Driving
Changing gear manually with the selector
l ev
er
It
is possible to change to tiptronic mode,
both when the vehicle is stopped and while
driving.
– To switch to tiptronic mode, move the se-
lector l
ever from position D/S to the right.
As soon as the change is made the selector
level will be shown in the position M on the
instrument panel display (for example M4
means that the fourth gear is engaged).
– Move the selector lever forwards + to se-
l ect
a higher g
ear ››› Fig. 192.
– Move the selector lever backwards – to
sel ect
a lo
wer gear.
Changing gear manually with the gearshift
paddles*
The gearshift paddles can be used when the
selector lever is in the position D/S or M.
– Press the gearshift paddle + to select a
higher g e
ar ›
›› Fig. 193.
– Press the gearshift paddle – to select a
lo w
er g
ear.
– With the selector lever in position D/S, if no
pad
dle is operated during a short period of
time, the gearbox control system switches
back to automatic mode. To switch to per-
manent manual gear change using the
gearshift paddles, move the selector lever
from position D/S to the right. When accelerating, the gearbox automatical-
ly shifts
up into the next gear shortly before
the maximum engine speed is reached.
If you select a lower gear, the automatic gear-
box will not shift down until there is no risk of
over-revving the engine.
When the kick-down feature is used, the
gearbox shifts down to a lower gear, depend-
ing on road speed and engine speed.
Driving tips The gearbox changes gear ratios automatical-
ly
a
s
the vehicle moves.
The engine can only start with the selector
lever in the position P or N. At low tempera-
tures, below -10°C (50°F), the engine can on-
ly start with the selector lever in the position
P.
Starting the vehicle
– Press and hold the brake pedal.
– Press and hold the interlock button (the
button on the sel
ector lever handle), move
the selector lever to the desired position,
for instance D ›››
page 180, and release the
interlock button.
– Wait for the gearbox to engage the gear (a
slight mo
vement can be felt). –
Rele
ase the brake and press the accelerator
››› .
St op
pin
g briefly
– Apply the foot brake to hold the vehicle
briefly when st
ationary (for instance at traf-
fic lights). Do not press the accelerator.
Stopping/Parking
If the driver door is opened and the selector
lever is not in position P, the vehicle could
move. The driver message will be: Gear
change: selector lever in the
drive position! . Additionally, a buzzer
will sound.
– Press and hold the brake pedal ›››
.
– Apply the handbrake.
– Move the selector lever to position P.
Ho l
din
g the car on a hill
– Always apply the brake pedal firmly to pre-
vent
the vehicle from “moving backwards;
if necessary, apply the handbrake” ››› .
Do not tr y
t
o stop the vehicle “rolling back”
by increasing the engine speed when a
gear is engaged (pressing the accelerator)
››› .
Mo v
in
g off uphill in vehicles without Hill
start assistant*
– Apply the handbrake. »
183
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
– Onc e
y
ou have engaged a gear press the
accelerator carefully and disengage the
handbrake.
Moving off uphill in vehicles with Hill start
assistant*
– Once you have engaged a gear, release the
footbr
ake and press the accelerator
››› page 179, Hill driving assistant .
Driving down hills: in some situations (on
mountain roads or when towing a trailer or
caravan) it can be advantageous to switch
temporarily to the manual gearbox pro-
gramme so that the gear ratios can be selec-
ted manually to suit the driving conditions
››› .
On l ev
el
ground it is sufficient to move the
selector lever to position P. On slopes, first
engage the parking brake and then put the
selection lever into the P position. This
avoids overloading the locking mechanism
and it will be easier to move the selector lev-
er from position P. WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›››
in Selector
lev er po
sitions on page 181.
● Never allow the brake to rub and do not use
the brake ped
al too often or for long periods.
Constant braking causes overheating in the
brakes. This could significantly reduce brak- ing power, increase braking distance or even
re
s
ult in the total failure of the brake system.
● To avoid rolling back on gradients always
hold the
vehicle with the footbrake or hand-
brake if you have to stop. CAUTION
● If y
ou stop the vehicle on a gradient, do not
attempt to stop it from rolling by depressing
the accelerator when a gear has been selec-
ted. This could cause overheating and dam-
age the automatic gearbox. Apply the hand-
brake firmly or press the brake pedal in order
to prevent the vehicle from rolling back.
● If you allow the car to roll with the selector
lever in po
sition N with the engine switched
off, the automatic gearbox will be damaged
as it will not be lubricated.
● In certain driving situations or traffic condi-
tions, suc
h as frequently starting, prolonged
“creeping” of the vehicle or traffic jams with
continuous stoppages, the gearbox could
overheat causing damage! If the warning
lamp lights up, stop the vehicle as soon as
possible and wait for the gearbox to cool
››› page 187. Kick-down feature
The kick-down feature allows maximum ac-
c
el
er
ation to be reached. When the accelerator pedal is pressed right
down pa
st the point of resistance at full throt-
tle, the gearbox will shift down to a lower
gear, depending on road speed and engine
speed. The upshift to the next higher gear is
delayed until the engine reaches maximum
rpm. WARNING
Please note that if the road surface is slip-
pery or w
et, the kick-down feature could
cause the driving wheels to spin, which could
result in skidding. Launch control programme
3 V
alid for vehicles: with Launch-Control/6-Speed
D
SG with diesel engines superior to 125 kW and pet-
rol engines superior to 140 kW.
The Launch control programme enables maxi-
mum acceleration.
Important: the engine must have reached op-
erating temperature and the steering wheel
must not be turned.
The engine speed for launch-control is differ-
ent on petrol and diesel engines. To use the
launch-control you must disconnect the anti-
slip regulation (ASR) through the Easy Con-
nect system menu ›››
page 110. The warning
lamp will stay switched on or will flash
slowly depending on whether or not the vehi-
cle has a driver information system*.
184
Operation
Safety lug
The s af
ety
lug B
› ››
Fig. 237
i
s used to hook
up the trailer's retainer cable.
On hooking it up to the safety lug, the retain-
er cable should have slack in all the trailer
positions with respect to the vehicle (sharp
bends, reverse gear, etc.).
Headlights
The front part of the vehicle may be raised
when the trailer is connected and the light
may dazzle the rest of the traffic.
Adapt the height of the headlights using the
headlight range rotary adjuster 1)
. WARNING
● Never u se the s
afety lug to tow!
● Adjust your speed to suit the road and traf-
fic condition
s.
● All work on the electrical system must be
carried out on
ly by specialised workshops.
● Never connect the trailer's electric system
to the electric
al connections of the rear lights
or any other power sources.
● After hooking up the trailer and connecting
the socket, c
heck that all the trailer's rear
lights are working properly. Note
● If ther e i
s any fault in the trailer's lighting,
check the fuses in the instrument panel fuse
box ›››
page 54.
● The contact between the retainer cable and
the safety
lug may give rise to mechanical
wear in the lug's surface protection. This
wear will not prevent the safety lug from op-
erating properly or cause any fault and is ex-
cluded from the warranty.
● When connecting and disconnecting the
trail
er, the towing vehicle's handbrake
should be applied. Anti-theft alarm system
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is trig-
g
er
ed when the el
ectrical connection be-
tween vehicle and trailer is interrupted.
Always turn off the anti-theft alarm system
before connecting or disconnecting a trailer
››› page 124.
Conditions for the integration of a trailer in
the anti-theft alarm system.
● The vehicle is factory-equipped with an an-
ti-theft al
arm system and a towing bracket
device. ●
The trail
er is connected electrically to the
towing vehicle by the trailer connector.
● The electrical system of the vehicle and the
trail
er are prepared for operation.
● The vehicle is locked with the ignition key
and the anti-theft al
arm system is activated. CAUTION
For technical reasons, trailers fitted with rear
LED lights ar
e not integrated in the anti-theft
alarm system. Driving tips
Driving with a trailer always requires extra
c
ar
e.
W
eight distribution
The weight distribution of a loaded trailer
with an unladen vehicle is very unfavourable.
However, if this cannot be avoided, drive ex-
tra slowly to allow for the unbalanced weight
distribution.
Speed
The stability of the vehicle and trailer is re-
duced with increasing speed. For this reason,
it is advisable not to drive at the maximum 1)
This does not apply for vehicles with bi-xenon
hea dlights.
242
Index
Exterior rear view mirrors ext
erior
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Exterior view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 8
External aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
F Fastening rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Fatigue detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Filling the tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Fluid Level control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Fog light bulb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Folding table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Four-wheel drive snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Four wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 78
Front armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Front Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 City Emergency braking function . . . . . . . . . . . 211
malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
on-screen messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
radar sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
switching off temporarily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
system limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
see also Front Assist Monitoring system . . . . . 207
Front Assist monitoring system malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
on-screen messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Front Assist Monitoring system City Emergency braking function . . . . . . . . . . . 211
radar sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 Front Assist Monitoring System
switc hing off temporarily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
system limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Front passenger front airbag control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
deactivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 81
Front seat manual adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50, 258 consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
ethanol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
natural gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
saving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Fuel consumption switching off using inertia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
why does fuel consumption increase? . . . . . . 189
Fuel tank cap opening and closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Fuel tank flap opening and closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Full-LED Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Function Coming Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Function Leaving Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54, 91 fuse box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
identifying blown fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
identifying by colours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
preparation before replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
G
Gear-change indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Gearbox DSG see Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 Gearbox lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Gear ch
ange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
kick-down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
manual gear change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Gear engaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Gear recommendation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Gearshift paddles (automatic gearbox) . . . . . . . 182
General instrument panel control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
controls and displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
H
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Hand brake See Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Handbrake warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 135
Head-on collisions and the laws of physics . . . . . 73
Head-protection airbags description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Headlights changing a bulb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
headlight washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
front head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
rear head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
311