Safety
Passive Safety
General information
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Before setting off
6
Driving safety
6
Safety equipment
6
In this section you will find important information, tips and notes on the sub-
ject of passive safety in your vehicle.
We have combined everything here which you should be familiar with, for ex-
ample, regarding seat belts, airbags, child seats and safety of children.
WARNING■ This chapter contains important information on how to use the vehicle for
the driver and his occupants.■
You can find further information on safety concerning you and those trav-
elling with you in the following chapters of this owner's manual.
■
The complete on-board literature should always be in the vehicle. This
applies in particular, if you rent out or sell the vehicle.
Before setting off
Read and observe
on page 6 first.
For your own safety and the safety of the people travelling with you, please
pay attention to the following points before setting off.
Ensure that the lighting and the turn signal system are functioning proper-
ly.
Ensure that the function of the wiper and the condition of the wiper
blades are free of any defects.
Ensure that all of the windows offer good visibility to the outside.
Adjust the rear-view mirror so that vision to the rear is guaranteed.
Ensure that the mirrors are not covered.
Check the tyre inflation pressure.
Check the engine oil, brake fluid and coolant level.
Secure all items of luggage.
Do not exceed the permissible axle loads and permissible gross weight of
the vehicle.
Close all doors as well as the bonnet and boot lid.
Ensure that no objects can obstruct the pedals.
Protect children in suitable child seats with correctly fastened seat
belts » page 21 , Transporting children safely .
Adopt the correct seated position » page 7, Correct and safe seated
position . Tell your passengers to assume the correct seated position.
Driving safety
Read and observe
on page 6 first.
The driver is fully responsible for himself and his occupants. If your driving
safety is effected, you place yourself and the oncoming traffic at risk.
The following guidelines must therefore be observed. Do not become distracted from concentrating on the traffic situation, e.g.
by your passengers or mobile phone calls.
Never drive when your driving ability is impaired, e.g. due to medication, al-
cohol or drugs.
Keep to the traffic regulations and the permissible speed limit.
Always adjust the driving speed to the road, traffic and weather condi-
tions.
Take regular breaks on long journeys – at least every two hours.
Safety equipment
Read and observe
on page 6 first.
The following list contains only part of the safety equipment in your vehicle.
› Three-point seat belts for all the seats.
› Belt force limiter for front and outer rear seats.
› Belt tensioner for front and outer rear seats.
› Seat belt height adjusters for the front seats.
› Front airbag for the driver and the front passenger.
› Driver’s knee airbag.
6Safety
Operation
Cockpit
OverviewElectric windows
59
Door opening lever
53
Central locking system
52
Air jet
108
Parking ticket holder
Operating lever: › Turn signal light, headlight and parking light, headlight
flasher
67
› Speed regulating system
158
Steering wheel:
› With horn
› With driver’s front airbag
15
›with pushbuttons for radio, navigation system phone and in-
formation system
120, 132
Instrument cluster: Instruments, warning lights and display
28
Operating lever:
› Information system
39
›Windscreen wiper and wash system
75
Air outlets in the central part of the dash panel
108
Regulator for left seat heating
83
Button for hazard warning light system
70
Regulator for right seat heating
83
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Radio
› Navigation system
Storage compartment on the front passenger side
92
Front passenger airbag
15
Air jet
108
Key switch for switching off the front passenger airbag (in front
passenger storage compartment)
20
Door opening lever
53
Electric exterior mirror adjustment
781234567891011121314151617181920Light switch66
Bonnet release lever
183
Regulator for the instrument lighting and regulator for the head-
light beam range adjustment
66, 66
Storage compartment on the driver's side
87
Lever for adjusting the steering wheel
8
Driver’s knee airbag
16
Ignition lock
136
Pedals
142
Handbrake
141
Bars with buttons depending on the equipment fitted:
›
START STOP
159
›
Tyre control display
38
›
Traction control TCS
152
›
Electronic Stability Control ESC
151
›
Park Assist
154
›
Parking aid
153
›
Tailgate operation (Superb Combi)
57
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Gearshift lever (manual gearbox)
141
›Selector lever (automatic gearbox)
142
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Ashtrays
89
›Storage compartment
88
Warning light for the deactivated front seat passenger airbag
20
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Operating controls for the air conditioning system
110
›
Operating controls for Climatronic
113
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.212223242526272829303132333427Cockpit
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
icon goes out – 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 activate the hazard
warning lights system » page 70. The warning triangle must be set up at
the prescribed 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 40 .■
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.
Warning lights
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Handbrake
33
Brake system
33
Seat belt warning light
33
Generator
33
Door open
34
Engine oil pressure
34
Coolant
34
Bonnet
34
Boot lid
34
Power steering / steering lock (system KESSY)
34
Engine oil level
35
Traction Control System (ASR)
35
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
35 Antilock brake system (ABS)36 Rear fog light36
Lamp failure
36
Adaptive headlights (AFS)
36
Exhaust inspection system
36
Glow plug system (diesel engine)
36
Engine performance check (petrol engine)
37
Diesel particulate filter (diesel engine)
37
Fuel reserve
37
Airbag system
38
Tyre inflation pressure
38
Windscreen washer fluid level
38
Pads
38
Turn signal system
38
Low beam
39
Fog lights
39
Cruise control system
39
Selector lever lock / starter (system KESSY)
39
Main beam
39
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 illuminate briefly as a
function 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.
32Operation
WARNING■Ignoring illuminated warning lights and related messages or instructions
in the display of the instrument cluster 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 activate the hazard
warning lights system » page 70. The warning triangle must be set up at
the prescribed 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 182, Engine compartment .
Handbrake
Read and observe
on page 33 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 33 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: Log book!
›
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the level of the brake flu-
id » page 189 » .
WARNING■
If the warning light is displayed simultaneously with warning light
» page 36 , Antilock brake system (ABS) , do not continue your
journey! 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!
■
The following guidelines should be observed when opening the bonnet
and checking the brake fluid level » page 182, Engine compartment .
Seat belt warning light
Read and observe
on page 33 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 is 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 of 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 33 first.
If the warning light
illuminates when the engine is running, the vehicle bat-
tery is not being charged.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately. The electrical system re-
quires checking.
CAUTION
If the warning light (cooling system fault) lights up in addition to the
warning light while driving, do not continue to drive! Stop the engine -
there is a risk of engine damage! Seek help from a specialist garage.33Instruments and Indicator Lights
Door openRead and observe
on page 33 first.
The indicator light
illuminates if one or several doors are opened.
Engine oil pressure
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
When the warning light is flashing
, the engine oil pressure is too low.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Oil pressure: Log book!
›
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the engine oil lev-
el » page 186 .
If the warning light flashes,
do not drive any further , even if the oil level is
correct! Also do not leave the engine running at an idling speed.
Seek help from a specialist garage.
Coolant
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
If the warning light
lights up or flashes , either the coolant temperature is
too high or the coolant level is too low.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Check coolant! Log book!
›
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the coolant lev-
el » page 188 .
›
If the coolant level is too low, add coolant to the reservoir » page 188.
If the indicator light
does not illuminate after adding coolant and switching
on the ignition, you may continue your journey.
If the coolant level is within the specified range and the indicator light is still
illuminated, then there may be a malfunction of the cooling fan.
›
Check the fuse for the radiator fan, replace if necessary » page 217, Fuses in
the engine compartment .
If the coolant level and fan fuse are both OK but the indicator light is still
illuminated , do not continue your journey!
Seek help from a specialist garage.WARNING■ Carefully open the coolant expansion bottle. If the engine is hot, the cool-
ing system is pressurized - risk of scalding! It is therefore best to allow the
engine to cool down before removing the cap.■
Do not touch the radiator fan. The radiator fan may switch itself on auto-
matically even if the ignition is off.
