
WARNING
The stability of the child restraint system
is limited or compromised with incorrect seat
adjustment or improper installation of the child
seat. There is a risk of injury or danger to life.
Make sure that the child restraint system fits
securely against the backrest. If possible, adjust
the backrest tilt for all affected backrests and
correctly adjust the seats. Make sure that seats
and backrests are securely engaged. If possible,
adjust the height of the head restraints or re‐
move them. ◀
Installing child re‐ straint systems
InformationPay attention to the specifications of the child
restraint system manufacturer when selecting,
installing, and using child restraint systems.
WARNING
The stability of the child restraint system
is limited or compromised with incorrect seat
adjustment or improper installation of the child
seat. There is a risk of injury or danger to life.
Make sure that the child restraint system fits
securely against the backrest. If possible, adjust
the backrest tilt for all affected backrests and
correctly adjust the seats. Make sure that seats
and backrests are securely engaged. If possible,
adjust the height of the head restraints or re‐
move them. ◀
In order to faciliate the installation of a back-
facing child restraint system in the rear:
Move the front passenger's seat as far up as
possible before folding down the backrest.On the front passenger seat
Deactivating airbags WARNING
Active front-seat passenger airbags can
injure a child in a child restraint system when
the airbags are activated. There is a risk of in‐
jury. Make sure that the front-seat passenger
airbags are deactivated and that the PASSEN‐
GER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp lights up. ◀
After installing a child restraint system in the
front passenger seat, make sure that the front,
knee and side airbags on the front passenger
side are deactivated.
Deactivate the front-seat passenger airbags au‐
tomatically, refer to page 107.
Seat position and height
Before installing a child restraint system, move
the front passenger seat as far back as possible
and adjust its height to the highest and thus
best possible position for the belt and to offer
optimal protection in the event of an accident.
If the upper anchorage of the safety belt is lo‐
cated in front of the belt guide of the child seat,
move the passenger seat carefully forward until
the best possible belt guide position is reached.
Child seat security
The rear safety belts and the front passenger
safety belt can be permanently locked to fasten
child restraint systems.
Seite 64CONTROLSTransporting children safely64
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 969 276 - II/16

Locking the safety belt1.Pull out the strap completely.2.Secure the child restraint system with the
belt.3.Allow the strap to be pulled in and pull it
tight against the child restraint system. The
safety belt is locked.Unlocking the safety belt1.Unbuckle the belt buckle.2.Remove the child restraint system.3.Allow the strap to be pulled in completely.
LATCH child restraint system
Information
LATCH: Lower Anchors and Tether for Children.
Pay attention to the operating and safety infor‐
mation of the child restraint system manufac‐
turer when installing and using LATCH child re‐
straint fixing systems.
Mounts for the lower LATCH anchors The lower anchors may be used to attach the
CRS to the vehicle seat up to a combined child
and CRS weight of 65 lb/30 kg when the child is
restrained by the internal harnesses.
Information WARNING
If the LATCH child restraint fixing systems
are not correctly engaged, the protective effect
of the LATCH child restraint fixing system can
be limited. There is a risk of injury or danger to
life. Make sure that the lower anchors are se‐
curely engaged and that the LATCH child re‐
straint fixing system fits securely against the
backrest. ◀
Position The corresponding symbol shows the
mounts for the lower LATCH anchors.
Seats equipped with lower anchors are
marked with a pair, 2, of LATCH sym‐
bols. It is not recommended to use the
inner lower anchors of standard outer
LATCH positions to fasten a child restraint sys‐tem on the middle seat. Use the vehicle seat
belt instead for the middle seat.
Before installing LATCH child restraint
fixing systems
Pull the belt away from the area of the child re‐
straint system.
Assembly of LATCH child restraint systems1.Install child restraint system, see manufac‐
turer's information.2.Ensure that both LATCH anchors are prop‐
erly connected.
Upper LATCH retaining strap
For Canadian customers Only.
The following statement is required by Trans‐
port Canada:
This vehicle is not equipped with user-ready
tether anchorages. As such neither a child re‐
straint system, nor a booster cushion, requirer‐
ing the use of a tether strap can be properly se‐
cured in the vehicle.
Seite 65Transporting children safelyCONTROLS65
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 969 276 - II/16

DrivingVehicle features and op‐
tions
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems. The respectively applicable country provi‐
sions must be observed when using the respec‐
tive features and systems.
Start/Stop button The concept Pressing the Start/Stop button
switches the ignition on or off
and starts the engine.
Steptronic transmission: the en‐
gine starts in selector lever posi‐
tion P or N with the brake pedal pressed when
you press the Start/Stop button.
Manual transmission: the engine starts with the
clutch pedal pressed when the Start/Stop but‐
ton is pressed.
Ignition on Manual transmission: press the Start/Stop but‐
ton without stepping on the clutch pedal.
Steptronic transmission: press the Start/Stop
button, and do not press on the brake pedal at
the same time.
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
Most of the indicator and warning lights in the
instrument cluster light up for a varied length of
time.To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.
Ignition off
Manual transmission: press the Start/Stop but‐
ton again without stepping on the clutch pedal.
Steptronic transmission: shift to selector lever
position P, press the Start/Stop button again
without stepping on the brake.
All indicator lights in the instrument cluster go
out.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary electronic systems/power consumers.
The ignition is switched off automatically in the
following situations while the vehicle is station‐
ary and the engine is off:▷During locking, also with the low beams ac‐
tivated.▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started. This function is only available when
the low beams are turned off.▷When opening and closing the driver door,
if the driver's safety belt is unbuckled and
the low beams are turned off.▷While the driver's safety belt is unbuckled
with driver's door open and low beams off.▷The low beams switch to parking lights af‐
ter approx. 15 minutes of no use.
Radio ready state
Activate radio-ready state: when the engine is
running: press the Start/Stop button.
Some electronic systems/power consumers re‐
main ready for operation.
The radio-ready state is switched off automati‐
cally in the following situations:
Seite 66CONTROLSDriving66
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 969 276 - II/16

▷After approx. 8 minutes.▷When the vehicle is locked using the central
locking system.▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started.
The radio-ready state remains active if, for ex‐
ample, the ignition is automatically switched off
for the following reasons:
▷Opening or closing the driver's door.▷Unfastening of the driver's safety belt.▷When automatically switching from low
beams to parking lights.
If the engine is switched off and the ignition is
switched on, the system automatically switches
to the radio-ready state if the lights are turned
off or, if correspondingly equipped, the day‐
time running lights are activated.
Starting the engine
Information DANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or ventila‐
tion is insufficient, harmful exhaust gases can
enter into the vehicle. The exhaust gases con‐
tain carbon monoxide, an odorless and color‐
less but highly toxic gas. In enclosed areas, ex‐
haust gases can also accumulate outside of the
vehicle. There is danger to life. Keep the ex‐
haust pipe free and ensure sufficient ventila‐
tion. ◀
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. ◀
ATTENTION
In the case of repeated starting attempts
or repeated starting in quick succession, the
fuel is not burned or is inadequately burned.
The catalytic converter can overheat. There is a
risk of damage to property. Avoid repeated
starting in quick succession. ◀
Steptronic transmission
Starting the engine
1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Engage selector lever position P or N.3.Press the Start/Stop button.
The ignition is activated automatically for a cer‐
tain time and is stopped as soon as the engine
starts.
Manual transmission
Starting the engine
1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Press on the clutch pedal and shift to neu‐
tral.3.Press the Start/Stop button.
The ignition is activated automatically for a cer‐
tain time and is stopped as soon as the engine
starts.
Seite 67DrivingCONTROLS67
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 969 276 - II/16

Engine stop
Information WARNING
Unattended children or animals can
cause the vehicle to move and endanger them‐
selves and traffic, e.g., due to the following ac‐
tions:▷Pressing the Start/Stop button.▷Releasing the parking brake.▷Opening and closing the doors or windows.▷Engaging selector lever position N.▷Using vehicle equipment.
There is risk of accidents or injuries. Do not
leave children or animals unattended in the ve‐
hicle. Take the remote control with you when
exiting and lock the vehicle. ◀
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. ◀
Before driving into a car wash
So that the vehicle can roll into a car wash ob‐
serve instructions for going into an automatic
car wash, refer to page 226.
Steptronic transmission
Switching off the engine1.Engage selector lever position P with the
vehicle stopped.2.Press the Start/Stop button.
The engine is switched off.
The radio-ready state is switched on.3.Set the parking brake.
Manual transmission
Switching off the engine
1.With the vehicle at a standstill, press the
Start/Stop button.
The engine is switched off.
The radio-ready state is switched on.2.Shift into first gear or reverse.3.Set the parking brake.
Auto Start/Stop function
The concept
The Auto Start/Stop function helps save fuel.
The system switches off the engine during a
stop, for example, in traffic congestion or at
traffic lights. The ignition remains switched on.
The engine starts automatically for driving off.
Information
After every start of the engine using the Start/ Stop button, the Auto Start/Stop function is in
the last selected state, refer to page 70. When
the Auto Start/Stop function is active, it is avail‐
able when the vehicle is traveling faster than
about 3 mph, approx. 5 km/h.
Depending on the selected driving mode, refer
to page 124, the system is automatically acti‐
vated or deactivated.
Seite 68CONTROLSDriving68
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 969 276 - II/16

