Operation
Instruments V iew of
in
strument panelFig. 95
Instrument panel, on dash panel: variant 1 (A) and variant 2 (B). Details of the instruments
››
›
Fig. 95:
Speedometer. Depending on the
vehicle in km/h or in mph.
Displays on the screen . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Reset knob for trip rec
order (trip).
– Press the button 0.0/SET bri
efly to
sw it
ch the trip odometer and od-
ometer.
1 2
3 –
Pr e
s
s the 0.0/SET for
5 seconds
t
o
r
eset the odometer to zero and,
where necessary, other indicators
on the multifunction display. . . . .22
Fuel reserve display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Revolution counter (with the engine
ru
nning, in thousands of revolu-
tions per minute).
The beginning of the red zone of
the revolution counter indicates the
4 5 maximum speed in any gear after
ru
nnin
g
-in and with the engine hot.
However, it is advisable to change
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 ››› .
C loc
k
set button .
– If necessary, change the time dis-
play by pressing the top and
6
88
General instrument panel
bottom buttons of the rocker
sw it
c
h ›››
Fig. 33
B .
– Pr e
s
s the button to change
the hour , so th
at
it is flashing.
– To continue setting the time,
press button 0.0/SET . Hold button
do wn t
o s
croll through the num-
bers quickly.
– Press the button again to
c h
an
ge the minutes, so that it
flashes.
– To continue setting the time,
press button 0.0/SET . Hold button
do wn t
o s
croll through the num-
bers quickly.
– Press button again to end the
c loc
k
setting. CAUTION
● When the engine i s
cold, avoid high revs
and heavy acceleration and do not make the
engine work hard.
● To prevent damage to the engine, the revo-
lution count
er needle should only remain in
the red zone for a short period of time. For the sake of the environment
Changing up a gear in time reduces fuel con-
sumption and noi se. Indications on the display
A variety of information can be viewed on the
ins
trument
panel display ››› Fig. 95 2 , de-
pending on the v
ehicle equipment:
● Warning and information messages.
● Odometer.
● Time.
● Outside temperature.
● Selector lever positions ›››
page 143.
● Recommended gear (manual gearbox)
›› ›
page 143.
● Multifunction display (MFI) ›››
page 22
● Service interval display ›››
page 90 .
● Start-Stop system status display
›››
page 161.
● Fuel gauge ›››
page 182.
● Seat belt status display for rear seats
›››
page 52.
Warning and information messages
The system runs a check on certain compo-
nents and functions when the ignition is
switched on and while the vehicle is moving.
Faults in the operation are displayed on the
screen using red and yellow symbols on the
instrument panel display ( ›››
page 24)
and, in some cases, with audible warnings.
The display may vary according to the type of
instrument panel fitted.
Priority 1 warning (red symbols)
Symbol flashing or lit; partly combined with audible
warnings.
Stop the vehicle! It is dangerous ››› !
Check the function that is faulty and repair it. If necessa-
ry, request assistance from specialised personnel.
Priority 2 warning (yellow symbols)
Symbol flashing or lit; partly combined with audible
warnings.
A faulty function, or fluids which are below the correct
levels may cause damage to the vehicle! ›››
Check the faulty function as soon as possible. If neces-
sary, request assistance from specialised personnel. Odometer
The odomet
er
r
egisters the total distance
travelled by the car.
The odometer (trip ) shows the distance
travelled since the last odometer reset. The
last figure indicates 100 m.
Outside temperature indicator!
When the outside temperature is below +4 °C
(+39 °F), the symbol “ice crystal” (warning of
risk of freezing) is also displayed next to the
temperature. At first this symbol flashes and
then it remains lit until the outside tempera-
ture rises above +6 °C (+43 °F) ››› .
When the v
ehic
le is stationary or travelling at
very low speeds, the temperature displayed
may be slightly higher than the actual »
89
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
outside temperature as a result of heat com-
in g fr
om the en
gine.
The temperatures measured range from
-40 °C to +50 °C (-40 °F to +122 °F).
Selector lever position
The range of engaged gears of the selector
lever is shown on the side of the lever, and
on the instrument panel display. In positions
D and M, and with the Tiptronic, the corre-
sponding gear is also indicated on the dis-
play.
Recommended gear* (manual gearbox)
The recommended gear to save fuel can be
displayed on the instrument panel display
while you are driving ››› page 143.
Seat belt status display for the rear seats*
The seat belt status display on the instru-
ment panel display informs the driver, when
the ignition is switched on, whether any pas-
sengers in the rear seats have fastened their
seat belts ››› page 52.
Start-Stop system status display
The instrument panel display shows informa-
tion on the current status ››› page 161. WARNING
If the warning lamps are ignored, the vehicle
ma y
stall in traffic, or may cause accidents
and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible.
● A faulty vehicle represents a risk of acci-
dent for the driv
er and for other road users. If
necessary, switch on the hazard warning
lamps and put out the warning triangle to ad-
vise other drivers.
● Park the vehicle away from traffic and en-
sure th
at no highly flammable materials are
under the vehicle that could come into con-
tact with the exhaust system (e.g. dry grass,
fuel). WARNING
Even though outside temperatures are above
freez in
g, some roads and bridges may be icy.
● At outside temperatures above +4°C
(+39°F), even when the “ice c
rystal symbol”
is not visible, there may still be patches of ice
on the road.
● Do not rely on the outside temperature in-
dicator! CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps when they
appe ar m
ay result in faults in the vehicle. Note
● Differ ent
versions of the instrument panel
are available and therefore the versions and
instructions on the display may vary.
● When several warnings are active at the
same time, the symbol
s are shown succes-
sively for a few seconds and will stay on until
the fault is rectified. Service interval display
The inspection message appears on the in-
s
trument
p
anel display ›››
Fig. 95 2 .
S EA
T di
stinguishes between services with en-
gine oil change (Oil change Service) and
services without engine oil change (Inspec-
tion Service). The service interval display only
gives information for service dates which in-
volve an engine oil change. The dates of the
remaining services (e.g. the next Inspection
Service or change of brake fluid) are listed on
the label attached to the door strut, or in the
Maintenance Programme.
The set service intervals have been specified
with the service dependent on time/distance
travelled.
Inspection reminder
If the inspection period is due to expire
shortly, Inspection reminder appears when
starting the ignition abbreviated to
and a
90
General instrument panel
warning in km . The number of
k ilometres
shown is the maximum number that may be
driven until the next service.
Service due
After the service date, an audible warning is
given when the ignition is switched on and
the abbreviation displayed on the screen
flashes for a few seconds. Note
The service message disappears after a few
second s, when the en
gine is started or when
OK is pressed on the windscreen wiper lever.
Note
In vehicles whose batteries have been dis-
connect ed f
or a long period of time, it will not
be possible to calculate the next service date.
Therefore the service interval display may not
be correct. In this case, bear in mind the max-
imum service intervals permitted in the
››› Booklet Maintenance Programme. 91
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
OperationFunctionNecessary operations
Locks the vehicle with-
out the "Safe" security
system.
Press the button twice on
the vehicle key.
Press the central locking but-
ton on the driver door
once. When the vehicle is locked, the "Safe" securi-
ty sy
s
tem deactivates the door handles, mak-
ing the vehicle difficult to open. The doors
cannot be opened from inside ››› .
Upon sw it
ching off the ignition, the instru-
ment panel display will show that the “dead-
lock” is activated or (SAFELOCK or SAFE-
LOCK ).
When the deadlock is switched off: ● The vehicle can be opened and unlocked
from the in s
ide using an inside door handle.
Control lamp on the driver door
When the vehicle is
locked:Meaning
The red LED flashes for ap-
proximately 2 seconds at
short intervals and then more
slowly.The "Safe" security
system is switched on.
The red LED flashes for about
two seconds then turns off. Af-
ter 30 seconds, the LED flash-
es again.The "Safe" security
system is switched off.
When the vehicle is
locked:Meaning
The red LED flashes for about
two seconds at short inter-
vals. Subsequently, the light
will remain switched on for
about. 30 seconds.There is a fault in the
locking system. Con-
tact a specialised
workshop. WARNING
Careless use of the "Safe" security system
can c au
se serious injury.
● Never leave anybody inside the vehicle if it
has
been locked using the key. When the
"Safe" security system is activated, doors
cannot be opened from the inside!
● When the doors are locked, it is difficult to
get t
o passengers in the vehicle interior in
case of an emergency. Passengers could re-
main trapped inside and unable to unlock the
doors in case of an emergency. Doors
Intr oduction WARNING
If a door is not correctly closed, it could open
une xpect
edly when driving and cause serious
injuries. ●
Alw a
ys stop immediately and close the
door.
● When closing, ensure that the door has
closed c
orrectly. A closed door should be
flush with the corresponding parts of the
bodywork.
● Open and close doors only when nobody is
in the way
of the door. WARNING
A door held open by its retainer could be
b lo wn c
losed by the wind or close if the vehi-
cle is on a hill, causing injury.
● When opening and closing doors, always
use the door handl
e. Childproof lock
Fig. 105
Childproof lock on the left hand side
door 98
Operation
Air conditioning
He atin
g,
ventilation and cool-
ing
Introduction Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 27
One of the following systems can be installed
in the vehicle:
● Heating and fresh air system
● Manual air conditioning
● Climatronic
The heatin g and fr
esh air system heats and
ventilates the passenger compartment. The
heating and fresh air system cannot cool.
The manual air conditioning and the Clima-
tronic cool and dehumidify the air. Its opti-
mum output is achieved with the windows
and the glass sunroof closed. In case of con-
siderable heat build-up in the passenger
compartment, ventilating this compartment
can accelerate the cooling process.
Display of active functions
The luminous diodes (LED) that light up on
the rotary regulators and on the buttons that
indicate that the corresponding function is
activated. In the case of the Climatronic, the functions
that ar
e activated are shown on the control
panel display. WARNING
When visibility through the windows is poor,
the risk of
accidents or collisions taking place
is increased, which can lead to serious inju-
ries.
● To obtain good visibility, keep the windows
free of ic
e, snow and frost.
● Set the heating, the air conditioner and the
rear w
indow defroster so that the windows do
not mist over.
● Only put the car in gear when there is good
vis
ibility through the windows.
● Do not use the air recirculation for a long
time period. With the c
ooling disconnected
and the air recirculation connected, the win-
dows can quickly mist over and seriously ob-
struct visibility.
● Disconnect the air recirculation whenever it
is not
needed. WARNING
Stale air can quickly bring about fatigue for
the driver and r educ
e his/her capacity to con-
centrate, which could lead to collisions, acci-
dents and serious injuries.
● Never disconnect the blower for an exten-
ded time or never le
ave the air recirculation
disconnected for an extended time, since in the meantime, no outside fresh air shall enter
the pa
s
senger compartment. CAUTION
If the air conditioner does not work, discon-
nect it immedi
ately together with the defrost-
ing/demisting function (in the case of manual
air conditioning) and have the system
checked out by a specialised workshop. In
this way, other damage can be avoided. CAUTION
To avoid damage to the rear window defrost-
er , u nder no c
ircumstances should you stick
any adhesives on the electrical filaments of
the interior side of this defroster. Air recirculation
In air recirculation mode, no fresh air enters
the
v
ehic
le interior.
To connect the air recirculation, move the
regulator towards the right or press the
button .
T o di
s
connect the air recirculation, move the
regulator towards the left or press the but-
ton again
› ›
›
.
130
Operation
lock and it will not be possible to turn the
st
eerin
g wheel. Control and warning lamps
It lights up red
Power steer-
ing faulty.The steering system should be checked
by a specialised workshop as soon as
possible.
It lights up yellow
Power steer-
ing opera-
tion re-
duced.
The steering system should be checked
by a specialised workshop as soon as
possible.
If, after restarting the engine and driv-
ing for a short distance, the yellow
warning lamp no longer comes on, it will
not be necessary to take the vehicle to a
specialised workshop.
Flashes red
Fault in the
steering col-
umn elec-
tronic lock.
Do not drive on!
