MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2012 Owner's Manual
Page 21 of 357
Temperature
Coolant .......................................... 208
Coolant (on-board computer) ......... 226
Engine oil (on-board computer) ...... 226
Outside temperature ...................... 209
Setting (climate control) ................ 128
TEMPOMAT
Function/note s............................. 168
Theft-deterrent system
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) ......... 69
Immobiliser ...................................... 69
Through-loading ................................ 271
Time
see Separate Owner's manual
Timing (RACETIMER) ......................... 226
TIREFIT kit .......................................... 301
Top Tether ............................................ 54
Tow-away protection .......................... 70
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 314
Fitting the towing eye .................... 311
Important safety notes .................. 310
Removing the towing eye ............... 312
Towing
Important safety notes .................. 310
Towing a trailer
Active Parking Assist ..................... 190
Axle load, permissibl e.................... 349
Bulb failure indicator for LED
lamps ............................................. 206
ESP® (Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 68
Pulling away with a traile r.............. 145
Trailer tow hitch display message .. 255
Towing away
Fitting the towing eye .................... 311
Removing the towing eye ............... 312
With both axles on the ground ....... 312
With front axle raised ..................... 312
Trailer coupling
see Towing a trailer
Trailer towing
7-pin connecto r............................. 206
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 199
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch ......... 294
Coupling up a traile r...................... 204
Decoupling a trailer ....................... 204 Driving tips .................................... 201
Folding in the ball coupling ............ 205
Folding out the ball coupling .......... 203
Important safety notes .................. 201
Lights display message .................. 239
Mounting dimensions .................... 348
Parktronic ...................................... 185
Power supply ................................. 205
Trailer load s................................... 349
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
see Manual transmission
Transmission position display
(DIRECT SELECT lever) ...................... 152
Transporting the vehicle .................. 313
Trim pieces (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 295
Trip computer (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 211
Trip meter
Calling up ....................................... 211
Resetting (on-board computer) ...... 212
Turn signals
Changing bulbs (front) ................... 114
Changing bulbs (rear) .................... 115
Switching on/of f........................... 107
TV
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 215
see Separate operating instructions
Two-way radio
Frequencies ................................... 336
Installation ..................................... 336
Transmission output (maximum) .... 336
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
Tyre pressure
Display message ............................ 251
Not reached (TIREFIT) .................... 303
Reached (TIREFIT) .......................... 303
Recommended ............................... 321
Tyre pressure loss warning
Important safety notes .................. 323
Restarting ...................................... 323
Tyres
Changing a whee l.......................... 324
Checking ........................................ 319
Direction of rotation ...................... 324
Display message ............................ 251 18
Index
Page 22 of 357
Important safety notes .................. 318
M+S tyres ...................................... 320
MOExtended tyres .........................3
20
Replacing ....................................... 324
Service life ..................................... 319
Storing .......................................... .324
Summer tyres ........................ 168, 320
Tyre size (data) .............................. 329
Tyre tread ...................................... 319
see Flat tyre U
Unladen weight ................................. 346
Unlocking
Emergency unlocking ....................... 81
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................ .80V
Vanity mirror (in sun visor) .............. 277
Variable SPEEDTRONIC
see SPEEDTRONIC
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 24
Data acquisition ............................... 25
Electronics ..................................... 336
Equipment ....................................... 22
Implied warranty .............................. 24
Individual settings .......................... 220
Leaving parked up ......................... 164
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 81
Locking (key) ................................... 75
Lowering ........................................ 329
Pulling away ................................... 144
Raising ........................................... 326
Registration ..................................... 24
Securing from rolling away ............ 325
Tow-starting ................................... 310
Towing away .................................. 310
Transporting .................................. 313
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 81
Unlocking (key) ................................ 75
Vehicle data ................................... 346
Vehicle data ....................................... 346
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 346
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 81Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 338
Vehicle maintenance
see ASSYST PLUS
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 299
Vehicle weights ................................. 346
Video (DVD) ........................................ 215
Video DVD (on-board computer) ...... 215
