
KickdownKickdown is used to achieve maximum driving
performance. Step on the accelerator pedal be‐
yond the resistance point at the full throttle po‐
sition.
Engaging a selector lever position Press on the brake pedal until you start
driving
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after you
select a gear, maintain pressure on the brake
pedal until you are ready to start. ◀
The selector lever can only be taken out of se‐
lector lever position P if the ignition is on or the
engine is running.
With the vehicle is stationary, press on the
brake pedal before shifting out of selector lever
position P or N; otherwise, the selector lever is
blocked: shift lock.
A lock prevents inadvertent shifting into selec‐
tor lever position P or R.
Canceling the lock
Press button on the front of the selector lever,
arrow.
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Activating the sport program
Press the selector lever to the left out of selec‐
tor lever position D.
The engaged selector lever position, such as S1,
is displayed in the instrument cluster.
The sport program of the transmission is acti‐
vated.
Activating the M/S manual mode
1.Press the selector lever to the left out of se‐
lector lever position D.2.Push the selector lever forward or back‐
ward.
Manual mode becomes active and the selector
lever position is changed.
The engaged selector lever position is displayed
in the instrument cluster, for instance M1.
Once maximum engine speed is attained, M/S
manual mode is automatically upshifted as
needed.
Switching to manual mode
▷To shift down: press the selector lever for‐
ward.▷To shift up: pull the selector lever rear‐
wards.
Gears will only be shifted at appropriate engine
and road speeds, for example downshifting is
not possible if the engine speed is too high.
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The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the currently se‐
lected gear.
Manual mode M/S: prevent automatic
upshifting
Once maximum engine speed is attained, M/S
manual mode is automatically upshifted as
needed.
For vehicles with Steptronic Sport transmission,
automatic shift operations are not performed if
one of the following conditions is met:▷DSC is deactivated.▷TRACTION is activated.
In addition, the kickdown is deactivated.
With the respective transmission version, the
lowest possible gear can be selected by simul‐
taneously operating the kickdown and the left
shift paddle. However, this effect is not pro‐
duced via the shift paddles when switching
briefly from D to manual mode.
Ending the sport program/manual
mode
Push the selector lever to the right.
D is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Shift paddles for Steptronic Sport
transmission
The shift paddles on the steering wheel allow
you to shift gears quickly while keeping both
hands on the steering wheel.
▷Shift up: briefly pull right shift paddle.▷Shift down: briefly pull left shift paddle.▷With the respective transmission version,
the lowest possible gear can be selected by
pulling and holding the left shift paddle.
Gears will only be shifted at appropriate engine
and road speeds, for example downshifting is
not possible if the engine speed is too high.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the current gear.
If the shift paddles on the steering wheel are
used to shift gears in automatic mode, the
transmission temporarily switches to manual
mode.
If the selector lever is still in selector lever posi‐
tion D with the respective transmission version,
it is possible to switch back into the automatic
mode:
▷Pull and hold right shift paddle.
Or▷In addition to the briefly pulled right shift
paddle, briefly pull the left shift paddle.
In the manual mode, after conservative driving
for a certain amount of time or if there has
been no acceleration or shifting of the shift
paddles within a certain amount of time, the
transmission switches back to automatic mode.
Displays in the instrument cluster The selector lever position is dis‐
played, e.g.: P.
Manually release the transmission lock Should the selector lever be blocked in selector
lever position P despite the ignition being
turned on, the brake being depressed and the
unlock button being pressed, the transmission
lock can be manually canceled:
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Before unlocking the transmission lock man‐
ually, engage the parking brake forcefully to
prevent the vehicle from rolling away.1.Loosen the sleeve of the selector lever.2.Pull the sleeve over the selector lever. Un‐
plug the cable connector if needed.3.Using the screwdriver from the onboard ve‐
hicle tool kit, refer to page 199, press the
yellow release lever downward, arrow.4.Move the selector lever slightly toward the
rear; to do this press the unlock button on
the front of the selector lever.
Release the release lever.5.Bring the selector lever into the desired po‐
sition.
Steptronic Sport transmission: Launch
Control
The concept
Launch Control enables optimum acceleration
on surfaces with good traction.
Hints Component wear
Do not use Launch Control too often; oth‐
erwise, this may result in premature wear of
components due to the high stress placed on
the vehicle. ◀
Do not use Launch Control during the break-in,
refer to page 134, period.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
An experienced driver may be able to achieve
better acceleration values in DSC OFF mode, re‐
fer to page 94.
Requirements Launch Control is available when the engine is
warmed up, that is, after uninterrupted driving
of at least 6 miles/10 km.
To start with Launch Control do not steer the
steering wheel.
Start with launch control
While the engine is running:1. Press button and select SPORT with
Driving Dynamics Control, refer to
page 96.
The instrument cluster displays TRACTION
in combination with SPORT. The DSC OFF
indicator lamp lights up.2.Engage selector lever position S.3.With the left foot, forcefully press down on
the brake.4.Step on the accelerator pedal beyond the
resistance point at the full throttle position.
A flag symbol is displayed in the instrument
cluster.5.The starting engine speed adjusts. Within
3 seconds, release the brake.
Before using Launch Control, allow the trans‐
mission to cool down for approx. 5 minutes.
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be activated if objects are placed on the front
passenger seat.
Make sure that the safety belts are positioned
correctly.
Airbag system Airbag system and belt tensioner are
defective.
Have the vehicle checked by the service
center immediately.
Parking brake, brake system The parking brake is set.
For additional information, refer to Re‐
lease parking brake, refer to page 51.
Front-end collision warning Illuminated: advance warning is issued,
e.g., when there is the impending dan‐
ger of a collision or the distance to the
vehicle ahead is too small.
Increase distance.
Flashing: acute warning of the imminent dan‐
ger of a collision when the vehicle approaches
another vehicle at a relatively high differential
speed.
Intervention by braking or make an evasive
maneuver.
Pedestrian warning If a collision with a person detected in
this way is imminent, the symbol lights
up and a signal sounds.Orange lights
Active Cruise Control The number bars shows the selected
distance from the vehicle driving ahead.
For more information, see Camera-
based cruise control, ACC, refer to page 98.
Vehicle detection, Active Cruise Control Illuminated: vehicle driving ahead de‐
tected.
Flashing: the conditions are not ade‐
quate for operating the system.
The system was deactivated but applies the
brakes until you actively resume control by
pressing on the brake pedal or accelerator
pedal.
Yellow lights Anti-lock Braking System ABS Avoid abrupt braking if possible. Brak‐
ing force boost in some cases defective.
Stop carefully. Take into account longer
brake travel. Have this checked by the
service center immediately.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control Flashing: DSC controls the drive and
braking forces. The vehicle is stabilized.
Reduce speed and adapt driving profile
to the driving circumstances.
Illuminated: DSC failed. Have the system
checked by the service center.
For additional information, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC, refer to page 94.Seite 61DisplaysCONTROLS61
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Switching on
With the ignition switched off, press the lever
either up or down past the resistance point for
approx. 2 seconds.
Switch off Briefly press the lever to the resistance point in
the opposite direction.
Welcome lights and
headlight courtesy de‐
lay feature
Welcome lights When the vehicle is parked, leave the switch in
position
or : parking and interior lights
come on briefly when the vehicle is unlocked
depending on the ambient brightness.
Activating/deactivating
Set via radio.
1. Press button.2. "Settings"3."Lighting"4."Welcome light"
Settings are stored for the profile currently in
use.
Headlight courtesy delay feature
The low beams stay lit for a short while after
the radio-ready state is switched off if the lights
are turned off and the headlight flasher is
switched on.
Setting the duration Set via radio.
1. Press button.2. "Settings"3."Lighting"4."Pathway lighting:"5.Set length of time.
Settings are stored for the profile currently in
use.
Automatic headlight
control
Position of switch
: the low beams are acti‐
vated and off automatically, e.g., in tunnels, in
twilight or if there is precipitation. The indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can
cause the lights to be switched on.
The low beams always stay on when the fog
lights are activated.
Personal responsibility
The automatic headlight control cannot
serve as a substitute for your personal judg‐
ment in determining when to turn the lights on
in response to ambient lighting conditions.
E. g. the sensors are unable to detect fog or
hazy weather. To avoid safety risks under these
conditions, you should always switch on the
lights manually. ◀
Daytime running lights
With the ignition switched on, the daytime run‐
ning lights light up in position
, or
. After the ignition is switched off, the park‐
ing lights light up in position
.
Activating/deactivating
In some countries, daytime running lights are
mandatory, so it may not be possible to deacti‐
vate the daytime running lights.
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Knee airbagThe knee airbag supports the legs in a frontal
impact.
Protective action Airbags are not triggered in every impact situa‐
tion, e.g., in less severe accidents or rear-end
collisions.
Information on how to ensure the opti‐
mal protective effect of the airbags▷Keep at a distance from the airbags.▷Always grasp the steering wheel on the
steering wheel rim, holding your hands at
the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, to
keep the risk of injury to your hands or
arms as low as possible when the airbag is
triggered.▷There should be no person, animals, or ob‐
jects between an airbag and a person.▷Do not use the cover of the front airbag on
the front passenger side as a storage area.▷Dashboard and windshield on the front
passenger side must stay clear - do not at‐
tach adhesive labels or coverings and do
not attach brackets or cables, e. g., for GPS
devices or' mobile phones.▷Make sure that the front passenger is sitting
correctly, i.e., keeps his or her feet and legs
in the footwell; otherwise, leg injuries might
occur when front airbag is activated.▷Do not place slip covers, seat cushions or
other objects on the front passenger seat
that are not approved specifically for seats
with integrated side airbags.▷Do not hang pieces of clothing, such as
jackets, over the backrests.▷Make sure that occupants keep their heads
away from the side airbag and do not rest
against the head airbag; otherwise, injuries
might occur when airbag is activated.▷Do not remove the airbag system.▷Do not remove the steering wheel.▷Do not apply adhesive materials to the air‐
bag cover panels, do not cover them or
modify them in any way.▷Never modify either the individual compo‐
nents or the wiring in the airbag system.
This also applies to steering wheel covers,
the dashboard, the seats, the roof pillars
and the sides of the roofliner. ◀
Even when you follow all instructions very
closely, injury from contact with the airbags
cannot be ruled out in certain situations.
The ignition and inflation noise may lead to
short-term and, in most cases, temporary hear‐
ing impairment in sensitive individuals.
Malfunction, deactivation and after de‐
ploying the airbags
Do not touch the individual components imme‐
diately after the system has been triggered;
otherwise, you may risk burns.
Only have the airbags checked, repaired or dis‐
mantled and the airbag generator scrapped by
the service center or an authorized repair shop
for handling explosives.
Non-professional attempts to service the sys‐
tem could lead to failure in an emergency or
unintentional activation of the airbag - both
may lead to injury. ◀
Warnings and information on the airbags are
also found on the sun visors.
Functional readiness of the airbag
system
When the ignition is reel on, the warn‐
ing lamp in the instrument cluster lights
up briefly and thereby indicates the op‐
erational readiness of the entire airbag system
and the belt tensioner.
Airbag system malfunctioning
▷Warning lamp does not come on when the
ignition is turned on.▷The warning lamp lights up continuously.Seite 79SafetyCONTROLS79
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Driving stability control systemsVehicle features and op‐
tions
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems. The respectively applicable country provi‐
sions must be observed when using the respec‐
tive features and systems.
Antilock Brake System
ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking.
The vehicle contains its steering power even
during full brake applications, thus increasing
active safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the en‐
gine.
Brake assistant
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the greatest possible
braking force boost. It reduces the braking dis‐
tance to a minimum during emergency stop.
This system utilizes all of the benefits provided
by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the emergency stop.DSC Dynamic Stability
Control
The concept
DSC prevents traction loss in the power wheels
when driving off and accelerating.
DSC also recognizes unstable vehicle conditions
such as fishtailing or nose-diving. Within the
physical limits DSC helps to keep the vehicle on
a steady course by reducing engine speed and
by applying brakes to the individual wheels.
Adjust your driving style to the situationAn appropriate driving style is always the
responsibility of the driver.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, not
even with DSC.
Therefore, do not reduce the additional safety
margin by driving in a risky manner. ◀
Indicator/warning lights The indicator lamp flashes: DSC controls
the drive and braking forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC has
failed.
Deactivating DSC: DSC OFF
When DSC is deactivated, driving stability is re‐
duced during acceleration and when driving in
curves.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Deactivating DSC Press and hold this button but not lon‐
ger than approx. 10 seconds, until the
indicator lamp for DSC OFF lights up in the in‐
strument cluster and displays DSC OFF.Seite 94CONTROLSDriving stability control systems94
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NoteSufficient ventilation
When remaining in the vehicle for an ex‐
tended period of time, ensure sufficient exter‐
nal ventilation. Do not continuously use recircu‐
lated-air mode; otherwise the air quality in the
interior continuously deteriorates and window
condensation increases. ◀
Climate control functions in detail
Manual air distribution Turn the wheel to select the de‐
sired program or the desired in‐
termediate setting.▷ Windows.▷ Upper body region.▷ Footwell.▷ Windows, upper body region, and foot‐
well.
Defrosts windows and removes
condensation
Direct the air distribution toward windows, in‐
crease the air flow and temperature, and, if
needed, use the cooling function.
Air flow, manual Turn the ring to set the desired
air volume.
The higher the rate, the more ef‐
fective the heating or cooling will
be.
The air flow from the air conditioner may be re‐
duced automatically to save battery power.
Temperature
Turn the ring to set the desired
temperature.
Cooling function
The car's interior can only be cooled with the
engine running.
Press button.
The air will be cooled and dehumidi‐
fied and, depending on the temperature set‐
ting, warmed again.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may
fog up briefly when the engine is started.
The air conditioner produces condensation wa‐
ter, refer to page 136, that will exit from below
the car.
Recirculated-air mode
You may respond to unpleasant odors or pollu‐
tants in the immediate environment by tempo‐
rarily suspending the supply of outside air. The
system then recirculates the air currently within
the vehicle.
Press button repeatedly to select an
operating mode:▷LED off: outside air flows in continuously.▷LED on, recirculated-air mode: the supply
of outside air into the vehicle is perma‐
nently blocked.
To prevent window condensation, recirculated
air mode switches off automatically after a cer‐
tain amount of time, depending on the external
temperature.
If the windows fog over, switch off recirculated-
air mode and increase the air flow, if needed.
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