Self-help
–
Ac c
elerate with particular care and cau-
tion.
– Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.
– Brake earlier than usual and more
smoothly. CAUTION
● To av oid d
amaging the vehicle, for example
the paint, remove and replace the lid and
towing eye carefully.
● Unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic con-
vert
er and damage it during towing. Indications for tow-starting
Vehicle's should not generally be tow-star-
t
ed.
The jump s
tart should be used instead
››› page 69.
For technical reasons, towing the following
vehicles is not allowed:
● Vehicles with an automatic gearbox.
● If the vehicle battery is discharged, be-
cause 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 batt
ery 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.
● Once both
vehicles are moving, release the
clutc
h.
● Once the engine starts, press the clutch
and diseng
age the gear to avoid colliding
with the towing vehicle. CAUTION
When tow-starting, unburnt fuel could enter
the cat a
lytic converter and damage it. Note
The vehicle can only be tow-started if the
electr 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 276.
When the vehicle needs to be towed:
Check whether the vehicle may be towed
››› page 100, Cases where towing a vehicle
is not allowed .
● Switch the ignition on.
● Put the gearbox lever in neutral or the se-
lect or l
ever in the N ›››
page 192 position.
● Do not allow the vehicle to be towed at
speeds
of over 50 km/h (30 mph).
● The vehicle must not be towed further than
50 km (30 mil e
s). »
99
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Emergencies
CAUTION
● The to w
ing eye must always be completely
and firmly tightened. Otherwise, it could be
released while towing and tow-starting.
● 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. If an unsuita-
ble tow bar is used, both the tow hitch and
the vehicle may be damaged. Instead, a tow
rope should be used. Driving tips for towing
Towing requires some expertise and experi-
enc
e, e
s
pecially when using a tow rope. Both
drivers should be familiar with the difficulties
involved in towing. For this reason, inexper-
ienced drivers should abstain from towing.
During towing, it should be ensured that no
impermissible tractive forces or shocks are
generated. When towing on an unpaved
road, there is always a risk of overloading
and damaging the anchorage points.
During towing, the towing vehicle can signal
the change of direction even with the hazard
warning lights turned on. To do so, at the
same time, the turn signal lever must be op-
erated with ignition switched on. Meanwhile,
the hazard warning lights will go off. When
the turn signal lever is returned to the rest position, the hazard warning lights will be
automatic
ally reactivated.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle ● Leave the ignition on, so that the steering
is not
blocked, and the electronic parking
brake may be deactivated and the turn sig-
nals and wash/wipe operated.
● More strength is required at the steering
wheel as
the power steering does not oper-
ate when the engine is switched off.
● You should depress the brake much harder
as the br
ake servo does not operate. Avoid
hitting the towing vehicle.
● Bear in mind the information and instruc-
tions in the m
anual of the vehicle to be tow-
ed.
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
● Accelerate with particular care and caution.
Avoid sh
arp manoeuvres.
● Brake earlier than usual and smoothly.
● Bear in mind the information and instruc-
tions in the m
anual of the towed vehicle. Fuses and bulbs
F u
se
s
Introduction In general, a fuse can be assigned to various
electric
al
components. Likewise, an electrical
component can be protected by several
fuses.
Only replace fuses when the cause of the
problem has been solved. If a newly inserted
fuse blows after a short time, you must have
the electrical system checked by a special-
ised workshop as soon as possible. WARNING
The high voltages in the electrical system can
give seriou s
electrical shocks, causing burns
and even death!
● Never touch the electrical wiring of the igni-
tion syst
em.
● Take care not to cause short circuits in the
electrica
l system. WARNING
Using unsuitable fuses, repairing fuses or
bridging a c urr
ent circuit without fuses can
cause a fire and serious injury. 102
Fuses and bulbs
●
Never u se a f
use with a higher value. Only
replace fuses with a fuse of the same amper-
age (same colour and markings) and size.
● Never repair a fuse.
● Never replace a fuse by a metal strip, staple
or simil
ar. CAUTION
● To pr ev
ent damage to the vehicle's electric
system, before replacing a fuse always turn
off the ignition, the lights and all electrical
elements and remove the key from the igni-
tion.
● If you replace a fuse with higher-rating
fuse,
you could cause damage to another part
of the electrical system.
● Protect the fuse boxes when open to pre-
vent the entr
y of dust or humidity as they can
damage the electrical system. Note
● One component m
ay have more than one
fuse.
● Several components may run on a single
fuse. Vehicle interior fuses
Fig. 102
On the driver-side dash panel (left-
h and driv
e): f
use box cover. Fig. 103
Glove compartment (right-hand
driv e): A
c
cess to the fuse box. Opening and closing the fuse box situated
belo
w the d
a
sh panel (left-hand drive)
● Opening: fold the cover down ››
› Fig. 102.
● Closing: push back the cover it in until it
clic
ks into place.
Fuses behind the glove compartment (right-
hand drive)
To be able to access the fuse box: »
103
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Emergencies
●
Ple a
se note that the above lists, while cor-
rect at the time of printing, are subject to
change. Changing a bulb
Topic intr
oductionRead the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 62.
Changing bulbs requires a certain degree of
practical skill.
If you choose to change the engine compart-
ment lamps yourself, remember that it is a
dangerous area ››› in Working in the en-
gine c omp
ar
tment on page 299.
Always use identical bulbs with the same
designation. The name can be found on the
base of the bulb holder.
Depending on how equipped the vehicle is,
there are different sets of headlights and tail
lights:
● Halogen headlights.
● Full-LED main headlights*
● Rear bulb light
● LED rear light* Full-LED headlight system*
Ful
l-LED headlights handle all light functions
(daylight, side light, turn signal, dipped
beam and route light) with light emitting di-
odes (LEDs) as a light source.
Full-LED headlights are designed to last the
lifetime of the car and light bulbs cannot be
replaced. In case of headlight failure, go to
an authorised workshop to have it replaced. WARNING
● Tak e p
articular care when working on com-
ponents in the engine compartment if the en-
gine is warm. Risk of burns.
● Bulbs are highly sensitive to pressure. The
glas
s can break when you touch the bulb,
causing injury.
● When changing bulbs, please take care not
to injure
yourself on sharp edges, in particu-
lar on the headlight housing. CAUTION
● Remo v
e the ignition key before working on
the electric system. Otherwise, a short circuit
could occur.
● Switch off the lights and the parking light
before c
hanging a bulb.
● Take good care to avoid damaging any com-
ponents. For the sake of the environment
Please ask your specialist retailer how to dis-
pose of u
sed bulbs in the proper manner. Note
● Ple a
se check at regular intervals that all
lighting (especially the exterior lighting) on
your vehicle is functioning properly. This is
not only in the interest of your own safety,
but also that of all other road users.
● Before changing a bulb, make sure you
have the c
orrect new bulb.
● Do not touch the glass part of the bulb with
your bar
e hands, use a cloth or paper towel
instead, since the fingerprints left on the
glass will vaporise as a result of the heat gen-
erated by the bulb, they will be deposited on
the reflector and will impair its surface.
● Depending on the level of equipment fitted
in the vehic
le, LEDs may be used for part or
all of the interior and/or exterior lighting.
LEDs have an estimated life that exceeds than
that of the car. If an LED light fails, go to an
authorised workshop for its replacement. 106
Controls and displays
Operation
C ontr
o
ls and displays
General instrument panel Door release lever
Centr
al
locking switch . . . . . . . . . . . .128
Control for the electric adjustment
of the ext
erior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Air outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Control lever for:
– Turn s ign
als and main beam
headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
– Lane Ass i
st . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
– Main beam a
ssist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
– Cruise c
ontrol system (CCS) . . . . .212
Depending on equipment fitted:
– Lev er f
or cruise control . . . . . . . . . .212
Steering wheel with horn and – Driver airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
– On-boar d c
omputer controls . . . .36
– Contro
ls for radio, telephone,
navigation and speech dialogue
system ›››
Booklet Radio
– Paddle levers for tiptronic gear-
shift (automatic gearbox) . . . . . . .195
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
1 2
3
4
5
6
7
8 Control lever for:
– Wind
s
creen wipers and washer . .153
– Wipe and wa
sh system . . . . . . . . . . 153
– On-board c
omputer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Depending on equipment fitted: ra-
dio or disp
lay for Easy Connect
(navigation, radio, TV/video) . . . . . .120
Depending on the equipment, but-
tons
for:
– Start-Stop system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
– Park a
ssist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
– Hazard w
arning lights . . . . . . . . . .149
– Tyr
e pressure switch . . . . . . . . . . . .313
– Airbag off di
splay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Depending on the equipment,
glov e c
ompartment with: . . . . . . . . .161
– CD pl a
yer* and/or SD card*
››› Booklet Radio
Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . .21
Front passenger airbag switch . . . .88
Passenger seat heating control . . . .158
Depending on the equipment, con-
tro l
s for:
– Heating and ventilation system or
manual air conditioner . . . . . . . . . .54, 53
– Autom atic
air conditioner . . . . . . .51
Depending on the equipment:
– USB/A UX-IN inp
ut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17 –
Light er/po
w
er socket . . . . . . . . . . . 162
– Connectivity
Box/Wireless Charg-
er* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
– Storag
e compartment
Gear lever for: – Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
– Automatic
gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Rotating control(Driving Experience
button) f
or driving modes . . . . . . . . .242
Auto Hold switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Electronic parking brake switch . . .186
Starter button (Keyless Access lock-
ing and ignition sys
tem) . . . . . . . . . . 183
Driver's seat heating control . . . . . .158
Ignition lock (vehicles without Key-
les
s Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Steering column adjustment lev-
er . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Knee airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Bonnet lock release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .299
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . .151
Headlight switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 Note
● Some of the equipment li
sted in this sec-
tion is only fitted on certain models or are op-
tional extras. » 18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
113
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
● St ar
t
-Stop system status display
››› page 208.
● Active cylinder management display
(ACT ®
)* ››
› page 202
● Signs recognised by the traffic signal de-
tection sys
tem ››› page 245
● Low consumption driving status (ECO)
›››
page 116
● Engine code (MKB) ›››
page 117.
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. 119 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. 119
4 pressed for more than 3 seconds to select
the hour or minut e di
s
play.
● To continue setting the time, press the up-
per or lower p
art 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 al
so be set on the Easy Connect
system using the button and the function
b utt
on
SETTINGS > Date and time
››› page 33.
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 41.
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 f
or countries in which the second
speed must always be visible.
The second speed display can be adjusted in
the Easy Connect system by means of the button and the function button SETTINGS >
Units › ›
›
page 33.
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 42.
The speed warning settings can be adjusted
in the Easy Connect system by means of the button and the function button SET-
TINGS > Driver Assistance
› ›
›
page 33.
Start-Stop operating display
Updated information relating to the status is
displayed on the instrument panel
››› page 208.
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 202.
116
Instruments and warning/control lamps
Identifying letters on engine (MKB)
Ho l
d the b
utton ››› Fig. 119 4 down for more
th an 15 sec
ond
s to display the identifying
letters of the vehicle engine (MKB). To do
this, the ignition must be switched on and
the engine switched off. WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›››
in Warning
and contr o
l lamps on page 119. 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.
● The outside temperature sensor takes a
guideline meas
urement. Note
● Differ ent
versions of the instrument panel
are available and therefore the versions and
instructions on the display may vary. In the
case of displays without warning or informa-
tion texts, faults are indicated exclusively by
the warning lamps.
● Depending on the equipment, some set-
tings
and instructions can also be carried out
in the Easy Connect system. ●
When sever a
l warnings are active at the
same time, the symbols are shown succes-
sively for a few seconds and will stay on until
the fault is rectified. Odometer
Fig. 120
Instrument panel: odometer and re-
set b
utt
on. The distance covered is displayed in “kilome-
tr
e
s” or mi
les “m”. It is possible to change
the measurement units (kilometres
“km”/miles “m”) in the radio/Easy Connect*.
Please refer to the Easy Connect* Instructions
Manual for more details.
Odometer/trip recorder
The odometer shows the total distance cov-
ered by the vehicle.
The trip recorder shows the distance that has
been travelled since it was last reset. It is used to measure short trips. The last digit of
the trip recor
der indicates distances of 100
metres or tenths of a mile.
The trip recorder can be set to zero by press-
ing 0.0/SET
› ››
Fig. 120
.
F
ault display
If there is a fault in the instrument panel, the
letters DEF will appear in the trip recorder
display. Have the fault repaired immediately,
as far as is possible.
Coolant temperature gauge Fig. 121
Instrument panel: coolant tempera-
t ur
e g
auge For vehicles with no coolant temperature
g
aug
e, a c
ontrol lamp appears for high
coolant temperatures ››› page 302. Please
note ››› .
»
117
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
The coolant temperature gauge only works
when the ignition i s
sw
itched on ››› Fig. 121.
In order to avoid engine damage, please read
the following notes for the different tempera-
ture ranges.
Engine cold
If only the diodes in the lower part of the
scale light up, this indicates that the engine
has not yet reached operating temperature.
Avoid high revs and heavy acceleration and
do not make the engine work hard.
Normal temperature
If in normal 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 302. CAUTION
● To en s
ure 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 42 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 c
ooling air when the vehicle is
moving. If the spoiler is damaged this can re-
duce the cooling effect, which could cause
the engine to overheat. Seek specialist assis-
tance. Fuel level
Fig. 122
Fuel gauge. The display
››
› Fig. 122 only works when the
ignition is switched on. When the display rea-
ches the reserve mark, the lower diode lights
up in red and the control lamp appears
››› page 114. 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. 119
.
The capacity of the fuel tank of your vehicle is
given in the Technical data section
››› page 56. 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. 118