Starting the Engine (Gasoline Engine Vehicles)

1. Apply the parking brake.

2. In low ambient temperatures, turn off all auxiliary electrical loads to reduce the load on the battery.

3. Vehicles with a manual transmission:

Fully depress the clutch pedal and move the shift lever to the neutral position.

Vehicles with an automatic transmission:

Make sure the selector lever is in P (Park). Depress the brake pedal.

4. Without depressing the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to the START (III) position to engage the starter. If the engine does not start immediately, do not hold the ignition key in the START (III) position for more than 15 seconds.

If the engine does not start, wait at least 10 seconds before attempting to start the engine again.

The immobilizer is an effective anti-theft system for the vehicle. Attempting to start the engine with an incorrect key or any other device will cut off the engine's fuel supply. For more information on the immobilizer system, refer to page 162.

Starting the engine is more difficult at low ambient temperatures. At high altitudes (above 2400 m / 7874 ft above sea level), where the air is very thin, starting the engine is even more difficult.

If the ambient temperature is below freezing, or if the vehicle has not been used for several days, warm up the engine for a few minutes before driving off (prohibited in Germany under § 30 StVO).