Using the system
Cockpit
OverviewElectrical power windows
56
Door opening lever
51
Electric exterior mirror adjustment
68
Air outlet vents
90
Parking ticket holder
74
Operating lever:
› Turn signal light, headlight and parking light, headlight
flasher
60
› Speed regulating system
115
Steering wheel:
› With horn
› With driver’s front airbag
17
›with push-buttons for radio, navigation system and mobile
phone
94
› 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
90
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
90
Power window in the front passenger door
5512345678910111213141516171819Door opening lever51
Light switch
58
Headlight range control (in the dashboard)
59
Bonnet release lever
142
Fuse box in the dashboard
173
Lever for adjusting the steering wheel
10
Ignition lock
105
Pedals
108
Storage compartment
74
Handbrake lever
107
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Gear shift lever (manual gearbox)
108
›Selector lever (automatic gearbox)
109
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Cup holder
74
›Multimedia holder
77
›Ashtrays
76
Multi-Device Interface (MDI) input
101
Bar with keys depending on the equipment fitted:
›
Seat heater on the front left seat
71
›
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
113
›
Central locking system
52
›
Rear window heater
64
›
START - STOP
116
›
Seat heater on the front right seat
71
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Operating controls for the heating
91
›
Operating controls for the air conditioning system
91
›Operating controls for Climatronic
92
Note
The arrangement of the controls right-hand drive models may differ from the
layout shown in » Fig. 19. The symbols on the controls and switches are the
same as for left-hand drive models.20212223242526272829303132333429Cockpit
Some error messages and other information are displayed in the MAXI DOT
display. The messages are displayed simultaneously with the icons in the MAXI
DOT display or with the warning lights in the instrument cluster » page 34,
Indicator lights .
The menu item Vehicle status is shown in the main menu of the MAXI DOT
display whenever at least one fault message exists. After selecting this menu,
the first of the error messages is displayed.
If there are several error messages, the display will show 1/3, for example, be-
low the message. This indicates that the first of a total of three error messag-
es is being displayed.
Warning symbols in the MAXI DOT displayEngine oil pressure too low» page 36Check engine oil level,
engine oil sensor defective» page 36Problem with the engine oil pressure» page 34Clutches of the automatic DSG gearbox are
too hot» page 34
Problem with the engine oil pressure
If the symbol is shown in the MAXI DOT display, you must have your vehicle
checked immediately by a specialist garage. The information about the maxi-
mum permissible engine speed is displayed together with this symbol.
Clutches of the automatic DSG gearbox are too hot
The symbol in the MAXI DOT display indicates that the temperature of the
automatic gearbox DSG clutches is too high.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Gearbox overheated. Stop! Log book!
do not continue to drive! Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and wait
until the symbol extinguishes – risk of gearbox damage! You can continue
your journey as soon as the symbol disappears.
WARNINGIf 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.
Note
■ If the MAXI DOT display shows warning messages, these messages must be
confirmed in order to access the main menu » page 42, Using the information
system .■
As long as the operational faults are not rectified, the symbols are always in-
dicated again. After they are displayed for the first time, the symbols continue
to be indicated without any extra messages for the driver.
Indicator lights
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Handbrake
35
Brake system
35
Seat belt warning light
35
Generator
35
Door open
36
Engine oil
36
Coolant
36
Power steering
37
Stability Control (ESC)
37
Traction control (ASR)
37
Antilock brake system (ABS)
37
Rear fog light
38
Bulb failure
38
Exhaust inspection system
38
Glow plug system (diesel engine)
38
Engine performance check (petrol engine)
38
Diesel particle filter (diesel engine)
38
Fuel reserve
39
Airbag system
39
34Using the system
Tyre inflation pressure40 Windscreen washer fluid40
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 141, 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 warning 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: Log book!
›
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the level of the brake flu-
id » page 148 » .
WARNING■
If the warning light illuminates simultaneously with warning light
» page 37 , Antilock brake system (ABS) , do not continue your
journey! Seek help from a specialist garage.■
A fault to the braking system or the ABS 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 warning light
goes out , after the respective seat belt has been fas-
tened.
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
remains perma-
nently illuminated 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
illuminates when the engine is running, the vehicle bat-
tery is not being charged.
35Instruments and Indicator Lights
›The SafeLock system is switched on.
› The warning light in the driver door begins flashing.
› The anti-theft alarm system is activated.
If the doors or the boot lid remain open after the vehicle has been locked, the
turn signal lights do not flash until they have been closed.WARNING■ Never leave the key in the vehicle when you exit the vehicle. Unauthor-
ized persons, such as children, for example, could lock the car, turn on the
ignition or start the engine - there is a danger of injury and accidents!■
When leaving the vehicle, never leave persons who are not completely in-
dependent, such as children, unattended in the vehicle. The children might,
for example, release the handbrake or take the vehicle out of gear. The ve-
hicle could then start to move – risk of injury and accidents! These individu-
als might also not be able to leave the vehicle on their own or to help
themselves. Can be fatal at very high or very low temperatures!
CAUTION
■ Each key contains electronic components; therefore it must be protected
against moisture and severe shocks.■
Keep the groove of the keys absolutely clean. Impurities (textile fibres, dust,
etc.) have a negative effect on the functionality of the locking cylinder and ig-
nition lock.
■
The battery must be replaced if the central locking or anti-theft alarm system
does react to the remote control at less than approx. 3 metres
away » page 170 .
■
When leaving the vehicle, always check if it is locked.
■
If the driver's door has been opened, the vehicle cannot be locked.
Note
In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed, the locked doors
are automatically unlocked in order to enable rescuers to gain access to the
vehicle.With the key on the lock cylinder unlock / lockFig. 30
Left side of the vehicle: Turning
the key for unlocking and locking
the vehicle
Read and observe and on page 50 first.
The key allows you to unlock or lock the vehicle via the lock cylinder in the
driver's door.
Unlocking / locking the vehicle with the key » Fig. 30
Unlocking the vehicle
Locking the vehicle
Unlocking/locking with the remote control key
Fig. 31
Remote control key
Read and observe and on page 50 first.
Function and description of the remote control key » Fig. 31
Unlocking the vehicle
Locking the vehicle
Unlocking / locking the boot lid
Button for the fold out / fold in of the key
Warning light
AB50Using the system
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 105.
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. 99
Positions of the vehicle key in the ignition lock
Read and observe and on page 104 first.
Positions of the vehicle key in the ignition lock » Fig. 99
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
.
The 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.
123› 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 104 first.
›
Stop the vehicle » page 107, Parking .
›
Turn key to position
1
» Fig. 99 on page 105 .
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 .
105Starting-off and Driving
CAUTIONDo 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
106
Handbrake
107
Parking
107WARNING■ 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 111, 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 106 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.
106Driving
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. 100
Handbrake
Read and observe and on page 106 first.
The hand brake is used when stopping and parking for securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement.
Apply
›
Pull the handbrake lever firmly upwards.
Releasing
›
Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and at the same time push in the locking
button » Fig. 100 .
›
Move the lever right down while pressing the lock button.
The handbrake warning light
illuminates when the handbrake is applied,
provided 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 106 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
position.
›
Switch off the engine.
›
For vehicles with Manual gearboxes 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
108
Pedals
108107Starting-off and Driving
NoteFor vehicles without stabilization control (ESC), during a TCS intervention the
control indicator blinks in the instrument cluster.
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)
Read and observe
on page 113 first.
EDL prevents the turning of the respective wheel of the driven axle. EDL
brakes the spinning wheel, if necessary, and transmits the driving force to the
other driving wheel. Driving becomes easier on road surfaces with different
traction under each wheel of the driven axle.
The EDL switches off automatically in order to avoid excessive heat generation
on the brake of the wheel being braked. The vehicle can continue to be driven
and has the same characteristics as a vehicle not fitted with EDL. Once the
brakes have cooled down, there is an automatic re-activation of EDL.
Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
Read and observe
on page 113 first.
The HBA increases the braking effect and helps to reduce the braking dis-
tance.
The HBA is activated by the very quick operation of the brake pedal. In order to
achieve the shortest possible braking distance, the brake pedal must be ap-
plied firmly until the vehicle has come to a standstill.
The HBA function is automatically deactivated when the brake pedal is re-
leased.
Hill Hold Control (HHC)
Read and observe
on page 113 first.
When driving on slopes, HHC allows you to move your foot from the brake ped-al to the accelerator pedal without having to use the handbrake.
The system holds the brake pressure produced by the activation of the brake pedal for approx. 2 seconds after the brake pedal is released.
The brake pressure drops gradually the more you operate the accelerator ped-
al. If the vehicle does not start off within 2 seconds, it starts to roll back.
The HHC is active from a 5% slope if the driver's door is closed. HHC is always
only active on slopes when in forward or reverse start off.
Parking aid
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Function
115
Activation/deactivation
115
The parking aid (hereinafter referred to only as a system) draws attention via
acoustic signals and an indication in the radio or navigation display when ma-
noeuvring around obstacles in the vicinity of the vehicle.
The system uses ultrasound waves to calculate the distance between the
bumper and an obstacle. The ultrasonic sensors are integrated in the rear
bumper » Fig. 106 on page 115 .
WARNING■
The system only serves as an assistance and does not relieve the driver
of the responsibility for the vehicle operation.■
Moving persons or objects may not be recognised by the system sensors.
■
Under certain circumstances, surfaces of certain objects and types of
clothing cannot reflect the system signals. For this reason, such people or
objects may not be recognised by the system sensors.
■
External noise sources may affect the signals of the system sensors. Un-
der adverse conditions, this may cause objects or people to be not recog-
nised by the system.
■
Before reversing, you should make sure that there are no small obstacles,
such as rocks, thin posts, trailer draw-bars etc. behind your vehicle. Such
obstacles may not be recognised by the system sensors.
CAUTION
■ Keep the system sensors clean, snow-and ice-free and do not cover with any
objects of any kind, otherwise the system functioning may be impaired.■
Under adverse weather conditions (heavy rain, water vapour, very low or
high temperatures etc.), the system function may be limited - “incorrect recog-
nition of obstacle”.
■
Additionally installed accessories such as e.g. bicycle carriers can impair the
system function.
114Driving