Opening and closing
Deactivating the Safe lock – Press button 2 twice in 2 seconds. Further
inf orm
ation ›
›› page 107.
Unlocking the rear lid
– Press button 3 . Further information
› ›
›
page 114.
Unfolding the key shaft
– Press button 4 .
F o
l
ding the key shaft
– Press button 4 and fold the key shaft back
t o its
origin
al position.
The turn signals will flash twice when the ve-
hicle is unlocked. If the vehicle is unlocked
using button 1 and none of the doors or the
r e
ar lid i
s opened in the following 30 sec-
onds, the vehicle will automatically relock
and the Safe lock or the anti-theft alarm will
be activated. This function prevents the vehi-
cle from being unlocked by mistake.
Locking indication
The turn signals will flash if the vehicle has
been correctly locked.
Should any of the doors or the rear lid remain
open when the vehicle is locked, the turn sig-
nals will only flash when they are closed. WARNING
Do not leave people or animals in vehicles
lock ed fr
om outside with the Safe lock activa-
ted: the doors and windows cannot then be
opened from the inside. Doors locked in this
manner could delay assistance in an emer-
gency. Risk of death! Note
● Only u
se the remote control when the
doors and the rear lid are locked and the ve-
hicle is within sight.
● Do not press the lock button on the re-
mote c ontr
ol before inserting the key in the
ignition, otherwise the vehicle could be
locked by mistake. Should this occur, press
the unlock button on the remote control.
Remote control synchronisation
f the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked
u
s
in
g the remote control, the key code may
not match that of the control unit. This can
occur when the remote control buttons are
frequently pressed outside the range of the
system or if the remote control battery has
been replaced.
In this case, it must be synchronised as fol-
lows:
● Press any key on the remote control key. ●
Open the door usin
g the key within the
next minute.
Keys General
notes Fig. 117
Key with remote control/Key without
r emot
e c
ontrol. Two keys are always supplied with the vehi-
c
l
e. D
epending on the model version, your
car may include keys without remote control
››› Fig. 117 or with remote control
››› Fig. 117 . »
105
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Air conditioning
Economic use of the air-conditioning
sy s
t
em When the air conditioning is switched on, the
compr
e
ssor consumes engine power and has
influence on fuel consumption.
If the vehicle interior has overheated due to
excessive solar radiation, it is best to open
the windows or doors to allow the hot air to
escape.
While in motion, the air conditioning should
not be switched on if the windows are open. If the interior temperature can be reached
without
sw
itching on the air conditioning, the
fresh air mode should be used. For the sake of the environment
Saving fuel reduces emissions. Faults
If the air conditioning does not work at out-
side t
emper
atures above +5°C (+41°F) then the system is faulty. This may be due to one
of the f
o
llowing reasons:
● One of the fuses has blown. Check the fuse
and repl
ace if necessary ››› page 80.
● The air conditioning compressor has
switc
hed off temporarily because of in-
creased engine coolant temperature
››› page 97.
If you cannot repair the fault yourself or
where cooling power continues to drop,
switch off the system. Contact a specialised
service.
Air vents Fig. 168
Air vents Opening air vents 3 and 4
– Turn the vertical circular control upwards. »
143Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
● Pr e
s
s the AUTO button
13
› ››
Fig. 171
.
● Adju
st vents 3 and 4 ›››
page 143 so that
the air flow is directed slightly upwards.
Change between degrees Centigrade and de-
grees Fahrenheit
Keep the AUTO and
A/C
› ››
Fig. 171
b
uttons
held down for 2 seconds at the same time.
The data is displayed on the screen in the
units required. Note
● A v i
sit to the specialised service once a
year is recommended to clean the Climatronic
system.
● The interior temperature sensor 11›››
Fig. 171 is at
the bottom. Do not cover it
with stickers or the like, as this could have a
negative effect on Climatronic operations. Automatic mode
Automatic mode is used to maintain a con-
s
t
ant
temperature and demist the windows
inside the vehicle.
Switching on automatic mode
● Set the interior temperature between +16°C
(+64°F) and +29°C (+84°F).
● Adjus
t vents 3 ›››
page 143 and 4 so that
the air flow is directed slightly upwards. ●
Pres
s the AUTO button
13
› ››
Fig. 171
and
AUTO di
splayed on the screen.
Automatic mode is switched off by pressing
the air distribution buttons or increasing or
decreasing the blower speed. However, the
temperature remains regulated.
Adjusting the temperature ●
When you switch on the ignition, control 1 ›››
Fig. 171 can be u sed t
o set the required in-
terior temperature.
It is possible to select interior temperatures
from +16°C (+64°F) to +29°C (+84°F). In this
range the temperature is regulated automati-
cally. If a temperature below +16°C (+64°F) is
selected, “LO” is displayed on the screen. If a
temperature above +29°C (+84°F) is selected,
“HI” is displayed on the screen. At both ex-
tremes, Climatronic works at maximum cool-
ing or heating power, respectively. The tem-
perature is not regulated.
In the event of prolonged, irregular distribu-
tion of the air flow from the outlets (particu-
larly the footwells) and significant differen-
ces in temperature, e.g. on leaving the vehi-
cle, sensitive people may catch cold. Air recirculation Air recirculation prevents unpleasant smells,
e.g. when p
a
ssing through a tunnel or in
queuing traffic, from entering the interior.
Switching on air recirculation mode
● Press button
17
››› Fig. 171 and the
symbol is displayed on the screen.
Switching off air recirculation mode
● Press button
17
› ›
› Fig. 171
and the
symbol disappears from the screen. WARNING
Read and observe the safety warnings ›››
in
Genera l
notes on page 142. Note
If air recirculation mode remains on for 15 mi-
nute s, the
symbol will start to flash on
the screen to indicate prolonged air recircula-
tion. If air recirculation is not switched off,
the symbol will continue to flash for about 5
minutes. Blower selection
Climatronic automatically regulates blower
s
peed ac
c
ording to the interior temperature.
148
Driving
more than 2 seconds) to position D or R at
s peed
s
of less than 5 km/h (3 mph) and
when the vehicle is stationary, press down on
the brake pedal.
D – Drive (forwards)
In thi s
po
sition, the gearbox automatically
changes to a lower or higher gear, depending
on engine requirements, the driving speed
and the gear shift programme.
To move the selector lever to position D from
position N at speeds of less than 5 km/h (3
mph) and when the vehicle is stationary,
press down on the brake pedal.
In some situations (e.g. on mountain roads or
when towing a trailer or caravan), it can be
advantageous to switch temporarily to the
manual shift programme ››› page 159 so that
the gear ratios can be selected manually to
suit driving conditions.
S – Sports driving position
Shif tin
g up l
ater than usual makes full use of
the engine power. This shifts down earlier in
relation to position D.
To move the selector lever to position S from
position D, press the interlock button on the
selector lever knob. Tiptronic
Fig. 179
Selector lever: Tiptronic. The Tiptronic gearbox allows the driver to
c
h
an
ge gears manually using the selector
lever.
Activating the manual gearbox
– From position D, push the sel
ector lever to
the right. The selected position of the se-
lector lever is shown on the general instru-
ment panel display together with the gear
engaged 1
› ›
› Fig. 178
.
Shifting up – Push the selector lever gently forwards + ›››
Fig. 179.
Shiftin g do
wn
– Push the selector lever gently backwards
-
› ›
› Fig. 179
. The manual gearbox can be activated when
the vehic
le is either moving or stationary.
When accelerating, the gearbox automatical-
ly shifts up shortly before the maximum en-
gine speed is reached.
On shifting up, the gear is only engaged
when there is no risk of engine damage.
When the accelerator pedal is pressed down
to the kick-down zone, the gearbox will shift
down in line with the road speed and engine
speed. Note
The kick-down function is also available in
manua l
shift mode. Selector lever lock
Automatic selector lever lock
The sel ect
or l
ever is locked in the positions P
and N when the ignition is on. Press down on
the brake to unlock it. Remember, if the se-
lector lever is in positions P and N, the warn-
ing lamp will light up on the general in-
strument panel.
When the selector lever merely moves
through position N (e.g. when moved from R
to D), the lever lock is not applied. This
makes it possible, for example, to rock a
stuck vehicle backwards and forwards. The »
159
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
lock is only applied if the brake is not press-
ed and the sel ect
or l
ever is moved to position
N for more than 2 seconds.
The selector lever only locks when the is vehi-
cle stationary or driving at a speed lower
than 5 km/h (3 mph). At a higher speed, it
automatically disconnects in the N position.
Interlock button
The interlock button on the selector lever
knob prevents the driver from inadvertently
engaging a gear. Press the button to unlock
the selector lever.
Safety interlock for ignition key 1)
After switching off the ignition, you can only
remove the ignition key if the selector lever is
in position P. When the ignition key is re-
moved, the selector lever is locked in posi-
tion P.
Driving programmes Your vehicle is equipped with an electronical-
ly
-c
ontr
olled automatic gearbox. Shifting up
or down depends on the programme selec-
ted.
For a calm driving style, the gearbox uses the
most economic programme. The gearbox shifts up as quickly as possible and shifts
down as
late as possible, thus increasing
driving economy.
With a sporty driving style , characterised by
sudden acceleration, heavy acceleration,
speeds that often increase and decrease and
maximum speed, the gearbox adapts to this
driving style when the accelerator is pressed
down fully (kick-down) by shifting down as
quickly as possible and can even shift down
by several gears at once.
Selecting the best driving programmes is an
endless job. Regardless of this, the driver can
also make the gearbox switch to a more dy-
namic gear shift programme by pressing the
accelerator quickly. This makes the automatic
gearbox shift down into a lower gear than the
one that would normally apply to the current
speed, allowing for more rapid acceleration
(e.g. to overtake another vehicle) without
having to press the accelerator until the kick-
down position. On shifting up in a corre-
sponding driving style, the gearbox returns to
the original programme.
When driving along mountain roads, the
gearbox adapts to the gradients. This avoids
having to frequently change gears when driv-
ing uphill. In Tiptronic mode, it is possible to
shift down manually when driving downhill to
use the braking effect of the engine. Backup programme A back-up programme exists in case of faults.
In the event
of
a fault in the gearbox electron-
ics, it will continue to work in one of the cor-
responding back-up programmes. All seg-
ments of the screen are lit up or switched off.
The fault can be seen as follows:
● The gearbox only engages certain gears
● Reverse gear R cannot be en
gaged
● The manual gearbox switches off in the
bac k
-up programme Note
If the gearbox switches to the back-up pro-
gramme, v
isit an Authorised Service as soon
as possible to solve the problem. Gearbox malfunctions
Gearbox: Fault! Stop the ve-
hicle and place the lever in the
position P.
There i s
a fault in the gearbox. Stop the vehi-
cle in a safe place and do not continue driv-
ing. Seek specialist assistance. 1)
Valid only for certain countries.
160
Driving
Gearbox: System fault! You
may continue driving.
Hav e the f
au
lt corrected by a specialised
workshop without delay.
Gearbox: System fault! You
can continue driving with re-
strictions. Reverse gear disa‐
bled
Take the vehicle to a specialised workshop
and have the fault repaired without delay. Gearbox: System fault! You
can continue driving in D until
switching off the engine
Stop the vehicle in a safe place well away
from moving traffic. Seek specialist assis-
tance. Gearbox: too hot. Adapt your
driving accordingly
Continue driving at moderate speeds. When
the warning lamp switches off, you can con-
tinue driving in a normal manner. Gearbox: press the brake and
engage a gear again.
If the fault was caused by a gearbox with a
high temperature, this driver message will be
displayed when the gearbox has cooled
again. Run-in and economical driving
The first 1,500 km Over the first 1,500 kilometres the engine
mus
t
be run in.
