2008 MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK engine

Troubleshooting
235AUTOTRONIC*
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
The transmission has problems
shifting gear The transmission is losing oil. X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediatel y. The acceleration ability is deteri-
orating.
The one-touch gearshifting is no
longer working.
The transmission no longer
changes gear. The transmission is in emergency
mode. X
Stop the vehicle.
X Move the selector lever to position P.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition lock.
X Wait at least 10 seconds before restarting the engine.
X Move the selector lever to position Dor R.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately. Practical advice
* optional
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Troubleshooting
239Key
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
You cannot lock or unlock the
vehicle using the key. The key batteries are discharged
or nearl
y discharged. X
Point the tip of the key at the driver's door handle from close range
and try to unlock or lock the vehicle again.
If this does not work:
X Unlock the vehicle using the emergency key element
(Y page 241).
X Check the key batteries (Y page 244) and replace them if neces-
sary ( Ypage 244). The key is faulty. X
Unlock the vehicle using the emergency key element
(Y page 241).
X Have the key checked at a qualified specialist workshop. The battery charge indicator lamp
of the key does not go on during
the test. The key batteries are discharged. X
Change the batteries ( Ypage 244). You have lost a key. X
Have the key cancelled at a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
X Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the manual locks changed too. You have lost the emergency key
element. X
Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the manual locks changed too. The engine cannot be started
using the key. The steering lock is mechanically
blocked. X
Remove the key and reinsert it into the ignition lock. While doing
this, turn the steering wheel in both directions. Practical advice
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Changing the bulbs
247
i
Due to the location of the bulbs in the
front headlamps, it is best to have these
changed at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
i Have the headlamp setting checked reg-
ularly at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Changing the front bulbs
Opening/closing the cover in the front
wheel arch X
To open: turn the front wheels inwards.
X Unscrew retaining screw 1.
X Fold the cover down. X
To close: fold the cover upwards.
X Screw in retaining screw 1.
Removing/fitting the washer fluid res-
ervoir You must remove the washer fluid reservoir
from the engine compartment before you can
replace the bulbs in the front left-hand head-
lamp. X
To remove: turn retaining screw 1anti-
clockwise.
X Remove washer fluid reservoir 2from
bracket 3.
X Put washer fluid reservoir 2to one side
and leave the lines and hoses connected.
Make sure that no washer fluid escapes. X
To fit: guide the lower retaining lug into the
rubber grommet on the longitudinal mem-
ber and fit washer fluid reservoir 2into
bracket 3.
X Turn retaining screw 1clockwise.
Replacing the bulbs in the dipped-beam
headlamp (halogen headlamps) X
Switch off the lights.
X Open the cover in the front wheel arch
(Y page 247).
X Open the bonnet.
X Left-hand headlamps: remove the washer
fluid reservoir (Y page 247).
X Press retaining lug :down and remove
housing cover 2.
X Pull connector =from bulb holder 4. Practical advice
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Flat tyre
253Flat tyre
Flat tyre equipment variants
Your vehicle may be equipped with:
R a TIREFIT kit (Y page 200)
R a "Minispare" emergency spare
wheel* (Y page 201)
R a spare wheel* (Y page 201)
R the MOExtended run-flat sys-
tem* (Y page 262) Preparing the vehicle
i Vehicle preparation is not necessary on
vehicles with MOE tyres*.
X Stop your vehicle as far away from traffic
as possible on solid, non-slippery, level
ground.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps.
X Apply the handbrake.
Vehicles with manual transmission X
Shift to either first or reverse gear. Vehicles with AUTOTRONIC* X
Move the selector lever to P.
For all vehicles X
All occupants must get out of the vehicle.
Make sure that they are not endangered as
they do so.
X Make sure that no one is near the danger
area whilst a wheel is being changed. Any-
one who is not directly assisting in the
wheel change should, for example, stand
behind the barrier.
X Switch off the engine.
X Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Get out of the vehicle.
X Close the driver’s door.
X Place the warning triangle (Y page 200) at
a suitable distance. Observe legal require-
ments. Using the TIREFIT kit
You can use the TIREFIT kit to seal small
punctures, particularly those in the tyre tread.
You can use TIREFIT in outdoor temperatures
down to -20 °C. G
Risk of accident
In the following situations, your safety is at
particular risk and tyre sealant is unable to
provide breakdown assistance:
R if there are cuts or punctures in the tyre
greater than 4 mm
R if the wheel rim is damaged
R if you have driven at very low tyre pres-
sures or on a flat tyre
Do not drive any further. Consult a qualified
specialist workshop which has the neces-
sary specialist knowledge and tools to carry
out the work required.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this
purpose. In particular, work relevant to
safety or on safety-related systems must be
carried out at a qualified specialist work-
shop. Practical advice
* optional
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Flat tyre
2601
Wheel wrench
X Using wheel wrench 1, loosen the bolts on
the wheel you wish to change by about one
full turn. Do not unscrew the bolts com-
pletely.
Raising the vehicle G
Risk of injury
The jack is designed only to raise the vehi-
cle for a short time while a wheel is being
changed.
The vehicle must be placed on stands if you
intend to work under it.
Make sure that the jack is placed on a firm,
non-slip, level surface. Do not use wooden
blocks or similar objects as a jack underlay. Otherwise, the jack will not be able to ach-
ieve its load-bearing capacity due to the
restricted height.
Do not start the engine at any time while
the wheel is being changed.
Do not lie under the vehicle when it is being
supported by the jack. If you do not raise
the vehicle as described, it could slip off the
jack (e.g. if the engine is started or a door
or the tailgate is opened or closed) and you
could be seriously injured. G
Risk of accident
If you fail to position the jack correctly, the
vehicle may:
R slip off the jack
R injure you or others
R be damaged
Thus, it is important to make sure that the
jack is positioned correctly in the respec-
tive jacking points. Before positioning the
jack, remove any dirt that may have collec-
ted in the jacking points.
The jacking points for the jack are located
behind the wheel housings of the front wheels
and in front of the wheel housings of the rear
wheels. 1
Jacking point
2 Jack
3 Ratchet ring spanner with socket wrench
X Position jack 2at jacking point 1. Practical advice
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Battery
264 Take them to a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre or to a special collection point for
old batteries. G
Risk of injury
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use batteries which
have been tested and approved for your
vehicle by Mercedes-Benz. These batteries
provide increased impact protection to pre-
vent vehicle occupants from suffering acid
burns should the battery be damaged in the
event of an accident.
To prevent acid burns, observe the follow-
ing safety notes when handling batteries:
R Do not lean over batteries.
R Do not place any metal objects on a bat-
tery. You could otherwise cause a short
circuit and the battery's gas mixture
could ignite.
R Make sure that you do not create an elec-
trostatic charge, e.g. by wearing syn-
thetic clothing or as a result of friction on
fabrics. Therefore, you should not pull or
slide the battery over carpets or other
synthetic materials.
R Never touch the battery first. To dis-
charge a possible electrostatic charge, step out of the vehicle first and touch the
bodywork.
R Do not wipe the battery using a cloth. The
battery could be destroyed as a result of
electrostatic charge or due to flying
sparks.
! Switch off the engine and remove the key
before disconnecting or removing the ter-
minal clamps from the battery. You may
otherwise destroy electronic components,
such as the alternator.
i Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
have all work involving the battery, e.g.
removing, charging and replacing, carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g.
a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Installation location of the battery Your vehicle is equipped with a battery in the
footwell in front of the front-passenger seat.
The main fuse box is also located there. 1
Retaining screw
2 Cap
X Remove the floormat*.
X Remove retaining screw 1by turning it
anti-clockwise, e.g. by using a coin.
X Lift up cover 2. Practical advice
* optional
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Jump-starting
266 G
Risk of injury
Battery acid is caustic. Avoid contact with
the skin, eyes or clothing.
! Only charge the installed battery with a
battery charger which has been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. These battery
chargers allow the battery to be charged
while it is still installed. However, the bat-
tery must always be disconnected first.
! Only use battery chargers with a maxi-
mum charging voltage of 14.8 V.
X Charge the battery. Observe the notes in
the operating instructions for your battery
charger.
X Refit the charged battery.
To do this, follow the steps described in
"Removing the battery" (Y page 265) in
reverse order. Reconnecting the battery
! Always reconnect the battery in the
sequence described below. Never swap the
terminal clamps. You may otherwise dam-
age the vehicle electronics.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Connect the positive terminal clamp and
secure the cover.
X Connect the negative terminal clamp.
X Connect the breather hose. Make sure that
a cell cap is fitted on the side.
i If the battery power supply has been inter-
rupted (e.g. if it has been reconnected), you
must carry out the following tasks:
R set the time (Y page 109).
R reset the function for folding the exterior
mirrors in/out automatically* by folding
the mirrors out once (Y page 72).
R reset the side windows ( Ypage 85) Jump-starting
If your vehicle's battery is discharged, the
engine can be jump-started from another
vehicle or from an external battery using jump
leads.
Observe the following points:
R Jump-starting may only be performed when
the engine and catalytic converter are cold.
R Do not start the engine if the battery is fro-
zen. Let the battery thaw first.
R Jump-starting may only be performed from
batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
R Only use jump leads which have a sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.
i Jump leads and further information about
jump-starting can be obtained from any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
! Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Never start the vehicle using a rapid battery
charger. Practical advice
* optional
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Jump-starting
267G
Risk of injury
There is a risk of acid burns when jump-
starting a vehicle due to the gases which
escape from the battery. Do not lean over
the battery while the engine is being jump-
started. G
Risk of explosion
Gases escaping from the battery during
jump-starting may cause minor explosions.
Avoid creating sparks. Keep naked flames
away from the battery, and do not smoke.
Comply with safety precautions and take
protective measures when handling batter-
ies. You will find these under "Battery" in
the index.
X Make sure that the two vehicles do not
touch.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Manual transmission: engage neutral.
X AUTOTRONIC*: move the DIRECT SELECT
selector lever to P.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Open the bonnet (Y page 171). 1
Positive terminal of donor battery
2 Positive terminal on your vehicle
3 Negative terminal of donor battery
4 Negative terminal on your vehicle
X Open the battery cover (Y page 264).
X Connect positive terminal 2on your vehi-
cle to positive terminal 1of the donor bat-
tery using the jump lead, beginning with
your own battery.
X Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
run it at idling speed.
X Connect negative terminal 3of the donor
battery to negative terminal 4of your
vehicle's battery using the jump lead, con-
necting the jump lead to the donor battery
first.
X Start the engine. X
Electrical consumers can be switched on
again. Do not, however, switch on the lights
as this places too heavy a load on the bat-
tery.
X Remove the jump lead from earth
point 4and negative terminal 3first,
then from positive terminals 1and 2,
each time disconnecting from the battery
on your own vehicle first.
X Have the battery checked at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre. Practical advice
* optional
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