VIN ...................................................... 338 W
Warning and indicator lamps ABS ................................................ 258
Brakes ........................................... 258
Distance warning signal ................. 266
ESP® ............................................. 260
ESP® OFF ...................................... 261
Fuel tank ........................................ 264
LIM (cruise control) ........................ 169
LIM (DISTRONIC PLUS) .................. 174
LIM (variable SPEEDTRONIC) ......... 171
Overview .......................................... 32
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF ................ 52
Reserve fue l................................... 264
Seat belt ........................................ 257
SRS ................................................ 263
Warning triangle ................................ 298
Washer fluid
Display message ............................ 256
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 329
Wheel chock ...................................... 325
Wheels
Changing a whee l.......................... 324
Changing/replacing ....................... 324
Checking ........................................ 319
Cleaning ......................................... 292
Cleaning (warning) ......................... 324
Emergency spare wheel ................. 332
Fitting a new wheel ........................ 328
Fitting a wheel ............................... 325
Important safety notes .................. 318
Removing a whee l.......................... 328
Storing ........................................... 324
Tightening torque ........................... 329
Wheel size/tyre size ...................... 329 Index
19
Page 23 of 357
Windowbag
Display message ............................ 239
Operation ......................................... 45
Windows
Cleaning ......................................... 293
see Side windows
Windscreen
Demisting ...................................... 130
Windscreen washer fluid
see Windscreen washer system
Windscreen washer system
Notes ............................................. 345
Topping up .................................... .289
Windscreen wipers
Display message ............................ 256
Problem (malfunction) ................... 120
Rear window wiper ........................ 117
Replacing the wiper blades ............ 117
Switching on/off ........................... 116
Windscreen wipers
see Windscreen
Winter driving
General notes ................................ 320
Winter operation
Slippery road surfaces ................... 168
Snow chains .................................. 321
Winter tyres
Limiting the speed (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 223
M+S tyres ...................................... 320
Wiper blades
Cleaning ......................................... 293
Important safety notes .................. 117
Replacing (on the rear window) ..... 118
Replacing (windscreen) .................. 118
Wooden trim (cleaning instruc-
tions) ................................................. .295
Workshop
see Qualified specialist workshop Z
ZONE function Switching on/off ........................... 129 20
Index
Page 24 of 357
Protection of the environment
General notes
H
Environmental note
Daimler's declared policy is one of compre-
hensive environmental protection.
Our objectives are to use the natural resour-
ces which form the basis of our existence on
this planet sparingly and in a manner which
takes the requirements of both nature and
humanity into consideration.
You too can help to protect the environment
by operating your vehicle in an environmen-
tally-responsible manner.
Fuel consumption and the rate of engine,
transmission, brake and tyre wear depend on
the following factors:
R operating conditions of your vehicle
R your personal driving style
You can influence both factors. Therefore,
please bear the following in mind:
Operating conditions:
R avoid short trips, as these increase fuel
consumption.
R observe the correct tyre pressure.
R do not carry any unnecessary weight in the
vehicle.
R remove the roof rack once you no longer
need it.
R a regularly serviced vehicle will contribute
to environmental protection. You should
therefore adhere to the service intervals.
R all maintenance work should be carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop.
Personal driving style:
R do not depress the accelerator pedal when
starting the engine.
R do not warm up the engine when the vehicle
is stationary.
R drive carefully and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front.
R avoid frequent, sudden acceleration and
braking. R
change gear in good time and use each gear
only up to Ôof its maximum engine speed.
R switch off the engine in stationary traffic.
R monitor the vehicle's fuel consumption. Returning an end-of-life vehicle
EU countries only:
Mercedes-Benz will take back your old vehicle to dispose of it in an environmentally-respon-sible manner in accordance with the Euro-
pean Union (EU) End of Life Vehicles Direc-
tive.
There is a network of return points and dis-
assembly plants available. You can return
your vehicle to these plants free of charge.
This makes a valuable contribution to the
recycling process and the conservation of
resources.
For further information on recycling old vehi- cles, recovery and the terms of the policy,
visit the Mercedes-Benz homepage. Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts
H
Environmental note
Daimler AG also supplies reconditioned
assemblies and parts which are of the same
quality as new parts. For these, the same war-
ranty applies as for new parts.
! Airbags and seat belt tensioners, as well
as control units and sensors for these
restraint systems, may be installed in the
following areas of your vehicle:
R doors
R door pillars
R door sills
R seats
R dashboard
R instrument cluster
R centre console Introduction
21 Z
Page 25 of 357
Do not install accessories such as audio
systems in these areas. Do not carry out
repairs or welding. You could impair the
operating efficiency of the restraint sys-
tems.
Have accessories retrofitted at a qualified
specialist workshop.
If you use parts, tyres and wheels as well as
accessories relevant to safety which have not been approved by Mercedes, the operating
safety of the vehicle could be jeopardised.
This could lead to malfunctions in safety-rel-
evant systems, e.g. the brake system. Only
use genuine Mercedes-Benz parts or parts of
equal quality. Only use tyres, wheels and
accessories that have been specifically
approved for your vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz tests genuine parts and con-
version parts and accessories that have been specifically approved for your vehicle for their
reliability, safety and suitability. Despite
ongoing market research, Mercedes-Benz is
unable to assess other parts. Mercedes-Benz accepts no responsibility for the use of such
parts in Mercedes-Benz vehicles, even if they
have been independently or officially
approved.
In Germany, certain parts are only officially
approved for installation or modification if
they comply with legal requirements. This
also applies to some other countries. All gen- uine Mercedes-Benz parts meet the approval
requirements. The use of non-approved parts
may invalidate the vehicle's general operating
permit.
This is the case:
R if they cause a change of the vehicle type
from that for which the vehicle's general
operating permit was granted
R if other road users could be endangered
R if the emission or noise levels are adversely
affected
Always specify the vehicle identification num-
ber (VIN) (Y page 338) and the engine num-
ber (Y page 338) when ordering genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts. Owner's Manual
General notes
Before you first drive off, read this Owner's
Manual carefully and familiarise yourself with
your vehicle.
For your own safety and a longer vehicle life,
follow the instructions and warning notices in this manual. Disregarding them may lead to
damage to the vehicle or personal injury. Vehicle equipment
This Owner's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment
available for your vehicle at the time of pub-
lication of the Owner's Manual. Country-spe-
cific differences are possible. Note that your
vehicle may not be fitted with all features
described. This is also the case for systems
and functions relevant to safety. Therefore,
the equipment on your vehicle may differ from
that in the descriptions and illustrations.
The original purchase contract documenta-
tion for your vehicle contains a list of all of the systems in your vehicle.
Should you have any questions concerning
equipment and operation, please consult a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
The Owner's Manual and Service Booklet are
important documents and should kept in the
vehicle. Operating safety
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you do not have the prescribed service/
maintenance work or necessary repairs car-
ried out, this could result in malfunctions or
system failures. There is a risk of an accident.
Always have the prescribed service/mainte-
nance work as well as necessary repairs car-
ried out at a qualified specialist workshop. 22
Introduction
Page 26 of 357
G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. G
WARNING
Modifications to electronic components, their software as well as wiring could effect their
function and/or the operation of other net-
worked components. This could in particular
also be the case for systems relevant to
safety. They might not function properly any
more and/or jeopardise the operational
safety of the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of an accident and injury.
Do not attempt to modify the wiring as well as
electronic components or their software.
Always have work on electrical and electronic components carried out at a qualified special-
ist workshop.
There is a risk of damage to the vehicle if:
R the vehicle becomes stuck, e.g. on a high
kerb or an unpaved road
R you drive too fast over an obstacle, e.g. a
kerb or a hole in the road
R a heavy object strikes the undercarriage or
parts of the chassis.
In situations like this, the body, the undercar- riage, chassis parts, wheels or tyres could be
damaged without the damage being visible.
Components damaged in this way can unex-
pectedly fail or, in the case of an accident, no
longer withstand the strain they are designed
to.
If the underbody panelling is damaged, com-
bustible materials such as leaves, grass or
twigs can gather between the underbody and the underbody panelling. If these materials
come in contact with hot parts of the exhaust system for an extended period, they can
catch fire.
Have the vehicle checked and repaired imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop. If on
continuing your journey you notice that driv-
ing safety is impaired, pull over and stop the
vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traffic conditions. In such cases, visit a
qualified specialist workshop. Declarations of conformity
Wireless vehicle components The following information applies to all com-
ponents of the vehicle and the COMAND sys-
tem which receive and/or transmit radio
waves:
The components of this vehicle which receive
and/or transmit radio waves are compliant
with the basic requirements and other rele-
vant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC. You can obtain further information from any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Electromagnetic compatibility The electromagnetic compatibility of the vehi-
cle components has been checked and certi-
fied according to the currently valid version of Directive 72/245/EE Cor the equivalent ECE
Regulation ECE-R 10. Diagnostics connection
The diagnostics connection is only intended
for the connection of diagnostic equipment at
a qualified specialist workshop. G
WARNING
If you connect equipment to a diagnostics
connection in the vehicle, it can affect the
operation of the vehicle systems. This may
affect the operating safety of the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident.
Do not connect any equipment to a diagnos-
tics connection in the vehicle. Introduction
23 Z
Page 27 of 357
G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle is
jeopardised. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Fit the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use loose floormats.
! If the engine is switched off and equip-
ment on the diagnostics connection is
used, the starter battery may discharge.
Connecting equipment to the diagnostics
connection can lead to emissions monitoring
information being reset, for example. This
may lead to the vehicle failing to meet the
requirements of the next emissions test dur-
ing the main inspection. Qualified specialist workshop
A qualified specialist workshop has the nec-
essary special skills, tools and qualifications
to correctly carry out any necessary work on
your vehicle. This particularly applies to work relevant to safety.
Observe the notes in the Service Booklet.
Always have the following work carried out at a qualified specialist workshop:
R work relevant to safety
R service and maintenance work
R repair work
R modifications, installations and conver-
sions
R work on electronic components
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Vehicle registration
Mercedes-Benz may ask its Service Centres
to carry out technical inspections on certain
vehicles. The quality or safety of the vehicle is
improved as a result of the inspection.
Mercedes-Benz can only inform you about
vehicle checks if it has your registration data.
It is possible that your vehicle has not yet
been registered in your name in the following
cases:
R if your vehicle was not purchased at an
authorised specialist dealer.
R if your vehicle has not yet been examined at
a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
It is advisable to register your vehicle with a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Inform Mercedes-Benz as soon as possible
about any change in address or vehicle own-
ership. Correct use
If you remove any warning stickers, you or
others could fail to recognise certain dangers. Leave warning stickers in position.
Observe the following information when driv-
ing your vehicle:
R the safety notes in this manual
R the technical data in this manual
R traffic rules and regulations
R laws and safety standards pertaining to
motor vehicles Implied warranty
! Follow the instructions in this manual
about the proper operation of your vehicle
as well as about possible vehicle damage.
Damage to your vehicle that arises from
culpable contraventions against these
instructions are not covered either by
Mercedes-Benz implied warranty or by the
New or Used-Vehicle Warranty. 24
Introduction
Page 28 of 357
Data stored in the vehicle
A number of electronic components in your
vehicle contain data memories.
These data memories temporarily or perma-
nently store technical information about:
R the vehicle's operating state
R events
R faults
This technical information generally docu-
ments the condition of a component, a mod-
ule, a system or an environment.
These are, for example:
R operating conditions of system compo-
nents. This includes, e.g. fluid levels.
R status messages from the vehicle and from
individual vehicle components. This
includes, e.g. number of wheel revolu-
tions/speed, deceleration, lateral acceler-
ation.
R malfunctions and faults in important sys-
tem components. This includes, e.g. lights,
brakes.
R reactions of the vehicle in special driving
situations. This includes, e.g. deployment
of an airbag, intervention of stability control
systems.
R environmental conditions. This includes,
e.g. the outside temperature.
This data is exclusively technical in nature
and is used to:
R assist in the detection and rectification of
faults and defects
R optimise vehicle functions
The data cannot be used to trace the vehicle's movements over distances travelled.
When your vehicle is serviced, this technical
information can be read out from the event
and fault memory.
Services include:
R repairs
R service processes R
warranty claims
R quality assurance
The information is read out by authorised
employees of the service network (including
manufacturers) using special diagnostic devi-
ces. You can find more information there if
necessary.
After a fault has been rectified, the informa-
tion in the fault memory is deleted or consec- utively overwritten.
In normal vehicle operation, situations may
arise in which this technical data could
become personal in nature in conjunction
with other information and, if necessary, on
consultation of an approval official.
Examples include:
R accident reports
R vehicle damage
R witness testimonies
Further additional features which are con-
tractually agreed with the customer likewise
allow specific vehicle data to be obtained
from the vehicle. Such additional features
include vehicle locating in an emergency, for
example. Copyright information
General notes
You can find information on licences for free
and open-source software used in your vehi-
cle and its electronic components on the fol- lowing website:
http://www.mercedes-benz.com/
opensource Int
roduction
25 Z
Page 29 of 357
26
Page 30 of 357
Cockpit
................................................. 28
Instrument cluster ..............................30
Multifunction steering wheel .............33
Centre console .................................... 34
Overhead control panel ......................36
Door control panel .............................. 37 27At a glance