Starting the car

Updated 09/06/2023

Starting your car requires a present and correctly used key along with pressing down the brake pedal and selecting a driving gear.

Location of foot brake and gear stalk — Your main interaction points for starting your car are the brake pedal and the gear stalk.

You unlock your car differently depending on which type of key you are using. Once unlocked, your car gradually powers on. Many features, such as the climate system, will be accessible once you enter your car.

To start your car, press down the brake pedal and select a driving gear.

Before you start driving, make sure that:

All doors are closed.
All occupants are properly seated and wearing their seatbelts correctly.
The driver's seat, steering wheel position and mirrors are adjusted to your driving position.
No charging cables are connected.
The driver area is unobstructed and that the pedals are freely moveable.

Tip

The car can alert you to certain conditions you should address before driving. If something is preventing you from starting the car, have a look in the driver information area for guidance.

Place your key on the card reader.

Location of the key card reader — The location of the key card reader, used if you start the car with a key card or a discharged distance-capable key.

Press and hold the brake pedal down.

Select D or R using the right-hand side steering wheel stalk.

The selected gear is indicated in the driver information area. The ready symbol also appears, emphasising the transition from parked to a driving gear.

Note

The ready symbol disappears when the car's speed exceeds walking pace. It reappears whenever the car slows down below the same threshold.