Seek professional advice.
It flashes yellow
Steering col-
umn devia-
tion.Gently turn the steering wheel to and
fro.
It flashes yellow
Steering
wheel not
unlocked or
locked.
Remove the key from the ignition and
then switch the ignition back on. If nec-
essary, check the messages displayed
on the instrument panel display.
Do not drive on, if
the steering column
remains locked after the ignition has
been switched on. Seek specialist assis-
tance. Several warning and control lamps light up
for a f
ew sec
onds when the ignition is switch-
ed on, signalling that the function is being
verified. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds. WARNING
If the warning lamps are ignored, the vehicle
ma y
stall in traffic, or may cause accidents
and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible. CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps when they
appe ar m
ay result in faults in the vehicle. Information on the steering
To prevent theft, we recommend you lock the
s
t
eerin
g before leaving the vehicle. Steering column mechanical lock
Lock
the steering column by removing the
key from the ignition when the vehicle is
stopped.
Please engage steer-
ing lockUnlocking the steering
Parking the vehicle
››› page 137.Insert the key in the igni-
tion lock.
Remove the key from the
ignition.Turn the steering wheel
slightly to release the
steering lock.
Turn the steering wheel
slightly until you hear the
steering lock.Hold the steering wheel in
this position and switch
on the ignition. Electromechanical power steering
W
ith the po
w
er steering system, the assisted
steering function automatically adjusts ac-
cording to the vehicle speed, the steering tor-
que and the wheel turning angle. The power
steering only works when the engine is run-
ning.
You should remember that you will need con-
siderably more power than normal to steer
the vehicle if the power steering is not work-
ing correctly or not at all.
134
Driving
Stopping and starting the en-
gine Sw it
c
hing on the ignition and starting
the engine Fig. 145
Vehicle key positions Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 20
Immobiliser display
When an invalid key is used or in the event of
a system fault, is displayed on the instru-
ment panel. The engine cannot be started.
Pushing or towing
For technical reasons, the vehicle must not
be push- or tow-started. Jump starting is pref-
erable. Key not authorised for the vehicle
If a key
which is not authorised for this vehi-
cle is inserted in the ignition lock, it can be
removed as follows:
● Automatic gearbox : the key c
annot be re-
moved from the ignition lock. Press and re-
lease the selector lever locking button. Key
can be removed from the vehicle.
● Manual gearbox: Remov
e the key from the
ignition. WARNING
Switching off the engine while driving makes
st op
ping the vehicle difficult. As a conse-
quence you may lose control of the vehicle
and there is a risk of serious accident.
● The assisted braking and steering systems,
the airbag sys
tem, seat belts and certain
safety equipment are only active while the
engine is running.
● The engine should only be switched off
when the vehic
le is at a standstill. WARNING
While the engine is running or starting it
cou l
d help reduce the risk of serious injury.
● Never start or leave the engine running in
poorly v
entilated or closed spaces. Exhaust
gas contains carbon monoxide, a toxic, col-
ourless and odourless gas. Carbon monoxide
can cause people to lose consciousness. It
can also cause death. ●
Never l e
ave the vehicle unattended if the
engine is running. The vehicle could move off
suddenly or something unexpected could
happen resulting in damage and serious in-
jury.
● Never use start boosters. Cold start sprays
coul
d explode or increase the engine speed
unexpectedly. WARNING
The components of the exhaust system reach
v er y
high temperatures. This could cause a
fire and considerable damage.
● Always park your vehicle so that no part of
the exhau
st system can come in contact with
flammable materials (such as wood, leaves,
spilled fuel, dried grass, etc).
● Never apply additional underseal or anti-
corro
sion coatings to the exhaust pipes, cata-
lytic converter or the heat shields on the ex-
haust system. WARNING
Unsuitable or careless use of the vehicle key
cou l
d result in serious injury.
● Always take all the keys with you whenever
you le
ave the vehicle. If not, the engine could
accidentally be started and electrical equip-
ment such as the windows could accidentally
be operated resulting in serious injury.
● Never leave children or disabled people
alone in the car
. Passengers could be trapped » 135
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety