parking brake AUDI A6 2011 Owners Manual

Table of contents
Table of contents
Vehicle literature ..... .
About this Owner's Manual .......... ....... .. .
Controls and
equipment .............. .
Instruments and controls ... .
General illustration ........... .
Instruments and
warning/indicator Lights ..... . Instruments ... ... .......... .
Warning/indicator ligh ts ..... . .
Driver information display ... .
Introduction ...... ......... . .
On-Board Diagno stic sy ste m
(OBD) . ..... ....... .......... .
Auto Ch eck Control ........... .
Speed warning system ........ .
Tr ip computer ............ ... .
Opening and closing ......... . Keys ............ ............ .
Power locking system
Rear lid .... ..... ............ .
Child safety Lock ............. .
Convenience key ............. .
Anti-theft alarm sys tem ...... .
Power windows .............. .
Sliding/tilting power sunroof .. .
Clear vision .. .... ............ .
L ights ... .. ........ ......... .
Interior ligh ts ... ... .. ....... .
4
5
6
7
7
8
8
12
19
19
23
24
32
34
37
3 7
41
46
47
47
49
so
53
58
58
63 Vi
sion .................... .. .
Wiper and washer system Mirrors ... ............... ... .
Digital compass ............ .
Seats and storage ........ ... .
General recommendations .... .
Power seat . ................. .
S eat m emory ............... . .
Rear sea ts ... ... .. .......... .
Head res train ts ........... ... .
Armrest .. .. ................ .
Luggage compar tm en t ..... .. .
Roof ra ck . .... .... .......... .
Cupholder .................. .
Ashtray .. ................... .
Cigarette Lighter/socket ...... .
S torag e ................ .. .. .
Warm and cold .... .......... .
Cl imate control ........ .. .... .
Ba sic se tt ings ............... .
On the road ... .... .......... .
S tee ring .................... .
Igni tion lock and ignition swi tch
Start ing and stopp ing the engine
Start ing and stopping the engine
with Convenience key ......... .
E lectromechanical parking brake
Cru ise control ............... .
Adaptive Cruise Control ..... . Speed and distance con trol
sys tem .............. ....... .
Dr iver information ........... .
Syst em Limitations ........... .
Audi Lane assist .......... .. .
Lane ass ist .... .. ............ . 64
66
69
73
75
75
76
79
80
81
82
83
87
89
91
92
93
96
96
104
106
106
108
109
110
113
116
119
119
12 7
131
134
134 Audi
side assist ............... 137
Lane Change Assistant ......... 137
No tes ....... .... ............. 144
Automatic transmission 146
tiptronic ® (6-sp eed au toma tic
tr ansmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
multitronic ® ............ ...... 152
Park assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Park ing sys tem ......... .... .. . 160
Park ing syst em (r ear) . . . . . . . . . . 160
Park ing sy ste m (r ear, w ith r ear
view camera) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Adaptive Air Suspension . . . . . . 168
Adap tive Air Suspens ion and
Damping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 168
Homelink ® ............. .... .. 171
Universal remote control 171
Safety first . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 6
Driving Safely ................. 176
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Proper occupant seating
posi tions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 8
Pedal area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Stowing Luggag e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Reporting Safe ty Defe cts . . . . . . . 185
Safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
G eneral not es ................. 187
Why safe ty be lt s ? ........... .. 188
Safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Safe ty belt pretensio ners . . . . . . . 195

Instruments and controls
General illustration
(D Power window switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
@ Door handle
@ Memory buttons (driver's seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
© Power locking switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
® Adjuster control for outside mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
© Air outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
0 Light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
@ Control lever for:
- Turn signal and high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
- Lane assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
® Control lever for:
- Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
- Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
@ Multifunction steering wheel with:
- Horn
- Driver 's airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
- Shift buttons ...... .. .. .... ........ .......... 151, 158
- Button for steering wheel heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
@ Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
@ Switches for
- Windshield wiper/washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
- Trip computer ............... .. .. .. .. ....... .
@ Steering lock/ignition/starter switch ... .. ......... .
@ Buttons for
- resetting the trip odometer .......... .. .. .. ... .
- !CHECK] .... .... .. .... .. .... ............... .
-Instrument lighting . ....... .... .. .. .... .. .. . .
Controls and equip ­
ment Safety first
34
108
10
11
11
Instruments and controls
@ MMI Display, see separate manua l
@ Depending on equipment, switches for:
- Electronic Stabili zation Program (ESP)
- Side assist .. ... . .... .. .. .. .. .. .... .. .. .. ... .
- Emergency flashers .. .... .. .. .. ............. .
- Power sunshade . ... ... .. .. .. .. .... .. .. ... .. .
- Valet key function .. .. .. .. .... ....... ...... .. .
@ Buttons for
- Switching MMI display on/off
- Unlocking glove compartment
@ Glove compartment ...... .. .. .. .... .. ......... .
@ Front passenger 's airbag ............... ... .. .. . .
@ Climate controls ... .. .. .. .. .. .... .......... ... .
@ Ashtray .............. .. .... .. .. .. .. .... ..... .
@ Shift lever for automatic transmission
- 6-speed automatic transmission ....... .. ... ... .
- multitronic ® ....................... .. .... .. .
@ MMI contro l console, see separate manua l
@ Storage with cupholder ... .. ... .............. .. .
@) Electromechanical parking brake .............. .. . .
@ ISTAR T]-/ISTOP] button ........ .. ... .......... .
@ Adjustable steering wheel, depending on equipment :
- mechanical ............. .. .. .. ............. .
- electrical . ... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ....... .. .
@ Data Link Connector for On Board Diagnostics (OBD II)
@ Hood release .......... .. .... .. .. .. .. ......... .
@ Switch for
unlocking the fuel fi ller door .............. .... .
- unlocking the trunk lid . .. ........ .. ... .. .. .. . .
Vehicle care
242
137
61
65
40
94
94
201
98
91
146
154
89
113
110
106
106 23
278
275
46 •
Technical data

Canada models:
Airbag system
Tire pressure monitoring system*
L eft turn signal
Malfunct ion Indicator Lamp (MIL)
/ : Lane assist (system is ready)
Lane assist (system is not ready)
Safety belt
Adapt ive A ir Suspe nsio n*
-~ Adaptive Air Suspension"
D H igh beam
--
Q Right turn signal
CRUISE USA models:
Cruise contro l a ct ivate d =>page
14
=> page 15
=>page 15
=> page 15
=> page 15
=> page 15
=>page 15
=> page 16
=> page 16
=> page 16
=> page 15
=>page 16
Canada models: => page 16
Cruise control activated
USA models: => page 17
Ant i-lock brake system (ABS) defective
Canada models : => page 17
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) defective
USA models: PARK BRAKE Elect romecha nica l parki ng b rake
Controls and equip ­
ment Safety first
=:::, page 17
-
-
-
Instruments and warning
/indicator lights
(®)
BRAKE
--

Canada models: => page 17
E lectromechanical parking brake
USA model s: => page 18
Brake ma lf u nct ion
-Canada models: => page 18
B rake malfunction
Vehicles with the Adaptive Cru ise Control* have the following addi­
ti onal check lamps:
Open road
i;:;::::::, 1111 i;:;::::::, D ri vi n g i n traffic
i;:;::::::, 1111 i;:;::::::, Request for dr iver to
assume con trol
& WARNING
=> page 12 7
=:::, page 127
=> page 127
• Failure to heed warning light s and other important vehicle
information may result in s erious personal injury or vehicle
damage.
• Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move the vehicle a safe
distan ce off the road, st op the engine, and turn on the emergency
flasher =>
page 61.
• The engine compartment of any motor vehicle i s a potentially
hazardous area . Befo re you check anyth ing in the engine compart ­
ment, stop the engine and let it cool down. Always exercise
extreme caution when working under the hood=>
page 2 71,
"Engine compartment". .,.
Vehicle care Technical data

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
A ...
.j {USA models) /..., {Canada models)
This warning/indicator light monitors the ABS and the
electronic differential lock (EDL) .
The warning/indicator light will come on for a few seconds when the
ign ition is switched on . The light w ill go out after an a utomat ic check
sequence is comp leted .
There is a malfunction in the ABS when: • Th e warn ing/ indic ator light does not ill uminate when you swi tch
on the ig nit io n.
• Th e warn ing/ in dic ator lig ht does not go out a fter a few se conds .
• The warning/ind icator light illuminates while d riving.
The brake sy stem will still re spond even without the a ssistance of
the ABS system . See your authorized Audi dealer as soon as
possible to restore full braking performance.
For more i nformat ion
regarding the ABS=>
page 246.
The ABS warning l ight and the brake warning light come on
together. The ABS will not work and you will noti ce a change in
brak ing response and performance.
Malfunction in the brake system
If the brake warning light=> page 18 and the ABS warning ill uminate
together there may be a malfu nction in t he A BS, a nd there may a lso
be a malfunction in the brake system itself=>& .
In the even t of a
malfunction in the b rake system the warning/ indi ­
ca tor light
BRAKE (U SA mode ls)/ ((])) (Canada models) in the instrume nt
cl uster flashes . By p ressing the
I C H ECK ) button, you ca n bring up a
dr iver message w hic h explains the malfunc tion in mo re de tail. Please
not e=>
pag e 26 .
Controls and equip ­
ment Safety first
Instruments and warning
/indicator lights
Malfunction in the electroni c differential lock (EDL)
Th e ED L wor ks toge ther w it h the ABS . The A BS wa rning light will
come on if t he re is a malfunction in the EDL system=>
page 243. See
your authorized Aud i dea le r as soon as poss ible.
& WARNING
• If the ... Is~ (USA models)/ d (Canada models ) warning light
does not go out , o r if it comes on while driving, the ABS system is
not working properly . The vehicle can then be stopped only with
the standard brakes (without ABS ). You w ill not have the protec­
tion ABS provide s. Contact your Aud i dealer as soon as pos sible.
• USA models: If the BRAKE warning light and the 9 warning
light come on together, the rear wheel s could lock up fir st under
hard braking. Rear wheel lock-up can cau se los s of vehicle control
and an accident . Have your vehicle repaired immediately by you r
authorized Audi dealer or a qualified work shop. Drive slowly and
avoid sudden, hard brake applications.
• Canada models : If the brake warning light «D> and the ABS
warning light come on together , the rear wheels could lock up
first under hard braking . Rear wheel lock -up can cause loss of
vehicle control and an accident. Have your vehicle repaired imme­
diately by your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified work shop.
Drive slowly and a void sudden, hard brake applications. •
Electromechanical parking brake
~E {USA models) /(®) {Canada models)
The warning/indicator light monit ors the electromechan­
ical parking brake.
With the parking bra ke app lied and the ignition turned o n, t he
warning/indicator light illum inates. After the ign ition has been
t u rned
off, the wa rni ng/ind icator light co nti nu es to i llumi nate for
abou t 30 seconds . If the parki ng brake is applied w it h the ignition _,,
Vehicle care Technical data

Instruments and warning/indicator lights
tu rned off, the warning/ind icator light illum inates for abo ut 30
s e co nd s.
Th e warn ing/i ndicator lig ht w ill go out whe n the parking brake is
re lease d.
If the w arn ing/ indi ca tor li ght flas hes c ontinuou sly
after applying th e
park ing brake, braking force is not suffic ient to p revent the vehicle
fro m rolling unin te n ti onally. Pleas e note the following:
• If th e slope of the g round is too ste ep to pa rk the vehicle, the addi­
tional drive message ap pea rs
Caution: Vehicle parked too steep .
• In th e eve nt of a pa rk ing bra ke malfunc tion, t he yellow symbol
appea rs in the inst rument cluste r display a nd the dr ive r message
Parking brake auto release: system fault is displayed . Have the
ma lf u nctio n re paire d as soo n as poss ible by a qualified Audi
dea le rs hi p.•
Brake system BRAKE (USA
models)
/ {Q)) (Canada models)
The war ning/in dic ator li ght flash es i f br ake fluid le vel is
low , if t he re i s an A BS sys te m malfu nction or a pa rking
b rake malf unct ion.
The lig ht ill um inates when the ign it io n is tu rned on . It goes out afte r
t he engi ne has been st arted. This indicat es tha t the b ra k e war ning
light is functioning proper ly.
If the brake warning light does not light up when the engine is
cranking, there may be a malfunction in the electrical system. In
this case, contact your Audi dealer.
If the b ra ke sys tem w arning/i nd ic a tor light flashes, there is a br ake
system malfunction . By press ing the [
CHECK ] button, you can bring
up a driver mess age whi ch expl ain s t he m alfunc tion in mo re de ta il
=>page 26 .
If the ABS fa ils, t he ABS war ning/ indica to r li ght (USA
mod els)/ (Canada mo dels) fla shes toge ther wi th th e bra ke syste m
warni ng/ind icator light=> &.
(USA models):
If the warning light BRAKE and the wa rnin g light illu­
m inate toge ther, im media tely con tac t you r author ized A udi dealer or
qualif ied workshop to have all brake pads inspected=>
page 31.
When the ligh t comes on, an a udible w arnin g signal is also give n.
& WARNING
• USA models: If the BRAKE warning light and the r i,~ warning
light come on together, the rear wheels could lock up first under
hard braking . Rear wheel lock-up can cause loss of vehicle control
and an accident . Have your vehicle repaired immediately by your
authorized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop . Drive slowly and
avoid sudden, hard brake applications.
• Canada models : If the brake warning light (CD) and the ABS
warning light :::; come on together, the rear wheels could lock up
first under hard braking. Rear wheel lock -up can cause loss of
vehicle control and an accident. Have your vehicle repaired imme­ di ately by your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop .
Drive slowly and avoid sudden, hard brake applications.
• If the brake warning/indicator light does not go out after a few
seconds and the parking brake released, or lights up while you are
driving, the fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir is too low. If you
believe that it is safe to do so, proceed immediately at low speed
to the nearest authorized Audi dealer or qualified repair facility
and have the brake system inspected.
• Always keep in m ind that after several brake applications , you
will need greater pressure on the brake pedal to stop your vehicle.
Do not rely on strained brakes to respond with maximum stopping
power in critical situations. You must allow for increased braking
distances. The extra distance used up by fading brakes could lead
to an accident. •

Driver info rmation d isplay
• Speed warnings threshold 1 B (USA models)/ 8 (Canada models)
and thresho ld 2
9, (USA mode ls)/ 8, (Canada models) are also shown
as red symbols . The warning is always shown as a small symbol in the
upper area of th e display ~
page 32. •
Alternator malfunction 0
If the D symbol in the instrument panel d isplay flashes, then there
is a malfunction in the alternator or the vehicle electronics . A warning
to the driver will appear, too. The driver warning goes out after about
5 seconds, but it can be brought up at any time by pressing the
[CHECK] button again .
Us ua lly, you can still drive to the next dea lership. Tu rn off all but the
mos t necessary elec trical consumers, since these drain the vehicle 's
battery.
0 Note
If the _ f_ warning symbol (coolant system malfunction) a lso lights up
on the instrument panel during the trip~
page 27, then you have to
stop immediate ly and turn off the engine. The coo lant pump is not
work ing anymore - danger of damage to the engine! •
Brake system malfunction
A malfunction in the brake system must be repaired as
soon as possible.
If the warning /indicator light BRAKE (USA models)/ (©)
(Canada models) in the instrument cluster flashes, there is a
brake system malfunction . By pressing the [CHECK] bu tton,
you can bring up a driver message which expla ins the
malfunct ion in more deta il.
Stop vehicle and check brake fluid level
- Pull off the road .
- Stop the vehicle .
- Turn off the engine .
- Chec k the bra ke fluid level=>
page 289 .
-Contact your nearest authorized repair facility if neces-
sary.
Warning! Fault in brake system. Conta ct
workshop
- Drive carefully to the nearest authorized repair facility and
have the malfunct ion corrected=> &,.
Parking brake! Please contact workshop
-If the warning/indicator light flashes when the vehicle is
statio nary or afte r the ignition is turned on, check to see if
the parking brake can be released. Drive to an authorized
repair facility as soon as possible and have the malfunc ­
tion corrected . If the parking brake cannot be re leased,
contact your neares t authorized repa ir facility .
If the warning/indicator light flashes while you are
dr iv ing , it is possible that the traction control or the emer ­
gency brake has malfunctioned. It is poss ible that the
park ing brake cannot be applied . It is also poss ible that
the parking brake cannot be released after it has been
applied . Drive to an authorized Audi dealer to have the
ma lfunction corrected .
If the ABS system malfunctions, th e ABS warn ing/indicator light i llu­
m inates together w ith the brake system malfunction warning/indi-
cator light~& . .,_

Driver information display
Engine oil sensor malfunction => page 31
._ --
Engine speed limitation* :::>page 32
-- -Adaptive Light* defective => page 32
Ignition lock malfunction =>page 32
--Windshield wiper defective => page 32
Tire pressure monitoring sys­
tem*
Loss of tire pressure
Tire pressure monitoring sys ­
tem*
System not available
Battery in remote control key
--
=> page 315
=> page 315
:::>page 39
Electromechanical => page 115
parking brake
Automatic transmission mal­
function
Ap plies to vehicles: w ith Conven ience key
Key not in vehicle
Key not in vehicle
=> page 151,
=> page 158
-
-
This reminder appears along with the...., symbol if the master key is
removed from the vehicle with the engine running. It is intended to
remind you (e.g. when changing drivers) not to continue the journey
without the master key.
If the master key is no longer in the vehicle, you cannot switch off the
ignition after stopping the engine and you also cannot start the
•
engine again . What is more, you cannot lock the vehicle from the
outside. •
Light/rain sensor defective )
Automatic headlights/automatic wipers defective
If the symbol illuminates, the light sensor has failed . For safety
reaso ns the low beams are turned on permanently with the switch in
AUTO. However, you can continue to turn the lights on and off using
the light switch. In the case of a defect in the rain sensor, the wind­
shield wiper lever functions are still available. Have the light/rain
sensor checked as soon as possible at a dealership. •
Windshield washer fluid level too low 5
, Please refill washer fluid
If the symbol illuminates, add windshield washer fluid to the washer
system and also to the headlight washer system=>
page 294. •
Fuel supply too low )
L Please refuel
When this symbol 1. illuminates for the first time, the fuel reserve in
your vehicles is still about 2 Gallons (7 to 9 liters). Refuel as soon as
possible =>
page 274.
If the symbol lights up, even when there is ample fuel in the tank, and
the text
Tank system malfunction! Contact workshop appears in the
display, there is a fault in the system . Contact a qualified workshop to
have the fault rectified.•

On the road -_______________ __.
the driver's door is opened. In t his instance, the steer ing is not
locked. The s teer ing is locked:
• If you press the
(STOP) button again for more than 1 second .
• If you close the driver 's door and lock yo ur vehicle from the
outs ide .•
Electromechanical parking brake
Operation
The electromechanical parking brake replaces the hand
brake.
Fi g. 104 Cente r
co nsol e: Pa rki ng brak e
- Pull the switch to apply the parking brake ~fig . 104. The
indicator light in the switch will come on.
- Step on the brake pedal or the accelerator pedal and press the switch at the same time to re lease the parking bra ke.
The indicator light in the switch wil l go out .
Your vehicle is equipped with an electromec hanical park ing brake
w hich replaces the handb rake. The parking brake is d esigned to
prevent the vehicle from ro lling unintent iona lly .
Con tro ls a nd e quip ­
m en t Vehicle
OP-eration
In addit io n to the normal functions of a traditional hand brake, the
ele ct romechan ica l parki ng br ake p rovides various convenience and
safety functions .
Emergency brake
An emergency brake ensures that the vehicle can be slowed even if
t he
normal bra kes fail => page 115, "E merge ncy bra king" .
Indicator lights
• If the pa rking brake is applie d with the ig nition turned on , the
indicator light in the instrument cluster (U.S models:
:'.Ii , Canadian
mode ls: © ) and i n the swi tch
(e)) w ill come o n.
• If the parking brake is applied with the ign ition
turned off , the
indicator light in the in strument cluste r (U.S. models:
::'.l, , Ca nadian
models: ©) and in the switch© will come on for about 30 seconds
and then go out .
& WARNING
If the vehicle is stati onary and the transmi ssion is engaged with
the eng ine running, the e ngine should not be speeded up (e.g.
m anuall y from under th e hood ). Otherwi se the vehicle will st art to
mo ve -you run the risk of an ac cident.
0 Note
If the warning/ind icator light (U.S. models: BRAKE , Canadian mode ls:
(Ci)) ) flashes in the ins trumen t clus ter, t here is a brake sys tem
malfunction. By press ing the [
CHECK) b utton, yo u can bri ng up a
dr iver message which explains the malfu nction in mo re deta il.
If the
message
Parking brake! Please contact workshop appea rs, the re is a
parking brake malfunction which yo u should have repaired immedi-
ately by an au thorized dealership=>
page 26 . ..
Vehicle care Do-it-yourselt service iTechnical data

1111....__0_ n_ t_h_ e_ r_ o_ a _ d _________________________________________________ _
(I] Tips
• You can apply the parking brake at any time -even with the igni­
tion turned off. The ignition must be turned on in order to release the
parking brake.
• Occasional noises when the parking brake is applied and released
are normal and are not a cause for concern.
• Th e parking brake goes through a se lf-test cycle at regular inter­
vals -when the vehicle is parked. Any associated noises are normal. •
Parking
To prevent a parked vehicle from rolling away, there are
a few things you should do.
When you park your vehicle, do the following
- Stop the vehicle using the brake pedal.
- Pull the switch to apply the electromechanical parking
brake.
- Move the selector lever into the
P position==> &.
- Switch off the engine and remove the ignition key from
the ignition lock .
When you park your vehicle on hills, do the
following
- Stop the vehicle using the brake pedal.
- Pull the switch to apply the electromechanical parking
brake.
- If you are parking headed
downhill, turn the front wheels
toward the curb. -
If you are parking headed
uphill, turn the front wheels
away from the curb.
- Move the selector lever into the
P position.
- Switch off the engine and remove the ignition key from
the ignition lock.
& WARNING
This is how you can reduce the risk of injury when leaving your
vehicle.
• Never park the vehicle where it can come in contact with dry
grass, spilled fuel or any other flammable materials.
• When parking on hills, always turn the wheels so that the front
wheels will first roll into the curb, if the vehicle should start to
roll.
• Never allow anyone -especially small children -to remain in
the vehicle when it is locked. Locked doors make it more difficult
for rescuers to access the passenger compartment in the event of
an emergency. Danger to life!
• Never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. Children
could release the parking brake or move the gearshift lever out of
gear. The vehicle could start to roll away and cause an accident.
• No matter what the season is, the temperature in a parked
vehicle can reach dangerous levels.
0 Note
• Please exercise care when you park your vehicle in parking areas
with parking barriers or curbs. Parking barriers and curbs vary in
height and could damage your bumper and related components as
the front of your vehicle moves over a barrier or curb that is too high,
as you park or as you back out of a parking spot. In order to be sure
that no such damage can occur, you may wish to stop short of having
the front tires of your car touch the parking barrier or curb. .._

On the road Ill
----------------
• Please also exercise exceptional care when you drive up or down
steep ramps or drive over cu rbs or other obstacles, for which the
vehicle is not designed, because components of the vehicle close to
the ground, such as bumper covers, spoilers and suspension and
exhaust system components , may become damaged. •
Starting off with a trailer
To prevent rolling back unintentionally on an incline, do
the following:
- Keep the switch pulled and depress the accelerator . The
parking brake stays applied and prevents the vehicle from
rolling bac kward .
- You can re lease the switch once you are sure tha t you are
deve loping enoug h forward momentum at the wheels as
you depress the accelerator.
Depend ing on the we ight of the rig (vehicle and trailer) and the
sever ity of the incline, you may roll backwards as you start. You can
prevent ro llin g backwards by holding the park ing bra ke sw itch pulled
out and accelera ting - just as you would when starting on a hill with a
conventional hand brake. •
Emergency braking
In the event that the conventional brake system fails or
locks.
- Pull the switch and cont inue to pull it to slow your ve hicle
w ith the parking brake in an emerge ncy.
- As soon as you re lease the sw itch or acce lerate, the
braking process stops .
Controls and equip­
ment Safety first
If you pull the switch and hold it above a speed of about 5 mph (8
km/h),
the eme rgency brak ing f unct io n is ini tia ted. The vehicle is
braked at all four wheels by activat ing the hydraulic brake system .
Brake performance is similar to making an emergency stop=>& .
So that emergency b raking is not act ivated by mistake, an aud ible
warning tone (buzzer) sounds when the switch is pulled. As soon as
the swi tch is released, or the accelerator pedal is depressed, eme r­
gency braking stops.
& WARNING
Emergency braking should only be u sed in an emergen cy, when
the normal foot brake ha s failed or th e brake pedal i s ob structed.
Us ing the park ing b rake to perf orm emergency braking will slow
your v ehicl e as if you had made a full brak e app lic ation . Th e law s
of physics cannot be suspen ded even w ith ESP and it s associated
c omponent s (AB S, ASR , EDS ). In corn ers and when road or
weather condit ion s are bad , a full brake application can cause the
v eh icle t o skid or the rear end to bre ak awa y- r isking an a ccident. •
Driver messages in the instrument cluster
Caution : V ehi cle park ed too steep
Th is message appears whe n the parking brake is applied on an incline
that exceeds abo ut 30%.
I n this case the b raking power of the parking brake may
not be
adequate
to prevent the vehicle from rolling unintentionally.
Plea se re leas e park ing brak e
This message appears , when a gear is se lected and the accelerator
peda l is dep ressed - release the parking brake . .,
Vehicle care Technical data