NOTICE
When pushing the vehicle by hand, do not press on the tail light clusters, the rear spoiler or large
panels. This could damage the vehicle and the rear spoiler could become detached.
The 12-volt vehicle battery will discharge if the hazard warning lights are left on over a long period of
time – even when the ignition is switched off.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the brake lights flash rapidly if you brake sharply or initiate full
braking at a speed of more than 80 km/h (50 mph). This is a particularly effective way of attracting
the attention of vehicles behind you. If you then continue to brake, the hazard warning lights will be
switched on automatically at speeds under approximately 10 km/h (6 mph). Once you start to
accelerate, the hazard warning lights will switch off again automatically.
Equipment for an emergency
Fig. 48 In the boot lid: holder for the warning triangle.
First-aid kit
Depending on the equipment, the first-aid kit may be located in a stowage compartment or holder in
the luggage compartment, under the luggage compartment floor or in the vehicle interior.
The first-aid kit must comply with legal requirements. Please note the expiry date of the contents.
After use, replace any of the contents as necessary and then stow the first-aid kit away again safely.
Warning triangle
Depending on the equipment, the warning triangle may be located in the boot lid. When the boot lid
is open, turn the lock of the holder ⇒ Fig. 48 by 90° anticlockwise in the direction of the arrow, open
the holder and remove the warning triangle.
The warning triangle must comply with legal requirements.
After use, return the warning triangle to its holder and lock it into place.
High-visibility waistcoat
Close and lock the boot lid and all vehicle doors when the vehicle is not in use. Ensure that no one
remains in the vehicle.
Never leave children playing unattended in or around the vehicle, especially when the boot lid is
open. Children could climb into the luggage compartment and shut the boot lid, thereby trapping
themselves inside. Temperatures inside a locked vehicle may become extremely hot or cold,
depending on the season. This can cause serious injuries and illness or fatalities, especially in the
case of small children.
WARNING
Serious injuries could occur if the boot lid is unlocked or opened incorrectly or without due care and
attention.
The boot lid may not always be detected as being unlocked if there is a carrier and items attached to
it. The boot lid may open suddenly while the vehicle is in motion if it is unlocked.
WARNING
If heavy snow or heavy items are located on the boot lid, the additional weight could cause the boot
lid to close on its own and cause severe injuries.
Never open the boot lid if it is covered by a large amount of snow or a load is attached to it, e.g. on a
luggage carrier.
Remove the snow or load before opening the boot lid.
WARNING
Do not push down the boot lid with your hand on the rear window. The rear window could shatter
and cause injuries.
NOTICE
Never use the opening mechanism to fix or hold a load. This could lead to damage that makes it
impossible to close the boot lid.
NOTICE
Never use the rear window wiper or the rear spoiler to fix or hold a load. This could cause damage
which results in the rear window wiper or rear spoiler being torn off.
Opening and closing the boot lid
⇒ Mechanically adjusting the front seat
⇒ Folding the front passenger seat backrest forwards
The following section describes the options for adjusting the front seats. Always ensure that you
adjust the correct sitting position ⇒ Sitting position .
WARNING
Always adjust the front seats to their correct position before any journey and ensure that all
passengers have fastened their seat belts.
Push the front passenger seat as far back as possible.
Adjust the driver seat so that there is at least 25 cm between your breastbone and the hub of the
steering wheel. Adjust the driver seat by moving it forwards or backwards so that you are able to
press the pedals to the floor with your knees still slightly angled and the distance to the dash panel
in the knee area is at least 10 cm. If your build makes it impossible to fulfil this requirement, you
must contact a qualified workshop so they can make any necessary modifications.
Never travel with the backrest tilted far back. The further back the backrest is tilted, the greater the
risk of injury caused by incorrect seat belt routing or an incorrect sitting position.
Never travel with the backrest tilted far forwards. When a front airbag is triggered, it could force the
seat backrest backwards and injure vehicle occupants on the rear seats.
Adopt and maintain the greatest possible distance from the steering wheel and dash panel.
You should always sit upright with your back against the seat backrest with the front seats properly
adjusted. Do not position any body part too close to where the airbags are fitted.
The risk of serious injury is increased for passengers on the rear seat if they are not sitting upright
because the seat belts are incorrectly positioned.
WARNING
Incorrect adjustment of the seats can cause accidents and serious injuries.
The seats must be adjusted only when the vehicle is stationary, or else the seat could change
position unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion, leading to a loss of control of the vehicle.
Furthermore, an incorrect seating position is adopted while adjusting the seat.
Adjust the height and tilt of the seat or move it forwards and backwards only when the area around
the seat is clear.
The adjustment range of the seats must not be restricted by any items.
Adjust the tilt angle of the rear seats or move them forwards and backwards only when the area
around the seats is clear.
The adjustment and locking areas of the seats must not be soiled.
Eco driving profile ⇒ Driving profile selection and 4MOTION Active Control .
Avoid driving at full throttle
Never drive the vehicle at its top speed. The drag coefficient increases at excessively high speeds.
This in turn increases the force needed to move the vehicle.
Reduce idling
Pull away immediately with low engine speeds. If you are stopped for a long period, do not allow the
engine to idle but switch it off, e.g. when in a traffic jam or at a railway crossing.
In vehicles with an activated start/stop system, the engine can switch off automatically when the
vehicle is stopping and when the vehicle is stationary ⇒ Start/stop system .
Refuel moderately
A full fuel tank increases the weight of the vehicle. A fuel tank that is half or two thirds of the way
full is sufficient for journeys in urban traffic in particular.
Avoid short journeys
A cold engine has very high fuel consumption. The optimum operating temperature is reached only
after driving a few kilometres. The fuel consumption is above average at very low ambient
temperatures, e.g. in winter ⇒ Fig. 97 . Plan journeys economically and combine short journeys.
Carry out regular maintenance
Regular maintenance is an essential prerequisite for economical driving and increases the service life
of the vehicle.
Observe the tyre pressures
Low tyre pressures does not just mean greater wear, but also increase the rolling resistance of the
tyres and thus the fuel consumption. Use optimised rolling resistance tyres.
Adjust the tyre pressure according to the load. Observe the information on the tyre pressure sticker
⇒ Useful information about wheels and tyres
Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator or Tyre Pressure Monitoring System ⇒ Tyre monitoring system .
Use low viscosity engine oils
Fully synthetic engine oils with a low viscosity decrease frictional resistance in the engine and are
distributed better and more quickly, especially during cold starts.
Do not drive with unnecessary loads in the vehicle
You can reduce fuel consumption by clearing out the luggage compartment before setting off, for
example by removing empty drink crates or unused child seats.
To keep the vehicle's air resistance as low as possible, remove any add-on parts and equipment such
as ski racks, bicycle racks and roof carriers once you have finished using them.
Save electrical energy
WARNING
New brake pads will not have the optimal braking effect when first fitted.
New brake pads cannot generate the full braking effect during the first 300 km and must first be run
in. A reduced braking effect can be increased by applying more pressure to the brake pedal.
In order to reduce the risk of accidents, serious injuries and the loss of control over the vehicle, you
must drive particularly carefully when driving with new brake pads.
Never drive too close to other vehicles during the run-in time for the new brake pads and never
create a driving situation that will place a heavy load on the brakes.
WARNING
Overheated brakes reduce the braking effect and considerably increase the braking distance.
When driving downhill, the brakes are placed under particular strain and become hot very quickly.
Before driving down a long, steep gradient, reduce speed and change to a lower gear (with manual
gearboxes or in Tiptronic mode with the automatic gearbox). This will make use of the engine
braking effect and relieve the load on the brakes.
Non-standard or damaged front spoilers could restrict the airflow to the brakes and cause them to
overheat.
WARNING
Wet brakes or brakes coated with ice or road salt react more slowly and require longer braking
distances.
Carefully apply the brakes to test them.
Always dry brakes and clean off any coating of ice and salt with a few cautious applications of the
brake when visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions permit.
WARNING
Driving without the brake servo can considerably increase the braking distance and thus cause
accidents and serious injuries.
Never switch the engine or ignition off while the vehicle is in motion.
If the brake servo does not function or the vehicle is being towed, the brake pedal will have to be
depressed more forcefully as the braking distance will be increased due to the lack of assistance for
the brake system.
WARNING
After driving through water, mud, slush etc., the brakes may react slowly and the braking distance
will be increased as the brake discs and pads will be wet, or possibly iced up in winter.
Dry and de-ice the brakes using careful braking manoeuvres. Make sure that you do not endanger
any other road users or violate any legal regulations when doing so.
Avoid abrupt and sudden braking manoeuvres directly after driving through water.
NOTICE
If you drive through water, parts of the vehicle, such as the engine, gearbox, running gear and
vehicle electrics, could sustain severe damage.
Never drive through salt water as salt can cause corrosion. Immediately rinse all components that
have been exposed to salt water with fresh water.
Running in the engine
A new engine has to be run in during the first 1,500 kilometres. This enables all the moving parts to
bed in together. During the first few operating hours, the engine has higher internal friction than it
does later.
Do not depress the accelerator fully.
Do not drive the vehicle at more than 2/3 of the maximum engine speed.
Gradually increase speed and engine speed.
The style of driving during the first 1,500 kilometres will also affect the engine quality. Even after this
time – and especially with a cold engine – drive the vehicle at moderate engine speeds in order to
reduce engine wear and to increase the mileage that the engine can cover.
Do not drive at engine speeds which are too low. Always shift down gear if the engine is not running
smoothly.
New tyres ⇒ Wheels and tyres and brake pads ⇒ Notes on driving must be run in carefully.
If the engine is run in gently, its life will be increased and its oil consumption reduced.
Using the vehicle in other countries and continents
The vehicle is produced at the factory specifically for a certain country and complies with this
country's registration regulations valid at the time of vehicle production.
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.
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