Engine stop
The engine is switched off automatically during
a stop under the following conditions:
Manual transmission:▷Neutral is engaged and the clutch pedal is
not pressed.▷The driver's safety belt is buckled or the
driver's door is closed.
Steptronic transmission:
▷The selector lever is in selector lever posi‐
tion D.▷Brake pedal remains depressed while the
vehicle is stopped.▷The driver's safety belt is buckled or the
driver's door is closed.
In order to be able to release the brake pedal,
engage lever in position P. The engine remains
off.
To continue driving depress the brake pedal.
When a gear is engaged, the engine starts au‐
tomatically.
The air flow from the air conditioner is reduced
when the engine is switched off.
Displays in the instrument cluster The display indicates that theAuto Start/Stop function is ready
for an Automatic engine start.
The display indicates that the
conditions for an automatic en‐
gine stop have not been met.
Functional limitations The engine is not switched off automatically in
the following situations:
▷External temperature too low.▷The external temperature is high and auto‐
matic climate control is running.▷The car's interior has not yet been heated
or cooled to the required level.▷The engine is not yet at operating tempera‐
ture.▷The wheels are at a sharp angle or the
steering wheel is being turned.▷After driving in reverse.▷Fogging of the windows when the auto‐
matic climate control is switched on.▷The vehicle battery charge is very low.▷At higher elevations.▷The engine compartment lid is unlocked.▷The parking assistant is activated.▷Stop-and-go traffic.▷Selector lever in selector lever position R, N
or M/S.
Starting the engine
The engine starts automatically under the fol‐
lowing conditions:
▷Manual transmission: clutch pedal is
pressed.▷Steptronic transmission: by releasing the
brake pedal.
After the engine starts, accelerate as usual.
Safety mode
After the engine switches off automatically, it
will not start again automatically if any one of
the following conditions are met:
▷The driver's safety belt is unbuckled and
the driver's door is open.▷The hood was unlocked.
Some indicator lights light up for a varied
length of time.
The engine can only be started via the Start/
Stop button.
Seite 69DrivingCONTROLS69
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 969 276 - II/16

▷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. ◀
Selector lever positions
D Drive Selector lever position for normal vehicle oper‐
ation. All gears for forward travel are activated
automatically.
R Reverse Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral
The vehicle may roll. Use in automatic car
washes, for example.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The
drive wheels are blocked.
Before exiting the vehicle, make sure that se‐
lector lever position P is set. Otherwise, the ve‐
hicle may begin to move.
Kickdown
Kickdown is used to achieve maximum driving
performance. Step on the accelerator pedal be‐
yond the resistance point at the full throttle po‐
sition.
Engaging selector lever positions
General information To prevent the vehicle from creeping after you
select a gear, maintain pressure on the brake
pedal until you are ready to start.
The selector lever can only be taken out of se‐
lector lever position P if the ignition is on or the
engine is running.
With the vehicle stationary, depress the brake
pedal before shifting out of selector lever posi‐
tion P or N; otherwise, the shift block will not be
deactivated and the shift command will not be
executed.
Releasing the selector lever lock A lock prevents the inadvertent switching to se‐
lector lever position R or the inadvertent
change from selector lever position P.
Releasing the lock: press unlock button on the
front of the selector lever, see arrow.
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Activating the sport program
Press the selector lever to the left out of selec‐
tor lever position D.
The engaged gear is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster, for example, S1.
The sport program of the transmission is acti‐
vated.
Seite 76CONTROLSDriving76
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