MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2008 Owners Manual
Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ, Model Year: 2008, Model line: A-CLASS HATCHBACK, Model: MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2008Pages: 305, PDF Size: 5.43 MB
Page 221 of 305

Display
messages 218 Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
. Main-beam left
or
Main-beam right Vehicles with light and visibility pack-
age*: the left-hand or right-hand high
beam is fa
ulty. X
Change the bulb (Y page 245).. Licence plate lamp Vehicles with the lights and visibility pack-
age*: the left-hand or right-hand licence
plate lamp is faulty. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. . Switch off lights The light is switched on when you leave
the vehicle. X
Turn the light switch to MorU.
or
X If the rear foglamp is switched on: press the
light switch in to the stop. . Foglamp left
or
Foglamp right Vehicles with the lights and visibility pack-
age*: the left-hand or right-hand fog-
lamp* is faulty. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. . Left-hand Tail
lamp/rear foglamp
or
Right-hand Tail
lamp/rear foglamp Vehicles with lights and visibility pack-
age*: the tail lamp or the rear foglamp is
faulty. X
Change the bulb (Y page 245).. Parking lamp front
left
or
Parking lamp front
right Vehicles with the lights and visibility pack-
age*: the front left-hand or front right-
hand parking lamp is faulty. X
Change the bulb (Y page 245).Practical advice
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
wdomann
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-07-16T08:52:06+02:00 - Seite 218 Dateiname: 6515_0315_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight
Page 222 of 305

Display
messages 219Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
. Reversing lamp
left
or
Reversing lamp
right Vehicles with lights and visibility pack-
age*: the left-hand or right-hand reversing
light is fa
ulty. X
Change the bulb (Y page 245). N Add 1.0 litreof
engine oil when
next refuelling Vehicles with a diesel engine: the oil level
is too low. X
Check the oil level (Y page 173).
X If necessary, top up the motor oil.
X Have the engine checked for leaks if the engine
oil needs topping up more often than usual. N Engine oil pres-
sure Stop car, turn
eng. off Vehicles with a petrol engine: the engine
oil pressure is too low. There is a risk of
engine damage. X
Stop in accordance with traffic conditions.
X Switch off the engine.
X Check the oil level (Y page 173).
X If necessary, top up the motor oil. N Eng. oil level
Check level Vehicles with a petrol engine: the oil level
is too low. X
Check the oil level (Y page 173).
X If necessary, top up the motor oil.
X Have the engine checked for leaks if the engine
oil needs topping up more often than usual. N Eng. oil level Stop
car, turn eng. off Vehicles with a diesel engine: the oil level
is too low. There is a risk of engine dam-
age. X
Stop in accordance with traffic conditions.
X Switch off the engine.
X Top up the engine oil and check the level
(Y page 173). Practical advice
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
wdomann
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-07-16T08:52:06+02:00 - Seite 219 ZDateiname: 6515_0315_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight
Page 223 of 305

Display
messages 220 Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
N Engine oil level
Reduce oil level Vehicles with a diesel engine:
you have
added too much engine oil. There is a risk
of damage to the engine or to the catalytic
converter. X
Siphon off excess engine oil until it is at the
specified level. Observe the legal require-
ments. N Cannot measure oil
level Vehicles with a diesel engine: the meas-
uring system is faulty. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. I Key does not belong
to vehicle You have put the wrong key in the ignition
lock. X
Use the correct key. I Remove key The key is in the ignition lock. X
Remove the key. I Replace key The key needs to be replaced. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Ñ SPEEDTRONIC inop-
erative
Speedtronic* and cruise control* are
faulty. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ¿ There is only a small amount of fuel in the
fuel tank. X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. 4 Reserve fuel level The fuel level has fallen below the reserve
range. X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. t Enter PIN You have not yet logged on to your mobile
phone*. X
Enter the PIN for the SIM card. Practical advice
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
wdomann
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-07-16T08:52:06+02:00 - Seite 220 Dateiname: 6515_0315_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight
Page 224 of 305

Display
messages 221Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
t Bluetooth ready The Bl
uetooth connection between your
mobile phone and the audio system* or
COMAND APS* is not activated. X
If desired, activate the Bluetooth connection
between the mobile phone and the audio sys-
tem* or COMAND APS* (see separate operat-
ing instructions). t No telephone Your mobile phone is not inserted in the
bracket*. X
Insert the mobile phone into the
bracket* (Y page 164). W Top up washer fluid
Vehicles with bi-xenon headlamps
*:The
washer fluid level in the washer fluid res-
ervoir has dropped below the minimum. X
Top up the windscreen washer fluid
(Y page 175). Practical advice
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
wdomann,
Version: 2.10.6
2008-07-16T08:52:06+02:00 - Seite 221 ZDateiname: 6515_0315_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight
Page 225 of 305

Troubleshooting
222 Troubleshooting
Points to remember
G
Risk of accident and injury
If maintenance work is carried out incorrectl y this can jeopardise the operating safety of your vehicle. You risk losing control of your vehicle
and thereby causing an accident. The safety systems may also no longer be able to protect you or others as they are designed to do.
Always have maintenance work carried out at a qualified specialist workshop which has the necessary specialist knowledge and tools to
carry out the work required.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this purpose.
In particular, all work relevant to safety or on safety-related systems must be carried out at a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps in switches and buttons
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
One or all of the indicator lamps
in the seat heating* button are
flashing. The seat heating* has
switched itself off automatically. The on-board voltage is too low,
because too many consumers are
switched on. X
Switch off consumers that are not required, e. g. reading lamp or
interior lighting.
Once the battery is sufficiently charged, the seat ventilation* will
switch back on automatically. The indicator lamp in the
2
button on the air-conditioning*/
Thermotronic* control panel
lights up. The cooling system can-
not be switched on. Cooling has been deactivated
due to a malfunction. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Practical advice
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
wdomann
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-07-16T08:52:06+02:00 - Seite 222 Dateiname: 6515_0315_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight
Page 226 of 305

Troubleshooting
223Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
The indicator lamp in the
F/
1 rear-window heating button
is flashing. The rear-window heat-
ing has switched itself off prema-
turely or cannot be switched on. The on-board voltage is too low,
because too many consumers are
switched on. X
Switch off consumers that are not required, e. g. reading lamp or
interior lighting.
Once the batter y is sufficiently charged, the rear window heating
will switch back on automatically. Vehicles with automatic child
seat recognition on the front-
passenger seat:
The
5 PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF warning lamp on the centre
console is lit. A special Mercedes-Benz child
seat with automatic child seat
recognition has been fitted to the
front-passenger seat. The front-
passenger airbag has therefore
been disabled as desired.
G
Risk of injury
There is no child seat fitted to the
front-passenger seat. The auto-
matic child seat recognition is
malfunctioning. X
Remove electronic equipment from the front-passenger seat, for
example
R
notebook
R mobile phone
R cards with transponders, e.g. ski passes or access passes
If the 5 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning lamp is still lit:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. You have started the engine with
the key. The indicator lamp in the
ECO start/stop function *button
does not light up or goes out
again after a short time. You have deactivated the ECO
start/stop function
*. X
Activate the ECO start/stop function* again. The ECO start/stop function*is
not available due to a fault. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Practical advice
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
wdomann,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-07-16T08:52:06+02:00 - Seite 223 ZDateiname: 6515_0315_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight
Page 227 of 305

Troubleshooting
224 Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
-
Theyellow ABS warning
lamp comes on while the
engine is running. G
Risk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) is
deactivated due to a fault. There-
fore, ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program), BAS (Brake Assist), the
steering assistant STEER CON-
TROL, the hill start assist and the
tyre pressure loss warning sys-
tem are also deactivated.
The brake system continues to
function normally, but without
electronic support. The wheels
could therefore lock if you brake
hard.
If the ABS control unit is faulty,
other systems may also not be
available: e.g. Parktronic sys-
tem*, the navigation system* or
the Autotronic*. X
Drive on carefully.
X Observe the additional messages in the multi-function display
(Y page 202).
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. -
The yellow ABS warning
lamp comes on while the
engine is running. G
Risk of accident
The on-board voltage is too low.
ABS has been deactivated due to
undervoltage. X
Switch off consumers that are not required, e g. reading lamps or
interior lighting.
ABS will be available again as soon as the vehicle's electrical sys-
tem voltage increases. Practical advice
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
wdomann
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-07-16T08:52:06+02:00 - Seite 224 Dateiname: 6515_0315_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight
Page 228 of 305

Troubleshooting
225Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
Therefore, ESP
®
, BAS, the steer-
ing assistant STEER CONTROL,
hill start assist and the tyre pres-
sure loss warning system are also
deactivated.
The brake system continues to
function normall y, but without
electronic support. The wheels
could therefore lock if you brake
hard. v
The yellow ESP ®
warning
lamp is lit while the engine
is running. In addition, a
message appears in the
multi-function display. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
is unavailable due to a mal-
function.
The following systems have also
been deactivated:
R BAS
R the steering assistant STEER
CONTROL
R hill start assist
R the tyre pressure loss warning
system
The braking system remains
available with full brake boosting
effect but without the above func-
tions. X
Observe the additional messages in the multi-function display
(Y page 202).
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Practical advice
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
wdomann
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-07-16T08:52:06+02:00 - Seite 225 ZDateiname: 6515_0315_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight
Page 229 of 305

Troubleshooting
226 Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
v
Theyellow ESP ®
warning
lamp flashes while the
vehicle is in motion. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
or traction control has
intervened because there is a risk
of skidding or at least one wheel
has started to spin. X
Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as necessary when pull-
ing away.
X Release the accelerator pedal while you are driving.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
. 1
The red SRS warning lamp
is lit while the engine is
running. G
Risk of injury
There is a malfunction in the
restraint system. The airbags or
belt tensioners may either be trig-
gered unintentionally or, in the
event of an accident, not be trig-
gered at all. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. 1
The red SRS warning lamp
is lit while the engine is
running. In addition, the
indicator lamp 5
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
flashes in the centre con-
sole and a warning tone
sounds. The connector on the removable
front-passenger seat* is
detached. X
Attach the connector to the coupling on the seat (Y page 156).H
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while you are driving. A
warning tone also sounds. You are driving with the parking
brake applied. X
Release the parking brake.
The warning lamp goes out and the warning tone ceases. Practical advice
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
wdomann
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-07-16T08:52:06+02:00 - Seite 226 Dateiname: 6515_0315_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight
Page 230 of 305

Troubleshooting
227Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
H
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning. G
Risk of accident
There is insufficient brake fluid in
the fluid reservoir. X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely, pa ying attention to road and
traffic conditions. Do not continue driving under any circumstan-
ces.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
X Observe the additional messages in the multi-function display
(Y page 202).
Do not top up the brake fluid. This will not rectify the fault. ±
The yellow engine diagnos-
tics warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning. Vehicles with a diesel engine: the
fuel tank has been run dry. X
Start the engine three to four times after refuelling.
Emergency running mode is cancelled. The vehicle need not be
checked. ±
The yellow engine diagnos-
tics warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning. There may be a fault, for example
R
in the engine management
R in the ignition system
R in the exhaust system
R in the ignition system (for vehi-
cles with petrol engines)
The emission limit values may be
exceeded and the engine can run
in emergency mode. X
Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. Practical advice
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
wdomann
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-07-16T08:52:06+02:00 - Seite 227 ZDateiname: 6515_0315_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight