Driving Your Vehicle

Driving Modes

With driving modes, you can adapt various properties of the vehicle systems, such as suspension, steering, and climate controls, to the current driving situation, your desired driving comfort, and for a more economic driving style. The availability of driving modes depends on vehicle equipment.

Available driving modes may include:

  • Eco - Switches the vehicle to more fuel efficient operation compared to other driving modes.
  • Comfort - Offers a balanced calibration for everyday use.
  • Sport - Gives the driver a sporty feel; switches driving gear to S mode on GTI vehicles.
  • Race - Gives the driver a very sporty feel; sets chassis suspension to hard and switches driving gear to S mode.
  • Special - The vehicle systems will be tuned to the road characteristics of the north loop of Nürburgring.
  • Drift* - Vehicles with R-Performance rear axle differential with dynamic torque splitter distribute high torque to the rear axle to enable vehicle handling with oversteering. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) will be in ESC Sport mode, which makes wheelspin easier, and the traction control system (ASR) is switched off. Oversteering causes the rear of the vehicle to slide out. If the vehicle slides out too far, the electronic stabilization program will automatically cut back in.
  • Custom - You can adapt the individual vehicle systems to your preferences.

*Drift mode is only to be used on racetracks or closed courses by drivers who are trained, skilled, and experienced in drifting. Drifting can result in accidents and serious injuries or death. See Owner’s Manual for further details, and important limitations.

Selecting the Driving Mode

For vehicles with a driving mode button in the upper center console, below the infotainment screen:

  1. Press the driving mode button .
  2. Continue pressing the driving mode button until your desired mode is selected.
    OR
  3. Tap the desired driving mode on the Infotainment screen.

See Owner’s Manual for further details and important warnings. Always pay careful attention to the road and do not drive while distracted.