Operation
CAUTION
● When the engine i s
cold, avoid high revs
and heavy acceleration and do not make the
engine work hard. Indications on the display
A variety of information can be viewed on the
ins
trument
panel display ››› Fig. 124 3 de-
pending on the v
ehicle equipment:
● Bonnet, rear lid and doors open
›› ›
page 38.
● Information and warning texts.
● Mileage.
● Time.
● Navigation instructions.
● Outside temperature.
● Compass.
● Shift lever position ›››
page 183.
● Recommended gear (manual gearbox)
›››
page 39.
● Multifunction display (MFD) and menus
with differ
ent setting options ›››
page 35.
● Service interval display ›››
page 41.
● Second speed display ›››
page 35.
● Speed warning function ›››
page 40.
● Start-Stop system status display
›››
page 196. ●
Identifyin
g letters on engine (MKB).
Distance 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. 124 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. 124
4 pressed for more than 3 seconds to select
the hour or minut e di
s
play.
● To continue setting the time, press button
4 . Hold button down to scroll through the
number s
quic
kly.
● 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 the S
ET
TINGS function button in the Easy
C onnect
sy
stem ››› page 118. Compass
With the ignition on and the nav
igation 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 39.
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 for 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
ET
TINGS function button
› ›
›
page 118.
114
Instruments and warning/control lamps
Fuel level Fig. 126
Fuel gauge. The display
6
› ›
› Fig. 124 only works when
the ignition is switched on. When the display
reaches the reserve mark, the lower diode
lights up in red and the control lamp ap-
pears ››› page 113. When the fuel level is very
low, the lower diode flashes in red.
The distance to empty fuel level is displayed
on the instrument panel 3
› ›
› Fig. 124
.
You can consult the tank capacity of your ve-
hicle in the ›››
page 54 section. CAUTION
Never run the fuel tank completely dry. An ir-
re gu
lar fuel supply could cause misfiring. In
this way the unburned fuel can reach the ex-
haust system, which could cause the catalytic
converter to overheat resulting in damage. Warning and control lamps
W arnin
g symbo
ls Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 44
There are red warning symbols (priority 1)
and yellow warning symbols (priority 2).
Warning messages, Priority 1 (red)
If one of these faults occurs, the warning
lamp will light up or flash and will be accom-
panied by three audible warnings. This is a
danger warning. Stop the vehicle and switch
off the engine. Check the fault and correct it.
Obtain professional assistance if necessary.
If several priority 1 faults are detected at the
same time, the symbols will be displayed one
after the other for about 2 seconds at a time
and will continue until the fault is corrected.
No menus will be shown in the display for the
duration of a priority 1 warning message.
Examples of priority 1 warning messages
(red)
● Brake system symbol with the warnin
g
message STOP BRAKE FLUID INSTRUC-
TION MANUAL or STOP BRAKE FAULT IN-
STRUCTION MANUAL .
● Coolant symbol with the warnin
g mes-
sage STOP SEE COOLANT INSTRUCTION
MANUAL . ●
Engine oil
pressure symbol with the
warning message STOP ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LOW! INSTRUCTION MANUAL .
Warning messages, Priority 2 (yellow)
If one of these faults occurs, the correspond-
ing warning lamp lights up and is accompa-
nied by an audible warning. Check the corre-
sponding function as soon as possible al-
though the vehicle may be used without risk.
If several priority 2 warning messages are de-
tected at the same time, the symbols are dis-
played one after the other for about 2 sec-
onds at a time. After a set time, the informa-
tion text will disappear and the symbol will
be shown as a reminder at the side of the
display.
Priority 2 warning messages will not be
shown until all Priority 1 warning messages
have been dealt with!
Examples of priority 2 warning reports (yel-
low):*
● Fuel warning light with the information text
PLEASE REFUEL . WARNING
If the warning lamps and messages are ignor-
ed, the v ehic
le may stall in traffic, or may
cause accidents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps or text
mess
ages. » 117
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
For the sake of the environment
Please dispose of your used batteries correct-
ly and w ith r
espect for the environment.Synchronising the remote control key
If it is not possible to unlock or lock the door
with the r
emot
e control, it should be re-
synchronised.
While the vehicle is open:
– Press the button 2
› ›
›
Fig. 133 on the re-
mote control.
– Then close the vehicle using the key shaft
within one minute.
Whi
le the vehicle is closed:
– Press the button 1
› ›
›
Fig. 133 on the re-
mote control.
– Then close the vehicle using the key shaft
within one minute.
It
is possible that the vehicle could no longer
be opened and closed with the remote con-
trol if the button is repeatedly pressed out-
side of the effective range of the radio fre-
quency remote control. The remote control
key will have to be resynchronised. Spare remote control keys are available at
your T
echnical Service, where they must be
matched to the locking system.
Up to five remote control keys can be used.
Central locking system Des
cription Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 15.
The central locking system enables you to
lock and unlock all doors and the rear lid by
just pushing the button.
Central locking can be activated by using any
of the following options:
● the key, by inserting it into the driver door
cylinder and r ot
ating it in the opening direc-
tion. Depending on the vehicle version, ei-
ther all doors will be unlocked or only the
driver door will be unlocked. All doors will be
locked on locking the vehicle using the key.
● the interior central lock button
›››
page 128.
● the radio frequency remote control , usin
g
the buttons on the key ›››
page 124.
Various functions are available to improve
the vehicle safety: Locking system “Safe*”
Selective* u
nlocking system
Self-locking system to prevent involunta-
ry unlocking
Automatic speed dependent locking and
unlocking system*
Emergency unlocking system
Unlocking the vehicle* Press button ››› Fig. 133 on remote
control to unlock all the doors and rear
lid.
Locking the vehicle* Press button ››› Fig. 133 on the remote
control to lock all doors and the rear lid
or turn the key in the door to lock all
doors and the rear lid. WARNING
● Loc k
ing from the outside carelessly or with-
out good visibility may lead to bruising, par-
ticularly in the case of children.
● When locking a vehicle, never leave chil-
dren un
accompanied inside, as from the out-
side it will be difficult to provide assistance if
required.
● Having the doors locked prevents intruders
from gettin
g in, for example when stopped at
a traffic light. –
–
–
–
–
–
–
126
Operation
Switching lights on and off Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 30
The driver is personally responsible for the
correct use and adjustment of the lights in all
situations. Note
● The le g
al requirements regarding the use of
vehicle lights in each country must be ob-
served.
● The dipped beam headlights will only work
with the ignition on. The s
ide lights come on
automatically when the ignition is turned off.
● If the lights are left on after the key has
been taken out
of the ignition lock, an audi-
ble warning sounds while the driver door re-
mains open. This is a reminder to switch the
lights off.
● The rear fog light can dazzle drivers behind
you. Y
ou should use the rear fog light only
when visibility is very poor. For this reason, if
you exceed approximately 60 km/h (38 mph),
the instrument panel will display the follow-
ing warming: Switch off the fog light!
● The use of the lighting described here is
subj
ect to the relevant statutory require-
ments. Automatic lighting*
Activation
– Rotate the switch to the po
sition, this
indication will light up.
Deactivation
– Turn the light switch to .
Automatic
lighting
If automatic headlight control is switched on,
dipped beam headlights are automatically
switched on by a photosensor if you drive in-
to a tunnel, for example. WARNING
● Ev en if
the automatic headlight control is
switched on, the dipped beam headlights will
not be switched on with fog. Therefore, the
dipped beam must be switched on manually. Note
● For v
ehicles with the automatic headlight
system, when the key is removed from the ig-
nition, the audible warning will only sound if
the light knob is in position .
● The use of the lighting described here is
subj
ect to the relevant statutory require-
ments. ●
Do not p ut
stickers on the windscreen in
front of the sensor. This may cause disrup-
tions or faults in the automatic lighting sys-
tem.
● The rain sensor switches on the dipped
beam hea
dlights when the windscreen wipers
have been operating continuously for a few
seconds and it switches the lights off when
the continuous or interval wipe is switched
off for some minutes. Daytime running lights
The daytime running lights consist of individ-
ual
lights, int
e
grated in the front headlights.
By connecting the daytime running lights,
these lights are switched on 1)
››› .
The d a
ytime ru
nning lights switch on every
time the ignition is switched on, if the switch
is in positions or , according to the level
of exterior lighting.
When the light switch is in position , a
light sensor automatically switches dipped
beam on and off (including the control and
instrument lighting) or the daytime running
lights depending on the level of exterior
lighting. 1)
On vehicles equipped with rear LED lights, the rear
side light i
s switched on as well.
138
Lights and visibility
WARNING
● Never driv e w
ith daytime lights if the road
is not well lit due to weather or lighting con-
ditions. Daytime lights do not provide
enough light to illuminate the road properly
or be seen by other road users.
● On vehicles with rear lights with bulbs,
when activating the d
aytime running light
the rear lights are not switched on. A vehicle
which does not have the rear lights on may
not be visible to other drivers in the dark-
ness, in the case of heavy rain or in condi-
tions of poor visibility. Fog lights
Fig. 144
Dash panel: light control. Switching on the front fog lights*
● Turn the switch from position
or
t o the fir
st stop and pull it. The symbol in
the light switch lights up. Switching on the rear fog light (vehicles with
front f
og lights)
● Turn the lights control from position
or to the second stop and pull it. A lamp
on the control and warning lamps panel
lights up.
Switching on the rear fog light (vehicles with
no front fog lights)
● Turn the lights control to the end from posi-
tion ,
or and pull it. A lamp on the
control and warning lamps panel lights up.
Turn signal and main beam lever Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 31
Parking lights
● Switch the ignition off and remove the key
from the lock.
● Mo
ve the turn signal lever up or down to
turn the right or l
eft-hand parking lights on,
respectively.
Convenience turn signals
For the convenience turn signals, move the
lever as far as possible upwards or down-
wards and release the lever. The turn signal
will flash three times. The convenience turn signals are activated
and deactivat
ed in the Easy Connect system
via the button and the
S
ET
TINGS function
b utt
on ›
›› page 118.
In vehicles that do not have the correspond-
ing menu, this function can be deactivated in
a specialised workshop. WARNING
The main beam can dazzle other drivers. Risk
of ac c
ident! Never use the main beam head-
lights or the headlight flasher if they could
dazzle other drivers. Note
● If the c on
venience turn signals are operat-
ing (three flashes) and the other convenience
turn signals are switched on, the active part
stops flashing and only flashes once in the
new part selected.
● The turn signals only
work when the igni-
tion is switched on. The corresponding warn-
ing lamp flashes in the instrument pan-
el. The control lamp flashes when the turn
signals are operated, provided a trailer is cor-
rectly attached and connected to the vehicle.
If a turn signal bulb is defective, the control
lamp flashes at double speed. If the trailer
turn signal bulbs are defective, the control
lamp does not light up. Change the bulb.
● The main beam headligh
ts can only be
switched on if the dipped beam headlights » 139
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Lights and visibility
Motorway light* The motorway light is available on vehicles
equipped w
ith f
ull-LED lights.
The function is connected/disconnected via
the corresponding Easy Connect system
menu.
● Activation: when going abo
ve 110 km/h
(68 mph) for more than 10 seconds, the dip-
ped beam raises slightly to increase the driv-
er's visibility distance.
● Deactivation: when reduc in
g the speed of
the car below 100 km/h (62 mph), the dip-
ped beam returns to its normal position.
Headlight range control Fig. 146
Dash panel: headlight range control. The lights range control adapts according to
the
v
alue of
the headlight beam and the ve- hicle load status. This offers the driver opti-
mum vi
sibility and the headlights do not daz-
zle oncoming drivers ››› .
The he a
dlights
can only be adjusted when
the dipped beam is switched on.
To reset, turn switch ››› Fig. 146:
ValueVehicle load status a)
–Two front occupants, luggage compart-
ment empty
1All seats occupied, luggage compartment
empty
2All seats occupied, luggage compartment
full. With trailer and minimum drawbar
load.
3Driver only, luggage compartment full With
trailer and maximum drawbar load.
a)
If the vehicle load does not correspond to those shown in the
table, it is possible to select intermediary positions.
Dynamic headlight range control
The control is not mounted in vehicles with
dynamic headlight range control. The head-
light range is automatically adjusted accord-
ing to the vehicle load status when they are
switched on. WARNING
Heavy objects in the vehicle may mean that
the hea dlight
s dazzle and distract other driv-
ers. This could result in a serious accident.
● Adjust the light beam to the vehicle load
stat
us so that it does not blind other drivers. Hazard warning lights
Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 31
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 mov in
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.
6. Use the warning triangle to draw the atten- tion of other ro
ad users to your vehicle.
7. Always take the vehicle key with you when you le
ave the vehicle. »
141
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
could otherwise freeze on the windscreen and
ob
s
cure your view of the road.
● Always note the corresponding warnings
›››
page 69. WARNING
The rain sensor* may not detect enough rain
t o sw it
ch on the wipers.
● If necessary, switch on the wipers manually
when water on the w
indscreen obstructs visi-
bility. CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wind-
sc r
een wipers and the window wiper are not
frozen. If you switch on the windscreen wip-
ers when the wiper blades are frozen to the
windscreen, you could damage both the wip-
er blades and the wiper motor. Note
● The wiper s
and washers will work only
when the ignition is switched on.
● The heat output of the heated jets* is con-
trol
led automatically when the ignition is
switched on, depending upon the outside
temperature.
● In certain versions of vehicles with alarms,
the winds
creen wiper will only work in inter-
val/rain sensor mode when the ignition is on
and the bonnet closed. ●
When the inter v
al wipe function is on, the
intervals are directly proportional to the
speed. This way, the higher the vehicle speed
the shorter the intervals.
● If you stop the vehicle with the windscreen
wiper in pos
ition 1 or 2, it will automatically
change to a lower position speed. The set
speed will be resumed when the vehicle pulls
away.
● The windscreen will be wiped again after
appro
ximately five seconds once the “auto-
matic wash/wipe system” has been activa-
ted, provided the vehicle is moving (drip func-
tion). If you activate the wipers less than 3
seconds after the drip function, a new wash
sequence will begin without performing the
last wipe. For the “drip” function to work
again, you have to turn the ignition off and
then on again.
● Do not put stickers on the windscreen in
front of
the rain sensor*. This may cause sen-
sor disruption or faults.
● Depending on the version of the model,
when you en
gage reverse gear and with the
headlight wiper activated, this can start a
wipe. Rear view mirrors
Int erior mirr or It is dangerous to drive if you cannot see
c
le
arly through the rear window. Interior mirror with automatic anti-dazzle
function*
The anti-d
azzle function is activated every
time the ignition is switched on.
When the anti-dazzle function is enabled, the
interior rear vision mirror will darken auto-
matically according to the amount of light it
receives. The anti-dazzle function is cancel-
led if reverse gear is engaged. Note
● The autom atic
anti-dazzle function will only
work properly if the sun blind* for the rear
window is retracted and there are no other
objects preventing light from reaching the in-
terior rear vision mirror.
● If you have to stick any type of sticker on
the winds
creen, do not do so in front of the
sensors. Doing so could prevent the anti-daz-
zle function from working well or even from
working at all. Folding in the exterior mirrors man-
ua
l
ly The exterior mirrors of the vehicle may be fol-
ded in. F
or thi
s, pr
ess the mirror housing to-
wards the vehicle.
144
Seats and head restraints
Note
● When fitting the he a
d restraints again, in-
sert the tubes as far as possible into the
guides without pressing the button. Adjusting the rear head restraints
Fig. 151
Rear centre head restraint: release
point . When transporting people in the back seat,
p
l
ac
e the head restraints of the occupied
seats at a minimum of the next socket up
››› .
Adju s
tin
g the head restraints
– To set the head restraint higher, grasp the
sides
with both hands and move it up-
wards, until you see it engage. –
To set the he
ad restraint lower down, press
the 1
› ››
Fig. 151
b utton and move it
downwards.
Removing the head restraint
To remove the head restraint, the correspond-
ing backrest must be partially folded forward. – Unlock the backrest ›››
page 149.
– Move the head restraint upwards until it ar-
rives
to the top.
– Press button 1 , while simultaneously
pr e
s
sing on the security hole 2 with a flat
s c
r
ewdriver a maximum of 5 mm wide, and
remove the head restraint.
– Move the backrest until it engages properly
›››
.
Fittin g the he
a
d restraint
To mount the external head restraints, the
corresponding backrest must be partially fol-
ded forward.
– Unlock the backrest ›››
page 149.
– Insert the head restraint bars into the
guides u
ntil they perceptibly engage. It
should not be possible to remove the head
restraint from the backrest.
– Move the backrest until it engages properly
›››
. WARNING
● Ple a
se observe the general notes
››› page 75.
● Remove the rear head restraints only when
it is
necessary for the placement of a child
seat ››› page 88. After removing a child seat,
remount the head restraint immediately.
Travelling with the head restraints removed
or improperly adjusted increases the risk of
severe injuries. Seat functions
Intr oduction WARNING
Inappropriate use of the seat functions can
cau se sev
ere injuries.
● Assume the proper sitting position before
your trip and rem
ain in it throughout. This al-
so applies to the other occupants.
● Always keep hands, fingers, feet and other
part
s of the body away from the operating ra-
dius and the adjustment of seats. 147
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety