tow MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2008 Owners Manual

Thank you for choosing Mercedes-Benz.
Before you drive off, familiarise yourself with
your vehicle and read the Owner's Manual.
This will help you to obtain the maximum
pleasure from your vehicle and to avoid
endangering yourself and others.
Items of optional equipment are marked with
an asterisk *.
The equipment in your vehicle may vary,
depending on the model, the ordered items,
the country specifications and availability.
The illustrations in this Owner's Manual show
a left-hand-drive vehicle. The arrangement of
the switches, levers, stowage compartments,
etc. will differ accordingly in a right-hand-
drive vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz is constantly updating its
vehicles to the state of the art and therefore
reserves the right to introduce changes in
design, equipment and technical features at
any time. You cannot, therefore, base any
claims on the data, illustrations or descrip-
tions in this Owner's Manual.
Please consult a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre if you have any questions.
The Owner’s Manual, Brief Instructions,
service booklet and supplements related to
vehicle equipment belong with the vehicle.
You should always keep them in the vehicle and pass them on to the new owner if you sell
the vehicle.
The technical documentation team at
Daimler AG wishes you safe and pleasant
motoring.
i
You can get to know the important fea-
tures of your vehicle in German and in Eng-
lish in the interactive Owner's Manual on
the Internet at:
www.mercedes-benz.de/betriebsanlei-
tung
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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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Axle load, maximum permissible
.................................................... .287, 289 B
Backrest Removing/fitting. ........................... 152
Bag hook............................................. 158
Ball coupling Fitting ............................................. 186
Removing....................................... .190
BAS (Brake Assist)............................... 55
Battery Changing (key).. .............................. 244
Charging. ........................................ 265
Checking (key). ............................... 244
Check lamp (key). ........................... 244
Disconnecting ................................. 265
Display message ............................. 213
Jump starting. ................................. 266
Maintenance (vehicle)..................... 263
Reconnecting.................................. 266
Removing/fitting. ........................... 265
Vehicle battery. .............................. 263
Belt force limiters
Activation.......................................... 37
Belt height adjustment........................ 75
Belt tensioners Activation.......................................... 37
Belt warning.......................................... 75 Bonnet
Bonnet catch .................................. 172
Opening/closing ............................ 171
Bonnet release lever
Release leve r.................................. 171
Brake Assist
see BAS
Brake fluid.......................................... 300
Display message ............................. 214
Brake lamps
Adaptive............................................ 56
Display message ............................. 217
Brakes
Parking brake................................... .90
Warning lamp..................................2 26
Brake system
Display message ............................. 213
Bulbs
Brake lamp. .................................... 250
Cornering light. ............................... 248
Dipped-beam headlamps ................247
Display messages ........................... 216
Licence plate lamp.......................... 250
Main-beam headlamps ...................248
Overview. ........................................ 245
Parking lamp.................................. .248
Rear foglamp. ................................. 250
Replacing............................... .247, 249
Reversing lamp. .............................. 250
Side lamp........................................ 248 Tail lamp
......................................... 250
Turn signal lamp. ....................249, 250 C
Calling up a malfunction see Message memory menu
Care..................................................... 192
Automatic car wash. .......................193
Exhaust tail pipes............................ 196
Headlamps. .................................... 194
High-pressure cleaners. ..................193
Parktronic. ...................................... 196
Plastic trim. .................................... 195
Rear window. .................................. 194
Side windows.................................. 194
Trailer tow hitch. ............................. 196
CD player/CD changer
Operating (on-board computer)
....................................................... 104
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter). ............................................. 111
Key. .................................................. 60
Central locking/unlocking button...... 61
Central unlocking Key. .................................................. 60
Centre console
Lower section. .................................. 32
Upper section. .................................. 31Index
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Driving safety systems
ESP ®
................................................ 56
Driving system................................... 115
Active parking assist. ......................123
Cruise control. ................................ 115
ECO start/stop function .................127
Parktronic. ...................................... 120
Speedtronic. ................................... 117
Driving tip
Braking ........................................... 183
Trailer towing. ................................. 188
Winter ............................................. 182
Driving tips
Driving abroad ............................... 185
Driving on wet roads ......................185
Fording .......................................... 185
DVD audio
Operating (on-board computer). .....104
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer). .....105 E
Easy-entry feature ................................ 67
EASY-VARIO-PLUS system................. 149
EASY-VARIO system........................... 149
ECO start/stop function.................... 127
Electrical/electronic equipment Retrofitting ..................................... 275Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
e mark................................................. 275
Emergency key element Lost. ............................................... 239
Emergency locking
Vehicle............................................ 242
Emergency release
Fuel filler fla p.................................. 242
Emergency running mode
Automatic transmission ..................235
Emergency starting............................ 270
Emergency unlocking
Vehicle............................................ 241
Engine
Display message ............................. 212
Running irregularl y.......................... 234
Starting problems ........................... 233
Starting with ECO start/stop
function ............................................ 89
Starting with the key......................... 87
Switching off ..................................... 91
Switching off using the ECO Start-
Stop function .................................... 91
Technical data. ............................... 278
Engine diagnostics warning lamp
............................................................. 227
Engine electronics.............................. 275
Malfunction..................................... 233
Engine number................................... 277Engine oil
........................................... 296
Capacities.. ..................................... 174
Checking the oil level (dipstick). .....174
Checking the oil level (on-board
computer). ...................................... 173
Consumption ................................. 172
Display message
....................................... 173, 219, 220
Filler neck. ...................................... 174
Topping up. ..................................... 174
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)... 56
Display messages ...........207, 208, 209
Warning lamp. .......................... 56, 226
Exterior lighting
Delayed switch-off (on-board
computer). ...................................... 110
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting .......................................... 71
Folding in/out (automatically). .........72
Folding in/out (electrically). .............72
Folding in when locking (on-board
computer). ...................................... 111
Malfunction..................................... 238
Resetting. ......................................... 72
Exterior view
Overview. .......................................... 20Index
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Indicator lamps
see Warning and indicator lamps
Instrument cluster............................... 97
Overview. .......................................... 26
Selecting the language (on-board
computer). ...................................... 108
Instrument lighting.............................. 97
Integrated child seat............................ 50
Interior lighting Automatic control system .................82
Delayed switch-off (on-board
computer). ...................................... 110
Emergency lighting. ..........................83
Manual control.................................. 82
Reading lamp .................................... 82
Interior motion sensor......................... 58
ISOFIX child seat securing system..... 48J
Jack...................................................... 200 Operation........................................ 259
Jump-starting ...................................... 266
Jump leads ...................................... 266K
Key......................................................... 60 Changing the battery ......................244
Checking the battery ......................244
Display message ............................. 220Loss.
............................................... 239
Malfunction..................................... 239
Modifying the programming. .............60
Key positions
Key. .................................................. 62
Kickdown.............................................. 96 L
Lamps see Warning and indicator lamps
Lashing eyelets.................................. 146
Licence plate lighting Display message ............................. 218
Light bulbs
see Bulbs
Lighting
see Lights
Lights
Automatic headlamp mode. ..............78
Constant headlamp mode. ................78
Cornering light function ....................81
Dipped-beam headlamps ..................78
Display messages ........................... 216
Foglamps. ......................................... 79
Hazard warning lamps. .....................80
Headlamp flasher.............................. 80
Headlamp range. .............................. 80
Light switch. ..................................... 77
Main-beam headlamps..................... .80
Rear fog lamp ................................... 79Switching off (display message)...... 218
Turn signals.
..................................... 79
LIM indicator lamp
Cruise control. ................................ 116
Variable Speedtronic. .....................118
Load compartment load, maximum
..................................................... 288, 289
Loading guidelines............................. 145
Locking Automatic. ........................................ 61
Emergency locking .........................242
From the inside (central locking
button) .............................................. 61
Luggage compartment enlarge-
ment.................................................... 150
Luggage compartment floor Adjusting the height .......................155
stowage well, unde r........................ 154
Luggage cover.................................... 159
Luggage net........................................ 145
Lumbar support.................................... 68 M
Main-beam headlamps Display message ............................. 218
Main fuse box..................................... 271
Maintenance Battery ............................................ 263Index
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Padded table Integrated child seat. ........................51
Paint code number............................. 276
Park Assist Display messages ........................... 210
Parking .................................................. 90
Parking aid Active parking assist. ......................123
Display message ............................. 210
Parktronic. ...................................... 120
Parking brake....................................... 90
Display message ............................. 214
Parking lamps
Display message ............................. 218
Parking lock
Releasing manually (AUTO-
TRONIC)......................................... .243
Parktronic........................................... 120
Activating/deactivating ..................122
Malfunction..................................... 236
Range of the sensors. .....................121
Trailer towing. ................................. 123
Warning displa y.............................. 121
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp.............................................. 45, 223
Performance....................................... 280
Permanent Speedtronic .....................120Petrol
Minimum grade............................... 169
Plastic trim
Cleaning. ........................................ 195
Power supply (trailer)........................ 190
Power window switch see Side windows
Program selector button
Automatic transmission ....................96
Pulling away.......................................... 89 R
Radio Changing a station (on-board
computer). ...................................... 103
Setting for station selection (on-
board computer). ............................ 111
see separate operating instructions
Range (on-board computer).............. 113
Rear bench seat Folding forward.............................. .150
Rear-compartment seat belt sta-
tus indicator......................................... 76
Rear foglamp Display message ............................. 218
Rear-view mirror
Adjusting .......................................... 70
Anti-dazzle (manual). ........................70
Anti-dazzle mode (automatic). ..........70Rear window
Cleaning. ........................................ 194
Rear window heating .........................140
Malfunction indicator lamp. ............223
Rear window wiper.............................. 83
Replacing the wiper blade.............. .251
Refuelling............................................ 168
Replacing the wiper blades ...............251
Reserve Warning lamp.................................. 229
Reserve fuel........................................ 292
Display message ............................. 220
Fuel tank......................................... 292
Warning lamp. .......................... 26, 229
Reset button......................................... 97
Restraint system see SRS
see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Restraint systems
For children. ..................................... 43
Rev counter........................................... 98
Reverse gear
Engaging (automatic transmission) ...94
Engaging (manual transmission)
................................................... 92, 93
Reversing lamp
Display message ............................. 219
Roof load, maximum.................. 288, 289
Roof rack............................................. 144Index
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Seat Adjusting. ................................... 63, 65
Correct driver's seat position. ..........76
Folding the rear bench seat
forward. .......................................... 150
Removing/fitting the front-
passenger seat. .............................. 156
Removing/fitting the rear seat
backrest. ........................................ 152
Removing/fitting the rear seat
cushion. .......................................... 151
Seat belt
Adjusting the height.......................... 75
Display message .......................76, 212
Fastening. ......................................... 73
Warning lamp. .......................... 75, 228
Seat cushion
Removing (rear bench seat). ...........151
Seat heating......................................... .69
Seat ventilation Malfunction indicator lamp. ............222
Securing a load................................... 146
Selector lever Positions. .......................................... 94
Service indicator................................ 191
Service products................................ 292
Brake fluid. ..................................... 300Coolant.
.......................................... 297
Windscreen washer fluid. ................300
Settings
Factory (on-board computer). .........106
Setting the unit (on-board computer)
Speedometer. ................................. 108
Sidebags................................................ 41
Side window
Fault. .............................................. 238
Side windows
Cleaning. ........................................ 194
Opening/closing. .............................. 84
resetting ........................................... 85
Ski rack............................................... 144
Snow chains....................................... 182
Socket Cockpit. .......................................... 163
Luggage compartment. ...................164
Spare wheel
Fitting ............................................. 259
Storage location. ............................ 200
Technical data. ............................... 285
Speed
Technical data. ............................... 280
Speed limiter
Speedtronic. ................................... 117Speedometer
Digital speedometer (on-board
computer). ...................................... 103
Setting the unit (on-board com-
puter). ............................................. 108
Speedtronic ........................................ 117
Display message ............................. 220
Permanent. ..................................... 120
Variabl e.......................................... 118
SRS (Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tem)....................................................... 37
Display message ............................. 211
Warning lamp. .......................... 37, 226
Standard display (on-board com-
puter) ................................................... 103
Station see Radio
Status line (on-board computer)....... 100
Selecting the display....................... 108
Steering
Display message ............................. 215
Steering assistant STEER CONTROL ...56
Steering wheel Adjusting .......................................... 70
Buttons (on-board computer)............ 98
Stowage compartment...................... 159
Armrest (front) ................................ 160
Armrest (under) .............................. 161
Boxes under the driver's seat/
front-passenger seat....................... 161 Index
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12Centre console.
.............................. 160
Glove compartment. .......................160
Luggage compartment. ...................161
Stowage space
Cup holder ...................................... 144
Submenu (on-board computer)......... 107
Convenience ................................... 108
Instrument cluster .......................... 107
Lighting........................................... 108
Time/date. ..................................... 107
Vehicle............................................ 108
Summer opening
see Convenience opening
Sun visor............................................. 162
Supplemental Restraint System see SRS
Surround lighting
Switching on/off (on-board com-
puter). ............................................. 110
Switching off the alarm
ATA. .................................................. 57T
Tailgate Display message ............................. 212
Opening/closing. .............................. 62
Tail lamps
changing. ........................................ 250Tank
see Fuel tank
Tank capacity..................................... 292
Technical data Acceleration. .................................. 281
Engine............................................ .278
Speed. ............................................ 280
Trailer loads .................................... 291
Tyres. .............................................. 283
Vehicle dimensions. ........................286
Vehicle weights............................... 286
Wheels. ........................................... 283
Telephone
see Mobile phone
Telephone compartment................... 160
Temperature Coolant. ............................................ 97
Outside temperature......................... 98
Thermotronic
Malfunction indicator lamp. ............222
Third brake lamp
Display message ............................. 217
Through-loading................................. 147
Tightening torque............................... 262
Time Setting (on-board computer).......... .109
Setting the time (on-board com-
puter). ............................................. 109
TIREFIT kit
Using. ............................................. 253TopTether..............................................
49
Total distance recorder............... 26, 100
Tow-away protection........................... 58
Towing................................................. 269
Towing eye Fitting ............................................. 269
Removing....................................... .270
Tow-starting ........................................ 270
Trailer 7-pin connector .............................. 191
Display message ............................. 216
Power supply. ................................. 190
Trailer loads
Technical data. ............................... 291
Trailer tow hitch
Notes on care ................................. 196
Trailer towing
Active parking assist .......................127
Driving tips ..................................... 188
Malfunction..................................... 240
Mounting dimensions .....................290
Parktronic. ...................................... 123
Transmission
Display message ............................. 209
Transmission output (maximum)
Telephone/two-way radio ...............275
Transport (vehicle)............................. 270
Trip computer Menu (on-board computer). ............112 Index
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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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Exterior view
21Function Page
1
Luggage compartment
Spare wheel 201
Vehicle tool kit 200
2
Rear window heating 140
3
Opening and closing the
tailgate 61
4
Fuel filler flap 168
Fuel requirements 168
5
Opening and closing the
doors 60
6
Exterior mirrors
71 Function Page
7
Demisting the windscreen 139
Cleaning the windows 194
8
Panorama roof* 142
Panorama louvred sliding
sunroof*
142
9
Windscreen wiper opera-
tion
83
Cleaning the wiper blades 194
Replacing the wiper blades
251 Function Page
a
Opening the bonnet 171
Engine oil 172
Coolant 175
b
Front lights 245
c
Fitting the front towing eye 268
d
Tyres and wheels 176
Checking the tyre pressure 178
Flat tyre, fitting the spare
wheel
253
e
Fitting the rear towing eye 268
f
Rear lights 245At a glance
* optional
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