belt MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2012 Owner's Guide

The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if the HOLD function is activa-
ted and:
R the driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened
R the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/
stop function
R a system fault occurs
R the power supply is not sufficient
Vehicles with automatic transmission
If a fault occurs, then the transmission may
also be shifted into position Pautomatically.
Vehicles with manual transmission
The Brake immediately Brake immediately message can also
appear in the multifunction display.
X Immediately depress the brake pedal firmly
until the warning message in the multifunc- tion display goes out.
The HOLD function is deactivated.
A horn will sound at regular intervals if you
turn off the engine, take off your seat belt or
open the driver's door when the HOLD func-
tion is activated. The horn alerts you to the
fact that the HOLD function is still activated.
If you attempt to lock the vehicle, the tone
becomes louder. The vehicle cannot be
locked until you have deactivated the HOLD
function.
i Once you have switched off the engine,
you cannot restart it until you have deacti-
vated the HOLD function. RACE START
Important safety notes RACE START enables optimum acceleration
from a standing start. The precondition for
this is a suitable high-grip road surface.
Only activate RACE START on dedicated race
circuits. i
RACE START is only available in AMG vehi-
cles.
Activation conditions You can activate RACE START if:
R the doors, the bonnet and the tailgate are
closed
R the engine is running and the transmission,
traction control and engine are at operating
temperature
R SPORT handling mode is activated
(Y page 66)
R the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead
position.
R the vehicle is stationary and the brake
pedal is depressed (left foot)
R the transmission is in position D.
R drive program Mis selected (Y page 155).
Activating RACE START X
Depress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.
X Pull and hold both steering wheel gearshift
paddles.
X The RACE START Confirm: Paddle UP RACE START Confirm: Paddle UP
Cancel: Paddle DOWN
Cancel: Paddle DOWN message appears
in the multifunction display.
X Release both steering wheel gearshift pad-
dles.
i If the activation conditions are no longer
fulfilled, RACE START is cancelled. The
RACE START not possible See Own‐
RACE START not possible See Own‐
er's er's Manual
Manual message appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
X To cancel: pull the left steering wheel shift
paddle (Y page 156).
or
X To confirm: pull the right steering wheel
shift paddle (Y page 156).
The RACE START available Depress
RACE START available Depress
accelerator
accelerator message appears in the mul-
tifunction display. Driving systems
181Driving and parking Z

R
if you have adopted a sporty driving style
with high cornering speeds or high rates of
acceleration
R if you are predominantly driving slower
than 80 km/h or faster than 180 km/h
R if you are currently using COMAND Online
or making a telephone call with COMAND
Online
R if the time has been set incorrectly
R in active driving situations, such as when
you change lanes or change your speed
Warning and display messages in the
multifunction display X
Activate ATTENTION ASSIST using the on-
board computer (Y page 219).
If ATTENTION ASSIST is active, you will be
warned no sooner than 20 minutes after
your journey has begun. You then hear an
intermittent warning tone twice and the
Attention Assist: Take a break!
Attention Assist: Take a break!
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
X If necessary, take a break.
X Press the aor% button to confirm
the message.
On long journeys, take regular breaks in good time to allow yourself to rest properly. If you
do not take a break, you will be warned again
after 15 minutes at the earliest. This will only
happen if ATTENTION ASSIST still detects
typical indicators of fatigue or increasing lap-
ses in concentration.
ATTENTION ASSIST is reset and starts
assessing your tiredness again when you con- tinue your journey if:
R you switch off the engine
R you take off your seat belt and open the
driver's door, e.g. for a change of drivers or
to take a break
When ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated, the é symbol appears in the multifunction
display in the assistance graphic display. Speed Limit Assist
General notes Speed Limit Assist shows you detected speed
limits in the multifunction display. Data from
the navigation system is also used for this
purpose. If a traffic sign indicating a speed
limit or the end of a speed limit is detected, it
is shown in the multifunction display. If Speed
Limit Assist does not detect any traffic signs, the speed limit from the digital road map is
taken and shown in the display.
Speed Limit Assist detects the traffic signs
with a camera attached behind the top of the
windscreen. :
Speed Limit Assist camera
Important safety notes Speed Limit Assist is only an aid and does not
always detect traffic signs specifying the
maximum permissible speed. Traffic signs
always have priority over the Speed Limit
Assist display.
The system may be impaired or may not func-
tion if:
R there is poor visibility, e.g. due to snow,
rain, fog or spray
R there is glare, e.g. from the sun or from
oncoming traffic
R the windscreen is dirty, misted up or cov-
ered, for instance by a sticker, in the vicinity
of the camera
R the traffic signs are covered, for instance by
dirt, snow or trees 196
Driving systemsDriving and parking

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.
Comfort Switching belt adjustment on/off
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings Settingsmenu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Convenience
Convenience submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Belt adjustment
Belt adjustment function.
If the Belt adjustment
Belt adjustment function is activa-
ted, the vehicle seat belt is shown in orange
in the multifunction display.
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
For further information on belt adjustment,
see (Y page 47).
Switching the fold in mirrors when lock-
ing function on/off
This function is only available on vehicles with
a memory function (Y page 101).
When you activate the Auto.
Auto. fold-in fold-in mir‐
mir‐
rors
rors function, the exterior mirrors are folded
in when the vehicle is locked.
When you unlock the vehicle and then open a door, the exterior mirrors fold out again.
If you have switched on the Auto. Auto.fold-in
fold-in
mirrors
mirrors function and you fold in the exterior mirrors using the button on the door
(Y
page 99), they will not fold out automati-
cally. The exterior mirrors can then only be
folded out using the button on the door.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings Settingsmenu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Convenience
Convenience submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Auto. fold-in mirrors
Auto. fold-in mirrors function.
If the Auto.
Auto. fold-in
fold-in mirrors
mirrorsfunction is
activated, the vehicle's exterior mirror is
displayed in orange in the multifunction
display.
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
Resetting to factory settings X
Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings Settingsmenu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Factory setting
Factory setting submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
The Reset all settings?
Reset all settings? message
appears.
X Press the :or9 button to select No
No
or Yes
Yes.
X Press the abutton to confirm the selec-
tion.
If you have selected Yes Yes, the multifunction
display shows a confirmation message.
For safety reasons, not all functions are reset: the Limit speed (winter tyres):
Limit speed (winter tyres): func-
tion in permanent SPEEDTRONIC can only be
set in the VEHICLE VEHICLEsubmenu. If you want to
reset the Daytime driving lights: Daytime driving lights: in the
Light
Light submenu, you must turn the key in the
ignition lock to position 1. Menus and submenus
225On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions !
Release parking Release parking
brake brake The red
!indicator lamp flashes and a warning tone sounds. A
condition for automatic release of the electric parking brake is not
fulfilled (Y page 163).
You are driving with the electric parking brake applied.
X Release the electric parking brake manually. The red
!indicator lamp flashes and a warning tone sounds.
You are making an emergency stop using the electric parking
brake (Y page 163). !
Parking brake See Parking brake See
Owner's Manual Owner's Manual The yellow
!warning lamp lights up.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
To apply:
X Switch the ignition off.
X Press the electric parking brake handle for at least ten seconds.
X Vehicles with manual transmission: engage first gear.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission: shift the transmission
to P.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The yellow
!warning lamp and the red !indicator lamp are
lit.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
To release:
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Release the electric parking brake manually.
or X Vehicles with manual transmission (automatic emergency
release): insert the seat belt in the belt buckle and accelerate
slightly more when pulling away.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission: release the electric
parking brake automatically (Y page 163).
If the electric parking brake still cannot be released: X Do not drive on.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Display
messages
233On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The red
!indicator lamp flashes and the yellow !warning
lamp is lit.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
To release:
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Release the electric parking brake manually.
To apply:
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Apply the electric parking brake manually.
If the red !indicator lamp continues to flash:
X Do not drive on.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 325).
X Vehicles with manual transmission: engage first gear.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission: shift the transmission
to P.
X Turn the front wheels towards the kerb.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The yellow
!warning lamp lights up. The red !indicator
lamp flashes for about ten seconds after the electric parking brake
has been applied or released. It then goes out or remains lit.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
If it is not possible to apply the electric parking brake:
X Vehicles with manual transmission: engage first gear.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission: shift the transmission
to P.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
If it is not possible to release the electric parking brake:
X Vehicles with manual transmission (automatic emergency
release): insert the seat belt in the belt buckle and accelerate
slightly more when pulling away.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission: release the electric
parking brake automatically (Y page 163).
If the electric parking brake still cannot be released:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 234
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions PRE-SAFE
PRE-SAFE
Functions cur‐ Functions cur‐
rently rently
limited
limited See
See
Owner's Manual
Owner's Manual Adaptive Brake Assist is temporarily inoperative. Possible causes:
R the radar sensor cover in the radiator trim is dirty.
R the function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio sta-
tions or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
R AMG vehicles: ESP ®
is deactivated.
R the system is outside the operating temperature range.
R the on-board voltage is too low.
Once the causes listed above no longer apply, the display message
goes out.
Adaptive Brake Assist is operational again.
If the display message does not disappear:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 162).
X Clean the radar sensor cover in the radiator grille (Y page 294).
X Restart the engine.
X AMG vehicles: reactivate ESP ®
(Y page 66). PRE-SAFE PRE-SAFE
Functions limited Functions limited
See Owner's Manual See Owner's Manual Adaptive Brake Assist is faulty. The distance warning signal may
also have failed.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ü If the symbol appears in the multifunction display, a seat belt
tongue has been inserted into a rear seat belt buckle.
Further information on the status indicator for the rear seat belts
(Y page 49). ý If the symbol appears in the multifunction display, a seat belt
tongue has not been inserted in a rear seat belt buckle.
G WARNING
A seat belt which is not worn correctly, or which has not been
engaged in the seat belt buckle correctly, cannot provide the
intended level of protection.
This poses an increased risk of injury.
X If necessary, ask the occupants in the rear to fasten their seat
belts (Y page 47).
Further information on the status indicator for the rear seat belts
(Y page 49). Display
messages
237On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions 6
Restraint Restraint
sys.
sys.mal‐
mal‐
function Consult
function Consult
workshop workshop There is a malfunction in the SRS (Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tem). The
6warning lamp also lights up in the instrument clus-
ter.
G WARNING
The airbags or belt tensioners may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury. X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
Further information on occupant safety (Y page 40).6
Front Front
left
leftmalfunc‐
malfunc‐
tion Consult work‐
tion Consult work‐
shop shop orFront
Front
right malfunction
right malfunction
Consult workshop Consult workshop SRS has malfunctioned at the front on the left or right. The
6
warning lamp also lights up in the instrument cluster.
G WARNING
The airbags or belt tensioners may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury. X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 6
Rear left malfunc‐ Rear left malfunc‐
tion Consult work‐ tion Consult work‐
shop shop
orRear right
Rear right
malfunction Con‐
malfunction Con‐
sult workshop sult workshop SRS has malfunctioned at the rear on the left or right. The
6
warning lamp also lights up in the instrument cluster.
G WARNING
The airbags or belt tensioners may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury. X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 238
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions 6
Rear centre mal‐ Rear centre mal‐
function Consult function Consult
workshop workshop SRS has malfunctioned at the rear centre. The
6warning lamp
also lights up in the instrument cluster.
G WARNING
The airbags or belt tensioners may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury. X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 6
Left Left
windowbag
windowbag mal‐
mal‐
function Consult
function Consult
workshop workshop orRight
Right
windowbag malfunc‐
windowbag malfunc‐
tion Consult work‐ tion Consult work‐
shop shop There is a malfunction in the left-hand and/or right-hand window-
bag. The 6warning lamp also lights up in the instrument clus-
ter.
G WARNING
The left or right windowbag may either be triggered unintentionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Lights
i Display messages about LEDs:
This display message will only appear if all the LEDs have failed. Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M MSolutions b
Left cornering Left cornering
light light
orRight cor‐
Right cor‐
nering light
nering light The left or right-hand cornering light is faulty.
X Check whether you are permitted to replace the bulb yourself
(Y page 112).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Left dipped beam Left dipped beam
or
Right dipped Right dipped
beam
beam The left or right-hand dipped-beam headlamp is faulty.
X Check whether you are permitted to replace the bulb yourself
(Y page 112).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Trailer left tail Trailer left tail
lamp lampor
Trailer
Trailer
right tail lamp
right tail lamp The left or right-hand trailer tail lamp is faulty.
X Check whether you are permitted to replace the bulb yourself.
or X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Display
messages
239On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ?
Coolant Stop vehi‐ Coolant Stop vehi‐
cle Switch engine cle Switch engine
off off The coolant is too hot.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
Never drive with an overheated engine. Driving when your engine is overheated can cause some fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious burns, which
can occur just by opening the bonnet.
There is a risk of injury.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 162).
X Wait until the engine has cooled down.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
X Do not start the engine again until the display message goes out
and the coolant temperature is below 120 †. The engine may
otherwise be damaged.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display.
X If the temperature increases again, visit a qualified specialist
workshop immediately.
Under normal operating conditions and with the specified coolant level, the coolant temperature may rise to 120 †. # The battery is not being charged.
A warning tone also sounds.
Possible causes:
R faulty alternator
R torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronics
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Open the bonnet.
X Check whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do not continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is OK: X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. 244
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Blind Spot Assist is temporarily inoperative. Possible causes:
R the sensors are dirty.
R the function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the radar sensor system is outside the operating temperature
range.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio sta-
tions or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
The yellow 9indicator lamps also light up in the exterior mir-
rors.
Once the causes listed above no longer apply, the display message goes out.
Blind Spot Assist is operational again.
If the display message does not disappear:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 162).
X Clean the sensors (Y page 294).
X Restart the engine. Blind Spot Assist Blind Spot Assist
inoperative inoperative Blind Spot Assist is faulty.
The yellow
9indicator lamps also light up in the exterior mir-
rors.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Park Park
Assist
Assist cancel‐
cancel‐
led
led The driver's door is open and the driver's seat belt has not been
fastened.
X Repeat the parking process with the seat belt fastened and the
driver's door closed. You inadvertently touched the multifunction steering wheel while
steering intervention was active.
X While steering intervention is active, make sure not to touch the
multifunction steering wheel. The vehicle has started to skid and ESP
®
has intervened.
X Use Active Parking Assist again later (Y page 186).248
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays