You may also be interested in...
Download PDF Manual

before it reaches the end of the closing operation, press from outside against the front of the convertible top frame while pressing the switch to help the top along until it begins moving again on its own.c


50nThe fully automatic convertible top*


If the convertible top compartment panel has been raised, then the con- vertible top cannot be moved. In this event, the yellow indicator lamp stays on when the button is pressed and indi- cates that it is not possible to operate the convertible top. Flip the convertible top compartment panel down, refer to page 41.


If the opening or closing process has been interrupted, then the convertible top will remain stationary in that position for 15 minutes. After that, the convertible top can be operated manually. This can also be carried out with the ignition key in position 0. The luggage compartment cannot be opened while operating the convertible top. The side windows are lowered slightly when pressing the convertible top but- ton and are raised back up after com- pleting the opening process, if you have continued holding the button down for more than 2 seconds after the indicator lamp has gone out.c


While the convertible top is moving, the side windows lower slightly. If the convertible top closing or opening operation is interrupted, do not close the side windows by using the power window buttons. Sometimes the luggage compartment lid cannot be opened, either, if the opening or closing process has been interrupted. To avoid any damage from constant damp, never put the convertible top away wet. The rear window will move toward the passenger area while the convertible top is in operation, and it will also lightly press the heads of the passengers sit- ting in the rear toward the front. As a rule, there is no danger in this. To avoid any possible pinching, however, the rear passengers should tilt their heads slightly forward while the convertible top is in motion.c


Opening and closing 1 Closing 2 Opening Keep pressing the button for operating the convertible top until the opening or closing process has ended. The side windows will lower slightly during the opening process. If you continue to press the button after the convertible top has been closed and locked, the side windows will close, too. The red indicator lamp lights up while the convertible top is being operated. After releasing the button, the lamp will start blinking if the opening or closing process has not been fully completed.


The fully automatic convertible top*


Wind deflector*


51n


Convenience operation from the driver's door lock > To open: with the door closed, turn the key to the "Unlock" position and hold it


> To close: with the door closed, turn


the key to the "Lock" position and hold it.


Releasing the key stops the movement. For safety reasons, to keep the closing process in view, you cannot use the re- mote control for convenience operation.


At higher speeds, the lower air pressure in the passenger com- partment may create a vacuum and cause the convertible top to start flut- tering. Increase the air supply via the ventilation controls so that a vacuum does not occur in the vehicle.c


The wind deflector cuts down air turbu- lence within the passenger area, thus affording a pleasant ride, even at higher speeds. It is delivered in a protective casing, and because of its minimal size, can easily be stowed in the luggage compartment.


Installation 1 Take the wind deflector out of its


protective casing


52nWind deflector*


To avoid any pinching, move the convertible top compartment lid


from above only. With wind deflector in place: never push the front seat all the way back to avoid damage to the wind deflector.c


Removing Remove the wind deflector in the opposite order of installation.


2 Flip out the side pieces on both sides


and lock them into place (arrow)


Position the wind deflector so that the smaller portion points toward


the front.c


3 Guide the mounting pin for the side


part into the opening provided


4 Using the slide, pull the mounting pin on the other side back, so that it can be guided into the opening provided 5 Unlock the convertible top compart- ment lid, refer to page 45 or 50, and open the convertible top compart- ment lid


6 Flip the rear half of the wind deflector


back so that the attachments are in contact with the vehicle


7 Close the convertible top compart-


ment lid. The wind deflector has now been attached and is theft-proof.


Seat adjustment


For your personal safety when adjusting the seat position, please follow the in- structions below carefully.


Never try to adjust your seat while driving the vehicle. The seat could respond with an unexpected movement, and the ensuing loss of vehicle control could lead to an accident. Be sure that the safety belt remains firmly against your body at all times. In the event of a frontal impact, a loose lap belt could slide over the hips, leading to abdominal injury. In addition, the safety belt's restraint effectiveness is reduced if the belt is worn loosely. Never ride with the backrest reclined to an extreme angle (this particularly applies to the front passenger). If you do so, there is a risk that you will slide under the safety belt in an accident, thus reducing the protection provided by the safety belt.<


Correct sitting posture To reduce strain on the spinal column, sit all the way back in the seat and rest your back fully against the backrest. In the ideal sitting posture, your head is positioned along a straight line in rela- tionship to your spinal column. For long-distance driving, you may wish to increase the backrest tilt-angle slightly to reduce muscular tension. You should be able to grasp the steer- ing wheel at its highest point with your arms slightly bent.


