2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK light

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions X
Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and top up the coolant (Y page 288).
Observe the warning notes as you do so.
X If you have to top up the coolant frequently, have the engine
cooling system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
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. Driving systems
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M MSolutions ·
The red distance warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion. The distance to the vehicle in front is too small for the speed
selected.
X Increase the distance. ·
The red distance warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion. A warning tone also
sounds. You are approaching a vehicle or a stationary obstacle in your line
of travel at too high a speed.
X Be prepared to brake immediately.
X Pay careful attention to the traffic situation. You may have to
brake or take evasive action. 266
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Stowage compartment in front of the arm-
rest (vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion) X
To open: press the marking on cover :.
i You can remove the non-slip mat and the
insert for cleaning. When removing the
insert you will have to overcome some
slight resistance.
Stowage compartment/telephone com-
partment under the armrest X
To open: on vehicles with moveable armr-
ests, make sure that the armrest is in the
rearmost position.
X Press button :and fold the armrest up.
i Depending on the vehicle's equipment, a
USB port and an AUX-IN jack or a Media
Interface are installed in the stowage com- partment. A Media Interface is a universal
interface for portable audio equipment, e.g.
for an iPod ®
or MP3 player (see the sepa-
rate Audio or COMAND Online operating
instructions). Stowage compartment under the driver's
and front-passenger seat G
WARNING
If you exceed the maximum permitted load of the stowage compartment, the cover is
unable to restrain the objects. Objects may be
thrown out of the stowage compartment and
hit vehicle occupants as a result. There is a
risk of injury, particularly in the event of sud-
den braking or a sudden change in direction.
Always observe the maximum load of the
stowage compartment. Stow and secure
heavy objects in the luggage compartment.
The maximum permissible load of the stow-
age compartment is 1.2 kg. X
To open: pull handle :up and fold
cover ;forwards.
i On vehicles with a fire extinguisher
instead of a stowage compartment, the fire
extinguisher is installed under the driver's
seat. 270
Stowage areasStowing and features

X
Adjust the head restraints if necessary
(Y page 96).
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary. Parcel shelf
!
The maximum load which may be placed
on the rear shelf is 2.5 kg.
X To remove: detach straps :from the tail-
gate.
X Swing the rear shelf down.
X Pull the rear shelf out to the rear ;.
X To fit: place the rear shelf on the guide rails
on the left and right.
X Push the rear shelf evenly forwards using
both hands until it engages.
X Swing the rear shelf up.
X Attach straps :to the tailgate. Securing a load
Lashing eyelets Observe the following notes on securing
loads:
R observe the loading guidelines
(Y page 268).
R secure the load using the lashing eyelets.
R distribute the load on the lashing eyelets
evenly. R
do not use elastic straps or nets to secure a
load, as these are only intended as an anti-
slip protection for light loads.
R do not route lashing materials across sharp
edges or corners.
R pad sharp edges for protection.
There are four lashing eyelets in the luggage
compartment. :
Lashing eyelets
Bag hook G
WARNING
The bag hooks cannot restrain heavy objects
or items of luggage. Objects or items of lug-
gage could be flung around and thereby hit
vehicle occupants when braking or abruptly
changing directions. There is a risk of injury.
Only hang light objects on the bag hooks.
Never hang hard, sharp-edged or fragile
objects on the bag hooks.
! The bag hook can bear a maximum load of
3 kg. Do not use it to secure a load.
There is one bag hook on either side of the
luggage compartment. Stowage areas
273Stowing an d features Z

X
Fold the luggage compartment floor down.
X Press the luggage compartment floor down
until it engages. Roof carrier
Important safety notes G
WARNING
An incorrectly secured roof carrier, ski rack or load could become detached from the vehi-
cle. These objects might then be thrown
around, and could injure you or others or
cause an accident. Follow the roof carrier/ski
rack manufacturer's installation instructions
and special instructions for use.
The roof load raises the vehicle's centre of
gravity, thereby affecting vehicle handling.
You must always observe the maximum roof
load of 75 kg. Always adapt your driving style to the prevailing road, traffic and weather
conditions and drive with particular care if the
roof is laden.
! Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
only use roof carriers that have been tested
and approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
This helps to prevent damage to the vehi-
cle.
Position the load on the roof carrier in such
a way that the vehicle will not sustain dam-
age even when it is in motion.
Ensure that, depending on the vehicle's
equipment, you can raise the panorama
sliding sunroof fully and open the tailgate
fully when the roof carrier is fitted.
i Vehicles with panorama sliding sun-
roof: if a roof carrier is fitted, the panorama
sliding sunroof cannot be opened. In order to allow ventilation of the vehicle interior,
you can raise the panorama sliding sunroof.
If a roof carrier approved by Mercedes-
Benz makes contact with the panorama
sliding sunroof, the sunroof will lower
slightly but remain raised in the rear. Attaching the roof carrier
X
Open covers :carefully in the direction of
the arrow.
X Fold covers :upwards.
X Only secure the roof carrier to the anchor-
age points under covers :.
X Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions. Features
Cup holders
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The cup holder cannot secure a drinks con-
tainer in place during a journey. If you use a
cup holder during a journey, the drinks con-
tainer could be flung around and liquid could
be spilt. Vehicle occupants could come into
contact with the liquid and, in particular, be
scalded by hot liquid. You could be distracted
from the traffic situation and lose control of
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident and
injury.
Only use the cup holder when the vehicle is
stationary. Only place containers of a suitable size in the cup holder. Seal the container, in
particular when it contains hot liquid. G
WARNING
If you do not correctly store objects in the
vehicle interior, they can slip or be flung
around, thus striking vehicle occupants. Features
275Stowing and features
Z

