headlamp MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2012 User Guide

even if the light sensor does not sense dark
ambient light conditions. This is advanta-
geous when there is fog or rain.
X To switch on the dipped-beam head-
lamps: turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to L.
The green Lindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
Foglamps
In conditions where visibility is poor due to
fog, snow or rain, the foglamps improve visi-
bility as well as making it easier for other road
users to see you. They can be operated
together with the side lamps or together with the side lamps and dipped-beam headlamps.
X To switch on the foglamps: turn the key
in the ignition lock to position 2or start the
engine.
X Turn the light switch to LorÃ.
X Press the Nbutton.
The green Nindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
X To switch off the front foglamps: press
the N button.
The green Nindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Only vehicles with front foglamps are equip-
ped with the "Foglamp" function; for how to
operate the foglamps on vehicles with the
Intelligent Light System (Y page 109).
Rear foglamp
The rear foglamp improves the visibility of
your vehicle in heavy fog for the following
traffic. Please observe the country-specific
laws on the use of rear foglamps.
X To switch on the rear foglamp: turn the
key in the ignition lock to position 2or start
the engine.
X Turn the light switch to LorÃ. X
Press the Rbutton.
The yellow Rindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switch off the rear foglamp: press the
R button.
The yellow Rindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
i Vehicles with bi-xenon headlamps or the
Intelligent Light System: when the rear fog- lamp is switched on, the lower 15 LEDs of
the brake lamp in the tail lamp switch off
due to a legal requirement: for right-hand
traffic only in the left-hand tail lamp and for left-hand traffic only in the right-hand tail
lamp.
Side lamps ! If the battery has been excessively dis-
charged, the side lamps or parking lamps
are automatically switched off to enable
the next engine start. Always park your
vehicle safely and sufficiently lit according
to legal standards. Avoid the continuous
use of the Tside lamps for several
hours. If possible, switch on the Xright
or the Wleft parking lamp.
X To switch on: turn the light switch to T.
Depending on the equipment level, the
green indicator lamp or the scale illumina-
tion in the instrument cluster light up.
Parking lamps
Switching on the parking lamps ensures the
corresponding side of the vehicle is illumina-
ted.
X To switch on the parking lamps: the key
is not in the ignition lock or it is in posi-
tion 0.
X Turn the light switch to W(left-hand side
of the vehicle) or X(right-hand side of
the vehicle). 106
Exterior lightingLights and windscreen wipers

Adjusting the headlamp range (halogen
headlamps) The headlamp range control allows you to
adjust the cone of light from the headlamps to
suit the vehicle load. Headlamp range control
g
Driver's seat and front-passenger seat
occupied
1 Driver's seat, front-passenger seat and
rear seats occupied
2 Driver's seat, front-passenger seat and
rear seats occupied, luggage compart-
ment laden
3 Driver's and front-passenger seats occu-
pied and maximum permissible rear axle
load utilised, e.g. when towing a trailer
X Start the engine.
X Turn the headlamp range control to the
position which corresponds to the load in
your vehicle. Combination switch
Turn signals :
Main-beam headlamps
; Turn signal, right
= Headlamp flasher
? Turn signal, left
X To indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow ;or?.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
X To indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow ;or?.
Main-beam headlamps X
To switch on the main-beam head-
lamps: turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to LorÃ.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of arrow :.
In the Ãposition, the main-beam head-
lamps are only switched on when it is dark
and the engine is running.
The blue Kindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up when the main-beam headlamps are switched on.
X To switch off the main-beam head-
lamps: move the combination switch back
to its normal position.
The blue Kindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out. Exterior lighting
107Lights and windscreen wipers Z

i
Vehicles with Adaptive Highbeam Assist:
when Adaptive Highbeam Assist is active, it controls activation of the main-beam head-lamps (Y page 109).
Headlamp flasher X
To switch on: turn the key in the ignition
lock to position 1or 2, or start the engine.
X Pull the combination switch in the direction
of arrow =. Hazard warning lamps
The hazard warning lamps switch on auto-
matically if:
R an airbag is deployed or
R the vehicle decelerates rapidly from a
speed of more than 70 km/h and comes to
a standstill
X To switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button :.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on a turn signal using the combination switch,
only the turn signal lamp on the corre-
sponding side of the vehicle will flash.
X To switch off the hazard warning lamps:
press button :.
The hazard warning lamps switch off auto-
matically if the vehicle reaches a speed of
over 10 km/h again after a full brake appli-
cation.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off. Headlamp cleaning system
If the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is
operated five times (Y page 116) while the
lights are on and the engine is running, the
headlamps are cleaned automatically. When
you switch off the ignition, the automatic
headlamp cleaning system is reset and count-
ing is resumed from 0. Intelligent Light System
General notes The Intelligent Light System is a system that
adjusts the headlamps automatically to suit
the prevailing driving and weather conditions.
It offers advanced functions for improved illu-
mination of the road surface, e.g. depending
on the vehicle speed or weather conditions.
The system includes the active light function, cornering light function, motorway mode and
extended range foglamps. The system is only active when it is dark.
You can activate or deactivate the "IntelligentLight System" using the on-board computer
(Y page 221).
Active light function The active light function is a system that
moves the headlamps according to the steer-
ing movements of the front wheels. In this
way, relevant areas remain illuminated while
driving. This allows you to recognise pedes-
trians, cyclists and animals.
Active: when the lights are switched on. 108
Exterior lightingLights and windscreen wipers

Cornering light function
The cornering light function improves the illu-
mination of the road over a wide angle in the
direction you are turning, enabling better vis- ibility in tight bends, for example. The corner-ing light function can only be activated when
the dipped-beam headlamps are switched on.
Active:
R if you are driving at speeds below 40 km/h
and the turn signal is activated or the steer- ing wheel is turned.
R if you are driving at speeds between
40 km/h and 70 km/h and turn the steer-
ing wheel.
Not active: if you are driving at speeds above
40 km/h or switch off the turn signal or turn
the steering wheel to the straight-ahead posi-
tion.
The cornering lamp may remain lit for a short
time, but is automatically switched off after
no more than three minutes.
Motorway mode Motorway mode increases the range of the
beam.
Active:
R if you are driving at speeds above
110 km/h and do not make any large steer-
ing movements for 1000 m
R if you are driving at speeds above
130 km/h
Not active: if you are driving at speeds below
80 km/h following activation.
Extended range foglamps The extended range foglamps reduce the
glare experienced by the driver and improve
the illumination of the edge of the carriage-
way.
Active:
if you are driving at speeds below
70 km/h and you switch on the rear foglamp.
Not active: if you are driving at speeds above
100 km/h or if you switch off the rear foglamp following activation. Adaptive Highbeam Assist
G
WARNING
Adaptive Highbeam Assist does not recognise road users:
R who have no lights, e.g. pedestrians
R who have poor lighting, e.g. cyclists
R whose lighting is blocked, e.g. by a barrier
In very rare cases, Adaptive Highbeam Assist
recognises road users too late or not at all. In
this, or in similar situations, the automatic Exterior lighting
109Lights and windscreen wipers
Z

main-beam headlamps will not be deactivated
or activated regardless. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always carefully observe the traffic conditions
and switch off the main-beam headlamps in
good time.
You can use this function to set the head-
lamps to change between dipped beam and
main beam automatically. The system recog-
nises vehicles with their lights on, either
approaching from the opposite direction or
travelling in front of your vehicle, and conse-
quently switches the headlamps from main
beam to dipped beam.
The system automatically adapts the dipped- beam headlamp range depending on the dis-
tance to the other vehicle. Once the system
no longer detects any other vehicles, it reac-
tivates the main-beam headlamps.
The system's optical sensor is located behind
the windscreen near the overhead control
panel. X
To activate: activate the Adaptive High-
beam Assist function using the on-board
computer (Y page 222).
X Turn the light switch to Ã.X
Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow :(Ypage 107).
The _ indicator lamp in the multifunc-
tion display lights up when it is dark and the light sensor activates the dipped-beam
headlamps.
If you are driving at speeds above 45 km/h:
The headlamp range is set automatically
depending on the distance between the
vehicle and other road users.
If you are driving at speeds above 55 km/h and no other road users are recognised:
The main-beam headlamps are switched on
automatically. The Kindicator lamp in
the instrument cluster also lights up.
If you are driving at speeds below 45 km/h or other road users are recognised or the
roads are adequately lit:
The main-beam headlamps are switched off
automatically. The Kindicator lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out. The _
indicator lamp in the multifunction display
remains lit.
X To deactivate: move the combination
switch back to its normal position.
The _ indicator lamp in the multifunc-
tion display goes out. Headlamps misted up on the inside
The headlamps may mist up on the inside if
there is high atmospheric humidity.
X Switch on the lights and drive off.
The level of moisture diminishes, depend-
ing on the length of the journey and the
weather conditions (humidity and temper-
ature).
If the level of moisture does not diminish:
X Have the headlamps checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. 110
Exterior lightingLights and windscreen wipers

X
To switch off the crash-responsive
emergency lighting: press the hazard
warning lamp button.
or X Lock and then unlock the vehicle using the
key. Replacing bulbs
Important safety notes
Xenon bulbs G
DANGER
Xenon bulbs are under high voltage. You can
get an electric shock if you remove the cover
of the xenon bulb and touch the electrical
contacts. There is a risk of fatal injury.
Never touch the parts or the electrical con-
tacts of the xenon bulb. Always have work on the xenon bulbs carried out at a qualified spe- cialist workshop.
If your vehicle is equipped with xenon bulbs,
you can recognise this by the following: the
cone of light from the xenon bulbs moves
from the top to the bottom and back again
when you start the engine. For this to be
observed, the lights must be switched on
before starting the engine.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly.
Other bulbs G
WARNING
Bulbs, lamps and plug connectors can
become very hot during use. When replacing a bulb, you could burn yourself on these com-
ponents. There is a risk of injury.
Allow these components to cool down before replacing the bulb.
There are bulbs other than the xenon bulbs
that you cannot replace. Replace only the bulbs listed (Y
page 112). Have the bulbs that
you cannot replace yourself replaced at a
qualified specialist workshop.
If you require assistance replacing bulbs, con-
sult a qualified specialist workshop.
Do not touch the glass tube of new bulbs with
your bare hands. Even minor contamination
can burn into the glass surface and reduce
the service life of the bulbs. Always use a lint- free cloth or only touch the base of the bulb
when fitting.
Only use bulbs of the correct type.
If the new bulb still does not light up, consult
a qualified specialist workshop.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly. Overview of bulb replacement – bulbs
You can replace the following bulbs. The
details for the bulb type can be found in the
legend. Halogen headlamps
:
Turn signal lamp: PY 21 W
; Main-beam headlamp/side lamp/park-
ing lamp: H15 55 W/15 W
= Dipped-beam headlamp: H7 55 W 112
Replacing bulbsLights and
windscreen wipers

Vehicles with Intelligent Light System
:
Cornering lamp: H7 55 W Tail lamp (halogen headlamps)
:
Reversing lamp: W 16 W
; Turn signal lamp: PY 21 W
= Tail lamp/brake lamp: W 16 W
? Rear foglamp: W 16 W
A Tail lamp: W 16 W Replacing the front bulbs
Fitting/removing the cover on the front wheel arch You must remove the cover from the front
wheel housing before you can change the
front bulbs. X
To remove: switch off the lights.
X Turn the front wheels inwards.
X Turn rotary knob :through 90°.
Cover ;is released.
X Push cover ;down.
X To fit: push cover ;up.
X Turn rotary knob :through 90°.
Cover ;is locked.
Dipped-beam headlamps (halogen
headlamps) G
WARNING
These bulbs are pressurised.
They can explode when being changed if:
R they are still hot
R they hit an object when being removed
R they are dropped
There is a risk of injury.
You should wear eye protection and clean
gloves when you are changing a bulb. If nec-
essary, have bulbs changed at a qualified spe- cialist workshop. Replacing bulbs
113Lights and windscreen wipers Z

X
Remove the cover in the front wheel arch
(Y page 113).
X Turn housing cover :anti-clockwise and
pull it out.
X Turn bulb holder ;anti-clockwise and pull
it out.
X Take the bulb out of bulb holder ;.
X Insert the new bulb into bulb holder ;.
X Insert bulb holder ;into the lamp and turn
it clockwise.
X Align housing cover :and turn it clock-
wise until it engages.
X Replace the cover in the front wheel arch
(Y page 113).
Main-beam headlamps and side lamps/ parking lamps (vehicles with halogen
headlamps) G
WARNING
These bulbs are pressurised.
They can explode when being changed if:
R they are still hot
R they hit an object when being removed
R they are dropped
There is a risk of injury.
You should wear eye protection and clean
gloves when you are changing a bulb. If nec-
essary, have bulbs changed at a qualified spe- cialist workshop. X
Switch off the lights.
X Open the bonnet. X
Turn housing cover :anti-clockwise and
pull it out.
X Turn bulb ;anti-clockwise and pull it out.
X Insert the new bulb and engage it to the
stop.
X Align housing cover :and turn it clock-
wise until it engages.
Turn signal lamp (halogen headlamps) X
Switch off the lights.
X Open the bonnet.
X Turn bulb holder :anti-clockwise and pull
it out.
X Take the bulb out of bulb holder :.
X Insert the new bulb into bulb holder :.
X Insert bulb holder :and turn it clockwise
until it engages.
Cornering lamps (Intelligent Light Sys-
tem) G
WARNING
These bulbs are pressurised.
They can explode when being changed if:
R they are still hot
R they hit an object when being removed
R they are dropped
There is a risk of injury.
You should wear eye protection and clean
gloves when you are changing a bulb. If nec-
essary, have bulbs changed at a qualified spe- cialist workshop. 114
Replacing bulbsLights and windscreen wipers

X
Press the :or9 button to select the
Permanent display:
Permanent display: function.
You will see the selected setting: outside
outside
temperature
temperature orDig. speedo [mph]
Dig. speedo [mph].
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
i The speed is displayed in mph.
Lights Switching the daytime driving lights
on/off
The
Daytime driving lights Daytime driving lights function can
only be switched on with the engine turned
off.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings
Settings menu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Lights Lights submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Daytime driving lights
Daytime driving lights function.
If the Daytime driving lights
Daytime driving lights function
has been switched on, the cone of light and the W symbol in the multifunction dis-
play are shown in orange.
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
Further information on daytime driving lights
(Y page 105).
Switching the Intelligent Light System
on/off
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings
Settings menu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Lights Lights submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Intell. Light System
Intell. Light System function.
If the Intell. Light Sys.
Intell. Light Sys. function has
been switched on, the cone of light and the
L symbol in the multifunction display
are shown in orange.
X Press the abutton to save the setting. If you activate the
Intell. Light System
Intell. Light System
function, you activate the following functions:
R motorway mode
R active light function
R cornering light function
R extended range foglamps
If you set the dipped-beam headlamps for
driving on the right/left, the multifunction
display shows the Intell. Intell.Light
LightSystem:
System:
system inoperative Inactive for
system inoperative Inactive for
left-side traffic
left-side traffic orIntell. Light
Intell. Light
System:
System: System
Systeminoperative
inoperative Inactive
Inactive
for right-side traffic
for right-side traffic display message
instead of the Intell.
Intell.Light
LightSys.
Sys.function
in the Lights
Lights submenu (Y page 221).
Further information on the Intelligent Light
System (Y page 108).
Setting the dipped-beam headlamps for
driving on the left/right
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings Settingsmenu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Lights
Lights submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press :or9 to select the Dipped
Dipped
beams Setting for:
beams Setting for: function.
You will see the selected setting: Right-
Right-
side traffic
side traffic orLeft-side traffic
Left-side traffic.
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
If you change the setting, conversion does
not take place until the next time the vehi-
cle is stationary.
This function is only available on vehicles with
the Intelligent Light System.
You can use this function to switch between
symmetrical and asymmetrical dipped beam
(Y page 104).
If you set the dipped-beam headlamps for
driving on the right/left, then motorway
mode and the extended range foglamps are
unavailable.
You can also have the dipped-beam head-
lamps set for driving on the right/left at a Menus and submenus
221On-board computer and displays Z

qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Switching Adaptive Highbeam Assist on/
off
This function is only available on vehicles with
the Intelligent Light System.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings Settingsmenu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Lights
Lights submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Adapt. main beam
Adapt. main beam function.
If the Adapt. main beam
Adapt. main beam function has
been switched on, the cone of light and the _ symbol in the multifunction display
are shown in orange.
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
For further information about Adaptive High-
beam Assist, see (Y page 109).
Setting the brightness of the ambient
lighting
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings Settingsmenu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Lights
Lights submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Amb. light +/-
Amb. light +/- function.
You will see the selected setting.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to adjust the
brightness to any level from Off
Off toLevel 5Level 5
(bright).
X Press the aor% button to save the
setting.
Activating/deactivating the surround
lighting and exterior lighting delayed
switch-off
If you have activated the Surround light‐
Surround light‐
ing
ing function and the light switch is set to
Ã, the following functions are activated
when it is dark: R
surround lighting: the exterior lighting
remains lit for 40 seconds after unlocking
with the key. If you start the engine, the
surround lighting is switched off and auto-
matic headlamp mode is activated
(Y page 105).
R exterior lighting delayed switch-off: the
exterior lighting remains lit for 60 seconds
after the engine is switched off. If you close all the doors and the tailgate, the exterior
lighting goes off after 15 seconds.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings Settingsmenu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Lights
Lights submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Surround lighting
Surround lighting function.
When the Surround lighting
Surround lighting function is
activated, the light cone and the area
around the vehicle are displayed in orange
in the multifunction display.
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
Deactivating delayed switch-off of the exte-
rior lighting temporarily: X Before leaving the vehicle, turn the key to
position 0in the ignition lock.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
The exterior lighting delayed switch-off is
deactivated.
Delayed switch-off of the exterior lighting is
reactivated the next time you start the
engine.
i Depending on your vehicle's equipment,
when the surround lighting and delayed
switch-off exterior lighting are on, the fol-
lowing light up:
R side lamps
R foglamps
R dipped-beam headlamps
R daytime driving lights
R surround lighting in the exterior mirrors 222
Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays