
Lock/unlock steering lockRead and observe
and on page 75 first.
The steering lock (steering lock) deters any attempted theft of your vehicle.
Locking
›
Withdraw the ignition key.
›
Turn the steering wheel to the left or right until the steering lock clicks into
place.
Unlocking
›
Insert the key into the ignition lock.
›
Switch on the ignition » page 76.
The steering lock is unlocked.
If the ignition switch cannot be turned on, then turn the steering wheel back and forth slightly and thereby unlock the steering lock.
Ignition on / off and start the engine
Fig. 89
Positions of the vehicle key in the ignition lock
Read and observe and on page 75 first.
Positions of the vehicle key in the ignition lock » Fig. 89
Ignition switched off, engine switched off
Ignition switched on
Starting engine
Switching ignition on/off
›
Turn key to position
2
.
The ignition is switched on.
›
Turn key to position
1
.
123The ignition is switched off.
Procedure for starting the engine›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
For vehicles with manual transmission , shift gear stick to neutral, depress
the clutch pedal and hold it there until the engine starts.
›
On vehicles with automatic gearbox , place the selector lever in position N
and depress the brake pedal until the engine starts.
›
Turn the key into position
3
to the stop and release immediately after the
engine has been started – do not apply the accelerator.
After letting go, the vehicle key will return to position
2
.
If the engine does not start within 10 seconds, turn the key to position
1
. Re-
peat the start-up process after approx. half a minute.
Note
The engine running noises may louder at first be louder for a short time after
starting the cold engine. This is quite normal and is not an operating problem.
Switch off engine
Read and observe
and on page 75 first.
›
Stop the vehicle » page 80, Parking .
›
Turn key to position
1
» Fig. 89 on page 76 .
The engine and the ignition are switched off simultaneously.
CAUTION
Do not switch the engine off immediately at the end of your journey after the
engine has been operated over a prolonged period at high loads but leave it to
run at an idling speed for about 1 minute. This prevents any possible accumula-
tion of heat when the engine is switched off.
Note
After switching off the ignition, the radiator fan can intermittently continue to
operate for approx. 10 minutes.76Driving

START-STOPsystem
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Operation
77
Manually deactivating/activating the system
78
The START-STOPsystem (hereinafter referred to as: the system) reduces CO 2emissions and harmful emissions, and saves fuel.
If the system determine that the engine is not needed when the vehicle stops
(e.g. at the traffic lights), it turns off the engine and starts it again when mov-
ing off.
The system function depends on many factors. Some of them are down to the
driver, the others are systemic and can neither be influenced nor identified.
Therefore the system may react differently in situations which seem identi-
cal from the driver's perspective.
The system is automatically activated every time the ignition is switched on
(even where this has previously been manually deactivated with the button
).
Note
If the engine has stopped due to the system, the ignition remains on.
Operation
Fig. 90
Display
Vehicles with manual transmission
The engine is automatically switched offas soon as the vehicle comes to a halt,
the shift lever is moved into neutral and the clutch pedal is released.
The engine is automatically startedas soon as the clutch pedal is depressed.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
The engine is automatically switched offas soon as the vehicle comes to a
standstill and the brake pedal is operated.
The engine is automatically startedas soon as the brake pedal is released.
Requirements for the system to function correctly
The following conditions must be met for the system to function correctly.
The driver's door is closed.
The driver has fastened the seat belt.
The bonnet is closed.
The driving speed was higher than 4 km/h after the last stop.
System status
The system status is shown in the display when the vehicle comes to a halt
» Fig. 90 .
The engine is automatically switched off; when the vehicle moves off the
ignition process will be automatically initiated.
The engine is not automatically switched off.
Reasons for the engine running
It may be essential for the engine to keep running when the vehicle comes to
a halt, for the following reasons. ▶ The engine temperature for the proper function of the system has not yet
been reached.
▶ The charge state of the vehicle battery is too low.
▶ The current consumption is too high.
▶ High air-conditioning or heating capacity (high fan speed, big difference be-
tween the desired and actual interior temperature).
When the engine is shut-down automatically and the system detects that the
engine is required such as when the brake pedal is pressed repeatedly then
the system automatically starts the engine. 77Starting-off and Driving

Note■If the vehicle remains outdoors for a long time in minus temperatures or in
direct sunlight, it can take several hours until the internal temperature of the
vehicle battery reaches a suitable temperature for proper operation of the
START STOP system.■
If the driver's seat belt is removed for more than approx. 30 seconds or the
driver's door is opened during stop mode, the engine will have to be started
manually.
■
No automatic engine shut-down takes place when a vehicle with automatic
transmission is moving at low speed (e.g. during a traffic jam) and remains sta-
tionary after pressing the brake pedal lightly. Automatic engine shutdown
takes place if you press the brake pedal down with more force.
■
For vehicles with automatic transmission there is no automatic engine shut-
down when the system detects a manoeuvring action due to a large steering
angle.
Manually deactivating/activating the system
Fig. 91
Button for the START-STOP sys-
tem
Deactivating/activating
›
Press the symbol button
» Fig. 91 .
When system is deactivated, the warning light in the button illuminates.
If the system is turned off, it will be automatically reactivated after turning the
ignition off and on.
Note
If the system is deactivated when the engine is turned off automatically, then
the automatic start process takes place.Brakes and parking
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Information on braking
78
Handbrake
79
Parking
80WARNING■ Greater physical effort is required for braking when the engine is switch-
ed off – risk of accident!■
When braking in a vehicle with manual transmission, when the vehicle is
in gear and at low revs, the clutch pedal must be depressed. Otherwise, the
functionality of the brake system may be impaired – risk of accident!
■
When leaving the vehicle, never leave persons who might, for example,
release the handbrake or take the vehicle out of gear unattended in the ve-
hicle. The vehicle could then start to move – risk of accident!
■
Observe the recommendations on the new brake pads » page 83, New
brake pads .
CAUTION
Never let the brakes slip with light pressure on the pedal if braking is not nec-
essary. This causes the brakes to overheat and can also result in a longer brak-
ing distance and excessive wear.
Information on braking
Read and observe
and on page 78 first.
Wear-and-tear
The wear of the brake pads is dependent on the operating conditions and driv-
ing style.
The brake pads wear more quickly if a lot of journeys are completed in towns
and over short distances or if a very sporty style of driving is adopted.
Under these severe conditions , the thickness of the brake pads must also be
checked by a specialist garage between service intervals.
78Driving

Wet roads or road salt
The performance of the brakes can be delayed as the brake discs and brake
pads may be moist or have a coating of ice or layer of salt on them in winter.
The brakes are cleaned and dried by applying the brakes several times »
.
Corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt on the brake pads occur if the vehicle has
been parked for a long period and if you do not make much use of the braking
system. The brakes are cleaned by applying the brakes several times »
.
Long or steep slopes
Before travelling a long distance with a steep gradient, reduce speed and shift
into the next lowest gear. As a result, the braking effect of the engine will be
used, reducing the load on the brakes. Any additional braking should be com-
pleted intermittently, not continuously.
Emergency brake display
If the brakes are applied in full and the vehicle systems evaluate the situation
as dangerous for the traffic following behind, the brake light flashes automati-
cally.
After the speed was reduced below around 10 km/h or the vehicle was stop-
ped, the brake light stops flashing and the hazard warning light system
switches on. The hazard warning light system is switched off automatically af-
ter accelerating or driving off again.
Faults in the brake surface
If it is found that the braking distance has suddenly become longer and that
the brake pedal can be depressed further, the brake system may be faulty.
Visit a specialist garage immediately and adjust your style of driving appropri-
ately as you will not know the exact extent of the damage.
Low brake fluid level
An insufficient level of brake fluid may result in problems in the brake system.
The level of the brake fluid is monitored electronically » page 34,
Braking
system .
Brake booster
The brake booster increases the pressure generated with the brake pedal. The
brake booster only operates when the engine is running.
WARNINGOnly apply the brakes for the purpose of drying and cleaning the brake
discs if the traffic conditions permit this. Do not place any other road users
in jeopardy.
Handbrake
Fig. 92
Handbrake
Read and observe and on page 78 first.
The hand brake is used when stopping and parking for securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement.
Apply
›
Pull the handbrake lever firmly upwards.
Loosening
›
Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and at the same time push in the locking
button » Fig. 92 .
›
Move the lever right down while pressing the lock button.
The handbrake warning light
illuminates when the handbrake is applied,
provided the ignition is on.
A warning signal sounds if the vehicle is inadvertently driven off with the
handbrake applied.
The handbrake warning is activated if the vehicle is driven at a speed of more
than around 5 km/h for more than 3 seconds.
79Starting-off and Driving

WARNINGPlease note that the handbrake must be fully released. A handbrake which
is only partially released can result in the rear brakes overheating. This can
have a negative effect on the operation of the brake system – risk of acci-
dent!
Parking
Read and observe
and on page 78 first.
When stopping and parking, look for a place with a suitable surface » .
Only carry out the activities while parking in the specified order.
›
Bring the vehicle to a stop and depress the brake pedal.
›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
For vehicles with automated gearbox shift the lever to position D or R.
›
Switch off the engine.
›
For vehicles with manual transmission select 1st gear or reverse gear (R) .
›
Release the brake pedal.
WARNINGThe parts of the exhaust system can become very hot. Therefore, never
stop the vehicle at places where the underside of your vehicle can come in-
to contact with flammable materials such as dry grass, undergrowth,
leaves, spilled fuel or such like. - Risk of fire and serious injury can occur!
Manual gear changing and pedals
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Manual gear changing
80
Pedals
80Manual gear changingFig. 93
The shift pattern
The shift pattern for the individual gear positions is shown on the gear lever » Fig. 93 ,
The gearshift indicator must be observed when changing gear » page 30.
Always depress the clutch pedal all the way down. This prevents uneven wear
to the clutch.
Reverse gear is engaged
›
Stop the vehicle.
›
The clutch pedal is fully depressed.
›
Move the shift lever to the idle position switch and press down.
›
Move the shift lever fully to the right and then backwards in position R.
The reversing lights will come on once reverse gear is engaged, provided the
ignition is on.
WARNINGNever engage reverse gear when driving – risk of accident!
CAUTION
■ If not in the process of changing gear, do not leave your hand on the gear-
shift lever while driving. The pressure from the hand can cause the gearshift
mechanism to wear excessively.■
When stopping on a slope, never try to hold the vehicle in position by using
the accelerator pedal and the clutch – this may lead to clutch damage.
Pedals
The operation of the pedals must not be hindered under any circumstances!
80Driving

M - Manual gearshift (Tiptronic)
Further information » page 82.
With driving mode set, the vehicle will not start up
If the vehicle does not start off, the problem may be that the selector lever is not completely in the selected position. In such an instance, press the brake
pedal and put the selector lever into the required position.
Faults in the automatic gearbox
In the event of a fault in the automatic gearbox, warning lights may light up in
the instrument panel » page 35,
Automated transmission .
An error on the automated manual transmission can become noticed, for ex- ample, by the following.
▶ Only certain gears are selected.
▶ The reverse gear R cannot be used.
Manual gearshift (Tiptronic)
Fig. 95
Selector lever: manual shifting/information display
Read and observe
and on page 81 first.
Tiptronic mode makes it possible to manually shift gears on the selector lever. The gearshift indicator must be observed when changing gear » page 30.
Switching to manual shifting when the vehicle is stationary
›
Depress the brake pedal.
›
Press the selector lever twice to the left in the spring-tensioned position.
Switching to manual shifting during driving
›
Press the selector lever towards the left in the spring-tensioned position in
the direction of the arrow and set in position M. The selector lever position
you have engaged is shown in the instrument cluster display » Fig. 95.
Shifting up gears›Press the selector lever forwards + » Fig. 95 .
Shifting down gears›
Press the selector lever backwards
-
» Fig. 95 .
Temporarily switching to manual shifting in position D
›
Tilt the selector lever forward
+
or rearwards
-
» Fig. 95 .
If in a short time, no manual gear change takes place, then the temporary
manual shifting switches off.
Note
■ It may be beneficial, for example, when travelling downhill, to use manual
shifting of gears. Shifting to a lower gear reduces the load on the brakes and
hence the wear on the brakes » page 78, Information on braking .■
When accelerating, the gearbox automatically shifts up into the higher gear
just before the maximum permissible engine speed is reached.
■
If a lower gear is selected, the gearbox does not shift down until there is no
risk of the engine overrevving.
Starting-off and driving
Read and observe
and on page 81 first.
Starting off
›
Start the engine.
›
Firmly depress and hold the brake pedal.
›
Press the selector lever towards the left in the spring-tensioned position in
the direction of the arrow » Fig. 94 on page 81 and insert into position D .
›
Release the brake pedal and accelerate.
Stopping (while the car is moving)
›
Fully depress and hold the brake pedal and bring the vehicle to a stop.
›
Keep holding the brake pedal until driving is resumed.
The selector lever position N does not have to be selected when stopping for a
short time, such as at a cross roads.
Kick-down
The Kick-down function allows you to achieve the maximum acceleration of
your vehicle while driving.
When the accelerator pedal is fully depressed, the Kick-down function is acti-
vated in any forward driving mode.
82Driving

