CONTROLS -> Driving for your BMW 8 Series 2018-2025

Driving  
CONTROLS  
Driving  
Vehicle features and options Auto Start/Stop function  
This chapter describes all standard, country-  
specific, and optional equipment offered with  
Principle  
The Auto Start/Stop function helps save fuel.  
the series. It also describes features and func-  
The system switches off the engine during a  
tions that are not necessarily available in the  
stop, for instance in traffic jam or at traffic  
vehicle, e.g., due to the selected options or  
lights. Drive-ready state remains switched on.  
country versions. This also applies to safety  
The engine starts automatically for driving off.  
functions and systems. When using these  
Additional information:  
functions and systems, the applicable laws  
and regulations must be observed.  
Coasting, refer to page 304.  
General information  
Start/Stop button  
After each engine start using the Start/Stop  
button, the Auto Start/Stop function is ready.  
The function is activated from speeds of ap-  
prox. 3 mph/5 km/h.  
Principle  
Pressing the Start/Stop button  
switches drive-ready state on or  
off.  
Depending on the selected driving mode, the  
system is automatically activated or deacti-  
vated.  
Drive-ready state is switched on  
when you depress the brake  
pedal while pressing the Start/Stop button.  
Engine stop  
Pressing the Start/Stop button again switches  
the drive-ready state back off and standby  
state is switched back on.  
Functional requirements  
Steptronic transmission  
Additional information:  
The engine is switched off automatically during  
a stop under the following conditions:  
Drive-ready state, refer to page 41.  
Standby state, refer to page 40.  
The selector lever is in selector lever posi-  
tion D.  
Driving off  
The brake pedal remains depressed while  
the vehicle is at a standstill or the vehicle is  
held by Automatic Hold.  
1. Turn on drive-ready state.  
2. Apply gear position.  
3. Release the parking brake.  
4. Driving off.  
The driver's seat belt is buckled or the driv-  
er's door is closed.  
Manual engine stop  
If the engine was not switched off automati-  
cally when the vehicle stopped, the engine can  
be switched off manually:  
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Depress the brake pedal forcefully again  
from the current pedal position.  
In case of a steep downhill grade.  
Brake not engaged strongly enough.  
Engage selector lever position P.  
The outside temperature is high and auto-  
matic climate control is running.  
When all functional preconditions are fulfilled,  
the engine switches off.  
The car's interior has not yet been heated  
or cooled to the required level.  
Air conditioning system when the  
engine is switched off  
The air flow from the air conditioning system is  
reduced when the engine is switched off.  
Where there is a risk of window condensa-  
tion when the automatic climate control is  
switched on.  
Engine or other parts not at operating tem-  
perature.  
Displays in the instrument cluster  
Engine cooling is required.  
The wheels are at a sharp angle or the  
steering wheel is being turned.  
General information  
The display in the instrument  
cluster indicates that the Auto  
Start/Stop function is ready for  
an automatic engine start.  
Vehicle battery is heavily discharged.  
At higher elevations.  
Hood is unlocked.  
The Automatic Parking Assistant is acti-  
vated.  
The display indicates that the  
conditions for an automatic en-  
gine stop have not been met.  
Stop-and-go traffic.  
Selector lever position in N or R.  
After driving in reverse.  
Use of fuel with high ethanol content.  
Total time with switched-off engine  
Starting the engine  
Functional requirements  
Steptronic transmission  
ECO PRO driving mode: de-  
pending on the vehicle equip-  
ment, the total time that the  
engine has been switched off  
using the Auto Start/Stop func-  
tion is displayed on an auto-  
matic engine stop.  
The engine starts automatically under the fol-  
lowing preconditions:  
The total time can be reset via the trip data.  
By releasing the brake pedal.  
When Automatic Hold is activated: step on  
the accelerator pedal.  
Additional information:  
ECO PRO, refer to page 302.  
Driving off  
After the engine starts, accelerate as usual.  
Functional limitations  
The engine is not switched off automatically in  
the following situations:  
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A situation is detected in which the stop-  
ping time is expected to be very short. The  
engine is not automatically switched off. A  
message appears on the control display,  
depending on the situation.  
