MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS 2012 Owners Manual

Socket in the front centre console
Vehicles with a stowage compartment cover
X
To open: push the lower section of
cover :.
The stowage compartment opens.
X Lift up the cover of socket ;.Vehicles without a stowage compartment cover
X
Lift up the cover of socket :.
Socket in the rear-compartment centre
console X
Pull cover : out by its top edge.
X Lift up the cover of socket ;.
Socket in the luggage compartment X
Lift up the cover of socket :. Mobile phone
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Operating mobile communications equip-
ment while driving distracts you from paying
attention
to traffic conditions. This could also
cause you to lose control of the vehicle. There
is a risk of an accident.
Use this device only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
i You must observe the legal requirements
for the country in which you are currently
driving when operating mobile communi-
cations equipment in the vehicle.
If it is permitted by law to operate commu-
nications equipment while the vehicle is in
motion, you may only do so if the traffic sit-
uation permits. You may otherwise be dis-
tracted from the traffic conditions, cause
an accident and injure yourself and others.
Excessive levels of electromagnetic radiation
may cause damage to your health and to the
health of others. The use of an exterior aerial
takes into consideration the scientific discus- Features
279
Stowing and features Z

sion surrounding the possible health risk
posed by electromagnetic fields.
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of an
approved exterior aerial. This ensures:
R
optimal mobile phone reception quality in
the vehicle
R mutual influences between the vehicle
electronics and mobile phones are mini-
mised
An exterior aerial has the following advan-
tages:
R it
conducts the electromagnetic fields gen-
erated by a wireless device to the exterior.
R the field strength in the vehicle interior is
lower than in a vehicle that does not have
an exterior aerial.
Information on retrofitting two-way radios
and mobile phones (RF transmitters)
(Y page 336).
General notes There are various mobile phone brackets that
may be fitted in your vehicle; in some cases,
these are country-specific.
You can connect a Bluetooth
®
-capable
mobile phone with Audio 20 or COMAND
Online

via the Bluetooth ®
interface. This also
applies if your vehicle is equipped with con-
venience telephony.
More information on suitable mobile phones,
mobile phone brackets and on connecting
Bluetooth ®
-capable mobile phones with
Audio 20 or COMAND Online can be obtained:
R at your Mercedes-Benz Service Centre
R on the Internet at http://www.mercedes-
benz.com/connect
i The functions and services available when
you use the phone depend on your mobile
phone model and service provider. Using a mobile phone If the mobile phone is inserted in the mobile
phone bracket, you can speak to the person
you are calling using the hands-free system.
X
Open the telephone compartment
(Y page 270).
X Place the mobile phone bracket into the
pre-installed fitting (see the separate
installation instructions for the mobile
phone fitting).
X Insert the mobile phone into the mobile
phone bracket (see the separate installa-
tion instructions for the mobile phone fit-
ting).
i On
some mobile phone brackets, first you
have to connect the phone to the mobile
phone bracket via Bluetooth ®
(see the sep-
arate operating instructions for the mobile
phone bracket).
If this is the case, the mobile phone does
not have to be inserted into the bracket for
you to be able to use the telephone func-
tions. However, the charging function and
aerial function are not available.
Operating the mobile phone You can operate the telephone using the
6 and ~ buttons on the multifunction
steering

wheel. You can operate other mobile
phone functions via the on-board computer
(Y page 215).
When you remove the key from the ignition
lock, the mobile phone stays switched on.
However, you can no longer use the hands-
free system.
If you have an active call and would like to
take the key out of the ignition lock, first
remove the mobile phone from the bracket.
i If you use a mobile phone bracket which
is connected to your mobile via Blue-
tooth ®
and you wish to continue a call on
your mobile phone:
You should switch the call to "Private
mode" before you remove the key from the 280
Features
Stowing and features

ignition lock. Otherwise, it will take up to
20 seconds for the mobile phone to dis-
connect from the system. Only then can
you
continue the call on your mobile phone.
Notes on the necessary steps for setting
"Private mode" can be found in the sepa-
rate operating instructions of the mobile
phone.
i Not all mobile phones support "Private
mode".
Mobile phone bracket in the stowage
space You can fold the pre-installed bracket up to
improve access to the stowage space
beneath

it. Depending on the vehicle's equip-
ment, a USB connection and an AUX-IN con-
nection/Media Interface are fitted in the
stowage compartment ( Y page 270).X
To fold the bracket up: press button :.
X To fold the bracket down: press the
bracket down and allow it to engage. Floormat on the driver's side
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. X
Slide the seat backwards.
X To fit: lay the floormat in the footwell.
X Press safety catch knobs : onto retain-
ers ;.
X To remove: pull the floormat away from
retainers ;.
X Remove the floormats. Retrofitted anti-glare film
Retrofitted
anti-glare film on the inside of the
windows can interfere with radio/mobile
telephone reception. This is particularly the
case for conductive or metallic-coated films.
You can obtain information about anti-glare
film from a qualified specialist workshop. Features
281
Stowing and features Z

