MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2008 Owners Manual

Refuelling
168 Running-in notes
The first 1,500 km
If you treat the engine with sufficient care
from the very start, you will be rewarded with
excellent performance for the remainder of
the engine's life.
R You should therefore drive at varying road
and engine speeds for the first 1,500 km.
R Avoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full throt-
tle, during this time. Do not exceed 2
/ 3 of
the maximum permissible engine speed for
each gear.
R Change gear in good time.
R Do not shift down a gear manually in order
to brake.
Vehicles with AUTOTRONIC*:
R Try to avoid depressing the accelerator
pedal beyond the pressure point (kick-
down).
R Only use ranges 3,2or 1for slow driving,
e.g. in mountainous terrain.
After 1,500 km you may gradually bring the
vehicle up to full road and engine speeds. Refuelling
Refuelling
G
Risk of explosion
Fuel is highly flammable. Fire, naked flames
and smoking are therefore prohibited when
handling fuels.
Before refuelling, always turn off the
engine. G
Risk of injury
Avoid any contact with fuels.
You can damage your health if your skin
comes into direct contact with fuel or if you
inhale fuel vapours. G
Risk of fire
Do not use petrol to refuel vehicles with a
diesel engine. Never mix diesel with petrol.
This causes damage to the fuel system and
engine and could result in the vehicle catch-
ing fire.
! Do not use petrol to refuel vehicles with a
diesel engine. Do not use diesel to refuel
vehicles with a petrol engine. Even small
amounts of the wrong fuel will cause dam-
age to the injection system. Damage result- ing from adding the wrong fuel is not cov-
ered by the warranty.
! Do not start the engine if you accidentally
refuel with the wrong fuel. Otherwise, the
fuel could enter the fuel lines. This would
require draining of the fuel tank and fuel
lines. Notify a qualified specialist workshop
and have the fuel tank and fuel lines
drained completely.
When you open or close the vehicle with the
key, the fuel filler flap is automatically
unlocked or locked.
The position of the fuel filler cap is to the rear
on the right. The fuel tank filler flap is shown
in the instrument cluster 4. The arrow onOperation
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Refuelling
169
the filling pump indicates the side of the vehi-
cle. 1
To open the fuel filler flap
2 To insert the fuel cap
3 Tyre pressure table
4 Fuel type
X To open: press the fuel filler flap in the
direction of arrow 1.
X Turn the fuel filler cap to the left and
remove it.
X Insert the fuel filler cap into the holder
bracket on the inside of filler flap 2.
X Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle
switches off.
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system. X
To close: replace the fuel filler cap and turn
it clockwise. The fuel filler cap audibly
engages.
X Close the fuel filler flap.
i Vehicles with a diesel engine:
if the fuel tank has been run completely dry,
it will be necessary to bleed the fuel system
(Y page 232). Petrol (EN 228)
! Refuel using only unleaded premium
grade petrol with a minimum octane num-
ber of 95 RON/85 MON conforming to
European standard EN 228.
You could otherwise impair engine output
or damage the engine.
i As a temporary measure, only when the
recommended fuel is not available, you
may also use regular unleaded petrol,
91 RON/82.5 MO N. Thismay reduce
engine performance and increase fuel con-
sumption. Avoid driving at full throttle.
In some countries, the available petrol qual-
ity may not be adequate and could cause
coking around the inlet valve. In such
cases, and in consultation with a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre, the petrol
may be mixed with the additive recommen-
ded by Mercedes-Benz (part no.
A000989254510). You must observe the
notes and mixing ratios specified on the
container.
For further information on "Fuel" see
(Y page 292).
Turbo engines !
Refuel using only unleaded Super Plus
with a minimum octane number of
98 RON/88 MON conforming to European
standard EN 228.
You could otherwise impair engine output
or damage the engine.
i If the recommended fuel is not available
and only as a temporary measure, you may
also use premium unleaded petrol,
95 RON/85 MON. This may reduce engine
performance and increase fuel consump-
tion. You must avoid driving at full throttle. Operation
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Refuelling
170 Diesel (EN 590)
! Only use diesel that complies with the
EN 590 European standard.
You could otherwise impair engine output
or damage the engine.
You will find further information about die-
sel under "Fuel" in the index.
! When refuelling vehicles with a diesel par-
ticle filter in countries outside the EU, only
low-sulphur Euro diesel with less than
0.005 percent sulphur content by weight
should be used. In countries in which diesel
with a higher sulphur content is available
(e.g. 0.035 percent by weight), the engine
oil should be renewed at more frequent
intervals. More information about intervals
for changing the engine oil can be obtained
from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
! Using fuel that does not comply with
EN 590 can increase wear and damage the
engine and the exhaust system.
Do not use the following:
R marine diesel
R heating oil
R bio-diesel R
vegetable oil
R petrol
R paraffin
R kerosene
Do not add such fuels to diesel fuel and do
not use any special additives (exception:
flow improvers – see "Low outside temper-
atures").
Damage caused by the use of unapproved
fuels or additives is not covered by the war-
ranty.
For further information on "Fuel" see
(Y page 292).
Lo w outside temperatures The flow properties of diesel may be inade-
quate at low ambient temperatures.
To prevent operating problems, diesel fuel
with improved cold flow qualities is available
during the winter months. Your vehicle must
be refuelled with this winter diesel at temper-
atures of -5 °C or below.
You can use this winter diesel at tempera-
tures down to about -20 °C without problems.
If only summer diesel fuel or less cold-resist-
ant winter diesel fuel (e.g. in Mediterranean
regions) is available, you should add anamount of flow improver to the fuel corre-
sponding to the outside temperature.
Mix the additive with the diesel in good time,
before the flow properties of the diesel
become inadequate. Otherwise, malfunctions
can only be rectified by heating the entire fuel
system, e.g. by parking the vehicle in a heated
garage.
G
Risk of fire
Do not use petrol to refuel vehicles with a
diesel engine. Never mix diesel with petrol.
This would damage the fuel system and
engine and could result in a vehicle fire.
Flow improver
The effectiveness of a flow improver is not
guaranteed with every fuel. Observe the infor-
mation provided by the manufacturer when
using a flow improver. Only use flow improv-
ers that have been tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Information about flow
improvers that have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz can be obtained
from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Operation
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Engine compartment
171Engine compartment
Bonnet
G
Risk of accident
Do not pull the release lever while the vehi-
cle is in motion. The bonnet may otherwise
open and block your view.
Opening G
Risk of injury
There is a risk of injury if the bonnet is open,
even if the engine is not running.
Some engine components can become
very hot.
To avoid the risk of burns, only touch those
components described in the Operating
Instructions and observe the relevant
safety notes. G
Risk of injury
The radiator fan between the radiator and
the engine can start automatically, even if
the key has been removed from the ignition
lock. For this reason you must not reach
into the turning area of the fan. You can
otherwise be injured. Vehicles with a petrol engine:
The electronic ignition system uses high
voltage. For this reason, you must never
touch components of the ignition system
(ignition coil, ignition cable, spark plug con-
nector or test socket) when:
R
the engine is running
R the engine is being started
R the ignition is switched on and the engine
is being cranked by hand
Vehicles with a diesel engine:
The electronic injection control uses high
voltage. Therefore, never touch fuel injec-
tion system components when:
R the engine is running
R the engine is being started
R the ignition is switched on
X Make sure that the windscreen wipers are
switched off. G
Risk of injury
The windscreen wipers and wiper linkage
could be set in motion.
When the bonnet is open, you or others
could be injured by the wiper rods. Make sure that the windscreen wipers are
switched off and that the key has been
pulled out of the ignition lock before open-
ing the bonnet.
The bonnet release lever is located in the
driver's footwell. 1
Bonnet release lever
X Pull bonnet release lever 1.
The bonnet is released.
! Make sure that the windscreen wipers
are not folded out from the windscreen.
You could otherwise damage the wind-
screen wipers or the bonnet. Operation
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Engine compartment
172
The handle for opening the bonnet is located
above the radiator grille. 2
Bonnet catch handle
X Pull handle 2of the bonnet catch out-
wards from the radiator grille and lift the
bonnet from underneath by the radiator
grille. 3
Recess
4 Support strut
5 Bracket
X Pull support strut 4out of bracket 5.
X Swing support strut 4upwards and insert
it into yellow recess 3.
Closing G
Risk of injury
Make sure that nobody can become trap-
ped as you close the bonnet.
X Raise the bonnet slightly and remove sup-
port strut 4from yellow recess 3.
X Swing support strut 4down and press it
into bracket 5until 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.
i If the bonnet can be raised slightly, it is
not properly engaged. Open it again and
close it with a little more force. Engine oil
Depending on driving style, the vehicle con-
sumes a maximum of 0.8 l 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. You can only
estimate the oil consumption after you have
driven a considerable distance.
For further information on engine oil see
(Y page 296). Operation
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Engine compartment
173
Checking
the engine oil level To do so:
R
the vehicle should be parked on level
ground
R the engine should be switched off for at
least five minutes if the engine was at nor-
mal operating temperature.
R the engine should be switched off for at
least 30 minutes if the engine was not at
operating temperature (i.e. if you only star-
ted the engine briefly)
Using the on-board computer*
i Only possible on vehicles with a diesel
engine. A dipstick is used to check petrol
engines (Y page 174).
X Make sure that the key is in position
2(Y page 62) in the ignition lock.
X Press the jork button to select the
following message: The measurement takes a few seconds. You
will see one of the following messages in the
display:
R Engine oil level OK
R Add 1.0 litre to reach maximum oil
level
R Add 1.5 litres to reach maximum oil
level
R Add 2.0 litres to reach maximum oil
level
X Top up the oil if necessary ( Ypage 174).
Other messages in the multi-function dis-
play
If the engine is at normal operating tempera-
ture and there is too much oil, you will see the
following message: Eng. oil level
Reduce oil level
X
Have excess oil siphoned off.
! There is a risk of damage to the engine or
the catalytic converter if there is excess oil
in the engine.
If the Switch ignition on to check
engine oil level message appears:
X Turn the key to position 2(Y page 62) in
the ignition lock.
You will see the following message if you did
not observe the required waiting period:
Observe waiting period
X Repeat the measurement after about five
minutes if the engine is at normal operating
temperature.
X Repeat the measurement after about
30 minutes if the engine is not at normal
operating temperature (if the engine was
only started briefly).
The following message appears if the engine
is running:
Engine oil level Not when engine on
X Switch off the engine and wait for five
minutes if the engine is at normal operating
temperature, or for about 30 minutes if the
engine is not at normal operating temper- Operation
* optional
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Engine compartment
174ature (if the engine was only started
briefly), before measuring.
i If you wish to cancel the measurement,
press the korj button on the multi-
function steering wheel.
Using the oil dipstick Example: vehicles with a petrol engine
1
Oil dipstick
2 Maximum mark
3 Minimum mark Example: vehicles with a turbo/diesel engine
1
Oil dipstick
2 Maximum mark
3 Minimum mark
X Pull oil dipstick 1out of the oil dipstick
tube.
X Wipe off oil dipstick 1.
X Insert oil dipstick 1into the oil dipstick
tube to the stop, and take it out again.
The oil level is correct if the level is between
minimum mark 3and maximum mark
2.
X Top up the oil if necessary. Topping up the engine oil
Example: vehicles with a petrol/diesel engine
1
Cap
X Unscrew cap 1and remove it.
X Top up with the required amount of oil
(Y page 296).
i The difference in quantity between the
minimum mark and the maximum mark is
approximately 1.2 litres. On the A 160 CDI
it is approximately 1.5 litres.
! Do not add too much oil. If too much oil
is added (oil level is above the maximum
mark on the dipstick) the engine or cata-
lytic converter could be damaged. Have
excess oil siphoned off.
X Screw cap 1onto the filler neck. Operation
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Engine compartment
175H
Environmental note
When topping up the oil, take care not to
spill any. Oil must not be allowed to escape
into the soil or waterways. You would oth-
erwise be damaging the environment.
For further information on engine oil
(Y page 296). Coolant
G
Risk of injury
The cooling system is pressurised. There-
fore, only unscrew the cap once the engine
has cooled down. The coolant temperature
gauge must display less than 70 °C. You
could otherwise be scalded by escaping hot
coolant.
Coolant consists of water and antifreeze/cor-
rosion inhibitor. Only check the coolant level
when the vehicle is on a level surface and the
engine has cooled down. Checking the coolant level The coolant expansion tank is located in the
engine compartment on the right when
viewed in the direction of travel.
1
Cap
2 Coolant expansion tank
3 Marker bar
X Slowly turn cap 1half a turn anti-clock-
wise to allow excess pressure to escape.
X Turn cap 1further anti-clockwise and
remove it.
There is sufficient coolant in expansion
tank 2if the coolant is level with marker
bar 3in the filler neck when cold or
approximately 1.5 cm higher when hot. X
Top up the coolant if necessary.
X Replace cap 1and tighten all the way to
the stop.
For further information on coolant see
(Y page 297) . Windscreen washer system/head-
lamp cleaning system*
The washer fluid reservoir is located in the
engine compartment on the left-hand side of
the vehicle when viewed in the direction of
travel. The headlamp cleaning system is also
supplied from the washer fluid reservoir. 1
Cap
X Add windscreen washer concentrate to the
washer fluid all year round. Operation
* optional
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Tyres and wheels
176 G
Risk of fire
Windscreen washer fluid is highly flamma-
ble. Fire, naked flames and smoking are
prohibited when handling washer fluid con-
centrate.
X At temperatures above freezing:
fill the washer fluid reservoir with a mix of
water and windscreen washer concentrate
(Y page 175).
X At temperatures below freezing:
fill the washer fluid reservoir with a mix of
water, antifreeze additive and windscreen
washer concentrate ( Ypage 175). Adapt
the mixing ratio to the outside tempera-
tures.
X Mix the windscreen washer fluid in a con-
tainer beforehand.
! Only use windscreen washer fluid which
is suitable for plastic lamp lenses. Unsuit-
able windscreen washer fluid could dam-
age the plastic lamp lenses of the head-
lamps.
X To open: pull cap1upwards by the tab.
X To close: press cap 1onto the filler neck
until it clicks into place. Tyres and wheels
Points to remember
! For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz rec-
ommends that you only use tyres and
wheels which have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz specifically for your vehi-
cle. These tyres have been specially adap-
ted for use with the control systems, such
as ABS or ESP ®
, and are marked as follows:
R MO = Mercedes-Benz Original
R MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(with run-flat characteristics)*
*Mercedes-Benz Original Extended tyres
should only be used on wheels that have
been specifically approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
If you use other tyres and wheels,
Mercedes-Benz cannot accept any respon-
sibility for damage that may result from
this. Further information about tyres,
wheels and approved combinations can be
obtained from any Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
If you use tyres other than those tested and
recommended for Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cles, characteristics such as handling, vehi-
cle noise emissions and fuel consumption may be adversely affected. In addition, the
wheels may come into contact with the
body or axle components when heavily loa-
ded or when driving with snow chains. This
could result in damage to the tyres or the
vehicle.
! Retreaded tyres are neither tested nor
recommended by Mercedes-Benz, since
previous damage cannot always be detec-
ted on retreaded tyres. As a result,
Mercedes-Benz cannot guarantee vehicle
safety if retreaded tyres are fitted. Do not
fit used tyres if you have no information
about their previous usage. G
Risk of accident
If wheels or tyres other than those which
have been tested are fitted:
R the brakes or chassis components could
be damaged.
R wheel and tyre clearances can no longer
be guaranteed.
This could cause an accident.
Modification work on the brake system and
wheels is not permitted, nor is the use of
spacer plates or brake dust shields. This inva- Operation
* optional
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Tyres and wheels
177
lidates the General Operating Permit for the
vehicle.
Notes on selecting, fitting and replacing
tyres R
Only fit tyres and wheels of the same type
and make.
R Only fit tyres of the correct size onto the
wheels.
R After fitting new tyres, run them in at mod-
erate speeds for the first 100 km as they
only reach their full performance after this
distance.
R Fit new tyres on the front wheels first if
tyres of the same size are required on the
front and rear wheels.
R Replace the tyres after six years at the lat-
est, regardless of wear. This also applies to
the spare wheel*.
R Do not drive with tyres which have too little
tread depth as this significantly reduces
the traction on wet roads (aquaplaning).
! Store tyres that are not being used in a
cool, dry and preferably dark place. Protect
the tyres against oil, grease, petrol and die-
sel. Notes on regularly inspecting wheels
and tyres R
Regularly check the wheels and tyres of
your vehicle for damage (e.g. cuts, punctu-
res, tears, bulges on tyres and deformation,
cracks or severe corrosion on wheels), at
least every 14 days, as well as after driving
off-road or on rough roads. Damaged
wheels could cause a loss of tyre pressure.
R Regularly check the tyre tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the whole
width of the tyre (Y page 178). If neces-
sary, turn the front wheels to full lock in
order to inspect the inner side of the tyre
surface.
R All wheels must have a valve cap to protect
the valve against dirt and moisture.
R Regularly check the pressure of all your
tyres including the spare tyre*, particularly
prior to long trips, and correct the pressure
as necessary (Y page 178).
Notes on driving R
While driving, pay attention to vibrations,
noises and unusual handling characteris-
tics, e.g. pulling to one side. This may indi-
cate that the wheels or tyres are damaged.
If you suspect that a tyre is defective, reduce your speed and stop the vehicle as
soon as possible to check the wheels and
tyres for damage. Hidden tyre damage
could also be causing the unusual handling
characteristics. If you find no signs of dam-
age, have the wheels and tyres examined
at a specialist workshop, for example at a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
R When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tyres do not get deformed by the kerb
or other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive
over kerbs, speed humps or similar, try to
do so slowly and at an obtuse angle. Oth-
erwise, the tyres, particularly the sidewalls,
could get damaged. Direction of rotation
Tyres with a specified direction of rotation
have additional benefits, e.g. if there is a risk
of aquaplaning. You will only gain these ben-
efits if the correct direction of rotation is
observed.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tyre indicates
its correct direction of rotation.
i You may fit a spare tyre *against the
direction of rotation. Operation
* optional
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