Safety mode  
After the engine switches off automatically, it  
will not start again automatically if any one of  
the following conditions are met:  
The driver's seat belt is unbuckled and the  
driver's door is open.  
A situation is detected in which the vehi-  
cle should be started up immediately. The  
switched-off engine starts automatically.  
Hood was unlocked.  
Some indicator lights illuminate for a varied  
length of time.  
The function may be restricted if the naviga-  
tion data is invalid, outdated or not available,  
for example.  
The engine can only be started via the Start/  
Stop button.  
Activating/deactivating the system  
manually  
System limits  
Even if driving off was not intended, the deac-  
tivated engine starts up automatically in the  
following situations:  
Principle  
The engine is not automatically switched off.  
In case of excessive warming of the interior  
when air conditioning is turned on.  
The engine is started during an automatic en-  
gine stop.  
In case of excessive cooling of the interior  
when the heating is turned on.  
Via button  
In case of a risk of window condensa-  
tion when the automatic climate control is  
turned on.  
Without mild hybrid technology: in case of a  
steering operation.  
When changing from selector lever position  
D to N or R.  
When changing from selector lever position  
P to N, D, or R.  
In case of seriously discharged vehicle bat-  
tery.  
Press the button.  
When starting an oil level measurement.  
Via selector lever position or Driving  
Experience Control  
The Auto Start/Stop function is also deacti-  
vated in selector lever position M/S or in  
SPORT driving mode of the Driving Experience  
Control.  
Additional functions Auto Start/Stop  
Depending on the equipment and national-  
market version, the vehicle features a variety of  
sensors for assessing the traffic situation. The  
Auto Start/Stop function uses this information  
to adapt to various traffic situations in an antic-  
ipatory manner.  
For instance, this applies to the following sit-  
uations:  
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Display  
Driving Experience Control  
LED is illuminated: Auto Start/Stop function  
is deactivated.  
Principle  
LED goes out: Auto Start/Stop function is  
activated.  
The Driving Experience Control influences the  
driving dynamics properties of the vehicle.  
The vehicle can be adjusted depending on the  
situation using various driving modes.  
Switching off the vehicle during an  
automatic engine stop  
General information  
The following systems are affected, for in-  
stance:  
General information  
During an automatic engine stop, the vehicle  
can be switched off permanently, for instance  
when leaving it.  
Engine characteristics.  
Steptronic transmission.  
Adaptive M chassis.  
Steptronic transmission  
1. Press the Start/Stop button.  
Adaptive M Suspension Professional.  
Active roll stabilization.  
Steering.  
Drive-ready state is switched off.  
Standby state is switched on.  
Selector lever position P is engaged au-  
tomatically.  
Integral Active Steering.  
Display in the instrument cluster.  
Cruise control.  
2. Set the parking brake.  
Automatic deactivation  
General information  
Overview  
In certain situations, the Auto Start/Stop func-  
tion is deactivated automatically for safety rea-  
sons, for instance if no driver is detected.  
Malfunction  
The Auto Start/Stop function no longer  
switches off the engine automatically. A Check  
Control message is displayed. It is possible to  
continue driving. Have the vehicle checked by  
an authorized service center or another quali-  
fied service center or repair shop.  
Displays in the instrument cluster  
The selected driving mode is  
displayed in the instrument clus-  
ter.  
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Turning on  
Press the button repeatedly until  
Driving modes  
Buttons in the vehicle  
SPORT is displayed in the instrument  
cluster.  
SPORT INDIVIDUAL  
Button  
SPORT  
SPORT  
Driving  
mode  
Configura-  
tion  
Principle  
In the SPORT INDIVIDUAL driving mode, indi-  
vidual settings can be adjusted to support driv-  
ing dynamics properties.  
SPORT  
INDIVID-  
UAL  
SPORT  
PLUS  
Configuration  
1. "CAR"  
COMFORT  
ECO PRO  
COMFORT  
ECO PRO  
2. "Settings"  
INDIVID-  
UAL  
3. "Driving mode"  
4. "SPORT INDIVIDUAL"  
5. Select the desired setting.  
ADAPTIVE  
ADAPTIVE  
Reset SPORT INDIVIDUAL to the standard  
settings:  
When drive-ready state is switched on, the  
COMFORT driving mode is selected automati-  
cally.  
"Reset to SPORT STANDARD".  
SPORT PLUS  
Driving modes in detail  
COMFORT  
Principle  
The SPORT PLUS driving mode is a dynamic  
setting for maximum agility with an adjusted  
drive.  
Principle  
The COMFORT driving mode is a balanced  
setting between sporty and consumption-opti-  
mized driving.  
Turning on  
Press the button repeatedly until  
SPORT PLUS is displayed in the in-  
strument cluster.  
Turning on  
Press the button repeatedly until  
COMFORT is displayed in the instru-  
ment cluster.  
ECO PRO  
Principle  
SPORT  
In ECO PRO driving mode, consumption is op-  
timized.  
Principle  
The SPORT driving mode is a dynamic setting  
for more agility with an optimized suspension.  
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Turning on  
Press the button repeatedly until ECO  
INDIVIDUAL configuration  
General information  
The individual configuration set last is acti-  
vated directly when the driving mode is called  
up again.  
PRO is displayed in the instrument  
cluster.  
ECO PRO INDIVIDUAL  
Activating configuration of the driving  
mode  
Press the button for the desired driving mode  
several times.  
Principle  
In the ECO PRO INDIVIDUAL driving mode,  
individual settings can be adjusted to support  
an economical driving style.  
The engine control and comfort features, for  
instance the climate control output, are ad-  
justed.  
Parking brake  
Principle  
Configuration  
The parking brake is used to prevent the vehi-  
cle from rolling away when it is parked.  
1. "CAR"  
2. "Settings"  
3. "Driving mode"  
4. "ECO PRO INDIVIDUAL"  
5. Select the desired setting.  
Safety information  
Warning  
Reset ECO PRO INDIVIDUAL to the standard  
settings:  
An unsecured vehicle can begin to move and  
possibly roll away. There is a risk of accident,  
injury, or property damage. Before leaving  
the vehicle, secure the vehicle against rolling  
away.  
"Reset to ECO PRO STANDARD".  
ADAPTIVE  
In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured  
against rolling away, follow the following:  
Principle  
The ADAPTIVE driving mode is a balanced  
driving mode that automatically adapts to the  
driving situation and driving style.  
Set the parking brake.  
On uphill grades or on downhill slopes,  
turn the front wheels in the direction of  
the curb.  
If the navigation system is active, upcoming  
road sections are considered.  
On uphill grades or on downhill slopes,  
also secure the vehicle, for instance with  
a wheel chock.  
Turning on  
Press the button. ADAPTIVE is dis-  
played in the instrument cluster.  
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Warning  
While driving  
General information  
Unattended children or animals in the vehicle  
can cause the vehicle to move and endanger  
themselves and traffic, for example, due to  
the following actions:  
Use while driving serves as an emergency  
braking function.  
Pull the switch and hold it. The vehicle  
brakes hard while the switch is being  
pulled.  
Establishing standby.  
Releasing the parking brake.  
Opening and closing the doors or win-  
dows.  
The indicator light in the instrument  
cluster illuminates red, a signal sounds,  
and the brake lights illuminate.  
Engaging selector lever position N.  
Using vehicle equipment.  
A Check Control message is displayed.  
There is a risk of accident, injury, or property  
damage. Do not leave children or animals un-  
attended in the vehicle. Take the vehicle key  
with you when exiting and lock the vehicle.  
The parking brake is engaged when the vehi-  
cle is stationary.  
With Emergency Stop Assistant  
Pull the switch briefly to activate the  
emergency stop function.  
Overview  
Additional information:  
Emergency Stop Assistant, refer to page 204.  
Releasing the parking brake  
Releasing the parking brake manually  
1. Turn on drive-ready state.  
2.  
Press the switch while stepping on  
the brake pedal or selector lever position P  
is set.  
Parking brake  
The LED and the indicator light go out.  
The parking brake is released.  
Setting the parking brake  
With a stationary vehicle  
Releasing the parking brake  
automatically  
The parking brake is released automatically  
when you drive off.  
Pull the switch.  
The LED illuminates.  
The indicator light in the instrument  
cluster illuminates red. The parking  
brake is set.  
The LED and the indicator light go out.  
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Automatic Hold  
Warning  
Principle  
Unattended children or animals in the vehicle  
can cause the vehicle to move and endanger  
themselves and traffic, for example, due to  
the following actions:  
Automatic Hold assists the driver by automati-  
cally setting and releasing the brake such as  
when moving in stop-and-go traffic.  
Establishing standby.  
The vehicle is automatically held in place when  
it is stationary.  
Releasing the parking brake.  
On uphill grades the system prevents the vehi-  
cle from rolling back when driving off.  
Opening and closing the doors or win-  
dows.  
Engaging selector lever position N.  
Using vehicle equipment.  
General information  
Under the following conditions, the parking  
brake is automatically engaged:  
There is a risk of accident, injury, or property  
damage. Do not leave children or animals un-  
attended in the vehicle. Take the vehicle key  
with you when exiting and lock the vehicle.  
Drive-ready state is switched off.  
The driver's door is opened while the vehi-  
cle is stationary.  
The moving vehicle is brought to a stand-  
still using the parking brake.  
NOTICE  
If the vehicle is stationary, Automatic Hold  
engages the parking brake and prevents the  
vehicle from rolling in a car wash. There is a  
risk of damage to property. Deactivate Auto-  
matic Hold prior to entering the car wash.  
Safety information  
Warning  
An unsecured vehicle can begin to move and  
possibly roll away. There is a risk of accident,  
injury, or property damage. Before leaving  
the vehicle, secure the vehicle against rolling  
away.  
Overview  
In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured  
against rolling away, follow the following:  
Set the parking brake.  
On uphill grades or on downhill slopes,  
turn the front wheels in the direction of  
the curb.  
On uphill grades or on downhill slopes,  
also secure the vehicle, for instance with  
a wheel chock.  
Automatic Hold  
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The LED goes out.  
The indicator light goes out.  
Establishing operational readiness of  
Automatic Hold  
1. Turn on drive-ready state.  
2.  
Press the button.  
The LED illuminates.  
Automatic Hold is switched off.  
If the vehicle is being held by Automatic Hold,  
also press on the brake pedal when switching  
off.  
The indicator light illuminates green.  
Automatic Hold is ready to use.  
After every vehicle restart, the last se-  
lected setting is active.  
Malfunction  
If the parking brake fails or in case of a fault,  
secure the vehicle against rolling away before  
exiting.  
Automatic Hold holding the vehicle  
Operational readiness is established and the  
driver's door is closed.  
A Check Control message is displayed.  
Secure the vehicle against rolling away, for in-  
stance with a wheel chock, after getting out of  
the vehicle.  
After the brake is applied, the vehicle is  
kept from rolling away as soon as the  
indicator light illuminates green.  
After a power interruption  
To reestablish parking brake functionality after  
a power interruption:  
Driving off  
Press the accelerator pedal to drive off.  
1. Turn on standby state.  
The brake is released automatically and the  
indicator light of the parking brake is no longer  
illuminated.  
2.  
Pull the switch while stepping on  
the brake pedal or while selector lever po-  
sition P is set and then push.  
Activating the parking brake  
automatically  
The parking brake is automatically set if drive-  
ready state is switched off while the vehicle is  
being held by Automatic Hold or if the vehicle  
is exited.  
This process may take a few seconds. Some  
mechanical sounds associated with this proc-  
ess are normal.  
The indicator light is no longer illumi-  
nated as soon as the parking brake is  
ready for operation again.  
The indicator light changes from green  
to red.  
The parking brake is not set automatically if  
the drive-ready state was switched off while  
the vehicle was coasting. Automatic Hold is  
deactivated.  
Turn signal  
Turn signal in exterior mirror  
When driving and during operation of the turn  
signals or hazard warning system, do not fold  
in the exterior mirrors so that the turn signal  
lamps on the exterior mirror are easy to see.  
Switching operational readiness off  
Press the button.  
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Flashing  
High-beam headlights on, arrow 1.  
The high-beam headlights illuminate when  
the low-beam headlights are switched on.  
Press the lever past the resistance point.  
High-beam headlights off/headlight flasher,  
arrow 2.  
One-touch signaling  
Lightly tap the lever up or down.  
The one-touch signaling duration can be ad-  
justed.  
Window wiper system  
Safety information  
Warning  
1. "CAR"  
2. "Settings"  
3. "Exterior lighting"  
4. "One-touch turn signal"  
5. Select the desired setting.  
If the wipers start moving in the folded away  
state, body parts can be jammed or damage  
may occur to parts of the vehicle. There is a  
risk of injury or risk of damage to property.  
Make sure that the vehicle is switched off  
when the wipers are in the folded-away state  
and the wipers are folded in when switching  
on.  
Brief flashing  
Press the lever to the resistance point and hold  
it there for as long as you want the turn signal  
to flash.  
High-beam headlights,  
headlight flasher  
NOTICE  
The wiper blades can wear out or become  
damaged prematurely when wiping on a dry  
window for a longer period of time. The wiper  
motor can overheat. There is a risk of dam-  
age to property. Do not use the wipers when  
the window is dry.  
Press the lever forward or pull it backward.  
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NOTICE  
Press the lever down.  
Turn off: press the lever down until it  
reaches the 0 position.  
If the wipers are frozen to the windshield,  
the wiper blades can be torn off and the  
wiper motor can overheat when switching on.  
There is a risk of damage to property. Defrost  
the windshield prior to switching the wipers  
on.  
Flick wipe: press the lever down from the 0  
position.  
The lever automatically returns to its 0 po-  
sition when released.  
Rain sensor  
Turning on window wiper system  
Principle  
The rain sensor automatically controls the  
wiper operation depending on the intensity of  
the rainfall.  
General information  
The sensor is located on the windshield, di-  
rectly in front of the interior mirror.  
Safety information  
Press the lever up until the desired position is  
reached.  
NOTICE  
Resting position of the wipers, position 0.  
Rain sensor, position 1.  
If the rain sensor is activated, the wipers  
can accidentally start moving in car washes.  
There is a risk of damage to property. Deacti-  
vate the rain sensor in car washes.  
Normal wiper speed, position 2.  
Fast wiper speed, position 3.  
When the journey is interrupted with the win-  
dow wiper system turned on: when the journey  
continues, the wipers resume at their previous  
speed.  
Activating rain sensor  
Turning off the window wiper  
system and flick wipe  
Press the lever up once from its 0 position,  
arrow 1.  
Wiping operation is started.  
The LED in the wiper lever is illuminated.  
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In frosty conditions, wiping operation may not  
start.  
Cleaning the windshield  
Deactivating rain sensor  
Press the lever back into the 0 position.  
Adjusting the rain sensor sensitivity  
Pull the lever.  
The washer fluid is sprayed on the windshield,  
and the wipers are turned on briefly.  
Windshield washer nozzles  
The windshield washer nozzles are automati-  
cally heated while standby state is switched  
on.  
Turn the knurled wheel to adjust the sensitivity  
of the rain sensor.  
Upward: high rain sensor sensitivity.  
Downward: low rain sensor sensitivity.  
Fold-out position of the wipers  
Principle  
Windshield washer system  
In the fold-out position, the wipers can be  
folded out from the windshield, which is impor-  
tant, for instance, when changing the wiper  
blades or for folding away under frosty condi-  
tions.  
Safety information  
Warning  
The washer fluid can freeze onto the window  
at low temperatures and obstruct the view.  
There is a risk of accident. Only use the win-  
dow washer system when the washer fluid  
will not freeze. Use washer fluid with anti-  
freeze, if needed.  
