ABS MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2008 Owners Manual

3A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System).......... 55
Display message ............204, 205, 206
Warning lamp.................................. 224
Acceleration
Technical data. ............................... 281
Accident
Notes. ............................................. 231
Active head restraint........................... 42
Active Park Assist Display messages ........................... 210
Active parking assist......................... 123
Trailer towing. ................................. 127
Active Service System PLUS
see Service indicator
Adaptive brake lamps.......................... 56
Airbag Activation.......................................... 37
Control unit....................................... 37
Driver's ............................................. 40
Front. ................................................ 40
Front passenger ................................ 40
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp .............................................. 223
Sidebags. .......................................... 41
System.............................................. 39
Windowbags. .................................... 42
Airbags
Head/thorax airbags. .......................41Air conditioning
Activating/deactivating ..................135
Activating/deactivating air-recir-
culation mode. ................................ 141
Air-conditioning system ..................132
Controlling automatically. ...............136
Convenience opening/closing
(air-recirculation mode). .................141
Cooling with air dehumidification ...136
Demisting the windscreen ..............139
Heatmatic. ...................................... 131
Malfunction indicator lamp. ............222
Misted-up windows. ........................140
Rear window heating ......................140
Setting the air distribution. .............138
Setting the airflow .......................... 139
Setting the air vents .......................137
Setting the temperature .................136
Switching the residual heat func-
tion on/off ...................................... 142
Thermotronic .................................. 134
Air-conditioning system
see Air conditioning
Antifreeze concentration................... 299
Anti-lock braking system see ABS
Anti-theft alarm system
see ATA
Anti-theft systems................................ 57 Armrest
Front seat (adjusting)........................ 67
Rear seat (adjusting).. .......................68
Removing/fitting. ........................... 148
Ashtray................................................ 162
ASSYST PLUS see Service interval display
ASSYST PLUS service indicator........ 191
ATA (anti-theft alarm system)............. 57
Switching off the alarm. ....................57
Audible warning signal...................... 230
AUTO lights Display message ............................. 216
Automatic car wash........................... 193
Automatic engine start Using the ECO Start-Stop function ...91
With ECO start/stop function ...........89
Automatic transmission
Changing gear yoursel f..................... 95
Display message ............................. 209
Driving tips ....................................... 96
Emergency running mode ...............235
Malfunction..................................... 235
One-touch gearshifting. ....................95
Program selector button ...................96
Trailer towing. ................................... 96
Working on the vehicle .....................96
AUTOTRONIC
Releasing the parking lock man-
ually. ............................................... 243 Index
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5
Changing a wheel
see Flat tyre
Child-proof locks
Rear doors ........................................ 54
Children
Fastening seat belts.......................... 51
In the vehicle. ................................... 42
Restraint systems. ............................ 43
Child seat
Automatic recognition ......................45
Automatic recognition (malfunc-
tion). ............................................... 223
Integrated ......................................... 50
ISOFIX............................................... 48
Recommendations. ...........................47
Suitable positions. ............................ 46
Cigarette lighter................................. 163
Cockpit Overview. .......................................... 22
COMAND............................................. 101
On-board computer. .......................101
see separate operating instructions
Constant headlamp mode
Setting (on-board computer).......... .109
Consumption statistics (on-board
computer)........................................... 112
Convenience closing............................ 86
Convenience opening........................... 86
Coolant................................................ 175
Checking the level. .........................175Display message
............213, 214, 215
Mixture ratio ................................... 297
Temperature gauge ...........................97
Cornering light
Display message ............................. 216
Cruise control..................................... 115
Cup holder.......................................... 144 D
Dashboard see Instrument cluster
Date
Setting (on-board computer).......... .109
Daytime driving lights
see Constant headlamp mode
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (on-board com-
puter). ............................................. 110
Interior lighting (on-board com-
puter). ............................................. 110
Diesel
Low outside temperatures. .............170
Diesel engine
Winter driving. ................................ 170
Digital speedometer.......................... 103
Dipped-beam headlamps Display message ............................. 216
Symmetrical. .................................. 185Display message
................................ 202
Service interval display. ..................191
Display messages
Symbol messages. ..........................212
Text messages. ............................... 203
Distance recorder
see Total distance recorder
see Trip meter
Distance Recorder
see Trip meter
Door
Automatic locking ............................. 61
Display message ............................. 212
Emergency locking .........................242
Emergency unlocking...................... 241
Opening (from the inside). ................61
Door control panel
Overview. .......................................... 34
Drinks holder
see Cup holder
Driver's airbag...................................... 40
Driver's seat position........................... 76
Driving abroad.................................... 185
Driving safety system.......................... 55
ABS. .................................................. 55
Adaptive brake lamps. ......................56
BAS. .................................................. 55
Steering assistant STEER CON-
TROL. ................................................ 56 Index
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13
Trip meter.............................
26, 100, 102
Resetting. ......................................... 98
Turn signal lamps
Display message ............................. 217
Two-way radio
Installation. ..................................... 275
Tyre grip.............................................. 184
Tyre pressure ..................................... 178
Display message ............................. 211
see Tyre pressure
Tyre pressure loss warning system.1 79
Tyres Direction of rotatio n....................... 177
General notes. ................................ 176
Technical data. ............................... 283
Tyre tread............................................ 178 U
Unladen weight.......................... 287, 288
Unlocking Emergency unlocking...................... 241
From the inside (central unlocking
button) .............................................. 61 V
Variable Speedtronic .........................118
Vehicle Emergency unlocking .............241, 242
Individual settings (on-board com-
puter). ............................................. 106
Leaving parked up. .........................240
Towing. ........................................... 269
Tow-starting .................................... 270
Transporting ................................... 270
Vehicle battery................................... 263
Vehicle dimensions............................ 286
Vehicle electronics............................ 275
Vehicle identification number (VIN).2 77
Vehicle identification plates............. 276
Vehicle tool kit................................... 200
Vehicle weights.................................. 286 W
Warning and indicator lamp ABS (yellow).................................... 224
LIM (cruise control)......................... 116
LIM (variable Speedtronic). .............118
Warning and indicator lamps
ESP ®
......................................... 56, 226
Warning signal
Audible. .......................................... 230
Warning triangle................................. 200 Washer fluid
Display message ............................. 221
Washer fluid reservoir....................... 300
Filling capacity. ............................... 300
Wearing seat belts............................... 73
Wheel bolts Tightening torque............................ 262
Wheel chock
Use. ................................................ 201
Wheels
General notes. ................................ 176
Interchanging.................................. 181
Technical data. ............................... 283
Windowbags......................................... 42
Windows Cleaning. ........................................ 194
Cleaning the windscreen ...............194
see Side windows
Windscreen
Cleaning ......................................... 194
Windscreen washer fluid................... 300
Topping up. ..................................... 175
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir.. 175
Windscreen washer system.............. 300
Windscreen wipers.............................. 83
Cleaning. ........................................ 194
Malfunction..................................... 237
Replacing the wiper blades .............251
Winter diesel...................................... 170
Winter driving............................. 181, 182 Index
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Instrument cluster
27Function Page
1
LIM indicator lamp* 115
2
ESP
®
(Electronic Stability
Program) warning lamp 226
3
Speedometer
4
Turn signal indicator lamp 79
5
Multi-function display,
upper section
100
6
Trip distance 98
7
Total distance 103
8
Turn signal indicator lamp 79
9
ABS (anti-lock braking sys-
tem) warning lamp
224
a
Diesel engine: preglow indi-
cator lamp
88
b
Rev counter 98
c
SRS (Supplemental
Restraint System) warning
lamp
226 Function Page
d
Engine diagnostics warning
lamp
227
e
Reserve fuel warning lamp 229
f
Fuel filler cap location: the
fuel filter cap is to the rear
on the right g
Fuel gauge
h
Main-beam indicator lamp 80
j
Dipped-beam indicator
lamp
78
k
Seat belt warning lamp 228
l
Clock 98
Speedtronic*: stored limit
speed
117 Function Page
m
Depending on the setting in
the on-board computer:
108
• Outside temperature
1 • Digital speedometer
n
Rear window wiper
switched on
83
o
Multi-function display,
lower section
100
p
AUTOTRONIC*: drive pro-
gram display
94
q
AUTOTRONIC*: selector
lever position display
94
r
Brake system warning lamp 226
s
Reset button 97
t
Coolant temperature gauge 97
1
Vehicles for United Kingdom: the speed in km/h is always shown instead of the outside temperature. At a glance
* optional
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Instrument cluster
29Function Page
1
LIM indicator lamp* 115
2
ESP
®
warning lamp 226
3
Speedometer
4
Turn signal indicator lamp 79
5
Multi-function display,
upper section
100
6
Trip distance 98
7
Total distance 103
8
Turn signal indicator lamp 79
9
ABS warning lamp 224
a
Diesel engine: preglow indi-
cator lamp
88
b
Rev counter 98
c
SRS warning lamp
226 Function Page
d
Engine diagnostics warning
lamp
227
e
Reserve fuel warning lamp 229
f
Fuel filler cap location: the
fuel filter cap is to the rear
on the right g
Fuel gauge
h
Main-beam indicator lamp 80
j
Dipped-beam indicator
lamp
78
k
Seat belt warning lamp 228
l
Clock 98
Speedtronic*: stored limit
speed
117 Function Page
m
Depending on the setting in
the on-board computer:
108
• Outside temperature
2 • Digital speedometer
n
Rear window wiper
switched on
83
o
Multi-function display,
lower section
100
p
AUTOTRONIC*: drive pro-
gram display
94
q
AUTOTRONIC*: selector
lever position display
94
r
Brake system warning lamp 226
s
Reset button 97
t
Coolant temperature gauge 97
2
Vehicles for United Kingdom: the speed in km/h is always shown instead of the outside temperature. At a glance
* optional
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Driving safety sys
tems 55Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Anti-lock Braking System)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System)
R ESP ®
( Electronic Stability Program)
R Steering assistant STEER CONTROL
i In wintry road conditions, always use win-
ter tyres (M+S tyres) and, where necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the driv-
ing safety systems described in this section
work as effectively as possible. G
Risk of accident
The risk of an accident is significantly
increased by driving too fast. This is partic-
ularly the case when cornering as well as
on wet or slippery roads or when driving too
close to the vehicle in front.
The driving safety systems described in this
section can neither reduce this risk nor
override the laws of physics.
For this reason, always adapt your driving
style to suit prevailing road and weather
conditions. Maintain sufficient distance from other road users and objects on the
road.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the vehi-
cle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 8 km/h
upwards, regardless of road surface condi-
tions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently. G
Risk of accident
Do not depress the brake pedal several
times in quick succession (pumping).
Depress the brake firmly and evenly. Pump-
ing the brake pedal reduces the braking
effect.
Braking If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over. X
To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force. G
Risk of accident
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. This limits the steerability of the
vehicle when braking and the braking dis-
tance may increase.
If ABS is deactivated due to a malfunction,
then BAS and ESP are also deactivated.
There is an increased risk of your vehicle
skidding in certain situations.
You should always adapt your driving style
to suit prevailing road and weather condi-
tions. BAS (Brake Assist)
BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions. If you depress the brake pedal quickly,
BAS automatically boosts the braking force,
thus shortening the stopping distance.
X Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. Safety
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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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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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Winter driving
181Interchanging the wheels
G
Risk of accident
Interchange the front and rear wheels only
if they have the same dimensions: for exam-
ple size, offset, etc.
After every wheel interchange/change,
have the tightening torque checked at a
qualified specialist workshop that 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 pur-
pose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be car-
ried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
The wheels could work loose if they are not
tightened to a torque of 130 Nm.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use wheel bolts of the
correct size which have been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
The wear patterns on the front and rear tyres
differ, depending on the operating conditions.
Interchange the wheels before a clear wear
pattern has formed on the tyres. Front tyres
typically wear more on the shoulders and the
rear tyres in the centre. Interchange the wheels every 5,000 km to
10,000 km depending on the degree of tyre
wear, provided that the vehicle has the same
size front and rear tyres. Do not reverse the
direction of tyre rotation.
Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel
is changed. Check the tyre pressure and, if
necessary, restart the tyre pressure loss
warning system. Winter driving
Points to remember
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. at a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre, at the onset of winter. Winter tyres
Use winter tyres at temperatures below +7 °C
and on snow or ice-covered roads. Only then
can the effect of the ABS and ESP ®
driving
systems be ensured in winter too.
Use winter tyres of the same make and tread
on all wheels to maintain safe handling char-
acteristics. G
Risk of accident
Winter tyres with a tread depth of less than
4 mm must be replaced immediately. They
are no longer suitable for winter use and
can no longer provide sufficient grip. This
could cause you to lose control of your
vehicle and cause an accident.
Always observe the maximum permitted
speed specified for the winter tyres you have
fitted. If you fit winter tyres which have a
lower maximum permitted speed than that of
the vehicle, affix an appropriate warning sign Operation
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Display
messages 204 Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
120 km/h Maximum speed
exceeded The maximum speed has been excee-
ded
26
. X
Drive slower. ABS ABS, ESP unavaila-
ble See Owner's
Manual
G
Risk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) and ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program) are tempo-
rarily unavailable. The self-diagnosis is, for
example, not yet complete.
The following systems are also unavaila-
ble:
R BAS (Brake Assist)
R the steering assistant STEER CONTROL
R hill start assist
R the tyre pressure loss warning system
The brake system continues to function
normally, but without the functions listed
above. X
Carefully drive a short, lightly curving stretch
of road at a speed above 20 km/h.
If the display message disappears, ABS and
ESP ®
are available again. 26
Only for certain countries. Practical advice
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