suspension MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2015 Owners Manual

Selecting ........................................ 195
Storing the current speed .............. 195
Variabl e......................................... 195
SPEEDTRONIC (variable)
Storing the current speed and
calling up the last stored speed ..... 195
SPORT handling mode
Deactivating/activating
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ................ 75
Warning lamp ................................. 298
Start-off assist
Activating ....................................... 206
Important safety notes .................. 206
Start/Stop button
Removing ....................................... 159
Starting the engine ........................ 160
Start/stop function
see ECO start/stop function
Starting (engine) ................................ 159
STEER CONTROL .................................. 77
Steering
Display message ............................ 290
Steering assistant STEER CON-
TROL
see STEER CONTROL
Steering wheel
Adjusting (manually) ...................... 112
Button overview ............................... 32
Buttons (on-board computer) ......... 239
Cleaning ......................................... 334
Gearshift paddle s........................... 177
Important safety notes .................. 112
Steering wheel gearshift paddles .... 177
Stopwatch (RACETIMER) ................... 254
Stowage compartment
Map pockets .................................. 309
Stowage compartments
Armrest (front) ............................... 308
Armrest (under) ............................. 308
Centre console .............................. 307
Centre console (rear) ..................... 309
Cup holde r..................................... 313
Glove compartment ....................... 307
Important safety information ......... 307
Spectacles compartment ............... 307
Under driver's seat/front-
passenger sea t.............................. 308 Stowage net
....................................... 309
Stowage space
Stowage net ................................... 309
Summer tyres .................................... 360
Sun visor ............................................ 315
Suspension
Adaptive Damping System ............. 208
Suspension settings
AMG RIDE CONTROL sports sus-
pension .......................................... 207 T
Tail lamps see Lights
Tailgate
Display message ............................ 288
Emergency unlocking ....................... 93
Important safety notes .................... 92
Opening dimensions ...................... 404
Opening/closing (from outside) ....... 93
Tank
see Fuel tank
Technical data
Capacities ...................................... 396
Emergency spare wheel ................. 392
Information .................................... 394
Trailer load s................................... 406
Tyres/wheels ................................. 372
Vehicle data ................................... 404
Telephone
Accepting a call (multifunction
steering wheel) .............................. 247
Display message ............................ 290
Introduction ................................... 246
Menu (on-board computer) ............ 246
Number from the phone book ........ 247
Redialling ....................................... 247
Rejecting/ending a call ................. 247
Telephone compartment ................ 308
Temperature
Coolant .......................................... 239
Coolant (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 254
Engine oil (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 254
Outside temperature ...................... 239
Setting (climate control )................ 142 18
Index

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 326). 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. DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehicles
except Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT button to change
the drive program. Depending on the drive
program selected, the following vehicle char- acteristics will change:
R the drive (engine and transmission man-
agement)
R the suspension (vehicles with damping sys-
tem or AMG RIDE CONTROL)
R the steering
R the availability of the ECO start/stop func-
tion
R the climate control
If the ignition is switched off for less than four hours, the previously selected drive program
is activated when the engine is next started. If the ignition is switched off for more than four hours, drive program
Cis activated when the
engine is next started. X
Press DYNAMIC SELECT controller :as
many times as necessary until the desired
drive program is selected.
The selected drive program appears in the
multifunction display. After five seconds
the display goes out and the status icon of the selected drive program appears. 166
DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehicles except Mercedes-AMG vehicles)Driving and parking

In addition, the current drive program set-
tings are displayed briefly in the Audio 20 or
COMAND Online display.
i In a few countries, the ECO start/stop
function is deactivated at the factory due to the quality of the available fuel. In this case,
the ECO start/stop function is not available in any drive program, regardless of the dis-
play in the Audio 20 or COMAND Online
display.
Available drive programs: C
Comfort Comfortable and econom-
ical driving characteristics S
Sport Sporty driving character-
istics
I
Individual Individual settings
E
Economy Particularly economical
driving characteristics
Additional information for drive programs
(Y page 175).
You can also change gear yourself using the
steering wheel gearshift paddles. Further
information on the manual drive program
(Y page 177). DYNAMIC SELECT controller
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT controller to
change the drive program. Depending on the drive program selected, the following vehiclecharacteristics will change:
R the drive
R the transmission management
R ESP ®
R the suspension (vehicles with AMG RIDE
CONTROL)
R the availability of the ECO start/stop func-
tion
R the availability of gliding mode If the ignition is switched off for less than four
hours, the previously selected drive program
is activated when the engine is next started. Ifthe ignition is switched off for more than four
hours, drive program Cis activated when the
engine is next started. X
Turn DYNAMIC SELECT controller :as
many times as necessary until the desired
drive program is selected.
The selected drive program appears in the
multifunction display. After five seconds
the display goes out and the status icon of the selected drive program appears.
The drive program indicator on DYNAMIC
SELECT controller :lights up in red.
Available drive programs: I
Individual Individual settings
C
Comfort Comfort-orientated,
engine and transmission
settings optimised for
economy
S
Sport Sporty engine and trans-
mission settings
S+
Sport Plus Particularly sporty trans-
mission settings
RACE
Maximum sportiness and
engine and transmission
settings suitable for the
racetrack
Additional information for drive programs
(Y page 175). DYNAMIC SELECT controller (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
167Driving and parking Z

Drive programs
Drive program C (Comfort) Drive program
Cis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R the vehicle delivers comfortable, economi-
cal driving characteristics.
R the vehicle having improved driving stabil-
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.
Drive program S (Sport) Drive program
Sis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R sporty engine settings.
Drive program I (Individual) In drive program
Ithe following properties of
the drive program can be selected:
R the drive (engine and transmission man-
agement)
R the suspension (vehicles with damping sys-
tem or AMG RIDE CONTROL)
R the steering
R the availability of the ECO start/stop func-
tion
R the climate control
Information about configuring drive program I
with COMAND Online or Audio 20 can be
found in the Digital Owner's Manual.
Drive program E (Economy) Drive program
Eis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R the vehicle exhibits comfortable, economi-
cal driving characteristics.
R the vehicle having improved driving stabil-
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.
R the performance of the air-conditioning and
heating systems is reduced. Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor R,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do not simultaneously accelerate. G
WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position Nwhen you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake. DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions j
Park position with parking lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): the DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right
of the steering column. Automatic transmission
169Driving and parking Z

Mercedes-AMG vehicles:
it is only possible
to use kickdown in the automatic drive pro-
grams and in temporary manual drive pro-
gram M. When manual drive program Mis
selected permanently, kickdown is not pos-
sible.
For further information on kickdown in man-
ual drive program M(Y page 179).
Towing a trailer Towing a trailer is not possible with all mod-
els. For further information, see
(Y page 231).
X Drive in the middle of the engine speed
range on uphill gradients.
X Depending on the uphill or downhill gradi-
ent, select a lower gear (Y page 189), even
if cruise control, DISTRONIC PLUS, or
SPEEDTRONIC are activated. Drive programs
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG
vehicles) Drive program C (Comfort)
Drive program
Cis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R the vehicle delivers comfortable, economi-
cal driving characteristics.
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears unless the accel-
erator pedal is depressed fully.
R the vehicle having improved driving stabil-
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. The vehicle is driven in the low
engine speed range and the wheels are less
likely to spin. Drive program S (Sport)
Drive program
Sis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R sporty engine settings.
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later. as a result of the later automatic
transmission shift points, the fuel con-
sumption possibly being higher.
Drive program I (Individual)
In drive program Ithe following properties of
the drive program can be selected:
R the drive (engine and transmission man-
agement)
R the suspension (vehicles with damping sys-
tem or AMG RIDE CONTROL)
R the steering
R the availability of the ECO start/stop func-
tion
R the climate control
Information about configuring drive program I
with COMAND Online or Audio 20 can be
found in the Digital Owner's Manual.
i To permanently select the gears in drive
program Iusing the steering wheel pad-
dles, select the M(manual) setting for the
drive.
Drive program E (Economy)
Drive program Eis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R comfort-oriented engine settings.
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner.
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears unless the accel-
erator pedal is depressed fully.
R the vehicle having improved driving stabil-
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being Automatic transmission
175Driving and parking Z

driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin.
R gliding mode is activated automatically
when engine-internal conditions are fulfil-
led and the accelerator is not depressed. At
the same time the transmission’s clutch
opens and the vehicle rolls freely using its
kinetic energy. As a result great distances
can be completed without the engine brake and fuel consumption reduced.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles Drive program I (Individual)
In drive program
Ithe following properties of
the drive program can be selected:
R the drive (engine management)
R the transmission management
R the suspension (vehicles with AMG RIDE
CONTROL)
R ESP ®
Information about configuring drive program I
with COMAND Online or Audio 20 can be
found in the Digital Owner's Manual.
Drive program C (Comfort)
Drive program Cis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R the vehicle delivers comfortable, economi-
cal driving characteristics.
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears unless the accel-
erator pedal is depressed fully.
R the vehicle having improved driving stabil-
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. The vehicle is driven in the low
engine speed range and the wheels are less likely to spin.
R gliding mode is available.
R the ECO start/stop function is available. Drive program S (Sport)
Drive program
Sis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R the vehicle exhibits sporty driving charac-
teristics
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later. as a result of the later automatic
transmission shift points, the fuel con-
sumption possibly being higher.
R the suspension exhibits stiff springing and
damping settings (vehicles with AIR RIDE
CONTROL).
R gliding mode is not available.
R the ECO start/stop function is not availa-
ble.
Drive program S+ (Sport Plus)
Drive program S+is characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R the vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driv-
ing characteristics.
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later.
R as a result of the later automatic transmis-
sion shift points, the fuel consumption pos- sibly being higher.
R the suspension exhibits particularly stiff
springing and damping settings (vehicles
with AIR RIDE CONTROL).
R gliding mode is not available.
R the ECO start/stop function is not availa-
ble.
Drive program RACE (vehicles with AMG
RIDE CONTROL)
Drive program RACEis characterised by the
following:
R the vehicle exhibits driving characteristics
suitable for the racetrack.
R all vehicle systems are set for maximum
sportiness.
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later. 176
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

R
as a result of the later automatic transmis-
sion shift points, the fuel consumption pos-sibly being higher.
R the suspension exhibits particularly stiff
springing and damping settings (vehicles
with AIR RIDE CONTROL).
R gliding mode is not available.
R the ECO start/stop function is not availa-
ble. Manual gearshifting
General notes You can change gear yourself using the steer-
ing wheel gearshift paddles. The transmission
must be in position D.
Depending on which gearshift paddle is
pulled, the automatic transmission immedi-
ately shifts into the next gear up or down, if
permitted.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: to use manual
shifting, you have two options:
R temporary setting
R permanent setting
If you activate manual gearshifting, the mul-
tifunction display will show the current gear
instead of transmission position D.
If manual gearshifting is deactivated, the
gears will be selected automatically.
Temporary setting X
To activate: shift the DIRECT SELECT lever
to position D.
X Pull steering wheel gearshift paddle :
or ;.
Temporary setting will be active for a certain
amount of time. Under certain conditions the
minimum amount of time is extended, e.g. in the case of lateral acceleration, during an
overrun phase or when driving on steep ter-
rain.
X To deactivate: pull steering wheel gear-
shift paddle ;and hold it in place.
or X Use the DIRECT SELECT lever to shift the
transmission position.
or X All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): use the DYNAMIC SELECT button to
change the drive program.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: use the DYNAMIC
SELECT controller to change the drive pro-
gram.
Permanent setting (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles) X
To activate: shift the selector lever to posi-
tion D.
X Press button :.
X To deactivate: press button:.
or X If position D (automatic transmission) is
selected for the transmission in drive pro- Automatic transmission
177Driving and parking Z

R
the transmission is in position D
R drive program S,S+ orRACE is selected
(Y page 167)
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 177).
or
X To confirm: pull the right steering wheel
shift paddle (Y page 177).
The RACE START available Depress
RACE START available Depress
accelerator
accelerator message appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
i If you do not depress the accelerator
pedal within a few seconds, RACE START is cancelled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START cancelled
RACE START cancelled message.
X Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed increases.
The RACE START Release brake to RACE START Release brake to
start
start message appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
i If the brake pedal is not released after a
short while, RACE START is cancelled. The
multifunction display shows the RACE
RACE
START cancelled
START cancelled message.
X Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum accel-
eration. The
RACE RACE START
START active
active message appears
in the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reaches a speed of approximately 50 km/h.
RACE START is deactivated immediately if
you release the accelerator pedal during
RACE START or if any of the activation condi-
tions are no longer fulfilled. The RACE
RACE START START
not possible
not possible orRACE START cancelled
RACE START cancelled
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
i After using it several times in short suc-
cession, RACE START will be unavailable
until a certain distance has been driven. AMG RIDE CONTROL
General notes The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection of "Sport" or
"Comfort"
The suspension setting is adjusted using the
corresponding button in the centre console.
i The mode can also be set using the AMG
DYNAMIC SELECT controller (Y page 167).
If the ignition is switched off for less than four hours, the previously selected drive program
is activated when the engine is next started. If
the ignition is switched off for more than four hours, Comfort mode is activated when the
engine is next started. Driving systems
207Driving and parking Z

Sport mode
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
Sport mode ensures even better contact with
the road. Select this mode when employing a sporty driving style, e.g. on winding country
roads.
X Press button :once.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted Sport mode.
The AMG Ride Control SPORT
AMG Ride Control SPORT message
appears in the multifunction display.
Comfort mode In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable
driving style, but also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. motorways.
X Press button :again to switch off indica-
tor lamp ;.
You have selected Comfort mode.
The AMG Ride Control COMFORT
AMG Ride Control COMFORT mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display. 4MATIC
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the differential.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz implied warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground or be fully raised. Observe the instructions for
towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground. 4MATIC, together with ESP
®
, improves the
traction of your vehicle whenever a drive
wheel spins due to insufficient grip.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC
can neither reduce the risk of an accident nor override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot
take account of road, weather and traffic con-
ditions. 4MATIC is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in lane.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
R when pulling away, only depress the accel-
erator pedal as far as is necessary.
R accelerate less when driving.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tyres (M+S tyres), with snow chains if necessary. Suspension with Adaptive Damping
System
General notes A suspension with the Adaptive Damping Sys-
tem provides improved driving comfort and
continuously controls the calibration of the
dampers. The damping characteristics adapt
to the current operating and driving situation.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface conditions
R the drive program selected
R the vehicle level setting
The drive program can be set using the
DYNAMIC SELECT button (Y page 166).
Selecting Comfort mode In the
Comfort drive program, the driving
characteristics of your vehicle are more com- fortable. Therefore, select this drive program
if you prefer a more comfortable driving style. 208
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Also select the
Comfortdrive program when
driving fast on straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of motorway.
X Press DYNAMIC SELECT button :
(Y page 166) repeatedly until the Comfort
drive program is selected.
Selecting Sport mode The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
the Sport drive program ensures even better
contact with the road. Select this drive pro-
gram when employing a sporty driving style,
e.g. on winding country roads.
X Press DYNAMIC SELECT button :
(Y page 166) repeatedly until the Sport
drive program is selected. PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It monitors the area
around your vehicle using six sensors in the
front bumper and six sensors in the rear
bumper. PARKTRONIC indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a substi- tute for your attention to the immediate sur-
roundings. The responsibility for safe
manoeuvring and parking remains with you.
Make sure that there are no persons, animals
or objects in range while manoeuvring and
parking.
! When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars.
PARKTRONIC does not detect such objects
when they are in the immediate vicinity of
the vehicle. You could damage the vehicle
or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and
objects which absorb ultrasonic sources. Ultrasonic sources, such as an automatic
car wash, a lorry's compressed-air brakes
or a pneumatic drill, could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
! Fold in the ball coupling if the trailer tow
hitch is not required. PARKTRONIC meas-
ures the minimum detection range to an
obstacle from the bumper, not the ball cou-
pling.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when you:
R switch on the ignition
R shift to position D,Ror Non vehicles with
automatic transmission
R release the electric parking brake
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
18 km/h. It is reactivated at lower speeds.
PARKTRONIC is deactivated for the rear area
when you establish an electrical connection
between your vehicle and a trailer.
Range of the sensors General notes
PARKTRONIC does not take into account
obstacles located:
R below the detection range, e.g. persons,
animals or objects
R above the detection range, e.g. overhang-
ing loads, tail sections or loading ramps of
goods vehicles Driving systems
209Driving and parking Z