ESP MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2008 Owner's Manual

Driving and pa
rking 90
Hill start assist Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
on uphill gradients. It holds the vehicle for a
short time after you have removed your foot
from the brake pedal. This gives you enough
time to move your foot from the brake pedal
to the accelerator pedal and depress it before
the vehicle begins to roll. G
Risk of accident
Never leave the vehicle when it is held by
hill start assist. After approximately one
second, hill start assist will no longer brake
your vehicle and it could roll away.
X Remove your foot from the brake pedal.
i Once you have taken your foot off the
brake pedal, the vehicle is held for around
one second.
X Pull away.
Hill start assist does not function if:
R you are pulling away on a level road or a
downhill gradient.
R on vehicles with AUTOTRONIC *,the selec-
tor lever is in the Nposition. R
the vehicle is secured with the parking
brake.
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning. Parking
G
Risk of accident
Only remove the key from the ignition lock
when the vehicle is stationary as you can-
not steer the vehicle with the key removed.
Never leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle. They could release the parking
brake. This could lead to a serious or fatal
accident. G
Risk of fire
Make sure that the exhaust system does
not under any circumstances come into
contact with easily ignitable material such
as dry grass or petrol. The material could
otherwise ignite and set the vehicle on fire. Parking brake 1
Parking brake
2 Release button
X To apply: pull parking brake 1up firmly.
The 3 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up if the engine is running.
i On steep slopes, turn the front wheels
towards the kerb. Controls
* optional
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Transmission
93
6-speed manual transmission
Vehicles without ECO Start-Stop-Function* (6-
speed manual transmission)
!
When shifting between 5thand 6thgear,
you should always push the gear lever all
the way to the right. You could otherwise
shift unintentionally into 3rdor4th gear
and damage the transmission.
Do not exceed the maximum speed for the
individual gears.
If you shift down at too high a speed (trans-
mission braking), this can cause the engine
to overrev, leading to engine damage.
! On long and steep downhill gradients,
especially when the vehicle is laden, you
must shift to a lower gear in time. This will use the braking effect of the engine, so less
braking will be required to prevent the vehi-
cle from gaining speed. This relieves the
load on the brake system and prevents the
brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly.
Engaging reverse gear
! Only engage reverse gear when the vehi-
cle is stationary, otherwise the transmis-
sion could be damaged.
X Pull the gear lever up, move it to the left and
then back.
Gearshift indicator (BlueEFFI-
CIENCY*vehicles) i
Observing the gearshift indicator in the
instrument cluster's multi-function display
will help you to improve the fuel economy
of your vehicle. 1
Upshift indicator
X Shift up or down a gear when the corre-
sponding indicator appears in the instru-
ment cluster's multi-function display.
The shift indicator is meant as a recommen-
dation for an economical driving style. How-
ever, always observe traffic conditions, as
your driving style is determined, in the first
instance, by the traffic situation. Controls
* optional
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Transmission
95ë
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels. Releas-
ing the brakes will allow you to
move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP
®
is deactivated or faulty:
only move the selector lever to Nif
the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
e.g. on icy roads. ê
Drive
The transmission selects the opti-
mum gear ratio automatically for
forward mode.
One-touch gearshifting (manual opera-
tion) When the selector lever is in position
D, you
can select the seven gears yourself.
Activating manual operation
X Press the selector lever lightly to the left
towards D-or to the right towards D+.
M is shown in the multi-function display.
Manual operation is activated. X
To shift down: briefly press the selector
lever to the left towards D–.
The transmission shifts down to the next
gear, depending on the gear currently
selected.
i To prevent the engine from overrevving,
the transmission does not shift down if you
push the selector lever towards D–while
driving at too high a speed.
i AUTOTRONIC shifts down automatically if
the engine speed reaches the lower speed
range for the gear currently selected.
X To shift up: briefly press the selector lever
to the right towards D+.
The transmission shifts up to the next gear,
depending on the gear currently selected.
i If the upper engine speed limit for the gear
currently engaged is reached and you con-
tinue to accelerate, AUTOTRONIC shifts up
automatically.
X To select the ideal gear: press and hold
the selector lever to the left towards D–.
The transmission will shift to a range which
allows ideal acceleration and deceleration.
To do this, the transmission will shift down
one or more gears. Deactivating manual operation
X Press and hold the selector lever towards
D+ until Dis shown again in the multi-func-
tion display.
The transmission shifts from the current
gear to D.
Or:
X Briefly press the program selector button
next to the selector lever.
The letter for the last selected drive pro-
gram Cor Sis shown again in the multi-
function display. The transmission shifts
from the current gear to D.
i If you restart the engine and Mmanual
operation is selected, AUTOTRONIC shifts
into the automatic drive program Cor S. If
automatic drive program Cor Shas been
selected, the automatic transmission will
resume the relevant drive program when
you restart the engine. Controls
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On-board computer
98 Resetting the trip meter
X Select the Standard display menu
(Y page 103).
X Press and hold the reset button on the left-
hand side of the instrument cluster until the
trip meter is reset. Rev counter
The red band in the rev counter indicates the
engine's overrevving range. The fuel supply is
interrupted to protect the engine when the
red band is reached.
! Do not drive in the overrevving range.
Doing so will damage the engine. H
Environmental note
Avoid driving at high engine speeds, as this
increases your vehicle's consumption
unnecessarily and pollutes the environ-
ment through increased emissions. Clock
On vehicles without an audio system or with
Audio 5*/Audio 20*, you can set the time
using the on-board computer (Y page 109). Outside temperature display
G
Risk of accident
The road surface may be icy, especially in
wooded areas or on bridges, even if tem-
peratures are just above freezing point. The
vehicle could skid if you fail to adapt your
driving style. You should therefore always
adapt your driving style and speed to suit
the weather conditions.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay. On-board computer
Points to remember
The on-board computer is activated as soon
as you turn the key to position 1in the ignition
lock. You can use the on-board computer to
call up information relating to your vehicle
and to make and adjust settings. G
Risk of accident
Only use the on-board computer when road
and traffic conditions permit. You would
otherwise be distracted and unable to con-
centrate properly on driving, and could
cause an accident. Multi-function steering wheel
You can control the multi-function display and
the settings in the on-board computer using
the buttons on the multi-function steering
wheel. Controls
* optional
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On-board computer
109
X
Press the æorç button to select the
status line display: outside temperature
(Outside temp. ) or speed (Speed).
The selected display now appears con-
stantly in the lower multi-function display.
When you scroll through the Operation
menu (Y page 102), you will see the display
you have not selected.
X Press the j,èorÿ button to
select a different display.
Setting the date and time Your vehicle may be equipped with one of the
following audio systems*:
A:
Audio 5* or Audio 20*
B: Audio 50 APS*
C: COMAND APS*
X You can see which audio system *is fitted
in your vehicle by referring to the separate
operating instructions.
Depending on the audio system*, the time
and date are received from GPS satellites and
cannot be set using the on-board computer
(see the following table). A B C
Set using the on-board com-
puter X
Automatic GPS satellite recep-
tion X X
X
Press the èor· button to select the
Settings menu.
X Press the jbutton to select submenus.
X Press the æorç button to select the
Time/Date submenu.
Setting the time
X Press the jbutton to select Time
Hours (orTime Minutes).
X Press the æorç button to set a
value. Setting the date
X
Press the jbutton to select Date Set
day (orDate Set month orDate Set
year ).
X Press the æorç button to set the
date.
X Press the j,èorÿ button to
select a different display.
Setting constant headlamp mode (day-
time driving lights) When you activate constant headlamp mode
and the light switch is set to
MorU,
the parking lamps, dipped-beam headlamps
and licence plate lighting are switched on
automatically when the engine is running.
Turning the light switch to a different position
switches on the corresponding lights. Turn
the light switch to BorU first if you
wish to switch off constant headlamp mode
while driving in the dark.
In countries in which constant headlamp
mode is a legal requirement, Constantis the
factory setting.
X Press the èor· button to select the
Settings menu.
X Press the jbutton to select submenus. Controls
* optional
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Driving sys
tems 115Driving systems
Overview of driving systems
The vehicle's driving systems are described
on the following pages:
R Cruise control* and Speedtronic*, which
are used to control the speed of the vehicle
R Parktronic * and active parking assist*,
which can help you to find a parking space,
to manoeuvre and park
R ECO Start-Stop function*, helps you to
save fuel
The ABS, BAS, adaptive brake lights, ESP ®
and STEER CONTROL driving safety systems
are described in the "Driving safety systems"
section ( Ypage 55). Cruise control*
Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. You must select a low gear in
good time on long and steep downhill gradi-
ents, especially if the vehicle is laden or tow-
ing a trailer. By doing so you will make use of
the braking effect of the engine, which
relieves the load on the brake system and
prevents the brakes from overheating and
wearing too 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
the braking distance and can lead to the
brakes failing completely. 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.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 30 km/h. G
Risk of accident
Cruise control cannot take account of road
and traffic conditions.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions
even when cruise control is activated.
Cruise control is only an aid designed to
assist driving. You are responsible for the
vehicle's speed and for braking in good
time. G
Risk of accident
Do not use cruise control:
R in road and traffic conditions which do
not allow you to maintain a constant
speed (e.g. heavy traffic or winding
roads). You could otherwise cause an
accident.
R on slippery roads. Braking or accelerat-
ing could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid.
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to
fog, heavy rain or snow
Cruise control lever You can operate cruise control and variable
Speedtronic with the cruise control lever. Controls
* optional
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Driving sys
tems 117
Setting a speed X
Press the cruise control lever up 1for a
higher speed or down 4for a lower speed.
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed until
the desired speed is reached.
X Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is stored.
i Cruise control is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. For exam-
ple, if you accelerate briefly to overtake,
cruise control adjusts the vehicle's speed
to the last speed stored after you have fin-
ished overtaking.
i Vehicles with AUTOTRONIC*:
When you decelerate the vehicle using the
cruise control lever, AUTOTRONIC changes
down if deceleration is insufficient.
Making fine adjustments in
1 km/hincrements X
Briefly press the cruise control lever up
1 for a higher speed or down 4for a
lower speed.
The last speed stored is increased or
reduced. Deactivating cruise control There are several ways to deactivate cruise
control:
X Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards 6.
or
X Brake.
or
X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow 5.
Variable Speedtronic is selected. LIM indi-
cator lamp 2in the cruise control lever
lights up.
Cruise control is automatically deactivated if,
for example:
R aquaplaning is detected
R you press the clutch pedal for more than
four seconds on vehicles with a manual
transmission
R you move the selector lever to Nwhile driv-
ing in vehicles with AUTOTRONIC*
i The last speed stored is cleared when you
switch off the engine. Speedtronic*
Speedtronic is used to make sure that you do
not exceed a stored speed. You must select
a low gear in good time on long and steep
downhill gradients, especially if the vehicle is
laden or towing a trailer. By doing so you will
make use of the braking effect of the engine,
which relieves the load on the brake system
and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too 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
the braking distance and can lead to the
brakes failing completely. 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. Controls
* optional
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Driving sys
tems 118
You can set a variable or permanent limit
speed:
R
variable for speed limits, e.g. in built-up
areas
R permanent for long-term speed restric-
tions, e.g. for driving on winter tyres
(Y page 120) G
Risk of accident
Speedtronic is only an aid designed to
assist driving. You are responsible for the
vehicle's speed and for braking in good
time.
i The speed indicated in the speedometer
may differ slightly from the limit speed
stored.
Variable Speedtronic* You can operate cruise control and variable
Speedtronic with the cruise control lever.
The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control
lever indicates which system you have selec-
ted:
R LIM indicator lamp off:
cruise control is selected
R LIM indicator lamp lit: variable Speedtronic is selected
You can use the cruise control lever to limit
the speed to any speed above 30 km/h while
the engine is running. 1
To store the current or higher speed, roun-
ded up to the nearest ten
2 LIM indicator lamp
3 To resume the last stored speed or to
make fine adjustments in 1 km/h incre-
ments
4 To store the current or lower speed, roun-
ded down to the nearest ten
5 To switch between cruise control and var-
iable Speedtronic
6 Deactivating variable Speedtronic Selecting variable Speedtronic X
Check whether LIM indicator lamp 2is on.
If it is on, variable Speedtronic is already
selected.
If it is not, press the cruise control lever in
the direction of arrow 5.
LIM indicator lamp 2in the cruise control
lever lights up. Variable Speedtronic is
selected. G
Risk of accident
If there is a change of drivers, advise the
new driver of the limit speed stored.
Only use Speedtronic when you do not have
to accelerate suddenly to a speed higher
than the stored limit speed allows. You
could otherwise cause an accident.
You can only exceed the limit speed stored
if you deactivate variable Speedtronic:
R using the cruise control lever
R by depressing the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point (kickdown)
It is not possible to deactivate variable
Speedtronic by braking. Controls
* optional
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Driving sys
tems 119
Storing the current speed You can use the cruise control lever to limit
the speed to any speed above 30 km/h while
the engine is running.
X Briefly press the cruise control lever up
1 or down 4.
The current speed is stored. Speedtronic
rounds up or down to the nearest ten. You
will see the message "Limit"and the
stored speed in the upper multi-function
display for approximately five seconds. The
yellow LIM indicator lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster.
i On downhill gradients, the speed can be
exceeded despite Speedtronic. In this
case, you will hear a warning tone and the
Limit exceeded message will appear in
the multi-function display. If necessary,
apply the brakes yourself.
Calling up the last speed stored G
Risk of accident
Only select a stored speed if you know what
that speed is and whether it is suitable for
the current driving and traffic situation.
Otherwise, sudden braking could endanger
you or others. X
Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you 3.
Making adjustments in 10 km/hincre-
ments X
Briefly press the cruise control lever up
1 for a higher speed or down 4for a
lower speed.
or
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed until
the desired speed is set. Press the cruise
control lever, up 1for a higher speed or
down 4for a lower speed.
Making fine adjustments in
1 km/hincrements X
For a higher speed: briefly pull the cruise
control lever towards you 3.
or
X Keep the cruise control lever pulled
towards you 3until the desired speed is
set. Deactivating variable Speedtronic There are several ways to deactivate variable
Speedtronic:
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards 6.
or
X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow 5.
LIM indicator lamp 2in the cruise control
lever goes out. Variable Speedtronic is
deactivated.
Cruise control is selected.
Variable Speedtronic is deactivated automat-
ically when you depress the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point (kickdown), but
only if your current speed does not differ by
more than 20 km/h from the stored speed. G
Risk of accident
It is not possible to deactivate variable
Speedtronic by braking.
i The last speed stored is cleared when you
switch off the engine. Controls
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Driving sys
tems 120
Permanent Speedtronic* You can use the on-board computer to limit
the speed permanently to a value between
160 km/h (e.g. for driving with winter tyres)
and the maximum speed.
Just before the stored speed is reached, it
appears in the multi-function display.
You cannot exceed the stored limit speed,
even if you depress the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point (kickdown).
Setting permanent Speedtronic
X Press èor· to select the Set-
tings menu (Y page 106).
X Press the jbutton to call up the selec-
tion of submenus.
X Press the æorç button to select the
Vehicle submenu.
X Press jto select Speed limit
(tyres). X
Press the æorç button to select the
desired setting.
The following settings can be selected:
R Off
Permanent Speedtronic is deactivated.
R A limit speed between 230 km/hand
160 km/h in increments of 10 km/h
X To select a different display, press the
j, èorÿ button. Parktronic*
G
Risk of accident
Parktronic is only an aid and may not detect
all obstacles. It is not a substitute for atten-
tive driving.
You are always responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your
immediate surroundings when parking and
manoeuvring. You could otherwise endan-
ger yourself and others. G
Risk of injury
Make sure that no persons or animals are
in the manoeuvring range. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
Parktronic is an electronic parking aid using
ultrasound. It indicates visually and audibly
the distance between your vehicle and an
object.
Parktronic is automatically activated when
you switch on the ignition and release the
handbrake.
Parktronic is deactivated at speeds above
18 km/h. It is reactivated at lower speeds.
Parktronic monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper
and four sensors in the rear bumper. Controls
* optional
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