brake fluid MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS 2012 Owners Manual

Notes/function
.............................. 198
Trailer towing ................................. 199
Bonnet
Active
bonnet (pedestrian protec-
tion) ............................................... 284
Closing ........................................... 286
Display message ............................ 254
Important safety notes .................. 284
Opening ......................................... 285
Boot
see Tailgate
Boot load (maximum) ........................ 346
Brake Assist System see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 236
Notes ............................................. 344
Brake lamps
Adaptive ........................................... 65
Changing bulbs .............................. 116
Display message ............................ 240
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 61
Adaptive Brake Assist ......................64
BAS .................................................. 62
Brake fluid (notes) .........................344
Display message ............................ 230
Driving tips .................................... 166
Important safety notes .................. 166
Parking brake ................................ 163
Warning lamp ................................. 258
Breakdown
see Flat tyre
see Towing away/tow-starting
Bulbs
see Replacing bulbs C
Calling up a fault see Display messages


Car
see Vehicle
Care
Automatic car wash ....................... 291
Carpets .......................................... 296
Display ........................................... 295
Exhaust pipe .................................. 294Exterior lighting
............................. 293
Gear or selector lever ....................295
High-pressure cleaner ....................

291
Interior ........................................... 295
Matt paintwork .............................. 292
Notes ............................................. 290
Paint .............................................. 292
Plastic trim .................................... 295
Reversing camera ..........................294
Roof lining ...................................... 296
Seat belt ........................................ 296
Seat cover ..................................... 296
Sensors ......................................... 294
Steering wheel ............................... 295
Trim pieces .................................... 295
Washing by hand ........................... 291
Wheels ........................................... 292
Windows ........................................ 293
Wiper blades .................................. 293
Wooden trim .................................. 295
Car wash (care) ................................. 291
Central locking Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 223
Locking/unlocking (key) ..................75
Centre console
Lower section .................................. 35
Upper section .................................. 34
Changing bulbs
Brake lamps ................................... 116
Cornering light function .................115
Dipped-beam headlamps ............... 114
Main-beam headlamps ................... 114
Rear foglamp ................................. 116
Reversing lamps ............................ 116
Tail lamps ...................................... 116
Turn signals (front) ......................... 115
Turn signals (rear) .......................... 116
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes .................... 60
Rear doors ....................................... 60
Children
In the vehicle ................................... 50
Restraint systems ............................ 50
Child seat
Automatic recognition ..................... 52
ISOFIX .............................................. 53
On the front-passenger seat ............516
Index

S
Safety Children in the vehicle .....................50
Child restraint systems ....................50
Safety system
see Driving safety system

Seat
Adjusting (Performance Seat) ..........97
Folding the backrest (rear com-
partment) forwards/back ..............272
Seat belt
Adjusting the driver's and front-
passenger seat belt .........................47
Adjusting the height ......................... 48
Belt force limiter .............................. 49
Belt tensioner .................................. 49
Cleaning ......................................... 296
Display message ............................ 237
Fastening ......................................... 47
Important safety guidelines .............46
Rear seat belt status indicator ......... 49
Releasing ......................................... 48
Switching belt adjustment on/off
(on-board computer) ...................... 225
Warning lamp ................................. 257
Warning lamp (function) ................... 48
Seats
Adjusting (electrically) .....................94
Adjusting (manually) ........................94
Adjusting the 4-way lumbar sup-
port .................................................. 96
Adjusting the head restraint ............ 94
Cleaning the cover ......................... 296
Correct driver's seat position ........... 92
Important safety notes .................... 93
Seat heating problem ...................... 97
Storing settings (memory function) 101
Switching seat heating on/off ......... 96
Sensors (cleaning instructions) .......294
Service see ASSYST PLUS
Service Centre
see Qualified specialist workshop
Service menu (on-board computer) . 219
Service products Brake fluid ..................................... 344
Coolant (engine) ............................ 344Engine oil .......................................
343
Fuel ................................................ 339
Important safety notes .................. 338
Washer fluid ................................... 345
Service report
see Qualified specialist workshop
Settings
Factory (on-board computer) ......... 225
On-board computer ....................... 220
Setting the air distribution ...............129
Setting the airflow ............................ 129
SETUP (on-board computer) ............. 226
Shifting to neutral (manual trans-
mission) ............................................. 151
Sidebag ................................................ 44
Side lamps Switching on/off ........................... 106
Side windows
Convenience closing ........................ 85
Convenience opening ...................... 85
Important safety notes .................... 83
Opening/closing .............................. 84
Problem (malfunction) .....................86
resetting .......................................... 85
Sliding sunroof
see Panorama sliding sunroof
Snow chains ...................................... 321
Socket Centre console .............................. 279
Luggage compartment ................... 279
Points to observe before use ......... 278
Rear compartment ......................... 279
Specialist workshop ............................ 24
Spectacles compartment .................269
Speed, controlling see Cruise control
Speed Limit Assist
Activating/deactivating the warn-
ing function .................................... 218
Displaying ...................................... 218
Display message ............................ 246
Display message in the multifunc-
tion display .................................... 197
Function/notes ............................. 196
Important safety notes .................. 19616
Index

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
Towing away .................................. 310
Tow-starting ................................... 310
Transporting .................................. 313
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 81
Unlocking (key) ................................ 75
Vehicle data ................................... 346
Vehicle data ....................................... 346
Vehicle dimensions ...........................346
Vehicle emergency locking ................81
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate ..............338
Vehicle maintenance see ASSYST PLUS
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 299
Vehicle weights ................................. 346Video (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 fuel ................................... 264
Seat belt ........................................ 257
SRS ................................................ 263
Warning triangle ................................ 298
Washer fluid
Display message ............................ 256
Wheel bolt tightening torque ...........329
Wheel chock ...................................... 325
Wheels Changing/replacing .......................324
Changing a wheel .......................... 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 wheel ..........................328
Storing ........................................... 324
Tightening torque ........................... 329
Wheel size/tyre size ......................329
Windowbag
Display message ............................ 239
Operation ......................................... 45
Windows
Cleaning ......................................... 293
see Side windows
Windscreen
Demisting ...................................... 130 Index
19

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 Introduction
25 Z

The blue
K indicator 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 K indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
i Vehicles with Adaptive Highbeam Assist:
when Adaptive Highbeam Assist is active,
it controls activation of the main-beam
headlamps

(Y page 110).
Headlamp flasher X
To switch on: turn the key in the ignition
lock to position 1 or 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 117) 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 "Intelligent
Light System" using the on-board computer
(Y page 221). 108
Exterior lightingLights and windscreen wipers

Manual transmission
X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Depress the clutch pedal fully.
X Shift to neutral N.
i You can only start the engine when the
clutch pedal is fully depressed.
Automatic transmission X
Shift the transmission to position P.
Transmission position display P is shown in
the multifunction display.
i When the transmission is in position N,
you

can also start the engine with the brake
pedal depressed.
Starting procedure X
To start a petrol engine: turn the key to
position 3 in the ignition lock
(Y page 143) and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
X To start a diesel engine: turn the key to
position 2 in the ignition lock
(Y page 143).
The % preglow indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X When the % preglow indicator lamp
goes out, turn the key to position
3(Y

page 143) and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
i You
can start the engine without preglow
if the engine is warm. Pulling away
Manual transmission !
Change
gear in good time and avoid spin-
ning the wheels. Otherwise, you could dam-
age the vehicle. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Depress the clutch pedal fully.
X Shift to either first gear or reverse gear R.
X Release the electric parking brake
(Y page 163).
X Release the brake pedal.
X Slowly release the clutch pedal and gently
depress the accelerator pedal.
i Follow the shift recommendations in the
multifunction display for an economical
driving style ( Y page 151).
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 223).
Automatic transmission i
It
is only possible to shift the transmission
from position P to the desired position if
you depress the brake pedal. Only then can
the parking lock be deactivated. If you do
not depress the brake pedal, the DIRECT
SELECT lever can still be moved but the
parking lock remains engaged.
i At transmission fluid temperatures below
Ò20 †, you can only shift out of position P
into another transmission position when
the engine is running.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the transmission to position D or R.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
The electric parking brake (Y page 163) is
automatically released.
The red ! indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out. 144
Driving
Driving and parking

j
Park position with parking lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive
i The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns
to its original position. The current trans-
mission
position P, R, N or D appears in the
transmission position display
(Y page 152) in the multifunction display.
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display The current transmission position and drive
program appear in the multifunction display.
:
Transmission position display
; Drive program display
i The arrows in the transmission position
display

show how and into which transmis-
sion positions you can change using the
DIRECT SELECT lever.
! If the transmission position display in the
multifunction display is not working, you
should pull away carefully to check whether
the desired transmission position is
engaged. Ideally, you should select trans-
mission position D and drive program E or
S. Engaging park position P X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever in the direc-
tion of arrow P.
Transmission

position display P is shown in
the multifunction display.
i When you engage park position P, make
sure

that the transmission position display
shows P in the multifunction display.
i You can only engage park position P when
the vehicle is stationary.
i The automatic transmission shifts into
park position P automatically:
R if you open the driver's door while the
vehicle is stationary in transmission posi-
tion D or R
R if you open the door while travelling at
very low speeds in transmission position
D or R
In addition, a warning tone sounds and a
display message is shown.
i Depressing the brake and pushing the
DIRECT SELECT lever up or down disen-
gages the parking lock. The transmission is
in N neutral.
At transmission fluid temperatures below
Ò20 †, you can only shift out of park posi-
tion P into another transmission position
when the engine is running.
In order to shift from park position P
directly into R or D:
R depress the brake pedal and
R push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or
down past the first point of resistance
! If the engine speed is too high, do not shift
the automatic transmission directly from
D to R, from R to D or directly to P. Other-
wise, the automatic transmission could be
damaged. 152
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsJ
Brake immediately Vehicles with manual transmission: a malfunction has occurred
while the HOLD function was activated.
A
tone may also sound at regular intervals. If you attempt to lock
the vehicle, the tone becomes louder.
You cannot start the engine.
X Paying attention to the traffic situation, immediately depress the
brake pedal firmly and hold until the display message disap-
pears.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y page 162).
You can restart the engine. J
Check brake fluid
level There is insufficient brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
In

addition, the red J warning lamp lights up in the instrument
cluster and a warning tone sounds.
G WARNING
The braking efficiency may be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention

to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y page 162).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Do not top up the brake fluid. This does not correct the fault. #
Check brake pad
wear The brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. PRE-SAFE
inoperative See
Owner's Manual
Important functions of PRE-SAFE
®

have failed. All other occupant
safety systems, e.g. airbags, remain available.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.236
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Vehicle
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsTo start engine,
shift to either P
or N You have attempted to start the engine with the transmission in
position R or D.
X
Shift the transmission to position P or N.Auxiliary battery
malfunction The auxiliary battery for the automatic transmission is no longer
being charged.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop at the next opportunity.
X Until then, set the automatic transmission to position P before
you switch off the engine.
X Before leaving the vehicle, apply the electric parking brake. Depress brake to
start engine You have attempted to start the engine with the transmission in
position N without depressing the brake pedal.
X
Depress the brake pedal. To shift out of P
or N
depress brake and
start engine You have attempted to shift the transmission to position
R or D
without starting the engine.
X Start the engine.
X Depress the brake pedal.
i It is only possible to shift the transmission from position P to
the desired position if you depress the brake pedal. Only then
can the parking lock be deactivated. If you do not depress the
brake pedal, the DIRECT SELECT lever can still be moved but
the parking lock remains engaged.
i At
transmission fluid temperatures below Ò20 † you can only
shift out of position P into another transmission position when
the engine is running. Apply brake to
deselect Park (P)
position You have attempted to move the transmission selector lever to
position R, N or D without depressing the brake pedal.
X
Depress the brake pedal. Risk of vehicle
rolling
Transmission not
in P The driver's door is open and the transmission is in position
R, N
or D.
A warning tone also sounds.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y page 162).252
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Safety systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsJ
The red brake system
warning
lamp is lit while
the engine is running. A
warning tone also
sounds. There is insufficient brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
G WARNING
The braking efficiency may be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention

to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y page 162).
X Do not top up the brake fluid. Topping up will not rectify the
fault.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display. !
The

yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) has been deactivated due to a fault.
BAS
(Brake Assist), COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST, ESP ®
(Elec-
tronic Stability Program), PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function, hill start
assist, the adaptive brake lights and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are
also therefore deactivated, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
The

steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-
ted. The braking distance may increase in an emergency braking
situation.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
If the ABS control unit is faulty, there is also a possibility that other
systems, such as the navigation system or the automatic trans-
mission, will be unavailable. 258
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays