towing MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2015 Owner's Guide

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). Loading guidelines
G
WARNING
If objects, luggage or loads are not secured or not secured sufficiently, they could slip, tip
over or be flung around and thereby hit vehicle
occupants. There is a risk of injury, especially when braking or abruptly changing directions.
Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around. Secure objects, luggage or
loads against slipping or tipping before the
journey. 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
The exhaust tail pipe and tail pipe trim can
become very hot. If you come into contact
with these parts of the vehicle, you could burn
yourself. There is a risk of injury.
Always be particularly careful around the
exhaust tail pipe and the tail pipe trim. Allow
these components to cool down before touch-
ing them. The handling characteristics of a laden vehi-
cle are dependent on the distribution of the
load within the vehicle. For this reason, you
should observe the following notes when
transporting a load:
R never exceed the maximum permissible
gross vehicle weight or the permissible axle
loads for the vehicle (including occupants).
R the luggage compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects.
R position heavy loads as far forwards as pos-
sible and as low down in the load compart-ment as possible.
R the load must not protrude above the upper
edge of the seat backrests.
R always place the load against the rear or
front seat backrests. Make sure that the
seat backrests are securely locked into
place.
R always place the load behind unoccupied
seats if possible.
R use the lashing eyelets and the luggage
nets to transport loads and luggage.
R only use lashing eyelets and fastening com-
ponents that are suitable for the weight and size of the load.
R the maximum load capacity of the stowage
well under the luggage compartment floor
is 25 kg.
R secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant lashing material. pad sharp
edges for protection.
! Do not position the load on one part of the
folding luggage compartment floor only.
The maximum load capacity of the folding
luggage compartment floor is 100 kg.
Spread the weight evenly to avoid damag-
ing the luggage compartment floor. Place a
solid board under the load if necessary.
Please note that the load on the luggage
compartment floor will be increased when
the load is lashed down. 306
Loading guidelinesStowing and features

Stowage areas
Stowage compartments
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If objects in the passenger compartment are
stowed incorrectly, they can slide or be
thrown around and hit vehicle occupants.
There is a risk of injury, particularly in the
event of sudden braking or a sudden change
in direction.
R Always stow objects so that they cannot be
thrown around in such situations.
R Always make sure that objects do not pro-
trude from stowage spaces, parcel nets or
stowage nets.
R Close the lockable stowage spaces before
starting a journey.
R Stow and secure objects that are heavy,
hard, pointed, sharp-edged, fragile or too
large in the luggage compartment.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 306).
Front stowage compartments Glove compartment
X
To open: pull handle :and open glove
compartment flap ;.
X To close: fold glove compartment flap ;
upwards until it engages.
There is a pen holder at the top of the glove
compartment flap. Spectacles compartment
X
To open: press marking :.
Make sure that the spectacles compartment
is always closed while the vehicle is in motion.
Stowage compartment in the front centreconsole Illustration: vehicles with DIRECT SELECT
lever
X To open: press the marking on cover :.
i Depending on the vehicle's equipment,
there may be an ashtray in the centre con-
sole instead of the stowage compartment. Stowage areas
307Stowing and features Z

Stowage compartment in front of the arm-
rest (vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion) Vehicles with DIRECT SELECT lever
X To open: press the marking on cover :.
i You can remove the non-slip mat and the
insert for cleaning. When removing the
insert you will have to overcome some
slight resistance.
Stowage compartment/telephone com-
partment under the armrest X
To open: on vehicles with moveable armr-
ests, make sure that the armrest is in the
rearmost position.
X Press button :and fold the armrest up.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the
armrest can be moved backwards or forwards
in a longitudinal direction.
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the
following may be in the stowage space:
R a multimedia connector unit with an SD
card slot and 2 USB ports, e.g. for use with an iPod
®
, iPhone ®
or MP3 player; see the
separate operating instructions
R a mobile phone bracket (Y page 318)
Stowage compartment under the driver's and front-passenger seat G
WARNING
If you exceed the maximum permitted load of the stowage compartment, the cover is
unable to restrain the objects. Objects may be
thrown out of the stowage compartment and
hit vehicle occupants as a result. There is a
risk of injury, particularly in the event of sud-
den braking or a sudden change in direction.
Always observe the maximum load of the
stowage compartment. Stow and secure
heavy objects in the luggage compartment.
The maximum permissible load of the stow-
age compartment is 1.2 kg. X
To open: pull handle :up and fold
cover ;forwards.
On vehicles with a fire extinguisher instead of
a stowage compartment, the fire extinguisher
is installed under the driver's seat. 308
Stowage areasStowing and features

Rear stowage compartments
Stowage compartment in the rear centre
console
X
To open: pull down the top of stowage
compartment :by the edge of the handle.
i Depending on the vehicle's equipment,
there may be an open stowage space above the stowage compartment. Luggage nets
Luggage nets are located: R in the front-passenger footwell
R on the back of the driver's and front-
passenger seat
R on the left and right-hand side in the lug-
gage compartment
R beneath the parcel shelf
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 306)
and the safety notes regarding stowage
spaces (Y page 307). Through-loading facility in the rear
compartment
X
To open: fold down seat armrest :.
X Pull the centre head restraint on the rear
bench seat into the uppermost position
(Y page 109). X
Slide locking mechanism =in the direc-
tion of the arrow.
X Swing flap ;fully to the side.
Flap ;is held open by a magnet.
X To close: swing flap ;in the luggage com-
partment back until it engages.
X Fold armrest :up fully if necessary.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 306). Enlarging the luggage compartment
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the rear bench seat/rear seat and seat
backrest are not engaged they could fold for- Stowage areas
309Stowing and features
Z

wards, e.g. when braking suddenly or in the
event of an accident.
R The vehicle occupant would thereby be
pushed into the seat belt by the rear bench
seat/rear seat or by the seat backrest. The
seat belt cannot protect as intended and
could result in additional injury.
R Objects or loads in the boot/luggage com-
partment cannot be restrained by the seat
backrest.
This poses an increased risk of injury.
Before every trip, make sure that the seat
backrests and the rear bench seat/rear seat
are engaged before every trip.
! Before folding the backrest in the rear
compartment forwards, make sure that the rear compartment armrest and the
cupholder are folded in. They may other-
wise be damaged.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 306).
The left-hand and right-hand rear seat backr-
ests can be folded forwards separately to
increase the luggage compartment capacity.
Folding the rear seat backrest forwardsand back Folding the rear seat backrest forward
X
If necessary, press the backrest head
restraints down fully (Y page 110).
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary. X
Pull left-hand or right-hand release han-
dle ;of the seat backrest forwards.
The corresponding seat backrest :is
released.
X Fold backrest :forwards.
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary. X
Insert the seat belt into seat-belt holder :.
Folding the rear seat backrest back
! Make sure that the seat belt does not
become trapped when folding the rear seat backrest back. Otherwise, it could be dam- aged. X
Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
X Fold seat backrest :back until it engages.
Red lock status indicator ;is no longer
visible.
X Adjust the head restraints if necessary
(Y page 110).
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary. 310
Stowage areasStowing and features

Securing a load
Lashing eyelets General notes
Observe the following notes on securing
loads:
R observe the loading guidelines
(Y page 306).
R secure the load using the lashing eyelets.
R distribute the load on the lashing eyelets
evenly.
R do not use elastic straps or nets to secure a
load. These are only intended as an anti-slip protection for light loads.
R do not route lashing materials across sharp
edges or corners.
R pad sharp edges for protection.
Luggage compartment :
Lashing eyelets
Bag hook G
WARNING
The bag hooks cannot restrain heavy objects
or items of luggage. Objects or items of lug-
gage could be flung around and thereby hit
vehicle occupants when braking or abruptly
changing directions. There is a risk of injury.
Only hang light objects on the bag hooks.
Never hang hard, sharp-edged or fragile
objects on the bag hooks.
! The bag hook can bear a maximum load of
3 kg. Do not use it to secure a load. :
Bag hook Parcel shelf
! The maximum load which may be placed
on the rear shelf is 2.5 kg. X
To remove: detach straps :from the tail-
gate.
X Fold the parcel shelf downwards.
X Pull the parcel shelf out to the rear ;.
X To fit: place the parcel shelf on the guide
rails on the left and right.
X Push the parcel shelf evenly forwards using
both hands until it engages.
X Fold the parcel shelf up.
X Attach straps :to the tailgate. Stowage areas
311Stowing and features Z

Stowage well under the luggage com-
partment floor
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you drive when the luggage compartment
floor is open, objects could be flung around,
thus striking vehicle occupants. There is a risk of injury, especially when braking or abruptly
changing directions.
Always close the luggage compartment floor
before a journey.
! The maximum load capacity of the stow-
age well under the luggage compartment
floor is 25 kg.
Under the luggage compartment floor you
can find a bracket for TIREFIT and the vehicle tool kit, etc.
Opening/closing the luggage compart-
ment floor X
To open: open the tailgate.
X Holding ribbing ;, press handle :down-
wards.
Handle :folds upwards.
X Swing the luggage compartment floor
upwards using handle :until it rests
against the luggage compartment cover.
X If a parcel shelf is fitted: hook the loop on
the luggage compartment floor into the
hook on the underside of the parcel shelf. X
If the parcel shelf is not fitted: fold out
hook =on the underside of the luggage
compartment floor.
X Fold out hook =on the underside of the
luggage compartment floor. X
Attach hook =to the luggage compart-
ment's upper seal ?.
X To close (if a parcel shelf is fitted):
unhook the loop from the hook on the
underside of the parcel shelf.
X If the parcel shelf is not fitted : detach
hook =from upper seal ?.
X Fasten hook =to the bracket on the
underside of the luggage compartment
floor.
X Fold the luggage compartment floor down.
X Press the luggage compartment floor down
until it engages. 312
Stowage areasStowing and features

Roof carrier
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When a load is transported on the roof, the
vehicle's centre of gravity rises and the han-
dling changes. If you exceed the maximum
roof load, the handling as well as steering and braking characteristics are severely affected.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always observe the maximum roof load and
adapt your driving style.
! Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
only use roof carriers that have been tested and approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
This helps to prevent damage to the vehi-
cle.
Position the load on the roof carrier in such
a way that the vehicle will not sustain dam-
age even when it is in motion.
Ensure that, depending on the vehicle's
equipment, you can raise the panorama
sliding sunroof fully and open the tailgate
fully when the roof carrier is fitted.
You will find information on the maximum roof
load in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 404).
An incorrectly secured roof carrier or roof
load may become detached from the vehicle.
You must therefore ensure that you observe
the roof carrier manufacturer's installation
instructions.
i Vehicles with panorama sliding sun-
roof: if a roof carrier is fitted, the panorama
sliding sunroof cannot be opened. In order
to allow ventilation of the vehicle interior,
you can raise the panorama sliding sunroof.
If a roof carrier approved by Mercedes-
Benz makes contact with the panorama
sliding sunroof, the sunroof will lower
slightly but remain raised in the rear. Attaching the roof carrier
X
Open covers :carefully in the direction of
the arrow.
X Fold covers :upwards.
X Only secure the roof carrier to the anchor-
age points under covers :.
X Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions. Features
Cup holders
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The cup holder cannot secure a drinks con-
tainer in place during a journey. If you use a
cup holder during a journey, the drinks con-
tainer could be flung around and liquid could
be spilt. Vehicle occupants could come into
contact with the liquid and, in particular, be
scalded by hot liquid. You could be distracted
from the traffic situation and lose control of
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident and
injury.
Only use the cup holder when the vehicle is
stationary. Only place containers of a suitable size in the cup holder. Seal the container, in
particular when it contains hot liquid. G
WARNING
If objects in the passenger compartment are
stowed incorrectly, they can slide or be Features
313Stowing and features
Z

X
Fold down the rear seat armrest.
X To open: press the front of cup holder :
or ;.
Cup holder :or; extends automatically.
X To close: slide cup holder :or; back
until it engages. Sun visors
Overview :
Mirror light
; Retainer
= Retaining clip, e.g. for a car park ticket
? Vanity mirror
A Mirror cover
Vanity mirror in the sun visor Mirror light
:only functions if the sun visor
is clipped into retainer ;and mirror cover A
has been folded up. Glare from the side X
Fold down sun visor :.
X Pull sun visor :out of retainer ;.
X Swing sun visor :to the side. Ashtray
Front ashtray !
The stowage space under the ashtray is
not heat resistant. Before placing lit ciga-
rettes in the ashtray, make sure that the
ashtray is properly engaged. Otherwise, the
stowage space could be damaged. X
Vehicles with a stowage compartment
cover: press the lower section of cover :.
The stowage compartment opens.
X To remove the insert: lift insert=up;
and out.
X To refit the insert: press insert=into the
holder until it engages.
i If you remove the ashtray insert, you can
use the resulting compartment for stow-
age. Features
315Stowing and features Z

Rear-compartment ashtray
X
To open: pull cover =out by its top edge.
X To remove: pull insert;by recess :in
the direction of arrow ?until it audibly
releases.
X Lift insert ;up and out.
X To fit the insert: fit insert;from above
into the holder and press down until it
engages. Cigarette lighter
G
WARNING
You can burn yourself if you touch the hot
heating element or the socket of the cigarette lighter.
In addition, flammable materials can ignite if:
R the hot cigarette lighter falls
R a child holds the hot cigarette lighter to
objects, for example
There is a risk of fire and injury.
Always hold the cigarette lighter by the knob.
Always make sure that the cigarette lighter is
out of reach of children. Never leave children unattended in the vehicle.
Your attention must always be focused on the traffic conditions. Only use the cigarette
lighter when road and traffic conditions per-
mit. X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock (Y page 157).
X Vehicles with a stowage compartment
cover: press the lower section of cover :.
The stowage compartment opens.
X Press in cigarette lighter ;.
Cigarette lighter ;will pop out automati-
cally when the heating element is red-hot. 12 V sockets
General notes X
Turn the key to position 1in the ignition
lock (Y page 157).
The sockets can be used for accessories with a maximum draw of 180 W(15 A). Accesso-
ries include such items as mobile phone
chargers.
If you use the sockets for long periods when
the engine is switched off, the battery may
discharge.
An emergency cut-off ensures that the on-
board voltage does not drop too low. If the on-
board voltage is too low, the power to the
sockets is automatically cut. This ensures
that there is sufficient power to start the
engine. 316
FeaturesStowing and fea
tures