2008 MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK fuel

Trailer towing*
189
not use a noseweight of less than 50 kg,
otherwise the trailer may come loose.
Bear in mind that the payload and the rear
axle load are reduced by the actual nose-
weight.
i The height of the ball coupling changes
with the load of the vehicle. If necessary,
use a trailer with a height-adjustable draw-
bar.
Coupling up a trailer G
Risk of injury
Do not connect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your hand could
become trapped between the bumper and
drawbar.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise your
vehicle could be damaged by the spring
action of the overrun brake.
X Position the trailer level behind the vehicle.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electrical connection
between the vehicle and the trailer. Driving tips In Germany, the maximum permitted speed
for vehicle/trailer combinations is 80 km/h.
G
Risk of accident
A maximum speed of 80 km/h should not
be exceeded, even in countries where
higher speeds are permitted for vehicle/
trailer combinations. This lowers the risk of
an accident.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
to when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R consumes more fuel
On long and steep downhill gradients, you
must select a lower gear in good time, or in
vehicles with AUTOTRONIC*, select shift
range 1,2or 3. i
This also applies if you have activated
cruise control* or Speedtronic*.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to maintain
the speed. This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly. If you need
additional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously. G
Risk of accident
Never depress the brake pedal continu-
ously while the vehicle is in motion, e.g.
never cause the brakes to rub by applying
constant slight pedal pressure. This causes
the brake system to overheat, increases
the braking distance and can lead to the
brakes failing completely.
Driving tips
R Maintain a greater distance from the vehi-
cle in front than when driving without a
trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas, Operation
* optional
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Care
192
time during which the battery is disconnec-
ted.
Maintaining the time-dependent service
schedule:
X Note down the service due date displayed
before disconnecting the battery.
or
X Subtract the battery disconnection periods
from the service date shown on the display
after reconnecting the battery. Fading out the service message
X
Press reset button 1. Service due date exceeded
The multi-function display shows one of the
following messages:
Service A overdue by .. days
Service A overdue by .. km
You will also hear a warning tone.
A qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre, will reset the
ASSYST PLUS service indicator after the nec-
essary service work has been carried out.
i If you fail to have the service performed
by the specified date, you may be violating
applicable laws. Your warranty may be inva-
lidated and goodwill settlements may be
refused. Calling up the service due date
Use the buttons on the multi-function steer-
ing wheel.
X Switch on the ignition.
X Press the èorÿ button to select the
standard display (Y page 103).
X Press the jork button to select the
service information.
The multi-function display shows the
9 symbol and the service due date. Care
Notes on care
Regular and proper care maintains the value
of your vehicle.
i It is advisable to use Mercedes-Benz care
products.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affected
by corrosion and damage caused by inade-
quate care cannot always be completely
repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified spe-
cialist workshop immediately, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Repair damage caused by loose chippings
and remove the following substances imme-
diately, whilst avoiding rubbing too hard:
R Soak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off afterwards.
R Soak bird droppings with water and rinse
off afterwards.
R Remove tree resin, oils, fuels and greases
by rubbing gently with a cloth soaked in
petroleum ether or lighter fluid.
R Use silicone remover to remove wax.
R Use tar remover to remove tar stains. Operation
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Display
messages 214 Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
3 Check brake fluid
level
G
Risk of accident
There is insufficient brake fl uid in the
brake fluid reservoir. X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not
continue driving under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Do not top up the brake fluid. This will not rec-
tify the fault. ! Release parking
brake You are driving with the parking brake
applied. X
Release the parking brake. [ Clean fuel filter There is water in the fuel filter. The water
must be drained off
27
. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. D Coolant Stop car,
turn eng. off The coolant is too hot. X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch
off the engine, paying attention to road and
traffic conditions.
X Make sure, that the air supply to the radiator
is not blocked, e.g. by slush.
X Restart the engine only when the display mes-
sage disappears. Otherwise, there is a risk of
engine damage.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature dis-
play.
X If the temperature increases again, visit a quali-
fied specialist workshop immediately. 27
Only for certain countries. Practical advice
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Display
messages 219Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
. Reversing lamp
left
or
Reversing lamp
right Vehicles with lights and visibility pack-
age*: the left-hand or right-hand reversing
light is fa
ulty. X
Change the bulb (Y page 245). N Add 1.0 litreof
engine oil when
next refuelling Vehicles with a diesel engine: the oil level
is too low. X
Check the oil level (Y page 173).
X If necessary, top up the motor oil.
X Have the engine checked for leaks if the engine
oil needs topping up more often than usual. N Engine oil pres-
sure Stop car, turn
eng. off Vehicles with a petrol engine: the engine
oil pressure is too low. There is a risk of
engine damage. X
Stop in accordance with traffic conditions.
X Switch off the engine.
X Check the oil level (Y page 173).
X If necessary, top up the motor oil. N Eng. oil level
Check level Vehicles with a petrol engine: the oil level
is too low. X
Check the oil level (Y page 173).
X If necessary, top up the motor oil.
X Have the engine checked for leaks if the engine
oil needs topping up more often than usual. N Eng. oil level Stop
car, turn eng. off Vehicles with a diesel engine: the oil level
is too low. There is a risk of engine dam-
age. X
Stop in accordance with traffic conditions.
X Switch off the engine.
X Top up the engine oil and check the level
(Y page 173). Practical advice
* optional
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Display
messages 220 Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
N Engine oil level
Reduce oil level Vehicles with a diesel engine:
you have
added too much engine oil. There is a risk
of damage to the engine or to the catalytic
converter. X
Siphon off excess engine oil until it is at the
specified level. Observe the legal require-
ments. N Cannot measure oil
level Vehicles with a diesel engine: the meas-
uring system is faulty. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. I Key does not belong
to vehicle You have put the wrong key in the ignition
lock. X
Use the correct key. I Remove key The key is in the ignition lock. X
Remove the key. I Replace key The key needs to be replaced. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Ñ SPEEDTRONIC inop-
erative
Speedtronic* and cruise control* are
faulty. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ¿ There is only a small amount of fuel in the
fuel tank. X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. 4 Reserve fuel level The fuel level has fallen below the reserve
range. X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. t Enter PIN You have not yet logged on to your mobile
phone*. X
Enter the PIN for the SIM card. Practical advice
* optional
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Troubleshooting
227Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
H
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning. G
Risk of accident
There is insufficient brake fluid in
the fluid reservoir. X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely, pa ying attention to road and
traffic conditions. Do not continue driving under any circumstan-
ces.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
X Observe the additional messages in the multi-function display
(Y page 202).
Do not top up the brake fluid. This will not rectify the fault. ±
The yellow engine diagnos-
tics warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning. Vehicles with a diesel engine: the
fuel tank has been run dry. X
Start the engine three to four times after refuelling.
Emergency running mode is cancelled. The vehicle need not be
checked. ±
The yellow engine diagnos-
tics warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning. There may be a fault, for example
R
in the engine management
R in the ignition system
R in the exhaust system
R in the ignition system (for vehi-
cles with petrol engines)
The emission limit values may be
exceeded and the engine can run
in emergency mode. X
Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. Practical advice
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Troubleshooting
229Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
<
The red warning lamp
flashes and an intermit-
tent audible warning
sounds. G
Risk of injury
The driver or front passenger has
not fastened their seat belt and
you are driving faster than
25 km/h or have briefly driven
faster than 25 km/h. X
Fasten your seat belt ( Ypage 73).
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent audible warning
ceases. G
Risk of injury
There are objects on the front-
passenger seat and you are driv-
ing faster than 25 km/h or have
briefly driven faster than
25 km/h. X
Remove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow them
safely.
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent audible warning
ceases. The yellow engine diagnostics
warning lamp lights up while the
engine is running. The fuel level has fallen below the
reserve range. X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. Practical advice
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Troubleshooting
231Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
You hear a warning tone.
Vehicles with AUTOTRONIC*:
You have:
R
switched off the engine
R opened the driver's door
R not moved the selector lever to
position P X
Move the selector lever to P.Accident
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
Fuel is leaking from the vehicle.
G
Risk of fire
The fuel line or the fuel tank has
been damaged. The leaking fuel
creates a risk of fire or explosion. X
Switch off the ignition immediatel y.
X Remove the ignition key.
Do not restart the engine under any circumstances. The leaking fuel
creates a risk of fire or explosion.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. You are unable to determine the
extent of the damage. X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. You cannot detect any damage. X
Start the engine as normal. Practical advice
* optional
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