Driving
checked by a specialised workshop as soon
as possible.
Overload protection for the 6-speed DSG
gearbox ®
When the clutch is overloaded, the vehicle
begins to jerk and the selector lever position
indic at
or begins to flash. To prevent damage
to the clutch, this interrupts the power trans-
mission between the engine and the gear-
box. There is no more traction and it is not
possible to accelerate. If the clutch is opened
automatically due to overloading, press the
brake pedal. Wait a few seconds before start-
ing to move again.
Kick-down
The kick-down system provides maximum ac-
celeration when the gear selector lever is in
the positions D,
S or in the Tiptronic position.
When the accelerator pedal is pressed right
down, the automatic gearbox will shift down
to a lower gear, depending on road speed
and engine speed. This takes advantage of
the maximum acceleration of the vehicle
››› .
When the accelerator is pressed to the floor,
the automatic gearbox shifts to the next gear
only after the engine reaches the specified
maximum engine speed. Launch-Control Programme
The Launch-Control programme enables max-
imum acceleration while at a standstill.
●
Switch off the ASR ››› page 137.
● Press and hold the brake pedal with your
left foot.
● Place the selector lever in position S or Tip-
tronic.
● Press the accelerator with the right foot un-
til the vehicle reaches an engine speed of ap-
proximately 3200 rpm.
● Lift the left foot off the brake ››› . The ve-
hicle starts with maximum acceleration.
● Turn on the ASR after accelerating! WARNING
Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction
and skidding, especially on slippery ground.
This could cause loss of control of the vehicle
resulting in an accident and considerable
damage.
● Only use kick-down and rapid acceleration
when weather conditions, surface conditions
and traffic conditions permit; accelerate and
drive in a manner that does not endanger
other road users.
● Please remember that the driven wheels
can slip and the vehicle can skid if the ASR is
turned off, especially on slippery ground.
● Turn on the ASR after accelerating! CAUTION
● If you stop on a hill with a gear range en-
gaged, do not try to prevent the vehicle from
rolling back by pressing on the accelerator.
This could cause overheating and damage the
automatic gearbox.
● Never allow the vehicle to move with the
gear selector lever in N, especially with the
engine turned off. The automatic gearbox will
not be lubricated and could be damaged. Recommended gear display
In some vehicles, the recommended gear for
reducing fuel consumption is displayed on
the instrument panel:DisplayMeaning
Optimum gear.
Recommendation to change up a gear.
Recommendation to change down a
gear.
Information for “cleaning” the diesel
particulate filter
The exhaust gas system control recognises
when the diesel particulate filter is blocked,
»
147
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Driving
● Use of CFC-free coolants.
Ban on heavy metals, with the exceptions
dictated by law (Annex II of ELV Directive
2000/53/EC): cadmium, lead, mercury, hexa-
v al
ent chromium.
Manufacturing methods ● Reduction of the quantity of thinner in the
protective wax for cavities.
● Use of plastic film as protection during ve-
hicle transport.
● Use of solvent-free adhesives.
● Use of CFC-free coolants in cooling sys-
tems.
● Recycling and energy recovery from resi-
dues (RDF).
● Improvement in the quality of waste water.
● Use of systems for the recovery of residual
heat (thermal recovery, enthalpy wheels,
etc.).
● The use of water-soluble paints. Correct economical and ecological
driving
Fig. 133
Fuel consumption in litres per
100 km (mpg) at different outside tempera-
tures Fuel consumption, environmental impact and
engine, brake and tyre wear depend largely
on three factors:
● Personal driving style.
● Conditions of use (weather, road surface).
● Technical requirements.
Savings of up to 25% in fuel consumption
are possible with an appropriate driving style
and the adoption of certain simple tips.
Changing gear early
General instructions: The highest gear is al-
ways the most economical. As a guideline,
for the majority of vehicles: at a speed of
30 km/h (19 mph), drive in third gear, at 40 km/h (25 mph) in fourth gear and at
50 km/h (31 mph) in fifth gear.
In addition, “skipping” gears when shifting
up helps to save fuel, weather and traffic
conditions permitting.
Do not wait until the last moment before
changing gear. Only use first gear when you
move off and change to second gear quickly.
Avoid the kick-down function in vehicles with
automatic gearbox.
Vehicles with a gear display help to achieve
an economical driving style as the display in-
dicates the best moment to change gear.
Let the vehicle roll
If you take your foot off the accelerator, the
fuel supply is stopped and consumption is
reduced.
Allow the vehicle to roll without accelerating,
for example when approaching a red traffic
light. However, if the vehicle is rolling too
slowly or the distance is too long, the clutch
pedal should be pressed to declutch. The en-
gine will then operate at idle speed.
If the vehicle is going to be at a standstill for
a period of time, switch off the engine; for ex-
ample, while waiting at a level crossing. In
vehicles which have the Start-Stop function
on, the engine switches off automatically
when the vehicle is not moving.
»
149
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Operation
●
Likewise, the effectiveness of ESC depends
on the use of suitable tyres ››› page 231. Note
● To ensure that the ESC and ASR work prop-
erly, all four wheels must be fitted with iden-
tical tyres. Any differences in the rolling radi-
us of the tyres can cause the system to re-
duce engine power when this is not desired.
● If a malfunction should occur in the ABS,
the ESC, EDL and ASR will also be out of ac-
tion.
● Noises may be heard while any of the
above systems are operating. Turning on and off the ASR
Fig. 134
Detailed view of the centre console:
button used to switch ASR on and off (vehi-
cles with ESC) The electronic stability control ESC consists
of ABS, EDL and ASR and only works when
the engine is running.
The ASR can be switched off while the engine
is running by pressing the
OFF
››› Fig. 134
button. The ASR (and similar) is only switch-
ed off when the required traction is not ob-
tained:
● When driving through deep snow or on
loose ground (gravel, etc.).
● When “freeing” a trapped vehicle.
Turn the ASR back on by pressing the but-
ton OFF
››› Fig. 134 .
St ar
t assist systems
Introduction WARNING
The intelligent technology in the start assist
systems cannot change the laws of physics.
The improved comfort provided by start as-
sist systems should not prompt you to take
risks.
● Unintentional movements of the vehicle
could cause serious injury.
● The start assist systems are not a replace-
ment for driver awareness. ●
Always try to adapt the speed of the vehi-
cle and your style of driving to the condition
of the ground or the road and to weather and
traffic conditions.
● The start assist system cannot keep the ve-
hicle stationary in all conditions on a gradi-
ent or cause it to brake on steep downhill
gradients, e.g. if the road is slippery or icy. Auto Hold function*
Fig. 135
Detailed view of the centre console:
Auto Hold button The control lamp on the button switches on
when the Auto Hold function is on.
When the Auto Hold function is on, this helps
the driver if they must regularly stop the vehi-
cle or if they must stop with the engine run-
ning for prolonged periods, for example, on
hills, before a traffic light or in traffic jams
with continuous stopping and starting.
156
Driver assistance systems
The Auto Hold function automatically pre-
vents the vehicle from rolling away acciden-
tally when at a standstill, without the driver
having to keep his/her foot on the brake ped-
al.
When the system that detects that the vehi-
cle has stopped, the Auto Hold keeps the ve-
hicle at a standstill. The brake pedal can be
released.
If the driver presses the brake pedal briefly or
the accelerator to start off, the Auto Hold
function releases the brake once more. The
vehicle moves according to the gradient.
If any of the conditions necessary for the Au-
to Hold function change while the vehicle
stopped, the system is turned off as is the in-
dicator on the button ››› Fig. 135 . The elec-
tr onic
parking brake engages where necessa-
ry to park the vehicle safely ››› .
Conditions for keeping the vehicle at a
standstill with Auto Hold:
● The driver door must be closed.
● The driver seat belt must be buckled.
● The engine must be running.
● The ASR system is switched on
››› page 137 . Sw
it
ching Auto Hold on and off manually
Press the AUTO HOLD button
››› . The control
lamp on the button switches off when the Au-
to Hold function is switched off.
Permanent Auto Hold connection
The Auto Hold function must be switched on
every time the engine is started. However, to
switch the Auto Hold function on permanent-
ly, the mark must be switched on in the
Set
-
tin
gs menu, “Autohold” submenu ››› page 47.
Auto Hold works automatically under the
following conditions:
All points must be fulfilled simultaneously
››› :
Manual gearboxAutomatic gearbox
1.If the vehicle is stopped using the brake pedal on a
flat or slope.
2.The engine must be “running smoothly”.
3.On a slope, the 1st gear
is engaged uphill or the
reverse gear is engaged
for a downhill. The
clutch must be held
down.A gear for driving is se-
lected from R, D or S.
Upon accelerating and
pressing in the clutch
simultaneously, the
brake releases gradual-
ly.Upon accelerating, the
brake releases gradual-
ly. Auto Hold turns off automatically under the
following conditions:
Manual gearboxAutomatic gearbox
1.If one of the conditions mentioned in
table on
page 157 changes.
2.If the engine is “not running regularly” or if there is a malfunction.
3.When changing to idle
speed.If the selector lever is
placed in neutral (N).
4.If the engine is turned
off or stalls.If the engine is switch-
ed off.
5.If the driver accelerates
while pressing the
clutch in.If the vehicle is acceler-
ated.
6. When one of the wheels
has minimal contact
with the ground (e.g. on
uneven ground). WARNING
The Auto Hold technology is limited by the
laws of physics. The improved comfort provi-
ded by Auto Hold should never prompt you to
take risks.
● Never leave the vehicle running and with
the Auto Hold function switched on.
● Auto Hold cannot always stop the vehicle
uphill and downhill (e.g. if the ground is slip-
pery or frozen). » 157
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Operation
CAUTION
Before entering an automatic car wash, al-
ways switch the Auto Hold function off, as it
could be damaged when the electronic park-
ing brake automatically engages. Start-Stop Function*
Fig. 136
Detailed view of the centre console:
Start-Stop function button With the Start-Stop system enabled, the en-
gine is automatically stopped when the vehi-
cle is at a standstill. The engine restarts auto-
matically when required.
The function is enabled automatically when-
ever the ignition is switched on. The instru-
ment panel displays information on the cur-
rent status. Vehicles with a manual gearbox
● When the vehicle is at a standstill, leave it
in neutral and take your foot off the clutch.
The engine switches off.
● Simply depress the clutch pedal to move
off again.
Vehicles with an automatic gearbox
● When the vehicle is at a standstill, depress
the brake or keep it pressed down. The en-
gine switches off.
● The engine will start again as soon as you
release the brake pedal.
● With the selector lever set to position P, the
en gine w
ill not start until a range of gears is
selected or the accelerator pedal is de-
pressed.
Important conditions for the engine to
automatically switch off
● The driver seat belt must be buckled.
● The driver door must be closed.
● The bonnet must be closed.
● The factory-fitted towing bracket must not
be electrically connected to a trailer.
● A minimum engine temperature has been
reached.
● The steering wheel must not be turned
more than 270 degrees.
● The vehicle has moved since the last stop. ●
In vehicles with Climatronic: the tempera-
ture inside the vehicle is within the pre-set
temperature range.
● The temperature set is neither very high nor
very low.
● The air conditioning defrost function is not
switched on.
● In vehicles with Climatronic: the blower has
not been manually set to a high speed.
● The power level of the vehicle's battery is
sufficient.
● The vehicle's battery temperature is neither
too high nor too low.
● The vehicle is not on a steep gradient or
slope.
● The front wheels are not overly turned.
● The heated windscreen is not switched on.
● Reverse gear is not engaged.
● The park assist system is not switched on.
Conditions for automatically restarting the
engine
The engine may automatically restart under
the following conditions:
● If the vehicle interior is too hot or too cold.
● If the vehicle moves.
● If the vehicle's battery voltage drops.
158
Driver assistance systems
Conditions requiring the key to restart the
engine
The engine must be started manually under
the following conditions:
● If the driver unbuckles his/her seat belt.
● If the driver door is opened.
● If the bonnet is opened.
● In vehicles with a manual gearbox: if a gear
has been selected.
Switching Start-Stop mode on and off
manually
● Press the button on the centre console
››› Fig. 136 .
● The b utt
on will light up when the Start-Stop
function is switched off.
The engine will start immediately if the vehi-
cle is in Stop mode when it is switched off
manually. WARNING
The brake servo and the power steering do
not work when the engine is switched off.
● Never allow the vehicle to move when the
engine is switched off. CAUTION
Using the Start-Stop function for a long peri-
od at very high outside temperatures could
damage the vehicle's battery. Note
● In some cases, you may have to restart the
vehicle using the key. Observe the corre-
sponding message on the instrument panel
display.
● If the steering wheel is turned more than
270°, Stop will not function; however, the an-
gle of steering wheel turn does not affect
starting the vehicle. Parking sensor system*
Introduction The parking sensor system assists the driver
when parking. When the vehicle approaches
an obstacle, forwards or backwards, an inter-
mittent audible warning will be heard, higher
or lower depending on the distance. The
shorter the distance, the shorter the intervals
between tones. If the vehicle is too close to
the obstacle, the audible warning becomes
constant.
If you continue to approach an obstacle when
the sound is continuous, this means the sys-
tem can no longer measure the distance.
The sensor system on the bumpers transmit
and receive ultrasound. Using the ultrasound
signal (transmission, reflection from the ob-
stacle and reception), this system continu-ously calculates the distance between the
bumper and the obstacle. WARNING
The parking sensor system and the optical
parking system cannot replace driver aware-
ness.
● The sensors have blind spots in which ob-
stacles and people are not registered.
● Always observe the area around the vehi-
cle, as the sensors do not always detect
small children, animals or objects.
● The surface of certain objects and some
clothing do not reflect the ultrasound signals
from the parking distance system. The sys-
tem cannot detect or incorrectly detects
these objects and people wearing these
types of clothes.
● External sound sources can affect the park-
ing distance aid signals. In this case, under
certain circumstances, people and objects
will not be detected. CAUTION
● The sensors may not always be able to de-
tect objects such as trailer draw bars, thin
rails, fences, posts, trees and open boots,
etc. This could result in damage to your car.
● Although the parking sensor system de-
tects and warns of the presence of an obsta-
cle, the obstacle could disappear from the an-
gle of measurement of the sensors if it is too
high or low and the system would no longer » 159
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
OperationDistance from the
vehicle to the ob-
stacleAudible
warn- ing
Displayed in
colour on the
screen: colour
of the segment if an obstacleis recognised
Front: approx. 31 -
120 cm
Behind: approx. 31 -
160 cmBeeping soundYellow
Approximately 0 –
30 cm in front or be-
hind a)Perma-
nent
soundRed
a) The permanent sound starts at a somewhat greater distance
on vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket.
With towing bracket
A specific image is displayed on the screen of
vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket
and an electrically connected trailer. In this
case, the distances behind the vehicle are
not indicated.
Switching the parking sensor system sound
on and off
If the button on the radio or navigation
system screen may mute the sound of OPS
warnings. To switch the warnings back on,
press the button again briefly.
When the OPS is switched off and back on
again, muting is cancelled. Error messages
cannot be switched off. WARNING
Do not be distracted from the traffic when
looking at the screen. Park Assist system*
Introduction The Park Assist system helps the driver to
find a suitable place to park, to insert the ve-
hicle into parallel and perpendicular parking
places and to leave parallel parking places.
The Park Assist system is limited to the sys-
tem abilities and requires that the driver is
especially attentive
››› .
The parking sensor system is a component of
the Park Assist system that helps to park the
vehicle.
For vehicles with the optical parking system
(OPS), the radio navigation systems screen
displays the detected zones in front of and
behind the vehicle, indicating - within the
limits of the system - the position of obsta-
cles in relation to the vehicle.
The park assist system cannot be switched
on if the factory-fitted towing bracket is elec-
trically connected to a trailer. WARNING
Despite the assistance provided by the park
assist system, do not run any risks when
parking. The system is not a replacement for
driver awareness.
● Unintentional movements of the vehicle
could cause serious injury.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visi-
bility, road, traffic and weather conditions.
● The surface of certain objects and items of
clothing and external sound sources may
have a negative affect on the park assist sig-
nals or on the system sensors or may not re-
flect its signals.
● The sensors have blind spots in which ob-
stacles and people are not registered.
● Always observe the area around the vehi-
cle, as the sensors do not always detect
small children, animals or objects. CAUTION
● The park assist system aims exclusively at
other parked vehicles, without taking curbs
or other circumstances into account. Make
sure you do not damage the tyres and wheel
rims when parking. Where necessary, stop
manoeuvring to avoid damaging the vehicle.
● The sensors may not always be able to de-
tect objects such as trailer draw bars, thin
rails, fences, posts and trees, etc. This could
result in damage to your car. 162
Operation
● Perpendicular parking: press the button at speeds up to 50 km/h (31 mph) twice.
When the function is enabled, the button
››› Fig. 141 will light up.
● If nec
essary, press the button once
more to change parking mode.
● Apply the turn signal for the side on which
a gap is to be detected for parking. The in-
strument panel displays the side correspond-
ing to the road.
Parking
● Parking parallel to the road: drive next to
the gap at a speed of no more than 40 km/h
(25 mph) and
at a distance of between 0.5 m
and 2 m.
● P
arking perpendicular to the road: drive
next to the gap at a speed of no more than
20 km/h (12 mph)
and at a distance of be-
tween 0.5 m and 2 m.
● The best parking results will be achieved if
you position the vehicle as parallel as possi-
ble to the line of parked cars or the kerb.
● When a suitable parking place is displayed
on the instrument panel, stop and select re-
verse gear.
● Follow the instructions given on the instru-
ment panel display
● Then, release the steering wheel when the
warning signal sounds ››› : The system will
move the steering wheel! Observe the sur-
rounding area. ●
Observe the surrounding area and acceler-
ate carefully at a maximum of 7 km/h
(4 mph).
● The park assist system is only responsible
f or mo
ving the steering wheel during the ma-
noeuvre.
The driver applies the accelerator,
the clutch, the gears and the brake.
● Follow the instructions given by the park
assist system until the manoeuvre is comple-
ted.
● The park assist system steers the vehicle
forwards and backwards until it is in a
straight position in the parking space.
● The manoeuvre is complete when the corre-
sponding indication is given on the instru-
ment panel display.
Stopping the parking manoeuvre
The park assist system stops the manoeuvre
in the event of one of the following:
● Press button .
● Driving faster than 7 km/h (4 mph).
● The driver moves the steering wheel.
● The parking manoeuvre has not been com-
pleted after 6 minutes since the park assist
system was activated.
● A sliding door is opened. To restart the ma-
noeuvre, close the sliding door and press the
button again.●
There is a system malfunction (system tem-
porarily unavailable).
● The ASR system is switched off or the ASR
or ESC is working. WARNING
The steering wheel turns quickly by itself
when parking using the park assist system.
Placing your hand between the steering
wheel spokes could lead to injuries. Note
● The park assist system has its limitations.
For example, it is not possible to park on
tight bends using the park assist system.
● Even if the park assist system recognises
that there is not enough space for parking
the vehicle, the instrument panel display will
still show this place. In this case, the parking
manoeuvre should not be requested.
● Changing gears between forward and re-
verse gears before indicated (that is, before
the signal from the parking sensor system)
the parking results may not be ideal.
● For parallel parking (parallel to the road), a
sound will tell the driver when they must
change from forward gears to reverse; the
signal from the parking sensor system does
not indicate changes of direction.
● The park assist can also be activated after-
wards, if you pass close to a parallel parking
space at a maximum of 40 km an hour 164