282

Useful information ............................
284
Engine compartment ........................ 284
Service ............................................... 289
Care .................................................... 290 283Maintenance and care

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all mod-
els,
series and optional equipment for your
vehicle that were available at the time of
going to press. National variations are pos-
sible. Note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all of the functions descri-
bed. This is also the case for systems and
functions relevant to safety.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: (Y page 24). Engine compartment
Bonnet
Important safety notes G
WARNING
An unlocked bonnet may open while driving
and
block your view. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Never unlock the bonnet while driving. G
WARNING
When being opened and closed, the bonnet
may suddenly fall into the closed position.
There

is a risk of injury to persons in the range
of movement of the bonnet.
Open and close the bonnet only when nobody
is in the range of movement. G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment could be very hot, e.g. the engine, the
radiator and parts of the exhaust system.
There is a risk of injury when accessing the
engine compartment.
As far as possible, allow the engine to cool
down and only touch the following compo-
nents. G
WARNING
If you open the bonnet while the engine is
overheating or while there is a fire in the engine compartment, you could come into
contact with hot gases or other leaking
service products. There is a danger of injury.
Allow an overheating engine to cool down
before

opening the bonnet. If there is a fire in
the engine compartment, leave the bonnet
closed and notify the fire brigade. G
WARNING
There are parts in the engine compartment
that
move. Certain components may continue
to run even if the ignition is switched off or
may suddenly start again, e.g. the radiator
fan. There is a danger of injury.
If you need to access the engine compart-
ment:
R switch off the ignition
R never enter the danger area of moving com-
ponents, e.g. the rotation area of the fan
R keep items of clothing away from moving
parts G
WARNING
The ignition system and the fuel injection sys-
tem operate with a high voltage. If you touch
the live components, you could receive an
electric shock. There is a danger of injury.
Never touch components of the ignition sys-
tem or the fuel injection system when the
ignition is switched on.
Active bonnet (pedestrian protection) Operating principle
!
Once

triggered, an active bonnet must be
reset at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. The
active bonnet function will then be availa-
ble again. The additional pedestrian pro-
tection provided by the active bonnet will
then be restored.
The active bonnet is only available in certain
countries.
The active bonnet can reduce the risk of injury
to pedestrians in certain accident situations. 284
Engine compartment
Maintenance and care

Raising the active bonnet increases the clear-
ance
to hard components, such as the engine.
If the active bonnet has been triggered, it is
raised at the rear in the area around the hinge
by approximately 60 mm.
For the drive to the workshop, reset the trig-
gered active bonnet yourself. If the active
bonnet has been triggered, pedestrian pro-
tection may be limited.
Resetting G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment could be very hot, e.g. the engine, the
radiator and parts of the exhaust system.
There is a risk of injury when accessing the
engine compartment.
As far as possible, allow the engine to cool
down and only touch the following compo-
nents. X
With your hand flat, push down active bon-
net : in the area around the hinges on
both

sides (arrows) until you feel it engage.
If you can raise the active bonnet slightly in
the
area around the hinges, it is not engaged
correctly. Repeat the step.
If the bonnet can then still be raised, drive
directly to a qualified specialist workshop. Do
not drive faster than 100 km/h. Opening the bonnet G
WARNING
When the bonnet is open, and the windscreen
wipers are set in motion, you can be injured
by the wiper linkage. There is a risk of injury.
Always switch off the windscreen wipers and
the ignition before opening the bonnet.
! Make

sure that the windscreen wipers are
not folded away from the windscreen. Oth-
erwise, you could damage the windscreen
wipers or the bonnet. X
Make sure that the windscreen wipers are
switched off.
X Pull release lever : on the bonnet.
The bonnet is released. X
Reach into the gap between the bonnet and
the radiator trim and press bonnet catch
lever ; to the left.
X Raise the bonnet. Engine compartment
285
Maintenance and care Z

X
Pull support strut ? out of bracket A.
X Lift up support strut ? and insert it into
yellow retaining clip =.
Closing the bonnet X
Raise the bonnet slightly and, at the same
time, remove support strut ? from yellow
retaining clip =.
X Swing support strut ? down and press it
into bracket A until it engages.
X Lower the bonnet and let it fall from a
height of approximately
20 cm.
X Check that the bonnet has engaged prop-
erly.
If

the bonnet can be raised slightly, it is not
properly engaged. Do not press the bonnet
closed. Open the bonnet again and close it
with a little more force. Engine oil
General notes Depending on your driving style, the vehicle
consumes

up to 0.8 l of oil per 1,000 km. The
oil consumption may be higher than this when
the vehicle is new or if you frequently drive at
high engine speeds.
Depending on the engine, the oil dipstick may
be installed at a different location. When checking the oil level:
R
park the vehicle on a level surface.
R the engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
R if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature, e.g. if the engine was only
started briefly: wait about

30 minutes
before carrying out the measurement. 286
Engine compartment
Maintenance and care

Checking the oil level using the oil dip-
stick
Example: vehicles with a petrol engine
Vehicles with a diesel engine (apart from the A 180
CDI
BlueEFFICIENCY model with manual transmis-
sion) A 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, manual transmission
X
All models apart from the A 180 CDI
BlueEFFICIENCY model with manual
transmission: pull out oil dipstick :.
X A 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY model with
manual transmission: undo the oil filler
cap

and pull it out together with integrated
oil dipstick :. X
Wipe off oil dipstick :.
X Slowly slide oil dipstick : into the guide
tube to the stop, and take it out again.
If the level is between MIN mark = and
MAX mark ;, the oil level is correct.
X If the oil level has dropped to MIN mark
=

or below, top up with 1.0 litre of engine
oil.
Adding engine oil G
WARNING
If engine oil comes into contact with hot com-
ponents in the engine compartment, it may
ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that engine oil does not spill out
over the filler neck. Allow the engine to cool
down and thoroughly clean the components
that have come into contact with engine oil
before you start the engine. H
Environmental note
When topping up the oil, take care not to spill
any. If oil enters the soil or waterways, it is
harmful to the environment.
! Only use engine oils and oil filters that
have been approved for vehicles with a
service

system. You can obtain a list of the
engine oils and oil filters tested and
approved in accordance with the
Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Service
Products at any Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
Damage to the engine or exhaust system is
caused by the following:
R using engine oils and oil filters that have
not been specifically approved for the
service system
R changing the engine oil and oil filter after
missing the change interval required by
the service system
R using engine oil additives
! Do not add too much oil. Topping up with
too much engine oil can result in damage Engine compartment
287
Maintenance and care Z

to the engine or to the catalytic converter.
Have excess engine oil siphoned off.
Example: engine oil filler cap
X
Turn cap : anti-clockwise and remove it.
X Top up the engine oil.
If the oil level is at or below the MIN mark
on the oil dipstick, top up with 1.0 litre of
engine oil.
X Replace cap : on the filler neck and turn
clockwise.
Make
sure that the cap locks securely into
place.
X Check the oil level again with the oil dip-
stick ( Y page 287).
For further information on engine oil, see
(Y page 343). Checking and adding other service
products
Checking the coolant level G
WARNING
The engine cooling system is under pressure,
particularly if the engine is warm. You could
be scalded by hot coolant spraying out when
opening the cap. There is a danger of injury.
Allow the engine to cool before opening the
cap. Wear gloves and protective eyewear
when

opening. Slowly turn the cap half a turn
to allow pressure to escape.
! The coolant level must only be checked
and corrected when the engine has cooled
down (coolant temperature under 40 †). Checking the coolant level when the cool-
ant temperature is over 40 † can lead to
damage to the engine or engine cooling
system.
Example
X
Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Only check the coolant level if the vehicle
is on a level surface and the engine has
cooled down.
X Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock (Y page 143).
X Check the coolant temperature display in
the instrument cluster.
The coolant temperature must be below
40 †.
X Turn the key to position 0 (Y page 143) in
the ignition lock.
X Slowly turn cap : half a turn anti-clock-
wise to allow excess pressure to escape.
X Turn cap : further anti-clockwise and
remove it.
If the coolant is at the level of marker bar
= in the filler neck when cold, there is
enough coolant in coolant expansion
tank ;.
X If necessary, top up with coolant that has
been tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
X Replace cap :
and turn it clockwise as far
as it will go.
For further information on coolant, see
(Y page 344). 288
Engine compartment
Maintenance and care