CAUTION
■ Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the air inlet
impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant.■
Never cover the radiator - there is a risk of the engine overheating.
Bonnet
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
The indicator light
illuminates if the bonnet is unlocked.
Boot lid
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
The indicator light
illuminates if the boot lid is opened.
Power steering / steering lock (system KESSY)
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
Power steering
If the indicator light
illuminates , this indicates a partial failure of the power
steering and the steering forces can be greater.
If the indicator light
illuminates , this indicates a complete failure of the
power steering and the steering assist has failed (significantly higher steering
forces).
›
Stop the car, turn the ignition off and on again.
The powered steering is fully functional again if the
or
warning light does
not illuminate after you switch the engine back on.
34Operation
If the warning light or illuminates again, then immediately obtain help
from an authorised dealer.
Steering lock (KESSY system)
As long as the warning light
is flashing , the steering lock cannot be re-
leased.
If the warning light
flashes , a signal tone sounds, and the following mes-
sage appears in the MAXI DOT- display steering column lock. If Workshop! ap-
pears the electrical steering lock is faulty. Seek assistance from a specialist ga-
rage immediately.
If the warning light
flashes , a beep sounds and in the MAXI DOT display the
message Steering lock defective appears, then the electric steering lock is
broken. Park the car,
do not continue the journey . After switching off the
ignition, it is then no longer possible to lock the steering, to activate the elec-
trical components (e.g. radio, navigation system), to switch on the ignition
again and to start the engine. Seek help from a specialist garage.
Note
The warning light illuminates after the ignition is switched on if the vehi-
cle's battery has been disconnected and reconnected. If the warning light
does not go out after moving a short distance, this means there is an error in
the system. Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Engine oil level
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
The indicator light lights up (oil quantity too low)
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.
Check oil level!
› Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the engine oil lev-
el » page 186 .
The warning light will go out if the bonnet is left open for more than 30 sec-
onds. If no engine oil has been replenished, the warning light will come on
again after driving about 100 km.
The indicator light flashes (engine oil level sensor faulty)
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.
Oil sensor: Workshop!
If the engine oil level sensor is faulty, the warning light flashes several
times and an audible signal sounds when the ignition is turned on.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Traction Control System (ASR)
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
The warning light
flashes to show that the ASR is currently operating.
If the warning light
illuminates , there is a fault in the ASR.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Error: Traction control (ASR)
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
If the warning light
illuminates immediately after you start the engine, the
ASR might be switched off due to technical reasons.
›
Switch the ignition off and on again.
The ASR is fully functional again if the warning light
no longer illuminates
after you switch the engine back on.
Further information » page 152.
Note
The warning light illuminates after the ignition is switched on if the vehi-
cle's battery has been disconnected and reconnected. If the warning light
does not go out after moving a short distance, this means there is an error in
the system. Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
The warning light
flashes to show that the ESC is currently operating.
If the warning light
illuminates , there is a fault in the ESC.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Error: Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
35Instruments and Indicator Lights
Caption » Fig. 27
Optimal gear engaged
Recommended gear
Recommended gear
The gear recommendation is intended only for vehicles with a manual trans- mission or for vehicles with an automatic transmission in manual shift mode
(Tiptronic).
The recommended 1)
gear and the arrow icon 2)
is displayed.
›
Recommends that you shift to a higher gear.
›
Recommends that you shift to a lower gear.
If for example
is shown in the display with vehicles that have a
manual
gearboxes this indicates that it is better to shift from a lower gear to the 4th
gear.
If for example
is shown in the display with vehicles that have an
automatic
gearbox and are in the manual switching mode (Tiptronic), this indicates that it
is better to shift from the 4th gear to a higher gear.WARNINGThe driver is always responsible for selecting the correct gear in different
driving situations, such as overtaking.
For the sake of the environment
A suitably selected gear has the following advantages.■It helps to reduce fuel consumption.■
It reduces the operating noise.
■
It protects the environment.
■
It benefits the durability and reliability of the engine.
Door, boot or engine compartment warning
Read and observe
on page 39 first.
Vehicles with a MAXI DOT display
If at least one door, the boot or bonnet is open, the display indicates the rele-
vant open door, boot or bonnet vehicle icon.
Vehicles with a segment display
If at least one door or the boot or bonnet is open, the indicator lights or
and
come on in the instrument cluster » page 32, Warning lights .
An acoustic signal will also sound if you drive the vehicle above 6 km/h when a door is open.
Multifunction display (MFD)
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Memory
42
Information overview
42
Warning at excessive speeds
43
The driving data is displayed on the multifunction display.
The multifunction display only operates if the ignition is switched on. After the ignition is switched on, the function that was last selected before switching
off the ignition is displayed.
For vehicles with a MAXI DOT display, the menu item MFA must be selected
and confirmed in the main menu » page 44, MAXI DOT display .
On vehicles with a MAXI DOT display, there is an option to fade out some of
the information » page 45, Settings .
WARNING■
Concentrate fully at all times on your driving! As the driver, you are fully
responsible for the operation of your vehicle.■
Even at temperatures of around +4 °C, there may still be black ice on the
road surface. You should therefore not rely solely on the outside tempera-
ture display for accurate information as to whether there is ice on the road.
CAUTION
Pull out the ignition key if coming in contact with the display (e.g. when clean-
ing) to prevent any possible damage. On vehicles with the KESSY system,
switch off the ignition and open the driver's door. 1)
With vehicles that have an automatic gearbox and in the manual switching mode (Tiptronic) the
current-
ly engaged gear is shown.
2)
For vehicles with segment display the arrow is displayed behind the gear indication.
41Information system
Anti-theft alarm system
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Activating/deactivating
54
Interior monitor and towing protection
54
The anti-theft alarm system (hereinafter referred to only as alarm system) in-
creases protection against break-in attempts into the vehicle.
The alarm system triggers audible and visual signals if an attempt is made to
break into the vehicle (hereafter referred to only as alarm).
An alarm is triggered when the following monitored areas of the vehicle have a fault.
› Bonnet.
› Boot lid.
› Doors.
› Ignition lock.
› Vehicle inclination
» page 54.
› Interior of car
» page 54.
› A drop in voltage of the on-board power supply.
› Socket of the factory-fitted towing device
» page 163, Towing a trailer .
An alarm is immediately triggered if either of the two battery terminals is dis-
connected while the anti-theft alarm system is activated.
The alarm is switched off by unlocking the vehicle or switching on the ignition.
CAUTION
Before leaving the vehicle, it must be checked that all of the windows, doors
and the sliding/tilting roof are locked in order to ensure the full functionality of
the anti-theft alarm system.
Note
The working life of the alarm siren is 5 years.Activating/deactivating
Read and observe
on page 54 first.
Activating
The anti-theft alarm system is activated automatically approximately 30 sec-
onds after the vehicle is locked.
If you unlock the vehicle and do not open a door or the boot lid within the next
30 seconds, the vehicle will lock again automatically and the safelock system
or anti-theft alarm system will be switched on. This function is intended to
prevent the car being unlocked unintentionally.
Deactivating
The anti-theft alarm system is deactivated automatically after the vehicle is
unlocked. If the vehicle is not opened within 30 seconds, the anti-theft alarm
system is automatically activated again.
The alarm system is also deactivated if you unlock the driver door using the
key within 45 seconds of locking the vehicle.
Note
■ If the car is unlocked with the key in the driver door, insert the key into the
ignition and switch the ignition to deactivate the alarm system.■
You can switch the audible signalling of the activation of the warning system
on and off in the Maxi DOT display in the menu item ATA confirm » page 45 .
Interior monitor and towing protection
Fig. 36
Button for interior monitor and
towing protection
Read and observe on page 54 first.
The interior monitor detects movements inside the car and then triggers the
alarm.
54Operation