53n


1 Backward/Forward adjustment 2 Cushion height 3 Backrest angle


Comply with the adjustment in- structions on this page, otherwise,


personal safety is diminished.<


54nHead restraints


2 Tilt angle Manually position the head restraint as desired.


Front head restraints 1 Height


Head restraints reduce the risk of spinal injury in the event of an


accident. Adjust the head restraint so that its center is approximately level with your ears. To avoid injury when moving the head restraint, do not hold on between the head restraint and the backrest's upper edge.<


Rear head restraints


Rear head restraints may only be lowered if there are no passen- gers in the back seat. Raise lowered head restraints again before taking on passengers in the back seat.<


To completely lower the rear head restraints: 1 Press the button down (arrow) and


keep it pressed


2 Push down on the top of the head


restraint.


Head restraints


BMW sports seat*


55n


Raising the head restraints Keep pulling on the head restraints until they click into place.


Do not remove the rear head re- straints, as otherwise they will be


damaged.<


For additional information, please con- tact your BMW center.


Do not use the rear head re- straints as a shelf. Always keep the travel path for the rollover protec- tion system free and clear. Never attach any type of protective coverings to the head restraint (also refer to the labeling on the head restraints).<


1 Tilt angle 2 Backward/Forward adjustment 3 Cushion height 4 Backrest angle


Comply with the adjustment in- structions on page 53. Failure to


do so could result in diminished per- sonal safety.<


5 Thigh support area:


Pull the lever and adjust the position of the cushion for thigh support as desired.


56nEntering the rear


Lumbar support*


If you tip the backrest back into place and hold the button (2) pressed oppo- site the driving direction, the seat moves back into the previous position.


If the button (2) is released before- hand, the seat stops in the re-


spective position. It does not need to be released with the lever (1) to tip it back into place again.<


Lock both back restraints while driving, otherwise there is a dan- ger of an unexpected movement caus- ing an accident.<


You can adjust the backrest's contour for additional support in the curvature of your spine's lumbar region. The upper hips and spinal column re- ceive supplementary support to help you maintain a relaxed, upright posture. > Press front/rear of switch:


Increase/decrease curvature


> Press the upper/lower end of the


switch: Increase the upper/lower curvature.


The seat-integrated safety belt system ensures easier access to the back seat. It is not necessary to adjust anything on the safety belt system. It automatically adjusts to different body sizes. 1 Pull up the lever (1) and tip the back-


rest forward


2 Press the button (2) in the driving direction and keep it pressed until the seat has moved into the desired position.


The backrest can be locked while tipped forward. This is practical, for example, when entering the back seat on a hill. To do this, press against the backrest until it clicks into place. It does not need to be released with the lever (1) to tip it back into place again.<


Seat and mirror memory*


57n


Your BMW center can adjust your vehicle's systems in such a man- ner that your personalized settings are automatically set for the seat, head restraint and outside mirror positions when you unlock the vehicle with your personal remote control.<


If you make use of this method of adjustment, be sure that the foot-


well behind the driver's seat is unob- structed before unlocking the vehicle. If you fail to do so, any persons or ob- jects behind the seat could be injured or damaged by a rearward movement of the seat.<


To select a stored setting Convenience function: 1 Open the driver's door after unlock-


ing or set the ignition key in posi- tion 1


2 Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3,


as desired. The adjustment cycle is canceled im- mediately if you press a seat adjust- ment switch or one of the memory buttons.


Security function: 1 With the driver's door closed and the ignition key either removed or in posi- tion 0 or 2


2 Maintain pressure on the desired memory button (1, 2 or 3) until the adjustment process is completed.


If you press the MEMORY button acci- dentally: press the button again; the indicator lamp goes out.


Do not select a memory position while the vehicle is moving. If you


do so, there is a risk of accident from unexpected seat movement.<


You can store and recall three different driver's seat and outside mirror posi- tions. The illustration shows the buttons on the driver's seat, for making these position adjustments.


The setting for the head restraint is stored in memory, but the set-


ting for the lumbar support is not.<


To store 1 Turn the key to ignition key position


1 or 2


2 Set the desired positions for the seat,


head restraint and outside mirror


3 Press the MEMORY button: the indi-


cator lamp in the button lights up


4 Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as


desired. Indicator lamp goes out.


58nSeat and mirror memory* Adjusting steering wheel Mirrors


Passenger side exterior mirror tilt function (automatic curb monitor)* 1 Move the mirror selector switch 1 to


the "driver's mirror" position


2 When the selector lever is placed in


"Reverse", the passenger-side mirror tilts downward. This allows the driver to see the area directly adjacent to the vehicle during parking (curbs, etc.).


You can deactivate this automatic fea- ture by setting the mirror selector switch to the "passenger side" position.


1 Push the locking lever downward 2 Adjust the steering wheel for your


seating position


3 Pull the lever back in to clamp the steering wheel in the new position.


Exterior mirrors 1 Switch for 4-way adjustment 2 Selector switch for changing


between mirrors


Do not adjust the steering wheel while the vehicle is moving. If you


do so, there is a risk of accident from unexpected movement.<


Mirrors


You can also adjust the mirrors manu- ally by pressing against the outer edges of their lenses.


The mirror on the passenger's side features a lens with a more


convex surface than the mirror installed on the driver's side. When estimating the distance between yourself and other traffic, bear in mind that the ob- jects reflected in the mirror are closer than they appear. Estimating the dis- tance between you and the traffic be- hind you is therefore imprecise.<


Electric defrosting Both mirrors are automatically defrost- ed with the ignition key in position 2.


59n


Interior rearview mirror To reduce glare from behind when driving at night, turn the knob.


Sun visors These can be folded down toward the windshield or swiveled out against the side windows.


Inside rearview mirror with automatic dimming feature* By responding to the effects of ambient light and the glare from following traffic, this mirror automatically dims through an infinitely variable range. The mirror switches to its clear, un- dimmed mode whenever the trans- mission is placed in reverse gear (selector lever in "Reverse"). For proper functioning of the mirror, be sure that the two photocells are unob- structed and clean. One of the photo- cells (arrow) is positioned in the mirror's glass, while the other is slightly offset on the opposite side of the mirror. For an explanation of the electro-chro- mic technology used in this mirror, refer to page 175.


60nCar Memory, Key Memory


How the system functions You have probably frequently wished that you could configure individual functions of your vehicles to reflect your own personal requirements. In engineering your vehicle, BMW has in- cluded several user-defined functions in the vehicle's design. Your BMW cen- ter can make these settings for you in accordance with your wishes. There are settings related to the vehicle ("Car Memory") and settings related to individuals ("Key Memory"). You can have up to four different basic settings adjusted for four different persons. The only requirement is that each person uses his or her own remote control key.


When your vehicle is unlocked with the remote control, the vehicle recognizes the individual user by means of a data exchange with the key, and makes ad- justments accordingly. In order for you to distinguish between different keys, colored decals are sup- plied together with the keys.


What the system can do Your BMW center can provide you with details on the capabilities of the Car Memory and Key Memory systems.


You will see this symbol through- out the Owner's Manual. It is to


remind you at appropriate places of the settings that are available to you.<


An example of Key Memory is the auto- matic adjustment of the power driver's seat with stored settings for the indi- vidual person when the vehicle is un- locked.


Safety belts


Fasten your safety belt at the beginning of every trip. To fasten: make sure you hear the lock engage in the belt buckle. To release: press the red button in the buckle. Hold the belt and guide it back into its reel.


Before using the rear safety belts, take them out of their holder.<


For your safety, comply with the following instructions for wearing


safety belts. If you do not, the safety belts may not be able to provide their maximum protection. The following in- formation also applies to your passen- gers: never allow more than one person to wear a single safety belt. Never allow infants or small children to ride in a pas- senger's lap. Avoid twisting the belt while routing it firmly across your hips and shoulder. Do not allow the belt to rest against hard or fragile objects in your pockets. Do not route the belt across your neck, or run it across sharp edges and ensure that the belt does not become caught or jammed. Be sure that the safety belt fits snugly against your body at all times, and avoid wearing clothing that prevents the belt from fitting properly. Pull on the belt periodically to readjust the tension over your shoulder. In the event of a frontal impact, a loose lap belt could slide over your hips, leading to abdomi- nal injury. In addition, the safety belt's restraint effectiveness is reduced if the belt is worn loosely. Expectant mothers should always wear their safety belts, taking care to position the lap belt against the lower hips, where it will not exert pressure against the abdominal area.


61n


To prevent undesired belt movements at high speeds, leave the safety belts for the back seat in their holders when they are not required.<


For child restraint system installation, refer to page 66. For care instructions, refer to "Car care" on page 142.


If the safety belt system has been subjected to the stresses involved


in an accident or otherwise damaged: Have the entire safety belt mechanism replaced by your BMW center, including the safety belt tensioner. In addition, have your BMW center inspect the safety belt anchors. If a child restraint system was in the vehicle during an accident, consult the manufacturer's instructions regarding replacement.c


Child restraint systems*


Never install a rear-facing child re- straint system in the front passen-


ger seat. If you do so, the child could be injured in an accident when the airbag is triggered. Do not modify the child restraint system in any way. If you do so, it will not provide your child with maximum protection.<


62nISOFIX Attachment of the child seat*


To prevent undesired belt move- ments at high speeds, leave the safety belts for the back seat in their holders when they are not required.<


The mounts for the ISOFIX child re- straint system are not visible from the outside, but are marked by 2 colored spots. The illustration shows the left rear seat by way of example. Please observe manufacturer service- and safety precautions when attaching the ISOFIX child restraint system. Carefully press the brackets through the separating lines in the upholstery at the marked points.


Airbags


The illustration depicts schematically the primary directions of vehicle impact that initiate airbag deployment.


1 Front airbags for driver and passenger 2 Side airbags (front)


Protective effect The front airbags supplement the three- point safety belts by providing addi- tional protection for the front-seat oc- cupants in the event of a severe frontal collision in which the protection af- forded by the belts alone may no longer be sufficient. The side airbags help pro- vide protection in the event of a colli- sion from the side. Each of the side air- bags is designed to help support the upper body.


63n


Indicator lamp


The indicator lamp displays the operational status of the airbag system when the ignition key is


in position 1 and up. System operational: > The indicator lamp comes on briefly


then goes out.


System malfunction: > The indicator lamp fails to come on > The indicator lamp comes on briefly before going out and then lighting up again.


A system malfunction could prevent the system from responding to an impact occurring within its normal response range. Please have your BMW center inspect and repair the system as soon as possible.


64nAirbags


Sitting correctly with airbags


For your safety, comply with the following instructions for the air-


bags. If you do not, the airbags may not be able to provide their maximum pro- tection. All passengers in the vehicle should be aware of and comply with this information: The airbags are supplemental restraint devices designed to provide extra pro- tection; they are not a substitute for safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all times. The airbags will not be triggered in the event of a minor accident, a vehi- cle roll-over, or collisions from the rear. In these instances, the safety belt pro- vides optimal protection. Airbags are located under cover panels in the steering wheel, in the dashboard and in the side trim panels in the front. Adjust your seat to a position that pro- vides maximum distance between you and the steering wheel, the instrument panel and the door while still allowing comfortable and safe access to all vehicle controls. To avoid sustaining hand and arm inju- ries, always grasp the steering wheel on the rim with the hands at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions. Do not place your hands on the center pad. Never allow any objects to obstruct the


area between the airbag and an occu- pant. Do not use the cover panel above the passenger-side airbag as a storage area. Do not apply adhesive materials to the cover panels of the airbags, cover them or modify them in any other way. Do not install a rear-facing child re- straint system in the front passenger seat of this car. Children under 13 years of age and children less than 5 feet (150 cm) tall should ride only in the rear seat. Infants or small children should never be held on the lap of a passenger. If your car is equipped with side airbags in the rear passenger area, be sure that child restraints are mounted correctly and provided with the greatest-possible distance between the airbags in the side trim panels. Do not allow children to lean out of the child's seat in the di- rection of the side trim panels. If they do so, serious injuries can occur if the airbag is triggered.<


At all times, occupants should sit upright and be properly restrained


(infants and small children in appropri- ate child restraint systems; larger chil- dren and adults using the safety belts). Never let an occupant's head rest near or on a side airbag because the inflating airbag could cause a serious or fatal in- jury. Please note that the word "Airbag" imprinted on the door trim panel indi- cates the airbag's location. Accident research shows that the saf- est place for children in an automobile is in the rear seat. However, a child sit- ting in the rear seat and not properly re- strained may place his or her head on or near the airbag, if so equipped. For example, a child — even though belted — may fall asleep with his or her head against the side airbag. It may be diffi- cult for a driver to ensure that children in the rear seat will remain properly po- sitioned at all times and not place their heads on or near the side airbag. Therefore, we recommend that the rear seat side airbags, if so equipped, be deactivated if children will travel in the rear seat. The rear seat side airbags may already have been deactivated, either at the time of manufacture or by a BMW center. Labels in the rear door opening


Airbags


should indicate the status of your rear seat side airbags. If you are uncertain of their status, or wish to have the airbags activated or deactivated, please con- tact your BMW center.<


Even when all these guidelines are ob- served, there is still a small residual risk of injuries to the face, hands and arms occurring from airbag deployment in isolated instances. The ignition and inflation noise may provoke a mild temporary hearing loss in extremely sensitive individuals. Airbag warning information is also provided on the sun visors. For additional information concerning the airbag system, refer to pages 146 and 173.


65n


This is the right way a child should sit in a child restraint when rear side airbags (arrow) are provided.


This is the right way a larger child should sit wearing the safety belt when rear side airbags (arrow) are provided.


66nChild restraints*


maximize the distance between the airbag and the child. Older children should be tightly secured with a safety belt. Younger children should be se- cured in an appropriate forward-facing child restraint system that has first been properly secured with a safety belt. Never install a rear-facing child restraint system in the front passenger seat.


We strongly urge you to carefully read and comply with the instructions for in- stallation and use provided by the child restraint's manufacturer whenever you use such a device. Be sure that all occupants (of all ages) remain properly and securely restrained at all times.<


All rear seating positions in your vehicle meet the recommendations of SAE J1819, an industry-recommended prac- tice for securing child restraint systems in motor vehicles.


If the respective seating position is fit- ted with a headrest lift the headrest and pass the tether strap between the headrest and the seat back. Adjust the tether strap according to the child restraint manufacturer's instruc- tions.


Before installing any child restraint device or child seat, please read


the following: Never install a rear-facing child restraint system in the front passenger seat of this vehicle. Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag supplemental restraint system for the front passenger. Because the backrest on any rear-facing child restraint sys- tem (of the kind designed for infants under 1 year and 20 Ibs./9 kg) would be within the airbag's deployment range, you should never mount such a device in the front passenger seat, since the impact of the airbag against the child restraint's backrest could lead to seri- ous or fatal injuries. If it is necessary for a child (not an in- fant) to ride in the front seat, certain precautions should be taken. First, move the passenger seat as far away from the dashboard as possible. This important precaution is intended to


Commercially-available child restraint systems are designed to be secured with a lap belt or with the lap belt por- tion of a combination lap/shoulder belt. Improperly or inadequately installed restraint systems can increase the risk of injury to children. Always read and follow the instructions that come with the system. If you use a child restraint system with a tether strap, two additional tether an- chorage points (refer to the arrows in the illustration) have been provided. Depending on the location selected for seating in the rear passenger area, at- tach the tether strap to the correspond- ing anchorage point to secure the child restraint system.


67n


To release the belt Release the buckle, remove the child- restraint device and allow the belt retractor to reel the belt completely in.


Installing a child restraint system


Lock the safety belt Extract the entire length of the belt from the inertia reel mechanism. Allow the reel to retract the belt somewhat and engage the buckle, then tighten the belt against the child restraint system. The retraction mechanism is now locked. The belt cannot be extracted farther. Always comply with the installation instructions provided by the manufac- turer of the child restraint system.


All of the rear belt retractors and the front passenger's safety belt can be locked for mounting and securing child restraint systems. Information regarding this is located near the buckle latch of each safety belt.


68nRollover protection system


The rollover protection system is auto- matically activated in the event of an accident or other critical driving situa- tion (extreme tilting along either the longitudinal oder lateral axis, loss of ground contact). The protective bar located in the rear head restraints thrusts outward within fractions of a second. In addition to the rollover bar that is integrated into the windshield frame, the rollover protection system provides all vehicle occupants with necessary headroom.


Always keep the travel path for the rollover protection system free and clear. Never attach any type of pro- tective coverings to the head restraints. In less serious accidents, your safety belt will protect you, and depending on the severity of the accident, the safety belt tensioner and the multi-stage air- bag restraint system will as well.c


2 Pull the lever (arrow) forward and


keep it in this position


If this safety feature is no longer needed after it has been automatically deployed, then the rollover protection system can be lowered again. No spe- cial tools of any kind are needed to do this. 1 Use a screwdriver from the onboard


tool kit to remove the cover panel; position it under the notch (arrow)


Rollover protection system


69n


3 Push down on the protective bar (1) from above until you hear it click into place


4 Put the cover panel back in place,


and press down on it hard


5 Push the back side of the head


restraint (2) into position.


Repeat the process with the second protective bar. If you are not familiar with any of the procedures, consult your BMW center. Have your BMW center check the roll- over protection system if it ever triggers for no apparent reason.


Never move the convertible top after the rollover protection sys-


tem has been triggered. Do not use the rear head restraints as a shelf. Do not make any alterations to any of the rollover protection system's individ- ual components or its wiring. Only your BMW center is authorized to carry out any work on the rollover pro- tection system. Work that is not done properly could lead to failure during an emergency or inadvertent triggering. To ensure that the system check can be carried out properly, and to ensure long-term operation, do not deviate from the prescribed maintenance inter- vals. Maximum interval between roll- over protection system maintenance is 2 years, and it must be carried out by your BMW center.c


1 Steering lock disengaged Turning the steering wheel slightly to the right or left often makes it easier to turn the key from 0 to 1. Individual electrical equipment is ready for operation.


2 Ignition on All electrical equipment and accesso- ries is ready for use.


3 Starting the engine


Vehicles with manual transmis- sion: depress the clutch when


starting the vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine from starting if the clutch is not depressed.<


70n


Steering/Ignition lock


0 Steering lock engaged The key can be inserted or removed in this position only. After removing the key, turn the steer- ing wheel slightly to the left or right until the lock engages.


Vehicles with automatic transmis- sion*:


Do not move the selector lever from the "Park" position until the engine is run- ning (ignition key at position 2). In order to turn the key back to position 0 or to remove it, move the selector lever into position "Park" first (Inter- lock).<


Starting the engine


> Engage the parking brake > Ensure that the transmission selector


is in "Neutral" ("Park" or "Neutral" if the vehicle is equipped with auto- matic transmission*)


> Step on the clutch pedal when tem-


peratures are low


> Start the engine. Do not press the


accelerator pedal.


Do not actuate the starter for too short a time, but do not turn it for more than approx. 20 seconds. Release the ignition key immediately when the engine starts. Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it running while the vehicle re- mains stationary. Instead, drive off im- mediately at a moderate engine speed.<


Do not run the engine in enclosed areas. The exhaust gases contain


carbon monoxide, an odorless, color- less, yet highly toxic gas. Breathing the exhaust gases poses an extreme health risk, and can lead to unconsciousness and death. Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running. An unattended vehicle with a running engine repre- sents a potential safety hazard.<


Starting the engine


Switching off the engine


71n


If the engine does not start on the first attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for in- stance): > Press the accelerator pedal halfway


down while engaging the starter.


Cold start at extremely low tempera- tures, from approx. +5 7 (–15 6) and at elevations above 3,300 feet (1,000 meters): > On the first start attempt, engage the


starter for a longer period (approx. 10 seconds)


> Press the accelerator pedal halfway


down while engaging the starter.


Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.


Do not remove the ignition key while the vehicle is still moving. If you did, the steering lock would engage when the steering wheel is turned. When you leave the vehicle, always re- move the ignition key and engage the steering lock. Vehicles with manual transmission: Always engage the parking brake when parking on slopes and inclined sur- faces, since placing the lever in 1st gear or reverse may not provide ade- quate resistance to rolling. Vehicles with automatic transmission*: Place the selector lever in "Park".<


sure. Keep your thumb pressed against the release button while carefully pull- ing the lever up to apply moderate pressure. Excessive pressure can lead to over- braking and loss of traction (fishtailing) at the rear axle. The brake lamps do not come on when the parking brake is engaged. Vehicles with manual transmission: Always engage the parking brake when parking on slopes and inclined sur- faces, since placing the lever in 1st gear or reverse may not provide ade- quate resistance to rolling. Vehicles with automatic transmission*: Place the selector lever in "Park".<


To avoid corrosion and one-sided brak- ing, apply the parking brake lightly from time to time when coasting to a stand- still (at a traffic signal, for instance), pro- vided that it is safe to do so.


72nParking brake


To engage The lock engages automatically when you lift the lever, and the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster comes on when the ignition key is in position 2. Refer to page 21.


To release Pull up slightly on the lever, press the button and lower the lever. The parking brake is designed primarily to prevent the vehicle from rolling when it is parked. It operates against the rear wheels.


If in rare instances, it should be necessary to engage the parking brake while the vehicle is in motion, do not pull the lever with excessive pres-


Manual transmission


73n


Reverse Select reverse only when the vehicle is stationary. Press the shift lever to the left to overcome a resistance. As you do this, the backup lamps will turn on automatically when the ignition key is in position 2.


Do not hold the vehicle in place on slopes by slipping or "riding" the


clutch. Use the parking brake instead. A slipping clutch increases clutch wear.<


The shift lever's neutral plane (dot in the illustration) is located between 3rd and 4th gears. When shifting from each gear into "Neutral", the shift lever returns auto- matically to this gear plane because of its spring loading.


74nAutomatic transmission with Steptronic*


You have the option of driving with a normal automatic transmission or switching to manual. When you move the selector lever from the "D" position to the left into the M/S range, the performance-oriented shift programs of the automatic transmission are engaged. As soon as you briefly touch the selector lever in the "+" or "–" direction, Steptronic changes the gear. The manual mode is engaged. When- ever you want to use automatic again, just shift the selector lever toward the right to position "D". The automatic transmission with Step- tronic is equipped with ATC (Adaptive Transmission Control). ATC reacts with precision to your individual driving style and the current driving conditions. To achieve this, different shift programs are engaged. For additional details concerning ATC, please refer to the chapter describing "Advanced technology" on page 172.


Selector lever positions


P R N D M/S + –


Starting the engine The engine can only be started in selector lever positions P ("Park") or N ("Neutral").


Range selection A detent prevents inadvertent shifts into certain selector lever positions. To dis- engage the detent, press the button on the front of the shift knob (arrow).


While the vehicle is stationary and before shifting out of "Park" or


"Neutral," depress the footbrake, other- wise the selector lever gets blocked (Shiftlock). Hold the footbrake down until starting off. Otherwise the vehicle will "creep" when a drive position is engaged.<


If you leave the vehicle with the engine running, move the selector lever to the "Park" or "Neutral" position and apply the parking brake. If you fail to do this, the vehicle could move. Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running. An unattended ve- hicle with a running engine represents a potential safety hazard.<


P Park Select reverse only when the vehicle is stationary. The transmission locks to prevent the rear wheels from turning.


R Reverse Select reverse only when the vehicle is stationary.


N Neutral Select "Neutral" only if your journey is interrupted for a longer period.


Automatic transmission with Steptronic*


75n


D Drive (automatic shift program) This position is designed for driving un- der all normal operating conditions. All forward gears are available.


"Kickdown" In the "Kickdown" mode, you achieve maximum performance and the top speed in position "D". To activate this mode, depress the ac- celerator pedal beyond the full-throttle position, going beyond the point of re- sistance.


M/S Manual mode and Sport Program Shifting from D into M/S activates the Sport Program. This is indicated by "SD" in the gear selection display. This position is recommended for a perfor- mance-oriented driving style. With the first brief touch, the automatic transmission shifts from the Sport Pro- gram to the manual mode. When you move the selector lever for- ward in the "+" direction, the transmis- sion shifts up. When the lever is moved back in the "–" direction, the transmis- sion shifts down. M1 to M5 appear in the gear indicator.


Upshifts or downshifts will only be car- ried out by the ATC at appropriate en- gine speeds and road speeds. If the en- gine speed is too high, for instance, a downshift will not be executed. The gear selected will appear briefly in the instrument cluster followed by the cur- rent gear.


To accelerate quickly in the man- ual mode (to pass another vehi-


cle), shift down manually or employ the "Kickdown" mode.<


Shifting from M/S to the selector lever positions P, R and N is possible only by going through D.


Loading...
x