Fig.
0
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.
0do not depress the
accelerator.
Release the vehicle key once the engine has started.
Vehicles with a starter button: press the starter button Starter buttondo 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.
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.
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.
A minimum engine temperature has been reached.
Vehicles with Climatronic: the temperature of the vehicle interior is within the preset
temperature range, and the humidity level is not too high.
The defrost function of the air conditioning system is not switched on.
The charge level of the 12-volt vehicle battery is sufficient.
The temperature of the 12-volt vehicle battery is not too low or too high.
The vehicle is not on a steep uphill or downhill gradient.
Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox: the steering wheel is not turned too sharply.
The windscreen heating is not switched on.
Reverse gear is not engaged.
Park Assist is not active.
When the conditions for automatic engine switch-off are fulfilled only during a stationary phase, the
engine can also switch off subsequently, e.g. after switching off the defrost function.
Conditions for an automatic restart
The engine can start automatically under the following conditions:
If the temperature inside the vehicle substantially increases or decreases.
If the vehicle starts rolling.
If the electrical voltage of the 12-volt vehicle battery drops.
If the steering wheel is moved.
As a general rule, the engine always starts again automatically when required by the detected
situation and for the vehicle.
Conditions that require a manual engine start
The engine must be started manually in the following conditions:
If the driver door is opened.
If the bonnet is opened.
Manually deactivating and activating the start/stop system
Press the button in the centre console Fig. 102to deactivate the system manually. If the
start/stop system has been deactivated, the indicator lamp in the button lights up.
Press the button in the centre console again Fig. 102to activate the system manually once
more.
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
Fig. 104 Gear shift pattern of a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Selecting a forward gear
The positions of the individual driving gears are shown on the gearshift
lever Fig. 103or Fig. 104
Fully depress and hold the clutch pedal.
Move the gear lever to the required position
Release the clutch to engage.
In some countries, the clutch pedal will have to be depressed fully in order to start the engine.
Selecting reverse gear
Reverse gear should be selected only when the vehicle is stationary.
Fully depress and hold the clutch pedal
Move the gear lever to the neutral position and push down.
Push the gear lever fully to the left and then to the front into the reverse gear position Fig. 103
or Fig. 104
Release the clutch to engage.
Shifting down
Shifting down when the vehicle is in motion should always take place to the next lower gear and
avoiding high engine speeds speeds, damage to the clutch and
the gearbox could occur if one or more gears are skipped when shifting down gear, even if the clutch
is not released when doing this
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.
users are not put at risk due to the acceleration and driving style.
Always adjust your driving style in accordance with the flow of traffic.
When the TCS is switched off, the drive wheels may spin, especially if the road surface is wet,
slippery or dirty. This may result in you no longer being able to steer or control the vehicle.
WARNING
When the engine is running, the vehicle will start to move as soon as a gear is engaged and the
clutch is released. This also applies when the electronic parking brake has been switched on.
Never engage reverse gear while the vehicle is in motion.
WARNING
Shifting gears incorrectly to gears that are too low can lead to a loss of control over the vehicle, with
accidents and serious injuries as a consequence.
NOTICE
Serious damage to the clutch and gearbox could occur if the gear lever of the manual gearbox is
shifted to a gear which is too low when travelling at high speeds or at high engine speeds. This also
applies if the clutch remains depressed and the gears do not engage.
NOTICE
Please note the following points in order to avoid damage and premature wear:
Do not rest your hand on the gear lever when driving. The pressure from your hand is passed onto
the selector forks in the gearbox.
Ensure that the vehicle has come to a full stop before engaging reverse gear.
Always fully depress the clutch pedal when changing gear.
Do not hold the vehicle by riding the clutch on uphill gradients with the engine running.
Changing up a gear early will help to save fuel and minimise engine noise.
Troubleshooting
Clutch slipping
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
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.