The instrument cluster shows the status of the start/stop system each time the 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® can switch to coasting mode.
Vehicles with dual clutch gearbox DSG: when adaptive cruise control (ACC) is activated, the
dual clutch gearbox DSG® can switch to coasting mode.
In the following instances, the engine will restart when the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is active:
If the accelerator is depressed.
When the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) has resumed speed and distance control.
If the vehicle ahead has moved on.
WARNING
Never switch off the engine or the ignition while the vehicle is in motion. This can lead to a loss of
vehicle control, accidents and serious injuries.
The airbags and belt tensioners will not work if the ignition is switched off.
The brake servo will not work when the engine is switched off. That is why more pressure on the
brake pedal is needed to brake the vehicle when the engine is switched off.
The power steering will not work when the engine is not running. More power is needed to steer the
vehicle when the engine is switched off.
When the ignition is switched off, the steering lock may activate and you will no longer be able to
steer the vehicle.
The start/stop system must be deactivated if work is to be carried out in the engine compartment.
NOTICE
gearbox the clutch can be opened at idling speed, thus saving fuel. Thanks to its efficiency, low
weight and intelligent control system, the DSG® dual clutch gearbox usually enables fuel
consumption that is equal to or lower than a manual gearbox.
However, just like the manual gearbox, the clutch in the DSG® dual clutch gearbox is subject to wear.
Regular maintenance is necessary depending on the type of DSG® dual clutch gearbox; further
information ⇒ Scope of service . In the event of a fault in one gear train half, the DSG® dual clutch
gearbox also allows one gear train half to be deactivated and the journey to be continued using the
other gear train half ⇒ Troubleshooting . The gearbox must then be checked as soon as possible by a
qualified workshop.
DSG® dual clutch gearbox: selecting a gear
Fig. 105 Left-hand drive vehicles: selector lever for dual clutch gearbox DSG with lock button (arrow).
The location is mirrored in right-hand drive vehicles.
When the ignition is switched on, the selected gear or gearbox programme is displayed in the
instrument cluster display.
Instrument cluster display
Selector lever position Display
P P
R R
N N
D/S E, D or S ⇒ Driving profile selection and 4MOTION Active Control
Tiptronic gate M ⇒ Changing gear using Tiptronic
– Parking lock
The drive wheels are locked mechanically. May be selected only when the vehicle is stationary. To
disengage this selector lever position while the ignition is switched on, depress the brake pedal and
press the lock button in the selector lever.
– Reverse gear
Reverse gear is selected. May be selected only when the vehicle is stationary.
– Neutral
The gearbox is in the neutral position. No force is transmitted to the wheels and the braking effect of
the engine is not available.
– Standard forward driving position
Position : Normal programme.
All forward gears are shifted up and down automatically. The timing of the gear shift is determined
by the engine load, your individual driving style and the speed of the vehicle.
Position : Sport programme.
The forward gears are automatically changed up later and down earlier than in selector lever
position D. This exploits the engine’s full power reserves. The timing of the gear shift is determined
by the engine load, your individual driving style and the speed of the vehicle.
To change between positions D and S, move the selector lever to the rear ⇒ Fig. 105 .
The selector lever will always return to selector lever position D/S. That also works in the Tiptronic
gate ⇒ Changing gear using Tiptronic .
Selector lever lock
P
N
To release the selector lever lock, switch on the ignition and depress the brake pedal. Then press the
lock button in the selector lever handle in the direction of the arrow ⇒ Fig. 105 .
The selector lever lock is not engaged if the selector lever is moved quickly through position N, e.g.
when shifting from reverse to D/S. This makes it possible, for instance, to rock the vehicle backwards
and forwards if it is stuck in snow or mud. The selector lever lock engages automatically if the lever is
in position N for more than approximately one second without the brake being pressed and when
the vehicle is travelling no faster than approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
WARNING
Selecting the wrong position can cause you to lose control of the vehicle, which can lead to accidents
and serious injuries.
Never depress the accelerator when selecting a position.
When the engine is running and a position is engaged, the vehicle will start moving as soon as the
brake pedal is released.
Never shift to reverse or selector lever position P while the vehicle is moving.
Fig. 106 Selector lever in Tiptronic position (left-hand drive). Mirror image for right-hand drive
vehicles.
Fig. 107 Steering wheel with paddles for Tiptronic.
The gear that is currently selected will be maintained when the Tiptronic programme is selected.
This remains the case as long as the system does not automatically carry out a change of gear due to
the current driving situation.
Operating Tiptronic with the selector lever
Push the selector lever from position D/S to the right into the Tiptronic gate.
Tap the selector lever forwards ⊕ or back ㊀ to shift gear up or down ⇒ Fig. 106 .
When tapping the selector lever in the Tiptronic gate, it is not necessary to press the lock button on
the selector lever.
Operating Tiptronic with the paddles
Pull the right paddle ⇒ Fig. 107 towards the steering wheel to change up a gear.
Pull the left paddle towards the steering wheel to change down a gear.
To leave Tiptronic mode, pull the right paddle towards the steering wheel for approximately one
second.
Tiptronic is automatically deactivated if the selector paddles are not operated for some time and the
selector lever is not in the Tiptronic gate.
NOTICE
When accelerating, the gearbox automatically shifts up to the next gear shortly before the maximum
permitted engine speed is reached.
When shifting down a gear manually, the gearbox will not change gear until the engine can no longer
be overrevved.
Driving with DSG® dual clutch gearbox
The gearbox changes the forward gears up and down automatically.
Fig. 108 Removing the cover of the gearshift gate and manually releasing the selector lever lock.
Fig. 109 Unlocking the selector lever lock manually.
Engine does not start
The indicator lamp lights up green.
Brake pedal was not depressed, e.g. when trying to engage another position with the selector lever.
To select a position, press the brake pedal ⇒ Notes on driving .
Also see Electronic parking brake ⇒ Electronic parking brake .
Driving off is prevented by the lock button
The indicator lamp flashes green.
The lock button in the selector lever is not engaged.
Engage the selector lever lock.
Driving off is prevented by the selector lever lock
The indicator lamp flashes green. An information text is additionally displayed.
In rare cases, the selector lever lock may not engage in vehicles with a DSG® dual clutch gearbox.
The drive is then deactivated to prevent the vehicle from accidentally pulling away.
Depress the foot brake and then release it again.
Distance from vehicle ahead too close
The warning lamp lights up red.
Brake request by ACC ⇒ Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) .
The brake pedal was not depressed or not fully depressed.
Brake immediately.
Gearbox overheated
The indicator lamp lights up yellow.
A signal tone may also be given. A text message may also be shown on the instrument cluster
display.
The DSG® dual clutch gearbox can become too hot, for example, if the vehicle pulls off regularly,
during long periods at crawling speed, or in stop-and-go traffic.
Do not drive on!
Allow the gearbox to cool down in selector lever position P⇒ .
Do not drive on if the indicator lamp does not go out.
Seek expert assistance. Failure to do so could result in considerable damage to the gearbox.
Releasing the selector lever lock manually
If the power fails in the vehicle (for example if the 12-volt vehicle battery is flat) and the vehicle has
to be towed, the selector lever lock must be released manually. Seek expert assistance for this.
The manual release mechanism is located under the cover of the gearshift gate.
Removing the cover of the gearshift gate:
Switch on the electronic parking brake. If the electronic parking brake cannot be switched on, the
vehicle will have to be prevented from rolling away using other means.
Switch off the ignition.
Carefully pull the cover upwards in the area around the selector lever gaiter with connected
electrical wiring ⇒ Fig. 108 .
Pull the cover up and over the selector lever ⇒ .
Depending on the vehicle equipment, there are two possible manual release mechanism variants.
Releasing the selector lever lock manually:
Using the flat blade of the screwdriver from the vehicle toolkit, carefully push the release lever in the
direction of the arrow and keep it in this position ⇒ Fig. 108 .
Press the lock button on the front of the selector lever and move the selector lever into position N.
After manual unlocking, carefully press the cover into the centre console while ensuring that the
electrical wires are positioned correctly.
Using the flat blade of the screwdriver from the vehicle toolkit, carefully push the release lever in the
direction of the arrow and keep it in this position ⇒ Fig. 109 .
Press the lock button on the front of the selector lever and move the selector lever into position N.
After manual unlocking, carefully press the cover into the centre console while ensuring that the
electrical wires are positioned correctly.
Emergency programme
There is a fault in the system if all the displays on the instrument cluster for the selector lever
positions have a light background. The DSG® dual clutch gearbox is running in an emergency
programme. The vehicle can still be driven in the emergency programme, but only at reduced speed
and not in all gears.
In vehicles with a DSG® dual clutch gearbox, you may no longer be able to select reverse gear.
In all cases, you should have the DSG® dual clutch gearbox checked by a qualified workshop
immediately.
Vehicle does not move even though position is engaged
If the vehicle will not move in the required direction, the system may have selected the position
incorrectly.
Depress the brake pedal and reselect the position.
If the vehicle still does not move in the required direction, there is a system fault. Seek expert
assistance and have the system checked.
WARNING
Never move the selector lever out of the position P if the electronic parking brake is not switched on.
Otherwise the vehicle could move unexpectedly if it is stopped on an uphill or downhill gradient,
which could lead to accidents and serious injuries.
NOTICE
If the vehicle rolls for an extended period or at high speed with the engine switched off and the
selector lever in the position N, the DSG® dual clutch gearbox will be damaged, e.g. when being
towed.
NOTICE
If the display indicates that the gearbox is overheating for the first time, the vehicle must either be
parked safely or driven faster than 20 km/h (12 mph).
The downhill speed control cannot hold the vehicle on the gradient in all situations or brake it
sufficiently on all slopes going downhill (e.g. if the ground is slippery or icy).
WARNING
Always be prepared to brake the vehicle. Accidents and injuries could occur if you are not prepared
to brake.
The downhill speed control is only a support function and may not be able to brake the vehicle
sufficiently in all situations when driving downhill.
The vehicle may become faster despite the downhill speed control being in operation.
Steering
Information on steering
The steering should be locked every time you leave the vehicle to make it more difficult for the
vehicle to be stolen.
The steering
The power steering is not hydraulic, but is an electromechanical system. The advantage of this
steering system is that no hydraulic hoses, hydraulic oil, pumps, filter or other parts are required.
The electromechanical system reduces fuel consumption. A hydraulic system requires constant oil
pressure in the system, whereas an electromechanical steering system only needs an energy supply
while steering.
In vehicles with driving profile selection, the selected driving profile can affect the behaviour of the
power steering ⇒ Driving profile selection and 4MOTION Active Control .
Electronic steering column lock in vehicles with a starter button
The steering column will be locked if the driver door is opened when the ignition is switched off. For
this, the vehicle should be stationary and, if necessary, the gear selector lever should be in position
P.
If the ignition is not switched off until after the driver door is opened, the electronic steering column
will only be locked when the vehicle is locked using the sensor in the door handle or the vehicle key.
Mechanical steering column lock (steering lock) in vehicles with an ignition lock
The steering column is locked if the vehicle key is removed from the ignition lock when the vehicle is
stationary. Turn the steering wheel slightly until the steering lock audibly engages.
Insert the vehicle key into the ignition lock to unlock the steering lock. Turn the steering wheel
slightly to relieve the load on the steering lock mechanism. Hold the steering wheel in this position
and turn the ignition on.
Electromechanical steering