X
Fold down the rear seat armrest.
X To open: press the front of cup holder :
or ;.
Cup holder :or; extends automatically.
X To close: slide cup holder :or; back
until it engages. Sun visors
Overview :
Mirror light
; Bracket
= Retaining clip, e.g. for a car park ticket
? Vanity mirror
A Mirror cover
Vanity mirror in the sun visor Mirror light
:only functions if the sun visor
is clipped into bracket ;and mirror cover A
has been folded up. Glare from the side X
Fold down the sun visor.
X Pull the sun visor out of bracket ;.
X Swing the sun visor to the side.
X Vehicles with mirror lights: slide the sun
visor horizontally as desired. Ashtray
Front ashtray !
The stowage space under the ashtray is
not heat resistant. Before placing lit ciga-
rettes in the ashtray, make sure that the
ashtray is properly engaged. Otherwise, the
stowage space could be damaged. Example: vehicles with a stowage compartment
cover
X To open: push the lower section of
cover :.
The stowage compartment opens.
X To remove the insert: lift insert=up;
and out.
X To refit the insert: press insert=into the
holder until it engages.
i If you remove the ashtray insert, you can
use the resulting compartment for stow-
age. Features
277Stowing and features Z

Rear-compartment ashtray
X
To open: pull cover =out by its top edge.
X To remove: pull insert;by recess :in
the direction of arrow ?until it audibly
releases.
X Lift insert ;up and out.
X To fit the insert: fit insert;from above
into the holder and press down into the
holder until it engages. Cigarette lighter
G
WARNING
You can burn yourself if you touch the hot
heating element or the socket of the cigarette lighter.
In addition, flammable materials can ignite if:
R the hot cigarette lighter falls
R a child holds the hot cigarette lighter to
objects, for example
There is a risk of fire and injury.
Always hold the cigarette lighter by the knob.
Always make sure that the cigarette lighter is
out of reach of children. Never leave children unattended in the vehicle.
Your attention must always be focused on the traffic conditions. Only use the cigarette
lighter when road and traffic conditions per-
mit. Example: vehicles with a stowage compartment
cover
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock (Y page 143).
X To open: push the lower section of
cover :.
The stowage compartment opens.
X Press in cigarette lighter ;.
Cigarette lighter ;will pop out automati-
cally when the heating element is red-hot. 12 V sockets
Points to observe before use X
Turn the key to position 1in the ignition
lock (Y page 143).
The sockets can be used for accessories with a maximum draw of 180 W (15 A). Accesso-
ries include such items as lamps or chargers
for mobile phones.
If you use the sockets for long periods when
the engine is switched off, the battery may
discharge.
i An emergency cut-off ensures that the on-
board voltage does not drop too low. If the on-board voltage is too low, the power to
the sockets is automatically cut. This
ensures that there is sufficient power to
start the engine. 278
FeaturesStowing and features

Raising the active bonnet increases the clear-
ance to hard components, such as the engine.
If the active bonnet has been triggered, it is
raised at the rear in the area around the hinge by approximately 60 mm.
For the drive to the workshop, reset the trig-
gered active bonnet yourself. If the active
bonnet has been triggered, pedestrian pro-
tection may be limited.
Resetting G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment could be very hot, e.g. the engine, the
radiator and parts of the exhaust system.
There is a risk of injury when accessing the
engine compartment.
As far as possible, allow the engine to cool
down and only touch the components descri- bed in the following. X
With your hand flat, push down active bon-
net :in the area around the hinges on
both sides (arrows) until you feel it engage.
If you can raise the active bonnet slightly in
the area around the hinges, it is not engaged correctly. Repeat the step.
If the bonnet can then still be raised, drive
directly to a qualified specialist workshop. Do
not drive faster than 100 km/h. Opening the bonnet G
WARNING
When the bonnet is open, and the windscreen wipers are set in motion, you can be injured by
the wiper linkage. There is a risk of injury.
Always switch off the windscreen wipers and
the ignition before opening the bonnet.
! Make sure that the windscreen wipers are
not folded away from the windscreen. Oth-
erwise, you could damage the windscreen
wipers or the bonnet. X
Make sure that the windscreen wipers are
switched off.
X Pull release lever :on the bonnet.
The bonnet is released. X
Reach into the gap between the bonnet and
the radiator trim and press bonnet catch
lever ;to the left.
X Raise the bonnet. Engine compartment
285Maintenance and care Z

X
Pull support strut ?out of bracket A.
X Lift up support strut ?and insert it into
yellow retaining clip =.
Closing the bonnet X
Raise the bonnet slightly and, at the same
time, remove support strut ?from yellow
retaining clip =.
X Swing support strut ?down and press it
into bracket Auntil it engages.
X Lower the bonnet and let it fall from a
height of approximately 20 cm.
X Check that the bonnet has engaged prop-
erly.
If the bonnet can be raised slightly, it is not
properly engaged. Do not press the bonnet closed. Open the bonnet again and close it
with a little more force. Engine oil
General notes Depending on your driving style, the vehicle
consumes up to 0.8
lof oil per 1,000 km. The
oil consumption may be higher than this when the vehicle is new or if you frequently drive at
high engine speeds.
Depending on the engine, the oil dipstick may be installed at a different location. When checking the oil level:
R park the vehicle on a level surface.
R the engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
R if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature, e.g. if the engine was only
started briefly: wait about 30 minutes
before carrying out the measurement. 286
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care