NOTICE
Free access to the pedals must be ensured 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.
Gear-change indicator
Fig. 96 On the instrument cluster display: gear-change indicator.
Key to ⇒ Fig. 96 :
Currently selected gear.
Recommended gear.
Depending on the vehicle's equipment level, the instrument cluster display may indicate a gear
which should be selected to reduce fuel consumption while the vehicle is in motion.
Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox: the selector lever must be in the Tiptronic position for
this ⇒ 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 filter by recommending the most suitable gear when driving. Compared
with normal driving, this may mean driving with an increased engine speed ⇒ Particulate filter .
CAUTION
The gear-change indicator is designed only 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
or when driving up and down hills.
Driving in the correct gear can help to reduce fuel consumption.
The 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
Fuel consumption, environmental impact and wear of the engine, brakes and tyres can be reduced
by adopting the correct driving style. A few tips are provided below which will help you protect the
environment and also save money.
Fig. 97 Fuel consumption in l/100 km at two different ambient 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 to think ahead when driving.
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.
Use coasting
Vehicles with a DSG dual clutch gearbox: when the selector lever is in position D and neither
the accelerator nor the brake pedal is depressed, the vehicle will roll (coast) with practically no
energy being consumed.
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.
Vehicles with manual gearbox: change from first to second gear immediately after setting off.
Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox: accelerate slowly and avoid using the kickdown
function.
Gear-change indicator ⇒ Gear-change indicator .
The key bit in the vehicle key must be folded out fully and locked in position.
Only attach light objects weighing less than 100 g to the vehicle key.
NOTICE
The 12-volt battery may be discharged unintentionally and prevent the engine from restarting if the
ignition is switched on while the engine is switched off.
Always switch off the ignition before you leave the vehicle.
For vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox in some markets: if the vehicle key cannot be
removed from the ignition lock when the vehicle is stopped, move the selector lever to P. If
necessary, press the lock button in the selector lever and then release it.
Starter button
The starter button replaces the ignition lock (Press & Drive).
Fig. 100 In the lower section of the centre console: starter button for starting the engine.
The starter button is used to start the vehicle (Press & Drive).
The vehicle can be activated only if there is a valid vehicle key in the vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, the electronic steering column lock will be activated when the ignition is
switched off and the driver door is opened ⇒ Steering .
Switching the ignition on and off
Press the starter button once without depressing the brake or clutch pedal ⇒ .
Automatic ignition switch-off
The ignition switches off automatically after a short time if the driver moves away from the vehicle
with the vehicle key when the ignition is switched on. If the dipped beam headlights were switched
on at the time, the side lights will remain switched on for approximately 30 minutes. The side lights
can be switched off manually or by locking the vehicle ⇒ Lights .
Automatic ignition switch-off in vehicles with a start/stop system
When all the following conditions are fulfilled at the same time, the vehicle ignition will be switched
off automatically when engine stop is active when the vehicle is stationary:
The driver seat belt has been unfastened.
No pedals are depressed.
The driver door is opened.
If the ignition is deactivated automatically while the dipped beam headlights are switched on,
the side lights remain switched on and lit for approximately 30 minutes.
The side lights can be switched off manually or will go off when the vehicle is locked.
Engine restart function
If no valid vehicle key is detected in the vehicle interior once the engine has been switched off, the
engine can be restarted within approximately five seconds. A corresponding message appears on the
instrument cluster display.
After this time, the engine cannot be re-started without a valid vehicle key in the vehicle interior.
WARNING
Unintentional vehicle movements can cause serious injury.
Do not depress the brake or clutch pedal when the ignition is switched on as the engine will start
immediately.
WARNING
Improper or unsupervised use of the vehicle keys can cause accidents or serious injuries.
Always take all vehicle keys with you every time you leave the vehicle. Children or unauthorised
persons could lock the vehicle, start the engine, switch on the ignition or operate electrical
equipment such as the electric windows.
Before leaving the vehicle, always switch off the ignition manually and observe any information
shown on the instrument cluster display.
Leaving the vehicle stationary for long periods with the ignition switched on can discharge the 12-
volt vehicle battery so that the engine can no longer be started.
Starting the engine
Vehicles with ignition lock: turn the vehicle key to position ⇒ Fig. 99① . The ignition is
switched on.
Vehicles with a starter button: press the starter button once. The ignition is switched on.
Vehicles with a diesel engine: during the diesel engine preheating phase, the indicator lamp
lights up in the instrument cluster.
Depress and hold the brake pedal until the electronic parking brake has been switched off.
Vehicles with manual gearbox: fully depress the clutch pedal and hold it until the engine has
been started. Move the gear lever to neutral position.
Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox: move the selector lever to position P or N.
Vehicles with ignition lock: turn the vehicle key to position ⇒ Fig. 99② – do not depress the
accelerator.
Release the vehicle key once the engine has started.
Vehicles with a starter button: press the starter button ⇒ Starter button – do not depress the
accelerator. There must be a valid vehicle key in the vehicle before the engine can be started.
If the engine does not start immediately, switch off the starter and try again after about a minute.
Vehicles with starter button: perform an emergency start if necessary ⇒ No valid vehicle key
recognised .
Vehicles with starter button: the starter button is deactivated if the vehicle was locked with the
vehicle key. If you are in the vehicle and need to start the engine, unlock the vehicle first or perform
an emergency start ⇒ No valid vehicle key recognised .
Switch off the electronic parking brake if you wish to pull away.
WARNING
The risk of serious injury can be reduced with the engine running or when starting the engine.
Never start or run the engine in unventilated or enclosed spaces. The exhaust fumes contain carbon
monoxide, an odourless and colourless toxic gas. Carbon monoxide can cause people to lose
consciousness. It can also cause death.
Never start or run the engine if oil, fuel or any other highly flammable fluids are under or near the
vehicle, or are leaking out of the vehicle, e.g. as the result of damage.
Components with a high power consumption are switched off temporarily when the engine is
started.
The engine cannot be started with the starter button, for example, if the button cell in the vehicle
key is weak or flat. In this case, use the emergency start function ⇒ No valid vehicle key recognised .
When starting from cold, the engine may be a little noisy for the first few seconds. This is quite
normal, and no cause for concern.
At outside temperatures of less than +5°C (+41°F), fumes may be detected under a vehicle with a
diesel engine if the fuel-powered supplementary heater is switched on.
Switching off the engine
Bring the vehicle to a standstill ⇒ .
Park the vehicle ⇒ Parking .
Vehicles with ignition lock: turn the vehicle key to position ⇒ Fig. 99⓪ in the ignition lock.
Vehicles with a starter button: press the starter button briefly ⇒ Fig. 100 . If the engine cannot
be switched off, carry out the emergency switch-off procedure ⇒ Engine cannot be switched off .
Follow the instructions in the instrument cluster ⇒ Instrument cluster .
Ignition warning
In order to indicate an active ignition when leaving the vehicle, an acoustic warning signal sounds
when opening the driver door and corresponding warning messages appear on the display of the
instrument cluster.
Warning before leaving the vehicle
Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox: if the selector lever is not in position P, an acoustic
warning signal will sound when the driver door is opened and the warning message Please move
selector lever to position P. will be shown on the instrument cluster display. In this way, a warning is
given that the vehicle could potentially roll away. When you leave the vehicle, the electronic parking
brake also switches on to prevent the vehicle rolling away.
WARNING
Never switch off the engine while the vehicle is in motion. This can lead to a loss of vehicle control,
accidents and serious injuries.
The indicator lamp flashes yellow.
There is a fault in the engine management system.
The engine should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
Vehicle key cannot be removed from the ignition lock
An unauthorised vehicle key has been inserted in the ignition lock.
Remove the vehicle key as follows:
Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox
Press the lock button in the selector lever and release.
Remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock.
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
Remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock.
No valid vehicle key recognised
A corresponding display will appear in the instrument cluster.
If the button cell in the vehicle key is weak or discharged, it is possible that the vehicle key will not
be recognised.
In this case, you will need to perform an emergency start:
Depress and hold the brake pedal.
Hold the vehicle key to the right of the steering column trim directly after pressing the starter button
⇒ Fig. 101 .
The ignition is switched on automatically, and in some cases the engine is started.
Engine cannot be switched off
The engine cannot be switched off by briefly pressing the starter button.
In this case it is necessary to perform an emergency switch-off procedure:
Press the starter button twice within a few seconds or press and hold once.
The engine will switch off automatically ⇒ .
Engine cannot be started
A corresponding message will be displayed in the instrument cluster if an unauthorised vehicle key is
used or there is a system fault.
Use an authorised vehicle key.
If the problem persists, seek expert assistance.
Start/stop system
Fig. 102 In the upper part of the centre console: button for the start/stop system.
The start/stop system automatically switches the engine off when the vehicle is coming to a stop
and when stationary. When required, the engine restarts automatically.
Switching on the start/stop system
The function is automatically activated every time the ignition is switched on. The instrument cluster
display will show information about the current status.
Further information on start/stop mode can be accessed in the Infotainment system using the
button or function button and the Vehicle, Selection, Vehicle status function buttons. This
information also applies to coasting.
Always switch off the start/stop system manually when driving through water.
Indicator lamps
If the indicator lamp lights up, the start/stop system is available and automatic engine stop is
active.
If the indicator lamp lights up, the start/stop system is not available or the start/stop system has
started the engine automatically ⇒ Conditions for an automatic restart .
The display on the instrument cluster may show the status of the start/stop system.
In addition, start/stop information on the current status of the start/stop system can be displayed as
required in Infotainment systems with a navigation function. Touch the i in the start/stop
information to obtain further information on the status.
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
Disengage the gear and release the clutch pedal when the vehicle is coming to a stop, or when it is
stationary. The engine is stopped.
Depress the clutch pedal to restart the engine.
Important preconditions for automatic engine switch-off
The driver is wearing their seat belt.
The driver door is closed.