Table of Contents
Board literature4
Notes
5
Structure and more information about the
Operating Instructions
6
Abbreviations
Safety
Passive Safety
8
General information
8
Correct and safe seated position
9
Seat belts
12
Using seat belts
12
Inertia reels and belt tensioners
15
Airbag system
16
Description of the airbag system
16
Airbag overview
17
Deactivating airbags
20
Transporting children safely
22
Child seat
22
Fastening systems
25
Using the system
Cockpit
29
Overview
28
Instruments and Indicator Lights
30
Instrument cluster
30
Indicator lights
34
Information system
41
Driver information system
41
Multifunction display (MFD)
43MAXI DOT display46Service interval display47
Unlocking and opening
49
Unlocking and locking
49
Anti-theft alarm system
53
Luggage compartment lid
54
Power windows
55
Mechanical windows
57
Lights and visibility
58
Lights
58
Interior lighting
63
Visibility
64
Windscreen wipers and washers
65
Rear mirror
66
Seats and head restraints
69
Seats and head restraints
69
Seat features
71
Transporting and practical equipment
73
Useful equipment
73
Luggage compartment
80
Roof rack
84
Heating and air conditioning
85
Heating, ventilation, cooling
85
Communication and multimedia
90
Universal telephone installation GSM II
90
Voice control
94
Multimedia
96
SmartGate
98
Driving
Starting-off and Driving
100
Starting and turning off the engine
100
Brakes and parking
102
Manual gear changing and pedals
103
Automatic gearbox
104Retraction and economical driving107Driving through water and driving off of
made-up roads107
Assist systems
109
Braking and stabilisation systems
109
Parking aid
110
Cruise Control System
111
START-STOP
112
Tyre pressure monitoring
115
Hitch and trailer
116
Hitch
116
Trailer
121
General Maintenance
Care and maintenance
124
Service work, adjustments and technical alterations
124
Washing vehicle
127
Cleaning vehicle exterior
128
Interior care
132
Inspecting and replenishing
134
Fuel
134
Engine compartment
137
Engine oil
140
Coolant
142
Brake fluid
143
Vehicle battery
144
Wheels
148
Tyres and wheel rims
148
Manufacturer-approved tyre variants
151
Winter operation
1522Table of Contents
Using the system
Cockpit
OverviewElectrical power windows
56
Door opening lever
51
Electric exterior mirror adjustment
68
Air outlet vents
86
Parking ticket holder
74
Operating lever:
› Turn signal light, headlight and parking light, headlight
flasher
60
› Speed regulating system
111
Steering wheel:
› With horn
› With driver’s front airbag
17
›with pushbuttons for radio, navigation system and mobile
phone
90
› With buttons for the operation of the information system
41
Instrument cluster
30
Operating lever:
› Windscreen wiper and wash system
66
›Information system
41
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Radio
› Navigation system
Button for hazard warning light system
62
Warning light for the deactivated front seat passenger airbag
20
Air outlets in the central part of the dash panel
86
Interior rear-view mirror
67
Key switch for switching off the passenger airbag (in front pas-
senger storage compartment)
20
Front passenger airbag
17
Storage compartment on the front passenger side
78
Air outlet vents
86
Power window in the front passenger door
5512345678910111213141516171819Door opening lever51
Light switch
58
Headlight range control (in the dashboard)
59
Bonnet release lever
138
Fuse box in the dashboard
169
Lever for adjusting the steering wheel
10
Ignition lock
101
Pedals
104
Storage compartment
74
Handbrake lever
103
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Gearshift lever (manual gearbox)
104
›Selector lever (automatic gearbox)
105
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Cup holder
74
›Multimedia holder
77
›Ashtrays
76
Multi-Device Interface (MDI) input
97
Bar with keys depending on the equipment fitted:
›
Seat heater on the front left seat
71
›
stabilization control (ESC)
109
›
Central locking system
52
›
Rear window heater
64
›
START STOP
112
›
Seat heater on the front right seat
71
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Operating controls for the heating
87
›
Operating controls for the air conditioning system
88
›Operating controls for Climatronic
88
Note
The position of some of the controls on right-hand drive models may differ
from that shown in » Fig. 19. The symbols on the controls and switches are the
same as for left-hand drive models.20212223242526272829303132333429Cockpit
Tyre inflation pressure40 Windscreen washer fluid level40
Turn signal system
40
Fog lights
40
Cruise control system
41
Brake pedal (automatic gearbox)
41
Main beam
41
The warning lights indicate certain functions or faults.
Some warning lights can be accompanied by acoustic signals and messages in
the display of the instrument cluster.
After switching on the ignition, some warning lights light up briefly as a func-
tion test.
If the tested systems are OK, the corresponding warning lights go out a few
seconds after switching on the ignition or after starting the engine.
WARNING■ Ignoring illuminated indicator lights and related messages or instructions
in the instrument cluster display may lead to serious personal injury or
damage to the vehicle.■
If you have to stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe
distance from the traffic, switch off the engine and switch on the hazard
warning lights » page 62. The warning triangle must be set up at the pre-
scribed distance - observe the national legal provisions when doing so.
■
The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area. The following
warning instructions must be followed at all times when working in the en-
gine compartment » page 137, Engine compartment .
Handbrake
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates if the handbrake is applied.
An acoustic signal will sound if you drive the vehicle above 6 km/h for at least
3 seconds while the handbrake is applied.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Release parking brake!
Brake system
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The indicator light
illuminates if the brake fluid level in the braking system
is too low or there is a fault in the ABS.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.
Brake fluid: Owner's manual!
›
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the level of the brake flu-
id » page 144 » .
WARNING■
If the warning light together with the warning light » page 37 ,
Antilock brake system (ABS) illuminates, do not continue to drive!
Seek help from a specialist garage.■
A fault to the ABS system or the braking system can increase the vehi-
cle's braking distance – risk of accident!
Seat belt warning light
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates as a reminder for the driver and front passen-
ger to fasten seat belts.
The indicator light
goes off after the respective seat belt has been fastened.
If the driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt and the vehicle
speed is more than 20 km/h, the warning light
flashes and you will hear an
acoustic signal.
The warning signal is switched off and the indicator light is
permanently lit
if the driver and front passenger have not fastened their seat belts within the
next 90 seconds.
Generator
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
lights up when the engine is running, the vehicle battery
is not being charged.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
35Instruments and Indicator Lights
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.Error: ABS
The vehicle will only be braked by the normal brake system without the ABS.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
In the event of an ABS fault, the other braking and stabilization systems are
turned off » page 109 , Braking and stabilisation systems .WARNING■
A fault to the ABS system or the braking system can increase the vehi-
cle's braking distance – risk of accident!■
If the warning light
together with the warning light
» page 35 ,
Brake system illuminates,
do not continue to drive! Seek help from a
specialist garage.
Rear fog light
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates when the rear fog light is switched on.
Lamp failure
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates if a lamp is faulty or if an external vehicle lamp
is faulty .
The indicator light
illuminates within a few seconds after switching on the
ignition or when a light with a faulty lamp is switched on .
The following message, for example, may be shown in the MAXI DOT display. INFORMATION Check front right low beam!
The rear side lights and the licence plate lighting have several light bulbs. The indicator light only lights up if all bulbs in the parking light (in one rear light)
or the licence plate lighting are faulty 1)
. For this reason, regular check that
these light bulbs are working correctly.
Exhaust inspection system
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
If the warning light
illuminates , there is a fault in the exhaust inspection
system. The system allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Glow plug system (diesel engine)
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates after the ignition has been switched on. Once
the light has gone out, the engine can be started immediately.
There is a fault in the glow plug system if the warning light
does not come
on at all or lights up continuously .
If the warning light begins to
flash while driving, a fault exists in the engine
control. The system allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Engine performance check (petrol engine)
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
If the indicator light
illuminates , there is a fault in the engine control. The
system allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Diesel particulate filter (Diesel motor)
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The diesel particulate filter separates the soot particles from the exhaust. The soot particles collect in the diesel particulate filter where they are burnt on a
regular basis.
If the indicator light
illuminates , soot has accumulated in the filter.
1)
Applies to vehicles with START-STOP system.
38Using the system
Lock/unlock steering lockRead and observe
and on page 100 first.
The steering lock (steering lock) deters any attempted theft of your vehicle.
Locking
›
Withdraw the ignition key.
›
Turn the steering wheel to the left or right until the steering lock clicks into
place.
Unlocking
›
Insert the key into the ignition lock.
›
Switch on the ignition » page 101.
The steering lock is unlocked.
If the ignition switch cannot be turned on, then turn the steering wheel back and forth slightly and thereby unlock the steering lock.
Ignition on / off and start the engine
Fig. 91
Positions of the vehicle key in the ignition lock
Read and observe and on page 100 first.
Positions of the vehicle key in the ignition lock » Fig. 91
Ignition switched off, engine switched off
Ignition switched on
Starting engine
Switching ignition on/off
›
Turn key to position
2
.
The ignition is switched on.
›
Turn key to position
1
.
123The ignition is switched off.
Procedure for starting the engine›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
For vehicles with manual transmission , shift gear stick to neutral, depress
the clutch pedal and hold it there until the engine starts.
›
On vehicles with automatic transmission , place the selector lever in position
P or N and depress the brake pedal until the engine starts.
›
Turn the key into position
3
to the stop and release immediately after the
engine has been started – do not apply the accelerator.
After letting go, the vehicle key will return to position
2
.
For vehicles with diesel engines the glow plug warning light
goes on during
starting. The engine can be started after the indicator light goes out.
If the engine does not start within 10 seconds, turn the key to position
1
. Re-
peat the start-up process after approx. half a minute.
Vehicles with the START-STOP system and manual gearbox
The engine will not start if the clutch pedal is not depressed.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display. Depress clutch to start!
CLUTCH
Vehicles with the START-STOP system and automatic gearbox
The engine will not start if the brake pedal is not depressed.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display. Depress brake to start.
BRAKE
Note
■ The engine running noises may louder at first be louder for a short time after
starting the cold engine. This is quite normal and is not an operating problem.■
You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heat-
ing period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
Switching off the engine
Read and observe
and on page 100 first.
›
Stop the vehicle » page 103, Parking .
›
Turn key to position
1
» Fig. 91 on page 101 .
101Starting-off and Driving
The engine and the ignition are switched off simultaneously.
For vehicles with automatic transmission, the ignition key can only be removed if the selector lever is in position P .
CAUTION
Do not switch the engine off immediately at the end of your journey after the
engine has been operated over a prolonged period at high loads but leave it to
run at an idling speed for about 1 minute. This prevents any possible accumula-
tion of heat when the engine is switched off.
Note
After switching off the ignition, the radiator fan may intermittently continue to
operate for approx. 10 minutes.
Brakes and parking
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Information on braking
102
Handbrake
103
Parking
103WARNING■ Greater physical effort is required for braking when the engine is switch-
ed off – risk of accident!■
The clutch pedal must be actuated when braking on a vehicle with man-
ual transmission, when the vehicle is in gear and at low revs. Otherwise,
the functionality of the brake system may be impaired – risk of accident!
■
When leaving the vehicle, never leave persons who might, for example,
release the handbrake or take the vehicle out of gear unattended in the ve-
hicle. The vehicle could then start to move – risk of accident!
■
Observe the recommendations on the new brake pads » page 107, New
brake pads .
CAUTION
Never let the brakes slip with light pressure on the pedal if braking is not nec-
essary. This causes the brakes to overheat and can also result in a longer brak-
ing distance and excessive wear.Information on braking
Read and observe
and on page 102 first.
Wear-and-tear
The wear of the brake pads is dependent on the operating conditions and driv-
ing style.
The brake pads wear more quickly if a lot of journeys are completed in towns
and over short distances or if a very sporty style of driving is adopted.
Under these severe conditions , the thickness of the brake pads must also be
checked by a specialist garage between service intervals.
Wet roads or road salt
The performance of the brakes can be delayed as the brake discs and brake
pads may be moist or have a coating of ice or layer of salt on them in winter.
The brakes are cleaned and dried by applying the brakes several times »
.
Corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt on the bake pads occur if the vehicle has
been parked for a long period and if you do not make much use of the braking
system. The brakes are cleaned by applying the brakes several times »
.
Long or steep slopes
Before travelling a long distance with a steep gradient, reduce speed and shift
into the next lowest gear. As a result, the braking effect of the engine will be
used, reducing the load on the brakes. Any additional braking should be com-
pleted intermittently, not continuously.
Emergency brake display
If the brakes are applied in full and the control unit for the braking system con-
siders the situation to be dangerous for the following traffic, the brake light
flashes automatically.
After the speed was reduced below around 10 km/h or the vehicle was stop-
ped, the brake light stops flashing and the hazard warning light system
switches on. The hazard warning light system is switched off automatically af- ter accelerating or driving off again.
Faults in the brake surface
If it is found that the braking distance has suddenly become longer and that
the brake pedal can be depressed further, the brake system may be faulty.
Visit a specialist garage immediately and adjust your style of driving appropri-
ately, as you will not know the exact extent of the damage.
102Driving
Low brake fluid level
An insufficient level of brake fluid may result in problems in the brake system.
The level of the brake fluid is monitored electronically » page 35,
Brake sys-
tem .
Brake booster
The brake booster increases the pressure generated with the brake pedal. The
brake booster only operates when the engine is running.WARNINGOnly apply the brakes for the purpose of drying and cleaning the brake
discs if the traffic conditions permit this. Do not place any other road users
in jeopardy.
Handbrake
Fig. 92
Handbrake
Read and observe and on page 102 first.
The hand brake is used when stopping and parking for securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement.
Apply
›
Pull the handbrake lever firmly upwards.
Release
›
Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and at the same time push in the locking
button » Fig. 92 .
›
Move the lever right down while pressing the lock button.
The handbrake warning light
lights up when the handbrake is applied, pro-
vided the ignition is on.
A warning signal sounds if the vehicle is inadvertently driven off with the
handbrake applied.
The following instruction is shown in the MAXI DOT display.
Release parking brake!
The handbrake warning is activated if the vehicle is driven at a speed of more
than around 6 km/h for more than 3 seconds.WARNINGPlease note that the handbrake must be fully released. A handbrake which
is only partially released can result in the rear brakes overheating. This can
have a negative effect on the operation of the brake system – risk of acci-
dent!
Parking
Read and observe
and on page 102 first.
When stopping and parking, look for a place with a suitable surface » .
Only carry out the activities while parking in the specified order.
›
Bring the vehicle to a stop and depress the brake pedal.
›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
On vehicles with automatic transmission place the selector lever in the P po-
sition.
›
Switch off the engine.
›
On vehicles with manual transmission select the first gear or reverse gear.
›
Release the brake pedal.
WARNINGThe parts of the exhaust system can become very hot. Therefore, never
stop the vehicle at places where the underside of your vehicle can come in-
to contact with flammable materials such as dry grass, undergrowth,
leaves, spilled fuel or such like. - Risk of fire and serious injury can occur!
Manual gear changing and pedals
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Manual gear changing
104
Pedals
104103Starting-off and Driving
CAUTION■If the selector lever is moved to mode N while driving, the accelerator pedal
must be released and you will need to wait until the engine has reached its
idling speed before moving the selector lever to a forward driving mode again.■
When the outdoor temperature is below -10 ° C, the selector lever when
starting must always be in P mode.
■
When stopping on a slope, never try to hold the vehicle using the accelerator
pedal – this may lead to gear damage.
Note
After the ignition is switched off, the ignition key can only be withdrawn if the
selector lever is in the position P.
Modes and use of selector lever
Fig. 94
Selection lever / lock button / display
Read and observe
and on page 104 first.
When the ignition is switched on, the gearbox mode and the currently selected gear are indicated in the display » Fig. 94.
The following modes can be selected with the selector lever » Fig. 94.
P
– Parking mode
The driven wheels are locked mechanically in this mode.
Parking mode must only be selected when the vehicle is stationary.
R
– Reverse gear
Reverse gear can only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary and the en-
gine is at idling speed.
N – Neutral
The power transmission to the drive wheels is interrupted in this mode.D
- Mode for forwards travel (normal programme)
In mode D, the forward gears are automatically changed according to the en-
gine load, accelerator pedal actuation and driving speed.
S
- Mode for forwards travel (sports programme)
In mode S, the forward gears are shifted automatically up and down at higher
engine speeds than in mode D.
Before changing to mode S from mode D, press the lock button in the direction
of arrow
1
» Fig. 94 .
Fault in the automatic gearbox
A fault in the automatic gearbox is noticeable with the following.
› Only certain gears are selected.
› The reverse gear
R cannot be used.
› Shifting gears in Tiptronic mode is not possible.
CAUTION
If a fault occurs on the automatic gearbox help from a professional service pro-
vider should be sought immediately - there is a risk of damaging the vehicle.
Selector lever lock
Read and observe
and on page 104 first.
The selector lever is locked in modes P and N to prevent the forwards travel
mode from being selected accidentally and setting the vehicle in motion.
The selector lever is locked only when the vehicle is stationary and at speeds
up to 5 km/h.
The selector lever lock is indicated by the illumination of the warning light .
The selector lever is not locked when quickly moving across the position N
(e.g. from R to D). This, for example, helps to rock out a vehicle that is stuck,
e.g. in a bank of snow. The selector lever lock will engage if the lever is in posi-
tion N for more than approx. 2 seconds without the brake pedal being de-
pressed.
Releasing selector lever from mode P or N (selector lever lock)
›
Press the brake pedal and the lock button at the same time in the direction
of
1
» Fig. 94 on page 105 .
105Starting-off and Driving