Changing gear

This chapter contains information on the following subjects:

• Warning and indicator lamp
• Pedals
• Manual gearbox: selecting a gear
• Automatic gearbox: selecting a gear
• Changing gear using Tiptronic
• Driving with an automatic gearbox
• Fault in the function of the automatic gearbox
• Gear-change indicator

Notes in this chapter concerning the automatic gearbox are applicable both for the automatic gearbox and the dual clutch gearbox DSG®.

• The reverse light comes on.
• The Climatronic switches automatically to air recirculation mode when the vehicle is reversing.
• The rear window wiper is switched on if the windscreen wipers are switched on.
• The ParkPilot may switch on.

• Overview of the centre console
• Instruments
• Windscreen wiper/washer
• Braking, stopping and parking
• Pull-away assist systems
• ParkPilot
• Heating, ventilating, cooling
• Engine management system and exhaust purification system
• Manual opening and closing
• Tow-starting and towing

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings .

Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is switched on. They will switch off after a few seconds.

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings .

The operation and freedom of movement of all pedals must never be impaired by objects or floor mats.

Only use floor mats that leave the pedal area free and can be securely fastened in the footwell.

If a brake circuit fails, you will have to depress the brake pedal further than normal in order to bring the vehicle to a stop.

The positions of the individual driving gears are shown on the gearshift lever ⇒ fig. 112.

• 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.

• Reverse gear should only be selected 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 gearshift lever fully to the left and then to the front in the reverse gear position R.
• Release the clutch to engage.

You should always select the next immediate gear when shifting down a gear whilst the vehicle is in motion. The engine revs should not be too high when doing this ⇒ . Damage to the clutch and the gearbox can occur if one or more gears are skipped when shifting down a gear at high speeds or high engine revs, even if the clutch is not released in the process ⇒  .

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings .

The selector lever is equipped with a selector lever lock. When changing the selector lever position from P to a driving gear, depress the brake pedal and push the lock button in the selector lever in the direction of the arrow ⇒ fig. 113 or ⇒ fig. 114. To move the selector lever out of position N to position D or R, first depress and hold the brake pedal.

The current selector lever position will be shown in the instrument cluster display if the ignition is switched on.

The selector lever lock in position P or N prevents gears from being engaged inadvertently, which would cause the vehicle to move.

To release the selector lever lock with the ignition switched on, depress and hold the brake pedal. Press the lock button in the selector lever at the same time.

The selector lever lock is not engaged if the selector lever is moved quickly through position N (e.g. when shifting from R to D). 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 brake pedal is not being depressed, the lever is in position N for more than about one second and the vehicle is travelling no faster than approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).

In rare cases, the selector lever lock may not engage in vehicles with a dual clutch gearbox DSG®. The drive is then deactivated to prevent the vehicle from accidentally pulling away. The green indicator lamp flashes and an information message is also displayed. Use the following procedure to engage the selector lever lock:

Move the selector lever to position P or N and then select a driving gear.

If the lever is moved accidentally to N when driving, take your foot off the accelerator. Wait for the engine revs in the neutral position before selecting a position again.

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings .

Using Tiptronic, the gears can be shifted up and down manually in an automatic gearbox. The gear that is currently selected will be maintained when the Tiptronic programme is selected. This remains the case until the system does not perform a gear change due to the current driving situation.

• Push the selector lever in position D to the right into the Tiptronic gate ⇒  Automatic gearbox: selecting a gear.
• Gently push the selector lever forwards + or back - to shift gear up or down ⇒ fig. 115.

• With driving programme D or S selected, use the paddles on the steering wheel ⇒ fig. 116.
• Pull the right paddle + OFF towards the steering wheel to change up a gear.
• Pull the left paddle - towards the steering wheel to change down a gear.
• To leave Tiptronic mode, pull the right paddle + OFF towards the steering wheel for approximately one second.

The Tiptronic mode will automatically be closed if the paddles are not used for some time.

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings .

The gearbox changes the forward gears up and down automatically.

The steeper the gradient, the lower the gear you will need. Lower gears increase the braking effect of the engine. Never allow the vehicle to roll down mountains or hills in the neutral position N.

• Reduce your speed.
• Push the selector lever from position D to the right into the Tiptronic gate ⇒ Operating Tiptronic with the selector lever.
• Gently push the selector lever to the rear to change down gear.
• OR: shift down a gear using the paddles on the steering wheel ⇒ Operating Tiptronic with the paddles.

The steeper the incline, the lower the gear that is required.

If you wish to stop the vehicle or pull away when driving uphill you should use the Hill Hold Assist function ⇒ Hill Hold Assist.

Vehicles without Hill Hold Assist: when you stop the vehicle on an incline and a position is still selected, the vehicle must always be prevented from rolling by depressing the brake pedal or by applying the handbrake. The brake pedal or the handbrake should not be released until you start to pull away ⇒  .

The kickdown mechanism enables maximum acceleration in the selector lever positions D and S, or in the Tiptronic position. If the accelerator pedal is depressed fully, the gearbox will automatically shift to a lower gear, depending on the speed and engine revs. This will make use of the full vehicle acceleration ⇒ .

The gearbox does not shift up to the next gear until the engine reaches the maximum engine speed for the gear.

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings .

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 automatic 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 dual clutch gearbox DSG®, you may no longer be able to select reverse gear.

In all cases the automatic gearbox should be checked by a qualified workshop immediately.

The dual clutch gearbox can overheat when the vehicle pulls off regularly, travels at a crawl for long periods, or in stop and go traffic. Gearbox overheating is indicated by the warning lamp and in some cases by a text message on the instrument cluster display. A signal tone may also be given. Stop the vehicle and allow the gearbox to cool down ⇒  .

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.

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings .

In some vehicles, the instrument cluster will show which gear should be selected while the vehicle is in motion to reduce fuel consumption:

In vehicles with a manual gearbox the recommended gear will be indicated in the form of a number and a recommendation to shift up or down into the gear shown will be displayed in the form of an arrow.

In vehicles with an automatic gearbox, if the selector lever is in the Tiptronic position, the current gear will be indicated in the form of a number and a recommendation to shift up or down a gear will be displayed in the form of an arrow ⇒ Changing gear using Tiptronic.

The exhaust management system detects when a diesel particulate filter is filling up and aids the filter’s self-cleaning process by recommending the most suitable gear when driving. This may mean driving with increased engine speed in exceptional cases ⇒ Engine management system and exhaust purification system.

Driving in the correct gear can reduce fuel consumption.

Gear-change indicator display goes out when the clutch is depressed in vehicles with a manual gearbox or when Tiptronic position is deselected in vehicles with an automatic gearbox.