Driving
Automatic gear change Fig. 145
Automatic gearbox diagram of gears Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 27
To move the gear selector lever from the posi-
tion N to D or to R, first press and hold the
brake pedal.
In the instrument panel display, with the igni-
tion switched on, the selected gear range or
the gear engaged in the gearbox is shown.
- Reverse gear
Reverse gear is selected. Engage only when
the vehicle is stopped.
- Neutral
The gear box is in neutral. No movement is
transmitted to the wheels and the engine
does not act as a brake.
- Standard driving position
The ge
ars are changed (up and down) auto-
matically. The gear shifts are determined by
the engine load, your individual driving style
and the speed of the vehicle.
- Tiptronic driving position (manual shift
programme)
All gears can be changed (up and down)
manually ››› page 139. This is possible as
long as the system is not changing gear auto-
matically due to a traffic situation. WARNING
Placing the selector lever in an incorrect posi-
tion ma y
cause loss of control of the vehicle
and a serious accident.
● Do not press the accelerator when engag-
ing a ran
ge of gears.
● With the engine running and a gear range
selected, the
vehicle will move when the ac-
celerator is pressed.
● Never engage reverse gear while driving.
● Unintentional movements of the vehicle
coul
d cause serious injury.
● As a driver, 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 always
apply the handbrake and put the selector lev-
er in position N. ●
Never en g
age the R gear range when the
vehicle is moving.
● Never leave the vehicle without applying
the handbrak
e. With the engine running the
vehicle moves downhill regardless of the gear
range selected. Note
If, while driving, the selector lever is acciden-
t a l
ly placed in position N, lift your foot off the
accelerator. Wait until the engine is running
at idle speed before selecting a new gear
range. Engaging gear with Tiptronic
Fig. 146
Lever in the Tiptronic position With Tiptronic, the gears can be changed up
or do
wn m
anual
ly with the automatic gear-
box. When you change to the Tiptronic pro-
gramme, the vehicle remains in the currently »
139
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
selected gear. This is possible as long as the
sy s
t
em is not changing gear automatically
due to a traffic situation.
Using Tiptronic
● Place the lever in the position D to the lef
t
on the Tiptronic shift gate M ››› in Auto-
m atic
g
ear change on page 139.
● Press the lever forwards + or backwards
– to move up or down a gear
››
›
Fig. 146.
● Place the lever back to the position M to
the lef
t on the Tiptronic shift gate, to leave
Tiptronic mode ››› in Automatic gear
c h
an
ge on page 139.
With the lever in the position D, and pressing
forwards + or backwards
– the Tiptronic
pr ogr
amme c
an be selected M. CAUTION
● When acc el
erating, the gearbox automati-
cally shifts up into the next gear shortly be-
fore the maximum engine speed is reached.
● When reducing speed manually, the gear
box on
ly shifts gear when the engine can no
longer exceed the maximum engine speed. Driving with automatic gearbox
The gearbox changes gear ratios automatical-
ly
a
s
the vehicle moves. Driving down hills
The steeper the gr
adient, the lower the gear
you will need to select. The lowest gears in-
crease the engine braking work. Never go
down hills with the selector lever in neutral
N.
● You should reduce speed accordingly.
● Place the lever in the position D to the lef
t
on the Tiptronic shift gate M ››› page 139.
● Gently pull the selector lever back – to
c h
an
ge down a gear.
Starting when going up a slope
The steeper the gradient, the lower the gear
you will need.
When stopping on a slope with a gear range
engaged, the vehicle must be prevented from
rolling backwards by always pressing the
brake pedal or pulling the handbrake lever
up. When starting, release the brake pedal or
the handbrake ››› .
Kic k
-do
wn
The kickdown system provides maximum ac-
celeration when the gear selector lever is in
the position D, or in the Tiptronic position M.
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 ac c
el
erator is pressed to the floor,
the automatic gearbox shifts to the next gear
only after the engine reaches the specified
maximum engine speed. WARNING
Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction
and skid din
g, especially on slippery ground.
This could cause loss of control of the vehicle
resulting in an accident and serious injury.
● Always adapt your driving style to suit the
flow of tr
affic.
● Only use the kick-down function or rapid
accel
eration if visibility, weather, road and
traffic conditions so permit.
● Never put other road users in danger by ac-
celer
ating or with your driving style. CAUTION
If you stop on a hill with a gear range engag-
ed, do not tr y
to prevent the vehicle from roll-
ing back by pressing on the accelerator. Oth-
erwise, the automatic gearbox may overheat
causing damage. 140
Operation
Hill driving assistant* Oper ation This function is only included in vehicles with
ESC.
The hi
l
l driving assistant helps the driver to
move off and upward on a hill when the vehi-
cle is stationary.
The system maintains brake pressure for ap-
proximately two seconds after the driver
takes his foot off the brake pedal to prevent
the vehicle from lurching backward when it is
started. During these 2 seconds, the driver
has enough time to release the clutch pedal
and accelerate without the vehicle moving
and without having to use the handbrake,
making start-up easier, more comfortable
and safer.
These are the basic operation conditions:
● being on a ramp or hill/slope,
● doors closed,
● vehicle completely stationary,
● engine running and foot on the brake,
● besides having a gear engaged or being in
neutral f
or manual gear change and with the
selector lever at positions S, D or R in vehi-
cles with an automatic gearbox.
This system is also active when reversing up-
hill. WARNING
● If y
ou do not start the vehicle immediately
after taking your foot off the brake pedal, the
vehicle may start to roll back under certain
conditions. Depress the brake pedal or use
the hand brake immediately.
● If the engine stalls, depress the brake ped-
al or u
se the hand brake immediately.
● When following a line of traffic uphill, if you
want t
o prevent the vehicle from rolling back
accidentally when starting off, hold the brake
pedal down for a few seconds before starting
off. Note
The Official Service or a specialist workshop
can t el
l you if your vehicle is equipped with
this system. Start-Stop System
C ontr
o
l lamps
It lights up
The Start-Stop system is enabled.
It lights up
The Start-Stop sys-
tem is enabled but
the engine cannot
be automatically
stopped.
Contact a specialised workshop.
It lights up
The Start-Stop sys-
tem cannot start the
engine.Start the engine by hand using
the vehicle's key
››› page 130.
There is a fault in the
alternator.››› page 193
Flashes
The Start-Stop sys-
tem is not available.Contact a specialised workshop.
Some warning and indication lamps will light
up briefly
when the ignition i
s
switched on to
check certain functions. They will switch off
after a few seconds. WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›››
in On the
ins trument
panel on page 27. 156
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
The engine compartment is a dangerous area
cap ab
le of causing serious injury.
● For all type of work, always take the utmost
precaution
s, work carefully and note the gen-
eral safety standards in force. Never take per-
sonal risks.
● Never work on the engine or in the engine
compar
tment if you are not familiar with the
necessary operations. If you are not sure
about procedures then visit a specialised
workshop to carry out the necessary work.
Working incorrectly can cause serious inju-
ries.
● Never open the bonnet if you see steam or
cool
ant escaping from the engine compart-
ment. This may cause serious burns. Always
wait until you cannot see or hear the sound of
steam or coolant coming from the engine
compartment.
● Always allow the engine to cool down be-
fore openin
g the bonnet.
● Contact with hot elements of the engine
and the exhau
st system can cause burns.
● Once the engine has cooled, follow the in-
structions
below before opening the bonnet:
– Engage the handbrake and place the gear
selector lever in N or the gear stick in
neutral.
– Remove the key from the ignition.
– Keep children away from the engine com-
partment and never leave them unsuper-
vised. ●
When the engine i s
warm or hot, the cool-
ing system is pressurised. Do not unscrew
the cap on the expansion tank when the en-
gine is hot. Otherwise, coolant may spray out
under pressure causing burns and serious in-
jury.
–After cooling, carefully and slowly un-
screw the cap anticlockwise, gently
pressing down on it.
– Always protect your face, hands and arms
from hot coolant and steam using a large,
thick cloth.
● When refilling liquids, avoid spilling them
on part
s of the engine and the exhaust sys-
tem. Spilled liquids could cause a fire. WARNING
The high voltages of the electrical system can
give el ectric
shocks as well as causing burns
and serious injury and possibly even death!
● Never cause short circuits in the electrical
syst
em. The battery could explode.
● To minimise the risk of electric shock and
serious c
onsequences while the engine is
running or starting the engine, note the fol-
lowing:
– Never touch the electrical wiring of the
ignition system. WARNING
In the engine compartment, there are rotat-
ing p ar
ts that could cause serious injury. ●
Never p l
ace your hands directly on or near
the radiator fan. Touching the rotor blades
could seriously harm you. The ventilator
works according to the engine temperature
and could start suddenly even when the igni-
tion is turned off and the key is removed.
● If any work has to be performed when the
engine is
started or with the engine running,
there is an additional, potentially fatal, safety
risk from rotating parts, such as the drive
belts, alternator, radiator fan, etc., as well as
from the high-voltage ignition system. Al-
ways work with the utmost caution.
– Always make sure that no parts of your
body, jewellery, ties, loose clothing and
long hair can be trapped by the rotating
parts of the engine. Before any work, re-
move ties and jewellery (necklaces, etc),
tie long hair back and tie all items of
loose clothing to your body to make sure
that they cannot be trapped by engine
components.
– Take extreme caution when operating the
accelerator and remain attentive. The ve-
hicle could move, even if the handbrake
is applied.
● Always make sure you have not left any ob-
jects, s
uch as cleaning cloths and tools, in
the engine compartment. If any object is left
in the engine compartment, this could cause
malfunctions, engine faults and even a fire. » 185
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Index
Preparation before replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
r ep
l
acing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
G Gearbox lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Gear change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
changing gears manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
gear recommendation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Manual gear change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
putting the vehicle in gear (manual gearbox) 138
Gear engaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
General instrument panel Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
General view control and warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113, 114
H
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 103
Head-on collisions and the laws of physics . . . . . 54
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Headlights driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Head rest adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Head restraints Adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Rear head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Heated rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Heating and ventilation system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Hill driving assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 Hill hold
contro l and warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Start-Stop system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
How to jump start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Hubcaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
I
Identifying letters on engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 see "Engine and ignition" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 removal lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
unauthorised vehicle key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
In case of emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Indications on the display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
recommended gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
seat belt status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Start-Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 control and warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86, 87
general instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
service intervals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Instrument panel lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Interior rear vision mirror anti-dazzle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Interior view
left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
J Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35, 69, 71 mounting points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Jump leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
K Keys control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
duplicates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
mechanical key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
replacing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
spare key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Synchronising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
unlocking and locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 93, 95
vehicle key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Kick-down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
L Labels and plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Level control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Lift platform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 101, 102 audible warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
control and warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
control lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
daytime running lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
dipped beam headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
221