Up to 1000 kilometres
– Do not drive at more than 3/4 of the maxi-
mum speed corr
esponding to the engaged
gear, i.e. up to 3/4 of the maximum permit-
ted engine speed.
– Do not drive at full speed.
– Avoid high engine speeds.
– Do not tow a trailer.
From 1000 t o 1500 k
ilometres (600 to 900
miles)
– Slowly increase the engine speed until
re
aching the maximum permitted speed of
the engaged gear, i.e. the maximum per-
mitted engine speed.
During its first few hours of running, the in-
ternal friction in the engine is greater than
later on, when all the moving parts have bed-
ded in. How the vehicle is driven over approx-
imately the first 1,500 kilometres (900
miles), determines the success of the proc-
ess of running in the engine. Even after running in, the vehicle should not
be unnece
ssarily driven at high engine
speeds. The maximum permitted engine
speed is marked at the start of the red zone
on the rev counter dial. The gear must be
changed up when the red area is reached in
vehicles with a manual gearbox. Extremely
high engine speeds when accelerating are
automatically limited, however the engine is
not protected against high engine speeds
produced by incorrectly changing to a lower
gear, which could cause the engine to run at
revs above the maximum permitted amount,
and consequently result in damage to the en-
gine.
Additionally, vehicles with a manual gearbox
must also bear the following in mind: do not
drive with the engine speed too low. Change
down to a lower gear when the engine no
longer runs smoothly. Observe the recom-
mendations for changing gear
››› page 25.
New tyres
New tyres must be submitted to “running in”,
given that initially their grip is not yet at the
maximum level. During the first 500 km (120
miles) drive very carefully.
New brake pads
New brake pads do not yet provide maximum
friction capacity. First they must be “run in”. »
161
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driving
engine at high rpm in the lower gears uses
an u nnec
e
ssary amount of fuel.
Manual gearbox: shift up from first to second
gear as soon as possible. We recommend
that, whenever possible, you change to a
higher gear upon reaching 2000 rpm. Follow
the “recommended gear” indication that ap-
pears on the instrument panel
››› page 25.
Avoid driving at high speed
We advise you not to drive at the top speed
permitted by the vehicle. Fuel consumption,
exhaust emissions and noise levels all in-
crease very rapidly at higher speeds. Driving
at moderate speeds will help to save fuel.
Avoid idling
It is worthwhile switching off the engine
when waiting in a traffic jam, at level cross-
ings or at traffic lights with a long red phase.
The fuel saved after only 30 - 40 seconds is
greater than the amount of fuel needed to re-
start the engine.
The engine takes a long time to warm up
when it is idling. Mechanical wear and pollu-
tant emissions are also especially high dur-
ing this initial warm-up phase. It is therefore
best to drive off immediately after starting
the engine. Avoid running the engine at high
speed. Periodic maintenance
Periodic m
aintenance work guarantees that,
before beginning a journey, you will not con-
sume more than the required amount of fuel.
A well-serviced engine gives you the benefit
of improved fuel efficiency as well as maxi-
mum reliability and an enhanced resale val-
ue.
A badly serviced engine can consume up to
10% more fuel than necessary.
Avoid short journeys
To reduce the consumption and emission of
polluting exhaust gases, the engine and the
exhaust gas filtration systems should reach
the optimum operating temperature.
With the engine cold, fuel consumption is
proportionally higher. The engine does not
warm up and fuel consumption does not nor-
malise until having driven approximately four
kilometres (2.5 miles). This is why we recom-
mend avoiding short trips whenever possi-
ble.
Maintain the correct tyre pressures
Bear in mind that keeping the tyres at an ad-
equate pressure saves fuel. If the tyre pres-
sure is just one bar (14.5 psi/100 kPa) too
low, fuel consumption can increase by as
much as 5%. Due to the greater rolling resist-
ance, under-inflation also increases tyre wear
wear and impairs handling. The tyre pressures should always be checked
when the tyre
s are cold.
Do not use winter tyres all year round as they
increase fuel consumption by up to 10%.
Avoid unnecessary weight
Given that every kilo of extra weight will in-
crease the fuel consumption, it is advisable
to always check the luggage compartment to
make sure that no unnecessary loads are be-
ing transported.
A roof rack is often left in place for the sake
of convenience, even when it is no longer
needed. At a speed of 100 km/h (62 mph)
and 120 km/h (75 mph) your vehicle will use
about 12% more fuel as a result of the extra
wind resistance caused by the roof rack even
when it is not in use.
Save electricity
The engine activates the alternator, which
produces electricity. With the need for elec-
tricity, fuel consumption also increases. Be-
cause of this, always turn off electrical devi-
ces when you do not need them. Examples of
devices that use a lot of electricity are: the
fan at high speeds, the rear window heating
and the seat heaters*. Note
● If y
ou vehicle has Start-Stop, it is not rec-
ommended to switch this function off. » 163
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Advice
– Chec k
th
at the fuel flap is correctly closed.
Vehicles with a keyless fuel cap (the side
flap will unlock using the central locking sys-
tem)
– Once the vehicle has been unlocked using
the central
locking button, press the fuel
flap in the direction of the arrow 1›››
Fig. 203.
– Open the cover in the direction indicated
by
the arr
ow 2 .
– Unscrew the tank cap anti-clockwise and
pl
ac
e it on top of the tank flap ››› Fig. 203
.
– Insert the pump nozzle into the fuel feed
tube as
far as it will go.
The fuel tank is full as soon as the automatic
filler nozzle cuts out ››› .
– Remove the pump nozzle from the fuel feed
tube and p
l
ace it back on the pump.
– Screw the tank cap clockwise until it clicks
into pl
ace.
– Close the tank flap. Make sure you hear it
click
into place.
– Check that the fuel flap is properly closed. WARNING
Observe all relevant statutory regulations on
tran s
porting spare fuel canisters. For safety reasons, we do not recommend carrying a
sp
ar
e canister in the vehicle. The canister
could be damaged in an accident and fuel
may leak. Risk of fire! CAUTION
● Sw itc
h off the auxiliary heater (heater and
independent heater) before filling the tank.
● The fuel tank is full as soon as the automat-
ic fil
ler nozzle cuts out. Do not continue fill-
ing, as this will fill the expansion chamber.
● Never completely empty the tank! An irreg-
ular f
uel supply can cause ignition faults,
which can result in damage to a substantial
amount of engine parts and the exhaust sys-
tem.
● If any fuel is spilt onto the paintwork of the
vehicl
e, it should be removed immediately.
Risk of damage to paintwork! Note
There is no emergency mechanism for the
manua l
release of the fuel tank flap. If neces-
sary, request assistance from specialised per-
sonnel. Note
The fuel tank capacity is around 55 litres, of
which 7 litr e
s are the reserve. Types of petrol
The correct grade of petrol is listed inside the
fuel
t
ank flap.
The vehicle is equipped with a catalytic con-
verter and must only be run on unleaded pet-
rol. The petrol must comply with European
Standard EN 228 or German standard DIN
51626-1 and must be unleaded. You can re-
fuel with a maximum ethanol proportion of
10 % (E10). The types of petrol are differenti-
ated by their octane rating (RON).
The following titles appear on the corre-
sponding adhesive on the fuel tank flap:
Super unleaded 95 octane or normal 91 oc-
tane unleaded petrol
We recommend you use super 95 octane pet-
rol. If this is not available: normal 91 octane
petrol, with a slight decrease in power.
Super unleaded petrol with a minimum of 95
octanes
You should use super petrol with a minimum
of 95 octanes.
If super is not available, in an emergency you
may refuel with normal 91 octane petrol. In
this case only use moderate engine speeds
and a light throttle. Refuel with super as soon
as possible.
200