The airbag modules and belt tensioners may contain perchlorate. Please comply with
legislation regarding disposal.
Proactive occupant protection system
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The proactive occupant protection system is an assistance system that initiates action to protect
vehicle occupants in dangerous situations. However, the system cannot prevent a collision.
The full range of functions of the proactive occupant protection system will be available only if the
function has been activated in the Infotainment system, no special driving profile has been selected
and there are no malfunctions ⇒ Driving profile selection and 4MOTION Active Control, ⇒ Function
limitations.
Basic functions
Depending on country-specific legal requirements and also on the vehicle equipment, the following
functions may be initiated, either individually or jointly, in critical situations (e.g. emergency braking
or in the case of oversteering or understeering) as of a speed of approximately 30 km/h (19 mph):
•Temporary tensioning of the fastened front seat belts.
•Automatic closing of the glass roof and side windows down to a gap, depending on the vehicle
equipment.
The belts may be tensioned individually or together depending on the respective critical driving
situations.
Additional information for vehicles with an area monitoring system (Front
Assist)
In vehicles fitted with the area monitoring system (Front Assist) ⇒ Area monitoring system (Front
Assist), the probability of a collision with the vehicle ahead is also calculated within the system
limits. The system can trigger the proactive occupant protection system if it detects a probable
collision or initiates strong braking.
Settings in the Infotainment system
The full range of functions of the proactive occupant protection system can be activated and
deactivated in the Infotainment system ⇒ Operation and display in the Infotainment system.
The proactive occupant protection system will be reactivated every time the ignition is switched on.
It may not be possible to operate the setting function if the proactive occupant protection system
has already been adapted to the specific vehicle setup.
Setting in driving profile selection
In vehicles with driving profile selection, the proactive occupant protection system is adapted to the
special vehicle setup of the respective driving profile ⇒ Driving profile selection and 4MOTION
Active Control.
Function limitations
The proactive occupant protection system will not be available, or will only be available to a limited
extent, in the following situations:
•If there is a fault in the ESC, belt tensioner or in the airbag control unit ⇒ Seat belts or ⇒ Airbag
system.
•When the TCS or ESC are switched off, and when the vehicle is reversing ⇒ Brake support
systems.
•The temporary tensioning for the front passenger seat is switched off if the front passenger front
airbag is deactivated.
•If there is a system fault in the area monitoring system (Front Assist) ⇒ Area monitoring system
(Front Assist).
The risk of severe or fatal injuries may be increased if the seat belts, automatic belt
retractors and belt tensioners are not used correctly, or if they are repaired by a non-
professional. As a result, the belt tensioners may not be triggered when they should, or
they may be triggered unexpectedly.
•Any repairs, adjustments or removal and refitting of parts in the belt tensioners or seat
belts should always be carried out by a qualified workshop and never by yourself
⇒ Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts.
•Belt tensioners and automatic belt retractors cannot be repaired. They must be
replaced.
WARNING
Stop the vehicle at a safe distance away from moving traffic and on a suitable surface .
Switch on the hazard warning lights using the button Centre console.
Switch on the electronic parking brake Electronic parking brake.
Move the gear lever to neutral position or move the selector lever to P, Manual gearbox:
selecting a gear and DSG® dual clutch gearbox.
Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition Starting and stopping the engine.
Ensure that all occupants exit the vehicle and go straight to a safe place away from
moving traffic, e.g. behind the safety barrier. Heed the country-specific regulations
concerning high-visibility waistcoats.
Take all vehicle keys with you when you leave the vehicle.
Place the warning triangle in position to draw the attention of other road users to your
vehicle.
Allow the engine to cool down and seek expert assistance.
Making you and your vehicle safe
Observe any legislation concerning the safety of a broken-down vehicle. For example, many
countries stipulate that you have to switch on the hazard warning lights and wear a high-visibility
vest ⇒ Equipment for an emergency.
Checklist
To ensure your own safety and that of your passengers, observe the following actions in the
specified order ⇒:
When the hazard warning lights are switched on, for example if you are being towed, you can still
indicate a change in direction or lane change by operating the turn signal. The warning lights will be
interrupted temporarily.
Examples of when to switch on the hazard warning lights:
•When traffic ahead suddenly starts moving more slowly or you reach the tail end of a traffic jam,
to will warn vehicles behind you.
•When there is an emergency.
•When the vehicle breaks down.
•When tow-starting or towing.
Always follow local regulations for the use of the hazard warning lights.
If the hazard warning lights are not working, you must use an alternative method of drawing
attention to the broken-down vehicle. This method must comply with traffic legislation.
Any broken-down vehicle poses a high accident risk for the vehicle occupants and for
other road users.
•Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so.
•Park the vehicle at a safe distance from moving traffic.
•Switch on the hazard warning lights.
•Never leave other persons alone in the vehicle, particularly children or people requiring
assistance. This applies in particular when the doors are locked. People locked in the
vehicle may be subjected to very high or very low temperatures.
WARNING
Ignoring any of the items on this important safety checklist can lead to accidents and
severe injuries.
•Always follow the instructions in the checklist and observe the general safety
procedures.
WARNING
The components of the exhaust system become very hot. This can cause fires and serious
injuries.
•Park the vehicle so that no part of the exhaust system can come into contact with any
inflammable material underneath the vehicle, e.g. dry grass, fuel.
WARNING
When pushing the vehicle by hand, do not press on the rear lights, the rear spoiler or large
panels. This could damage the vehicle and loosen the spoiler.
NOTICE
The 12-volt vehicle battery will discharge if the hazard warning lights are left on over a long
period of time – even when the ignition is switched off.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the brake lights flash rapidly if you brake sharply or
initiate full braking at a speed of more than 80 km/h (50 mph). This is a particularly effective way of
attracting the attention of vehicles behind you. If you then continue to brake, the hazard warning
lights will be switched on automatically at speeds under approximately 10 km/h (6 mph). Once the
vehicle starts to accelerate, the hazard warning lights will switch off again.
Equipment for an emergency
Fig. 58 In the boot lid: holder for the warning triangle.
First aid kit
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the first aid kit may be located in a stowage compartment or a
holder in the luggage compartment, under the luggage compartment floor or in the vehicle interior.
Depending on the equipment in the vehicle, the first aid kit may be located in various locations in
the luggage compartment:
•In a bag on the left or right in the stowage areas of the luggage compartment ⇒ Stowage
areas.
•In a foam rubber holder under the luggage compartment floor ⇒ Transporting.
The first aid kit must comply with legal requirements. Please observe the use-by date of the
contents.
After use, replace the content if necessary and stow the first aid kit safely again.
Warning triangle
Depending on the equipment, the warning triangle may be located in the boot lid. When the boot lid
is open, turn the lock for the bracket ⇒ Fig. 58 by 90° anticlockwise in the direction of the arrow,
open the bracket and remove the warning triangle.
The warning triangle must comply with legal requirements.
Return the warning triangle to its holder after use and lock it into place.
High-visibility waistcoat
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the high-visibility waistcoat may be located in a stowage
compartment in the front door trim or in the stowage compartment on the front passenger side
⇒ Driver door, ⇒ Front passenger side.
The high-visibility waistcoat triangle must comply with legal requirements.
Fire extinguisher
Depending on the vehicle equipment, a fire extinguisher may be located in a holder in the footwell
under the front passenger seat.
The fire extinguisher must comply with legal regulations, must always be ready for use and must be
checked regularly (see inspection seal on the fire extinguisher).
Memory function
Fig. 92 On the outside of the driver seat: memory buttons.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The memory buttons can be used to store and recall settings for the driver seat and the exterior
mirrors.
Memory buttons
You can assign individual settings for the driver seat and exterior mirrors to each of the memory
buttons.
Storing driver seat and exterior mirror settings for driving forwards
•Switch on the electronic parking brake.
•Put the gearbox into neutral.
•Switch on the ignition.
•Adjust the driver seat and exterior mirror.
•Press the button for longer than one second ⇒ Fig. 92.
•Press the desired memory button within approximately ten seconds. A gong signal will sound to
confirm that the settings have been saved.
Storing front passenger exterior mirror settings for reversing
•Switch on the electronic parking brake.
•Put the gearbox into neutral.
•Switch on the ignition.
•Press the desired memory button.
•Select reverse gear.
•Adjust the exterior mirror on the front passenger side so that you have a good view of the kerb
area.
•The settings for the mirror position will be saved automatically and assigned to the vehicle key
that is used to unlock the vehicle.
Accessing driver seat and exterior mirror settings
•While the vehicle is stationary and the ignition is switched on, briefly touch the required memory
button.
•OR: while the ignition is switched off, press and hold the required memory button until the
saved position is reached.
•The front passenger exterior mirror will leave the stored reversing position automatically if the
vehicle drives forwards at a minimum speed of 15 km/h (10 mph) or if you turn the rotary knob
from R to a different position ⇒ Mirrors.
Electric convenient entry and exit function
When the driver door is opened, the front seat automatically moves to a position that makes it easy
to enter and exit the vehicle.
The driver seat moves back to its original position automatically as soon as the driver door is closed
and the ignition is switched on.
The electric convenient entry and exit function can be switched on and off in the Infotainment
system⇒ Operation and display in the Infotainment system.
Personalisation
You can save and access your individual seat setting in a user account via the Personalisation
function ⇒ Personalisation.
After switching off the ignition and locking the vehicle, the driver seat and exterior mirror settings
are stored in the user account.
The driver seat and exterior mirror settings are opened again after the vehicle is unlocked and the
driver door is opened.
The seat responds to selecting or changing a user account as follows:
1)
Manual anti-dazzle interior mirror
•Basic position: the lever on the lower part of the mirror is pointing towards the windscreen.
•Pull the lever to the back to select the anti-dazzle function ⇒ Fig. 105.
Exterior mirrors
Fig. 106 In the driver door: rotary knob for the exterior mirrors.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
•Switch on the ignition.
•Turn the rotary knob in the driver door to the desired symbol ⇒ Fig. 106.
•Press the rotary knob in the direction of the arrows to the front, rear, right or left in order to
adjust the exterior mirror.
Fold exterior mirrors into the body electrically ⇒.Switch on the exterior mirror heating.
The exterior mirror heating heats only at ambient temperatures below +20°C (+68°F) and initially
with the highest setting. Heating takes place dependent on the ambient temperature after around
two minutes.Adjust the left-hand exterior mirror.Adjust the right-hand exterior mirror.Neutral
position. The exterior mirror cannot be adjusted and all functions are switched off.
Activating the exterior mirror functions
•Activate the corresponding exterior menu function in the displayed menu.
Synchronised mirror adjustment
The synchronous mirror adjustment function simultaneously adjusts the right exterior mirror when
the left exterior mirror is adjusted.
•Turn the rotary knob to position .
•Adjust the left-hand exterior mirror. The right-hand exterior mirror will be adjusted at the same
time (synchronised).
•If necessary, correct the settings for the right-hand exterior mirror: move the rotary knob to
position and adjust the right exterior mirror.
Folding in the exterior mirrors while parking
The exterior mirrors fold in and out automatically when the vehicle is locked and unlocked from
outside. For this purpose, the rotary knob must be in the position , , or .
If the rotary knob for the electrically adjustable exterior mirrors is in the position , the exterior
mirrors will remain folded in.
Storing and activating front passenger exterior mirror settings for
reversing
•Select a valid vehicle key to which you wish to assign the setting.
•Unlock the vehicle with this vehicle key.
•Apply the electronic parking brake.
•Switch on the ignition.
•Put the gearbox in neutral position.
•Select reverse gear.
•Adjust the front passenger exterior mirror so that you can see the kerb area, for example.
•The settings for the mirror position will be saved automatically and assigned to the vehicle key.
•Turn the rotary knob for the exterior mirrors to position .
The illuminated display from a mobile navigation device can lead to functional impairment
of the interior automatic anti-dazzle mirror and cause accidents or serious injuries.
•You may not be able to precisely determine the distance from vehicles travelling
behind you or from other objects if the automatic anti-dazzle function is impaired.
WARNING
•Lever open the battery cover in upward direction using the object.
•Push the battery cover slightly in the direction of the arrow.
•Remove the battery cover.
•Remove the button cell.
•Insert a new button cell of the same type, paying attention to the correct polarity.
•Insert the battery in the housing of the remote control.
•Push the battery cover in the opposite direction to the arrow ⇒ Fig. 112 until it engages.
Dispose of discharged batteries in accordance with regulations governing the protection of
the environment.
The battery in the remote control may contain perchlorate. Please comply with legislation
regarding disposal.
Driving
Notes on driving
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Pedals
⇒ Gear-change indicator
⇒ Driving economically
⇒ Think Blue. Trainer.
⇒ Information on the brakes
⇒ Driving with a loaded vehicle
⇒ Driving with an open boot lid
⇒ Driving through water on roads
⇒ Running in the engine
⇒ Using the vehicle in other countries and continents
⇒ Troubleshooting
Pedals
Swallowing batteries with a diameter of 20 mm, or other button cells, can result in severe
or even fatal injuries within a very short period of time.
•Always keep the remote control key, key ring with batteries, spare batteries, round
cells and other batteries that are larger than 20 mm out of the reach of children.
•Call for medical help immediately you suspect that someone has swallowed a battery.
DANGER
•The remote control contains electronic components. Protect the remote control from
moisture, excessive vibration and direct sunlight.
•Unsuitable batteries can damage the remote control. Replace discharged batteries only
with new batteries of the same voltage rating, size and specification.
•Ensure that the battery is fitted the right way round.
NOTICE
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, medication or narcotics can cause serious
accidents and fatal injuries.
•Alcohol, drugs, medication and narcotics can severely impair perception, reaction
times and driving safety. This could cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
WARNING
Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction and skidding, particularly on slippery roads.
This can cause you to lose control of the vehicle, which can lead to accidents and serious
injuries.
•Always adjust your driving style in accordance with the flow of traffic.
•The kickdown function or fast acceleration should only be used if the visibility,
weather, road and traffic conditions permit.
WARNING
Fig. 113 In the footwell: pedals in vehicles with a manual gearbox.
Fig. 114 In the footwell: pedals in vehicles with a DSG dual clutch gearbox.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Key for ⇒ Fig. 113 and ⇒ Fig. 114:
Accelerator
Brake pedal
m/k/a995MK Vehicles with manual gearbox: clutch pedal
The operation and freedom of movement of all pedals must never be impaired by objects or floor
mats.
Use only floor mats that leave the pedal area free and can be securely fastened in the footwell.
Gear-change indicator
Fig. 115 On the instrument cluster display: gear-change indicator.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Key to ⇒ Fig. 115:
Currently selected gear.
Recommended gear.
The instrument cluster display may, depending on the vehicle's equipment level, indicate which
gear should be selected to reduce fuel consumption while the vehicle is in motion.
Objects in the driver footwell can hinder pedal operation. This can lead to loss of control
of the vehicle and increase the risk of serious injury.
•Please ensure that all pedals can always be operated without any hindrance.
•The floor mats must always be properly secured in the footwell.
•No additional floor mats or other floor coverings should be placed over the fitted floor
mat.
•Ensure that no objects can enter the driver footwell while the vehicle is in motion.
•If there are any objects in the footwell, remove them when the vehicle is parked.
WARNING
The pedals must be freely operable at all times. For example, a larger brake pedal travel
will be necessary in order to stop the vehicle if a brake circuit fails. The brake pedal will
have to be depressed further and harder than normal.
NOTICE
m/k/a995MK Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox: the selector lever must be in the
Tiptronic position ⇒ Changing gear using Tiptronic.
No recommended gear is indicated if the most suitable gear is already selected. The currently
selected gear is displayed.
Information on cleaning the particulate filter
The engine management system recognises when the particulate filter is becoming saturated and
supports regeneration of the particulate filter by recommending the most suitable gear when driving.
Compared with normal driving, this may mean driving with an increased engine speed ⇒ Particulate
filter.
Driving in the correct gear can help to reduce fuel consumption.
Gear-change indicator display goes out when the clutch is depressed in vehicles with a
manual gearbox or when Tiptronic position is deselected in vehicles with a DSG dual clutch
gearbox.
Driving economically
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The fuel consumption, pollution and
wear of the engine, brakes and tyres
are reduced by an appropriate driving
style. A few tips are provided below
which will help you protect the
environment and also save money.
Fig. 116 Fuel consumption in litres per 100 km at two different outside temperatures.
Think ahead when driving
The fuel consumption will increase if you do not adopt a steady driving style. Keeping a close eye
on the traffic can help to avoid frequent acceleration and braking. Keeping a sufficient distance from
the vehicle in front will help you anticipate the driving situation.
Use the cruise control system where possible ⇒ Cruise control system (CCS).
With a gear engaged, allow the vehicle to come to a halt by itself to make use of the engine braking
effect, e.g. when approaching traffic lights.
Using freewheeling
m/k/a995MKVehicles with a DSG dual clutch gearbox: When the selector lever is in
position D/S and neither the accelerator nor the brake pedal is depressed, the vehicle will roll
(coast) with practically no energy being consumed.
With the engine-off coasting function, the engine is not just disengaged, but is also switched off.
Driving with DSG dual clutch gearbox ⇒ Driving with DSG dual clutch gearbox.
Change gears in an energy-saving way
Shifting up early at an engine speed of 2,000 rpm will save energy. Do not drive gears to the limit
and avoid high revs.
The gear-change indicator is only designed to assist the driver and cannot replace the
driver's own judgement.
•The driver has full responsibility for selecting the correct gear in all situations (e.g.
when overtaking, driving up and down hills ⇒ Trailer towingand when towing a trailer).
CAUTION
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