
Lights and visibility
Note
See legal requirements for each country. Instrument and switch lighting, head-
light r
an
ge control Fig. 134
Dash panel: headlight range control Instrument and switch lighting
The lightin
g l
ev
el of instruments, controls
and displays can be adjusted through the in-
fotainment system with the CAR button and
the S
ETUP function button
››
›
page 24.
The instrument lighting (some dials and nee-
dles), the centre console lighting and the
lighting of the displays are regulated by a
photodiode incorporated in the instrument
panel.
The instrument lighting (needles) is switched
on when the ignition is on and the light is
off. The instrument lighting is dimmed auto- matically as the daylight starts to fade. It
goes
out completely when ambient light is
very low. This function is intended to remind
the driver to switch on the dipped beam
headlights in good time when light condi-
tions become poor.
Headlight range control
By using the electrical headlight range con-
trol you can adjust the headlight range to the
load level that is being carried in the vehicle
››› Fig. 134. This way, it is possible to avoid
dazzling oncoming traffic more than necessa-
ry. At the same time, by using the correct
headlight settings, the driver has the best
possible lighting for the road ahead.
The headlights can only be adjusted when
the dipped beam is switched on. Turn the
wheel downwards to lower the headlight
beam from the basic setting 0.
Dynamic headlight range control
Vehicles with gas discharge bulbs (xenon
bulbs) are equipped with dynamic headlight
range control. When you switch on the lights,
their range regulates itself according to the
vehicle load.
Vehicles with gas discharge bulbs do not
have headlight range control. Turn signal and main beam lever Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 22
Parking lights
● Switch the ignition off and remove the key
from the lock.
● Mo
ve the turn signal lever up or down to
turn the right or l
eft-hand parking lights on,
respectively.
Convenience turn signals
For the convenience turn signals, move the
lever as far as possible upwards or down-
wards and release the lever. The turn signal
will flash three times.
The convenience turn signals are activated
and deactivated in the Easy Connect system
via the key and the
Set
up function button
› ›
›
page 107.
In vehicles that do not have the correspond-
ing menu, this function can be deactivated in
a specialised workshop. WARNING
The main beam can dazzle other drivers. Risk
of ac c
ident! Never use the main beam head-
lights or the headlight flasher if they could
dazzle other drivers. » 125
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
Note
● If the c on
venience turn signals are operat-
ing (three flashes) and the other convenience
turn signals are switched on, the active part
stops flashing and only flashes once in the
new part selected.
● The turn signals only
work when the igni-
tion is switched on. The corresponding warn-
ing lamp or flashes in the instrument
panel. The control lamp flashes when the
turn signals are operated, provided a trailer is
correctly attached and connected to the vehi-
cle. If a turn signal bulb is defective, the con-
trol lamp flashes at double speed. If the trail-
er turn signal bulbs are defective, the control
lamp does not light up. Change the bulb.
● The main beam headligh
ts can only be
switched on if the dipped beam headlights
are already on. The warning lamp then
comes on in the instrument panel.
● The headlight flasher come
s on for as long
as you pull the lever – even if no other lights
are switched on. The warning lamp then
comes on in the instrument panel.
● When the parking ligh
ts are switched on,
the headlight and the tail light on the corre-
sponding side of the vehicle light up. The
parking lights will only work if the key is re-
moved from the ignition. If said light is on, an
audible warning will be emitted while the
driver door is open.
● If the turn signal lever is left on after the
key h
as been taken out of the ignition lock,
an acoustic signal sounds when the driver door is opened. This is intended as a remind-
er to sw
it
ch off the turn signal, unless you
wish to leave the parking light on. Coming Home/Leaving Home Func-
tion*
The Coming Home function is controlled man-
ually
.
The Leaving Home function is control-
led with a photosensor.
If the Coming Home or Leaving Home func-
tion is connected, the front side and dipped
lights, the tail lights and the number plate
light will light up to provide assistance.
Coming home function
The Coming Home function is activated by
switching off the ignition and briefly flashing
the lights. When the driver door is opened,
the Coming Home lighting comes on. If the
driver door is already open when the lights
are flashed briefly, the Coming Home lighting
comes on immediately.
When the last door of the vehicle or the rear
lid is closed, the Coming Home function
starts and the switching off the headlights is
delayed.
The Coming Home lighting switches off in the
following cases: ●
On comp l
etion of the time period establish-
ed for the delay in switching off the lights af-
ter all the vehicle doors and the rear lid have
been closed.
● If, 30 seconds after being connected, any
doors or the r
ear lid remain open.
● If the light switch is turned to position .
● If the ignition is switched on.
Automatic
Leaving Home function
The Leaving Home function is activated when
the vehicle is unlocked if:
● the light control is in position and
● the photo
sensor detects “darkness”.
The Leav
ing Home lighting switches off in the
following cases:
● If the time period for the delay in switching
off the hea
dlights has ended
● If the vehicle is locked again.
● If the light switch is turned to position .
● If the ignition is switched on.
Manual
Leaving Home function
In vehicles without an automatic headlight
system (light sensor), if the manual Coming
Home function is activated when leaving the
car, upon returning to the car and unlocking
it the manual Leaving Home function will be
activated automatically.
126

Operation
Selecting the normal programme
– Put the selector lever into position D.
Sel ectin
g the s
port programme
– Put the selector lever into position S.
If y
ou select the normal programme, D, you
will drive in the economy mode, i.e. the pro-
gramme is designed to reduce fuel consump-
tion. The gearbox changes up into a higher
gear as soon as possible and down into a
lower gear as late as possible.
If you select the sport programme, S, you will
drive in a sporty mode, i.e. a programme in
which shifts into high gears are postponed in
order to use the full power of the engine.
Selector lever positions Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 38
Selector lever positions
The selected gear is displayed on the side of
the selector lever and on the instrument pan-
el display. The currently selected gear for the
automatic gearbox will also be shown on the
display. Tiptronic gear indicator
If the autom
atic gearbox is shifted manually,
the selected gears are shown on the screen.
P - parking lock
When the selector lever is in this position,
the driven wheels are locked mechanically.
Position P on the lever must only be selected
if the vehicle is stationary.
To move selector lever from position P, the
locking button on the selector lever handle
must be pressed and the brake pedal de-
pressed at the same time while the ignition is
switched on.
To put the selector lever in position P, simply
press the lock button down and, if necessary,
depress the brake pedal down.
R - Reverse gear
The reverse gear is engaged in this position.
Reverse gear must be engaged only when the
vehicle is stationary and the engine is idling.
To move the selector lever to position R,
press the lock button down and, at the same
time, press the brake pedal down, with the
ignition switched on.
With the selector lever in position R and the
ignition switched on the following occurs:
● Reverse lights light up. ●
The air conditioner autom atically changes
the air recirculation mode.
● The wiper starts if the windscreen washer is
on.
● The parking distance warning system*
switc
hes on.
N - Neutral (idling)
If this position is selected, the gearbox is in
neutral. Power is not transmitted to the
wheels and the engine does not have a brak-
ing function.
Never use the N position to drive down a long
hill. There is no engine braking and the
brakes are subjected to excessive stain.
You could damage the automatic gearbox if
you drive down hills with the gearbox lever in
position N and the engine switched off.
D - Drive (forward)
In this position the gearbox automatically
changes to a lower or higher gear, according
to the engine's requirements, the driving
style and speed. The braking effect of the en-
gine when driving downhill is very limited
when the selector is in this position. The in-
strument panel display shows the selected
gear as well as the selector lever in position
D.
When travelling at speeds lower than 5 km/h
(3 mph) or when the vehicle is stationary,
160

Driving
press the brake pedal to change the selector
l ev
er fr
om position N to position D.
S - Standard driving position (Sport pro-
gramme)
When the selector lever is in position S, it will
automatically change up into a higher gear
later, and change down into a low gear, if
compared with position D. This way, it is pos-
sible to take full advantage of the engine re-
serve power, depending on the engine de-
mand, driving style and speed. The braking
effect of the engine when driving downhill is
very limited. On the instrument panel display
the selected gear is shown as well as the se-
lector lever to position S.
To select gear range S, press the lock button
on the selector lever. WARNING
● As a driv er
, you should never leave your ve-
hicle if the engine is running and a gear range
is engaged. If you have to leave your vehicle
while the engine is running, you must apply
the parking brake and put the selector lever
in position P.
● If the engine is running and if D or R is en-
gaged,
you will need to hold the car on the
foot brake. The car will creep forward as the
power transmission is not fully interrupted
even when the engine is idling.
● Never accelerate when moving the selector
lever or
you may cause an accident. ●
Never mo v
e the selector lever to R or P
when driving. Risk of accident!
● Before driving down a long, steep slope, it
is a
dvisable to reduce speed and change into
a lower gear.
● If you stop the vehicle up hill, always hold
the foot br
ake strongly depressed down to
stop it from rolling back.
● Never allow the brake to rub and do not use
the brake ped
al too often or for long periods.
Constant braking will cause the brakes to
overheat and will considerably reduce the
brake effect. This increases the braking dis-
tance and could cause the brake system to
fail.
● Never allow the car to roll down a gradient
with the ge
ar in neutral N, or in selector lever
position D, even if the engine is not running.
● If the vehicle moves with no control, an ac-
cident and seriou
s injury may occur. WARNING
Never switch the engine off until the vehicle
is s
tationary. You could lose control of your
vehicle. This could cause an accident and se-
rious injury.
● The airbags and belt tensioners do not
work when the ignition i
s switched off.
● The brake servo does not work with the en-
gine off. Y
ou need more force to stop the vehi-
cle. ●
Po w
er steering does not work when the en-
gine is not running. That is why it is much
more difficult to turn the steering wheel.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if
the vehic
le is in motion. The steering lock
could suddenly engage, and you would not be
able to steer the vehicle. CAUTION
If you allow the vehicle to move when the en-
gine i s sw
itched off or with the selector lever
in position “N”, take your foot off the acceler-
ator and wait until the engine starts idling
before returning to position “D”. Selector lever lock
Fig. 170
Automatic gearbox The selector lever lock in position P or N pre-
v
ents
g
ears from being engaged inadvertent-
ly, which would cause the vehicle to move. »
161
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
The selector lever lock is released as follows: – Switch the ignition on.
– Press and hold the brake pedal and press
the sel ect
or l
ever lock on the left of the se-
lector lever at the same time ››› Fig. 170.
The warning lamp on the instrument panel
lights up when the brake pedal should be ap-
plied. This is essential when the selector lev-
er is taken from the P or N positions.
Level lock only engages with the vehicle sta-
tionary at a speed of up to 5 km/h (3 mph).
At speeds of over 5 km/h (3 mph) the selec-
tor lever lock is automatically deactivated in
position N.
The selector lever lock is not engaged if the
selector lever is moved quickly through posi-
tion N (e.g. when shifting from R to D). This
makes it possible, for instance, to “rock” the
vehicle backwards and forwards if it is stuck
in snow or mud. The selector lever lock en-
gages automatically if the brake pedal is not
depressed and the lever is in position N for
more than about 1second. Selecting gears manually with Tip-
tronic mode
* Fig. 171
Changing gear with Tiptronic. Fig. 172
Steering wheel with paddle levers
f or aut
om
atic gearbox. The Tiptronic system allows the driver to se-
l
ect
g
ears manually. Changing gear with the selector lever
– Press the selector lever from position D to
the right int
o the tiptronic selector gate.
– Lightly press the selector lever forward
›››
Fig. 171 + to change up to a higher
g e
ar
.
– Lightly press the selector lever backward
›››
Fig. 171 - to change down to a lower
g e
ar
.
Changing gear with the steering wheel pad-
dle levers*
– Press the right paddle lever + towards the
s t
eerin
g wheel to change up ››› Fig. 172.
– Press the left paddle lever - towards the
s t
eerin
g wheel to change down ››› Fig. 172.
Using the paddle levers on the steering
wheel, you can access manual driving mode
regardless of the pre-selected driving mode.
General information about driving in tiptron-
ic mode
When accelerating, the automatic gearbox /
DSG automatic gearbox goes into a higher
gear a little before the engine reaches its
maximum permitted revolutions.
If a lower gear is selected, the automatic
gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox will only
change down when the engine cannot go
over its maximum permitted revolutions.
162

Driving
must perform a cleaning cycle, as indicated
in ››
›
page 101. WARNING
● The diesel en
gine particulate filter may
reach extremely high temperatures; the vehi-
cle should be parked so that the exhaust pipe
does not come into contact with flammable
materials underneath the vehicle. Otherwise
there is a risk of fire. CAUTION
● Your v
ehicle is not designed to use biodie-
sel fuel. Never, under any circumstances re-
fuel with biodiesel. The use of biodiesel fuel
could damage the engine and the fuel sys-
tem. The addition of biodiesel to diesel by
the diesel producer in accordance with stand-
ard EN 590 is authorised and will not cause
damage to the engine or the fuel system.
● Using diesel fuel with a high sulphur con-
tent m
ay significantly reduce the useful life of
the diesel particulate filter. Your Technical
Service will be able to tell you which coun-
tries have diesel with a high sulphur content. Ecological and environmentally-
friendly
driv
in
gFuel consumption, environmental pollution
and w
e
ar t
o the engine, brakes and tyres de-
pends in large part on your driving style. By
adopting an economical driving style and an- ticipating the traffic situation ahead, you can
eas
ily reduce fuel consumption by 10-15%.
Some tips on how to help you reduce pollu-
tion while saving money are listed below.
Active cylinder management (ACT ®
)
Depending on the equipment, the vehicle
may have active cylinder management
(ACT ®
).
The active cylinder management (ACT ®
) may
automatically deactivate some of the engine
cylinders if the driving situation does not re-
quire too much power. When it is switched
off, no fuel is injected into these cylinders,
hence total fuel consumption may be re-
duced. The number of active cylinders can be
seen on the instrument panel display
››› page 30.
Drive anticipating the traffic situation
A vehicle uses most fuel when accelerating.
When you anticipate situations, you have to
brake less often and, thus, accelerate less. If
it is possible, let the vehicle roll with a gear
engaged, for example, if you see a red light
ahead. The braking effect achieved in this
way helps to reduce the wear of brakes and
tyres; emissions and fuel consumption are
reduced to zero (disconnection due to iner-
tia). Change gear early to save energy
An effective w
ay of saving fuel is to change
up quickly through the gears. Running the
engine at high rpm in the lower gears uses
an unnecessary amount of fuel.
Manual gearbox: shift up from first to second
gear as soon as possible. We recommend
that, whenever possible, you change to a
higher gear upon reaching 2000 rpm. Follow
the “recommended gear” indication that ap-
pears on the instrument panel ››› page 159.
Avoid driving at high speed
We advise you not to drive at the top speed
permitted by the vehicle. Fuel consumption,
exhaust emissions and noise levels all in-
crease very rapidly at higher speeds. Driving
at moderate speeds will help to save fuel.
Avoid idling
It is worthwhile switching off the engine
when waiting in a traffic jam, at level cross-
ings or at traffic lights with a long red phase.
The fuel saved after only 30 - 40 seconds is
greater than the amount of fuel needed to re-
start the engine.
The engine takes a long time to warm up
when it is idling. Mechanical wear and pollu-
tant emissions are also especially high dur-
ing this initial warm-up phase. It is therefore
best to drive off immediately after starting »
167
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Driver assistance systems
Electronic differential lock (XDS)* When taking a curve, the driveshaft differen-
tial
mec
hanism allows the outer wheel to turn
at a higher speed than the inner wheel. In
this way, the wheel that is turning faster (out-
er wheel) receives less drive torque than the
inner wheel. This may mean that in certain
situations the torque delivered to the inner
wheel is too high, causing the wheels to
spin. On the other hand, the outer wheel is
receiving a lower drive torque than it could
transmit. This causes an overall loss of lateral
grip on the front axle, resulting in understeer
or “lengthening” of the trajectory.
The XDS system can detect and correct this
effect via the sensors and signals of the ESC.
Via the ESC, the XDS will brake the inside
wheel and counter the excess driving torque
of that wheel. This means that the driver's
desired trajectory is much more precise.
The XDS system works in combination with
the ESC and is always active, even when ASR
traction control is disconnected or the ESC is
in Sport mode.
Brake servo The brake servo increases the pressure you
ap
p
ly
to the brake pedal. It works only when
the engine is running . If the brake servo is not functioning, e.g. due
to a malf
unction, or if the vehicle is being
towed, you will have to press the brake pedal
considerably harder to make up for the lack
of servo assistance. WARNING
The braking distance can also be affected by
ext ern
al factors.
● Never let the vehicle coast with the engine
switc
hed off. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in an accident. The braking dis-
tance is increased considerably when the
brake servo is not active.
● If the brake servo is not working, for exam-
ple when the
vehicle is being towed, you will
have to press the brake pedal considerably
harder than normal. Start-Stop System*
D e
s
cription and operation The Start-Stop function stops the engine
when the
v
ehic
le is stopped and starts it au-
tomatically when required.
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
– When the vehicle is stopped, put it into
neutral and r
elease the clutch pedal. The
engine will switch off. The warning lamp will appear on the instrument panel dis-
pla
y.
– When the clutch pedal is pressed the en-
gine wil
l start up again. The warning lamp
will switch off.
Vehicles with an automatic gearbox – Use the foot brake to bring the vehicle to a
stop and k
eep the brake pedal pressed
down with your foot. The engine will switch
off. The warning lamp will appear in the
display.
– When you take your foot off the brake pedal
the engine wi
ll start up again. The warning
lamp will switch off.
Start-Stop function conditions
● The driver seat belt must be buckled.
● The bonnet must be closed.
● The engine must be at operating tempera-
ture.
● The s
teering wheel must be straight.
● The vehicle must be on flat ground.
● The vehicle must not be in reverse.
● A trailer must not be connected.
● The temperature of the interior must be
within the comf
ort limits (A/C button should
be sel ect
ed).
● The w
indscreen de-mist function must be
off. »
173
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
● If in an inc
r
ease in airflow is not requested.
● The temperature must not be set to HI or
LO .
● The driver door must be closed.
● The diesel particulate filter must not be in
reg
eneration mode, for diesel engines.
● The battery charge must not be low for the
next s
tart.
● Battery temperature must be between -1°C
(+30°F) and +55°C (+131°F).
Star
t-Stop function interruption
In the following situations, the Start-Stop
function will be interrupted and the engine
will automatically start:
● The vehicle starts moving.
● The brake pedal is pressed several times in
a row
.
● The battery has been discharged excessive-
ly.
● The St
art-Stop System is manually deacti-
vated.
● The w
indscreen de-mist function is turned
on.
● The temperature of the interior exceeds the
comfor
t limits ( A/C button).
● If the airflow is increased by more than 3
pr e
s
ses.
● Temperature setting HI or LO is sel
ected.●
The engine coo
lant temperature is insuffi-
cient.
● The alternator is faulty, for example the V-
belt ha
s ruptured.
● If any of the conditions described in the
previou
s section are not fulfilled.
When the engine is turned off by the Start-
Stop function, this is displayed on the instru-
ment panel.
If the Start-Stop system is not switched on,
the warning lamp will appear on the instru-
ment panel. WARNING
Never allow the vehicle to move with the en-
gine off f or an
y reason. You could lose control
of your vehicle. This could cause an accident
and serious injury.
● The brake servo does not work with the en-
gine off. Y
ou need more force to stop the vehi-
cle.
● Power steering does not work when the en-
gine is not
running. That is why it is much
more difficult to turn the steering wheel.
● Turn off the Start-Stop system when driving
through wat
er (fording streams, etc.). Note
● For v
ehicles with the Start-Stop function
and a manual gearbox, when the engine is
started, the clutch must be pressed. ●
When the condition s
for the Start-Stop
function are not fulfilled, the instrument pan-
el displays the Start-Stop indicator dimmed.
● If the steering wheel is turned more than
270°, it wi
ll not be possible to start the vehi-
cle again. To start the vehicle, straighten the
steering wheel so that it is turned less than
270°.
● There are different versions of the dash
panel; the dis
play of indications on the
screen may differ. Activating and deactivating the Start-
St
op f
u
nction Fig. 174
The Start-Stop function button. Every time the ignition is switched on, the
St
ar
t
-Stop function is automatically activa-
ted.
174