Operation
Trip counter* Daily trip counter (trip)
The daily trip counter indicates the distance
that has been covered since the last time the
function was reset in 100 metre sections.
In order to reset the daily distance covered
keep the button
6
››› Fig. 24 ››› page 30
pressed down.
Odometer
The odometer indicates the total number of
kilometres (or mileage) that the vehicle has
covered until now.
Fault indication
In the event of a fault the word Error
will be
permanently displayed on the informative
display. Please take the vehicle to a special-
ised Technical Service to solve this fault. Note
In vehicles equipped with an informative dis-
play, if the indicator of the second speed in
mph or in kph are activated respectively, this
speed will be displayed in place of the odom-
eter. Digital clock
The clock is set using the buttons
5 to
6 ›››
Fig. 24 ››› p
age 30.
Select the indication you want to change with
button 5 and make the adjustment with but-
ton 6 .
In vehicles equipped with an informative dis-
play this can be reset from the menu, Time
››› page 44.
R ec
ommended gear display Fig. 25
Recommended gear display. The general instrument panel display indi-
cates the engaged gear
A
›››
Fig. 25 .
In or der t
o optimally reduce the fuel con-
sumption, the recommended gear is dis-
played on the screen. If the control unit analysis decides that a gear
change is required, an arrow appears on the
display
A . This arrow can point up or down
indicating whether a lower or higher gear is
recommended.
Simultaneously, the gear currently engaged
is indicated B in the place of the recommen-
ded gear. CAUTION
However, the driver is always responsible for
choosing the appropriate gear for each situa-
tion, (i.e. when overtaking). Control lamps
Summary The control lamps indicate certain functions
or faults that may be accompanied by an au-
dible warning.
When the ignition is switched on some of the
warning lamps illuminate for several seconds
for the purpose of the control systems of the
vehicle. These warning lamps must switch off
several seconds after the ignition is switched
on.
Handbrake›››
page
33 32
Instruments and warning lamps
Brake system›››
page
33
Fasten your seat belt›››
page
34
Alternator›››
page
34
Door open›››
page
34
Engine oil (red or yellow colour)›››
page
34
Coolant temperature/level (red or
blue colour)›››
page
35
Power steering›››
page
35
Electronic stability control (ESC)›››
page
35
Traction control system (ASR)›››
page
35
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)›››
page
36
Rear fog light›››
page
36
Bulb fault›››
page
36
Emission control system›››
page
36
Glow plug system (diesel en-
gines)›››
page
36
Engine electronics control (petrol
engines)›››
page
36
Particulate filter (diesel engines)›››
page
37
Fuel reserve›››
page
37
Airbag system›››
page
37
Tyre pressure›››
page
38
Liquid level in the window washer
system›››
page
38
Turn signals (left/right)››› page
38
Fog lights›››
page
38
Cruise speed›››
page
38
Selector lever lock›››
page
38
Main beams›››
page
38 WARNING
● Failure to observe control lamps and warn-
ing messages can result in serious personal
injuries or damage to your vehicle.
● The engine compartment is a dangerous
area. Carrying out work in the engine com- partment, i.e. checking and filling service liq-
uids, can lead to injury, scalding, burns and
fires. Therefore the corresponding warnings
must always be observed
››› page 132, En-
gine compartment. Handbrake
If the
warning lamp lights up, the hand-
br ak
e is applied. Additionally, driving the ve-
hicle at speeds exceeding 6 km/h (4 mph) for
at least 3 seconds produces an audible warn-
ing.
The informative display indicates:
Release the handbrake!
Brake system The warning lamp
illuminates if the brake
fluid level is too low or if there is a fault in the
ABS system.
The informative display indicates:
Brake fluid Instruction Manual!
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and
check the level of the brake fluid
››› page 139
»
33
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Operation
Driving Starting and stopping the
engine Introduction WARNING
● Never adjust the steering wheel while the
vehicle is moving!
● For safety reasons, the steering wheel ad-
justment lever must always be pushed se-
curely against the steering column to prevent
the steering wheel from accidentally chang-
ing position while driving. Risk of accident!
● If the steering wheel is adjusted closer to
your face, the protective effect of the driver
airbag will be decreased in the event of an ac-
cident. Check that the steering wheel is
pointing towards the upper part of your body.
● When driving, always hold the steering
wheel with both hands on the outside part at
the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. Never
hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock po-
sition, or in any other manner (e.g. in the cen-
tre of the steering wheel). In such cases, if
the airbag is triggered, you may sustain inju-
ries to the arms, hands and head.
● When moving with the engine switched off,
the ignition key must always remain in posi-
tion 2
››› Fig. 89 ››› page 97 (ignition on).
The contr
ol lamps will light up in this posi- tion. Otherwise, the steering lock could en-
gage suddenly. Risk of accident!
●
Do not remove the key from the ignition un-
til the vehicle has come to a standstill and is
secure (e.g. the handbrake is engaged). Oth-
erwise, the steering lock could suddenly en-
gage. Risk of accident!
● Always take the ignition key with you when
you leave the vehicle. This is particularly im-
portant if you leave children in the vehicle.
Children could, for example, start the engine
with the subsequent risk of accident.
● Never leave the engine running in unventi-
lated or closed rooms. The exhaust gases
contain carbon monoxide, an odourless and
colourless poisonous gas. Risk of fatal acci-
dents! Carbon monoxide can cause people to
lose consciousness and can cause death.
● Never leave the vehicle unattended if the
engine is running.
● Never switch the engine off until the vehi-
cle has come to a complete stop. Risk of acci-
dent! CAUTION
● Turning the steering wheel fully in either
direction when the vehicle is stationary and
the engine is in gear puts the power steering
under great stress. This could lead to noise.
Never leave the steering wheel turned fully in
either direction for more than 15 seconds.
Risk of damage to the power steering system! ●
The starter motor may only be used (key
position 3
››› Fig. 89 ››› p
age 97 in the igni-
tion) if the engine is off. Using the starter mo-
tor when the engine is running could damage
it.
● Immediately release the ignition key when
the engine starts, otherwise damage could be
caused to the starter motor.
● When the engine is cold, you should avoid
high engine speeds, driving at full throttle
and over-loading the engine before it reaches
operating temperature. Risk of engine dam-
age!
● Do not tow-start the engine. Risk of engine
damage! In vehicles with a catalytic convert-
er, fuel that has not been burned could reach
the catalytic converter and catch fire in it.
This would lead to a fault in the catalytic con-
verter. You may use the battery from another
vehicle to help you start your engine
››› page 157, Jump-starting.
● After prolonged and demanding operation
of the engine, when the journey has ended,
do not stop the engine immediately. Let the
engine run at idle for about one more minute.
This will stop the engine from overheating. For the sake of the environment
Do not warm up the engine when the vehicle
is stationary. If possible, move off immediate-
ly after starting the engine. This will help the
engine reach operating temperature more
quickly, reducing the quantity of emissions. 96
Operation
Starting the engine
● Move the gearbox lever into neutral or
move the selector lever to position P
or N and
pull firmly on the handbrake.
● Press the clutch pedal all the way down 2›››
Fig. 89
›
›› p
age 97 and start the engine 3 ,
without pressing the accelerator. Keep the
clutch pedal pressed down until the engine
starts.
● Release the ignition key as soon as the en-
gine starts. The key returns to position 2 .
● If the engine does not start after 10 sec-
onds, turn the key back to position 1 . Re-
peat the action after 30 seconds.
● Release the handbrake before moving off.
Switching off the engine Stop the engine by turning the ignition key to
position
1
›››
Fig. 89 ›
›
›
page 97. Brakes and brake servo
systems
Introduction WARNING
● The brake servo only works when the en-
gine is running. Braking when the engine is
switched off requires applying more strength
to the brake pedal. Risk of accident!
● Press down on the clutch pedal when stop-
ping and braking with a manual gearbox, pet-
rol engine vehicle at low speed. Otherwise,
the brake servo might not work properly. Risk
of accident!
● In the event of damage to the standard
front spoiler or where a different front spoil-
er, wheel trims, etc. are subsequently fitted,
make sure the air vent to the brakes on the
front wheels is not blocked. Otherwise, brak-
ing operations may be impaired. Risk of acci-
dent!
● Always fully release the handbrake. If it is
only partially released, this will cause over-
heating of the rear brakes, which can impair
the function of the brake system. Risk of acci-
dent!
● Never leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle. They could release the handbrake or
move the gear lever. The vehicle could start
moving. Risk of accident! ●
Insufficient fuel can cause the engine to run
irregularly or to switch off. Brake assist sys-
tems could be impaired. Risk of accident!
● Always adjust your driving style to suit visi-
bility, the weather and road and traffic condi-
tions. The best vehicle safety offered by
brake assist systems must never encourage
you to run greater risks. Risk of accident! CAUTION
● Observe the information concerning new
brake pads ››› page 104
.
● Wher e br
aking is not necessary, do not
wear down the brake pads by pressing down
gently on the brake pedal. This causes the
brakes to overheat, increasing their wear and
increasing braking distances.
● To ensure the brake assist systems work
properly, all wheels must be fitted with tyres
approved by the manufacturer. Note
● If you brake suddenly and the brake system
control unit regards the situation as hazard-
ous for the drivers behind you, the brake
lights will begin to flash automatically. After
reducing speed to approximately 10 km/h (6
mph) or stopping the vehicle, the brake lights
will stop flashing and the hazard warning
lights will switch on. The hazard warning
lights are automatically switched off when
you accelerate or restart the vehicle. 98
Driving
●
On long, steep gradients, reduce your
speed and change to a lower gear (manual
gearbox) or move the selector lever to a lower
gear position (automatic gearbox). This uses
the force of the engine and the brakes do not
suffer as much. If you still have to brake, do
so intermittently, pressing down repeatedly
on the brake pedal.
● Vehicle modifications (e.g. to the engine,
brakes, frame or a combination of wheels and
tyres) could impair the brake assist systems
››› page 122, Accessories and modifications
to the vehicle .
● In the event of a fault in the ABS system,
the ESC, TCS and EDL are switched off auto-
matically. A fault in the ABS is indicated by
the ››› page 36 warning lamp. Brakes
Wear
The rate of wear of the brake pads depends
on the driving style and on the way in which
the vehicle is used. The brake pads will wear
more quickly if you use your vehicle frequent-
ly in urban traffic and short trips or drive in a
sporty style. Under these
demanding condi-
tions , visit your specialised service, even be-
f or
e the scheduled service date, so that the
thickness of the brake pads can be meas-
ured. Wet roads or road salt
If brakes are wet or frozen, or if you are driv-
ing on roads which have been gritted with
salt, braking power may set in later than nor-
mal. Dry the brakes as soon as possible by
braking repeatedly.
Corrosion
Long periods of inactivity and little use can
lead to rust on the brake discs and dirt on the
brake pads. Where the brake system is sub-
jected to light stress or in the case of corro-
sion, clean the brake discs by braking fully
several times at a high speed.
Brake system fault
If you notice that the braking distance sud-
denly increases and the brake pedal can be
pressed down more fully, there may be a fault
in the brake system. Visit a specialised serv-
ice immediately and adjust your driving style
to the extent of the damage and to limit the
effect of the brakes.
Low brake fluid level
Insufficient brake fluid could cause faults in
the brake system. The brake fluid level is con-
trolled electronically
››› page 33, Brake sys-
tem . Brake servo
The brake servo supplements the pressure
you exert on the brake pedal. The brake servo
only works when the engine is running.
Handbrake Fig. 90
Centre console: handbrake. Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up all the way.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and
press the unlock button at the same time
››› Fig. 90 .
– Keep the b
utton pressed down and push
the lever all the way down.
The warning lamp lights up when the hand-
brake is applied with the ignition on .
99
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Operation
Manual gearbox Changing gears Fig. 91
Gear shift diagram of a 5- or 6-speed
manual gearbox When changing gear, always depress the
clutch pedal fully and keep it pressed down
to avoid excessive clutch wear.
In order to drive at an optimum RPM, follow
the gear change indications
››› page 32.
Engage reverse gear only when the vehicle is
stopped. On engaging reverse gear while the
engine is running, first wait a moment with
the clutch pedal pressed down fully to limit
gear shift noise.
The reverse lights switch on when the reverse
gear is selected and the ignition is on. WARNING
Never engage reverse gear when moving for-
ward. Risk of accident! Note
Do not rest your hand on the gear lever while
driving. The pressure of your hand could lead
to premature wear of the gear system. Automatic gearbox
Basic information The gearbox changes up and down automati-
cally. The gearbox can be set to
Tiptronic
mode. The gears can be changed manually in
this mode ›››
page 102 .
The en gine c
an only be started
in positions P
or N. If, on engaging the steering lock,
switching the ignition on/off or starting the
engine, the selector lever is not in these posi-
tions, the informative display will show Move
the selector lever to position P/N! , or P/N
is
shown on the general dash panel display.
At temperatures below -10 °C (14 °F), the en-
gine can only be started in position P.
Mov
e the selector lever to position P when
parking the vehicle on a flat surface. On a
slope, the handbrake should be firmly ap-
plied before moving the selector lever to the park position. This reduces the load on the
lock mechanism while making it easier to
move the selector lever from position P.
If, while the vehicle is moving, the selector
lever is accidentally moved to position
N, re-
le
ase the accelerator and wait for the engine
to idle before moving it back into position. WARNING
● Never press the accelerator when selecting
the automatic gearbox operating mode when
the vehicle is stationary. Risk of accident!
● Never move the selector lever to positions
R or P when driving. Risk of accident!
● If the vehicle is to be stopped with a gear
selected and the engine idling (e.g. waiting
or moving slowly at traffic lights), press down
on the brake pedal because the transmission
is not entirely interrupted when the engine is
idling and the vehicle will tend to start mov-
ing.
● Apply the handbrake firmly and put the se-
lector lever in position P before opening the
bonnet and working on the vehicle with the
engine running. Risk of accident! Strictly fol-
low the safety instructions ››› page 132, En-
gine compartment.
