Driving
Starter button* Fig. 178
In the lower part of the centre con-
so l
e: s
tarter button. Fig. 179
On the right of the steering column:
emer gency
start. The vehicle engine can be started with a
s
t
ar
ter button (Press & Drive). To do so, there
must be a valid key inside the vehicle in the
area of the front or rear seats. In vehicles with the Keyless Access
›››
page 125 system, the engine can also be
started with the key in the luggage compart-
ment.
Opening the driver's door when exiting the
vehicle activates the electronic lock on the
steering column if the ignition is disabled.
Switching the ignition on/off manually
Briefly push the starter button without touch-
ing the brake or clutch pedal ››› .
F or
v
ehicles with both manual and automatic
transmission, the starter button text START ENGINE STOP flashes like a heartbeat
when the sy s
t
em is preset for switching the
ignition on and off.
Automatic ignition switch-off
If the driver leaves the vehicle, taking the ve-
hicle key with them but leaving the ignition
on, the ignition is not switched off automati-
cally. The ignition is switched off automati-
cally by pressing the lock button on the re-
mote control or manually by pressing the
sensor surface on the door lever ››› Fig. 132
Emergency starting function
If no valid key is detected inside the vehicle,
an emergency start-up will be required. The
relevant message will appear in the dash
panel display. This may happen when, for ex- ample, the battery of the vehicle key button
is
very low or flat:
● Immediately after pushing the starter but-
ton, keep the
vehicle key next to the right
trim of the steering column ››› Fig. 179, as
close as possible to the Kessy logo.
● The ignition connects and the engine starts
automatic
ally.
Emergency disconnection
If the engine does not switch off after briefly
pressing the starter button, an emergency
disconnect will be required:
● Press the starter button twice within 3 sec-
onds or pr
ess it once for more than 1 sec-
ond ››› .
● The engine turns off automatically.
En gine r
e
start feature
If no valid key is detected inside the vehicle
after the engine stops, you will only have 5
seconds to restart it. A warning will display
on the dash panel screen.
After this interval, it will not be possible to
start the engine without a valid key inside
the vehicle. »
183
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Automatic deactivation of the ignition on ve-
hic l
e
s with the Start-Stop system
The ignition is switched off automatically
when the vehicle is stopped and the auto-
matic engine shutdown is active, if:
● The driver's seat belt is not fastened,
● the driver does not step on any pedal,
● the driver door is opened.
After aut
omatically turning off the ignition, if
the dipped beam is on, the side light re-
mains on for approx. 30 minutes (if the bat-
tery is sufficiently charged). If the driver locks
the vehicle or manually turns off the light, the
side light goes out. WARNING
Any accidental movement of the vehicle could
re s
ult in serious injury.
● When switching on the ignition, do not
pre
ss the brake or clutch pedal, otherwise
the engine could start immediately. WARNING
If vehicle keys are used negligently or with-
out due c ar
e, this may cause accidents and
serious injury.
● Never leave any key inside the vehicle
when exitin
g. Otherwise, a child or unauthor-
ised person could lock the vehicle, start the
engine or connect the ignition and, in this way, operate electronic equipment (e.g. the
windo
w
s). Note
● Bef or
e leaving the vehicle, always discon-
nect the ignition manually and, if appropri-
ate, take into account the instructions on the
screen of the dash panel.
● If the vehicle is stationary for a long time
with the ignition on, the v
ehicle battery
might be discharged and it might not be pos-
sible to start the engine.
● In diesel vehicles, there may be a delay in
the engine st
arting if it requires preheating.
● If during the STOP phase you press the
STAR
T ENGINE STOP button, the ignition is
swit c
hed off and the button flashes.
● If the indication “Start-Stop system deacti-
vated:
Start the engine manually” is dis-
played on the dash panel display, the START ENGINE STOP button will blink.
Starting the engine
3 V
alid for vehicles: with Keyless Access
StepStarting the engine with the starter
button ››› page 183 (Press & Drive).
1.Press and hold the brake pedal until step 5
is performed.
StepStarting the engine with the starter
button ››› page 183 (Press & Drive).
1a.In vehicles with a manual gearbox: press
and hold the clutch down until the engine
starts.
2.Put the gearbox lever in neutral or the selec-
tor lever in position P or N.
3.
Briefly press the starter button ››› Fig. 178
without pressing the accelerator. For the en-
gine to start there must be a valid key in the
vehicle.
After starting the engine, the light of the START ENGINE STOP
button changes to a fixed
light indicating that the engine has started.
4.
If the engine does not start, stop and wait
for approx. 1 minute before trying again. If
necessary, perform an emergency start
››› page 183.
5.Disconnect the electronic parking brake
when you are about to start driving
››› page 186. WARNING
Never leave the vehicle with the engine run-
ning, e s
pecially if a gear or gear range is en-
gaged. The vehicle could then suddenly move
or something strange could happen that
would cause damage, fire or serious injury. WARNING
Cold start sprays could explode or cause a
sud den inc
rease in the engine speed.184
Driving
●
Never u se s
prays to cold start the engine. CAUTION
● The s tar
ter motor or the engine may be
damaged if you try to start the engine while
driving or if you restart it immediately after
switching it off.
● If the engine is cold, avoid high engine
speeds, p
ushing the engine too hard and rap-
id acceleration.
● Do not start the engine by pushing the ve-
hicle or t
owing it. Unburnt fuel could enter
the catalytic converter and damage it. Note
● Do not w ait
until the engine warms up with
the vehicle stationary; if you have good visi-
bility through the windows, start driving im-
mediately. This helps the engine reach oper-
ating temperature faster and reduces emis-
sions.
● Electrical components with a high power
cons
umption are switched off temporarily
when the engine starts.
● When starting with a cold engine, noise
level
s may briefly increase. This is quite nor-
mal, and no cause for concern.
● When the outside temperature is below
+5°C (+41°F), if the en
gine is diesel, some
smoke may appear under the vehicle when
the fuel-operated auxiliary heater is on. Stopping the engine
3 Valid for vehicles: with Keyless Access
StepSwitch off the engine with the starter
button
››› page 183.
1.Stop the vehicle completely ››› .
2.Press and hold the brake pedal until the step
4 is performed.
3.If you are driving an automatic vehicle, place
the selector lever in position P.
4.Connect the electronic parking brake
››› page 186.
5.
Briefly press the start-up button ››› Fig. 178.
The START ENGINE STOP button blinks again. If
the engine fails to switch off, perform an
emergency disconnect ››› page 183.
6.If the vehicle is equipped with a manual
gearbox, put it into 1st or reverse. WARNING
Never switch off the engine while the vehicle
is mo
ving. This could cause loss of control of
the vehicle, accidents and serious injury.
● The airbags and belt tensioners do not
work when the ignition i
s switched off.
● The brake servo does not work with the en-
gine off. Ther
efore, you need to press the
break pedal harder to brake the vehicle. ●
Po w
er steering does not work when the en-
gine is not running. You need more strength
to steer when the engine is switched off.
● If the ignition is switched off, the steering
column c
ould be locked, making it impossible
to control the vehicle. CAUTION
If the engine is made to work hard for a long
time, it ma
y overheat after being switched
off. To prevent damage to the engine before
switching it off, leave it idle for approx. 2 mi-
nutes in neutral. Note
After switching off the engine, the cooling fan
ma y
continue to operate in the engine com-
partment for a few more minutes, even with
the ignition off. The radiator fan is automati-
cally switched off. “My Beat” Function
For vehicles with a convenience key there is
the “M
y
B
eat” function. This feature provides
an additional indication of the vehicle igni-
tion system.
When accessing the vehicle, e.g. by opening
the doors with the remote control, the START ENGINE STOP button flashes, calling at-
t ention t
o the r
elevant starter system button. »
185
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Upon switching the ignition on/off, the light
of the S
T
ART ENGINE STOP button flashes. With
the en gine sw
it
ched off, after a few seconds,
the STOP ENGINE START button stops flashing
and g oe
s
out.
With the engine running, the START ENGINE STOP button light stays on, indi-
c atin
g th
at the engine is running. The time
that lapses between the moment the user
starts the engine with the START ENGINE STOPbutton and the lighting changes from flash-
in
g t
o fi
xed will depend on specific engine
size characteristics. Upon switching the igni-
tion off with the START ENGINE STOP button, it
s t
ar
ts flashing again.
In vehicles with the Start-Stop system , the
“My Beat” function also offers additional in-
formation:
● When the engine stops during the Stop
phase, the light
of the START ENGINE STOP but-
t on s
t
ays on, since, even though the engine
is off, the Start-Stop system is active.
● When the engine cannot be stated again
with the St
art-Stop system, ››› page 208, and
needs to be started manually, the START ENGINE STOP button flashes to indicate
thi s
f
act. Braking and parking
Electronic
parking brake Fig. 180
In the lower part of the centre con-
so l
e: el
ectronic parking brake button. The electronic parking brake replaces the
h
andbr
ak
e.
Activating the electronic parking brake
The electronic parking brake can be activated
whenever the vehicle is at a standstill, even
when the ignition is switched off. Activate it
whenever you leave or park the vehicle.
● Pull and hold the ›››
Fig. 180 button.
● The parking brake is activated when the
contro
l light of the ››› Fig. 180 button (arrow)
and the red control light of the display in
the dash panel are on.
● Release the button. Releasing the electronic parking brake
●
Switch the ignition on.
● Press the button ›››
Fig. 180. At the same
time step hard on the brake pedal or, if the
engine is running, press the accelerator ped-
al slightly.
● The control light of the ›››
Fig. 180 button
(arrow) and the red control light of the dis-
play in the dash panel go out.
Automatic release of the electronic parking
brake on starting the engine
The electronic parking brake is automatically
switched off when starting if, after the driv-
er's door is closed and the driver's seat belt
fastened, any of the following situations take
place:
● On vehicles with an automatic gearbox: A
gear r
ange is engaged or the vehicle is
switched to another one and the accelerator
pedal is lightly pressed.
● In vehicles with a manual gearbox: The
clutc
h pedal is pressed fully before starting
off and the accelerator is pedal lightly press-
ed.
● To facilitate certain manoeuvres there are
exc
eptions that allow the automatic parking
brake to be released without the driver's seat
belt being fastened.
The parking brake can be prevented from be-
ing automatically released by continuously
186
Driving
pulling up the ››
› Fig. 180 switch when
starting off.
The electronic parking brake is not discon-
nected until the button is released. This
can facilitate starting off when a heavy load
is towed ››› page 273.
Automatic activation of the electronic park-
ing brake when exiting the vehicle incorrect-
ly
In vehicles with automatic transmission, the
electronic parking brake is activated auto-
matically when exiting the vehicle incorrectly
if: ● The selector lever is in the D/S or R posi-
tion or in the
Tiptronic selector gate.
● AND: the vehicle is stationary.
● AND: the driv
er door is
open.
Emergency braking function
Only use the emergency brake function if you
are unable to stop the vehicle with the foot
brake ››› .
● Pull and hold the › ›
›
Fig. 180 button in
this position to forcefully stop the vehicle. At
the same time, an acoustic warning can be
heard.
● To stop the braking process, release the
button or pr
ess the accelerator. WARNING
The improper use of the electronic parking
brak e c
an cause accidents and serious injury.
● Never use the electronic parking brake to
stop the
vehicle, unless it is an emergency.
Braking distances can be considerably lon-
ger, since, under certain circumstances, only
the rear wheels brake. Always use the foot
brake.
● Never accelerate from the engine when a
gear r
ange or a gear is engaged and the en-
gine is running. The vehicle could move, even
if the electronic parking brake is activated. CAUTION
To prevent the vehicle from unintentionally
mov in
g when parking it, first apply the elec-
tronic parking brake and then remove your
foot from the brake pedal. Note
● In v ehic
les with a manual gearbox, releas-
ing the clutch and accelerating at the same
time automatically disconnects the electronic
parking brake.
● If the vehicle battery is flat, it will not be
poss
ible to disconnect the electronic parking
brake. Use the jump-start ›››
page 69.
● When the electronic parking brake is ap-
plied or rel
eased, noises may be heard.
● The system performs automatic and audi-
ble t
ests sporadically in the parked vehicle if some time elapses without the electronic
park
in
g brake being used. Parking
The electronic parking brake should always
be app
lied when the
vehicle is parked.
Always note the following points when park-
ing the vehicle: – Use the brake pedal to stop the vehicle.
– Apply the electronic parking brake.
– Put it in 1st gear.
– Switch the engine off and remove the key
from the ignition. T
urn the steering wheel
slightly to engage the steering lock.
– Never leave a vehicle key in the vehicle.
Additiona
l notes on parking the vehicle on
gradients:
Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle
rolls against the kerb if it started to roll.
● If the vehicle is parked facing downhil
l,
turn the front wheels so that they point to-
wards the kerb .
● If the vehicle is parked facing uphill
, turn
the front wheels so that they point away from
the kerb. »
187
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driving
clutch pedal is pressed and held and it does
not en
g
age. CAUTION
To prevent damage and avoid premature
w ear
, please observe the following:
● Do not rest your hand on the gear lever
while driv
ing. The pressure applied by your
hand is transmitted to the gearbox selector
forks.
● Always ensure that the vehicle is complete-
ly st
opped before engaging the reverse gear.
● Always press the clutch to the floor when
chan
ging gears.
● Never hold the vehicle “on the clutch” on
hill
s with the engine on. Automatic gearbox/DSG auto-
m
atic g
earbox*
Introduction Your vehicle is equipped with an electronical-
ly
c
ontr
olled manual gearbox. Torque be-
tween the engine and the gearbox is trans-
mitted via two independent clutches. They re-
place the torque converter found on conven-
tional automatic gearboxes and allow for
smooth, uninterrupted acceleration of the ve-
hicle. The tiptronic system allows the driver to
ch
ange gears manually if desired
››› page 195, Engaging gears with the trip-
tonic mode*.
Selector lever positions Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 49
The selector lever position engaged is high-
lighted on the display in the instrument clus-
ter. With the selector lever in the manual
gearbox positions G, D, E and S, the engaged
gear is also indicated on the display.
P – Parking lock
When the selector lever is in this position,
the driven wheels are locked mechanically.
The parking lock must be engaged only when
the vehicle is stationary ››› .
The int erloc
k
button (the button on the selec-
tor lever handle) must be pressed in and si-
multaneously the brake pedal must be de-
pressed before moving the selector lever ei-
ther in or out of position P.
R – Reverse gear
Reverse gear must be engaged only when the
vehicle is stationary and the engine is idling
››› .To move the selector lever to position R, the
int
erloc
k
button must be pressed in and at
the same time the brake pedal must be de-
pressed. The reverse lights come on when
the selector lever is in the R position with the
ignition on.
N – Neutral (idling)
With the selector lever in this position, the
gear is in neutral.
D/S – Permanent drive (forward) position
The selector lever in the D/S position enables
the gears to be controlled in normal mode (D)
or Sport (S). To select Sport mode (S), move
the selector lever backwards. Moving the lev-
er again will select normal mode (D). The se-
lected driving mode is shown on the instru-
ment panel display.
In normal mode (D), the gearbox automatical-
ly selects the best gear ratio. This depends
on the engine load, the road speed and the
dynamic gear control programme (DCP).
Sport mode (S) must be selected for a sporty
driving style. This setting makes use of the
engine's maximum power output. When ac-
celerating the gear shifts will be noticeable.
Press the brake pedal to move the selector
lever from N to D/S when the vehicle is sta-
tionary or at speeds below 3 km/h (2 mph)
››› .
»
193
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Under certain circumstances (e.g. when driv-
in g in mou
nt
ains) it can be advantageous to
switch temporarily to tiptronic mode
››› page 195, in order to manually select gear
ratios to suit the driving conditions. WARNING
● Tak e c
are not to accidentally press the ac-
celerator pedal when the vehicle is stopped.
The vehicle could otherwise start moving im-
mediately (in some cases even if the parking
brake is engaged) resulting in the risk of an
accident.
● Never move the selector lever to R or P
when driving. F
ailure to follow this instruc-
tion could result in an accident.
● With selector lever in any position (except
P) the vehic
le must always be held with the
foot brake when the engine is running. This is
because an automatic gearbox still transmits
power even at idling speed, and the vehicle
tends to “creep”. The accelerator pedal must
on no account be pressed inadvertently when
a gear is engaged with the vehicle stationary.
The vehicle could otherwise start moving im-
mediately (in some cases even if the parking
brake is engaged) resulting in the risk of an
accident.
● While you are selecting a gear and the vehi-
cle i
s stopped with the engine running, do
not accelerate. Failure to follow this instruc-
tion could result in an accident.
● As a driver you should never leave your ve-
hicle if
the engine is running and a gear is en- gaged. If you have to leave your vehicle while
the engine i
s
running, you must apply the
handbrake and engage the parking lock (P).
● To avoid accidents, apply the handbrake
and put the sel
ector lever in position P before
opening the bonnet and working on the vehi-
cle with the engine running. Please always
observe the important safety warnings
››› page 298, Working in the engine compart-
ment. Note
● If the sel ect
or lever is moved accidentally
to N when driving, release the accelerator and
let the engine speed drop to idling before se-
lecting gear range D or S again.
● Should the power supply to the selector
lever be int
errupted in position P, the selector
lever will be locked. If this should happen the
manual release can be used ›››
page 49. Selector lever lock
Fig. 181
Selector lever lock. The selector lever lock prevents gears from
bein g en
g
aged inadvertently, so that the ve-
hicle is not set in motion unintentionally.
The selector lever lock is released as follows:
– Switch the ignition on.
– Press the brake pedal and, at
the same
time, hold the lock button in the direction
of the arrow ››› Fig. 181.
Automatic selector lever lock
With the ignition switched on, the selector
lever is locked in the positions P and N. The
brake pedal must be pressed to release the
lever while pressing the release button if the
selector lever is in the position P. As a re-
minder for the driver, with the lever in posi-
tions P or N the following message will be
shown on the display:
194
Driving
When stationary, apply footbrake
while selecting a gear.
L ev
el
lock only engages with the vehicle sta-
tionary and at speeds of up to 5 km/h
(3 mph). At speeds of over 5 km/h (3 mph)
the lever lock is automatically deactivated in
position N.
The selector lever lock is not engaged if the
selector lever is moved quickly through posi-
tion N (e.g. when shifting from R to D). This
makes it possible, for instance, to rock the
vehicle “backwards and forwards” if it is
stuck. The selector lever lock engages auto-
matically if the brake pedal is not depressed
and the lever is in position N for more than
about two seconds.
Interlock button
The interlock button on the selector lever
handle prevents the driver from inadvertently
engaging certain gears. Press the button in
to disengage the selector lever lock.
Safety interlock for ignition key
Depending on the country, once the ignition
has been turned off, the key may be removed
only if the gear selector is in position P. While
the key is not in the ignition, the selector lev-
er is locked in position P. Note
● If the sel ect
or lever lock does not engage,
there is a fault. The transmission is interrup-
ted to prevent the vehicle from accidentally
moving. Follow the procedure below in order
for the selector lever lock to engage again:
–With a 6-speed gearbox: press the brake
pedal and release it again.
– With a 7-speed gearbox: press the brake
pedal. Move the selector lever to posi-
tion P or N and subsequently engage a
gear.
● Despite a gear being engaged, the vehicle
does not
move forwards or back. Proceed to
the next mode:
– When the vehicle does not move in the
required direction, the system may not
have the gear range correctly engaged.
Press the brake pedal and engage the
gear range again.
– If the vehicle still does not move in the
required direction, there is a system mal-
function. Seek specialist assistance and
have the system checked. Engaging gears with the triptonic
mode*
Fig. 182
Centre console: changing gear with
tiptr onic Fig. 183
Steering wheel: automatic gearbox
l ev
er
s The tiptronic gives the driver the option to
c
h
an
ge gears manually. »
195
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety