2008 MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK child seat

5
Changing a wheel
see Flat tyre
Child-proof locks
Rear doors ........................................ 54
Children
Fastening seat belts.......................... 51
In the vehicle. ................................... 42
Restraint systems. ............................ 43
Child seat
Automatic recognition ......................45
Automatic recognition (malfunc-
tion). ............................................... 223
Integrated ......................................... 50
ISOFIX............................................... 48
Recommendations. ...........................47
Suitable positions. ............................ 46
Cigarette lighter................................. 163
Cockpit Overview. .......................................... 22
COMAND............................................. 101
On-board computer. .......................101
see separate operating instructions
Constant headlamp mode
Setting (on-board computer).......... .109
Consumption statistics (on-board
computer)........................................... 112
Convenience closing............................ 86
Convenience opening........................... 86
Coolant................................................ 175
Checking the level. .........................175Display message
............213, 214, 215
Mixture ratio ................................... 297
Temperature gauge ...........................97
Cornering light
Display message ............................. 216
Cruise control..................................... 115
Cup holder.......................................... 144 D
Dashboard see Instrument cluster
Date
Setting (on-board computer).......... .109
Daytime driving lights
see Constant headlamp mode
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (on-board com-
puter). ............................................. 110
Interior lighting (on-board com-
puter). ............................................. 110
Diesel
Low outside temperatures. .............170
Diesel engine
Winter driving. ................................ 170
Digital speedometer.......................... 103
Dipped-beam headlamps Display message ............................. 216
Symmetrical. .................................. 185Display message
................................ 202
Service interval display. ..................191
Display messages
Symbol messages. ..........................212
Text messages. ............................... 203
Distance recorder
see Total distance recorder
see Trip meter
Distance Recorder
see Trip meter
Door
Automatic locking ............................. 61
Display message ............................. 212
Emergency locking .........................242
Emergency unlocking...................... 241
Opening (from the inside). ................61
Door control panel
Overview. .......................................... 34
Drinks holder
see Cup holder
Driver's airbag...................................... 40
Driver's seat position........................... 76
Driving abroad.................................... 185
Driving safety system.......................... 55
ABS. .................................................. 55
Adaptive brake lamps. ......................56
BAS. .................................................. 55
Steering assistant STEER CON-
TROL. ................................................ 56 Index
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
wdomann,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-07-16T08:52:06+02:00 - Seite 5Dateiname: 6515_0315_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

7F
Fastening seat belts Childre n............................................ 51
Fire extinguisher................................ 201
First-aid kit......................................... 200
Flat tyre Equipment. ..................................... 253
MOExtended run-flat system ..........262
Preparing the vehicle. .....................253
TIREFIT kit....................................... 253
Floormat............................................. .165
Foglamps Display message ............................. 218
Fording................................................ 185
Frequencies Telephone. ...................................... 276
Front airbag .......................................... 40
Front-passenger airbag........................ 40
Front-passenger seat Folding the backrest forward/
back................................................ 158
Removing/fitting. ........................... 156
Fuel...................................................... 292
Diesel. ............................................ 170
Gauge. .............................................. 26
Loss. ............................................... 232
Petrol .............................................. 169
Fuel consumption...................... 293, 294Fuel filler flap
Emergency release. ........................242
Opening/closing ............................ 168
Fuel filter
Display message ............................. 214
Fuel level
Calling up the range (on-board
computer). ...................................... 113
Fuel line
Malfunction..................................... 232
Fuel tank
Defect ............................................. 232
Fuse allocation chart......................... 271
Fuse box............................................. .271
Fuses................................................... 271 G
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts.......... 274
Glove compartment........................... 160
Gross vehicle weight, maximum
permissible................................. 287, 288 H
Handbrake Display message ............................. 214
Head/thorax airbags........................... 41Headlamps
Cleaning. ........................................ 194
Cleaning system. .............................. 81
Misting up. ...................................... 237
Headlamps delayed switch-off
see Exterior lighting delayed switch-off
Head restraint
Active head restraint......................... 42
Adjusting (front).......................... 64, 65
Adjusting (rear). ................................ 66
Removing (rear). ............................... 66
Heating
see Air conditioning
High-pressure cleaners..................... 193
Hill start assist..................................... 90 I
Immobiliser........................................... 57
Indicator and warning lamp Air conditioning (malfunction) .........222
Automatic child seat recognition
(malfunction). ................................. 223
Brakes (red). ................................... 226
Engine diagnostics ..........................227
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF .........45, 223
Reserve fuel. ................................... 229
Seat belt. ........................................ 228
SRS........................................... 37, 226
Thermotronic (malfunction) ............222
Indicator and warning lamps............ 224 Index
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
wdomann,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-07-16T08:52:06+02:00 - Seite 7Dateiname: 6515_0315_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

8
Indicator lamps
see Warning and indicator lamps
Instrument cluster............................... 97
Overview. .......................................... 26
Selecting the language (on-board
computer). ...................................... 108
Instrument lighting.............................. 97
Integrated child seat............................ 50
Interior lighting Automatic control system .................82
Delayed switch-off (on-board
computer). ...................................... 110
Emergency lighting. ..........................83
Manual control.................................. 82
Reading lamp .................................... 82
Interior motion sensor......................... 58
ISOFIX child seat securing system..... 48J
Jack...................................................... 200 Operation........................................ 259
Jump-starting ...................................... 266
Jump leads ...................................... 266K
Key......................................................... 60 Changing the battery ......................244
Checking the battery ......................244
Display message ............................. 220Loss.
............................................... 239
Malfunction..................................... 239
Modifying the programming. .............60
Key positions
Key. .................................................. 62
Kickdown.............................................. 96 L
Lamps see Warning and indicator lamps
Lashing eyelets.................................. 146
Licence plate lighting Display message ............................. 218
Light bulbs
see Bulbs
Lighting
see Lights
Lights
Automatic headlamp mode. ..............78
Constant headlamp mode. ................78
Cornering light function ....................81
Dipped-beam headlamps ..................78
Display messages ........................... 216
Foglamps. ......................................... 79
Hazard warning lamps. .....................80
Headlamp flasher.............................. 80
Headlamp range. .............................. 80
Light switch. ..................................... 77
Main-beam headlamps..................... .80
Rear fog lamp ................................... 79Switching off (display message)...... 218
Turn signals.
..................................... 79
LIM indicator lamp
Cruise control. ................................ 116
Variable Speedtronic. .....................118
Load compartment load, maximum
..................................................... 288, 289
Loading guidelines............................. 145
Locking Automatic. ........................................ 61
Emergency locking .........................242
From the inside (central locking
button) .............................................. 61
Luggage compartment enlarge-
ment.................................................... 150
Luggage compartment floor Adjusting the height .......................155
stowage well, unde r........................ 154
Luggage cover.................................... 159
Luggage net........................................ 145
Lumbar support.................................... 68 M
Main-beam headlamps Display message ............................. 218
Main fuse box..................................... 271
Maintenance Battery ............................................ 263Index
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
wdomann,
Version: 2.10.6
2008-07-16T08:52:06+02:00 - Seite 8 Dateiname: 6515_0315_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

10 P
Padded table Integrated child seat. ........................51
Paint code number............................. 276
Park Assist Display messages ........................... 210
Parking .................................................. 90
Parking aid Active parking assist. ......................123
Display message ............................. 210
Parktronic. ...................................... 120
Parking brake....................................... 90
Display message ............................. 214
Parking lamps
Display message ............................. 218
Parking lock
Releasing manually (AUTO-
TRONIC)......................................... .243
Parktronic........................................... 120
Activating/deactivating ..................122
Malfunction..................................... 236
Range of the sensors. .....................121
Trailer towing. ................................. 123
Warning displa y.............................. 121
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp.............................................. 45, 223
Performance....................................... 280
Permanent Speedtronic .....................120Petrol
Minimum grade............................... 169
Plastic trim
Cleaning. ........................................ 195
Power supply (trailer)........................ 190
Power window switch see Side windows
Program selector button
Automatic transmission ....................96
Pulling away.......................................... 89 R
Radio Changing a station (on-board
computer). ...................................... 103
Setting for station selection (on-
board computer). ............................ 111
see separate operating instructions
Range (on-board computer).............. 113
Rear bench seat Folding forward.............................. .150
Rear-compartment seat belt sta-
tus indicator......................................... 76
Rear foglamp Display message ............................. 218
Rear-view mirror
Adjusting .......................................... 70
Anti-dazzle (manual). ........................70
Anti-dazzle mode (automatic). ..........70Rear window
Cleaning. ........................................ 194
Rear window heating .........................140
Malfunction indicator lamp. ............223
Rear window wiper.............................. 83
Replacing the wiper blade.............. .251
Refuelling............................................ 168
Replacing the wiper blades ...............251
Reserve Warning lamp.................................. 229
Reserve fuel........................................ 292
Display message ............................. 220
Fuel tank......................................... 292
Warning lamp. .......................... 26, 229
Reset button......................................... 97
Restraint system see SRS
see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Restraint systems
For children. ..................................... 43
Rev counter........................................... 98
Reverse gear
Engaging (automatic transmission) ...94
Engaging (manual transmission)
................................................... 92, 93
Reversing lamp
Display message ............................. 219
Roof load, maximum.................. 288, 289
Roof rack............................................. 144Index
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
wdomann,
Version: 2.10.6
2008-07-16T08:52:06+02:00 - Seite 10 Dateiname: 6515_0315_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Occupant safety
39Comply with safety regulations when dis-
posing of belt tensioners. Any Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre can provide details of
these regulations.
Airbags Airbag deployment slows down and restricts
the movement of the vehicle occupant.
If the airbags are deployed, you will hear a
bang and a small amount of powder may also
be released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that escapes
does not generally constitute a health hazard.
The
1 warning lamp lights up.
The SRS/AIRBAG identification indicates the
location of the airbags. G
Risk of injury
Airbags provide additional protection; they
are not, however, a substitute for seat
belts.
Observe the following notes to reduce the
risk of serious or even fatal injury if an air-
bag is deployed:
R all vehicle occupants — in particular preg-
nant women — must wear their seat belt
correctly at all times and lean back against the backrest, which should be
positioned as close to the vertical as pos-
sible. The head restraint must support
the back of the head at about eye level.
R always secure children less than 1.50 m
tall or under 12 years of age in suitable
child restraint systems.
R all vehicle occupants must select a seat
position that is as far away from the air-
bag as possible. The driver's seat posi-
tion must allow the vehicle to be driven
safely. The driver's chest should be as far
away from the middle of the driver's front
airbag cover as possible.
R move the front-passenger seat as far
back as possible, especially if a child is
secured in a child restraint system on the
seat.
R vehicle occupants – in particular, chil-
dren – must not lean their head on the
area of the window in which a sidebag or
head/thorax airbag* is deployed.
R Rearward-facing child restraint systems
must not be fitted to the front-passenger
seat unless the front-passenger front air-
bag has been disabled. The front-
passenger front airbag of a vehicle fitted with automatic child seat recognition* is
only disabled when a child restraint sys-
tem with automatic child seat recogni-
tion is fitted to the front-passenger seat.
The
5 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
warning lamp must be constantly lit.
If the front-passenger seat of your vehicle
does not have automatic child seat rec-
ognition*, or your rearward-facing child
restraint system does not have such a
feature, children must be secured in a
child restraint system on a suitable seat
in the rear. If you secure a forward-facing
child restraint system to the front-
passenger seat, you must move the front-
passenger seat as far back as possible.
R make sure there are no heavy or sharp-
edged objects in pockets of clothing.
R do not lean forwards, e.g. over the cover
of the driver's front airbag, particularly
when the vehicle is in motion.
R do not put your feet on the dashboard.
R only hold the steering wheel by the rim.
This allows the airbag to inflate fully. You
could be injured if the airbag is deployed
and you are holding the inside of the
steering wheel. Safety
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
wdomann
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-07-16T08:52:06+02:00 - Seite 39 ZDateiname: 6515_0315_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Occupant safety
41
Driver's front airbag
1deploys in front of the
steering wheel; front-passenger front airbag
2 deploys in front of and above the glove
compartment.
On vehicles with automatic child seat recog-
nition in the front-passenger seat*, front-
passenger front airbag 2is only deployed if
the 5 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp in the centre console is not lit
(Y page 45). This means that there is not a
child restraint system with automatic child
seat recognition* fitted to the front-
passenger seat or that a child restraint sys-
tem with automatic child seat recognition*
has been fitted to the front-passenger seat
incorrectly.
Head/thorax airbags, rear sidebags*
i If you have specified windowbags* as
optional equipment, the front seats of the
vehicle will be equipped with sidebags
instead of head/thorax airbags. G
Risk of injury
If you wish to use seat covers, Mercedes-
Benz recommends that, for safety reasons,
you only use seat covers that have been
approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The seat covers must have a special tear
seam for head/thorax airbags. Otherwise,
a head/thorax airbag cannot deploy cor-
rectly and would fail to provide the intended
protection in the event of an accident.
Appropriate seat covers can be obtained
from a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
The purpose of head/thorax airbag deploy-
ment is to enhance the level of protection for
the head and thorax (but not the arms) of the
vehicle occupants on the side of the vehicle
on which the impact occurs.
The purpose of rear sidebag deployment is to
enhance the level of protection for the thorax
(but not the head, neck or arms) of the vehicle
occupants on the side of the vehicle on which
the impact occurs. 1
Front head/thorax airbag
2 Rear sidebag in the side trim next to the
backrest
The front head/thorax airbags or rear side-
bags inflate next to the outer seat cushion.
Front head/thorax airbag 1or rear sidebags
2 are deployed:
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion, e.g. in a side impact
R independently of the seat belt use
R independently of the front airbags
R independently of the belt tensioners Safety
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
wdomann,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-07-16T08:52:06+02:00 - Seite 41 ZDateiname: 6515_0315_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Occupant safety
42
Windowbags*
The purpose of the windowbags is to enhance
the level of protection for the head (but not
chest or arms) of the vehicle occupants on
the side of the vehicle on which the impact
occurs.
The windowbags are integrated into the side
of the roof frame On 5-door vehicles, they are
located between the front door (A-pillar) and
the rear door (C-pillar). On 3-door vehicles,
they are located between the front door (A-
pillar) and the rear inner wing (C-pillar).
i If you have specified windowbags* as
optional equipment, the front seats of the
vehicle will be equipped with sidebags
instead of head/thorax airbags. 1
Windowbag Windowbags
1are deployed:
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in a
lateral direction
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R independently of the front airbags
R regardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied Active head restraints
The active head restraints are designed to
increase protection to the driver's and front-
passenger's head and neck. In the event of a
rear-end collision the force exerted by the
driver's or front-passenger's chest causes
the head restraints on the driver's and front-
passenger seats to be moved forwards. This
provides better head support. G
Risk of injury
Do not secure any objects (e.g. coat hang-
ers) on the head restraint rods. Otherwise,
the active head restraints may not function
correctly and could fail to provide the inten-
ded protection in the event of an accident. Children in the vehicle
If a child is travelling in your vehicle, secure
the child using a child restraint system which
is appropriate to the size and age of the child
and recommended for Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cles. You should fit the restraint system to a
suitable rear seat. Make sure that the child is
secured in a child restraint system through-
out the trip.
You can obtain information about the correct
child restraint system from any Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre.
i It is advisable to use Mercedes-Benz care
products to clean child restraint systems.
Information about this can be obtained
from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. G
Risk of injury
Do not leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system. Children could injure
themselves on parts of the vehicle. They
could also be seriously or even fatally
injured by prolonged exposure to extreme
heat or cold.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. Parts of the child restraint Safety
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
wdomann,
Version: 2.10.6
2008-07-16T08:52:06+02:00 - Seite 42 Dateiname: 6515_0315_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Occupant safety
43system could heat up and the child could
burn itself on them.
If a child opens a door, the child or other
persons could be injured as a result. The
child could get out and be injured in the
process or be injured by a passing vehicle.
G
Risk of injury
An unsecured or incorrectly positioned load
increases the risk of injury to the child in
the event of:
R an accident
R a braking manoeuvre
R a sudden change of direction
Do not carry heavy or hard objects inside
the vehicle unless they are secured. You
will find further information under "Loading
guidelines" in the index.
Child restraint systems Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use the child restraint systems listed on
(Y page 47). G
Risk of injury
To reduce the risk of serious or even fatal
injury to the child in the event of a sudden
change in direction, braking or an accident:
R children less than 1.50 m tall and under
twelve years of age must always be
secured in special child restraint systems
on a suitable vehicle seat. This is neces-
sary because the seat belts are not
designed for children of this size.
R Do not secure children less than 1.50 m
tall or under twelve years of age on the
front-passenger seat. Exception: the
child is secured in a vehicle with auto-
matic child seat recognition on the front-
passenger seat* and is secured in a child
restraint system with automatic child
seat recognition.
R If you secure a forward-facing child
restraint system to the front-passenger
seat, you must move the front-passenger
seat as far back as possible.
R children must never travel sitting on the
lap of another occupant. Due to the
forces occurring in the event of a sudden
change of direction, heavy braking or an
accident, it would not be possible to restrain the child. The child could be
thrown against parts of the vehicle inte-
rior and be seriously or even fatally
injured.
G
Risk of injury
The child restraint system cannot perform
its protective function if is not correctly fit-
ted to a suitable vehicle seat. The child can-
not be restrained in the event of a sudden
change of direction, heavy braking or an
accident. This may lead to serious or even
fatal injuries. For this reason, when fitting
a child restraint system, observe the man-
ufacturer's installation instructions and the
correct use of the child restraint system.
Child restraint systems should be fitted to
the rear seats. Children are generally better
protected there.
The entire base of the child restraint system
must always rest on the seat cushion.
Never place objects, e.g. a cushion, under
the child restraint system.
Only use child restraint systems with their
original covers. Only replace damaged cov-
ers with genuine Mercedes-Benz covers.
For safety reasons, you should only use
child restraint systems which have been Safety
* optional
169_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
wdomann
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-07-16T08:52:06+02:00 - Seite 43 ZDateiname: 6515_0315_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight