trailer 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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4
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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10 P
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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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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Transmission
96
Program selector button The button is on the lower section of the
centre console. 1
Program selector button C
Comfort comfortable driving style
S
Sport sporty driving style
The selected drive program
(C/S)is shown in
the multi-function display (Y page 94).
X Press program selector button 1repeat-
edly until the letter for the desired drive
program appears in the multi-function dis-
play (Y page 94).
Comfort mode Cis characterised by the fol-
lowing: R
the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully.
R an increase in traction: this improves the
driving stability of the vehicle on slippery
road surfaces, for example.
R the transmission shifting up sooner: the
vehicle is driven at lower engine speeds
and the wheels are less likely to spin.
Driving tips Accelerator pedal position
Your style of driving influences how AUTO-
TRONIC shifts gear:
R
little throttle: early upshifts
R more throttle: late upshifts
Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The transmission shifts back up. Trailer towing
X
Drive in the middle of the engine speed
range on uphill gradients.
X Shift down to 3rdor2nd gear depending
on the incline of the uphill or downhill gra-
dient( Ypage 95), even if cruise control is
activated.
Working on the vehicle G
Risk of accident
Apply the handbrake and move the selector
lever to Pwhen working on the vehicle.
Otherwise, the vehicle could roll away. Controls
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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 1211
Example: sensors in the front bumper,
left-hand side
Range of the sensors The sensors must be free of dirt, ice and
slush, otherwise they may not function cor-
rectly. Clean the sensors regularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them
(Y
page 196). Side view Top view
Front sensors
Centre Approximately 100 cm
Corners Approximately 80 cm
Rear sensors
Centre Approximately 120 cm
Corners Approximately 80 cm
!
When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer towbars. Parktronic
does not detect such objects when they are
in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle. You
could damage the vehicle or the objects. Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, a lorry's compressed-air brakes
or a pneumatic drill could cause Parktronic
to malfunction.
Minimum distance Centre Approximately 20 cm
Corners Approximately 20 cm
If there is an obstacle within this range, all
warning displays light up and a tone sounds.
If the distance falls below the minimum clear-
ance, it may no longer be shown.
Warning displays
The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning display for the front area is located
on the dashboard above the centre air vents.
The warning display for the rear area is loca-
ted on the roof lining in the rear compart-
ment. Controls
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Driving sys
tems 123
i
Parktronic is automatically activated
when you turn the key to position 2in the
ignition lock.
Trailer towing* Parktronic is deactivated for the rear area
when you establish an electrical connection
between your vehicle and a trailer.
!
Remove the detachable trailer coupling if
it is no longer required. Parktronic meas-
ures the minimum detection range to an
obstacle from the bumper, not the ball cou-
pling. Active parking assist*
Active parking assist is an electronic parking
aid with ultrasound. Ultrasound is used to
measure the road on both sides of the vehicle.
A suitable parking space is indicated by the
parking symbol. Active steering intervention
can assist you during parking. You may also
use Parktronic (Y page 120). When Parktronic
is deactivated, active parking assist is also
unavailable. G
Risk of accident
Active parking assist is merely an aid and
may sometimes recommend parking
spaces that are not suitable for parking.
These might be, for example, spaces where
parking is prohibited, driveways, unsuitable
surfaces, etc.
Active parking assist measures the parking
space as you drive past it. Any later
changes to the parking space are not taken
into account. This may be the case, for
instance, when the vehicle parked in front
of or behind the space changes its position
or when an obstacle is moved into the park-
ing space.
Active parking assist does not relieve you
of the responsibility of paying attention. If
you rely solely on Active parking assist, you
could cause an accident and injure yourself
and others.
You are always responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your
immediate surroundings when parking and
manoeuvring. G
Risk of accident
Objects located above the height range of
Active parking assist will not be detected when the parking space is measured. These
are not taken into account when the park-
ing procedure is calculated, e. g. overhang-
ing loads, tail sections or loading ramps of
goods vehicles. In some circumstances,
Active parking assist may therefore guide
you into the parking space too early. This
may lead to a collision. For this reason, you
should avoid using Active parking assist in
such situations.
G
Risk of accident
The front of the vehicle will veer out in the
direction of the oncoming traffic during the
parking operation. In some cases the vehi-
cle will also take you onto sections of the
oncoming lane during the parking proce-
dure.
You are responsible for safety at all times
and must pay attention to any road users
approaching or passing. Stop the vehicle if
necessary or cancel the Active parking
assist parking procedure. G
Risk of injury
Make sure that no persons or animals are
in the manoeuvring range. Otherwise, they
could be injured. Controls
* optional
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