It recommended to open the windows or the doors of a vehicle for which the
interior has been strongly heated through the effect of direct sunlight in order
to allow the heated air to escape.
The cooling system should not be on if the windows are open.
Avoiding damage to your vehicle
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Driving Tips
84
Driving through water
84
This section of the manual contains important information on preventing dam-
age to the vehicle while driving.
Driving Tips
Only drive on such roads and in such terrain, which match the vehicle parame-
ters » page 142 , Technical data as well as your driving skills.
The driver is always responsible for deciding whether the vehicle can handle
travelling in the given terrain.
WARNING■ Always adjust your driving to the current terrain and weather conditions.
Excessive speed or incorrect driving manoeuvres can cause damage to the
vehicle and lead to serious injuries.■
Combustible objects such as dry leaves or twigs caught under the base of
the vehicle could ignite on hot vehicle parts - risk of fire!
CAUTION
■ Pay attention to the ground clearance of the vehicle! When driving over ob-
jects which are larger than the ground clearance, the vehicle can get damaged.■
Any objects that get trapped under the vehicle floor must be removed as
soon as possible. These objects can damage the fuel lines, the brake system,
seals and other parts of the vehicle.
■
Drive slowly in unknown terrain and watch out for unexpected obstacles,
such as potholes, rocks, stumps, etc.
■
Check up on confusing sections of unpaved roads before travelling on them
and consider whether such travelling is possible without risk.
Driving through waterFig. 96
Maximum permissible water lev-
el when driving through water
The following instructions must be observed if vehicle damage is to be avoided
when driving through water (e.g. flooded roads).
›
Therefore determine the depth of the water before driving through bodies of
water.
The water level must not reach above the web of the lower beam » Fig. 96.
›
Do not drive any faster than at a walking speed.
At a higher speed, a water wave can form in front of the vehicle, which can
cause water to penetrate into the engine's air induction system or other parts
of the vehicle.
›
Never stop in the water, do not reverse and do not switch the engine off.
CAUTION
■ Should water penetrate into the intake system of the engine, there is a
threat of serious damage being incurred by the engine parts!■
When driving through water, some vehicle parts such as chassis, electrics or
transmission can be severely damaged.
■
Oncoming vehicles can generate water waves which can exceed the permis-
sible water level for your vehicle.
■
Potholes, mud or rocks can be hidden under the water, making it difficult or
impossible to drive through the body of water.
■
Do not drive through salt water, as the salt can cause corrosion. An vehicle
coming into contact with salt water is to be thoroughly rinsed with fresh wa-
ter.
84Driving

Assist systems
General information
Introduction
WARNINGThe following general instructions regarding the use of assistance systems
must be observed.■
The assistance systems serve merely to support the driver and do not re-
lieve the driver of responsibility for the operation of the vehicle.
■
The increased safety as well as the increased occupant protection offered
by the assistance systems must not tempt you to take safety risks - there
is a risk of an accident!
■
Adjust the speed and driving style to the current visibility, weather, road
and traffic conditions.
■
The assistance systems have physical and system-related limitations. For
this reason, the driver may experience some undesired or delayed system
responses in certain situations. You should therefore always be alert and
ready to intervene!
■
Only activate, deactivate and set the assistance systems to keep you fully
in control of the vehicle in every traffic situation - otherwise there is a risk
of an accident!
Braking and stabilisation systems
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Stability Control (ESC)
85
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
85
Traction control (TCS)
85
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)
86
Brake Assist (HBA)
86
Hill Start Assist (HHC)
86
This chapter describes the functions of the brake and stabilization systems.
The error display is in Chapter » page 34, Warning lights .
The brake and stabilisation systems are automatically activated each time the
ignition is switched on, unless otherwise indicated.
WARNINGThe general information relating to the use of assistance systems must be
observed » page 85, in section Introduction .
Stability Control (ESC)
Read and observe
on page 85 first.
The ESC improves vehicle stability in dynamic driving situations, such as whenthe vehicle starts to skid.
The ESC monitors whether the desired direction of the current vehicle motion
is occurring. In case of any deviation (e.g. oversteer), the ESC automatically
brakes individual wheels to maintain the desired direction.
During an intervention of the system, the warning light flashes in the instru-
ment cluster.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Read and observe
on page 85 first.
ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking. Thus helping the driver to
maintain control of the vehicle.
The intervention of the ABS is noticeable from the pulsating movements of
the brake pedal which is accompanied by noises.
When the ABS system is active, do not brake periodically or reduce the pres-
sure on the brake pedal.
Traction control (TCS)
Read and observe
on page 85 first.
TCS prevents the spinning of the wheels on the drive axle. TCS reduces the
drive power transmitted to the wheels that are spinning Thus, for example,
driving on road surfaces with low grip is made easier.
If there is a TCS intervention, the warning light flashes in the instrument
cluster.
85Assist systems