If the warning light illuminates immediately after you start the engine, the
ESC might be switched off due to technical reasons.›
Switch the ignition off and on again.
The ESC is fully functional again if the warning light
no longer illuminates
after you switch the engine back on.
Further information » page 151.
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.
Antilock brake system (ABS)
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
If the warning light
illuminates , there is a fault in the ABS.
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.
WARNING■ If the warning light is displayed at the same time as the warning light
» page 33 , Brake system , 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!
Rear fog light
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
The warning light
illuminates when the rear fog light is switched on.
Lamp failure
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
The indicator light
illuminates if a 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!
Adaptive headlights (AFS)
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
If the indicator light
flashes for 1 minute while driving or after switching on
the ignition, there is a problem with the adaptive headlights.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Cornering light (AFS) has no function. Log book!
When the AFS mode “tourist light” (travel mode) is active » page 69, the
warning light flashes
for 10 seconds each time the ignition is switched on.
Exhaust inspection system
Read and observe
on page 33 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 33 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 indicator 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.
36Operation
Airbag systemRead and observe
on page 33 first.
If the warning light
illuminates , there is a fault in the airbag system.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Error: Airbag
The functionality of the airbag system is monitored electronically even if one
of the airbags is switched off.
If a front, side or head airbag or belt tensioner has been switched off using
the vehicle system tester:
› The warning
illuminates for approx. 4 seconds after switching on the igni-
tion and then flashes again for approx. 12 seconds.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Airbag/belt tensioner deactivated.
If the air bag was switched off using the key-operated switch on the side of
the dash panel on the passenger side:
› The indicator light
illuminates for around 4 seconds after the ignition has
been switched on;
› The deactivated air bag is indicated by the illumination of the warning
light » page 20
in the middle of the dash panel .
WARNINGWhen a fault in the airbag system occurs, there is a risk of the system not
being triggered in the event of an accident. Therefore, this must be
checked immediately by a specialized company.
Tyre inflation pressure
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
The warning light
illuminates , if there is a substantial drop in inflation pres-
sure in one of the tyres.
An audible signal sounds as a warning signal.
›
Check and adjust the pressure in all tyres » page 194, Service life of tyres .
If the indicator light
flashes , there is a fault in the tyre pressure monitoring
system.
› Stop the car, turn the ignition off and on again.
If the warning light
flashes again after re-starting the engine, then the help
of a professional service provider must be sought immediately.
Further information » page 196, Tyre pressure monitor .
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.
Windscreen washer fluid level
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
If the windscreen washer fluid level is too low, the warning light
illumi-
nates .
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Top up wash fluid!
Top up with liquid » page 184, Windscreen washer system .
Pads
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
If the indicator light
is illuminated , the brake pads are worn.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Check brake wear!
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Turn signal system
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
Either the left or right
warning light
flashes depending on the position of
the turn signal lever.
If there is a fault in the turn signal system, the warning light flashes at twice
its normal rate.
38Operation
Switching off the hazard warning light system is switched on will cause all of
the turn signal lights as well as both warning lights to flash.
Low beam
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
The warning light
illuminates when low beam is selected.
Fog lights
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
The warning light
illuminates when the fog lights are operating.
Cruise control system
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
The warning light
illuminates when the cruise control is active.
Selector lever lock / starter (system KESSY)
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
If the warning light
illuminates , operate the brake pedal. This is necessary
to move the selector lever from position P and N » page 143 or to start the en-
gine in vehicles with the KESSY system » page 139.
Main beam
Read and observe
on page 33 first.
The warning light
illuminates when the main beam is selected or when the
headlight flasher is operated.
Information system
Driver information system
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Using the information system
40
Display a low temperature
40
Gear recommendation
40
Door, boot or engine compartment warning
41
The information system provides the driver with alerts and messages about
individual vehicle systems. This information and advice is shown in the instru-
ment cluster display or indicated by the illumination of the corresponding indi-
cator light in the instrument cluster.
The information system provides the following information and instructions (depending on vehicle equipment).
› Data relating to the multi-function display (MFD)
» page 41.
› Data relating to the Maxi DOT display
» page 44.
› Service interval display
» page 46.
› Auto Check Control
» page 31.
› Selector lever positions for an automatic gearbox
» page 142.
WARNINGConcentrate fully at all times on your driving! As the driver, you are fully re-
sponsible for the operation of your vehicle.39Information system
Unlocking and opening
Unlocking and locking
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Vehicle key
49
Unlock/lock with remote control
49
Unlocking / locking - KESSY
50
Information message
51
Parking the vehicle
51
Safe securing
51
Individual settings
52
Locking/unlocking the vehicle from the inside
52
Child safety lock
53
Opening/closing a door
53
Your car is equipped with a central locking system.
The central locking system allows you to lock and unlock all doors, the fuel fill-
er flap and tailgate at the same time based on the current setting 1)
.
The safe securing system » page 51 is integrated in the central locking sys-
tem. Once the car is locked from the outside, the door locks 2)
are automatically
blocked by the safe securing system »
.
The following takes place after unlocking 1)
.
› The doors, the boot lid and the fuel filler flap are unlocked.
› The interior light, which is switched by the door contact, comes on.
› The safe securing system is switched off 2)
.
› The indicator light in the driver door stops flashing.
› The anti-theft alarm system is deactivated.
The following takes place after locking 1)
.
› The doors, the boot lid and the fuel filler flap are locked.
› The interior lights switched by the door contact come on.
› The safe securing system is switched on 2)
.
› The indicator light in the driver door begins flashing.
› The anti-theft alarm system is activated.
Displaying an error If the indicator light in the driver's door initially flashes quickly for around 2
seconds, and then lights up for 30 seconds without interruption before flash-
ing again slowly, you will need to seek the assistance of a specialist garage.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!
■
If the car is locked from the outside and the safelock system is switched
on, there must not be any person in the car as it is then not possible to
open either a door or a window from the inside. The locked doors make it
more difficult for rescuers to get into the vehicle in an emergency – risk to
life.
Note
■ When leaving the vehicle, always check if it is locked.■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.■
Upon failure of the central locking system the key can be used only to unlock
and lock the driver's door. The other doors and the boot lid can be emergency
locked or released. ■ Emergency locking of the door » page 212.
■ Emergency unlocking of the boot lid » page 212.
1)
Depending on the individual setting » page 52 .
2)
This function is only enabled in certain countries.
48Operation
Opening›Press the button in the handle at the lower edge of the boot lid 1 » Fig. 37
and lift the boot lid.
Closing›
Pull down and strike the lid with the handle
2
» Fig. 37 .
The small boot lid can also be opened by pressing the symbol
button on the
remote control key » page 49.
TwinDoor - open / close large boot
Fig. 38
Handle of boot lid/opened large boot lid
Read and observe
and on page 55 first.
After unlocking the vehicle, the boot lid can be opened with the button in the
handle above the number plate.
Opening
›
Press the button in the handle at the lower edge of the tailgate
1
» Fig. 38 .
›
Wait until the brake light
2
in the rear window flashes twice and then lift
the lid.
Closing
›
Pull down and strike the lid with the handle
3
» Fig. 38 .
Open / close (Superb Combi)Fig. 39
Boot lid handle/opening the boot lid
Fig. 40
Handle in the inner panelling of
the boot lid
Read and observe and on page 55 first.
After unlocking the vehicle, the boot lid can be opened with the button in the
handle above the number plate.
Opening
›
Press the handle
A
» Fig. 39 and raise the lid in the direction of the arrow
B
.
Closing
›
Pull the lid down with the handle
C
» Fig. 40 and close with a slight swing.
Delayed locking of the boot lid
Read and observe
and on page 55 first.
If the boot lid is unlocked with the symbol button on the remote control
key, then the door is automatically locked after closing.
56Operation
Electronic immobilizerRead and observe
and on page 135 first.
An electronic chip is integrated in the head of the key. The immobiliser is deac-
tivated with the aid of this chip when the key is inserted in the ignition lock.
The electronic immobiliser is automatically activated when the ignition key is
withdrawn from the lock.
The engine will not start if a non-authorized ignition key is used.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display. Immobilizer active.
IMMOBILISER
Ignition Switch
Fig. 133
Positions of the vehicle key in
the ignition lock
Read and observe and on page 135 first.
Petrol engines » Fig. 133
Ignition switched off, engine off, the steering can be locked
Ignition switched on
Starting engine
Diesel engines » Fig. 133
Fuel supply interrupted, ignition switched off, engine switched off, the
steering can be locked.
Heating glow plugs on, ignition switched on
Starting engine
To lock the steering , with the ignition key withdrawn, turn the steering wheel
until the steering locking pin engages audibly.
123123If the steering is locked and the key cannot be turned or can only be turned
with difficulty to position 2 » Fig. 133 , move the steering wheel back and forth
and the steering lock will unlock.
Note
We recommend locking the steering wheel whenever leaving the vehicle. This
acts as a deterrent against the attempted theft of your car.
Starting the engine
Read and observe
and on page 135 first.
Vehicles with a diesel engine are equipped with a glow plug system. The glow
plug warning light lights up after the ignition has been switched on. Start
the engine once the warning light has gone out.
You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heating
period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
Procedure for starting the engine
›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
Move the gearshift lever into neutral or move the selector lever into position
P or N.
›
Switch on the ignition
2
» Fig. 133 on page 136 .
›
Depress and hold the clutch pedal (vehicles with a manual gearbox) or brake
pedal (vehicles with an automatic gearbox) 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
.
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 manual transmission
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
136Driving
CAUTION■Avoid high engine revolutions, full throttle and high engine loads before the
engine has reached its operating temperature – risk of damaging the engine!■
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.
For the sake of the environment
Do not warm up the engine while the vehicle is stationary. If possible, start
your journey as soon as the engine has started. Through this the engine rea-
ches its operating temperature more rapidly and the pollutant emissions are
lower.
Note
■ The system is protected against inadvertently switching off the engine while
driving, this means that the engine can only be switched off in an emergen-
cy » page 140 .■
After switching off the ignition, the radiator fan may intermittently continue
to operate for approx. 10 minutes.
■
Under certain circumstances (e.g. after switching off the ignition and opening
the driver's door), the steering is enabled only when the ignition is switched on
or the engine is started.
Steering lock / unlock
Fig. 134
Starter button
Read and observe and on page 137 first.
The steering lock (steering lock) deters attempted theft of your vehicle.
Locking
›
Stop the vehicle.
› Switch off the engine or the ignition by pressing the starter button
» Fig. 134.›Open the driver door.
The steering is locked automatically.
If the driver's door is opened and the ignition is switched off afterwards, the
steering is only locked after the vehicle is locked.
Unlocking›
Open the driver's door and get into the vehicle.
›
Close the driver's door.
The steering is unlocked within 2 seconds.
If the system does not unlock the steering at the first time (for example when
the front wheels are in contact with an obstacle), then two more unlocking at-
tempts are performed automatically.
If the steering is still not unlocked, then the following message is displayed on the display of the instrument cluster.
Move the steering wheel!
MOVE STEERING WHEEL
Slightly move the steering wheel and the system will make up to 3 more at-
tempts to unlock after 2 seconds. At the same time, the indicator light flash-
es.
If the steering is still not unlocked, to try to eliminate the possible cause and
then repeat the unlocking attempt.
Ignition on/off
Read and observe
and on page 137 first.
›
Press the starter button » Fig. 134 on page 138 briefly.
The ignition is switched on or off.
On vehicles fitted with a manual gearbox, the clutch pedal must not be de-
pressed while switching the ignition on or off, otherwise the system would try
to start.
On vehicles fitted with a automatic gearbox, the brake pedal must not be de-
pressed while switching the ignition on or off, otherwise the system would try
to start.
138Driving
If the driver's door is opened while the igition is on, an audible signal sounds
and the following message appears in the instrument cluster display.
Ignition on!
IGNITION ON
When leaving the vehicle always switch off the ignition.
Note
The ignition is switched on when indicated by the lighting up of certain indica-
tor lamps in the instrument cluster.
Starting the engine
Read and observe
and on page 137 first.
Vehicles with a diesel engine are equipped with a glow plug system. The glow
plug warning light lights up after the ignition has been switched on. Start
the engine once the warning light has gone out.
You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heating
period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
Procedure for starting the engine
›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
Move the gearshift lever into neutral or move the selector lever into position
P or N.
›
Depress and hold the clutch pedal (vehicles with a manual gearbox) or brake
pedal (vehicles with an automatic gearbox) until the engine starts.
›
Press and hold » Fig. 134 on page 138 1)
the starter button until the engine
starts.
CAUTION
■ If the engine does not start up after a second attempt, one of the following
fuses may be defective. ■ Petrol engine - fuse for the electric fuel pump.
■ Diesel engine - fuse for the control unit for glow plugs or glow plug relay
and fuel pump.■
Check the fuse and replace if necessary » page 215, or seek assistance from
a specialist garage.
Switching off the engine
Read and observe
and on page 137 first.
›
Stop the vehicle.
›
Press the starter button » Fig. 134 on page 138 briefly.
The engine and the ignition are switched off simultaneously.
The engine can be switched off up to a speed of 2 km/h.
Emergency start-up of the engine
Fig. 135
Emergency start-up of engine
Read and observe and on page 137 first.
If the authorisation check for the key fails, the following message appears in
the instrument cluster display.
Key not found.
NO KEY
The emergency start-up must be completed.
› Press the starter button directly with the key
» Fig. 135.
or
› Press the starter button and then hold the key to the starter button.
Note
During an emergency start-up of the engine, the key bit must face the starter
button » Fig. 135 .1)
On vehicles with the START-STOP system, it is sufficient to press the starter button briefly. The motor
will then automatically start.
139Starting-off and Driving