service MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2012 Owner's Manual

!
If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes automati-
cally in certain situations. To prevent dam-
age to the vehicle, deactivate DISTRONIC
PLUS and the HOLD function in the follow-
ing or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
Deactivate the HOLD function (Y page 180).
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when manoeuvring on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is cancelled and the HOLD function is deactivated when you depress theaccelerator pedal to pull away.
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if:
R the vehicle is stationary
R the engine is running or if it has been auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/
stop function
R the driver's door is closed or if your seat
belt is fastened
R the electric parking brake is released
R the transmission is in position D,Ror Non
vehicles with automatic transmission
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated Activating the HOLD function Example: vehicles with colour multifunction display
X Make sure that the activation conditions
are met.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Quickly depress the brake pedal further
until :appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again.
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated automati-
cally if:
R you accelerate. On vehicles with automatic
transmission: only when the transmission
is in position Dor R.
R the transmission is in position Pon vehicles
with automatic transmission.
R you depress the brake pedal again with a
certain amount of pressure until :disap-
pears from the multifunction display.
R you secure the vehicle using the electric
parking brake.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
i After a short period the vehicle is secured
by the electric parking brake, thus relieving
the service brake. 180
Driving systemsDriving and parking

while driving will distract you from traffic con-
ditions. You could then lose control of the
vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Only operate these devices if road traffic con-
ditions permit. If you are unsure about the
surrounding conditions, pull over to a safe
location and make entries only while the vehi-
cle is stationary.
When telephoning, you must observe the
legal requirements for the country in which
you are currently driving.
X Switch on your mobile phone and audio
system or COMAND Online, see the sepa-
rate operating instructions.
X Place a mobile phone in the mobile phone
bracket (Y page 279), or establish a Blue-
tooth ®
connection with the audio system or
COMAND Online (see the separate operat- ing instructions).
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Tel
Tel menu.
You will see one of the following display mes- sages in the multifunction display:
R Please Please enter
enterPIN:
PIN:the mobile phone has
been placed in the mobile phone bracket
and the PIN has not been entered.
When you enter your PIN via the mobile
phone, LINGUATRONIC, the audio system
or COMAND Online, the mobile phone
searches for a network.
R Telephone ready
Telephone ready or the name of the net-
work provider: the mobile phone has found a network and is ready to receive.
R Telephone No service
Telephone No service: there is no net-
work available or the mobile phone is
searching for a network.
i You can obtain further information about
suitable mobile phones and connecting
mobile phones via Bluetooth ®
:
R from any Mercedes Benz Service Centre
R on the Internet at: http://
www.mercedes-benz.com/connect Accepting a call
Example: incoming call
X Press the 6button on the steering
wheel to accept an incoming call.
If someone calls you when you are in the Tel Tel
menu, a display message appears in the mul- tifunction display.
If you are not in the Tel Telmenu, you can still
accept a call.
Rejecting or ending a call X
Press the ~button on the steering
wheel.
If you are not in the Tel
Telmenu, you can still
reject or end a call.
Dialling a number from the phone book X
Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Tel
Telmenu.
X Press the 9,:ora button to
switch to the phone book.
X Press the 9or: button to select the
desired name.
To start scrolling rapidly, press and hold the
9 or: button for longer than one
second.
Rapid scrolling stops when you release the button or reach the end of the list.
X If only one telephone number is stored
for a name: press the6ora button
to start dialling.
or X If there is more than one number for a
particular name: press the6ora
button to display the numbers. 216
Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

Further information on the distance warning
function (Y page 62).
Activating/deactivating ATTENTION
ASSIST X
Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Assist.
Assist. menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
ATTENTION ASSIST ATTENTION ASSIST.
X Press the abutton.
The current selection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: press thea
button again.
When ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated,
the é symbol appears in the multifunc-
tion display in the assistance graphics dis-
play.
For further information about ATTENTION
ASSIST, see (Y page 195).
Activating/deactivating Blind Spot
Assist X
Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Assist. Assist.menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Blind Spot Assist
Blind Spot Assist.
X Press the abutton.
The current selection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: press thea
button again.
For further information about Blind Spot
Assist, see (Y page 197).
When the Blind Spot Assist Sensors
Blind Spot Assist Sensors
deactivated
deactivated message is shown, the radar
sensors are deactivated.
X Switch on the radar sensor system
(Y page 223). Activating/deactivating Lane Keeping
Assist X
Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Assist. Assist.menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Lane Keeping Assist Lane Keeping Assist.
X Press the abutton.
The current selection is displayed.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to set Off
Off,
Standard
Standard orAdaptive
Adaptive .
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
When Lane Keeping Assist is activated, the
multifunction display shows the lane mark-
ings as bright lines in the assistance
graphic.
For further information about Lane Keeping
Assist, see (Y page 199). Service menu
In the
Serv. Serv. menu, you have the following
options:
R Calling up display messages in the mes-
sage memory (Y page 229)
R Restarting the tyre pressure loss warning
system (Y page 323)
R Calling up the service due date
(Y page 289) Menus and submenus
219On-board computer and displays Z

Settings menu
Introduction In the
Settings
Settings menu, you have the following
options:
R changing the instrument cluster settings
R changing the light settings
R changing the vehicle settings
R changing the auxiliary heating settings
(Y page 224)
R changing the convenience settings
R restoring the factory settings
Instrument cluster Selecting the unit of measurement for dis-
tance
You can determine whether the multifunction display shows some messages in miles or kil-
ometres.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings
Settings menu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Inst. cluster Inst. cluster submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Display unit Speed-/odometer:
Display unit Speed-/odometer: func-
tion.
You will see the selected setting km kmor
miles
miles.
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
The selected unit of measurement for dis-
tance applies to:
R the digital speedometer in the Trip
Trip menu
R the total distance recorder and the trip
meter
R the trip computer R
the current consumption and the range
R the navigation instructions in the Navi
Navi
menu
R cruise control
R SPEEDTRONIC
R DISTRONIC PLUS
R ASSYST PLUS service interval display
Switching the additional speedometer
on/off
Only vehicles with manual transmission have this function.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings Settingsmenu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Inst. cluster
Inst. cluster submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press :or9 to select the Dig.
Dig.
speedo [mph]:
speedo [mph]: function.
You will see the selected setting: Activa‐
Activa‐
ted
ted orDeactivated
Deactivated.
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
i The speed is displayed in mph.
i Vehicles for the United Kingdom: this
function is unavailable.
The Dig.
Dig. speedo
speedo [mph]
[mph]function allows you
to choose whether the status area in the mul- tifunction display always shows the speed in
mph
mph instead of the outside temperature.
Selecting the permanent display function
i Vehicles for the United Kingdom: this
function is unavailable.
You can determine whether the multifunction display permanently shows your speed or the
outside temperature.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings
Settingsmenu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Inst. cluster
Inst. cluster submenu.
X Press ato confirm. 220
Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Switching Adaptive Highbeam Assist on/
off
This function is only available on vehicles with
the Intelligent Light System.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings Settingsmenu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Lights
Lights submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Adapt. main beam
Adapt. main beam function.
If the Adapt. main beam
Adapt. main beam function has
been switched on, the cone of light and the _ symbol in the multifunction display
are shown in orange.
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
For further information about Adaptive High-
beam Assist, see (Y page 109).
Setting the brightness of the ambient
lighting
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings Settingsmenu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Lights
Lights submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Amb. light +/-
Amb. light +/- function.
You will see the selected setting.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to adjust the
brightness to any level from Off
Off toLevel 5Level 5
(bright).
X Press the aor% button to save the
setting.
Activating/deactivating the surround
lighting and exterior lighting delayed
switch-off
If you have activated the Surround light‐
Surround light‐
ing
ing function and the light switch is set to
Ã, the following functions are activated
when it is dark: R
surround lighting: the exterior lighting
remains lit for 40 seconds after unlocking
with the key. If you start the engine, the
surround lighting is switched off and auto-
matic headlamp mode is activated
(Y page 105).
R exterior lighting delayed switch-off: the
exterior lighting remains lit for 60 seconds
after the engine is switched off. If you close all the doors and the tailgate, the exterior
lighting goes off after 15 seconds.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings Settingsmenu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Lights
Lights submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Surround lighting
Surround lighting function.
When the Surround lighting
Surround lighting function is
activated, the light cone and the area
around the vehicle are displayed in orange
in the multifunction display.
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
Deactivating delayed switch-off of the exte-
rior lighting temporarily: X Before leaving the vehicle, turn the key to
position 0in the ignition lock.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
The exterior lighting delayed switch-off is
deactivated.
Delayed switch-off of the exterior lighting is
reactivated the next time you start the
engine.
i Depending on your vehicle's equipment,
when the surround lighting and delayed
switch-off exterior lighting are on, the fol-
lowing light up:
R side lamps
R foglamps
R dipped-beam headlamps
R daytime driving lights
R surround lighting in the exterior mirrors 222
Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

Display messages
General notes
Display messages appear in the multifunction display.
Display messages with graphic symbols are simplified in the Owner's Manual and may differ
from the symbols in the multifunction display.
Please respond in accordance with the display messages and follow the additional notes in this Owner's Manual.
Certain display messages are accompanied by an audible warning tone or a continuous tone.
When the ignition is switched off, all display messages are deleted apart from some high-
priority display messages. Once the causes of the high-priority display messages have been
rectified, the corresponding display messages are also deleted.
When you stop and park the vehicle, please observe the notes on the HOLD function
(Y page 179) and parking (Y page 162).Hiding display messages
X Press the aor% button on the steering wheel to hide the display message.
The display message is cleared.
The multifunction display shows high-priority display messages in red. Some high-priority dis- play messages cannot be hidden.
The multifunction display shows these messages continuously until the causes for the mes-
sages have been remedied. Message memory
The on-board computer saves certain display messages in the message memory. You can call
up the display messages:
X Press =or; on the steering wheel to select the Service
Service menu.
If there are display messages, the multifunction display shows, for example, 2 messages 2 messages.
X Press the 9or: button to select the entry, e.g. 2 messages
2 messages.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the 9or: button to scroll through the display messages. Display
messages
229On-board computer and displays Z

sion surrounding the possible health risk
posed by electromagnetic fields.
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of an
approved exterior aerial. This ensures:
R optimal mobile phone reception quality in
the vehicle
R mutual influences between the vehicle
electronics and mobile phones are mini-
mised
An exterior aerial has the following advan-
tages:
R it conducts the electromagnetic fields gen-
erated by a wireless device to the exterior.
R the field strength in the vehicle interior is
lower than in a vehicle that does not have
an exterior aerial.
Information on retrofitting two-way radios
and mobile phones (RF transmitters)
(Y page 336).
General notes There are various mobile phone brackets that
may be fitted in your vehicle; in some cases,
these are country-specific.
You can connect a Bluetooth ®
-capable
mobile phone with Audio 20 or COMAND
Online via the Bluetooth ®
interface. This also
applies if your vehicle is equipped with con-
venience telephony.
More information on suitable mobile phones,
mobile phone brackets and on connecting
Bluetooth ®
-capable mobile phones with
Audio 20 or COMAND Online can be obtained:
R at your Mercedes-Benz Service Centre
R on the Internet at http://www.mercedes-
benz.com/connect
i The functions and services available when
you use the phone depend on your mobile
phone model and service provider. Using a mobile phone If the mobile phone is inserted in the mobile
phone bracket, you can speak to the person
you are calling using the hands-free system.
X Open the telephone compartment
(Y page 270).
X Place the mobile phone bracket into the
pre-installed fitting (see the separate
installation instructions for the mobile
phone fitting).
X Insert the mobile phone into the mobile
phone bracket (see the separate installa-
tion instructions for the mobile phone fit-
ting).
i On some mobile phone brackets, first you
have to connect the phone to the mobile
phone bracket via Bluetooth ®
(see the sep-
arate operating instructions for the mobile
phone bracket).
If this is the case, the mobile phone does
not have to be inserted into the bracket for you to be able to use the telephone func-
tions. However, the charging function and
aerial function are not available.
Operating the mobile phone You can operate the telephone using the
6
and~ buttons on the multifunction
steering wheel. You can operate other mobile
phone functions via the on-board computer
(Y page 215).
When you remove the key from the ignition
lock, the mobile phone stays switched on.
However, you can no longer use the hands-
free system.
If you have an active call and would like to
take the key out of the ignition lock, first
remove the mobile phone from the bracket.
i If you use a mobile phone bracket which is
connected to your mobile via Bluetooth ®
and you wish to continue a call on your
mobile phone:
You should switch the call to "Private
mode" before you remove the key from the 280
FeaturesStowing and features

Useful information
............................284
Engine compartment ........................284
Service ............................................... 289
Care .................................................... 290 283Maintenance and care

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all mod-
els, series and optional equipment for your
vehicle that were available at the time of
going to press. National variations are pos- sible. Note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all of the functions descri-
bed. This is also the case for systems and
functions relevant to safety.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: (Y page 24). Engine compartment
Bonnet
Important safety notes G
WARNING
An unlocked bonnet may open while driving
and block your view. There is a risk of an acci- dent.
Never unlock the bonnet while driving. G
WARNING
When being opened and closed, the bonnet
may suddenly fall into the closed position.
There is a risk of injury to persons in the range of movement of the bonnet.
Open and close the bonnet only when nobody
is in the range of movement. G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment could be very hot, e.g. the engine, the
radiator and parts of the exhaust system.
There is a risk of injury when accessing the
engine compartment.
As far as possible, allow the engine to cool
down and only touch the components descri- bed in the following. G
WARNING
If you open the bonnet while the engine is
overheating or while there is a fire in the engine compartment, you could come into
contact with hot gases or other leaking ser-
vice products. There is a danger of injury.
Allow an overheating engine to cool down
before opening the bonnet. If there is a fire in the engine compartment, leave the bonnet
closed and notify the fire brigade. G
WARNING
There are parts in the engine compartment
that move. Certain components may continue
to run even if the ignition is switched off or
may suddenly start again, e.g. the radiator
fan. There is a danger of injury.
If you need to access the engine compart-
ment:
R switch off the ignition
R never enter the danger area of moving com-
ponents, e.g. the rotation area of the fan
R keep items of clothing away from moving
parts G
WARNING
The ignition system and the fuel injection sys- tem operate with a high voltage. If you touch
the live components, you could receive an
electric shock. There is a danger of injury.
Never touch components of the ignition sys-
tem or the fuel injection system when the
ignition is switched on.
Active bonnet (pedestrian protection) Operating principle
! Once triggered, an active bonnet must be
reset at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. The
active bonnet function will then be availa-
ble again. The additional pedestrian pro-
tection provided by the active bonnet will
then be restored.
The active bonnet is only available in certain
countries.
The active bonnet can reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians in certain accident situations. 284
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care

Checking the oil level using the oil dip-
stick Example: vehicles with a petrol engine
Vehicles with a diesel engine (apart from the A 180
CDI BlueEFFICIENCY model with manual transmis-
sion) A 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, manual transmission
X All models apart from the A 180 CDI
BlueEFFICIENCY model with manual
transmission: pull out oil dipstick :.
X A 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY model with
manual transmission: undo the oil filler
cap and pull it out together with integrated
oil dipstick :. X
Wipe off oil dipstick :.
X Slowly slide oil dipstick :into the guide
tube to the stop, and take it out again.
If the level is between MIN mark =and
MAX mark ;, the oil level is correct.
X If the oil level has dropped to MIN mark =
or below, top up with 1.0 litre of engine oil.
Adding engine oil G
WARNING
If engine oil comes into contact with hot com- ponents in the engine compartment, it may
ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that engine oil does not spill out
over the filler neck. Allow the engine to cool
down and thoroughly clean the components
that have come into contact with engine oil
before you start the engine. H
Environmental note
When topping up the oil, take care not to spill
any. If oil enters the soil or waterways, it is
harmful to the environment.
! Only use engine oils and oil filters that
have been approved for vehicles with a ser-
vice system. You can obtain a list of the
engine oils and oil filters tested and
approved in accordance with the
Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Service
Products at any Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
Damage to the engine or exhaust system is caused by the following:
R using engine oils and oil filters that have
not been specifically approved for the
service system
R changing the engine oil and oil filter after
missing the change interval required by
the service system
R using engine oil additives
! Do not add too much oil. Topping up with
too much engine oil can result in damage to
the engine or to the catalytic converter.
Have excess engine oil siphoned off. Engine compartment
287Maintenance and care Z