Kickdown function
The kickdown function enables maximum acceleration in the selector lever position D/S or in the
Tiptronic position.
If the accelerator is depressed fully, the gearbox will automatically shift to a lower gear, depending
on the speed and engine speed. This will make use of the full vehicle acceleration.
With the kickdown function, the gearbox does not shift up to the next gear until the engine reaches
the maximum engine speed for the gear.
When the Eco driving profile is selected in vehicles with driving profile selection ⇒ Driving profile
selection and 4MOTION Active Control and the accelerator is depressed fully beyond the pressure
point, the engine output is automatically regulated to ensure maximum vehicle acceleration.
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.
Always adjust your driving style in accordance with the flow of traffic.
Use the kickdown function or fast acceleration only if visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions
permit, and if other road users are not put at risk due to the acceleration and the driving style.
Please note that the driven wheels could start to spin and the vehicle could skid if the TCS is
switched off and especially if the road is slippery.
WARNING
Never let the brakes rub too often and for too long or operate the brake pedal too often or for too
long. Constant braking will cause the brakes to overheat. This will considerably reduce the braking
power, significantly increase the braking distance and could cause the brake system to fail
completely.
NOTICE
Never let the brakes rub by applying light pressure when it is not necessary. This will increase levels
of wear.
Troubleshooting
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).
If the text message and signal tone are repeated approximately every 10 seconds, park the vehicle
safely as soon as possible and switch the engine off. Allow the gearbox to cool down.
Do not drive on until the signal tone stops in order to avoid damage to the gearbox. You should not
pull away or drive the vehicle at very low speeds while the gearbox is overheated.
Downhill speed control
The downhill speed control system helps when braking and travelling downhill in vehicles with a
DSG® dual clutch gearbox ⇒ . The downhill speed control uses the braking power of the engine.
The DSG® dual clutch gearbox selects the best gear depending on the steepness of the gradient and
the current speed. The selector lever must be in position D/S. The downhill speed control is not
active in Tiptronic mode.
As the downhill speed control can shift down only as far as third gear, it may be necessary to activate
the Tiptronic mode when driving down particularly steep inclines. When in Tiptronic mode, select
second or first gear manually in order to make use of the braking effect of the engine and to relieve
the load on the brakes.
The start/stop system is automatically deactivated as long as downhill speed control is active.
Activating downhill speed control automatically:
If the downhill gradient is greater than approximately 6%.
AND: if the selector lever is in position D/S.
In addition, if the cruise control system or Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is switched off: if the
vehicle speed is less than approximately 80 km/h (50 mph) or the brake pedal is depressed.
In addition, if the cruise control system or Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is active: if the stored speed
is exceeded.
Deactivating downhill speed control automatically:
If the downhill gradient becomes less steep.
OR: if the gearbox shifts up a gear because the engine speed is higher than approximately 4,500 rpm.
Or additionally if the cruise control system or Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is active: if the stored
speed can be maintained.
WARNING
The intelligent downhill speed control technology cannot overcome the laws of physics, and
functions only within the limits of the system. Never let the extra convenience afforded by pull-away
assist systems tempt you into taking any safety risks when driving.
Unintentional vehicle movements can cause serious injury.
The downhill speed control cannot replace the full concentration of the driver.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
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
When the ignition is switched off, the set driving profile and the individual settings will remain
selected.
Vehicles with all-wheel drive: if the Snow, Offroad or Offroad Individual driving profile was
selected last, the onroad driving profile that was last active will be activated after the ignition has
been switched off for a long period.
Vehicles without starter button: as soon as the vehicle key is removed from the ignition lock.
Vehicles with starter button: as soon as the driver door is opened when the ignition is switched
off.
Sport functions: select Sport driving profile again.
OR: tap the selector lever of the DSG® dual clutch gearbox backwards to the position S⇒ DSG® dual
clutch gearbox .
Eco functions: select Eco driving profile again.
Characteristics of the driving profiles
Snow: the Snow driving profile makes it easier to control the throttle on icy or snowy roads. It is not
possible to select the S position in the Snow driving profile.
Onroad: under Onroad, you can choose between Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual driving
profiles.
Offroad: the Offroad driving profile makes it easier to control the throttle when driving offroad. The
engine brake is always available and gearshifts can be prevented in critical situations. Hill Start Assist
and Hill Descent Control are active in the Offroad driving profile. It is not possible to select the S
position in the Offroad driving profile. When the driving profile is active, the instrument cluster
displays the symbol .
Offroad Individual: enhanced version of the offroad driving profile that can be adapted to the
driver's needs ⇒ Individually adapting a driving profile . When the driving profile is active, the
instrument cluster displays the symbol .
Eco: switches the vehicle into economical mode and helps the driver to drive the vehicle in a fuel-
efficient manner. Depending on the vehicle equipment level, coasting mode is available in the Eco
driving profile.
Comfort: the driving profile creates a comfort-oriented vehicle setup and is suited to poor roads or
long motorway journeys, for example.
Normal: the driving profile has a balanced setup, e.g. for everyday use.
Sport: this setting gives the driver a sporty driving feeling.
The examples given in this chapter are an aid for safe offroad driving. However, we cannot predict
whether these guidelines will be valid for all situations that could occur.
The many different types of terrain and the associated risks and dangers make it impossible to
describe all possible driving situations. The examples are only general guidelines which are intended
to help you to drive offroad safely. It is crucial that you know what to expect when you drive into
offroad terrain you are unfamiliar with. This will enable you to assess potential dangers in advance.
The driver can use 4MOTION Active Control to activate a variety of vehicle settings in an all-wheel
drive vehicle as required ⇒ Setting a driving profile .
Checklist
Before driving offroad for the first time, take the following steps so you can operate and drive the
vehicle safely offroad:
Observe the basic safety notes Safety instructions for offroad driving.
Familiarise yourself with the vehicle controls.
Check and adjust the seat position Sitting position and fasten the seat belts Seat belts.
Check distance to steering wheel and adjust Steering wheel.
Always wear suitable, well-fitting shoes that provide good grip for your feet when operating the
pedals.
Safety instructions for offroad driving
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
WARNING
The intelligent vehicle technology cannot overcome the laws of physics, and functions only within
the limits of the system. Despite ABS, instability through locked wheels can occur on adverse terrain
– e.g. if you brake hard when driving on a loose gravel road. The Electronic Stability Control will be
able to stabilise the vehicle only to a limited extent in these circumstances.
WARNING
Driving offroad can be dangerous and could cause accidents, serious injury, damage to the vehicle
and also a vehicle breakdown far from any assistance.
Never select a dangerous route and never take risks that could endanger you and your passengers. If
you cannot drive on or if you are in any doubt about the safety of the route, turn round and choose
another route.
Even terrain that looks harmless can be difficult and dangerous, and could get you and your
passengers into difficulties. We recommend inspecting the terrain on foot beforehand.