
Always ensure that all windows are free of ice, snow and mist to ensure good visibility. 
Maximum heat output and the fastest possible defrosting of the windows are possible only when 
the engine is running. Do not start your journey until you have good visibility. 
To help ensure good visibility, make sure that you use the air conditioning system and the rear 
window heating correctly. 
Auxiliary heater and ventilation 
 Introduction 
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects: 
⇒ Switching the auxiliary heater and ventilation on and off  
⇒ Programming the auxiliary heater and ventilation  
⇒ Remote control  
The auxiliary heater and ventilation system can be used to heat the vehicle interior in the winter and 
ventilate it in the summer. It is able to clear ice, condensation and a thin layer of snow from the 
windscreen. The auxiliary heater is supplied with fuel from the vehicle fuel tank and can be operated 
when the vehicle is stationary with the ignition switched off. The auxiliary ventilation system is 
powered by the 12-volt vehicle battery. 
Auxiliary heater exhaust system 
The emissions generated by the auxiliary heater are discharged via an exhaust pipe underneath the 
vehicle. The exhaust pipe must not be blocked by snow, mud or other objects. 
 
WARNING 
Among other things, the emissions from the auxiliary heater contain carbon monoxide, which is an 
odourless and colourless poisonous gas. Carbon monoxide can cause people to lose consciousness. It 
can also cause death. 
Never switch on the auxiliary heater when the vehicle is in unventilated or closed rooms nor let the 
auxiliary heater run in unventilated or closed rooms. 
Never program the auxiliary heater so that it is switched on and runs in unventilated or closed 
rooms. 
 
WARNING 
Parts of the auxiliary heater exhaust system become very hot. This can cause fires. 
Park the vehicle so that no part of the exhaust system can come into contact with any inflammable 
material underneath the vehicle, e.g. dry grass. 
  

NOTICE 
Food, medicine and other items that are sensitive to heat or cold could be either damaged or 
rendered useless by the air flowing out of the vents. 
Never leave food, medicines or other temperature-sensitive objects in front of the vents. 
Switching the auxiliary heater and ventilation on and off 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
The auxiliary heater can be operated only when the ignition is switched off. If the ignition is switched 
on while the auxiliary heater is working, the auxiliary heater continues to run to provide additional 
heat. 
Switching on the auxiliary heater 
Press the immediate heat button in the air conditioning block ⇒ Front controls . 
OR: press the button on the remote control ⇒ Remote control . 
OR: program the departure time ⇒ Programming the auxiliary heater and ventilation . 
The auxiliary heater heats the vehicle interior to at least 22 ℃. 
The auxiliary heater will not switch on if the 12-volt vehicle battery is low or the fuel tank is empty. 
Switching off the auxiliary heater manually 
Press the immediate heat button in the air conditioning block ⇒ Front controls . 
OR: press the button on the remote control ⇒ Remote control . 
OR: touch the function button on the Infotainment system ⇒ Programming the auxiliary heater 
and ventilation . 
Auxiliary heater switches off automatically 
When the programmed departure time is reached, or after the programmed operating period has 
elapsed ⇒ Programming the auxiliary heater and ventilation . 
When the indicator lamp lights up (fuel gauge) ⇒ Fuel gauge . 
If the charge level of the 12-volt vehicle battery is too low ⇒ 12-volt vehicle battery . 
The auxiliary heater runs on for a short time after it has been switched off manually or automatically 
so that the remaining fuel in the system can be burnt off. 
 
When the vehicle is at a standstill, the auxiliary heater can be activated up to three times in 
succession for the maximum operating duration. 
  

Operating noises can be heard if the auxiliary heater is switched on. 
 
The 12-volt vehicle battery will discharge if the auxiliary heating or ventilation is run several times 
over an extended period. Drive the vehicle for an appropriate distance in between in order to 
recharge the 12-volt vehicle battery. 
 
The fuel gauge indication may not be accurate (just above the reserve quantity) when the vehicle is 
parked on a slope; this may restrict the function of the auxiliary heater. 
 
The auxiliary heater may switch on automatically when the engine is started at temperatures below 
+5°C (+41°F) in order to provide additional hea ng power.  The supplementary heating function will 
switch off again automatically after a short time. 
Programming the auxiliary heater and ventilation 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
Opening the Auxiliary heater menu 
The auxiliary heater is programmed in the Infotainment system. 
Manual air conditioning system 
Press the button on the Infotainment system. 
Touch the Vehicle and function buttons. 
Climatronic 
Open the air conditioning settings in the Infotainment system. 
Touch the function button. 
Changing operating mode 
Open the Auxiliary heater menu. 
Press the Heating or Ventilation function buttons to change mode. 
At high outside temperatures, the auxiliary ventilation system directs fresh air into the vehicle and 
prevents the accumulation of heat. 
Programming the auxiliary heater 
Activation is always for one heating or ventilation operation only. The departure time must be 
activated again for every start.  

Before programming, check that the date and time set in the vehicle are correct ⇒ Time . 
Open the Auxiliary heater menu. 
Touch the Set function button. 
Select one of the memory locations for a Departure time. 
Touch the Activate function button. 
Manual air conditioning system: the programmed departure time determines the time at which 
the auxiliary heater or ventilation should switch off. The point at which the heating or ventilation 
process starts is determined depending on the programmed running time. 
Climatronic: on the basis of the programmed departure time, the vehicle automatically 
calculates the start time for heating or ventilation to the currently set temperature depending on 
the outside temperature. 
Press the Running time function button under Adjust in order to select the running time when the 
auxiliary heater is switched on using the immediate heat button  or remote control. 
Checking programming 
If a departure time has been activated, the LED in the immediate heat button  will light up on the 
Climatronic control panel for approximately 10 seconds after the ignition is switched off. 
 
WARNING 
Never program the auxiliary heating system so that is switched on and run in unventilated or 
enclosed spaces. Among other things, the emissions from the auxiliary heater contain carbon 
monoxide, which is an odourless and colourless poisonous gas. Carbon monoxide can cause people 
to lose consciousness. It can also cause death. 
Remote control 
 
Fig. 93 Auxiliary heater: remote control (left) with battery compartment (right). 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction   

Switching the auxiliary heater on and off using the remote control 
Switching on: press the  button ⇒ Fig. 93 . 
The auxiliary heater is switched on when the LED on the remote control is lit up green. 
Switching off: press the  button ⇒ Fig. 93 . 
The auxiliary heater is switched off when the LED on the remote control is lit up red. 
LED in the remote control 
The LED ⇒ Fig. 93  ② provides feedback on various operating states when you press a button. 
Lit up 
greenThe auxiliary heater is switched on.redThe auxiliary heater is switched off. 
Flashing irregularly 
greenAuxiliary heater disabled: the fuel tank is nearly empty, the 12-volt vehicle battery voltage is 
too low or a malfunction has occurred. Refuel and drive long enough to recharge the 12-volt vehicle 
battery or visit a qualified workshop. 
Flashing regularly 
red or greenSwitch-on or switch-off signal has not been received. Move closer to the vehicle. 
Lit up or flashing 
orangeThe button cell (battery) in the remote control is weak. Replace the button cell. 
Range 
The remote control has a range of a few hundred metres when the button cell is fully charged. 
Maintain a distanced of at least 2 metres between the remote control and the vehicle. 
Avoid any obstacles between the remote control and the vehicle. 
Hold the remote control with the aerial ⇒ Fig. 93  ① pointing vertically upwards. 
Do not cover the aerial. 
Adverse weather or a weak battery cell will significantly reduce the range. 
Renewing the button cell in the remote control 
The button cell in the remote control must be replaced if the indicator lamp does not light up. 
Insert a suitable object, e.g. a screwdriver, in the recess on the side in the direction of the arrow 
⇒ Fig. 93 . 
Use the object to lever off the battery cover. 
Slide the battery cover forwards slightly in the direction of the arrow.  

Remove the battery cover. 
Remove the button cell. 
Insert a new button cell of the same type, paying attention to the correct polarity. 
Insert the battery cover into the remote control housing. 
Slide the battery cover in the opposite direction of the arrow ⇒ Fig. 93  until it clicks into place. 
 
DANGER 
Swallowing batteries with a diameter of 20 mm or other button cells can result in serious or even 
fatal injuries within a very short period of time. 
Always keep the remote control key, key ring with batteries, spare batteries, button cells and other 
batteries that are larger than 20 mm out of the reach of children. 
Call for medical help immediately you suspect that someone has swallowed a battery. 
 
NOTICE 
The remote control contains electronic components. For this reason, protect the remote control 
from moisture, excessive vibration and direct sunlight. 
Unsuitable batteries can damage the remote control. Replace discharged batteries only with new 
batteries of the same voltage rating, size and specification. 
Make sure the polarity is correct when inserting the battery. 
 
Dispose of discharged batteries in accordance with environmental regulations. 
 
The battery in the remote control may contain perchlorate. Observe the applicable legislation 
regarding disposal. 
Driving 
Notes on driving 
Pedals  

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