trailer MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2008 User Guide

Driving sys
tems 124
Use Active parking assist for parking spaces
R that are parallel to the direction of travel.
R that are on straight roads, not bends.
R that are on the same level as the road, i.e.
not on the pavement, for example;
Parking tips:
R On narrow roads, drive as close to the park-
ing space as possible.
R Parking spaces which are littered, over-
grown or partially occupied by trailer tow-
bars might not be identified properly.
R Snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately.
R Pay attention to the Parktronic warning
messages during the parking procedure
(Y page 121).
R You can intervene in the steering procedure
to correct it at any time. Active parking
assist will then be cancelled.
R When transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle you should not use Active
parking assist.
R Never use active parking assist when snow
chains or an emergency spare wheel* are
fitted. R
Make sure that the tyre pressures are
always correct. This has a direct influence
on the parking characteristics of the vehi-
cle.
R The way your vehicle is positioned in the
parking space after parking is dependent
on various factors. These include the posi-
tion and shape of the vehicles parked in
front and behind it as well as the condition
of the location. In some cases, Active park-
ing assist may guide you too far into a park-
ing space, or not far enough into it. In some
cases it may also lead you across or onto
the kerb. If necessary, you should abort the
parking procedure with Active parking
assist.
R You can also engage forward gear prema-
turely. The vehicle redirects and does not
drive as far into the parking space Should
a gear be changed too early to achieve a
sensible parking position, the parking pro-
cedure will be aborted.
! When unavoidable, you should drive over
obstacles such as kerbs slowly and not at
a sharp angle. Otherwise you may damage
the wheel rims or tyres. Detecting parking spaces Active parking assist is switched on automat-
ically when driving forwards. The system is
operational at speeds of up to approximately
35 km/h. While in operation, the system inde-
pendently locates and measures parking
spaces on both sides of the vehicle. When
driving at speeds below 35 km/h, you will see
the parking symbol as a status indicator in the
instrument cluster. Active parking assist only
displays parking spaces on the front-
passenger side as standard. Parking spaces
on the driver's side are displayed as soon as
the turn signal on the driver's side is activa-
ted. If you wish to park in a space on the driv-
er's side, the indicator on the driver's side
must remain on. This must remain switched
on until you acknowledge the use of Active
parking assist by pressing the
jbutton on
the multi-function steering wheel.
When a parking space has been detected, an
arrow towards the right or the left also
appears. Controls
* optional
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Driving sys
tems 127
A warning tone sounds. the multi-function
display shows the message:
Park Assist
cancelled.
When active parking assist is cancelled, you
must steer again yourself.
Trailer towing* For vehicles with a trailer coupling, the mini-
mum length for parking spaces is slightly
increased.
If you have attached a trailer to your vehicle,
you should not use active parking assist.
Once the electrical connection is established
between your vehicle and the trailer, active
parking assist is no longer available. Park-
tronic is deactivated for the rear area. ECO start/stop function*
The ECO start/stop function automatically
switches off the engine as soon as you stop
the vehicle and restarts the engine as soon as
you prepare to pull away again. Each time the
engine is started using the key, the ECO
start/stop function is activated.
Conditions for the automatic engine
switch-off The ECO start/stop function automatically
switches off the engine if all of the following
conditions are met:
R you have shifted to neutral
R the clutch pedal is not depressed
R the brake pedal is depressed
R the vehicle speed is very low
R the engine has reached its operating tem-
perature
R the indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit
green
R the bonnet is closed
R the outside temperature is within the com-
fort range R
the battery is sufficiently charged
R the brake vacuum is stable
Conditions for the automatic engine
start The ECO start/stop function automatically
switches on the engine if one of the following
conditions is met:
R
the brake pedal is released
R the clutch pedal is depressed
R the vehicle speed exceeds a certain thresh-
old
R the ECO button is pressed
R the brake vacuum has decreased
R the battery charge has dropped
R the demister function of Thermotronic *is
selected Controls
* optional
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167
Running-in notes
............................... 168
Refuelling ........................................... 168
Engine compartment ........................171
Tyres and wheels .............................. 176
Winter driving ................................... 181
Driving tips ........................................ 183
Driving abroad ................................... 185
Trailer towing* .................................. 186
Service ............................................... 191
Care .................................................... 192 Operation
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Tyres and wheels
180 fully. Do not make any sudden steering
movements when doing so.
The function of the tyre pressure loss warning
system is limited or delayed if:
R snow chains are fitted to your vehicle's
tyres.
R road conditions are wintry.
R you are driving on sand or gravel.
R you adopt a very sporty driving style (cor-
nering at high speeds or driving with high
rates of acceleration).
R you are towing a very heavy or large trailer.
R you are driving with a heavy load (in the
vehicle or on the roof).
Restarting the tyre pressure loss warn-
ing system Restart the tyre pressure loss warning system
if you have:
R changed the tyre pressure
R changed the wheels or tyres
R fitted new wheels or tyres
X Before restarting, consult the table of tyre
pressures on the inside of the fuel filler flap
to ensure that the tyre pressure in all four tyres is set correctly for the operating con-
ditions concerned.
X Also observe the notes in the section on
tyre pressures ( Ypage 178). G
Risk of accident
The tyre pressure loss warning system can
only give reliable warnings if you have set
the correct tyre pressure.
If an incorrect tyre pressure is set, these
incorrect values will be monitored.
A tyre with insufficient pressure results in
vehicle instability when driving, thus
increasing the risk of an accident.
X Make sure that the key is in position
2(Y page 62) in the ignition lock.
You will see the following message on the
standard screen of the multi-function dis-
play (Y page 100)
X Press korj to select the tyre pres-
sure function:
Run Flat Indicator active
Menu: R-Button
X Press the reset button on the left of the
instrument cluster.
The following message appears in the
multi-function display: Restart Run Flat Indicat.? Yes Can-
cel
If you wish to confirm the restart:
X Press the æbutton.
The following message appears in the
multi-function display:
Run Flat Indicator restarted
After a teach-in period, the tyre pressure
loss warning system will monitor the set
tyre pressures of all four tyres.
If you wish to cancel the restart:
X Press the çbutton.
or
X Wait until the message
Restart Run Flat Indicator?
Yes Cancel disappears.
The tyre pressure values stored at the last
restart will continue to be monitored. Operation
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Driving
tips 183
X
Vehicles with manual transmission: engage
neutral.
X Vehicles with AUTOTRONIC*: shift the
selector lever to N.
X Try to bring the vehicle under control using
corrective steering. Driving tips
Rolling with the engine switched off
G
Risk of accident
Never switch the engine off while the vehi-
cle is in motion.
There is no power assistance for the steer-
ing and the service brake when the engine
is not running.
You will require considerably more effort to
steer and brake and, therefore, you could
lose control of the vehicle and cause an
accident. Braking
G
Risk of accident
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This
could cause the drive wheels to lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid. G
Risk of accident
Make sure that other road users are not
endangered by your braking. Downhill gradients On long and steep downhill stretches, espe-
cially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer,
you must shift to a lower gear in good time or,
on vehicles with AUTOTRONIC*, select shift
range
1,2or 3.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control* or Speedtronic *.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to maintain
the speed. This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly. If you need
additional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously.
Heavy and light loads If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but
drive on for a short while. This allows the air-
flow to cool the brakes more quickly.
G
Risk of accident
Never depress the brake pedal continu-
ously while the vehicle is in motion, e.g.
never cause the brakes to rub by applying
constant slight pedal pressure. This causes
the brake system to overheat, increases Operation
* optional
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Trailer towing*
186 Trailer towing*
Fitting the ball coupling
X Make a note of the ball coupling key num-
ber.
i You can use this number to obtain a
replacement key from a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre. G
Risk of injury
If the ball coupling does not engage prop-
erly when it is attached, the vehicle/trailer
combination is not secured and could
become detached. You could therefore
cause an accident. Attach the ball coupling
carefully and make sure that it engages.
Vehicles without ECO start/stop func-
tion: the attachable ball coupling is on the
right of the stowage compartment in the lug-
gage compartment (Y page 161).
X Open the stowage compartment on the
right-hand side of the luggage compart-
ment.
X Fold the trim downwards. Vehicles without ECO start/stop function
1
Ball coupling
2 Retainer strap
X Undo retainer strap 2.
X Remove ball coupling 1from the ball cou-
pling recess.
Vehicles with ECO start/stop function*:
the attachable ball coupling is in the ball cou-
pling recess in the stowage well underneath
the luggage compartment floor
(Y page 201).
X Open the luggage compartment floor. Vehicles with ECO start/stop function
1
Ball coupling
2 Ball coupling recess
X Remove ball coupling 1from the ball cou-
pling recess.2 1
Protective cap Operation
* optional
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Trailer towing*
187
X
Pull protective cap 1down in the direction
of the arrow out of the ball coupling recess.
X Place protective cap 1into the ball cou-
pling recess. 1
Key
2 Protective cap
X Pull protective cap 2off the lock in the
handwheel.
X Insert key 1into the ignition lock.
The red mark on the handwheel must be
aligned with the green area on the ball cou-
pling (fitting position). If this is not the case:
X Turn key 1in the direction of the arrow.
The key is released. 3
Ball coupling recess
4 Handwheel
X Pull handwheel 4away from the ball cou-
pling and turn it clockwise until it engages.
The green area on the ball coupling is
aligned with the red mark on the hand-
wheel.
X Insert the ball coupling in the direction of
the arrow into ball coupling recess 3until
it engages.
Handwheel 4turns so that green mark
5 on the handwheel is aligned with green
area 6on the ball coupling. 1
Key
2 Protective cap
5 Green mark on the handwheel
6 Green area on the ball coupling
X Turn key 1to the stop in the direction of
the arrow to lock.
X Remove key 1.
X Press protective cap 2onto the lock.
i You can store the key in the ball coupling
stowage compartment in the luggage com-
partment. Operation
* optional
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Trailer towing*
1881
Trailer power socket
X Fold trailer power socket 1down. G
Risk of accident
The ball coupling is only securely mounted
when the green mark on the handwheel is
aligned with the green area on the ball cou-
pling and the key can be removed. If the ball
coupling is not securely mounted, it may
come loose.
The ball coupling must be locked and the
key must be removed when towing a trailer.
This is the only way to guarantee that the
ball coupling is secured and cannot come
loose while the vehicle is in motion. If the
ball coupling cannot be locked and the key
cannot be removed, remove the ball cou-
pling and clean it. If the ball coupling can still not be fitted
(locked) after it has been cleaned, remove
the ball coupling. The trailer coupling must
then not be used to tow a trailer, as safe
operation is not guaranteed.
Have the entire trailer coupling checked at
a qualified specialist workshop. Mercedes-
Benz recommends that you use a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this pur-
pose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be car-
ried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
Notes on towing a trailer
G
Risk of accident
When reversing the vehicle towards the
trailer, make sure there is nobody between
the trailer and the vehicle.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If
you do not couple the trailer to the towing
vehicle correctly, the trailer could become
detached.
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded: R
the permissible trailer drawbar nose-
weight
R the permissible trailer load
R the permissible rear axle load of the tow-
ing vehicle
R the maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
You will find the applicable permissible val-
ues, which must not be exceeded, in the
vehicle documents.
You will find the values approved by the
manufacturer on the vehicle identification
plates and those for the towing vehicle in
the "Technical data" section.
You will find installation dimensions and loads
in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 290).
The maximum permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight on the ball coupling is 75 kg.
However, the actual drawbar load must not
exceed the value given on the trailer coupling
and trailer identification plates. The lowest
weight applies.
! Use a noseweight as close as possible to
the maximum permissible noseweight. Do Operation
* optional
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Trailer towing*
189
not use a noseweight of less than 50 kg,
otherwise the trailer may come loose.
Bear in mind that the payload and the rear
axle load are reduced by the actual nose-
weight.
i The height of the ball coupling changes
with the load of the vehicle. If necessary,
use a trailer with a height-adjustable draw-
bar.
Coupling up a trailer G
Risk of injury
Do not connect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your hand could
become trapped between the bumper and
drawbar.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise your
vehicle could be damaged by the spring
action of the overrun brake.
X Position the trailer level behind the vehicle.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electrical connection
between the vehicle and the trailer. Driving tips In Germany, the maximum permitted speed
for vehicle/trailer combinations is 80 km/h.
G
Risk of accident
A maximum speed of 80 km/h should not
be exceeded, even in countries where
higher speeds are permitted for vehicle/
trailer combinations. This lowers the risk of
an accident.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
to when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R consumes more fuel
On long and steep downhill gradients, you
must select a lower gear in good time, or in
vehicles with AUTOTRONIC*, select shift
range 1,2or 3. i
This also applies if you have activated
cruise control* or Speedtronic*.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to maintain
the speed. This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly. If you need
additional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously. G
Risk of accident
Never depress the brake pedal continu-
ously while the vehicle is in motion, e.g.
never cause the brakes to rub by applying
constant slight pedal pressure. This causes
the brake system to overheat, increases
the braking distance and can lead to the
brakes failing completely.
Driving tips
R Maintain a greater distance from the vehi-
cle in front than when driving without a
trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas, Operation
* optional
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Trailer towing*
190note that the power output of the engine,
and consequently the vehicle's gradient-
climbing capability, decrease with increas-
ing altitude.
If the trailer swings from side to side:
X Do not accelerate.
X Do not counter-steer.
X Brake if necessary. G
Risk of accident
On no account should you attempt to draw
the vehicle/trailer combination out by
increasing speed. Removing the ball coupling
X Pull the protective cap off the lock in the
handwheel.
X Insert the key into the lock in the hand-
wheel.
X Turn the key clockwise.
The lock is unlocked.
X Hold the ball coupling. Pull the handwheel
away from the ball coupling and turn it
clockwise until it engages.
The green area on the ball coupling is
aligned with the red mark on the hand-
wheel. X
Pull out the ball coupling downwards.
X Clean the ball coupling if it is dirty.
X Vehicles without ECO start/stop func-
tion*: open the stowage compartment on
the right of the luggage compartment.
X Fold the trim downwards.
X Vehicles with start/stop function*:
open the luggage compartment floor.
X Remove the protective cap from the ball
coupling recess.
X Press the protective cap into the ball cou-
pling recess until it engages.
Storing the ball coupling X
Store the ball coupling with the key inser-
ted in the ball coupling recess.
X Vehicle without ECO start/stop func-
tion: Secure the ball coupling in place using
the retainer strap. G
Risk of accident
Never transport an unsecured ball coupling
in the interior of the vehicle.
Otherwise, vehicle occupants could be
injured by the ball coupling being thrown if
you: R
brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R have an accident Trailer po
wer supply
When it leaves the factory, your vehicle's
trailer socket outlet is equipped with a per-
manent power supply and a power supply that
is switched on via the ignition lock.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 9.
The power supply that is switched on via the
ignition lock is supplied via trailer socket pin
10.
! You can connect consumers with a power
rating of up to 240 W to the permanent
power supply and up to 180 W to the power
supply that is switched on via the ignition
lock.
You must not charge a trailer battery using
the power supply.
The trailer's turn signal lamps are only guar-
anteed to function when bulbs are used.
You can obtain further information about
installing the trailer electrics from a qualified Operation
* optional
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