The essentials
Front brake pads worn.
›››
page
169
it lights up:
Fault in the ESC, or dis-
connection caused by the system.
flashes: ESC or ASR activated.
ASR manually deactivated.
Or else
: ESC in Sport mode.
ABS faulty or does not work.
Rear fog light switched on.›››
page
21
lights up or flashes:
fault in the
emission control system.››› page
106
it lights up:
pre-ignition of diesel
engine.
››› page
101
flashes: fault in the diesel engine
management.
fault in the petrol engine manage-
ment.›››
page
101
lights up or flashes:
fault in the
steering system.››› page
105
Tyre pressure too low, or fault in
the tyre pressure monitoring sys-
tem.›››
page
104
Fuel tank almost empty.›››
page
105
Fault in airbag system and seat
belt tensioners.›››
page
66 Other warning lamps
Left or right turn signal.›››
page
22
Hazard warning lights on.››› page
127
Trailer turn signals›››
page
187
it lights up:
Press the foot brake!
flashes: the selector lever locking
button has not engaged.››› page
159
it lights up:
cruise control activated
or speed limiter switched on and
active.
››› page
34
flashes: the speed set by the
speed limiter has been exceeded.
Main beam on or flasher on.›››
page
22 On the instrument panel display
Fig. 43
See position on page 7-8
Do not continue driving!
With the corresponding indica-
tion: door(s), rear lid or bonnet
open or not properly closed.››› page
112
››› page 9
››› page
201
Ignition: Do not carry on driv-
ing! Engine coolant level too low,
coolant temperature too high
››› page
207
Flashing: Fault in the engine
coolant system.
Do not continue driving!
Engine oil pressure too low.››› page
204 36
Fuses and bulbs
Fuse arrangement in engine compart-
ment Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 44
Only replace fuses with a fuse of the same
amperage (same colour and markings) and
size.
No.Consumer/Amps
1Fan, condenser40
TK8 fan, condenser50
2Glow plugs50
3ABS Pump40
EMBOX2-13 (TA8)20
4PTC glow phase 250
5PTC glow phase 350
6BDM, 30 ReF5
7MSG (KL30)7.5
8Windscreen wipers30
9Automatic gear box control, AQ 160
Control box30
10ABS Ventil25
EMBOX2-11 (TA8)5
No.Consumer/Amps
12
Injectors
10TDI fuel metering adjuster, TA8 ex-
haust temperature sensor
13Servo sensor5
14coolant pump high/low temperature,
gauge (relay EKP)10
1550 controls motor diag5
16Starter motor30
17Controls motor (MSG KL87)20
18PTC Relays, TOG sensor, engine
valves, PWM fan10
19Interior AUX Fuses30
20Glow plug relay, Heizrohr5
Ignition coil20 Changing bulbs
Gener al
notes Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 45
Before changing any bulb, first turn off the
failed device. Do not touch the glass part of the bulb with
your bar
e hands. The fingerprints left on the
glass will vaporise as a result of the heat gen-
erated by the bulb, reducing bulb life and
causing condensation on the reflector sur-
face, thus reducing effectiveness.
A bulb must only be replaced by one of the
same type. The type is indicated on the bulb,
either on the glass part or on the base.
Xenon headlights
With this type of headlight, the user can re-
place the turn signal bulb. Replacement of
the dipped/main beam bulb must be done by
Technical Services, given that complex ele-
ments must be removed from the vehicle and
the automatic control system that incorpo-
rates it must be reset.
The Xenon bulbs discharge 2.5 times the
light flux and have an average lifespan of 5
times more than that of halogen bulbs, this
means that, except due to unusual circum-
stances, there is no need to change the bulbs
for the whole life of the vehicle. WARNING
● Tak e p
articular care when working on com-
ponents in the engine compartment if the en-
gine is warm, there is a risk of burns.
● Bulbs are highly sensitive to pressure. The
glas
s can break when you touch the bulb,
causing injury. » 83
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
●
Addition a
l lights and other accessories in
front of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect
of the coolant. At high outside temperatures
and high engine loads, there is a risk of the
engine overheating.
● The front spoiler also ensures proper distri-
bution of the c
ooling air when the vehicle is
moving. If the spoiler is damaged this can re-
duce the cooling effect, which could cause
the engine to overheat. Seek specialist assis-
tance. Fuel level
Fig. 123
Fuel gauge. The display
6
› ›
› Fig. 121
only works when
the ignition is switched on. When the display
reaches the reserve mark, the lower diode
lights up in red and the control lamp ap-
pears ››› page 96. When the fuel level is very
low, the lower diode flashes in red. The distance to empty fuel level is displayed
on the instrument
panel 3
› ››
Fig. 121
.
