▷The vehicle battery charge is very low.▷Excessive cooling of the car's interior when
the heating is switched on.▷Manual transmission: low brake vacuum
pressure; this can occur, e.g., if the brake
pedal is depressed a number of times in
succession.
Switching the system on/off
Using the button
Press button.
▷LED comes on: Auto Start/Stop function is
deactivated.
The engine is started during an automatic
engine stop.
The engine can only be stopped or started
via the Start/Stop button.▷LED goes out: Auto Start/Stop function is
activated.
Switching off the vehicle during an automatic engine stop
During an automatic engine stop, the vehicle
can be switched off permanently, e. g., when
leaving it.
1.Steptronic transmission: engage selector
lever position P.2.Press the Start/Stop button. The ignition is
switched off. The Auto Start/Stop function is
deactivated.3.Manual transmission: shift into first gear or
reverse.4.Set the parking brake.
Engine start as usual via Start/Stop button.
Automatic deactivation
In certain situations, Auto Start/Stop function is
deactivated automatically for safety reasons as
if the driver were absent.
MalfunctionThe Auto Start/Stop function no longer switches
off the engine automatically. A Check Control
message is displayed. It is possible to continue
driving. Have the system checked.
Parking brake ApplyingThe lever automatically engages after being
pulled 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.
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a washer antifreeze, according to the manufac‐
turer's recommendations.
Mix the washer fluid before adding to find the
right mixture.
Do not add windshield washer concentrate and
antifreeze undiluted and do not fill with pure
water; this could damage the wiper system.
Do not mix window washer concentrates of dif‐
ferent manufacturers because they can clog the
windshield washer nozzles.
Recommended minimum fill quantity: 0.2 US
gal/1 liter.
Manual transmission Shifting CAUTION
When shifting to a lower gear, excessive
speeds can damage the engine. There is risk of
property damage. When shifting into 5th or 6th
gear, press the gearshift lever to the right. ◀
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 Selector lever positions
D Drive
Selector lever position for normal vehicle oper‐
ation. All gears for forward travel are activated
automatically.
R is Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.N Neutral: The vehicle may roll. Use in automatic car
washes, e.g.
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 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 is stationary, press on the
brake pedal before shifting out of selector lever
position P or N; otherwise, the selector lever is
blocked: shift lock.
A block prevents the inadvertent switching to
selector lever position P or R or the inadvertent
change from selector lever position P.Seite 71DrivingCONTROLS71
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Canceling the lock
Press button on the front of the selector lever,
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, e.g., S1.
The sport program of the transmission is acti‐
vated.
Activating the M/S manual mode
1.Press the selector lever to the left out of se‐
lector lever position D.2.Push the selector lever forward or back‐
ward.
Manual mode becomes active and the gear is
changed.
The engaged gear is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster, e.g., M1.
If the situation requires, the Steptronic trans‐
mission continues to shift automatically.
Example: once maximum engine speed is at‐
tained, M/S manual mode is automatically up‐
shifted as needed.
Switching to manual mode▷To shift down: press the selector lever for‐
ward.▷To shift up: pull the selector lever rear‐
wards.
Gears will only be shifted at appropriate engine
and road speeds, for example downshifting is
not possible if the engine speed is too high.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the currently se‐
lected gear.
Manual mode M/S: prevent automatic
upshifting
Once a particular engine speed is attained, M/S manual mode is automatically upshifted as
needed.
For vehicles with Steptronic Sport transmission,
automatic shift operations are not performed if
one of the following conditions is met:
▷DSC is deactivated.▷TRACTION is activated.
In addition, there is no downshift for kickdown.
With the respective transmission version, the
lowest possible gear can be selected by simul‐
taneously operating the kickdown and the left
shift paddle. However, this effect is not pro‐
duced via the shift paddles when switching
briefly from D to manual mode.
Ending the sport program/manual
mode
Push the selector lever to the right.
D is displayed in the instrument cluster.
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Shift paddles for Steptronic Sport
transmission
The shift paddles on the steering wheel allow
you to shift gears quickly while keeping both
hands on the steering wheel.
▷Shift up: briefly pull right shift paddle.▷Shift down: briefly pull left shift paddle.▷With the respective transmission version,
the lowest possible gear can be selected by
pulling and holding the left shift paddle.
Gears will only be shifted at appropriate engine
and road speeds, for example downshifting is
not possible if the engine speed is too high.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the current gear.
If the shift paddles on the steering wheel are
used to shift gears in automatic mode, the
transmission temporarily switches to manual
mode.
If the selector lever is still in selector lever posi‐
tion D with the respective transmission version,
it is possible to switch back into the automatic
mode:
▷Pull and hold right shift paddle.
or▷In addition to the briefly pulled right shift
paddle, briefly pull the left shift paddle.
In the manual mode, after conservative driving
for a certain amount of time or if there has
been no acceleration or shifting of the shift
paddles within a certain amount of time, the
transmission switches back to automatic mode.
Displays in the instrument cluster
The selector lever position is dis‐
played, e.g.: 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 sleeve of the selector lever.2.Pull the sleeve over the selector lever. Un‐
plug the cable connector if needed.3.Using the screwdriver from the onboard ve‐
hicle tool kit, refer to page 202, press the
yellow release lever downward, 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.Seite 73DrivingCONTROLS73
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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 158, 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 115.
Requirements Launch Control is available when the engine is
warmed up, that is, after uninterrupted driving
of at least 6 miles/10 km.
To start with Launch Control do not steer the
steering wheel.
Start with launch control
While the engine is running:1. Press button and select SPORT with
Driving Dynamics Control, refer to
page 117.
The instrument cluster displays TRACTION
in combination with SPORT. The DSC OFF
indicator lamp lights up.2.Engage selector lever position S.3.With the left foot, forcefully press down on
the brake.4.Step on the accelerator pedal beyond the
resistance point at the full throttle position,
kickdown.A flag symbol is displayed in the instrument
cluster.5.The starting engine speed adjusts. Within
3 seconds, release the brake.
Before using Launch Control, allow the trans‐
mission to cool down for approx. 5 minutes.
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On the Control Display:1. "Vehicle info"2."Vehicle status"3. "Service required"4."§ Vehicle inspection"5."Date:"6.Adjust the settings.7.Confirm.
The entered date is stored.
Gear shift indicator
The concept
The system recommends the most fuel efficient
gear for the current driving situation.
General information Depending on the vehicle's features and coun‐
try version of the vehicle, the gear shift indica‐
tor is active in the manual mode of the Step‐
tronic transmission and with manual
transmission.
Suggestions to shift gear up or down are dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
Manual transmission: displaying
ExampleDescriptionFuel efficient gear is set.Shift into fuel efficient gear.Steptronic transmission: displayingExampleDescriptionFuel efficient gear is set.Shift into fuel efficient gear.
Speed limit detection
The concept
Speed limit detection
Speed limit detection shows the current maxi‐
mum permitted speed in the instrument clus‐
ter. The camera at the base of the interior rear‐
view mirror detects traffic signs at the edge of
the road as well as variable overhead sign
posts. Traffic signs with extra symbols for wet
road conditions, etc. are also detected and
compared with the vehicle's onboard data,
such as for the rain sensor, and will be dis‐
played depending on the situation.
With the navigation system, the system takes
into account the information stored in the navi‐
gation data and also displays speed limits
present on routes without signs.
Without a navigation system, the system is sub‐
ject to limitations imposed by technology.
Speed limits with extra text characters are al‐
ways displayed.
Information
Speed limits when towing a trailer are not
shown.
WARNING
The system does not relieve from the per‐
sonal responsibility to correctly assess visibility
and traffic situation. There is risk of an accident.
Adjust the driving style to the traffic conditions.
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On the Control Display:1. "Settings"2."Head-Up Display"3."Rotation"4.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is selected.5.Press the controller.
Settings are stored for the profile currently
used.
John Cooper Works: Sport displays in
the Head-up Display
General information The sport displays in the Head-up Display assist
with a sporty driving style.
Switching on
1. "Settings"2."Head-Up Display"3."Displayed information"4."Sport displays"
With navigation system: if the sport displays are
switched on, no navigation content will be dis‐
played on the Head-up Display.
Display
1Speed2Shift point indicator3Gear display4Current engine speed5Warning field, speed
Shift point indicator
The concept
Shift point indicator in the Head-up Display in‐
dicates the optimum shifting point. Thus, with a
sporty driving style, the best possible vehicle
acceleration is achieved.
Functional requirements
▷Steptronic transmission:
Manual mode M/S and if necessary the Dy‐
namic Traction Control DTC are activated.▷Press the gas pedal all the way down.
Switching on
Shift point indicators are displayed in the Head-
up if the sport displays, refer to page 91,are
switched on.
1. "Settings"2."Head-Up Display"3."Displayed information"4."Sport displays"
Display
Successive gray illuminated fields indicate the
upcoming upshift moment.
As soon as the red fields light up, shift up im‐
mediately.
When the permitted maximum speed is
reached, all shift point indicators flash.
When the maximum speed is exceeded, the
supply of fuel is interrupted in order to protect
the engine.
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SymbolMeasureSymbol lights up red: prewarning.
Brake and increase distance.Symbol flashes red and an acoustic
signal sounds: acute warning.
You are requested to intervene by
braking or make an evasive maneu‐
ver.
Prewarning
This warning is issued, e.g., when there is the
impending danger of a collision or the distance
to the vehicle ahead is too small.
The driver must intervene actively when there
is a prewarning.
Acute warning with braking function
Acute warning in displayed in case of the immi‐
nent danger of a collision when the vehicle ap‐
proaches another object at a relatively high dif‐
ferential speed.
The driver must intervene actively when there
is an acute warning. If necessary, the driver is
assisted by a minor automatic braking inter‐
vention in a possible risk of collision.
Acute warnings can also be triggered without
previous forewarning.
Braking intervention The warning prompts the driver himself/herself
to react. During a warning, the maximum brak‐
ing force is used. Premise for the brake booster
is sufficiently quick and sufficiently hard step‐
ping on the brake pedal. The system can assist
with some braking intervention if there is risk of
a collision. At low speeds vehicles may thus
come to a complete stop.
Manual transmission: During a braking inter‐
vention up to a complete stop, the engine may
be shut down.
The braking intervention is executed only if DSC
Dynamic Stability Control is switched on.
The braking intervention can be interrupted by
stepping on the accelerator pedal or by actively
moving the steering wheel.
Object detection can be restricted. Limitations
of the detection range and functional restric‐
tions are to be considered.
System limits
Detection range The system's detection potential is limited.
Thus a system reaction might not come or
might come late.
E. g. the following situations may not be de‐
tected:▷Slow moving vehicles when you approach
them at high speed.▷Vehicles that suddenly swerve in front of
you, or sharply decelerating vehicles.▷Vehicles with an unusual rear appearance.▷Two-wheeled vehicles ahead of you.
Functional limitations
The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:
▷In heavy fog, rain, sprayed water or snow‐
fall.▷In tight curves.▷If the field of view of the camera or the
front windshield are dirty or covered.▷If the driving stability control systems are
deactivated, e.g. DSC OFF.▷Up to 10 seconds after the start of the en‐
gine, via the Start/Stop button.▷During calibration of the camera immedi‐
ately after vehicle delivery.▷If there are constant blinding effects be‐
cause of oncoming light, e. g., from the sun
low in the sky.Seite 111SafetyCONTROLS111
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