Instruments and warning/control lamps
engine hot. However, it is advisable to
c h
an
ge up a gear or move the selector
lever to D (or lift your foot off the acceler-
ator) before the needle reaches the red
zone ››› .
En gine c
oo
lant temperature display
››› page 107 or the natural gas level indi-
cator in vehicles with natural gas engine
(CNG) ››› page 108.
Displays on the screen ››› page 105.
Adjuster button and display
››› page 107.
Speedometer.
Fuel gauge ››› page 108. WARNING
Any distraction may lead to an accident, with
the risk of
injury.
● Do not operate the instrument panel con-
trol
s when driving. CAUTION
● To pr ev
ent damage to the engine, the rev
counter needle should only remain in the red
zone for a short period of time.
● When the engine is cold, avoid high revs
and heavy ac
celeration and do not make the
engine work hard. 2
3
4
5
6 For the sake of the environment
Changing up a gear in time reduces fuel con-
sumption and noi se. Rev counter
The rev counter indicates the number of en-
gine rev
o
lutions per minute ››› Fig. 120 1 .
Tog ether w
ith the gear-change indicator, the
rev counter offers you the possibility of using
the engine of your vehicle at a suitable
speed.
The start of the red zone on the dial indicates
the maximum engine speed which may be
used briefly when the engine is warm and af-
ter it has been run in properly. Before reach-
ing this range, you should change to a higher
gear for vehicles with a manual gearbox or for
automatic gearboxes put the selector lever in
“D” or take your foot off the accelerator ped-
al.
We recommend that you avoid high revs and
that you follow the recommendations on the
gear-change indicator. Consult the additional
information in ›››
page 32, Gear-change
indicator. CAUTION
Never allow the rev counter needle 1 ›››
Fig. 120 to g o int
o the red zone on the scale for more than a very brief period, other-
wi
se ther
e is a risk of engine damage. For the sake of the environment
Changing up a gear early will help you to save
f uel and minimi
se emissions and engine
noise. Indications on the display
A variety of information can be viewed on the
in
s
trument
panel display ››› Fig. 120 3 , de-
pendin g on the
v
ehicle equipment:
● Bonnet, rear lid and doors open
›››
page 33.
● Warning and information messages
›››
page 33.
● Distance travelled ›››
page 107.
● Time ››› p
age 106.
● Navigation instructions.
● Outside temperature ›››
page 32.
● Compass ››› p
age 106.
● Shift lever position ›››
page 180.
● Recommended gear (manual gearbox)
›››
page 32.
● Multifunction display (MFD) and menus
with differ
ent setting options ›››
page 30.
● Service interval display ›››
page 37. »
105
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
● Sec ond s
peed di
splay ›››
page 30.
● Speed warning function ›››
page 37.
● Start-Stop system status display
›››
page 191.
● Active cylinder management display
(ACT ®
)* ››
› page 188
● Signs recognised by the traffic signal de-
tection sys
tem ››› page 222
● Low consumption driving status (ECO)
›››
page 106
● Identifying letters on engine (MKB).
Dist
ance travelled
The odometer registers the total distance
travelled by the car.
The odometer (trip ) shows the distance
travelled since the last odometer reset. The
last digit of the trip recorder indicates distan-
ces of 100 metres or one tenths of a mile.
● Briefly press the button ›››
Fig. 120 4 to re-
set the trip r
ec
order to 0.
● Keep the button 4 pressed for about 3
sec ond
s
and the previous value will be dis-
played.
Time
● To set the time, keep the button ›››
Fig. 120
4 pressed for more than 3 seconds to select
the hour or minut e di
s
play. ●
To continue settin
g the time, press the up-
per or lower part of the button 4 . Hold but-
t on do
wn t
o scroll through the numbers
quickly.
● Press the button 4 again in order to finish
settin g the time.
The time c an al
so be set via the button
and S
ETUP function button in the Easy Con-
nect sy
s
tem ››› page 110.
Compass
With the ignition on and the navigation sys-
tem on, the cardinal point corresponding to
the direction of travel of the vehicle is dis-
played on the instrument panel.
Selector lever position
The selected gear is displayed on the side of
the selector lever and on the instrument pan-
el display. In positions D and S, and with the
Tiptronic, the corresponding gear is also dis-
played.
Recommended gear (manual gearbox)
The recommended gear in order to save fuel
is displayed on the instrument panel while
you are driving ›››
page 32.
Second speed display (mph or km/h)
In addition to the speedometer, the speed
can also be displayed in a different unit of
measurement (in miles or in km per hour). This option cannot be deactivated in models
destined f
or countries in which the second
speed must always be visible.
The second speed display can be adjusted in
the Easy Connect system via the button
and the S
ETUP function button
››
›
page 110.
Speed warning
When the speed setting is exceeded, this will
be indicated on the instrument panel display.
This is very useful, for example when using
winter tyres that are not designed for driving
at the maximum speed of the vehicle
››› page 37.
The speed warning settings can be adjusted
in the Easy Connect system via the button
and the S
ETUP function button
››
›
page 110.
Start-Stop operating display
Updated information relating to the status is
displayed on the instrument panel
››› page 191.
Low consumption driving status (ECO)*
Depending on the equipment, when driving,
the “ECO ” display appears on the instrument
panel when the vehicle is in low consump-
tion status due to active cylinder manage-
ment (ACT ®
)* ›››
page 188.
106
Lights and visibility
● Activ
at
ed for any position of the rotary light
switch.
● When the car door is opened, the “Coming
Home” lighting come
s on. The headlights are
turned off 60 seconds after the vehicle door
is opened.
Deactivation
● If no door has been closed, they go out au-
tomatic
ally after 60 seconds.
● After the last door has been closed, the
headlights
will be switched off after the
“Coming Home” delay (as established in the
radio menu) has elapsed.
● On turning the light switch to position
›››
page 24.
● When the ignition is switched on (when
star
ting the engine).
Function “Leaving Home” The “Leaving Home” function is only availa-
b
l
e f
or vehicles with a light and rain sensor
(rotary light switch in position ).
This function may be connected/disconnec-
ted through the radio menu. The “Leaving
Home” function switch-off delay may also be
set (default: 30 sec).
Vehicle with
halogen
headlightsIn the “Leaving Home” function, the day-
time running lights (DRL), the rear side
lights and the licence plate lights are
switched on.
Vehicle with
full-LED
headlightsIn the “Leaving Home” function, the dip-
ped beams, the daytime running lights
(DRL), the rear side lights and the li-
cence plate lights are switched on. Activation
● When the vehicle is unlocked using the re-
mote c ontr
ol.
● The “Leaving Home” function is only activa-
ted when the r ot
ary light switch is in position
and the light sensor detects darkness.
Deactivation
● When the “Leaving Home” delay period
ends (def
ault: 30 sec).
● When the vehicle is locked using the re-
mote contr
ol.
● When the light control is switched into a
position other th
an .
● With the ignition is switched on. Hazard warning lights
Fig. 139
Dash panel: switch for hazard warn-
in g lights. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 25
The hazard warning lights are used to draw
the attention of other road users to your vehi-
cle in emergencies.
If your vehicle breaks down:
1. Park your vehicle at a safe distance from movin
g traffic.
2. Press the button to switch on the hazard warning lights
››› .
3. Switch the ignition off.
4. Apply the handbrake.
5. For a manual gearbox, engage 1st gear; for an aut
om
atic gearbox, move the gear
lever to P. »
135
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driving
Functioning mode of automatic air recircula-
tion (air c onditionin
g menu)
W
ith the automatic air recirculation mode ac-
tivated, the entry of fresh air into the cabin
interior is enabled. If the system detects a
high concentration of hazardous substances
in the ambient air, air recirculation mode is
switched on automatically. When the level of
impurities drops to within a normal range, re-
circulation mode is switched off.
The system is unable to detect unpleasant
smells.
The air recirculation will not connect auto-
matically in versions without humidity sensor
and in the following external conditions:
● The outside temperature is lower than +3°C
(+38°F).
● The cooling system is switched off and the
outside temper
ature is below +10°C (+50°F).
● The cooling system is switched off, the out-
side temper
ature is below +15°C (+59°F) and
the windscreen wipers are switched on.
Activation/deactivation of automatic air recir-
culation is done in the air conditioner menu,
under Configuration. WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›››
in Intro-
duction on pag e 163
. ●
If the c oo
ling system is switched off and air
recirculation mode switched on, the windows
can mist over very quickly, considerably limit-
ing visibility.
● Switch air recirculation mode off when it is
not requir
ed. CAUTION
Do not smoke when air recirculation is
sw itc
hed on in vehicles with an air condition-
er. The smoke taken in could lie on the cool-
ing system vaporiser and on the activated
charcoal cartridge of the dust and pollen fil-
ter, leading to a permanently unpleasant
smell. Note
Climatronic: air recirculation mode is activa-
ted t o pr
event exhaust gas or unpleasant
odours from entering the vehicle interior
when it is in reverse and while the automatic
windscreen wiper is working. Driving
Ignition loc k
Sw it
ching the ignition on and starting
the engine with the key Fig. 186
Ignition key positions. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 24
Diesel engines can take a few seconds longer
than usual to start on cold days. Therefore
the clutch pedal (manual gearbox) or the
brake pedal (automatic gearbox) must re-
main pressed until the engine starts up. Dur-
ing preheating, the warning lamp remains
lit.
The preheating time depends on the coolant
and exterior temperatures. With the engine at
operating temperature, or at outside temper-
atures above +8°C, the warning lamp will »
167
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
light up for about one second. This means
th at
the en
gine starts immediately.
If the engine does not immediately start up,
interrupt the starting process and try again
after 30 seconds. To start the engine again,
return the key to position 1 .
St ar
t
-Stop System*
If the vehicle is stopped and the Start-Stop
system* switches off the engine, the ignition
remains switched on.
Automatic gearbox: before leaving the vehi-
cle, make sure that the ignition is switched
off and the selector lever is in position P.
Driver messages on the instrument panel
display
Press the clutch
This message appears on vehicles with a
manual gearbox if the driver tries to start the
engine without having the clutch pedal
pressed. The engine will only start if you
press the clutch pedal.
Press the brake This message appears on vehicles with an
automatic gearbox if the driver tries to start
the engine without having the brake pedal
pressed. Select N or P
This me
ssage appears if you try to start or
stop the engine when the selector lever of
the automatic gearbox is not in position P or
N. The engine can only start or stop in certain
positions.
Engage position P; the vehicle
can move; doors can only close in
position P.For safety reasons, this driver message ap-
pears and an audible warning sounds if the
selector lever of the automatic gearbox is not
in position P after you switch off the ignition.
Put the selector lever in position P, otherwise
the vehicle could roll away.
Gear change: selector lever in
the drive position! This driver message is displayed when the
selector lever is not in the position P when
the driver door is opened. Additionally, a
buzzer will sound. Put the selector lever in
position P, otherwise the vehicle could roll
away.
Ignition is switched on
This driver message is displayed and a buz-
zer is sounded when the driver door is
opened with the ignition switched on. WARNING
● Never ru n the en
gine in confined spaces, as
the exhaust gases are poisonous. CAUTION
Avoid high engine speeds, full throttle and
extr eme lo
ad conditions until the engine has
reached its normal operating temperature,
otherwise this can damage the engine. For the sake of the environment
Do not warm up the engine by idling it. You
shoul d driv
e off as soon as you start the en-
gine. This will help avoid unnecessary ex-
haust emissions. Note
● If it i
s difficult to turn the ignition key to
the position 1 , turn the steering wheel to
both side s
to release the steering lock.
● When starting from cold, the engine may be
a little noisy
for the first few seconds until oil
pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve
lifters. This is quite normal, and no cause for
concern.
● If the vehicle battery is disconnected and
reconnect
ed, the key must remain in the posi-
tion 1 for around 5 seconds before starting
up. 168
Driving
●
Vehic l
es with automatic gearbox: after
switching off the ignition, you can only re-
move the ignition key if the selector lever is
in position “P” (parking lock). Next, the se-
lector lever is locked. Switching off the engine with the key
Switching off the engine
– Stop the vehicle.
– Turn the ignition key to position 1›››
Fig. 186.
Eng agin
g the steering wheel lock
In vehicles with automatic gearbox, the igni-
tion key can only be removed when the selec-
tor lever is in position P.
– Remove the key from the ignition in posi-
tion 1
› ›
› Fig. 186
››› .
– Turn the steering wheel until you hear it en-
gag
e.
P
ossible vehicle theft is prevented with the
steering lock engaged. WARNING
● Never sw it
ch the engine off until the vehi-
cle is stationary. The brake servo and power
steering functions will not be completely cov-
ered under warranty. More force may also be
needed to turn the steering wheel or to brake. As you cannot steer and brake in the normal
manner
, ther
e is a greater risk of accidents
and serious injury.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if
the vehic
le is in motion. Otherwise, the steer-
ing could suddenly lock, making it impossible
to steer the vehicle: risk of accident!
● Always take the key with you when you
leav
e the vehicle. This is particularly impor-
tant if there are children in the vehicle, as
they might otherwise be able to start the en-
gine or use power-operated equipment (e.g.
the electric windows), which could cause in-
juries. CAUTION
If the engine has been running under high
loa d f
or a long time, there is a risk of heat
building up in the engine compartment after
it has been switched off; this could cause en-
gine damage. For this reason, you should idle
the engine for approximately 2 minutes be-
fore you switch it off. Note
● Aft er the en
gine is switched off the radiator
fan may run on for up to 10 minutes, even if
the ignition is switched off. It is also possible
that the fan turns itself on once more if the
coolant temperature increases due to the
heat accumulated in the engine compartment
or due to its prolonged exposure to solar ra-
diation. ●
If the v
ehicle is stopped and the Start-Stop
system* switches off the engine, the ignition
remains switched on. Make sure that the igni-
tion is switched off before leaving the vehi-
cle, otherwise the battery could discharge. Starter button*
Fig. 187
In the lower part of the centre con-
so l
e: s
tarter button. The vehicle engine can be started with a
s
t
ar
ter button (Press & Drive). To do so, there
must be a valid key inside the vehicle in the
area of the front or rear seats.
Opening the driver's door when exiting the
vehicle activates the electronic lock on the
steering column if the ignition is disabled.
Switching the ignition on/off manually
Briefly push the starter button without touch-
ing the brake or clutch pedal ››› .
»
169
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driving
●
If durin g the
STOP phase you press the
START ENGINE STOP button, the ignition is
swit c
hed off and the button flashes.
● If the indication “Start-Stop system deacti-
vated:
Start the engine manually” is dis-
played on the dash panel display, the START ENGINE STOP button will blink.
Starting the engine
3 Valid for vehicles: with starter button.
StepStarting the engine with the starter but-
ton
››› page 169.
1.Press and hold the brake pedal until step 5 is
performed.
1a.In vehicles with a manual gearbox: press and
hold the clutch down until the engine starts.
2.Put the gearbox lever in neutral or the selector
lever in position P or N.
3.
Briefly press the starter button ››› Fig. 187 with-
out pressing the accelerator. For the engine to
start there must be a valid key in the vehicle.
After starting the engine, the light of the START ENGINE STOP
button changes to a fixed
light indicating that the engine has started.
4.If the engine does not start, stop and wait for
approx. 1 minute before trying again. If neces-
sary, perform an emergency start ››› page 170.
5.Disconnect the electronic parking brake when
you are about to start driving ››› page 172. WARNING
Never leave the vehicle with the engine run-
ning, e s
pecially if a gear or gear range is en-
gaged. The vehicle could then suddenly move
or something strange could happen that
would cause damage, fire or serious injury. WARNING
Cold start sprays could explode or cause a
sud den inc
rease in the engine speed.
● Never use sprays to cold start the engine. CAUTION
● The st ar
ter motor or the engine may be
damaged if you try to start the engine while
driving or if you restart it immediately after
switching it off.
● If the engine is cold, avoid high engine
speeds, p
ushing the engine too hard and rap-
id acceleration.
● Do not start the engine by pushing the ve-
hicle or t
owing it. Unburnt fuel could enter
the catalytic converter and damage it. Note
● Do not w ait
until the engine warms up with
the vehicle stationary; if you have good visi-
bility through the windows, start driving im-
mediately. This helps the engine reach oper-
ating temperature faster and reduces emis-
sions. ●
Electric a
l components with a high power
consumption are switched off temporarily
when the engine starts.
● When starting with a cold engine, noise
level
s may briefly increase. This is quite nor-
mal, and no cause for concern.
● When the outside temperature is below
+5°C (+41°F), if the en
gine is diesel, some
smoke may appear under the vehicle when the fuel-operated auxiliary heater is on. Stopping the engine
3 V
alid for vehicles: with starter button.
StepSwitch off the engine with the starter
button ››› page 169.
1.Stop the vehicle completely ››› .
2.Press and hold the brake pedal until the step
4 is performed.
3.If you are driving an automatic vehicle, place
the selector lever in position P.
4.Connect the electronic parking brake
››› page 172.
5.
Briefly press the start-up button ››› Fig. 187.
The START ENGINE STOP button blinks again. If
the engine fails to switch off, perform an emer-
gency disconnect ››› page 170.
6.If the vehicle is equipped with a manual gear-
box, put it into 1st or reverse.» 171
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driving
and the r ed control light of the display in
the d a
sh panel are on.
● Release the button.
Rele
asing the electronic parking brake
● Switch the ignition on.
● Press the button ›››
Fig. 188. At the same
time step hard on the brake pedal or, if the
engine is running, press the accelerator ped-
al slightly.
● The control light of the ›››
Fig. 188 button
(arrow) and the red control light of the dis-
play in the dash panel go out.
Automatic release of the electronic parking
brake on starting the engine
The electronic parking brake is automatically
switched off when starting if, after the driv-
er's door is closed and the driver's seat belt
fastened, any of the following situations take
place:
● On vehicles with an automatic gearbox: A
gear r
ange is engaged or the vehicle is
switched to another one and the accelerator
pedal is lightly pressed.
● In vehicles with a manual gearbox: The
clutc
h pedal is pressed fully before starting
off and the accelerator is pedal lightly press-
ed.
● To facilitate certain manoeuvres there are
exc
eptions that allow the automatic parking brake to be released without the driver's seat
belt being f
astened.
The parking brake can be prevented from be-
ing automatically released by continuously
pulling up the ››› Fig. 188 switch when
starting off.
The electronic parking brake is not discon-
nected until the button is released. This
can facilitate starting off when a heavy load
is towed ››› page 234.
Automatic activation of the electronic park-
ing brake when exiting the vehicle incorrect-
ly
In vehicles with automatic transmission, the
electronic parking brake is activated auto-
matically when exiting the vehicle incorrectly
if: ● The selector lever is in the D/S or R posi-
tion or in the
Tiptronic selection track.
● AND: the vehicle is stationary.
● AND: the driv
er door is
open.
Emergency braking function
Only use the emergency brake function if you
are unable to stop the vehicle with the foot
brake ››› .
● Pull and hold the › ›
›
Fig. 188 button in
this position to forcefully stop the vehicle. At the same time, an acoustic warning can be
heard.
●
T
o stop the braking process, release the
button or pr
ess the accelerator. WARNING
The improper use of the electronic parking
brak e c
an cause accidents and serious injury.
● Never use the electronic parking brake to
stop the
vehicle, unless it is an emergency.
The braking distance can be much longer. Al-
ways use the foot brake.
● Never accelerate from the engine when a
gear r
ange or a gear is engaged and the en-
gine is running. The vehicle could move, even
if the electronic parking brake is activated. CAUTION
To prevent the vehicle from unintentionally
mov in
g when parking it, first apply the elec-
tronic parking brake and then remove your
foot from the brake pedal. Note
● In v ehic
les with a manual gearbox, releas-
ing the clutch and accelerating at the same
time automatically disconnects the electronic
parking brake.
● If the vehicle battery is flat, it will not be
poss
ible to disconnect the electronic parking
brake. Use the jump-start ›››
page 61. » 173
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety