The essentials
Adjusting the steering wheel Fig. 20
Adjusting the position of the steering wheel:
Pull the
››› Fig. 20 1 lever down, move the
steering wheel to the desired position and lift
the lever back up until it locks.
››› in Adjusting the steering wheel po-
sition on page 39 Starting the vehicle
Ignition lock Fig. 21
See Fig. 3 for positioning Switch ignition on: Place the key in the igni-
tion and start the engine.
Locking and unlocking the steering wheel
● Engaging the steering wheel lock: Remove
the key from the ignition and turn the wheel
until it locks. In vehicles with an automatic
gearbox, the gear lever must be in the P posi-
tion in or der t
o remove the key. If necessary,
press the locking key on the selector lever
and release it again.
● Unlocking the steering wheel: Put the key
into the ignition and turn it at the same time
as the steering wheel in the direction indica-
ted by the arrow. If it is not possible to turn
the steering wheel, it may be because it is
locked. Turning on/switching off the ignition, glow
plugs reheating
●
Switch ignition on: Turn the key to the 2 position.
●
Switch ignition off. Turn the key to the 1 position.
●
Diesel vehicles : The glow plugs reheat
when the ignition i s
switched on
Starting the engine
● Manual gearbox: press the clutch pedal all
the way down and move the gearbox lever in-
to neutral.
● Automatic gearbox: Press the brake pedal
and move the selector lever to the P position
or into
N.
● Turn the key to the 3 position. The key au-
tomatically returns to the 2 position. Do not
press the accelerator.
Start-Stop System*
When you stop and release the clutch pedal,
the Start-Stop system* turns off the engine.
The ignition remains switched on.
››› in Switching on the ignition and
starting the engine with the key on
page 130
››› page 129 14
The essentials
Fault in the battery.›››
page
205
Driving light totally or partially
faulty.›››
page
233
Fault in the cornering light sys-
tem.››› page
94
Diesel particulate filter blocked›››
page
141
Level of windscreen washer fluid
too low.›››
page
102
Flashing: Fault in the oil level de-
tection. Control manually.›››
page
200
Ignition: Insufficient engine oil.
Fault in the gearbox.›››
page
139
Light Assist on.›››
page
96
Immobiliser active.
Service interval display›››
page
80
Mobile telephone is connected
via Bluetooth to the original tele-
phone device.›››
Book-
let Radio
or
››› Book-
let Navi-
gation
system
Mobile telephone battery charge
meter. Available only for devices
pre-installed in factory.
Freezing warning. The outside
temperature is lower than +4°C
(+39°F).›››
page
74
Start-Stop system activated.›››
page
148
Start-Stop system unavailable.
Low consumption driving status›››
page
74 On the instrument panel
Fig. 36
See Fig. 3 for positioning
Front passenger front airbag is
disabled (
).
››› page
48
The front passenger front airbag
is activated (
).
››› page
48
››› in Control and warning lamps on
page 71
››› page 71 Gearbox lever
Manual gearbox Fig. 37
The position of the gears is indicated on the
gearbox lever
››› Fig. 37 .
● Pr e
ss the clutch pedal and keep your foot
right down.
● Move the gearbox lever to the required po-
sition.
● Release the clutch. 24
The essentials
Selecting reverse gear
● Press the clutch pedal and keep your foot
right down.
● With the gearbox lever in neutral, push it
upwards, move it to the left as far as it will go
and then forwards to select reverse ››› Fig. 37
R .
● Release the clutch.
››› in Changing gears on page 132
››› page 132 Automatic gearbox*
Fig. 38
Parking lock
P Reverse gear
Neutral (idling)
Drive (forward)
Tiptronic mode: pull the lever forwards
(
+
) to go up a gear or backwards ( –
) to
go down a gear.
››› in Selector lever positions on
page 133
››› page 132
››› page 229 R
N
D/S
+/–
25
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Safety
● Belt tensioners for the front seats
● Front airbags
● knee airbags,
● Side airbags in the front seat backrests
● Side airbags in the rear seat backrests*
● Head-protection airbags
● “ISOFIX” anchor points for child seats in
the rear side seats with the “ISOFIX” system,
● Height-adjustable front head restraints
● Rear head restraints with in-use position
and non-use position
● Adjustable steering column
The safety equipment mentioned above
works together to provide you and your pas-
sengers with the best possible protection in
the event of an accident. However, these
safety systems can only be effective if you
and your passengers are sitting in a correct
position and use this equipment properly.
Safety is everyone's business! Sitting position for vehicle
occupants
Correct sitting position for driver Fig. 55
The proper distance between driver
and steering wheel Fig. 56
Correct head restraint position for the
driver. For your own safety and to reduce the risk of
injury in the event of an accident, we recom-mend the following adjustments for the driv-
er:
– Adjust the steering wheel so that there is a
distance of at least 25 cm between the
steering wheel and the centre of your chest
››› Fig. 55 .
– Mo v
e the driver seat forwards or backwards
so that you are able to press the accelera-
tor, brake and clutch pedals to the floor
with your knees still slightly angled ››› .
– Ensure that you can reach the highest point
of the steering wheel.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper
edge is at the same level as the top of your
head, or as close as possible to the same
level as the top of your head ››› Fig. 56 .
– Mo v
e the seat backrest to an upright posi-
tion so that your back rests completely
against it.
– Fasten your seat belt securely ››› page 43.
– Keep both feet in the footwell so that you
have the vehicle under control at all times.
Adjustment of the driver seat ››› page 106. WARNING
● An incorrect sitting position of the driver
can lead to severe injuries.
● Adjust the driver seat so that there is at
least 25 cm distance between the centre of 38
Safety
Rear head restraints – The rear head restraints have 2 positions:
use and
non-use.
– One position for use (head restraint raised)
››
› Fig. 58. In this position, the head re-
str
aints are used normally, protecting pas-
sengers along with the rear seat belts.
– And one position for non-use (head re-
s
traint lowered).
– To fit the head restraints in position for use,
pull on the edges with both hands in the
direction of the arrow. WARNING
● Under no circumstances should the rear
passengers travel while the head restraints
are in the non-use position. See the warning
label located on the rear side fixed window
››› Fig. 59.
● Do not sw
ap the centre rear head restraint
with either of the outer seat rear head re-
straints. Risk of injury in case of an accident! CAUTION
Note the instructions on the adjustment of
the head restraints ››› page 107. Pedal area
Pedals –
Ensure that you can always press the accel-
erator, brake and clutch pedals unimpaired
to the floor.
– Ensure that the pedals can return unim-
paired to their initial positions.
– Ensure that the floor mats are securely fas-
tened during the trip and do not obstruct
the pedals ››› .
Only use floor mats which leave the pedal
area free and can be secured to prevent them
from slipping. You can obtain suitable floor
mats from a specialised dealership. Fasten-
ers* for floor mats are fitted in the footwells.
If a brake circuit fails, the brake pedal must
be pressed down thoroughly in order to stop
the vehicle.
Wearing suitable shoes
Always wear shoes which support your feet
properly and give you a good feeling for the
pedals. WARNING
● Restricting pedal operation can lead to crit-
ical situations while driving. ●
Never lay or fit floor mats or other floor cov-
erings over the original floor mats. This
would reduce the pedal area and could ob-
struct the pedals. Risk of accident.
● Never place objects in the driver footwell.
An object could move into the pedal area and
impair pedal operation. In the event of a sud-
den driving or braking manoeuvre, you will
not be able to operate the brake, clutch or ac-
celerator pedal. Risk of accident! 42
Driver information system
recommended if the gear you are in is not the
most economical choice.
If no gear-change is recommended, it means
that you are already in the most economical
gear.
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
The following display symbols ››› Fig. 90
mean:
● Change to a higher gear: the suggested
gear appears to the right of the current gear
when a higher gear is recommended
.
● Change to a lower gear: the suggested
g e
ar appears to the left of the current gear
when a lower gear is recommended .
The gear recommendation may occasionally
skip a gear (2nd 4th).
Vehicles with an automatic gearbox*
The display is only visible in tiptronic mode
››› page 135
.
The following display symbols mean:
● Shifting up a gear
● Shifting down a gear CAUTION
The gear-change indicator is intended to help
save fuel, but it is not intended to recom-
mend the right gear for all driving situations. In certain situations, only the driver can
choose the correct gear (for instance when
overtaking, driving up a steep gradient or
towing a trailer).
Note
The display disappears from the instrument
panel when you press the clutch pedal. Bonnet, rear lid and doors open
When the ignition is switched on or when
driving, the bonnet, rear lid or doors that are
open will be indicated on the instrument pan-
el display, and if it should be the case, this
will also be indicated audibly. The display
may vary according to the type of instrument
panel fitted.
Illustra-
tionKey to ››› Fig. 83
A Do not continue driving!
The bonnet is open or is not properly
closed ››› page 198.
B Do not continue driving!
The rear lid is open or is not properly
closed ››› page 89.
C, D Do not continue driving!
A vehicle door is open or is not properly
closed ››› page 82. Warning and information texts
The system runs a check on certain compo-
nents and functions when the ignition is
switched on and while the vehicle is moving.
Faults in the operation are displayed on the
screen using red and yellow symbols and
messages on the instrument panel display
(
››› page 71) and, in some cases, with audible
w arnin
gs. The display may vary according to
the type of instrument panel fitted.
Priority 1 warning (red symbols)
Symbol flashing or lit; partly combined with audible
warnings.
Stop the vehicle! It is dangerous ››› in Control and
warning lamps on page 71 !
Check the function that is faulty and repair it. If necessa-
ry, request assistance from specialised personnel.
Priority 2 warning (yellow symbols)
Symbol flashing or lit; partly combined with audible
warnings.
A faulty function, or fluids which are below the correct
levels may cause damage to the vehicle! ›››
in Control
and warning lamps on page 71
Check the faulty function as soon as possible. If neces-
sary, request assistance from specialised personnel.
Informative text
Information relating to different vehicle processes. 75
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Driving
Driving Ignition lock Switching on the ignition and starting
the engine with the key Fig. 141
Ignition key positions. Read the additional information carefully
››› page 14
Diesel engines can take a few seconds longer
than usual to start on cold days. Therefore
the clutch pedal (manual gearbox) or the
brake pedal (automatic gearbox) must re-
main pressed until the engine starts up. Dur-
ing preheating, the warning lamp remains
lit.
The preheating time depends on the coolant
and exterior temperatures. With the engine at
operating temperature, or at outside temper-
atures above +8°C, the warning lamp will light up for about one second. This means
that the engine starts
immediately.
If the engine does not immediately start up,
interrupt the starting process and try again
after 30 seconds. To start the engine again,
return the key to position 1 .
Start-Stop System*
If the vehicle is stopped and the Start-Stop
system* switches off the engine, the ignition
remains switched on.
Automatic gearbox: before leaving the vehi-
cle, make sure that the ignition is switched
off and the selector lever is in position P.
Driv er me
ssages on the instrument panel
display
Press the clutch
This message appears on vehicles with a
manual gearbox if the driver tries to start the
engine without having the clutch pedal
pressed. The engine will only start if you
press the clutch pedal.
Press the brake
This message appears on vehicles with an
automatic gearbox if the driver tries to start
the engine without having the brake pedal
pressed. Select N or P
This message appears if you try to start or
stop the engine when the selector lever of
the automatic gearbox is not in position P or
N. The engine can only start or stop in certain
po
sitions.
Engage position P; the vehicle can move; doors
can only close in position P.
For safety reasons, this driver message ap-
pears and an audible warning sounds if the
selector lever of the automatic gearbox is not
in position P after you switch off the ignition.
P
ut the selector lever in position P, otherwise
the vehicle could roll away.
Gear change: selector lever in the drive
position! This driver message is displayed when the
selector lever is not in the position P when
the driver door i
s opened. Additionally, a
buzzer will sound. Put the selector lever in
position
P, otherwise the vehicle could roll
away.
Ignition is switched on
This driver message is displayed and a buz-
zer is sounded when the driver door is
opened with the ignition switched on. »
129
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Operation
● Secure the vehicle as usual by applying the
handbrake firmly and putting it in 1st gear. WARNING
● Take measures to reduce the risk of injury
when you leave your vehicle unattended.
● Never park where the hot exhaust system
could ignite inflammable materials, such as
dry grass, low bushes, spilt fuel etc.
● Never allow vehicle occupants to remain in
the vehicle when it is locked. They would be
unable to open the vehicle from the inside,
and could become trapped in the vehicle in
an emergency. In the event of an emergency,
locked doors will delay assistance to vehicle
occupants.
● Never leave children alone in the vehicle.
They could set the vehicle in motion, for ex-
ample, by releasing the handbrake or the
gearbox lever.
● Depending on weather conditions, it may
become extremely hot or cold inside the vehi-
cle. This can be fatal. Manual gearbox
Changing gears Read the additional information carefully
››› page 24
In some countries the clutch pedal must be
fully pressed down for the engine to start. Selecting reverse gear
● Engage reverse gear only when the vehicle
is stopped.
Changing down gears
While driving, changing down a gear must al-
ways be done gradually, i.e. to the gear di-
rectly below and when the engine speed is
not too high ››› . Changing down while by-
passing one or various gears at high speeds
or at high engine speeds can damage the
clutch and the gearbox, even if the clutch
pedal remains depressed ››› .
WARNING
When the engine is running, the vehicle will
start to move as soon as a gear is engaged
and the clutch released. This is also the case
with the electro-mechanical parking brake
switched on.
● Never engage reverse gear when the vehi-
cle is moving. WARNING
If the gear is changed down inappropriately
by selecting a gear that is too low, you may
lose control of the vehicle, causing an acci-
dent and serious injuries. CAUTION
When travelling at high speeds or at high en-
gine speeds, selecting a gear that is too low can cause considerable damage to the clutch
and the gearbox. This can also occur if the
clutch pedal is pressed and held and it does
not engage.
CAUTION
To prevent damage and avoid premature
wear, please observe the following:
● Do not rest your hand on the gear lever
while driving. The pressure applied by your
hand is transmitted to the gearbox selector
forks.
● Always ensure that the vehicle is complete-
ly stopped before engaging the reverse gear.
● Always press the clutch to the floor when
changing gears.
● Never hold the vehicle “on the clutch” on
hills with the engine on. Automatic gearbox/DSG
automatic gearbox*
Introduction Your vehicle is equipped with an electronical-
ly controlled manual gearbox. Torque be-
tween the engine and the gearbox is trans-
mitted via two independent clutches. They re-
place the torque converter found on conven-
tional automatic gearboxes and allow for
132