fuel MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2012 User Guide

If you unlock the vehicle using the emergency
key element, the fuel filler flap will not be
unlocked automatically.
X To unlock the fuel filler flap: insert the
key into the ignition lock.
Removing the emergency key element X
Push release catch :in the direction of
the arrow and at the same time, remove
emergency key element ;from the key. Battery of the key
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Batteries contain toxic and corrosive substan- ces. If batteries are swallowed, it can result in
severe health problems. There is a risk of fatal injury.
Keep batteries out of the reach of children. If
a battery is swallowed, seek medical attention immediately. H
Environmental note Batteries contain pollutants.
It is illegal to dispose of them with the household rubbish.
They must be collected sep-
arately and disposed of in an environmentally responsible
recycling system.
Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally responsible
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or to a col-
lection point for used batter-
ies.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
the batteries replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
Checking the battery X
Press the &or% button.
The battery is working properly if battery
check lamp :lights up briefly.
The battery is discharged if battery check
lamp :does not light up briefly.
X Replace the battery (Y page 76).
i If the key battery is checked within the
signal reception range of the vehicle, press- ing the &or% button:
R locks or
R unlocks the vehicle
i You can obtain a battery from any quali-
fied specialist workshop.
Replacing the battery You require a CR 2025 3 V cell battery.76
KeyOpening and closing

alarm system is triggered if the door is
opened from the inside. Switch off the alarm
(Y page 69). Unlocking and opening the doors
from the inside
X
Pull door handle ;.
If the door is locked, locking knob :pops
up. The door is unlocked and can be
opened.
For all countries except the United King-
dom:
You can open a door from inside the vehicle
even if it has been locked.
If the vehicle has previously been locked with
the key, opening a door from the inside will
trigger the anti-theft alarm system. Switch off
the alarm (Y page 69).
You can only open the rear doors from inside the vehicle if they are not secured by the
child-proof locks (Y page 60).
Only for the United Kingdom: if the vehicle
has been locked with the key, the double lock
function is activated as standard. It is then not
possible to open the doors from inside the
vehicle. Deactivate the interior motion sensor (Y page 70) before you lock the vehicle with
the key. The doors can then be opened from
the inside after the vehicle has been locked
from the outside. The anti-theft alarm system
is triggered if the door is opened from the
inside. Switch off the alarm (Y page 69). Centrally locking and unlocking the
vehicle from the inside
You can centrally lock or unlock the vehicle
from the inside. This can be useful if you wish to lock the vehicle before pulling away, for
example. X
To unlock: press button :.
X To lock: press button ;.
If all the doors and the tailgate are closed,
the vehicle locks.
This does not lock or unlock the fuel filler flap. You cannot unlock the vehicle centrally from
the inside if the vehicle has been locked with
the key.
For all countries except the United King-
dom: you can open a door from inside the
vehicle even if it has been locked.
If the vehicle has previously been locked with the key, opening a door from the inside will
trigger the anti-theft alarm system. Switch off
the alarm (Y page 69).
Only for the United Kingdom: if the vehicle
has been locked with the key, the double lock
function is activated as standard. It is then not
possible to open the doors from inside the
vehicle. Deactivate the interior motion sensor (Y page 70) before you lock the vehicle with
the key. The doors can then be opened from
the inside after the vehicle has been locked
from the outside. The anti-theft alarm system is triggered if the door is opened from the
inside. Switch off the alarm (Y page 69).80
DoorsOpening and closing

are still visible. Press down the locking
knobs manually, if necessary (Y page 80).
X Close the driver's door.
X Take the emergency key element out of the
key (Y page 75).
X Insert the emergency key element into the
lock of the driver's door as far as it will go. X
Turn the emergency key element clockwise
as far as it will go to position 1.
i On right-hand-drive vehicles, turn the
emergency key element anti-clockwise.
X Turn the emergency key element back and
remove it.
X Make sure that the doors and the tailgate
are locked.
X Insert the emergency key element into the
key.
i If you lock the vehicle as described above,
the fuel filler flap is not locked. The anti-
theft alarm system is not primed. Luggage compartment
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. If the tailgate is open when the engine is running, particu-
larly if the vehicle is moving, exhaust fumes
could enter the passenger compartment.
There is a risk of poisoning. Turn off the engine before opening the tail-
gate. Never drive with the tailgate open. G
WARNING
If persons (particularly children) are exposed
to heat or cold for a prolonged period, there is a risk of serious or even fatal injuries. Never
leave persons (particularly children) unatten-
ded in the vehicle.
! The tailgate swings upwards and to the
rear when opened. Therefore, make sure
that there is sufficient clearance above and behind the tailgate.
i The opening dimensions of the tailgate
can be found in the "Vehicle data" section
(Y page 346).
You should preferably place luggage or loads
in the luggage compartment. Observe the
loading guidelines (Y page 268).
Do not leave the key in the luggage compart- ment. You could otherwise lock yourself out.
The tailgate can be:
R opened and closed manually from outside
R unlocked from the inside with the emer-
gency key element Opening/closing from the outside
Opening X
Press the %button on the key. X
Pull handle :.
X Raise the tailgate. 82
Luggage compartmentOpening and closing

Auxiliary heating
Important safety notes G
DANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or sufficient
ventilation is not possible, toxic exhaust
fumes can enter the vehicle, especially car-
bon monoxide. This is the case, e.g. in
enclosed spaces, or if the vehicle is stuck in
snow. There is a risk of fatal injuries.
You should switch off the auxiliary heating in
enclosed spaces which do not have an extrac- tion system, e.g. a garage. If the vehicle is
stuck in snow and you must leave the auxiliary
heating running, keep the exhaust pipe and
the area around the vehicle clear of snow. To guarantee a sufficient supply of fresh air, open
a window on the side of the vehicle away from the wind. G
WARNING
When the auxiliary heating is switched on,
parts of the vehicle can become very hot.
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact with hot parts of the exhaust system for extended periods. There is a risk of fire.
When the auxiliary heating is switched on,
make sure that no flammable material can
come into contact with hot vehicle compo-
nents.
! Operating the auxiliary heating/ventila-
tion draws on the vehicle battery. After you
have heated or ventilated the vehicle a
maximum of two times, drive for a longer
distance.
i Switch the auxiliary heating on regularly
once a month for about ten minutes.
The auxiliary heating heats the air in the vehi-
cle interior to the set temperature. This
occurs without using the heat of the running
engine. The auxiliary heating is operated
directly using the vehicle's fuel. For this rea-
son, the fuel tank must be at least ¼ full to
ensure that the auxiliary heating functions. The auxiliary heating/ventilation automati-
cally adjusts to changes in temperature and
weather conditions. For this reason, the aux-
iliary heating could switch from ventilation
mode to heating mode or from heating mode to ventilation mode.
The auxiliary heating switches off when the
engine is switched off. The auxiliary ventila-
tion switches off when you turn the key to key
position 2(Y page 143).
The auxiliary heating switches off automati-
cally after 30 minutes.
You cannot use the auxiliary ventilation to
cool the vehicle interior to a temperature
lower than the outside temperature.
Before switching on X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock (Y page 143).
X Set the desired temperature.
Auxiliary heating or ventilation can also be
switched on if the manually set climate con-
trol is activated. Optimum comfort can be
attained when the system is set to automatic
mode. Set the temperature to 22 †.
The auxiliary heating/ventilation can be acti-
vated or deactivated using the remote control or the button on the centre console.
The on-board computer can be used to spec-ify up to three departure times, one of which
may be preselected (Y page 224).134
Operating the climate control systemClimate cont
rol

Problems with the auxiliary heating/ventilation
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions $
FAIL The signal transmission between the transmitter and the vehicle is
faulty.
X Change your position in relation to the vehicle, moving closer if
necessary.
X Make another attempt to switch the auxiliary heating on or off
using the remote control. ©
FAIL There is too little fuel in the fuel tank.
X Refuel at the nearest filling station.
X Make another attempt to switch on the auxiliary heating using
the remote control. The auxiliary heating is faulty.
X Have the auxiliary heating checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. FAIL The auxiliary heating cannot be switched on or has switched itself
off.
The auxiliary heating was started more than twice when the engine
was switched off.
X Switch on the engine and let it run for more than ten seconds.
X Make another attempt to switch on the auxiliary heating using
the remote control. The auxiliary heating cannot be switched on or has switched itself
off.
The starter battery is not sufficiently charged.
X Charge the starter battery.
X Make another attempt to switch on the auxiliary heating using
the remote control. 138
Operating the climate control systemClimate control

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The auxiliary heating cannot be switched on or has switched itself
off.
There is too little fuel in the fuel tank.
X Refuel at the nearest filling station.
X Make another attempt to switch on the auxiliary heating using
the remote control. The auxiliary heating cannot be switched on or has switched itself
off.
The auxiliary heating is faulty.
X Have the auxiliary heating checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. Adjusting the air vents
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Very hot or very cold air can flow from the air vents. This could result in burns or frostbite in the immediate vicinity of the air vents. There
is a risk of injury.
Make sure that all vehicle occupants always
maintain a sufficient distance to the air out-
lets. If necessary, redirect the airflow to
another area of the vehicle interior.
In order to ensure the direct flow of fresh air
through the air vents into the vehicle interior,
please observe the following notes:
R keep the air inlet between the windscreen
and the bonnet free of blockages, such as
ice, snow or leaves.
R never cover the vents or ventilation grilles
in the vehicle interior.
i Move the adjusters for the air vents ver-
tically or horizontally, to set the direction of the airflow.
i Optimal climate control function is ach-
ieved by opening the air vents fully and set-
ting the adjusters to the middle position. Setting the centre air vents
X
To open the centre air vent: turn the
adjuster in one of centre air vents :anti-
clockwise.
X To close the centre air vent: turn the
adjuster in one of centre air vents :clock-
wise until it engages. Adjusting the air vents
139Climate control Z

Useful information
............................142
Running-in notes ............................... 142
Driving ............................................... 142
Manual transmission ........................150
Automatic transmission ...................151
Refuelling ........................................... 159
Parking ............................................... 162
Driving tips ........................................ 165
Driving systems ................................ 168
Towing a trailer ................................. 201 141Driving and parking

You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic lock- ing feature (Y page 223).
i Upshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature more quickly.
Pulling away with a trailer To ensure that you do not roll backwards
when pulling away on an uphill slope, engage
the electric parking brake.
X Press and hold handle :.
The electric parking brake continues to
brake and prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards.
The red !indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster remains lit.
X Depress the accelerator pedal.
X As soon as the vehicle/trailer combination
is held by the driving force of the engine,
release lever :.
The electric parking brake is released.
The red !indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
i For further information on the electric
parking brake, see (Y page 163). Hill start assist G
WARNING
After a short time, hill start assist will no lon-
ger brake your vehicle and it could roll away.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never
leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist.
Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient. It
holds the vehicle for a short time after you
have removed your foot from the brake pedal. This gives you enough time to move your footfrom the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal
and depress it before the vehicle begins to
roll.
X Remove your foot from the brake pedal.
The vehicle is then held for about a second.
X Pull away.
Hill start assist will not function if: R you are pulling away on a level road or a
downhill gradient.
R on vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission is in position N.
R the electric parking brake is engaged.
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning.
Further information on holding the vehicle
stationary on uphill gradients (Y page 154). ECO start/stop function
Introduction The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is stop-
ped under certain conditions.
When pulling away again, the engine starts
automatically. The ECO start/stop function
thereby helps you to reduce the fuel con-
sumption and emissions of your vehicle. Driving
145Driving and parking Z

Problems with the engine
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The engine does not
start. The HOLD function or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.
X Deactivate the HOLD function (Y page 179) or DISTRONIC
PLUS (Y page 173).
X Try to start the engine again. The engine does not
start. The starter motor
can be heard. R
There is a malfunction in the engine electronics.
R There is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
X Turn the key back to position 0in the ignition lock before
attempting to start the engine again.
X Try to start the engine again (Y page 143). Avoid excessively
long and frequent attempts to start the engine, as this will drain the battery.
If the engine does not start after several attempts:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine does not
start. The starter motor
can be heard. The
reserve fuel warning
lamp is lit and the fuel
gauge display shows 0. The fuel tank is empty.
X Refuel the vehicle. The engine does not
start. You cannot hear
the starter motor. The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak or
discharged.
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 308).
If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.
X Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two
minutes.
X Try to start the engine again.
If the engine still does not start:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre. Driving
149Driving and parking Z

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Vehicles with a petrol
engine:
The engine is not run-
ning smoothly and is
misfiring. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical
component of the engine management system.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-
verter and damage it.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. The coolant tempera-
ture display is showing
more than 120 †. The
coolant warning lamp
may also be on and a
warning tone may
sound. The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to
cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 288). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary. If the coolant level is correct, the engine radiator fan may be faulty.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled
sufficiently.
X If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic. Manual transmission
Gear lever
! Only engage gear when the clutch pedal is
depressed.
! When shifting to
5thand 6thgear, you
must press the shift lever to the right. Oth- erwise, you could shift unintentionally into
3rd or4th gear and damage the engine or
transmission.
If you shift down at too high a speed (trans-
mission braking), this can cause the engine
to overrev, leading to engine damage.
Do not use the clutch bite point to keep the vehicle stationary on uphill gradients.
There is otherwise a risk of damaging the
clutch.
! On long and steep downhill gradients,
especially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must shift into gear
1, 2or3in
good time. This uses the engine's braking
effect. This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly. Gear lever
k
Reverse gear
1 to6
Forward gears 150
Manual transmissionDriving and parking