172
Driving
Changing gear with the selector lever
– Put the lever in position
D and press towards the right to enter
the tiptronic gate
⇒ fig. 127
.
– Press the gear lever forwards
+
⇒ fig. 127
to select a higher
gear.
– Press the gear lever back
–
⇒ fig. 127
to select a lower gear.
Changing gear with the steering wheel levers
– Press the right paddle lever
+
(
+OFF) towards the steering
wheel to change up
⇒ fig. 128
.
– Press the
left paddle
–
towards the steering wheel to change
down
⇒ fig. 128
.
Using the paddle levers on the steering wheel, you can access manual driv-
ing mode regardless of the pre-selected driving mode.
General information about driving in tiptronic mode
When accelerating, the automatic gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox goes
into a higher gear a little before the engine reaches its maximum permitted
revolutions.
If a lower gear is selected, the automatic gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox
will only change down when the engine cannot go over its maximum permit-
ted revolutions.
If tiptronic is selected whilst the vehicle is in
motion and the automatic
gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox is in third gear and selector lever position
D, tiptronic mode will then also be in third gear.
Changing gears in the normal or sport programme using the steering wheel
paddle levers
If the paddle levers
⇒ fig. 128
are used in the normal or sport programme,
the system switches temporarily to tiptronic mode. To exit tiptronic mode
again, press the right paddle lever
+ OFF
towards the steering wheel for ap-
proximately one second. You will also leave tiptronic mode if the paddle lev-
ers are not moved for a certain time.
Note
● The gearbox controls on the steering wheel can operate with the selector
lever in any position and with the vehicle in motion.
Kickdown feature
This feature allows maximum acceleration.
If you press the accelerator down thoroughly,
the gearbox automatically
changes down, depending on speed and engine speed, into a lower gear to
take full advantage of give the vehicle maximum acceleration.
The gearbox does not change gear until the engine reaches the maximum
determined engine speed for the gear.
WARNING_●_Take_measures_to_reduce_the_risk_of_injury_when_you_leave_your_vehi-_cle_unattended._●'>WARNING_You_could_lose_control_of_the_vehicle_if_you_accelerate_on_slippery_road_surfaces._Risk_of_serious_injury._●'>WARNING
You could lose control of the vehicle if you accelerate on slippery road
surfaces. Risk of serious injury.
●
Be particularly careful when using the kickdown features on slippery
road surfaces. With a fast acceleration, the vehicle could lose traction
and skid.
●
You should use the kickdown feature only when traffic and weather
conditions allow it to be used safely.
173
Driving
Handbrake
Using the handbrake
The handbrake should be applied firmly to prevent the vehi-
cle from accidentally rolling away.
Fig. 129 Handbrake be-
tween the front seats
Always apply the handbrake when you leave your vehicle and when
you park.
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up firmly
⇒ fig. 129
.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and press the release knob in the di-
rection of the arrow
⇒ fig. 129
and guide the handbrake lever
down fully
⇒ .
Always apply the handbrake
as far as it will go in order to prevent you from
driving with the handbrake applied by mistake
⇒ .
The handbrake warning lamp lights up
when the handbrake is applied
and the ignition switched on. The warning turns off when the handbrake is
released.
If you drive faster than 6 km/h with the handbrake on, the following mes-
sage* will appear on the instrument panel display:
HANDBRAKE ON.
You will
also hear an acoustic warning signal.
WARNING
●
Never use the handbrake to stop the vehicle when it is in motion. The
braking distance is considerably longer, because braking is only applied
to the rear wheels. Risk of accident!
●
If it is only partially released, this will cause rear brakes overheating,
which can impair the function of the brake system and could lead to an
accident. This also causes premature wear on the rear brake pads.
CAUTION
Always apply the handbrake before you leave the vehicle. The first gear
should also be selected.
Parking
The handbrake should always be firmly applied when the
vehicle is parked.
Always note the following points when parking the vehicle:
– Use the brake pedal to stop the vehicle.
– Apply the handbrake.
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
174
Driving
– Select first gear.
– Switch the engine off and remove the key from the ignition. Turn
the steering wheel slightly to engage the steering lock.
– Always take you car keys with you
when you leave the vehicle
⇒ .
Additional notes on parking the vehicle on gradients:
Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle rolls against the kerb if it started
to roll.
● If the vehicle is parked facing
downhill, turn the front wheels so that
they point
towards the kerb.
● If the vehicle is parked facing
uphill, turn the front wheels so that they
point
away from the kerb.
● Secure the vehicle as normal by applying the handbrake firmly and se-
lecting first gear.
WARNING
●
Take measures to reduce the risk of injury when you leave your vehi-
cle unattended.
●
Never park where the hot exhaust system could ignite inflammable
materials, such as dry grass, low bushes, spilt fuel etc.
●
Never allow vehicle occupants to remain in the vehicle when it is
locked. They would be unable to open the vehicle from the inside, and
could become trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. In the event of an
emergency, locked doors will delay assistance to occupants.
●
Never leave children alone in the vehicle. They could set the vehicle
in motion, for example, by releasing the handbrake or the gear lever.
●
Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or
cold inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.
Hill-start aid*
This function is only included in vehicles with ESC (ESP).
This device helps when starting uphill.
These are the basic operation conditions: doors closed, brake pedal press-
ed down and vehicle in neutral. The system gets activated on engaging
gear.
This system also works when reversing uphill.
After removing your foot from the brake pedal,
the braking force is main-
tained for a few seconds to prevent the vehicle from moving backward when
putting into gear. This short space of time is enough to start the vehicle
with ease.
This system also works when reversing uphill.
WARNING
●
If you do not start the vehicle immediately after taking your foot off
the brake pedal, the vehicle may start to roll back under certain condi-
tions. Depress the brake pedal or use the hand brake immediately.
●
If the engine stalls, depress the brake pedal or use the hand brake
immediately.
●
When following a line of traffic uphill, if you want to prevent the vehi-
cle from rolling back accidentally when starting off, hold the brake pedal
down for a few seconds before starting off.
Note
The Official Service or a specialist workshop can tell you if your vehicle is
equipped with this system.
