Parking brakeInformation WARNING
An unsecured vehicle can begin to move
and possibly roll away. There is risk of an acci‐
dent. Before exiting, secure the vehicle against
rolling.
In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured
against rolling away, observe the following:▷Set the parking brake.▷On uphill grades or on a downhill slope,
turn the front wheels in the direction of the
curb.▷On uphill grades or on a downhill slope,
also secure the vehicle, e.g., with a wheel
chock. ◀
Applying
The lever automatically engages after beingpulled up.
The indicator lamp lights up red. The
parking brake is set.
Lower lamp: indicator lamp in Canadian
models
If for once use during driving is required, en‐
gage the parking brake slightly and hold the
button down.
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brake ac‐
tion, lightly apply the parking brake periodically
while coasting, if traffic conditions permit.
The brake lights will not light up if the parking
brake is set.
Releasing
Raise lever slightly, press the button and guide
the lever down.
Turn signal, high beams,
headlight flasher
Turn signal
Using turn signals
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
The turn signal lever returns into is starting po‐
sition after actuation.
To switch off manually, slightly tap the lever to
the resistance point.
Triple turn signal activation Slightly tap lever.
The turn signal flashes three times.
The function can be activated or deactivated.
On the Control Display:
1. "Settings"Seite 71DrivingCONTROLS71
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 969 276 - II/16
ATTENTION
Silicon-containing additives in the washer
fluid for the water-repelling effect on the win‐
dows can lead to damage to the washing sys‐
tem. There is a risk of damage to property. Do
not add silicon-containing additives to the
washer fluid. ◀
ATTENTION
Mixing different windshield washer con‐
centrates or antifreeze agents can damage the
washing system. There is a risk of damage to
property. Do not mix different windshield
washer concentrates or antifreeze agents. Ob‐
serve the information and mixing ratios pro‐
vided on the containers. ◀
The use of undiluted windshield washer con‐
centrate or alcohol-based antifreeze can lead
to incorrect readings at temperatures below
+ 5 ℉/- 15 ℃.
Overview
The washer fluid reservoir is located in the en‐
gine compartment.
Manual transmission
Information CAUTION
When shifting to a lower gear, excessive
speeds can damage the engine. There is a risk
of property damage. When shifting into 5th or
6th gear, press the gearshift lever to the right. ◀
WARNING
An unsecured vehicle can begin to move
and possibly roll away. There is risk of an acci‐
dent. Before exiting, secure the vehicle against
rolling.
In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured
against rolling away, observe the following:▷Set the parking brake.▷On uphill grades or on a downhill slope,
turn the front wheels in the direction of the
curb.▷On uphill grades or on a downhill slope,
also secure the vehicle, e.g., with a wheel
chock. ◀
Shifting
General information
The engine speed during a shifting operation is
adjusted automatically for harmonious and dy‐
namic gear shifting.
Reverse gear
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
To overcome the resistance push the selector
lever dynamically to the left and engage the re‐
verse gear.
Steptronic transmission Information WARNING
An unsecured vehicle can begin to move
and possibly roll away. There is risk of an acci‐
dent. Before exiting, secure the vehicle against
rolling.
In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured
against rolling away, observe the following:
▷Set the parking brake.Seite 75DrivingCONTROLS75
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 969 276 - II/16
It is possible to switch from manual mode into
the automatic mode at any time:▷Pull and hold right shift paddle.
Or▷In addition to the briefly pulled right shift
paddle, briefly pull the left shift paddle.
Displays in the instrument cluster
The selector lever position is dis‐
played, for example: P.
Manually release the transmission lock Should the selector lever be blocked in selector
lever position P despite the ignition being
turned on, the brake being depressed and the
unlock button being pressed, the transmission
lock can be manually canceled:
Before unlocking the transmission lock man‐
ually, engage the parking brake forcefully to
prevent the vehicle from rolling away.
1.Loosen the selector lever sleeve together
with the lower retaining ring and possibly
the Driving Dynamics Control from the cen‐
ter console. For this purpose, pull the re‐
taining ring and possibly the Driving Dy‐
namics Control upward on the rear edge.2.Lift the sleeve. Unplug the cable connector
if needed.3.Using the screwdriver from the onboard ve‐
hicle tool kit, refer to page 208, press the
yellow release lever downward, see arrow.4.Move the selector lever slightly toward the
rear; to do this press the unlock button on
the front of the selector lever.
Release the release lever.5.Bring the selector lever into the desired po‐
sition.
Steptronic Sport transmission: Launch
Control
The concept
Launch Control enables optimum acceleration
on surfaces with good traction.
General information
The use of Launch Control causes premature
component wear since this function represents
a very heavy load for the vehicle.
Do not use Launch Control during the break-in,
refer to page 166, period.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
An experienced driver may be able to achieve
better acceleration values in DSC OFF mode, re‐
fer to page 122.
Requirements Launch Control is available when the engine is
warmed up, that is, after uninterrupted driving
of at least 6 miles/10 km.
Seite 78CONTROLSDriving78
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 969 276 - II/16
be activated if objects are placed on the front
passenger seat.
Make sure that the safety belts are positioned
correctly.
Airbag system Airbag system and belt tensioner are
not working.
Have the vehicle checked immediately
by a dealer’s service center or another qualified
service center or repair shop.
Parking brake, brake system The parking brake is set.
For additional information, refer to Re‐
lease parking brake, refer to page 71.
Front-end collision warning Illuminated: advance warning is issued,
e.g., when there is the impending dan‐
ger of a collision or the distance to the
vehicle ahead is too small.
Increase distance.
Flashing: acute warning of the imminent dan‐
ger of a collision when the vehicle approaches
another vehicle at a relatively high differential
speed.
Intervention by braking or make an evasive
maneuver.
Pedestrian warning If a collision with a person detected in
this way is imminent, the symbol lights
up and a signal sounds.Orange lights
Active Cruise Control The number bars shows the selected
distance from the vehicle driving ahead.
For more information, see Camera-
based cruise control, refer to page 126.
Vehicle detection, Active Cruise Control Illuminated: vehicle driving ahead de‐
tected.
Flashing: the conditions are not ade‐
quate for operating the system.
The system was deactivated but applies the
brakes until you actively resume control by
pressing on the brake pedal or accelerator
pedal.
Yellow lights Anti-lock Braking System ABS Avoid sudden braking as much as possi‐
ble. Braking force boost may not be
working. Stop cautiously. Take into ac‐
count the longer brake distance. Have
the system immediately checked by a
dealer’s service center or another quali‐
fied service center or repair shop.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control Flashing: DSC controls the drive and
braking forces. The vehicle is stabilized.
Reduce speed and adapt driving style to
the driving circumstances.
Illuminated: DSC failed. Have the system
checked by a dealer’s service center or another
qualified service center or repair shop.
For additional information, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC, refer to page 122.Seite 82CONTROLSDisplays82
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 969 276 - II/16
Activating SPORT
Turn Driving Dynamics Control to the left until
SPORT is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Configuring SPORT Depending on your vehicle's optional features,
when the display is activated on the Control
Display, the SPORT driving mode can be config‐
ured for individual specifications.
Activating SPORT.
Select "Configure SPORT".
Configure the program.
SPORT can also be configured before it is acti‐
vated:1. "Settings"2."Driving mode"3."Configure SPORT"
This configuration is retrieved when SPORT is
activated.
Configuring driving program
Settings can be made for the following driving
programs in Driving mode:
▷GREEN, refer to page 124.▷SPORT, refer to page 124.
Displays
Program selection With Driving Dynamics Control
turned on a list of programs is
displayed and can be selected.
Selected program The instrument cluster displays
the selected program.
Display on the onboard monitor
Program changes can be displayed on the on‐
board monitor.1. "Settings"2."Control display"3."Driving mode info"
Drive-off assistant
The concept
This system supports driving off on inclines. The
parking brake is not required.
Driving off with the drive-off assistant
1.Hold the vehicle in place with the foot
brake.2.Release the foot brake and drive off with‐
out delay.
After the foot brake is released, the vehicle is
held in place for approx. 2 seconds.
For vehicles with respective equipment ver‐
sions, the possible holding duration amounts to
2 minutes.
Seite 125Driving stability control systemsCONTROLS125
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 969 276 - II/16
InformationA component of the parking assistant is the
PDC Park Distance Control, refer to page 134.
When parking, also take note of the visual and
acoustic information issued by the PDC, the
parking assistant and, where applicable, the
rearview camera, and react accordingly.
Loud noises from outside and inside the vehicle
may prevent you from hearing the PDC's signal tone.
WARNING
The system does not release from the
personal responsibility to correctly assess the
traffic situation. Based on the limits of the sys‐
tem, it cannot independently react to all traffic situations. There is risk of an accident. Adjust
the driving style to the traffic conditions. Watch
traffic closely and actively intervene in the re‐
spective situations. ◀
ATTENTION
The parking assistant can steer the vehi‐
cle over or onto curbs. There is a risk of damage
to property. Watch traffic closely and actively intervene in the respective situations. ◀
An engine that has been switched off by the
Auto Start Stop function is restarted automati‐
cally when the parking assistant is activated.
Overview
Button in the vehicle
Park assistance button
Ultrasound sensors
The ultrasound sensors for measuring parking
spaces are located on the wheel housing.
To ensure full functionality:
▷Keep the sensors clean and free of ice.▷When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the sensors for long periods and
maintain a distance of at least 12 in‐
ches/30 cm.▷Do not put stickers over sensors.
Requirements
For measuring parking spaces
▷Maximum speed while driving forward ap‐
prox. 22 mph/35 km/h.▷Maximum distance to row of parked vehi‐
cles: 5 ft/1.5 m.
Suitable parking space
▷Gaps behind an object that has a min.
length of 5 ft/1.5 m.▷Gap between two objects with a minimum
length of approx. 5 ft/1.5 m.▷Min. length of gap between two objects:
your vehicle's length plus approx.
3.3 ft/1.0 m.▷Minimum depth: approx. 5 ft/1.5 m.
Regarding the parking procedure
▷Doors and tailgate closed.▷Parking brake released.Seite 140CONTROLSDriving comfort140
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 969 276 - II/16
General driving notes
Closing the tailgate WARNING
An open tailgate protrudes from the vehi‐
cle and can endanger occupants and other traf‐
fic participants or damage the vehicle in the
event of an accident, braking or evasive ma‐
neuvers. In addition, exhaust fumes may enter
the vehicle interior. There is a risk of injury or
risk of property damage. Do not drive with the
tailgate open. ◀
If driving with the tailgate open cannot be
avoided:▷If the convertible top is closed, close all
windows and the sliding sun roof.▷Greatly increase the air flow from the vents.▷Drive moderately.
Hot exhaust system
WARNING
During driving operation, high tempera‐
tures can occur underneath the vehicle body,
e.g., caused by the exhaust gas system. If com‐
bustible materials, such as leaves or grass,
come in contact with hot parts of the exhaust
gas system, these materials can ignite. There is
a risk of injury or risk of property damage.
Do not remove the heat shields installed and
never apply undercoating to them. Make sure
that no combustible materials can come in con‐
tact with hot vehicle parts in driving operation,
idle or during parking. Do not touch the hot ex‐
haust system. ◀
Mobile communication devices in the vehicle
WARNING
Vehicle electronics and mobile phones
can influence one another. There is radiation
due to the transmission operations of mobile
phones. There is a risk of injury or risk of prop‐
erty damage. If possible, in the vehicle's interior
use only mobile phones with direct connections
to an exterior antenna in order to exclude mu‐
tual disturbance and deflect the radiation from
the vehicle's interior. ◀
Hydroplaning On wet or slushy roads, a wedge of water can
form between the tires and road surface.
This phenomenon is referred to as hydroplan‐
ing. It is characterized by a partial or complete
loss of contact between the tires and the road
surface, ultimately undermining your ability to
steer and brake the vehicle.
Driving through water ATTENTION
When driving too quickly through too
deep water, water can enter into the engine compartment, the electrical system or the
transmission. There is a risk of damage to prop‐
erty. When driving through water, do not ex‐
ceed the maximum indicated water level and
the maximum speed for driving through wa‐
ter. ◀
When driving through water, observe the fol‐
lowing:▷Drive through calm water only.▷Drive through water only if it is not deeper
than maximum 9.8 inches/25 cm.▷Drive through water no faster than walking
speed, up to 3 mph/5 km/h.
Braking safely
Your vehicle is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature.
Perform an emergency stop in situations that require such.
Steering is still responsive. You can still avoid
any obstacles with a minimum of steering ef‐
fort.
Seite 167Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS167
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 969 276 - II/16
Pulsation of the brake pedal and sounds from
the hydraulic circuits indicate that ABS is in its
active mode.
Objects in the area around the pedals WARNING
Objects in the driver's floor area can limit
the pedal distance or block a depressed pedal.
There is risk of an accident. Stow objects in the
vehicle such that they are secured and cannot
enter into the driver's floor area. Use floor mats
that are suitable for the vehicle and can be
safely attached to the floor. Do not use loose
floor mats and do not layer several floor mats.
Make sure that there is sufficient clearance for
the pedals. Ensure that the floor mats are se‐
curely fastened again after they were removed,
e.g., for cleaning. ◀
Driving in wet conditions When roads are wet, salted, or in heavy rain,
press brake pedal ever so gently every few miles.
Ensure that this action does not endanger other
traffic.
The heat generated in this process helps dry
the brake discs and pads.
In this way braking efficiency will be available
when you need it.
Hills WARNING
Light but consistent brake pressure can
lead to high temperatures, brakes wearing out
and possibly even brake failure. There is risk of
an accident. Avoid placing excessive stress on
the brake system. ◀
WARNING
In idle state or with the engine switched
off, safety-relevant functions are restricted or
not available anymore, e.g., braking effect of
the engine or braking force and steering sup‐port. There is risk of an accident. Do not drive in
idle state or with the engine switched off. ◀
Drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear that requires least braking efforts. Other‐
wise the brakes may overheat and reduce
brake efficiency.
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, going all the way to first gear, if
needed.
Brake disc corrosion Corrosion on the brake discs and contamina‐
tion on the brake pads are furthered by:▷Low mileage.▷Extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all.▷Infrequent use of the brakes.
Corrosion will built up when the maximum
pressure applied to the brake pads during brak‐
ing is not reached - thus discs don't get
cleaned.
Corrosion buildup on the brake discs will cause
a pulsating effect on the brakes in their re‐
sponse - generally that cannot be corrected.
Condensation under the parked vehicle When using the automatic climate control, con‐
densation water develops collecting under‐
neath the vehicle.
Ground clearance CAUTION
If ground clearance is insufficient, there
might be contact with the front or rear spoiler
for example when driving over curbs or enter‐
ing into underground car parking garages.
There is a risk of property damage. Ensure that
there is sufficient ground clearance available. ◀
Seite 168DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving168
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 969 276 - II/16