The essentials
on battery). Failure to comply could result in
an e
xp
losion.
● Never use jump leads when one of the bat-
terie
s is frozen. Danger of explosion! Even af-
ter the battery has thawed, battery acid could
leak and cause chemical burns. If a battery
freezes, it should be replaced.
● Keep sparks, flames and lighted cigarettes
aw
ay from batteries, danger of explosion.
Failure to comply could result in an explo-
sion.
● Observe the instructions provided by the
manuf
acturer of the jump leads.
● Do not connect the negative cable from the
other v
ehicle directly to the negative terminal
of the flat battery. The gas emitted from the
battery could be ignited by sparks. Danger of
explosion.
● Do not attach the negative cable from the
other v
ehicle to parts of the fuel system or to
the brake line.
● The non-insulated parts of the battery
cl
amps must not be allowed to touch. The
jump lead attached to the positive battery
terminal must not touch metal parts of the ve-
hicle, this can cause a short circuit.
● Position the leads in such a way that they
cannot
come into contact with any moving
parts in the engine compartment.
● Do not lean on the batteries. This could re-
su
lt in chemical burns. Note
The vehicles must not touch each other, oth-
er w
ise electricity could flow as soon as the
positive terminals are connected. Changing the wiper blades
W ind
screen wipers service position Fig. 78
Wipers in service position The wiper arms can be raised when the wip-
er
s
are in service position ››› Fig. 78.
● Close the bonnet ››
›
page 282.
● Switch the ignition on and off.
● Press the windscreen wiper lever down-
war
ds briefly 4
› ››
page 25.
Before driving, always lower the wiper arms.
Using the windscreen wiper lever, the wind- screen wiper arms return to their initial posi-
tion.
››› page 85 60
Airbag system
such as the properties of the object the vehi-
c l
e hits (hard/soft), angle of impact, vehicle
speed, etc.
Deceleration trajectory is key for airbag acti-
vation.
The control unit analyses the collision trajec-
tory and activates the respective restraint
system.
If the deceleration rate is below the prede-
fined reference value in the control unit the
airbags will not be triggered, even though
the accident may cause extensive damage to
the car.
The following airbags are triggered in seri-
ous head-on collisions
● Driver airbag.
● Front passenger front airbag
● Knee airbag for the driver.
The fo
llowing airbags are triggered in seri-
ous side-on collisions
● Front side airbag on the side of the acci-
dent.
● R
ear side airbag on the side of the acci-
dent.
● C
urtain (head) airbag on the side of the ac-
cident
. In an accident with airbag activation:
●
the interior lights switch on (if the interior
light sw
itch is in the courtesy light position);
● the hazard warning lights switch on;
● all doors are unlocked;
● the fuel supply to the engine is cut.
Airbag safety instructions Front
airbags Read the additional information carefully
› ›
› page 15. WARNING
● The dep lo
yment space between the front
passengers and the airbags must not in any
case be occupied by other passenger, pets
and objects.
● The airbags provide protection for just one
acc
ident; replace them once they have de-
ployed.
● It is also important not to attach any ob-
ject
s such as cup holders or telephone
mountings to the surfaces covering the air-
bag units.
● Do not attempt to modify components of
the airbag sy
stem in any way. Knee airbag*
Read the additional information carefully
› ›
› page 16. WARNING
● The knee airb ag i
s deployed in front of the
driver's knees. Always keep the deployment
areas of the knee airbags free.
● Never not fix objects to the cover or in the
deplo
yment area of the knee airbag.
● Adjust the driver's seat so that there is a
dis
tance of at least 10 cm (4 inches) between
your knees and the location of the this air-
bag. If your physical constitution prevents
you from meeting these requirements, make
sure you contact a specialised workshop. Side airbags*
Read the additional information carefully
› ›
› page 16. WARNING
● If
you do not wear a seat belt, if you lean
forward, or are not seated correctly while the
vehicle is in motion, you are at a greater risk
of injury if the side airbag system is triggered
in an accident.
● In order for the side airbags to provide their
max
imum protection, the prescribed sitting » 75
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Emergencies
they should be changed if they are damaged,
or c l
eaned if they are dirty ››› .
Dam ag
ed wiper blades should be replaced
immediately. These are available from quali-
fied workshops. WARNING
Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility
and inc r
ease the risk of accident and serious
injury.
● Always replace damaged or worn blades or
bl
ades which do not clean the windscreen
correctly. CAUTION
● Dam ag
ed or dirty windscreen wipers could
scratch the glass.
● If products containing solvents, rough
spon
ges or sharp objects are used to clean
the blades, the graphite layer will be dam-
aged.
● Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint
thinner or simi
lar products to clean the win-
dows.
● In icy conditions, always check that the
wiper b
lades are not frozen to the glass be-
fore using the wipers. In cold weather, it may
help to leave the vehicle parked with the wip-
ers in service position ›››
page 60. CAUTION
● To pr
event damage to the bonnet and the
wiper arms, only leave them in the service
position.
● Before driving, always lower the wiper
arms. Tow-starting and towing
Intr oduction Tow-starting me
an
s starting the engine of
the vehicle while another pulls it.
Towing means one vehicle pulling another
that is not roadworthy.
Always consider the legal provisions relating
to tow-starting and towing.
For technical reasons, towing a vehicle with a
discharged battery is not allowed. The jump
start should be used instead ›››
page 58.
If the vehicle comes with the Keyless Access
system, towing is only allowed with the igni-
tion on!
The vehicle battery drains if the vehicle is
towed with the engine switched off and the
ignition connected. Depending on the battery
charge status, the drop in voltage may be so
large, even after just a few minutes, that no
electrical device in the vehicle may work e.g. the hazard warning lights. In vehicles with
the Keyl
ess Access system, the steering
wheel could lock ››› .
WARNING
A vehicle with no power should never be tow-
ed.
● During towing, never switch off the ignition
w ith the s
tarter button. Otherwise, the elec-
tronic lock of the steering column could sud-
denly get blocked and it would be impossible
to steer the vehicle. This could cause an acci-
dent, serious injury and loss of control of the
vehicle.
● If during towing the vehicle runs out of
pow
er, stop towing immediately and request
the assistance of specialist personnel. WARNING
Vehicle handling and braking capacity
c h
ange considerably during towing. Please
observe the following instructions to mini-
mise the risk of serious accidents and injury:
● As the driver of the vehicle being towed:
– You shou
ld depress the brake much hard-
er as the brake servo does not operate.
Pay the utmost attention to avoid crash-
ing into the towing vehicle.
– More strength is required at the steering
wheel as the power steering does not op-
erate when the engine is switched off.
● As the driver of the towing vehicle: 86
Self-help
–
Ac
celerate with particular care and cau-
tion.
– Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.
– Brake earlier than usual and more
smoothly. CAUTION
● To av
oid damaging the vehicle, for example
the paint, remove and replace the lid and
towing eye carefully.
● Unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic con-
ver
ter and damage it during towing. Indications for tow-starting
Vehicle's should not generally be tow-star-
t
ed.
The jump start should be used instead
››› page 58.
For technical reasons, towing the following
vehicles is not allowed:
● Vehicles with an automatic gearbox.
● If the vehicle battery is discharged, be-
cau
se in vehicles with the Keyless Access
locking and ignition system the steering re-
mains locked and the electronic parking
brake cannot be deactivated nor can the elec-
tronic lock of the steering column be re-
leased if they are activated. ●
If the b
attery is flat, it is possible that the
engine control units may not operate correct-
ly.
However, if the vehicle must absolutely be
tow-started (in the case of manual gearbox-
es):
● Engage the 2nd or 3rd gear.
● Keep the clutch pressed down.
● Switch on the ignition and the hazard warn-
ing lights.
● Onc
e both vehicles are moving, release the
clut
ch.
● Once the engine starts, press the clutch
and disen
gage the gear to avoid colliding
with the towing vehicle. CAUTION
When tow-starting, unburnt fuel could enter
the c at
alytic converter and damage it. Note
The vehicle can only be tow-started if the
el ectr
onic parking brake and, if appropriate,
the electronic lock of the steering column are
deactivated. If the vehicle has no power sup-
ply or there is an electric system fault, the
engine must be tow-started to deactivate the
electronic parking brake and the electronic
lock of the steering column. Indications for towing
Tow rope or tow bar
It
i
s safer for the vehicle to be towed using a
tow bar, avoiding damage to the vehicle. A
tow rope should only be used if a tow bar is
not available.
A tow rope should be slightly elastic to avoid
damage to both vehicles. It is advisable to
use a tow rope made of synthetic fibre or sim-
ilarly elastic material.
Only attach the tow rope or the tow bar to the
towing eyes provided or a towing bracket.
If the vehicle is factory-equipped with a tow-
ing bracket, it is only allowed to tow with a
tow bar if this has been specially designed to
be installed with a tow hitch ›››
page 257.
When the vehicle needs to be towed:
Check whether the vehicle may be towed
››› page 88, Cases where towing a vehicle
is not allowed .
● Switch the ignition on.
● Put the gearbox lever in neutral or the se-
l ect
or lever in the N position ›››
page 176.
● Do not allow the vehicle to be towed at
speed
s of over 50 km/h (30 mph).
● Do not allow the vehicle to be towed at
s peed
s of over 50 km. »
87
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
EmergenciesNo.Consumers/Amps
12Radio20
14Air conditioner fan40
15Steering column release10
16Connectivity box koppelantenne7.5
17Instrument panel5
18Rear camera7.5
19Kessy7.5
214x4 Haldex Control Unit15
22Trailer15
23Right lights40
24Electric sunroof30
25Left door30
26Heated seats30
28Trailer25
31Left lights40
32Parking aid control unit7.
5/10
33Airbag5
34Reverse switch, clima sensor, electro-
chromic mirror7.5
35Diagnosis, headlight control unit,
headlight adjuster10
No.Consumers/Amps
36Front camera, Radar5/10
38Trailer25
39Right door30
4012V socket20
42Central locking40
43Interior light30
44Trailer15
45Electric driver's seat15
47Rear window wiper15
49Starter motor; clutch sensor5
50Electric rear lid40
53Heated rear window30
Fuse arrangement in engine compartment
No.Consumers/Amps
1ESP control unit40
2ESP control unit40
3Engine control unit (diesel/pet-
rol)30/15
4Engine sensors5/10
5Engine sensors10
6Brake light sensor5
No.Consumers/Amps
7Engine power supply10
8Lambda probe10/15
9Engine5/20
10Fuel pump control unit15/20
11PTC40
12PTC40
13Automatic gearbox control unit15/30
14Heated windscreen40
15Horn15
17Engine control unit7.5
18Terminal 30 (positive reference)5
19Front windscreen washer30
20Alarm horn10
22Engine control unit5
23Starter motor30
24PTC40
31Pressure pump15
33Gearbox pump30
37Parking heating20 92
Instruments and warning/control lamps
engine hot. However, it is advisable to
c h
ange 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
oolant temperature display
››› page 105.
Displays on the screen ››› page 103.
Adjuster button and display
››› page 105.
Speedometer.
Fuel gauge ››› page 106. WARNING
Any distraction may lead to an accident, with
the ri sk
of injury.
● Do not operate the instrument panel con-
tro
ls when driving. CAUTION
● To pr
event 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
acceleration and do not make the
engine work hard. For the sake of the environment
Changing up a gear in time reduces fuel con-
s umption and noi
se.2
3
4
5
6 Rev counter
The rev counter indicates the number of en-
gine r
ev
olutions per minute ››› Fig. 115 1 .
T og
ether with 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 31, Gear-change
indicator. CAUTION
Never allow the rev counter needle 1 ›››
Fig. 115 t o g
o into the red zone on the
scale for more than a very brief period, other-
wise there 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 minimise emissions and engine
noise. Indications on the display
A variety of information can be viewed on the
in
s
trument panel display ››› Fig. 115 3 , de-
pendin g on the
vehicle equipment:
● Bonnet, rear lid and doors open
› ›
› page 32.
● Warning and information messages
››
› page 32.
● Distance travelled ››
›
page 105.
● Time ››
›
page 104.
● Navigation instructions.
● Outside temperature ››
›
page 31.
● Compass ››
›
page 104.
● Shift lever position ››
›
page 177.
● Recommended gear (manual gearbox)
››
› page 31.
● Multifunction display (MFD) and menus
with diff
erent setting options ›››
page 29.
● Service interval display ››
›
page 35.
● Second speed display ››
›
page 29.
● Speed warning function ››
›
page 35. »
103
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
● St ar
t-Stop system status display
››› page 188.
● Active cylinder management display
(ACT ®
)* ›
›› page 185
● Signs recognised by the traffic signal de-
tection sy
stem ››› page 228
● Low consumption driving status (ECO)
››
› page 104
● Identifying letters on engine (MKB).
Dis
tance 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. 115 4 to re-
set the trip r
ecorder 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. 115
4 pressed for more than 3 seconds to select
the hour or minut e di
splay.
● To continue setting the time, press the up-
per or low
er part of the button 4 . Hold but-ton down to scroll through the numbers
quic
k
ly.
● Press the button 4 again in order to finish
settin g the time.
The time c
an also be set via the key and
Set up function button in the Easy Connect
sy s
tem ››› page 108.
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 31.
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
des
tined 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 key and
the Set
up function button
››
› page 108.
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 35.
The speed warning settings can be adjusted
in the Easy Connect system via the key
and the Set
up function button
››
› page 108.
Start-Stop operating display
Updated information relating to the status is
displayed on the instrument panel
››› page 188.
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 185.
104
Operation
Normal temperature
If in norm
al operations, the diodes light up
until the central zone, it means that the en-
gine has reached operating temperature. At
high outside temperatures and when making
the engine work hard, the diodes may contin-
ue lighting up and reach the upper zone. This
is no cause for concern, provided the control
lamp does not light up on the instrument
panel digital display.
Heat range
When the diodes light up in the upper area of
the display and the control lamp appears
on the instrument panel display, the coolant
temperature is excessive ››› page 286. CAUTION
● To en
sure a long useful life for the engine,
avoid high revs, driving at high speed and
making the engine work hard for approxi-
mately the first 15 minutes when the engine
is cold. The phase until the engine is warm al-
so depends on the outside temperature. If
necessary, use the engine oil temperature*
››› page 34 as a guide.
● Additional lights and other accessories in
front
of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect
of the coolant. At high outside temperatures
and high engine loads, there is a risk of the
engine overheating.
● The front spoiler also ensures proper distri-
bution of
the cooling air when the vehicle is moving. If the spoiler is damaged this can re-
duc
e the c
ooling effect, which could cause
the engine to overheat. Seek specialist assis-
tance. Fuel level
Fig. 117
Fuel gauge. The display
6
› ›
›
Fig. 115 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 102. 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. 115.
The capacity of the fuel tank of your vehicle is
given in the Technical data section
››› page 48. CAUTION
Never run the fuel tank completely dry. An ir-
r e
gular 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. Control lamps
W arnin
g and control lamps Read the additional information carefully
› ›
› page 38.
The control and warning lamps are indicators
of warnings, ››› , faults
››
› or certain func-
tion s.
Some control and warning lamps come
on when the ignition is switched on, and
switch off when the engine starts running, or
while driving.
Depending on the model, additional text
messages may be viewed on the instrument
panel display. These may be purely informa-
tive or they may be advising of the need for
action ›››
page 102, Instruments.
Depending upon the equipment fitted in the
vehicle, instead of a warning lamp, some-
times a symbol may be displayed on the in-
strument panel.
When certain control and warning lamps are
lit, an audible warning is also heard.
106