Y
ou can consult the tank capacity of your ve-
hicle in the ›››
page 40 section. CAUTION
Never run the fuel tank completely dry. An ir-
re gu
lar fuel supply could cause misfiring. In
this way the unburned fuel can reach the ex-
haust system, which could cause the catalytic
converter to overheat resulting in damage. Warning and indication lamps
W arnin
g symbo
ls Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 35
There are red warning symbols (priority 1)
and yellow warning symbols (priority 2).
Warning messages, Priority 1 (red)
If one of these faults occurs, the warning
lamp will light up or flash and will be accom-
panied by three audible warnings. This is a
danger warning. Stop the vehicle and switch
off the engine. Check the fault and correct it.
Obtain professional assistance if necessary.
If several priority 1 faults are detected at the
same time, the symbols will be displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time
and wil
l continue until the fault is corrected.
No menus will be shown in the display for the
duration of a priority 1 warning message.
Examples of priority 1 warning messages
(red)
● Brake system symbol with the warnin
g
message STOP BRAKE FLUID INSTRUC-
TION MANUAL or STOP BRAKE FAULT IN-
STRUCTION MANUAL .
● Coolant symbol with the warnin
g mes-
sage STOP SEE COOLANT INSTRUCTION
MANUAL .
● Engine oil pressure symbol with the
warnin
g message STOP ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE LOW! INSTRUCTION MANUAL .
Warning messages, Priority 2 (yellow)
If one of these faults occurs, the correspond-
ing warning lamp lights up and is accompa-
nied by an audible warning. Check the corre-
sponding function as soon as possible al-
though the vehicle may be used without risk.
If several priority 2 warning messages are de-
tected at the same time, the symbols are dis-
played one after the other for about 2 sec-
onds at a time. After a set time, the informa-
tion text will disappear and the symbol will
be shown as a reminder at the side of the
display.
100
Operation
WARNING
● Alw a
ys drive according to the road weather
conditions, the terrain and traffic. Driving rec-
ommendations should never lead to illegal
manoeuvres in surrounding traffic.
● The diesel engine particulate filter may
reac
h extremely high temperatures; in this
case the vehicle should be parked so that it
does not enter into contact with highly flam-
mable materials underneath the vehicle. Oth-
erwise there is a risk of fire. Engine oil pressure
If this warning lamp
is
r
ed it indicates
that the engine oil pressure is too low.
If this warning symbol starts to flash, and is
accompanied by three audible warnings,
switch off the engine and check the oil level.
If necessary, add more oil ›››
page 206.
If the warning lamp flashes although the oil
level is correct, stop driving. Do not even run
the engine at idle speed! Obtain technical as-
sistance.
Checking the oil level
If the warning lamp is yellow the engine
oil level should be checked as soon as possi-
ble. Top up the oil ›››
page 206 at the next
opportunity. Oil level sensor faulty*
If the
y
ellow warning lamp flashes, take
the vehicle to a specialised workshop to have
the oil level sensor checked. Until then it is
advisable to check the oil level every time
you refuel.
Lamp fault* The warning lamp lights up when there is
a f
au
lt on the turn signals, headlights, side
lights and fog lights.
Windscreen washer fluid* This warning lamp lights up to indicate that
the w
ind
s
creen washer level is very low.
This serves as a reminder to fill up the reser-
voir at the earliest opportunity ›››
page 209.
Rear fog light* The warning lamp lights
up when the r
e
ar
fog light is switched on. For further informa-
tion see ›››
page 123. Anti-lock brake system (ABS)* The control lamp
lights up for a f
ew sec-
onds when the ignition is switched on. It
goes out again after the system has run
through an automatic test sequence.
There is a fault in the ABS if:
● The control lamp does not
light up when
the ignition is switched on.
● The control lamp does not go out again af-
ter a few sec
onds.
● The control lamp lights up when the vehicle
is mo
ving.
The vehicle can still be braked in the normal
way, without the ABS function. Take the vehi-
cle to a specialised workshop as soon as
possible. For further information on the ABS
see the ›››
page 171.
If there is a fault in the ABS, the ESC* and the
tyre pressure control lamp will also light up.
Brake system fault
If the ABS warning lamp lights up together
with the brake warning lamp , there is a
fault in the ABS function and in the brake
system ››› .
102
Operation
Air recirculation Air recirculation prevents unpleasant smells,
e.g. when p
a
ssing through a tunnel or in
queuing traffic, from entering the interior.
Switching on air recirculation mode
● Press button
17
››› Fig. 167 and the
symbol is displayed on the screen.
Switching off air recirculation mode
● Press button
17
› ›
› Fig. 167
and the
symbol disappears from the screen. WARNING
Read and observe the safety warnings ›››
in
Genera l
notes on page 144. Note
If air recirculation mode remains on for 15 mi-
nute s, the
symbol will start to flash on
the screen to indicate prolonged air recircula-
tion. If air recirculation is not switched off,
the symbol will continue to flash for about 5
minutes. Blower selection
Climatronic automatically regulates blower
s
peed ac
c
ording to the interior temperature. It is possible, however, to set the blower
speed to s
uit requirements.
● Turn control 10
› ››
Fig. 167
c
ounter-clock-
wise (to lower the speed) or clockwise (to in-
crease the speed).
Climatronic will switch off when the blower
switches off. WARNING
Read and observe the safety warnings ›››
in
Genera l
notes on page 144. Windscreen defrost
Switching on windscreen defrosting
●
Press the button
12
› ›
›
Fig. 167.
Switching off windscreen defrosting
● Press button
12
› ›
›
Fig. 167 several
times or press the AUTO button.
The t emper
at
ure is regulated automatically.
The air output is increased from vents 1 and
2 ›››
page 146. Driving
Ad dr
e
ss
Introduction The power steering is not hydraulic but elec-
tromec
h
anical. The advantage of this steer-
ing is that it foes not need flexible hydraulic
pipes, hydraulic oil, pump, filter or other
parts. The electromechanical system saves
fuel. Whereas a hydraulic system needs con-
tinuous oil pressure, electromechanical
steering only needs power when it is used.
In vehicles with electromechanical steering,
the assisted steering function automatically
adjusts according to vehicle speed, steering
wheel torque and wheel orientation. The
power steering only works when the engine
is running. WARNING
If the power steering does not work, you will
need much mor e s
trength to turn the wheel.
This has a considerable effect on vehicle
safety.
● The power steering only works when the
engine is
running.
● Never allow the vehicle to move when the
engine is
switched off.
● Never remove the key from the ignition
while the
vehicle is moving. The steering lock152
Care and maintenance
– Rin se the
v
ehicle thoroughly with water.
– Dry the vehicle surface gently with a cha-
mois l
eather.
– In cold temperature, dry the rubber seals
and their sur
faces to prevent them from
freezing. Apply silicone spray to the rubber
seals.
After washing the vehicle – After washing, avoid sudden and sharp
brakin
g. “Dry” the brakes by braking sever-
al times. WARNING
● Wa sh
your vehicle with the ignition switch-
ed off.
● Protect your hands and arms from cuts on
sharp meta
l edges when cleaning the under-
body, the inside of the wheel housings etc.
Risk of injury.
● Water, ice and salt on the brake system can
reduce br
aking effectiveness. Risk of acci-
dent. CAUTION
● Never r emo
ve dirt, mud or dust if the vehi-
cle surface is dry. Never use a dry cloth or
sponge for cleaning purposes. This could
scratch the paintwork or glass on your vehi-
cle. ●
Wa shin
g the vehicle in low temperatures:
when washing the vehicle with a hose, do not
direct water into the lock cylinders or the
gaps around the doors, rear lid, or sunroof.
Risk of freezing. For the sake of the environment
To protect the environment, the vehicle
shou ld be w
ashed only in specially provided
wash bays, to prevent toxic, oil-laden waste
water from entering the sewer system. In
some places, washing vehicles outside wash
bays is prohibited. Note
Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight. Washing the vehicle with a high pres-
s
ur
e c
leaner Be particularly careful when using a high
pr
e
s
sure cleaner!
– Always observe the instructions for the
high-pres
sure cleaner, particularly those
concerning the pressure and the spraying
distance.
– Increase the spraying distance for soft ma-
terial
s and painted bumpers. –
Do not use a high pr
essure cleaner to re-
move ice or snow from windows
››› page 194.
– Never use concentrated jet nozzles (“rotat-
ing jets”) ›
›› .
– After washing, avoid sudden and sharp
br ak
in
g. “Dry” the brakes by braking sever-
al times ››› page 156. WARNING
● Never w a
sh tyres with a concentrated jet
(“rotating nozzle”). Even at large spraying
distances and short cleaning times, damage
can occur to the tyres. This may cause an ac-
cident.
● Water, ice and salt on the brake system can
reduce br
aking effectiveness. Risk of acci-
dent. CAUTION
● Do not u se w
ater hotter than +60°C
(+140°F). This could damage the vehicle.
● To avoid damage to the vehicle, keep a suf-
ficient di
stance from sensitive materials such
as flexible hoses, plastic, soundproofing ma-
terial, etc. This also applies to bumpers pain-
ted in the colour of the bodywork. The closer
the nozzle is to the surface, the greater the
wear on the material. 193
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
Only change the engine oil yourself if you
hav e the s
pecialist knowledge required!
● Before opening the bonnet, read and ob-
serve the w
arnings ››› page 201, safety notes
for work in the engine compartment .
● Wait for the engine to cool down. Hot oil
may
cause burn injuries.
● Wear eye protection to avoid injuries, such
as ac
id burns, caused by splashes of oil.
● When removing the oil drain plug with your
finger
s, keep your arm horizontal to help pre-
vent oil from running down your arm.
● Wash your skin thoroughly if it comes into
contact
with engine oil.
● Engine oil is poisonous! Used oil must be
stor
ed in a safe place out of the reach of chil-
dren. CAUTION
No additives should be used with engine oil.
This c
ould result in engine damage. Any dam-
age caused by the use of such additives
would not be covered by the factory warranty. For the sake of the environment
● Bec au
se of disposal problems and the spe-
cial tools and specialist knowledge required,
we recommend that you have the engine oil
and filter changed by a Technical Service. ●
Never pour oi l
down drains or into the
ground.
● Use a suitable container when draining the
used oil
. It must be large enough to hold all
the engine oil. Cooling system
Top pin
g up coolant Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 42
Top up coolant when the level is below the
MIN (minimum) mark.
Checking coolant level
– Park the vehicle in a horizontal position.
– Switch the ignition off.
– Read off the coolant level on coolant ex-
pans
ion tank. When the engine is cold, the
coolant level should be between the marks.
When the engine is hot, it may be slightly
above the upper mark.
Topping up coolant
– Wait for the engine to cool down.
– Cover the coolant expansion tank cap with
a cloth and car
efully unscrew it to the left
››› .–
Top up the c
oo
lant only if there is still cool-
ant in the expansion tank, otherwise you could damage the engine. If there is no
coolant in the expansion tank, do not con-
tinue driving. You should obtain professio- nal assistance ››› .
– If there is still some coolant in the expan-
sion t
ank, t
op up to the upper mark.
– Top up with coolant until the level becomes
stab
le.
– Screw the cap back on correctly.
Any lo
ss of coolant fluid normally indicates a
leak in the cooling system. Take the vehicle
straight to a specialised workshop to have
the cooling system examined. If there are no
leaks in the engine cooling system, a loss of
coolant can only occur if the coolant boils
and is forced out of the system as a result of
overheating. WARNING
● The coo lin
g system is under pressure. Do
not unscrew the cap on the coolant expan-
sion tank when the engine is hot: risk of
burns!
● The antifreeze and coolant fluid can be a
health h
azard. Therefore, the antifreeze
should be stored in the original container in a
safe place out of reach of children. Failure to
comply could result in poisoning. » 207
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Advice
Wheels
Wheel s
and ty
res
General notes Avoiding damage
– If you have to drive over a kerb or similar
ob s
tacle, drive very slowly and at a right
angle.
– Keep grease, oil and fuel off the tyres.
– Inspect the tyres regularly for damage
(cuts, c r
acks or blisters, etc.). Remove any
foreign objects embedded in the treads.
Storing tyres
– When you remove the tyres, mark them in
order to m
aintain the same direction of ro-
tation when they are installed again.
– When removed, the wheels and/or tyres
should be s
tored in a cool, dry and prefera-
bly dark location.
– Store tyres in a vertical position, if they are
not fitted on wheel
rims.
New tyres
New tyres must be run in ›››
page 165.
The tread depth of new tyres may vary, ac-
cording to the type and make of tyre and the
tread pattern. Concealed damage
Damage t
o tyres and rims is often not readily
visible. If you notice unusual vibrations or the
vehicle pulling to one side, this may indicate
that one of the tyres is damaged. They
should be checked immediately by a Techni-
cal Service.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
An arrow on the tyre sidewall indicates the di-
rection of rotation on tyres with directional
tread. Always observe the direction of rota-
tion indicated when fitting the wheel. This
guarantees optimum grip and helps to avoid
aquaplaning, excessive noise and wear. WARNING
● New tyr e
s do not have maximum grip dur-
ing the first 500 km. Drive particularly care-
fully to avoid possible accidents.
● Never drive with damaged tyres. This may
cause an ac
cident.
● If you notice unusual vibrations or if the ve-
hicle p
ulls to one side when driving, stop the
vehicle immediately and check the tyres for
damage. Tyre pressure monitoring system
Fig. 188
Location of the tyre pressure sticker. The correct tyre pressure can be seen on the
s
tic
k
er on the inside of the fuel tank flap
››› Fig. 188.
1. Read the required tyre inflation pressure from the stic
ker. The values refer to Sum-
mer tyres.
2. The tyre pressures should only be checked when the tyre
s are cold. The slightly raised
pressures of warm tyres must not be re-
duced.
3. Adjust the tyre pressure to the load you are carr
ying.
212