Operating conditions of the systemFig. 100
MAXI DOT display: Engine is au-
tomatically switched off / auto-
matic engine cut off is not possi-
ble
Read and observe on page 112 first.
For system-dependent automatic engine shutdown
to work, the following conditions must be met.
The driver's door is closed.
The driver has fastened the seat belt.
The bonnet is closed.
The driving speed was higher than 4 km/h after the last stop.
No trailer is coupled.
Some additional conditions for the system to function correctly cannot be in-
fluenced or recognised by the driver. Therefore, the system can react differ-
ently in situations which are identical from the driver's perspective.
If after stopping the car, the message START-STOP NOT POSSIBLE appears in
the segment display or the MAXI DOT display shows the
» Fig. 100 warning
sign, then the conditions for automatic engine shutdown are not being met.
Running the engine is essential for the following reasons, for example.
› The engine temperature for the proper function of the system has not yet
been reached.
› The charge state of the vehicle battery is too low.
› The current consumption is too high.
› High air-conditioning or heating capacity (high fan speed, big difference be-
tween the desired and actual interior temperature).
Note■ If the vehicle remains outdoors for a long time in minus temperatures or in
direct sunlight, it can take several hours until the internal temperature of the
vehicle battery reaches a suitable temperature for proper operation of the
START STOP system.■
If the driver's seat belt is removed for more than approx. 30 seconds or the
driver's door is opened during stop mode, the engine will have to be started
manually.
■
After the manual engine start and with a manual gearbox the automatic en-
gine shutdown can take place only when a minimum distance required for the
system function has been covered.
Operation in vehicles with manual gearbox
Read and observe
on page 112 first.
In compliance with the operating conditions, automatic engine shutdown / au-
tomatic engine start takes place as described.
Automatic engine shutdown
›
Stop the vehicle.
›
Put the gear stick into Neutral.
›
Release the clutch pedal.
Automatic engine shutdown takes place, segment display shows START-STOP
ACTIVE or the MAXI DOT display shows the warning sign
» Fig. 100 on
page 113 .
Automatic engine start
›
Depress the clutch pedal.
The automatic start procedure takes place again.
Operation in vehicles with automatic gearbox
Read and observe
on page 112 first.
In compliance with the operating conditions, automatic engine shutdown / au-
tomatic engine start takes place as described.
Automatic engine shutdown
›
Bring the vehicle to a stop and depress the brake pedal.
113Assist systems
Checking the battery electrolyte levelFig. 124
Electrolyte level indicator
Read and observe and on page 145 first.
On vehicles with a vehicle battery fitted with a colour indicator » Fig. 124, the
electrolyte level can be determined by looking at the change in colour of this
display.
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the indicator. For this reason carefully
knock on the indicator before carrying out the check.
› Black colour – electrolyte level is correct.
› Colourless or light yellow colour – electrolyte level too low, the battery must
be replaced.
Vehicles with a START-STOP system are fitted with a battery control unit for
checking the energy level for the recurring engine start.
We recommend that you have the acid level checked regularly by a specialist
garage, especially in the following cases.
› High external temperatures.
› Longer day trips.
› After each charge.
Winter time
The vehicle battery only has a proportion of the starting power in lower tem-
peratures. A discharged vehicle battery may already freeze at temperatures
just below 0 °C .
We therefore recommend that you have the battery checked and, if necessary,
recharged by a specialist garage before the start of the winter.
Note■ The battery acid level is also checked regularly by a specialist garage as part
of the inspection service.■
For technical reasons, on vehicles with the description “AGM”, the electrolyte
level cannot be checked.
Charging
Read and observe
and on page 145 first.
A properly charged vehicle battery is essential for reliably starting the engine.A charging operation can be performed if the following conditions are satis-
fied.
The engine is turned off.
The ignition is switched off.
All consumers are turned off.
The bonnet is open.
“Fast charging” with high currents
›
Disconnect both battery cables (first of all “negative”, then “positive”).
›
Attach the terminal clamps of the charger to the battery terminals (red =
“positive”, black = “negative”).
›
Plug the mains cable of the charger into the power socket and switch on the
device.
›
After charging has been successful: Switch off the charger and remove the
mains cable from the power socket.
›
Only then disconnect the charger's terminal clamps.
›
Reconnect the cables to the battery (first “positive”, then “negative”).
Charging with low voltages
It is not necessary to disconnect the cables from the battery if you recharge
the vehicle battery, for example from a mini-charger.
Refer to the instructions of the charger manufacturer .
A charging current of 0.1 multiple of the total vehicle battery capacity (or low-
er) must be used until full charging is achieved.
The vent plugs of the vehicle battery should not be opened for charging.
146General Maintenance
WARNING■When you charge a battery, hydrogen is released, and a highly explosive
gas mixture is also produced. An explosion can be caused through sparkling
over during unclamping or loosening of the cable plug while the ignition is
on.■
Creating a bridge between the poles on the battery (e.g. with metal ob-
jects - cables) creates a short circuit - risk of damage to the battery, explo-
sion and burning of the battery, jets of acid spurting out.
■
Avoid creating sparks when working with cables and electrical devices.
Strong sparking represents a risk of injury.
■
Before carrying out any work on the electrical system, switch off the en-
gine, the ignition and all electrical consumers and disconnect the negative
terminal
.
■
“Quick-charging” the vehicle battery is dangerous and requires a special
charger and specialist knowledge.
■
We therefore recommend that vehicle batteries be “rapidly charged” by a
specialist garage.
CAUTION
On vehicles with the START/STOP system, the pole terminal of the charger
must not be connected directly to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery,
but only to the engine earth » page 163, Jump-starting using the battery from
another vehicle .
Replacing
Read and observe
and on page 145 first.
The new vehicle battery must have the same capacity, voltage, current and
size as the original battery. Suitable vehicle battery types can be purchased
from a specialist garage.
We recommend having the battery replaced by a specialist garage, where the
new vehicle battery will be installed properly and the original battery will be
disposed of in accordance with national regulations.
Disconnecting and reconnecting
Read and observe
and on page 145 first.
Disconnecting
›
Switch off the ignition.
›First, disconnect the negative terminal
first, then the positive terminal
of the battery.
Connecting›
First, connect the positive
first, then the negative
battery terminal.
After disconnecting and re-connecting the vehicle battery, the following func-
tions or devices are partially or completely inoperative.
Function / deviceOperating measureRadio or navigation systemEnter code number » User radio
manual or » navigation system
user manualTime settings» page 33
CAUTION
■ Disconnect the vehicle battery only with the ignition turned off - there is a
risk of damaging the electrical system of the vehicle.■
Under no circumstances must the battery cables be connected incorrectly –
risk of a cable fire.
Note
■ After disconnecting and re-connecting the vehicle battery, we recommend
having the vehicle checked by a specialist to ensure that the full functionality
of all electrical systems is guaranteed.■
The data of the multi-function display will be reset.
Automatic load deactivation
Read and observe
and on page 145 first.
The vehicle voltage control unit automatically prevents the battery from dis-
charging when the battery is put under high levels of strain. This manifests it-
self by the following.
› The idling speed is raised to allow the generator to deliver more electricity to
the electrical system.
› Where necessary, large convenience consumers such as seat heaters and
rear window heaters have their power limited or are shut off completely in
the event of an emergency.
147Inspecting and replenishing
The battery of another vehicle can be used to jump-start your vehicle if the en-
gine will not start because the battery is flat.WARNING■ Pay attention to the warning instructions relating to working in the en-
gine compartment » page 137.■
A discharged vehicle battery may already freeze at temperatures just be-
low 0 °C. If the battery is frozen, do not jump start with the battery of an-
other vehicle – there is a risk of explosion.
■
Keep any sources of ignition (naked flame, smouldering cigarettes, etc.)
away from the battery – risk of explosion!
■
Never jump-start vehicle batteries with insufficient acid levels – risk of
explosion and chemical burns.
■
The vent screws of the battery cells must be tightened firmly.
Note
We recommend you buy jump-start cables from a car battery specialist.
Jump-starting using the battery from another vehicle
Fig. 138
Jump-starting: A – flat battery, B
– battery providing current
Fig. 139
Engine earth: START-STOP system
Read and observe on page 163 first.
The starting process using the battery of another vehicle requires the use of
jumper cables.
The jump-start cables must be attached in the following sequence.
›
Attach clamp
1
to the positive terminal of the discharged battery
A
» Fig. 138 .
›
Attach clamp
2
to the positive terminal of the battery supplying power
B
.
›
Attach clamp
3
to the negative terminal of the battery supplying power
B
.
›
Attach the clamp
4
to a solid metal component firmly connected to the en-
gine block or to the engine block itself.
Starting engine
›
Start the engine on the vehicle providing the power and allow it to idle.
›
Start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
›
If the engine does not start, halt the attempt to start the engine after 10 sec-
onds and wait for 30 seconds before repeating the process.
›
Remove the jumper cables exactly in the reverse sequence as for clamping.
On vehicles with the START-STOP system, the jump-start cable of the charger
must never be connected directly to the negative pole of the vehicle battery,
but only to the engine earth.
› 1.2 l/63 kW TSI and 1.2 l/77 kW TSI engines
» Fig. 139 -
› 1.4 l/90 kW engine
» Fig. 139 -
› 1.6 l/77 kW TDI CR engine
» Fig. 139 -
Both batteries must have a rated voltage of 12 V. The capacity (Ah) of the bat-
tery supplying the power must not be significantly less than the capacity of
the discharged battery in your vehicle.
Jump-start cables
Only use jump-start cables which have an adequately large cross-section and
insulated terminal clamps. Observe the instructions of the jumper lead manu-
facturer.
Positive cable – colour coding in the majority of cases is red.
Negative cable – colour coding in the majority of cases is black.
163Emergency equipment and self-help
Storage compartmentGlasses compartment78
in the boot83
in the centre console74
in the front arm rest78
on the front passenger side78
Storage compartments73
Storage pockets on the front seats79
Stowage compartments in the doors
74
Sun visors65
Switching off the engine101
Switch light on/off58
Switch off ignition101
Switch on ignition101
T
Taking care of your vehicle Automatic car wash system
128
High-pressure cleaner128
Washing by hand127
Wash system128
TCS Operation
109
Technical data177
Telephone90
Tiptronic106
Tools155
TOP TETHER26
Towing164
Towing a trailer122
Towing device Description
116
Operation and maintenance131
Towing eye Front
165
Rear165
Towing protection54
Traction Control System (TCS)109
Trailer121
13-pin socket121
connection and disconnection121
Loading122
Safety eye121
Towing a trailer122
Trailer operation116
Transport Luggage compartment
80
Roof rack84
Transporting73
Transporting children safely22
Triangle154
Turn signal60
Turn signal system Warning light
40
two-way radio systems90
Tyre Damage
150
Explanation of the labelling151
see wheels151
Tyre inflation pressure Warning light
40
Tyre load-bearing capacity See Wheels
151
Tyre pressure149
Tyre pressure monitoring115
Save tyre pressure values115
Tyre repair General notes
161
Preparations161
Pressure test162
Sealing and inflating the tyre162
Tyres148
new107
Tyre pressure149
Wear and tear149
Wear indicators150
Tyre size151
see wheels151
U
Under-body Vehicle care
131
Under-body protection131
Unlock Key
50
Unlocking Individual settings
52
Remote control50
Unlocking and locking49
USB97
Used vehicles Acceptance and recycling
127
Useful equipment Ashtray
76
Car park ticket holder74
Cigarette lighter75
Clothes hook79
Cup holders74
Glasses compartment78
Multimedia holder77
Storage compartment73
Using the information system42
Using the selector lever105
V
Vehicle battery Automatic load deactivation
147
charging146
Checking the battery electrolyte level146
Cover145
Operation in winter146
Replacing147
Safety instructions144
vehicle care chrome parts
129
Vehicle care Alcantara
133
Artificial leather133
192Index