engine MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2008 Workshop Manual

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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Winter driving
182
in the driver's field of vision. This can be
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. from a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Under these circumstances, you should also
restrict the maximum speed of the vehicle
using permanent Speedtronic* 25
to the max-
imum permissible speed for the winter tyres
(Y page 120).
Once you have fitted the winter tyres:
X Check the tyre pressures (Y page 178).G
Risk of accident
If you fit the spare wheel* when driving with
winter tyres, bear in mind that driving sta-
bility will be impaired owing to unstable
cornering characteristics caused by the dif-
ferent tyres. You should therefore adapt
your driving style and drive carefully.
Have the spare wheel* replaced at the
nearest qualified specialist workshop
which has the necessary specialist knowl-
edge and tools to carry out the work
required. Mercedes-Benz recommends
that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre for this purpose. In particular, work
relevant to safety or on safety-related sys- tems must be carried out at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. Snow chains
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use snow chains which
have been specially approved for your vehicle
by Mercedes-Benz, or are of a corresponding
standard of quality.
! Information about the use of snow chain-
compatible AMG winter tyres is applicable
for AMG tyres. Use of snow chains is only
permissible with these tyres.
If you intend to fit snow chains, please bear
the following points in mind:
R snow chains cannot be fitted to all wheel/
tyre combinations.
R snow chains must not be fitted to emer-
gency spare wheels, e.g. on a "Minispare"
emergency spare wheel.
R Fit snow chains only in pairs and only to the
front wheels. Comply with the manufactur-
er's installation instructions.
! Vehicles with 17" tyres You may only fit snow chains as a pulling-
away aid. Only use fine-link snow chains.
When snow chains are fitted, you may only
drive straight ahead. The snow chains could
otherwise come into contact with the body-
work when you turn the front wheels.
When snow chains are fitted, you cannot use
Active Park Assist* (Y page 123).
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 50 km/h. Winter driving
G
Risk of accident
Do not shift 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.
You should drive particularly carefully on slip-
pery road surfaces. Avoid sudden accelera-
tion, steering and braking manoeuvres.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
25 Only available for certain countries. Operation
* optional
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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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Driving ab
road 185Driving on wet roads
If water has accumulated to a certain depth
on the road surface, there is a danger of aqua-
planing occurring, even if:
R you drive at low speeds
R the tyres have adequate tread depth
For this reason, do not drive in tyre ruts, and
brake carefully. Driving on flooded roads
If you have to drive on stretches of road on
which water has collected, please bear in
mind that:
R the maximum permitted still water depth is
25 cm.
R you should drive no faster than at walking
pace.
! Bear in mind that vehicles travelling in
front or in the opposite direction create
waves. This may cause the maximum per-
missible water depth to be exceeded.
You must observe these notes. Otherwise,
damage may occur to the engine, electrics
and transmission. Driving abroad
Points to remember
An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network
is also available in other countries. The
Service Hotline's current telephone numbers
for use when you are abroad are to be found
in the "Service24h" chapter of the Service
Booklet.
Only low-octane fuel is available in certain
countries.
You can find further information about fuel
grades on (Y page 168). Symmetrical dipped beam
If your journey takes you to countries where
vehicles are driven on sides of the road oppo-
site to the country in which the vehicle is reg-
istered, your headlamps must be switched to
symmetrical dipped beam or be partially
masked. Oncoming traffic will be dazzled
less.
X Vehicles with halogen headlamps: mask
the headlamps with special masking tape.
i You can obtain this masking tape from a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. !
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
only use genuine Mercedes-Benz masking
tape. Your headlamps could otherwise be
damaged.
Remove the masking tape when you are
once again driving on the same side of the
road as in the country in which your vehicle
is registered.
X Vehicles with projection and bi-xenon
headlamps*: have the headlamps
switched over at a qualified specialist work-
shop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre. G
Risk of accident
Have your headlamps switched back to
asymmetrical dipped beam if you are driv-
ing in a country in which traffic drives on
the same side of the road as in the country
in which your vehicle was registered. Oth-
erwise, you may dazzle the oncoming traffic
and could cause an accident. Operation
* optional
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