when tires are brand-new;
they achieve their full traction potential after a
break-in time.
Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of ap‐
prox. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimal per‐
formance between brake discs and brake
pads. Drive moderately during this break-in pe‐
riod.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be ob‐
served if any of the components above-men‐
tioned have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
Using the hybrid system
efficiently
The concept The vehicle's hybrid system runs automati‐
cally. Through foresighted driving, the hybrid
properties are efficiently used, i.e., fuel con‐
sumption and energy recovery are optimized.
Optimizing energy recovery
Types of energy recovery
Energy recovery is used to charge the high-
voltage battery. It is important for the supply of
electrical components and thus a prerequisite
for fuel efficiency. It appears in three stages
during coasting to a halt and braking.Seite 170Driving tipsThings to remember when driving170
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Low energy recovery:
During coasting to a halt without stepping on
the brake.
Average energy recovery:
During a slight deceleration by gently pressing
the brake pedal.
Maximum energy recovery:
During firmer pressing on the brake pedal.
Foresighted driving and decelerating helps
with optimizing energy recovery.
Brake according to traffic and circum‐
stances
Brake in accordance with the traffic conditions,
or there is the risk of accident.◀
Optimum energy recovery
As soon as the display shows the maximum
energy recovery, only press the brake pedal
harder if required by the situation.
Exemplary traffic situations for fuel
efficiency
In many driving situations, the hybrid system
allows for a particularly efficient energy man‐
agement.▷Stop-and-go traffic:
The combustion engine is switched on or
over automatically by the hybrid system.▷Driving with constant speed:
With the ASSIST acceleration support, the
electric motor relieves the combustion en‐
gine periodically by being switched on au‐
tomatically.
Discharge of the high-voltage battery
In normal operation, a sufficient charging of the
high-voltage battery is ensured by energy re‐
covery.
Longer idle periods can reduce the charge
state of the high-voltage battery.
Do not allow the vehicle to sit idle for ex‐
tended periods with a low charging state
Before storing the vehicle for an extended pe‐
riod, check the battery charge indicator to en‐
sure that the high-voltage battery is fully
charged. If necessary, charge the high-voltage
battery by driving the vehicle. Check the
charge level regularly, and if needed recharge
the high-voltage battery by driving the vehicle.
Don't allow battery charge status to drop too
low - it will damage the battery.◀
Charging by driving
In order to charge the high-voltage battery
most effectively when driving, activated the
transmission's Sport program DS, refer to
page 77.
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Coasting to a standstill and braking phases are
used more often to recover energy.
eDRIVE electric driving and the Auto Start
Stop function will also be deactivated.
Fast charging
In exceptional cases it can be charged in place,
such as before extended idle phases in order
to prevent damage to the high-voltage battery.1.Start the engine.2.Engage transmission position P and set
parking brake.3.Press and hold down brake pedal.4.Use the accelerator pedal to maintain an
engine speed of approx. 2,000 rpm.
After a few minutes, the high-voltage battery is
fully charged again.
The battery charge indicator in the instrument
cluster, refer to page 81, is used to check the
status.
General driving notes
Closing the trunk lid Drive with the trunk lid closed
Only drive with the tailgate closed; other‐
wise, in the event of an accident or braking and
evasive maneuvers, passengers and other traf‐
fic may be injured, and the vehicle may be
damaged. In addition, exhaust fumes may en‐
ter the vehicle interior.◀
If driving with the tailgate open cannot be
avoided:
▷Close all windows and the glass sunroof.▷Greatly increase the air flow from the vents.▷Drive moderately.Hot exhaust system
Hot exhaust system
High temperatures are generated in the
exhaust system.
Do not remove the heat shields installed and
never apply undercoating to them. Make sure
that flammable materials, e. g. hay, leaves,
grass, etc. do not come in contact with the hot
exhaust system while driving, while in idle po‐
sition mode, or when parked. Such contact
could lead to a fire, resulting in an increased
risk of serious personal injury as well as prop‐
erty damage.
Do not touch hot exhaust pipes; otherwise,
there is a danger of getting burned.◀
Mobile communication devices in the
vehicle
Mobile communication devices in the ve‐
hicle
It is not recommended to use mobile phones,
such as mobile phones, in the vehicle interior
without a direct connection to an external aer‐
ial. Otherwise, the vehicle's electronics and
mobile communication devices can interfere
with each other. In addition, there is no assur‐
ance that the radiation generated during trans‐
mission will be conducted away from the vehi‐
cle interior.◀
Hydroplaning Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, re‐
duce your speed to prevent hydroplaning.◀
On wet or slushy roads, a wedge of water can
form between the tires and road surface.
This phenomenon is referred to as hydroplan‐
ing. It is characterized by a partial or complete
loss of contact between the tires and the road
surface, ultimately undermining your ability to
steer and brake the vehicle.Seite 172Driving tipsThings to remember when driving172
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