● When s t
opping on a slope (hill), try not to
stop the vehicle from moving by pressing the
“accelerator” with a gear selected. This could
overheat the clutch. If the clutch risks being
burnt due to this force, it would switch off 100
Driving
and the vehicle could move backwards. Risk
of accident!
●
If you have to stop on a hill, press down on
the brake pedal to stop the vehicle from mov-
ing.
● The drive wheels could lose traction on a
slippery road surface when the kick-down
function is activated. Risk of sliding! CAUTION
● In DSG automatic gearboxes, the double
clutch is protected from overloads. If the hill
hold control is used, the clutches are subjec-
ted to greater force if the vehicle is at a
standstill on a slope or suddenly accelerating
on a slope.
● Should the clutches overheat, the sym-
bol is shown on the informative display with
a warning message Gear overheated. Stop! In-
struction Manual! An audible warning is also heard. Stop the vehicle in this case, stop the
engine and wait until the symbol has
switched off. Danger of damage to the gear-
box! You can continue driving once the sym-
bol is switched off. Starting and driving
Starting
– Press and hold the brake pedal.
– Press and hold the interlock button on the
selector lever knob and move the selector lever to position
››› page 101 before releas-
ing the interlock button.
– Release the brake and press the accelera-
tor.
Stopping
– The selector lever does not have to be
moved to position N
if the vehicle is stop-
ped f
or a short period, e.g. at intersections.
Applying the brake is enough. However, the
engine must remain idling.
Parking
– Press the brake pedal.
– Apply the handbrake.
– Press the interlock button, move the selec-
tor lever to position P and release the but-
ton.
Kick-down feature
The kick-down feature allows maximum ac-
celeration to be reached.
In any gear programme, press down fully on
the accelerator for the automatic gearbox to
activate the kick-down feature. This function
takes priority over the gear programmes with-
out taking into account the position of the se-
lector lever (
D, S or Tiptronic) and is used to
reach maximum acceleration, using full en-
gine power. Depending on the road speed
and engine speed, the automatic gearbox shifts down and the vehicle accelerates. It
only shifts up after the maximum engine
speed has been reached.
Selector lever positions Fig. 92
Selector lever/Informative display: se-
lector lever positions. The current position of the selector lever is
shown on the general instrument panel dis-
play
1
››› Fig. 92 .
»
101
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Driver assistance systems
The
warning lamp on the general instru-
ment
panel starts flashing when the system
is working.
The
stability (ESC) system includes the fol-
lowing systems:
● Anti-lock brake system (ABS),
● Traction control system (TCS),
● Electronic differential lock (EDL),
● Hydraulic brake assist system (HBA),
● Hill hold control (HHC).
The ESC system cannot be switched on. The
››› Fig. 95 button can only be used to
sw it
ch off the TCS system. The warning
lamp lights up on the general instrument
panel if the TCS system is switched off.
The ASR should be switched on at all times.
Only under certain circumstances should the
system be switched off, e.g.
● driving with chains,
● driving in deep snow or on very soft surfa-
ces,
● During the “swinging movement” required
to remove a stuck vehicle
Switch the ASR back on as soon as possible. Brake assist system (HBA)*
The HBA system is activated when you press
down on the brake pedal suddenly. It increa-
ses braking power, helping to reduce braking
distances. To reduce braking distance as
much as possible, keep the brake pedal
pressed down firmly until the vehicle comes
to a standstill.
With the help of this system, the ABS is acti-
vated more quickly and more efficiently.
The brake assist function is deactivated auto-
matically when the brake pedal is released.
Hill hold control (HHC)*
The HHC system makes it easier to start the
vehicle on hills. The system maintains the
brake pressure created by pressing down on
the brake pedal for 2 seconds after it has
been released. Your foot can be removed
from the brake pedal and you can use the ac-
celerator pedal and move away on a hill with-
out having to use the handbrake. The brake
pressure drops as the accelerator pedal is
pressed. If the vehicle cannot be started, it
will start to move backwards after 2 seconds.
The HHC is activated on gradients of over
5%, if the driver door is closed. It only works
for starting on hills, moving both forward and
in reverse. It is not activated during start-up
down hill.
Anti-lock system (ABS) The ABS system prevents the wheels locking
during braking. This helps the driver keep
control of the vehicle.
The driver is made aware of ABS assistance
by the pulsating of the brake pedal
and a
characteristic noise.
Keep the brake pedal pressed down while the
ABS is working. The ABS will switch off when
the brake pedal is released. Never brake in-
termittently while the ABS is working!
Traction control system (ASR) If the wheels start to slip, the TCS adapts the
engine speed to the driving conditions. Par-
ticularly in unfavourable conditions, the TCS
helps starting, accelerating and hill starts.
The TCS
1)
warning lamp on the general
dash panel flashes when the system is work-
ing. 1)
Valid for vehicles not fitted with the stability con-
trol system (ESC). 109
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety