towing MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS HATCHBACK 2011 Owners Manual

Index
....................................................... 4Introduction
......................................... 20 At
ag lance ........................................... 25 Safety
................................................... 37 Opening and closing
...........................71 Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
....85 Lights and windscreen wipers
...........95 Climate control
................................. 113 Driving and parking
..........................125 On-board computer and displays
....187 Stowing and features
.......................243 Maintenance and care
......................261 Breakdown assistance
.....................273 Wheels and tyres
.............................. 291 Technical data
................................... 307 Contents
3

1, 2, 3 ...
12 Vsocket
see Socket A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 206
Function/notes ................................ 63
Important safety notes ....................63
Warning lamp ................................. 233
Activating/deactivating air-recir-
culation mode .................................... 121
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification .................117
Active light function .........................100
Active Park Assist Display message ............................ 224
Active Parking Assist
Function/notes ............................. 166
Important safety notes ..................166
Towing atrailer .............................. 169
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 68
Adaptive brake lamps .........................66
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Display message ............................ 219
Function/notes ............................. 101
Adaptive Main-beam Assist
Switching on/off (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 202
Additional speedometer ...................200
Additives (engine oil) ........................315
Adjusting the headlamp range ...........98
Airbags Front airbag (driver, front
passenger )....................................... 41
Important safety guidelines .............40
Kneebag .......................................... .42
Sidebag ............................................ 42
Triggering ......................................... 39
Windowba g...................................... 43
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Airf ilter (white display message) ....221
Air pressure see Tyre pressure Airv
ents
Important safet ynotes .................. 122
Rea r............................................... 123
Setting ........................................... 122
Setting the centre air vents ...........123
Setting the side air vents ...............123
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Anti-glare film .................................... 260
Anti-loc kBraking System
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Aquaplaning ....................................... 148
Ashtray ............................................... 256
Assistance menu (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .198
ASSYST PLUS see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
ASSYST PLUS service interval dis-
play
Displaying service messages .........266
Hiding service messages ...............266
Notes ............................................. 266
Service messages ..........................266
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ...................68
Function .......................................... .68
Interior motion sensor .....................69
Switching off the alarm ....................68
Tow-away protection ........................ 69
ATTENTIO NASSIST
Activating/deactivating .................199
Display message ............................ 221
Function/notes ............................. 175
Audio menu (on-board computer) ....195
Authorised workshop see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 218
see Lights
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 130
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) ..........................129
Automatic headlamp mode ................97 4
Index

Automatic transmission
Accelerator pedal positio n............. 137
Automatic drive program ...............138
Changing gea r............................... 137
DIRECT SELECT leve r..................... 135
Display message ............................ 229
Drive position (ECO start/stop
function) ........................................ 136
Drive program displa y.................... 135
Driving tips .................................... 137
Emergency running mode ..............141
Engaging drive position .................. 136
Engaging neutra l............................ 136
Engaging revers egear ................... 136
Engaging the par kposition ............ 136
Kickdow n....................................... 137
Manual drive program ....................139
Neutral (ECO start/stop function) .136
Problem (fault) ............................... 141
Progra mselecto rbutton ................ 137
Pulling away ................................... 128
Starting the engine ........................127
Steering wheel gearshift paddle s... 138
Trailer towing ................................. 137
Transmissio nposition display ........135
Transmission positions ..................137
Automatic transmission emer-
gency running mode .........................141
Axle load, permissible (traile rtow-
ing) ...................................................... 320 B
Bag hook ............................................ 251
Ball coupling Folding in ....................................... 185
Folding out ..................................... 183
BAS (Brake Assist System) .................63
Basic settings see Settings
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist PLUS)
Display message ............................ 213
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS)
Function/notes ................................ 65 Battery (key)
Checking .......................................... 74
Important safety notes ....................73
Replacing ......................................... 74
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 282
Display message ............................ 220
Important safety notes ..................280
Jump starting ................................. 283
Belt
see Seat belt
Belt force limiters (activation) ...........39
Belt tensioner Activation ......................................... 39
Function .......................................... .47
Blind Spo tAssist
Activating/deactivating .................199
Display message ............................ 224
Notes/function .............................. 177
Trailer towing ................................. 179
Bonnet
Closing .......................................... .263
Display message ............................ 230
Opening ......................................... 262
Boot
see Tailgate
Brake Assist System
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 212
Notes ............................................. 315
Brake lamps
Adaptive .......................................... .66
Changin gbulbs .............................. 107
Display message ............................ 216
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 63
BAS .................................................. 63
BAS PLUS ........................................ 65
Brake fluid (notes) .........................315
Display message ............................ 206
Driving tips .................................... 146
Important safety notes ..................146
Parking brake ................................ 145
Warning lamp ................................. 233
Breakdown
see Flat tyre
see Towing away/tow-starting Index
5

Lane Keeping Assist
......................180
Lane package ................................ 177
PARKTRONI C................................. 163
Reversing camera ..........................170
Speed Limi tAssist ......................... 176
Driving tips
Aquaplaning ................................... 148
Automatic transmission .................137
Brakes ........................................... 146
DISTRONI CPLUS ........................... 160
Downhill gradient ........................... 147
Driving abroad ................................. 96
Driving in winter ............................ .148
Driving on flooded road s................ 148
Driving on wet road s...................... 148
General .......................................... 146
Icy road surfaces ........................... 149
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted road s....................................... 147
New brake pads/linings ................148
Running-in tips ............................... 126
Snow chains .................................. 295
Symmetrical dipped bea m............... 96
Towing atrailer .............................. 181
Tyr egrip ........................................ 148
Wet road surface ........................... 147
DVD audio (on-board computer) ......196 E
EASY-VARIO-PLUS system Luggage compartment enlarge-
ment .............................................. 248
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 208
Function/notes ................................ 67
ECO start/stop function
Deactivating/activating .................131
General information .......................129
Electrical fuses
see Fuses
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electroni cStability Program)
Emergenc ykey
Unlocking the driver's door ..............77Emergency key element
Function/notes ................................ 73
Locking vehicle ................................ 78
Emergency release
Driver's door .................................... 77
Emergency spare wheel
Important safety notes ..................304
Points to remember .......................305
Removing ....................................... 305
Technical data ............................... 305
Emergency unlocking
Tailgate ............................................ 79
Vehicle ............................................. 77
Engine
Display message ............................ 219
ECO start/stop function ................129
Engine number ............................... 311
Jump-starting ................................. 283
Running irregularl y......................... 132
Starting problems ..........................132
Starting the engine with the key ....127
Stopping ........................................ 144
Tow-starting (vehicle) ..................... 287
Warning lamp (engine diagnos-
tics) ............................................... 238
Engine electronics
Notes ............................................. 309
Problem (fault) ............................... 132
Engine oil
Additives ........................................ 315
Checking the oil level ..................... 263
Checking the oil level using the
dipstick .......................................... 264
Display message ............................ 221
Filling capacity ............................... 315
Notes about oil grades ................... 314
Notes on oil level/consumption ....263
Topping up ..................................... 264
Viscosity ........................................ 315
Environmental protection
Note ................................................ .20
Returning an end-of-life vehicle .......20
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) Deactivating/activating .................198
Deactivating/activating (notes) .......66
Display message ............................ 206 Index
9

P
Paint code .......................................... 310
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ...268
Panorama sliding sunroof Important safety information ...........82
Opening/closing .............................. 83
Opening/closing the roller sun-
blind ................................................. 83
Problem (malfunction) .....................84
Rain closing feature .........................83
Resetting ......................................... 84
Parking ............................................... 144
Important safety notes ..................144
Parking brake ................................ 145
Position of exterior mirror, front-
passenger side ................................. 93
Reversing camera ..........................170
see PARKTRONIC
Parking aid
Active Parking Assist .....................166
see Exterior mirrors
see PARKTRONIC
Parking brake
Display message ............................ 208
Electric parking brake ....................145
Parking lamps
Changing bulbs .............................. 106
Display message ............................ 217
Switching on/off .............................. 96
Parking lamps (changing bulbs) ......106
PARKTRONIC Deactivating/activating .................165
Driving system ............................... 163
Function/notes ............................. 163
Important safety notes ..................163
Problem (fault) ............................... 166
Sensor range ................................. 164
Trailer towing ................................. 165
Warning displa y............................. 164
PASSENGE RAIRBAG OFF warning
lamp ...................................................... 49
Petrol .................................................. 312
Plastic trim (cleaning instructions) .271
Power windows see Side windows PRE-SAFE
®
(preventive occupant
safety system) Display message ............................ 212
Operation ........................................ .43
Program selector button ..................137
Pulling away Automatic transmission .................128
Manual transmission ..................... .128
Trailer ............................................ 128 Q
Qualifie dspecialis tworkshop ...........22 R
Radar sensor system Activating/deactivating .................203
Country overview ........................... 320
Display message ............................ 222
Radio
Selecting astation ......................... 195
see separate operating instructions
Rain closing feature (panorama
sliding sunroof) ................................... 83
Reading lamp ..................................... 102
Rear compartment Setting the airv ents...................... 123
Rear-compartment seat belt sta-
tus indicator ........................................ 46
Rear foglamp Display message ............................ 217
Switching on/off .............................. 98
Rear lamps
Changing bulbs .............................. 107
see Lights
Rear seat
Adjusting the angle of the backr-
ests ................................................ 250
Folding the backrest forwards/
back (vehicles without the EASY-
VARIO-PLUS system) .....................248
Folding the backres tforwards/
back (vehicles with the EASY-
VARIO-PLUS system) .....................249
Fore-and-aft adjustment ................25014
Index

Centr
econsole .............................. 245
Centre console (rear) .....................246
Cuph older..................................... 255
Glove compartment .......................245
Important safety information .........244
Luggage net ................................... 247
Under driver's seat/front-
passenger sea t.............................. 246
Summer opening
see Convenience opening feature
Summer tyres .................................... 294
Sun visor ............................................ 256
Supplement Restraint System see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Surround lighting (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .202
Switching off the alarm (ATA) ............68 T
Tailgate Display message ............................ 230
Emergency unlocking .......................79
Important safety notes ....................78
Opening/closing (from outside) .......79
Opening dimensions ......................318
Tail lamps
Display message ............................ 217
see Lights
Tank
see Fuel tank
Technical data
Emergency spare wheel .................305
Notes ............................................. 308
Trailer loads ................................... 320
Tyres/wheels ................................. 302
Vehicle data ................................... 317
Telephone
Accepting acall............................. 197
Display message ............................ 231
Menu (on-board computer) ............196
Number from the phone book ....... .197
Redialling ....................................... 197
Rejecting/ending acall................. 197
Telephone compartment ................246Temperature
Coolant .......................................... 188
Outside temperature ..................... .188
Setting (climate control) ................118
TEMPOMAT
Function/notes ............................. 149
Theft-deterrent system
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) .........68
Immobiliser ...................................... 68
Through-loading ................................ 247
Time see Separate Owner' smanual
TIREFIT kit .......................................... 277
Top Tether ............................................ 51
Tow-away protection ..........................69
Towing Important safety notes ..................284
Towing atrailer
Activ eParking Assist ..................... 169
Axle load, permissible ....................320
Bulb failure indicator for LED
lamps ............................................. 186
Pulling away with a trailer ..............128
Trailer tow hitch display message ..230
Towing away
Fitting the towing eye. ...................285
Removing the towing eye. ..............286
With both axles on the ground .......286
With front axle raised ..................... 286
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............287
Fitting the towing eye. ...................285
Important safety notes ..................284
Removing the towing eye. ..............286
Traction control ................................... 66
Trailer coupling see Towing atrailer
Trailer towing
7-pin connector ............................. 186
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 179
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch ......... 271
Coupling up atrailer ...................... 184
Decoupling atrailer ....................... 184
Driving tips .................................... 181
ESP ®
................................................ 67
Folding in the ball coupling ............185
Folding out the ball coupling ..........183 Index
17

Important safety notes
..................181
Lights displa ymessage .................. 216
Mounting dimensions ....................318
Parktroni c...................................... 165
Power supply ................................. 185
Shift range ..................................... 137
Trailer loads ................................... 320
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
see Manual transmission
Transmission position display
(DIRECT SELECTl ever)...................... 135
Transporting the vehicle ..................287
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) .272
Trip computer (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .193
Trip meter Calling up ....................................... 193
Resetting (on-board computer) ......194
Trip odometer
see Trip meter
Turn signals
Changing bulbs (front) ...................106
Changing bulbs (rear) ....................107
Switching on/off .............................. 98
Two-way radio
Frequencies ................................... 309
Installatio n..................................... 309
Transmission output (maximum) .... 309
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
Tyre pressure
Display message ............................ 228
Not reached (TIREFIT) ....................279
Reached (TIREFIT) ..........................279
Recommended ............................... 295
Tyre pressure loss warning
Important safety notes ..................296
Restarting ...................................... 297
Tyre pressure loss warning sys-
tem ..................................................... 296
Tyres Changing awheel .......................... 298
Checking ........................................ 293
Direction of rotatio n...................... 298
Display message ............................ 228
Grip ................................................ 148
Important safety notes ..................292M+S tyres
...................................... 294
MOExtended tyres .........................294
Replacing ....................................... 298
Service life ..................................... 293
Storing ........................................... 298
Tyr esize (data) .............................. 302
Tyr etread ...................................... 293
see Flat tyre U
Unladen weight ................................. 317
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................77
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 77 V
Vanity mirror (in sun visor) ..............256
Variable SPEEDTRONIC see SPEEDTRONIC
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 22
Data acquisition ............................... 23
Electronics ..................................... 309
Equipment ....................................... 20
Implied warranty .............................. 23
Individua lsettings .......................... 200
Leaving parked up .........................146
Locking (in an emergency) ...............78
Locking (key )................................... 72
Lowering ........................................ 302
Pulling away ................................... 128
Raising ........................................... 299
Registration ..................................... 22
Securing from rolling away ............299
Towing away .................................. 284
Tow-starting ................................... 284
Transporting .................................. 287
Unlocking (in an emergency) ...........77
Unlocking (key )................................ 72
Vehicle data ................................... 317
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle data ....................................... 317
Vehicle dimensions ...........................317
Vehicle emergency locking ................7818
Index

Rear foglamp
X To switch on the rear foglamp: turn the
key in the ignition lock to position 2or start
the engine.
X Turn the light switch to LorÃ.
X Press the Rbutton.
The yellow Rindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switch off the rear foglamp: press the
R button.
The yellow Rindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Vehicles with front foglamps: when the light
switch is in the Tposition, the rea rfog-
lamp can only be switched on if the foglamps
(without dipped-beam headlamps) are
switched on.
Adjusting the headlam prange (halogen
headlamps) The headlamp range control allows you to
adjust the cone of light from the headlamps
to sui tthe vehicle load. Headlamp range control
g
Driver's seat and front-passenger seat
occupied
1 Driver's seat, front-passenger seat and
rear seats occupied
2 Driver's seat, front-passenger seat and
rear seats occupied, luggage compart-
ment laden
3 Driver's and front-passenger seats occu-
pied and maximum permissible rear axle
load utilised, e.g. when towing a trailer X
Start the engine.
X Turn the headlamp range control to the
position which corresponds to the load in
your vehicle.
Headlampc leaning system The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is oper-
ated five times while the lights are on and the
engine is running (Y
page 108). When you
switch off the ignition, the automatic head-
lamp cleaning syste mis reset and counting is
resumed from 0. Combination switch
Turn signals :
Main-beam headlamps
; Turn signal, right
= Headlamp flasher
? Turn signal, left
X To indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow ;or?.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
X To indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow ;or?. 98
Exterior lightingLights and windscreen wipers

Useful information
............................126
Running-in notes ............................... 126
Driving ............................................... 126
Manual transmission ........................133
Automatic transmission ...................134
Refuelling ........................................... 141
Parking ............................................... 144
Driving tips ........................................ 146
Driving systems ................................ 149
Towing atrailer ................................. 181 125Driving and parking

Transmission positions
B
Park position
This prevents the vehicle fro
mroll-
ing away when stopped. Do not
shift the transmission into position
P (Y page 144) unless the vehicle
is stationary. C
Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary. A
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP
®
is deactivated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to posi-
tion Nif the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
When you switch off the engine, the
automatic transmission automati-
cally shifts into neutral N.7
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position D.This automatic gearshift-
ing behaviouri s determined by:
R the selected drive program (Y page 137)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed Driving tips
Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
R
little throttle: early upshifts
R more throttle: late upshifts
Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X
Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Trailer towing 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 147), even
if cruise control, DISTRONIC PLUS, or
SPEEDTRONIC are activated. Program selector button
General notes The program selector button allows you to
choose between drive programs with differ-
ent driving characteristics. Automatic transmission
137Driving and parking Z