brake light MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2012 Owners Manual

1, 2, 3 ...
4ETS see ETS/4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tion System)
4MATIC (permanent all-wheel
drive)
Display message ............................ 254
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 182
12 V socket
see Sockets A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 230
Function/notes ................................ 61
Important safety notes .................... 61
Warning lamp .................................2 58
Activating/deactivating air-recir-
culation mode ................................... .132
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 126
Active light function ......................... 108
Active Parking Assist
Cancelling ...................................... 190
Detecting parking spaces .............. 187
Display message ............................ 248
Exiting a parking space .................. 189
Function/notes ............................ .187
Important safety notes .................. 186
Parking .......................................... 188
Towing a trailer .............................. 190
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 69
Adaptive Brake Assist
Display message ............................ 237
Function/notes ................................ 63
Adaptive brake lights .......................... 64
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Display message ............................ 243
Function/notes ............................ .109
Adaptive Main-beam Assist
Switching on/off (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 222
Additional speedometer ................... 220
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 344
Adjusting the headlamp range ......... 107Air filter (white display message)
.... 245
Air vents
Important safety notes .................. 139
Rear ............................................... 140
Setting .......................................... .139
Setting the centre air vents ........... 139
Setting the side air vents .............. .140
Air vents
see Climate control
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Airbags
Front airbag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 43
Important safety guidelines ............. 42
Kneebag .......................................... .44
Sidebag ............................................ 44
Triggering ......................................... 41
Windowba g...................................... 45
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Ambient lighting
Setting the brightness (on-board
computer) ...................................... 222
AMG
Menu (on-board computer) ............ 226
Performance Seat ............................ 97
Anti-glare film .................................... 281
Anti-lock braking system
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Aquaplaning ....................................... 167
Ashtray ............................................... 277
Assistance display (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 217
Assistance menu (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 217
ASSYST PLUS
Displaying a service message ........ 290
Hiding a service message .............. 289
Notes ............................................. 289
Resetting the service interval dis-
play ................................................ 290
Service message ............................ 289
Special service requirements ......... 290 4
Index

ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating .................. .69
Function ........................................... 69
Interior motion senso r..................... 70
Switching off the alarm .................... 69
Tow-away protection ........................ 70
ATTENTION ASSIST
Activating/deactivating ................. 219
Display message ............................ 245
Function/note s............................. 195
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 214
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 242
see Lights
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 147
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 146
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 105
Automatic transmission
Accelerator pedal position ............. 154
Automatic drive program ............... 156
Changing gear ............................... 154
DIRECT SELECT lever ..................... 151
Display message ............................ 252
Drive program display .................... 152
Driving tips .................................... 154
Emergency running mode .............. 159
Engaging drive position .................. 153
Engaging neutral ............................ 153
Engaging park position (AMG vehi-
cles) ............................................... 153
Engaging reverse gear ................... 153
Engaging the park position ............ 152
Holding the vehicle stationary on
uphill gradients .............................. 154
Kickdown ....................................... 154
Manual drive progra m.................... 156
Overview ........................................ 151
Problem (fault) ............................... 159
Program selector button ................ 155
Pulling away ................................... 144
Selector lever ................................ 153
Starting the engine ........................ 144
Steering wheel gearshift paddle s... 156
Trailer towing ................................. 155
Transmission position dis-
play ........................................ 152, 153 Transmission positions .................. 153
Automatic transmission emer-
gency running mode ......................... 159
Auxiliary heating
Activating/deactivating ................. 134
Activating/deactivating (on the
centre console ).............................. 135
Display message ............................ 255
Important safety notes .................. 134
Problem (display message) ............ 138
Remote control .............................. 135
Setting ........................................... 224
Setting the departure time ............. 136
Auxiliary ventilation
Activating/deactivating ................. 134
Activating/deactivating (on the
centre console ).............................. 135
Problem (display message) ............ 138
Remote control .............................. 135
Axle load, permissible (trailer tow-
ing) ...................................................... 349 B
Bag hook ............................................ 273
Ball coupling
Folding in ....................................... 205
Folding out ..................................... 203
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 62
Battery (key)
Checking .......................................... 76
Important safety notes .................... 76
Replacing ......................................... 76
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 306
Display message ............................ 244
Important safety notes .................. 304
Jump starting ................................. 308
Belt force limiter
Activation ......................................... 49
Function ........................................... 49
Belt tensioner
Activation ......................................... 41
Function ........................................... 49
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 219
Display message ............................ 247
Notes/function .............................. 198 Index
5

Trailer towing ................................. 199
Bonnet
Active bonnet (pedestrian protec-tion) ............................................... 284
Closing ...........................................2 86
Display message ............................ 254
Important safety notes .................. 284
Opening ......................................... 285
Boot
see Tailgate
Boot load (maximum) ........................ 346
Brake Assist System
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 236
Notes ............................................. 344
Brake lamps
Adaptive .......................................... .64
Changing bulbs .............................. 115
Display message ............................ 240
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 61
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 63
BAS .................................................. 62
Brake fluid (notes) ........................ .344
Display message ............................ 230
Driving tips ................................... .166
Important safety notes .................. 166
Parking brake ................................ 163
Warning lamp ................................. 258
Breakdown
see Flat tyre
see Towing away/tow-starting
Bulbs
see Replacing bulbs C
Calling up a fault see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Car wash (care) ................................. 291
Care
Automatic car wash ....................... 291
Carpets .......................................... 296
Display .......................................... .295
Exhaust pipe .................................. 294 Exterior lighting ............................
.293
Gear or selector lever .................... 295
High-pressure cleaner .................... 291
Interior .......................................... .295
Matt paintwork .............................. 292
Notes ............................................. 290
Paint .............................................. 292
Plastic trim ................................... .295
Reversing camera .......................... 294
Roof lining ...................................... 296
Seat belt ........................................ 296
Seat cover ..................................... 296
Sensors ......................................... 294
Steering wheel ............................... 295
Trim pieces ................................... .295
Washing by hand ........................... 291
Wheels .......................................... .292
Windows ........................................ 293
Wiper blades .................................. 293
Wooden trim .................................. 295
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 223
Locking/unlocking (key ).................. 75
Centre console
Lower section .................................. 35
Upper section .................................. 34
Changing bulbs
Brake lamps ................................... 115
Cornering light function ................. 114
Dipped-beam headlamp s............... 113
Main-beam headlamp s................... 114
Rear foglamp ................................. 115
Reversing lamps ............................ 115
Tail lamps ...................................... 115
Turn signals (front) ......................... 114
Turn signals (rear) .......................... 115
Child seat
Automatic recognition ..................... 52
ISOFIX .............................................. 53
On the front-passenger sea t............ 51
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 56
Recommendations ........................... 58
Suitable positions ............................ 56
Top Tether ....................................... 54
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes .................... 60
Rear doors ....................................... 60 6
Index

Dashboard lighting
see Instrument cluster lighting
Data
see Technical data
Daytime driving lights
Display message ............................ 242
Switching on/off (on-board com-
puter) ............................................ .221
Switching on/off (switch) .............. 105
Dealership
see Qualified specialist workshop
Declarations of conformity ................. 23
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 222
Interior lighting .............................. 223
Diagnostics connection ......................23
Diesel .................................................. 341
Digital speedometer .........................212
Dipped-beam headlamps
Changing bulbs .............................. 113
Display message ............................ 239
Setting for driving abroad (sym-
metrical) ........................................ 104
Setting for driving on the right/
left ................................................. 221
Switching on/off ........................... 105
DIRECT SELECT lever
see Automatic transmission
Display (cleaning instructions) ........295
Display message
Driving systems ............................ .245
Display messages
ASSYST PLUS ................................ 289
Calling up (on-board computer) ..... 229
Engine ............................................ 243
General information ....................... 229
Hiding (on-board computer) ........... 229
Key ................................................ 256
Lights ............................................. 239
Safety systems .............................. 230
Tyres .............................................. 251
Vehicle .......................................... .252
Distance recorder
see Trip meter
Distance warning function
Activating/deactivating ................. 218 Function/notes ................................ 62
Warning lamp ................................. 266
DISTRONIC PLUS
Activation conditions ..................... 175
Cruise control lever ....................... 174
Deactivating ................................... 177
Display message ............................ 249
Displays in the multifunction dis-
pla y................................................ 175
Driving tips .................................... 178
Function/note s............................. 174
Important safety notes .................. 173
Selecting ........................................ 175
Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 177
Warning lamp ................................. 266
Door
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 223
Automatic locking (switch) ............... 81
Central locking/unlocking (key) ...... 75
Control panel ................................... 37
Display message ............................ 254
Emergency locking ........................... 81
Emergency unlocking ....................... 81
Important safety notes .................... 79
Opening (from the inside) ................ 80
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 156
Display ........................................... 153
Display (DIRECT SELECT lever) ...... 152
Manual ........................................... 156
Driver's door
see Door
Driving abroad
Service24h .................................... 290
Symmetrical dipped beam ............. 104
Driving on flooded roads .................. 167
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....... 61
ADAPTIVE BRAK E............................. 69
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 63
Adaptive brake lights ....................... 64
BAS (Brake Assist System) .............. 62
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST .... 62
Distance warning function ............... 62
Electronic Brake-force Distribu-
tion .................................................. 68 8
Index

Problem (malfunction) ...................1
61
Quality (diesel )............................... 341
Refuelling ....................................... 159
Tank content/reserve fue l............. 339
Fuel filler flap
Opening/closing ............................ 160
Fuel filter (white display message) .. 245
Fuel level
Calling up the range (on-board
computer) ...................................... 212
Gaug e.............................................. 30
Fuel reserve
see Fuel
Fuel tank
Capacity ........................................ 339
Problem (malfunction) ................... 161
Fuses
Allocation chart ............................. 315
Before changing ............................. 314
Fuse box in the engine compart-
ment .............................................. 315
Fuse box in the front-passenger
footwell .......................................... 315
Important safety notes .................. 314 G
Gear indicator (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 226
Gear or selector lever (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 295
Gearshift program
SETUP (on-board computer) .......... 226
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts ........... 21
Glove compartment .......................... 269H
Handbrake see Parking brake
Hazard warning lamps ...................... 108
Display message ............................ 256
Head restraints
Adjusting ......................................... 94
Adjusting (electrically) ..................... 95
Adjusting (manually) ........................ 95
Adjusting (rear) ................................ 96
Fitting/removing (rear) .................... 96 Headlamp
Cleaning system (function) ............ 108
Cleaning system (notes) ................ 345
Headlamps
Misting up ...................................... 110
Topping up the cleaning system .... 289
see Automatic headlamp mode
Heating
see Climate control
High-pressure cleaners .................... 291
Hill start assist .................................. 145
HOLD function
Deactivating ................................... 180
Display message ............................ 246
Function/note s............................. 180 I
Ignition lock see Key positions
Immobiliser .......................................... 69
Indicator and warning lamps
Coolant .......................................... 264
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 266
Engine diagnostics ......................... 264
SPORT handling mode ................... 261
Indicator lamps
Display message ............................ 240
see Warning and indicator lamps
Inspection
see ASSYST PLUS
Instrument cluster
Overview .......................................... 30
Setting s......................................... 220
Warning and indicator lamps ........... 32
Instrument cluster lighting .............. 208
Intelligent Light System
Activating/deactivating ................. 221
Display message ............................ 242
Overview ........................................ 108
Setting the dipped-beam head-
lamps for driving on the right/left .. 221
Interior lighting ................................. 111
Automatic control system .............. 111
Delayed switch-off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 223
Emergency lighting ........................ 111
Manual control ............................... 111 Index
11

Assistance menu ........................... 217
Audio menu ................................... 214
Convenience submenu .................. 225
Display message s.......................... 229
Displaying a service message ........ 290
Factory setting submenu ............... 225
Heating submenu ........................... 224
Important safety notes .................. 208
Instrument cluster submenu .......... 220
Light submenu ............................... 221
Menu overview .............................. 211
Message memory .......................... 229
Navigation menu ............................ 213
Operating the TV ............................ 215
Operating video DVD ..................... 215
Operation ....................................... 209
RACETIMER ................................... 226
Service menu ................................. 219
Settings menu ............................... 220
Standard display ............................ 211
Telephone menu ............................ 215
Trip menu ...................................... 211
Vehicle submenu ........................... 223
Opening and closing the side trim
panels ................................................. 115
Operating system
see On-board computer
Outside temperature display ........... 209
Overhead control panel ...................... 36
Override feature
Rear side window s........................... 61 P
Paint code .......................................... 338
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ... 292
Panorama sliding sunroof
Important safety information ........... 86
Opening/closing .............................. 87
Opening/closing the roller sun-
blind ................................................. 89
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 89
Rain closing feature ......................... 88
Resetting ......................................... 89
Parking ............................................... 162
Important safety notes .................. 162
Parking brake ................................ 163 Position of exterior mirror, front-
passenger side ............................... 100
Reversing camera .......................... 191
see Active Parking Assist
see PARKTRONIC
Parking aid
Active Parking Assist ..................... 186
see Exterior mirrors
see PARKTRONIC
Parking aid
see PARKTRONIC
Parking brake
Display message ............................ 233
Electric parking brake .................... 163
Warning lamp ................................. 263
Parking lamps
Display message ............................ 241
Switching on/of f........................... 106
PARKTRONIC
Deactivating/activating ................. 185
Driving system ............................... 182
Function/note s............................. 182
Important safety notes .................. 182
Problem (fault) ............................... 186
Sensor rang e................................. 183
Trailer towing ................................. 185
Warning display ............................. 184
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp ...................................................... 52
Petrol .................................................. 340
Plastic trim (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 295
Power windows
see Side windows
PRE-SAFE® (anticipatory occupant
protection)
Operation ......................................... 45
PRE-SAFE® (preventive occupant
safety system)
Display message ............................ 236
Program selector button .................. 155
Protection of the environment
General notes .................................. 21
Pulling away
Automatic transmission ................. 144
Manual transmission ...................... 144
Trailer ............................................ 145 14
Index

Data stored in the vehicle
A number of electronic components in your
vehicle contain data memories.
These data memories temporarily or perma-
nently store technical information about:
R the vehicle's operating state
R events
R faults
This technical information generally docu-
ments the condition of a component, a mod-
ule, a system or an environment.
These are, for example:
R operating conditions of system compo-
nents. This includes, e.g. fluid levels.
R status messages from the vehicle and from
individual vehicle components. This
includes, e.g. number of wheel revolu-
tions/speed, deceleration, lateral acceler-
ation.
R malfunctions and faults in important sys-
tem components. This includes, e.g. lights,
brakes.
R reactions of the vehicle in special driving
situations. This includes, e.g. deployment
of an airbag, intervention of stability control
systems.
R environmental conditions. This includes,
e.g. the outside temperature.
This data is exclusively technical in nature
and is used to:
R assist in the detection and rectification of
faults and defects
R optimise vehicle functions
The data cannot be used to trace the vehicle's movements over distances travelled.
When your vehicle is serviced, this technical
information can be read out from the event
and fault memory.
Services include:
R repairs
R service processes R
warranty claims
R quality assurance
The information is read out by authorised
employees of the service network (including
manufacturers) using special diagnostic devi-
ces. You can find more information there if
necessary.
After a fault has been rectified, the informa-
tion in the fault memory is deleted or consec- utively overwritten.
In normal vehicle operation, situations may
arise in which this technical data could
become personal in nature in conjunction
with other information and, if necessary, on
consultation of an approval official.
Examples include:
R accident reports
R vehicle damage
R witness testimonies
Further additional features which are con-
tractually agreed with the customer likewise
allow specific vehicle data to be obtained
from the vehicle. Such additional features
include vehicle locating in an emergency, for
example. Copyright information
General notes
You can find information on licences for free
and open-source software used in your vehi-
cle and its electronic components on the fol- lowing website:
http://www.mercedes-benz.com/
opensource Int
roduction
25 Z

Cockpit
Function Page
:
Steering wheel gearshift
paddles
156
;
Combination switch 107
=
Instrument cluster 30
?
Horn
A
DIRECT SELECT lever 151
B
PARKTRONIC warning dis-
play
182
C
Overhead control panel 36
D
Climate control systems 122 Function Page
E
Ignition lock 143
F
Adjusting the steering
wheel
98
G
Cruise control lever 169
H
Electric parking brake 163
I
Light switch 105
J
Diagnostics connection 23
K
Opening the bonnet 28528
CockpitAt a glance

Function Page
:
Overhead control panel 36
;
PARKTRONIC warning dis-
play 182
=
Combination switch 107
?
Instrument cluster 30
A
Horn
B
DIRECT SELECT lever 151
C
Steering wheel gearshift
paddles
156
D
Light switch 105 Function Page
E
Electric parking brake 163
F
Opening the bonnet 285
G
Diagnostics connection 23
H
Ignition lock 143
I
Adjusting the steering
wheel
98
J
Cruise control lever 169
K
Climate control systems 122Cockpit
29At a glance

PRE-SAFE
®
takes pre-emptive measures to
protect occupants in certain hazardous sit-
uations.
PRE-SAFE ®
intervenes:
R when BAS activates, e.g. in emergency
braking situations
R when adaptive Brake Assist intervenes
powerfully on vehicles with DISTRONIC
PLUS
R in critical driving situations, e.g. when phys-
ical limits are exceeded and the vehicle
understeers or oversteers severely
PRE-SAFE ®
takes the following measures
depending on the hazardous situation detec-
ted:
R the front seat belts are pre-tensioned.
R vehicles with the memory function: the
front-passenger seat is adjusted if it is in an
unfavourable position.
R if the vehicle skids, the panorama sliding
sunroof and the side windows are closed so that only a small gap remains.
If the hazardous situation passes without
resulting in an accident, PRE-SAFE ®
slackens
the belt pretensioning. All settings made by
PRE-SAFE ®
can then be reversed.
If the seat belts are not released:
X Move the backrest or seat back slightly, but
only when the vehicle is stationary.
The belt pretensioning is reduced and the
locking mechanism is released.
More information about seat belt adjustment,
a convenience function integrated into PRE-
SAFE (Y page 47). Seat belts
Important safety notes 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. Under certain circumstan- ces, this could cause severe or even fatal inju-
ries in the event of an accident.
Therefore, make sure that all occupants — in
particular, pregnant women — wear their seat
belts correctly at all times.
R The seat belt must fit snugly on your body
and must not be twisted. Therefore, avoid
wearing bulky clothing, e.g. a winter coat.
The shoulder section of the belt must be
routed across the centre of your shoulder — on no account across your neck or under
your arm — and pulled tight against your
upper body. The lap belt must always pass
across your lap as low down as possible, i.e.
over your hip joints — not across your abdo- men. If necessary, push the seat belt
slightly downwards and adjust it by pulling
it in the direction the seat belt retracts.
R Do not route the seat belt strap over sharp
or fragile objects. Please make sure that
such objects are not on or in your clothing,
e.g. spectacles, pens or keys etc. The seat
belt strap could become damaged and tear
during an accident and you or other vehicle occupants could be injured.
R Only one person should use each seat belt
at any one time. Children must never travel
sitting on the lap of another occupant. The
child will not be secured in the event of an
accident, heavy braking or sudden change
of direction. This may result in the child or
other occupants being seriously or fatally
injured.
R Persons under 1.50 mtall cannot wear the
seat belts correctly. For this reason secure persons less than 1.50 m tall in specially
designed, suitable restraint systems.
R Children under 1.50 m tall and younger
than twelve years of age cannot wear the
seat belts correctly. For this reason secure
them in special suitable child restraint sys-
tems installed on a suitable seat. Additional
information can be found in the Operating
Instructions in the chapter "Safety", "Chil-
dren in the Vehicle". Observe the installa- 46
Occupant safetySafety