catalytic converter MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2008 Owners Manual

Driving and pa
rking 89Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function)
The ECO start/stop function automatically
switches on the engine as soon as you pre-
pare to pull away, e.g. by engaging a gear.
X Depress the clutch pedal.
The engine starts automatically.
X Shift to either first or reverse gear and pull
away.
! Do not engage a gear without depressing
the clutch as this disables the automatic
engine start function. As a result, the bat-
tery cannot be recharged and the demister
function of Thermotronic* is not available.
i When manoeuvring in and out of parking
spaces, the ECO start/stop function will
not automatically switch off the vehicle's
engine. The engine will only be switched off
automatically if the vehicle has reached a
speed of at least 15 km/h before coming
to a standstill again.
i The system can differentiate between
starting the engine with the key and the
automatic engine start via the ECO start/
stop function. Pulling away
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only shift into reverse gear when the vehi-
cle is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. You could otherwise damage the
drive train.
i The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away. The locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic lock-
ing feature (Y page 111).
Manual transmission X
Depress the brake pedal.
X Depress the clutch pedal.
X Shift to either first or reverse gear.
X Release the parking brake (Y page 90).
X Slowly release the clutch pedal and
depress the accelerator pedal. !
Change gear in good time and avoid spin-
ning the wheels. You could otherwise dam-
age the vehicle.
AUTOTRONIC* i
It is only possible to move the selector
lever to the desired position if you depress
the brake pedal. Only then is the selector
lever lock released.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
The selector lever lock is released.
X Release the parking brake.
X Move the selector lever to position Dor R.
i Wait until the shift process is completed
before pulling away.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
i Upshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature more quickly. Controls
* optional
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Engine compartment
173
Checking
the engine oil level To do so:
R
the vehicle should be parked on level
ground
R the engine should be switched off for at
least five minutes if the engine was at nor-
mal operating temperature.
R the engine should be switched off for at
least 30 minutes if the engine was not at
operating temperature (i.e. if you only star-
ted the engine briefly)
Using the on-board computer*
i Only possible on vehicles with a diesel
engine. A dipstick is used to check petrol
engines (Y page 174).
X Make sure that the key is in position
2(Y page 62) in the ignition lock.
X Press the jork button to select the
following message: The measurement takes a few seconds. You
will see one of the following messages in the
display:
R Engine oil level OK
R Add 1.0 litre to reach maximum oil
level
R Add 1.5 litres to reach maximum oil
level
R Add 2.0 litres to reach maximum oil
level
X Top up the oil if necessary ( Ypage 174).
Other messages in the multi-function dis-
play
If the engine is at normal operating tempera-
ture and there is too much oil, you will see the
following message: Eng. oil level
Reduce oil level
X
Have excess oil siphoned off.
! There is a risk of damage to the engine or
the catalytic converter if there is excess oil
in the engine.
If the Switch ignition on to check
engine oil level message appears:
X Turn the key to position 2(Y page 62) in
the ignition lock.
You will see the following message if you did
not observe the required waiting period:
Observe waiting period
X Repeat the measurement after about five
minutes if the engine is at normal operating
temperature.
X Repeat the measurement after about
30 minutes if the engine is not at normal
operating temperature (if the engine was
only started briefly).
The following message appears if the engine
is running:
Engine oil level Not when engine on
X Switch off the engine and wait for five
minutes if the engine is at normal operating
temperature, or for about 30 minutes if the
engine is not at normal operating temper- Operation
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Display
messages 220 Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
N Engine oil level
Reduce oil level Vehicles with a diesel engine:
you have
added too much engine oil. There is a risk
of damage to the engine or to the catalytic
converter. X
Siphon off excess engine oil until it is at the
specified level. Observe the legal require-
ments. N Cannot measure oil
level Vehicles with a diesel engine: the meas-
uring system is faulty. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. I Key does not belong
to vehicle You have put the wrong key in the ignition
lock. X
Use the correct key. I Remove key The key is in the ignition lock. X
Remove the key. I Replace key The key needs to be replaced. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Ñ SPEEDTRONIC inop-
erative
Speedtronic* and cruise control* are
faulty. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ¿ There is only a small amount of fuel in the
fuel tank. X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. 4 Reserve fuel level The fuel level has fallen below the reserve
range. X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. t Enter PIN You have not yet logged on to your mobile
phone*. X
Enter the PIN for the SIM card. Practical advice
* optional
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Troubleshooting
234 Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
Vehicles with a petrol engine:
The engine is not running
smoothly and is misfiring. There is a malfunction in the
engine electronics or a mechani-
cal component of the engine con-
trol unit. X
Onl y depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic converter
and damage it. A coolant temperature of over
120 °C is displayed. The coolant
warning lamp may also be on and
a warning tone may sound
(Y page 97). The coolant level is too low. The
coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled suffi-
ciently. X
Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to
cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 175). Observe the warning notes
as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary. If the coolant level is correct, the
radiator fan may be faulty. The
coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled suffi-
ciently. X
If the coolant temperature is less than 120 °C, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving on
mountain roads and stop/start driving. Practical advice
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Jump-starting
266 G
Risk of injury
Battery acid is caustic. Avoid contact with
the skin, eyes or clothing.
! Only charge the installed battery with a
battery charger which has been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. These battery
chargers allow the battery to be charged
while it is still installed. However, the bat-
tery must always be disconnected first.
! Only use battery chargers with a maxi-
mum charging voltage of 14.8 V.
X Charge the battery. Observe the notes in
the operating instructions for your battery
charger.
X Refit the charged battery.
To do this, follow the steps described in
"Removing the battery" (Y page 265) in
reverse order. Reconnecting the battery
! Always reconnect the battery in the
sequence described below. Never swap the
terminal clamps. You may otherwise dam-
age the vehicle electronics.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Connect the positive terminal clamp and
secure the cover.
X Connect the negative terminal clamp.
X Connect the breather hose. Make sure that
a cell cap is fitted on the side.
i If the battery power supply has been inter-
rupted (e.g. if it has been reconnected), you
must carry out the following tasks:
R set the time (Y page 109).
R reset the function for folding the exterior
mirrors in/out automatically* by folding
the mirrors out once (Y page 72).
R reset the side windows ( Ypage 85) Jump-starting
If your vehicle's battery is discharged, the
engine can be jump-started from another
vehicle or from an external battery using jump
leads.
Observe the following points:
R Jump-starting may only be performed when
the engine and catalytic converter are cold.
R Do not start the engine if the battery is fro-
zen. Let the battery thaw first.
R Jump-starting may only be performed from
batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
R Only use jump leads which have a sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.
i Jump leads and further information about
jump-starting can be obtained from any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
! Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Never start the vehicle using a rapid battery
charger. Practical advice
* optional
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Towing and tow-starting
270
Vehicles with AUTOTRONIC* X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Move the selector lever to N.Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
Please note:
R Vehicles with AUTOTRONIC* must not be
tow-started.
R The battery must be connected.
R The engine and catalytic converter must be
cold.
R Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Vehicles with manual transmission X
Turn the key to position 2(Y page 62) in
the ignition lock.
X Fully depress the clutch pedal.
X Shift to neutral. X
Tow the vehicle or let it roll.
X Shift to a suitable gear and bring the clutch
pedal up slowly. Do not depress the accel-
erator pedal.
The engine is started. Removing the towing eye
X Take the wheel wrench from the vehicle
tool kit ( Ypage 200).
X Insert the wheel wrench handle into the
towing eye and turn it anti-clockwise.
X Unscrew the towing eye.
X Replace the cover and press it until it
engages.
X Return the towing eye and the wheel
wrench to the vehicle tool kit. Transporting the vehicle
The towing eyes or trailer coupling *can be
used to pull the vehicle onto a trailer or trans-
porter if you wish to transport it.
! Only lash the vehicle down by the wheels
or wheel rims, not by parts of the vehicle
such as axle or steering components. The
vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
Vehicles with manual transmission X
Shift to neutral.
Vehicles with AUTOTRONIC* X
Turn the key to position 2(Y page 62) in
the ignition lock.
X Move the selector lever to N.Practical advice
* optional
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