MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2008 Owners Manual

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Thank you for choosing Mercedes-Benz.
Before you drive off, familiarise yourself with
your vehicle and read the Owner's Manual.
This will help you to obtain the maximum
pleasure from your vehicle and to avoid
endangering yourself and others.
Items of optional equipment are marked with
an asterisk *.
The equipment in your vehicle may vary,
depending on the model, the ordered items,
the country specifications and availability.
The illustrations in this Owner's Manual show
a left-hand-drive vehicle. The arrangement of
the switches, levers, stowage compartments,
etc. will differ accordingly in a right-hand-
drive vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz is constantly updating its
vehicles to the state of the art and therefore
reserves the right to introduce changes in
design, equipment and technical features at
any time. You cannot, therefore, base any
claims on the data, illustrations or descrip-
tions in this Owner's Manual.
Please consult a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre if you have any questions.
The Owner’s Manual, Brief Instructions,
service booklet and supplements related to
vehicle equipment belong with the vehicle.
You should always keep them in the vehicle and pass them on to the new owner if you sell
the vehicle.
The technical documentation team at
Daimler AG wishes you safe and pleasant
motoring.
i
You can get to know the important fea-
tures of your vehicle in German and in Eng-
lish in the interactive Owner's Manual on
the Internet at:
www.mercedes-benz.de/betriebsanlei-
tung
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2Index........................................................
3Introduction..........................................
15At a glance............................................
19Safety....................................................
35Controls................................................
59Operation............................................
167Practical advice.................................
199Technical data....................................
273Contents
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3A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System).......... 55
Display message ............204, 205, 206
Warning lamp.................................. 224
Acceleration
Technical data. ............................... 281
Accident
Notes. ............................................. 231
Active head restraint........................... 42
Active Park Assist Display messages ........................... 210
Active parking assist......................... 123
Trailer towing. ................................. 127
Active Service System PLUS
see Service indicator
Adaptive brake lamps.......................... 56
Airbag Activation.......................................... 37
Control unit....................................... 37
Driver's ............................................. 40
Front. ................................................ 40
Front passenger ................................ 40
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp .............................................. 223
Sidebags. .......................................... 41
System.............................................. 39
Windowbags. .................................... 42
Airbags
Head/thorax airbags. .......................41Air conditioning
Activating/deactivating ..................135
Activating/deactivating air-recir-
culation mode. ................................ 141
Air-conditioning system ..................132
Controlling automatically. ...............136
Convenience opening/closing
(air-recirculation mode). .................141
Cooling with air dehumidification ...136
Demisting the windscreen ..............139
Heatmatic. ...................................... 131
Malfunction indicator lamp. ............222
Misted-up windows. ........................140
Rear window heating ......................140
Setting the air distribution. .............138
Setting the airflow .......................... 139
Setting the air vents .......................137
Setting the temperature .................136
Switching the residual heat func-
tion on/off ...................................... 142
Thermotronic .................................. 134
Air-conditioning system
see Air conditioning
Antifreeze concentration................... 299
Anti-lock braking system see ABS
Anti-theft alarm system
see ATA
Anti-theft systems................................ 57 Armrest
Front seat (adjusting)........................ 67
Rear seat (adjusting).. .......................68
Removing/fitting. ........................... 148
Ashtray................................................ 162
ASSYST PLUS see Service interval display
ASSYST PLUS service indicator........ 191
ATA (anti-theft alarm system)............. 57
Switching off the alarm. ....................57
Audible warning signal...................... 230
AUTO lights Display message ............................. 216
Automatic car wash........................... 193
Automatic engine start Using the ECO Start-Stop function ...91
With ECO start/stop function ...........89
Automatic transmission
Changing gear yoursel f..................... 95
Display message ............................. 209
Driving tips ....................................... 96
Emergency running mode ...............235
Malfunction..................................... 235
One-touch gearshifting. ....................95
Program selector button ...................96
Trailer towing. ................................... 96
Working on the vehicle .....................96
AUTOTRONIC
Releasing the parking lock man-
ually. ............................................... 243 Index
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4
Axle load, maximum permissible
.................................................... .287, 289 B
Backrest Removing/fitting. ........................... 152
Bag hook............................................. 158
Ball coupling Fitting ............................................. 186
Removing....................................... .190
BAS (Brake Assist)............................... 55
Battery Changing (key).. .............................. 244
Charging. ........................................ 265
Checking (key). ............................... 244
Check lamp (key). ........................... 244
Disconnecting ................................. 265
Display message ............................. 213
Jump starting. ................................. 266
Maintenance (vehicle)..................... 263
Reconnecting.................................. 266
Removing/fitting. ........................... 265
Vehicle battery. .............................. 263
Belt force limiters
Activation.......................................... 37
Belt height adjustment........................ 75
Belt tensioners Activation.......................................... 37
Belt warning.......................................... 75 Bonnet
Bonnet catch .................................. 172
Opening/closing ............................ 171
Bonnet release lever
Release leve r.................................. 171
Brake Assist
see BAS
Brake fluid.......................................... 300
Display message ............................. 214
Brake lamps
Adaptive............................................ 56
Display message ............................. 217
Brakes
Parking brake................................... .90
Warning lamp..................................2 26
Brake system
Display message ............................. 213
Bulbs
Brake lamp. .................................... 250
Cornering light. ............................... 248
Dipped-beam headlamps ................247
Display messages ........................... 216
Licence plate lamp.......................... 250
Main-beam headlamps ...................248
Overview. ........................................ 245
Parking lamp.................................. .248
Rear foglamp. ................................. 250
Replacing............................... .247, 249
Reversing lamp. .............................. 250
Side lamp........................................ 248 Tail lamp
......................................... 250
Turn signal lamp. ....................249, 250 C
Calling up a malfunction see Message memory menu
Care..................................................... 192
Automatic car wash. .......................193
Exhaust tail pipes............................ 196
Headlamps. .................................... 194
High-pressure cleaners. ..................193
Parktronic. ...................................... 196
Plastic trim. .................................... 195
Rear window. .................................. 194
Side windows.................................. 194
Trailer tow hitch. ............................. 196
CD player/CD changer
Operating (on-board computer)
....................................................... 104
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter). ............................................. 111
Key. .................................................. 60
Central locking/unlocking button...... 61
Central unlocking Key. .................................................. 60
Centre console
Lower section. .................................. 32
Upper section. .................................. 31Index
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Changing a wheel
see Flat tyre
Child-proof locks
Rear doors ........................................ 54
Children
Fastening seat belts.......................... 51
In the vehicle. ................................... 42
Restraint systems. ............................ 43
Child seat
Automatic recognition ......................45
Automatic recognition (malfunc-
tion). ............................................... 223
Integrated ......................................... 50
ISOFIX............................................... 48
Recommendations. ...........................47
Suitable positions. ............................ 46
Cigarette lighter................................. 163
Cockpit Overview. .......................................... 22
COMAND............................................. 101
On-board computer. .......................101
see separate operating instructions
Constant headlamp mode
Setting (on-board computer).......... .109
Consumption statistics (on-board
computer)........................................... 112
Convenience closing............................ 86
Convenience opening........................... 86
Coolant................................................ 175
Checking the level. .........................175Display message
............213, 214, 215
Mixture ratio ................................... 297
Temperature gauge ...........................97
Cornering light
Display message ............................. 216
Cruise control..................................... 115
Cup holder.......................................... 144 D
Dashboard see Instrument cluster
Date
Setting (on-board computer).......... .109
Daytime driving lights
see Constant headlamp mode
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (on-board com-
puter). ............................................. 110
Interior lighting (on-board com-
puter). ............................................. 110
Diesel
Low outside temperatures. .............170
Diesel engine
Winter driving. ................................ 170
Digital speedometer.......................... 103
Dipped-beam headlamps Display message ............................. 216
Symmetrical. .................................. 185Display message
................................ 202
Service interval display. ..................191
Display messages
Symbol messages. ..........................212
Text messages. ............................... 203
Distance recorder
see Total distance recorder
see Trip meter
Distance Recorder
see Trip meter
Door
Automatic locking ............................. 61
Display message ............................. 212
Emergency locking .........................242
Emergency unlocking...................... 241
Opening (from the inside). ................61
Door control panel
Overview. .......................................... 34
Drinks holder
see Cup holder
Driver's airbag...................................... 40
Driver's seat position........................... 76
Driving abroad.................................... 185
Driving safety system.......................... 55
ABS. .................................................. 55
Adaptive brake lamps. ......................56
BAS. .................................................. 55
Steering assistant STEER CON-
TROL. ................................................ 56 Index
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Driving safety systems
ESP ®
................................................ 56
Driving system................................... 115
Active parking assist. ......................123
Cruise control. ................................ 115
ECO start/stop function .................127
Parktronic. ...................................... 120
Speedtronic. ................................... 117
Driving tip
Braking ........................................... 183
Trailer towing. ................................. 188
Winter ............................................. 182
Driving tips
Driving abroad ............................... 185
Driving on wet roads ......................185
Fording .......................................... 185
DVD audio
Operating (on-board computer). .....104
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer). .....105 E
Easy-entry feature ................................ 67
EASY-VARIO-PLUS system................. 149
EASY-VARIO system........................... 149
ECO start/stop function.................... 127
Electrical/electronic equipment Retrofitting ..................................... 275Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
e mark................................................. 275
Emergency key element Lost. ............................................... 239
Emergency locking
Vehicle............................................ 242
Emergency release
Fuel filler fla p.................................. 242
Emergency running mode
Automatic transmission ..................235
Emergency starting............................ 270
Emergency unlocking
Vehicle............................................ 241
Engine
Display message ............................. 212
Running irregularl y.......................... 234
Starting problems ........................... 233
Starting with ECO start/stop
function ............................................ 89
Starting with the key......................... 87
Switching off ..................................... 91
Switching off using the ECO Start-
Stop function .................................... 91
Technical data. ............................... 278
Engine diagnostics warning lamp
............................................................. 227
Engine electronics.............................. 275
Malfunction..................................... 233
Engine number................................... 277Engine oil
........................................... 296
Capacities.. ..................................... 174
Checking the oil level (dipstick). .....174
Checking the oil level (on-board
computer). ...................................... 173
Consumption ................................. 172
Display message
....................................... 173, 219, 220
Filler neck. ...................................... 174
Topping up. ..................................... 174
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)... 56
Display messages ...........207, 208, 209
Warning lamp. .......................... 56, 226
Exterior lighting
Delayed switch-off (on-board
computer). ...................................... 110
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting .......................................... 71
Folding in/out (automatically). .........72
Folding in/out (electrically). .............72
Folding in when locking (on-board
computer). ...................................... 111
Malfunction..................................... 238
Resetting. ......................................... 72
Exterior view
Overview. .......................................... 20Index
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7F
Fastening seat belts Childre n............................................ 51
Fire extinguisher................................ 201
First-aid kit......................................... 200
Flat tyre Equipment. ..................................... 253
MOExtended run-flat system ..........262
Preparing the vehicle. .....................253
TIREFIT kit....................................... 253
Floormat............................................. .165
Foglamps Display message ............................. 218
Fording................................................ 185
Frequencies Telephone. ...................................... 276
Front airbag .......................................... 40
Front-passenger airbag........................ 40
Front-passenger seat Folding the backrest forward/
back................................................ 158
Removing/fitting. ........................... 156
Fuel...................................................... 292
Diesel. ............................................ 170
Gauge. .............................................. 26
Loss. ............................................... 232
Petrol .............................................. 169
Fuel consumption...................... 293, 294Fuel filler flap
Emergency release. ........................242
Opening/closing ............................ 168
Fuel filter
Display message ............................. 214
Fuel level
Calling up the range (on-board
computer). ...................................... 113
Fuel line
Malfunction..................................... 232
Fuel tank
Defect ............................................. 232
Fuse allocation chart......................... 271
Fuse box............................................. .271
Fuses................................................... 271 G
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts.......... 274
Glove compartment........................... 160
Gross vehicle weight, maximum
permissible................................. 287, 288 H
Handbrake Display message ............................. 214
Head/thorax airbags........................... 41Headlamps
Cleaning. ........................................ 194
Cleaning system. .............................. 81
Misting up. ...................................... 237
Headlamps delayed switch-off
see Exterior lighting delayed switch-off
Head restraint
Active head restraint......................... 42
Adjusting (front).......................... 64, 65
Adjusting (rear). ................................ 66
Removing (rear). ............................... 66
Heating
see Air conditioning
High-pressure cleaners..................... 193
Hill start assist..................................... 90 I
Immobiliser........................................... 57
Indicator and warning lamp Air conditioning (malfunction) .........222
Automatic child seat recognition
(malfunction). ................................. 223
Brakes (red). ................................... 226
Engine diagnostics ..........................227
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF .........45, 223
Reserve fuel. ................................... 229
Seat belt. ........................................ 228
SRS........................................... 37, 226
Thermotronic (malfunction) ............222
Indicator and warning lamps............ 224 Index
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