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A minimum engine temperature has been reached.
Vehicles with Climatronic: the temperature of the vehicle interior is within the preset
temperature range, and the humidity level is not too high.
The defrost function of the air conditioning system is not switched on.
The charge level of the 12-volt vehicle battery is sufficient.
The temperature of the 12-volt vehicle battery is not too low or too high.
The vehicle is not on a steep uphill or downhill gradient.
Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox: the steering wheel is not turned too sharply.
The windscreen heating is not switched on.
Reverse gear is not engaged.
Park Assist is not active.
When the conditions for automatic engine switch-off are fulfilled only during a stationary phase, the
engine can also switch off subsequently, e.g. after switching off the defrost function.
Conditions for an automatic restart
The engine can start automatically under the following conditions:
If the temperature inside the vehicle substantially increases or decreases.
If the vehicle starts rolling.
If the electrical voltage of the 12-volt vehicle battery drops.
If the steering wheel is moved.
As a general rule, the engine always starts again automatically when required by the detected
situation and for the vehicle.
Conditions that require a manual engine start
The engine must be started manually in the following conditions:
If the driver door is opened.
If the bonnet is opened.
Manually deactivating and activating the start/stop system
Press the button in the centre console Fig. 102to deactivate the system manually. If the
start/stop system has been deactivated, the indicator lamp in the button lights up.
Press the button in the centre console again Fig. 102to activate the system manually once
more.
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button is pressed.
If the start/stop system has switched the engine off, it will start again as soon as the system is
deactivated manually with the button.
Always deactivate the start/stop system manually when driving through water.
Start/stop mode when Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is active
The engine will be switched off after the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) has brought the vehicle to a
standstill via an active braking intervention Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
The engine will be switched off after the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) has brought the vehicle to a
standstill via an active braking intervention Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Vehicles with dual clutch gearbox DSG: when adaptive cruise control (ACC) is activated, the
dual clutch gearbox DSG
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Fig. 104 Gear shift pattern of a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Selecting a forward gear
The positions of the individual driving gears are shown on the gearshift
lever Fig. 103or Fig. 104
Fully depress and hold the clutch pedal.
Move the gear lever to the required position
Release the clutch to engage.
In some countries, the clutch pedal will have to be depressed fully in order to start the engine.
Selecting reverse gear
Reverse gear should be selected only when the vehicle is stationary.
Fully depress and hold the clutch pedal
Move the gear lever to the neutral position and push down.
Push the gear lever fully to the left and then to the front into the reverse gear position Fig. 103
or Fig. 104
Release the clutch to engage.
Shifting down
Shifting down when the vehicle is in motion should always take place to the next lower gear and
avoiding high engine speeds speeds, damage to the clutch and
the gearbox could occur if one or more gears are skipped when shifting down gear, even if the clutch
is not released when doing this
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.
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users are not put at risk due to the acceleration and driving style.
Always adjust your driving style in accordance with the flow of traffic.
When the TCS is switched off, the drive wheels may spin, especially if the road surface is wet,
slippery or dirty. This may result in you no longer being able to steer or control the vehicle.
WARNING
When the engine is running, the vehicle will start to move as soon as a gear is engaged and the
clutch is released. This also applies when the electronic parking brake has been switched on.
Never engage reverse gear while the vehicle is in motion.
WARNING
Shifting gears incorrectly to gears that are too low can lead to a loss of control over the vehicle, with
accidents and serious injuries as a consequence.
NOTICE
Serious damage to the clutch and gearbox could occur if the gear lever of the manual gearbox is
shifted to a gear which is too low when travelling at high speeds or at high engine speeds. This also
applies if the clutch remains depressed and the gears do not engage.
NOTICE
Please note the following points in order to avoid damage and premature wear:
Do not rest your hand on the gear lever when driving. The pressure from your hand is passed onto
the selector forks in the gearbox.
Ensure that the vehicle has come to a full stop before engaging reverse gear.
Always fully depress the clutch pedal when changing gear.
Do not hold the vehicle by riding the clutch on uphill gradients with the engine running.
Changing up a gear early will help to save fuel and minimise engine noise.
Troubleshooting
Clutch slipping
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Clutch is not transmitting the full engine torque.
If necessary, remove foot from the clutch pedal.
Clutch overheated
The indicator lamp lights up yellow.
An acoustic warning may also be given
The clutch can overheat, for example if the vehicle pulls off frequently, travels at a crawl for long
periods, or in stop and go traffic.
Overheating is indicated by the warning lamp and in some cases by additional warning lamps and a
text message in the instrument cluster display.
You can continue to drive.
Clutch faulty
The indicator lamp lights up yellow.
The clutch is faulty.
Drive on carefully!
Seek expert assistance. Failure to do so can cause considerable clutch damage.
DSG
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ot on the clutch when driving offroad. When travelling over
uneven ground, you could press the clutch by mistake and lose control of the vehicle. This also
prevents power being transferred between the engine and the gearbox. In addition, driving with the
clutch partially engaged causes premature wear to the clutch lining.
Useful accessories for offroad driving
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
The checklist contains just a few items of equipment that can be very useful for offroad driving. If
you have an instruction manual or fitting instructions for these accessories, you should always take
them with you and observe them as necessary when driving offroad.
Checklist
Useful items when driving offroad:
Water, compass, maps and torch with spare batteries.
Winch, tow bar or rope with sufficient strength.
Mobile telephone, shovel, blankets and rubber boots.
Electrical air compressor for connection to the 12-volt sockets in the vehicle to inflate the tyres.
A wooden board approx. 4 cm thick and approx. 1 metre long or an aluminium frame of similar size:
this can be used to free a vehicle stuck in the mud and provide a platform for a vehicle jack.
Snow chains, additional spare wheels, a breakdown set, jack and box spanner.
Changing gear correctly
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
The correct choice of gear depends on the offroad terrain.
Before attempting to drive through difficult terrain it can be helpful to stop and consider which gear
you should select. After several trips offroad, you will learn which gear to select in conjunction with
the step-down ratio and differential locks for different types of terrain.
General rules
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ripping of the tread surface and thus to a loss of control over the vehicle.
Driving on steep terrain
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Driving uphill or downhill
Get out of the vehicle and assess the situation before you attempt to drive up or down a hill:
Walk along the section and check the firmness of the ground. Look out for obstacles and other
hidden dangers
Check the section beyond the hill.
You should not follow the route if it is too steep, uneven or if the ground surface is too loose. Select
another route.
Drive slowly and at constant speed straight up or down a slope.
Accelerate only to the speed you need to climb the slope. Too much acceleration can cause the
wheels to spin and lead to a loss of control of the vehicle. Insufficient throttle increases the
probability of stalling the engine.
Never attempt to stop or turn on a slope.
Avoid allowing the engine to stall.
Do not change gear or engage the clutch when climbing a slope.
Use the offroad display Offroad display
If you cannot continue to drive up a hill
Never turn the vehicle around on an uphill gradient.
If the engine has stalled, depress the footbrake and start the engine again.
Select reverse gear and reverse back slowly in a straight line.
Use the foot brake to keep a constant speed until you have reached a safe place.
Driving downhill
Never exceed the tilt angle of the vehicle! If, in an emergency, you have to traverse the slope when
driving down it and the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer into the fall line immediately.
There is an increased risk of rolling over when driving downhill. Concentrate on steering the vehicle
when driving downhill in particular.
Use the offroad display on steep downhill stretches Offroad display
Drive down steep inclines in first gear.
Use the foot brake sparingly in order not to lose control of the vehicle.
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Do not press the clutch and do not select neutral.
WARNING
Never try driving up or down an incline if it is too steep for the vehicle. The vehicle could slide away,
tip over or roll.
The uphill or downhill gradient must be no greater than the maximum permissible gradient for the
vehicle.
Always drive up and down gradients in the fall line.
Never turn the vehicle when driving up or down gradients. The vehicle could tip over or slide away
sideways.
If the engine stops or if you cannot drive on for any reason, stop the vehicle and depress the brake
pedal. Start the engine again. Select reverse gear, release the brake pedal and using the engine
braking effect to carefully reverse in a straight line along the fall line. Keep the vehicle speed low and
constant.
If you are unable to start the engine, keep your foot steady on the brake pedal and allow the vehicle
to roll back down the track you made when driving up the hill. Keep the vehicle speed low and
constant.
Never let the vehicle roll backwards down a slope in neutral. You could lose control over the vehicle.
Traversing a slope
Fig. 115 Steering into the fall line.