Safety information  
Warning  
If the wipers start moving in the folded away  
state, body parts can be jammed or damage  
may occur to parts of the vehicle. There is a  
risk of injury or risk of damage to property.  
Make sure that the vehicle is switched off  
when the wipers are in the folded-away state  
and the wipers are folded in when switching  
on.  
NOTICE  
When the washer fluid reservoir is empty,  
the washer pump cannot work as intended.  
There is a risk of damage to property. Do  
not use the washer system when the washer  
fluid reservoir is empty.  
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NOTICE  
Steptronic transmission  
If the wipers are frozen to the windshield,  
the wiper blades can be torn off and the  
wiper motor can overheat when switching on.  
There is a risk of damage to property. Defrost  
the windshield prior to switching the wipers  
on.  
Principle  
The Steptronic transmission combines the  
functions of an automatic transmission with  
the possibility of manual shifting, if needed.  
Safety information  
Folding out the wipers  
1. Turn on standby state.  
Warning  
An unsecured vehicle can begin to move and  
possibly roll away. There is a risk of accident,  
injury, or property damage. Before leaving  
your vehicle, secure it against rolling away,  
e.g., by applying the parking brake.  
2. Press and hold the wiper lever down until  
the wipers stop in a nearly vertical position.  
Selector lever positions  
Gear position D  
Selector lever position for normal driving. All  
gears for forward travel are activated automat-  
ically.  
3. Fold the wipers all the way out from the  
windshield.  
R is reverse  
Engage selector lever position R only when the  
vehicle is stationary.  
Neutral N  
The vehicle may be pushed or roll without  
drive, for instance in car washes, in selector  
lever position N.  
Parking position P  
Folding in the wipers  
1. Fold the wipers back in onto the windshield.  
General information  
Selector lever position, for instance for parking  
the vehicle. The transmission blocks the indi-  
vidual wheels in selector lever position P.  
2. Switch on standby state and press and  
hold the wiper lever down again.  
Wipers return to their rest position and are  
ready again for operation.  
Engage selector lever position P only when the  
vehicle is stationary.  
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P is engaged automatically  
Unintentional shifting into selector lever po-  
sition R.  
Selector lever position P is engaged automati-  
cally in situations such as the following:  
Unintentional shifting from selector lever  
position P into another selector lever posi-  
tion.  
After the drive-ready state is switched off  
and selector lever position R, D or M/S is  
engaged.  
1. Fasten driver's seat belt.  
After the standby state has been turned off  
when selector lever position N is engaged.  
2. Press and hold the button to release the  
selector lever lock.  
The driver's seat belt is unbuckled and the  
driver's door is opened while the vehicle  
is stationary and selector lever position D,  
M/S, or R is engaged.  
Before exiting the vehicle, make sure that se-  
lector lever position P is set. Otherwise, the  
vehicle may begin to move. Also set parking  
brake.  
Additional information:  
3. Push the selector lever in the desired direc-  
tion, past a resistance point, if needed. The  
selector lever automatically returns to the  
center position when released.  
Parking brake, refer to page 137.  
Engaging selector lever positions  
General information  
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after you  
select a gear position or reverse gear, main-  
tain pressure on the brake pedal until you are  
ready to drive off.  
In certain situations, e.g., to rock free on snow,  
it is possible to shift between reverse gear and  
gear position D without pressing the brake.  
Functional requirements  
Engaging selector lever position P  
Only when the drive-ready state is switched on  
and the brake pedal is depressed is it possible  
to change from selector lever position P to an-  
other selector lever position.  
The selection lever position P cannot be  
changed until all technical prerequisites are  
met.  
Engaging selector lever position D, N,  
R
A selector lever lock prevents the following in-  
correct operation:  
Press button P.  
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Rolling or pushing the vehicle  
Kickdown  
Kickdown is used to achieve maximum driving  
performance.  
General information  
In some situations, the vehicle is supposed to  
roll without its own drive for a short distance,  
for instance in a car wash or to be pushed.  
Step on the accelerator pedal beyond the re-  
sistance point at the full throttle position.  
Sport program M/S  
Engaging selector lever position N  
Principle  
NOTICE  
The shifting points and shifting times in the  
Sport program are designed for sportier han-  
dling. The transmission, for instance shifts up  
later and the shifting times are shorter.  
Selector lever position P is automatically en-  
gaged when standby state is switched off.  
The wheels are blocked. There is a risk  
of damage to property. Do not switch off  
standby if the vehicle is meant to coast, e.g.,  
in a car wash.  
Activating the Sport program  
1. Switch on drive-ready state while pressing  
on the brake pedal.  
2. If necessary, release the parking brake.  
3. If necessary, switch off Automatic Hold.  
Automatic Hold, refer to page 139.  
4. If necessary, loosen the belt.  
5. If necessary, open the door.  
Press the selector lever to the left from selector  
lever position D.  
6. Depress the brake pedal.  
7. Touch the selector lever lock and engage  
selector lever position N.  
The engaged gear is displayed in the instru-  
ment cluster, for instance S1.  
8. Switch off drive-ready state.  
The sport program of the transmission is acti-  
vated.  
In this way, standby state remains switched  
on, and a Check Control message is dis-  
played.  
Ending the Sport program  
Press the selector lever to the right.  
The vehicle can roll.  
Selector lever position P is engaged automati-  
cally after approximately 35 minutes.  
D is displayed in the instrument cluster.  
If the system is not operational, you may not  
be able to change the selector lever position.  
Manual mode M/S  
Electronically unlock the transmission lock, if  
needed.  
Principle  
Manual gear-shifting is possible in manual  
mode.  
Additional information:  
Electronic unlocking of the transmission lock,  
refer to page 148.  
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Driving  
CONTROLS  
Activating manual mode  
Ending the manual mode  
1. Press the selector lever to the left from se-  
lector lever position D, arrow 1.  
Press the selector lever to the right.  
D is displayed in the instrument cluster.  
Shift paddles  
Principle  
The shift paddles on the steering wheel allow  
you to change gears quickly while keeping  
both hands on the steering wheel.  
General information  
2. Press the selector lever forward or pull it  
backward, arrows 2.  
Shifting  
Manual mode becomes active and the gear is  
changed.  
The vehicle only shifts at suitable RPM and  
road speeds.  
The engaged gear is displayed in the instru-  
ment cluster, for instance M1.  
Short-term manual mode  
In selector lever position D, actuating a shift  
paddle switches into manual mode tempora-  
rily.  
Shifting  
To downshift: press the selector lever for-  
ward.  
After conservative driving in manual mode  
without acceleration or shifting via the shift  
paddles for a certain amount of time, the  
transmission switches back to automatic  
mode.  
Upshifting: pull the selector lever rear-  
wards.  
The transmission continues shifting automati-  
cally in certain situations, for instance when  
RPM limits are reached.  
It is possible to switch into automatic mode:  
Keep the right shift paddle pulled until D is  
displayed in the instrument cluster.  
Steptronic Sport transmission: prevent  
automatic upshifting in M/S manual  
mode  
In addition to the pulled right shift paddle,  
pull the left shift paddle.  
Depending on the motorization: if driving mode  
SPORT is selected, the Steptronic Sport trans-  
mission does not automatically upshift in  
M/S manual mode once the maximum speed  
is reached.  
Continuous manual mode  
In selector lever position S, actuating a shift  
paddle switches into manual mode perma-  
nently.  
With the transmission version it is possible to  
switch into automatic mode:  
In addition, there is no downshifting for kick-  
down.  
Keep the right shift paddle pulled until S is  
displayed in the instrument cluster.  
Additional information:  
SPORT, refer to page 136.  
In addition to the pulled right shift paddle,  
pull the left shift paddle.  
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Driving  
CONTROLS  
Steptronic Sport transmission  
The transmission shifts down to the  
lowest possible gear and switches to  
manual operation M.  
With the appropriate transmission version, the  
lowest possible gear can be selected by simul-  
taneously activating kickdown and operating  
the left shift paddles. This is not possible in  
short-term manual mode.  
A dynamic setting has been activated  
for the drivetrain.  
2. Change gears manually.  
Shifting  
Automatic deactivation  
The Sprint function is ended automatically  
when driving moderately for a defined period  
of time.  
Manual deactivation  
Keep the right shift paddle pulled until  
SPRINT is no longer displayed in the instru-  
ment cluster.  
In addition to the pulled right shift paddle,  
pull the left shift paddle.  
Upshifting: pull the right shift paddle.  
Downshifting: pull left shift paddle.  
Press the selector lever from selector lever  
position S to D.  
Downshifting to the lowest possible gear:  
keep the left shift paddle pulled.  
Displays in the instrument cluster  
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in-  
strument cluster, followed by the current gear.  
The selector lever position is  
displayed, for example P.  
Steptronic Sport transmission: Sprint  
function  
Principle  
Electronic unlocking of the  
transmission lock  
Depending on the equipment, the Sprint func-  
tion can be used for an upcoming acceleration  
process. The Sprint function prepares the driv-  
etrain for the acceleration process.  
General information  
Unlock the transmission lock electroni-  
cally, e.g., to maneuver the vehicle out of a  
hazardous area in the event of a malfunction.  
General information  
When the Sprint function is activated, the re-  
sponse characteristics of the vehicle will be-  
come more dynamic.  
Before unlocking the transmission lock, set the  
parking brake to prevent the vehicle from roll-  
ing away.  
Activating  
1. Keep the left shift paddle pulled until  
SPRINT is displayed in the instrument clus-  
ter.  
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Driving  
CONTROLS  
Do not use Launch Control during the break-in.  
Engage selector lever position N  
Do not steer the steering wheel when driving  
off with Launch Control.  
Unlocking is possible, if the starter can crank  
the engine.  
Additional information:  
1. Press and hold down brake pedal.  
Break-in, refer to page 296.  
2. Press and hold the Start/Stop button. The  
starter must audibly start.  
Functional requirement  
3. With your free hand, press the button on  
the selector lever, arrow 1, and press the  
selector lever into selector lever position N  
and hold, arrow N, until selector lever posi-  
tion N is displayed in the instrument cluster.  
Launch Control is available when the engine  
is at operating temperature. The engine is at  
operating temperature after an uninterrupted  
trip of at least 6 miles/10 km.  
A Check Control message is displayed.  
Starting with launch control  
1. Turn on drive-ready state.  
2.  
Press the button.  
TRACTION is displayed in the instrument  
cluster and the indicator light for DSC OFF  
illuminates.  
3. Engage selector lever position S.  
4. With the left foot, forcefully press down on  
the brake.  
4. Release Start/Stop button and selector  
lever.  
5. Press and hold down the accelerator pedal  
beyond the resistance point at the full throt-  
tle position, kickdown.  
5. Release brake, as soon as the starter  
stops.  
A destination flag is displayed in the instru-  
ment cluster.  
6. Maneuver the vehicle from the hazardous  
area and secure it against rolling away.  
6. The starting engine speed adjusts. Wait  
briefly until the engine speed is constant.  
Keep the accelerator pedal in this position.  
Additional information:  
Tow-starting/towing, refer to page 361.  
7. Release the brake within 3 seconds after  
the destination flag illuminates.  
Launch Control  
The vehicle accelerates.  
Principle  
Upshifting occurs automatically as long as  
the destination flag is displayed and the ac-  
celerator pedal is not released.  
Launch Control enables optimum acceleration  
on roads with good traction under dry sur-  
rounding conditions.  
Repeated use during a trip  
General information  
After Launch Control has been used, the trans-  
mission must cool down for approx. 5 minutes  
before Launch Control can be used again.  
The use of Launch Control causes premature  
component wear since this function represents  
a very heavy load for the vehicle.  
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Driving  
CONTROLS  
Launch Control adjusts to the surrounding  
conditions, when used again.  
After using Launch Control  
To support driving stability, reactivate Dynamic  
Stability Control as soon as possible.  
System limits  
An experienced driver may be able to achieve  
better acceleration values in DSC OFF mode.  
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