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Driving and Driving Safety
159
“Sport” mode activated
The PDK transmission switches to a sporty gear-
changing map and shortens the shifting times.
A sporty driving style is recognized more quickly
and the gear-changing speeds are adapted to
driving performance.
Braking downshifts are initiated earlier. Downshifts
occur for small decelerations, even at higher revs.
“Sport Plus” mode activated
In “Sport Plus” mode, the PDK transmission
changes to a shift program designed for driving
on race circuits. 7th gear is not selected.
The gear-changing performance is enhanced
significantly again compared with “Sport” mode.
f
Please see the chapter ““SPORT” AND “SPORT
PLUS” MODE” on page 170.
Driving off with Launch Control
Launch Control allows you to achieve maximum
acceleration from standstill.
Launch Control is designed to be used in a
controlled environment on closed circuit driving
courses where no vehicle cross traffic or
pedestrian traffic is present.
f
Use Launch Control only if conditions permit it
to be applied in a safe manner.
f
Do not use Launch Control if there is a
possibility it could endanger other persons.
Such a possibility exists if you cannot see that
you have a clear road with no possibility of
cross traffic in your intended direction of
driving.
Information
Stress on components increases dramatically
when starting with maximum acceleration in
comparison with normal driving off.
Preconditions:
– Launch Control should only be used when the
engine has reached operating temperature.
– “Sport Plus” mode must be switched on
(indicator light on the button comes on and
SPORT PLUS appears on the digital
speedometer or on the steering wheel).
1.
Press the brake with your left foot.
2.
Quickly press the accelerator down fully
(kickdown activated) and hold it.
The engine speed will level off at around
6,500 rpm.
“
Launch Control activated
” is displayed on
the multi-function display.
Depending on equipment, the “LAUNCH
CONTROL” logo appears on the steering
wheel.
3.
Release the brake within a few seconds.
Remaining stationary for a long time with LAUNCH
CONTROL can lead to overloading of the
transmission.
To protect the transmission, the engine power is
then reduced and the LAUNCH CONTROL process
is cancelled.
In order to drive off, the accelerator must
first be fully released.
Shifting gears on the steering wheel
With the shift buttons on the steering wheel, you
can change temporarily from automatic selection
mode
D
to manual mode
M
.
For example:
– Shifting down before bends and on entering
built-up areas.
– Shifting down on downward slopes (engine
braking).
– Shifting down for brief spurts of acceleration.
The manual selection mode remains engaged:
– For cornering (depending on the lateral
acceleration) and overrunning.
– When the vehicle is stationary
(e.g. at a junction).
The system leaves manual selection mode:
– automatically after around 6 seconds
(unless cornering or overrunning),
– after driving off.
Kickdown
The kickdown function is active in selector-lever
positions
D
and
M
.
f
For optimum acceleration, e.g. when
overtaking, press the accelerator pedal
beyond the full-throttle point (kickdown).
The transmission shifts down depending on the
speed of travel and engine speed.
Upshifts occur at the highest possible engine
speeds.
Endangering other road
users
WARNING
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14_C7NF_21.book Seite 159 Mittwoch, 26. März 2014 12:15 12