2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK engine oil

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions 4
Check eng. oil Check eng. oil
lev. when next lev. when next
refuelling refuelling The engine oil level has dropped to the minimum level.
A warning tone also sounds.
X Check the oil level when next refuelling, at the latest
(Y page 286).
X If necessary, top up the engine oil (Y page 287).
X Have the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if the
engine oil needs topping up more often than usual. æ
Reserve fuel level Reserve fuel level The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
The auxiliary heating cannot be operated.
X Refuel at the nearest filling station. ç There is very little fuel in the fuel tank.
The auxiliary heating cannot be operated.
X Refuel at the nearest filling station without fail. ¸
Replace Replace
air
aircleaner
cleaner Vehicles with a diesel engine: the engine air filter is dirty and must
be replaced.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
i This message does not appear for the 180 CDI BlueEFFI-
CIENCY, manual transmission model A. !
Clean Clean
the
thefuel
fuel fil‐
fil‐
ter
ter Vehicles with a diesel engine: there is water in the fuel filter. The
water must be drained off.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Driving systems
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M MSolutions À
Attention Assist: Attention Assist:
Drowsiness detec‐ Drowsiness detec‐
ted ted Based on certain criteria, ATTENTION ASSIST has detected fatigue
or a lack of concentration on the part of the driver. A warning tone also sounds.
X If necessary, take a break.
During long journeys, take regular breaks in good time so that you get enough rest. À
Attention Assist Attention Assist
inoperative inoperative ATTENTION ASSIST is inoperative.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Display
messages
245On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Trans.
Trans.
oil
oiloverhea‐
overhea‐
ted Drive on with
ted Drive on with
care care AMG vehicles: the transmission oil has overheated.
Manual drive program
Mand the temporarily active manual drive
program are no longer available. The engine power output is
reduced.
X Allow the vehicle to cool down. 4matic currently 4matic currently
unavailable unavailable 4MATIC (permanent all-wheel drive) has overheated. The vehicle is
only driven by the front wheels.
X Drive on.
The airflow cools 4MATIC more quickly.
When the display message goes out, 4MATIC is available again and the vehicle is driven by all four wheels. 4matic inoperative
4matic inoperative 4MATIC is malfunctioning. The vehicle is only driven by the front
wheels.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. A The tailgate is open.
G WARNING
When the engine is running, exhaust gases can enter the vehicle
interior if the tailgate is open.
There is a risk of poisoning.
X Close the tailgate. ? The bonnet is open.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
The open bonnet may then block your view when the vehicle is in
motion.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
X Close the bonnet. Active bonnet mal‐ Active bonnet mal‐
function See Own‐ function See Own‐
er's Manual er's Manual The active bonnet (pedestrian protection) is not active due to a
malfunction or because it has already been triggered.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. C At least one door is open. A warning tone also sounds.
X Close all doors. 254
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

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

Checking the oil level using the oil dip-
stick Example: vehicles with a petrol engine
Vehicles with a diesel engine (apart from the A 180
CDI BlueEFFICIENCY model with manual transmis-
sion) A 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, manual transmission
X All models apart from the A 180 CDI
BlueEFFICIENCY model with manual
transmission: pull out oil dipstick :.
X A 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY model with
manual transmission: undo the oil filler
cap and pull it out together with integrated
oil dipstick :. X
Wipe off oil dipstick :.
X Slowly slide oil dipstick :into the guide
tube to the stop, and take it out again.
If the level is between MIN mark =and
MAX mark ;, the oil level is correct.
X If the oil level has dropped to MIN mark =
or below, top up with 1.0 litre of engine oil.
Adding engine oil G
WARNING
If engine oil comes into contact with hot com- ponents in the engine compartment, it may
ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that engine oil does not spill out
over the filler neck. Allow the engine to cool
down and thoroughly clean the components
that have come into contact with engine oil
before you start the engine. H
Environmental note
When topping up the oil, take care not to spill
any. If oil enters the soil or waterways, it is
harmful to the environment.
! Only use engine oils and oil filters that
have been approved for vehicles with a ser-
vice system. You can obtain a list of the
engine oils and oil filters tested and
approved in accordance with the
Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Service
Products at any Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
Damage to the engine or exhaust system is caused by the following:
R using engine oils and oil filters that have
not been specifically approved for the
service system
R changing the engine oil and oil filter after
missing the change interval required by
the service system
R using engine oil additives
! Do not add too much oil. Topping up with
too much engine oil can result in damage to
the engine or to the catalytic converter.
Have excess engine oil siphoned off. Engine compartment
287Maintenance and care Z

Example: engine oil filler cap
X Turn cap :anti-clockwise and remove it.
X Top up the engine oil.
If the oil level is at or below the MIN mark on
the oil dipstick, top up with 1.0 litre of
engine oil.
X Replace cap :on the filler neck and turn
clockwise.
Make sure that the cap locks securely into
place.
X Check the oil level again with the oil dip-
stick (Y page 287).
For further information on engine oil, see
(Y page 343). Checking and adding other service
products
Checking the coolant level G
WARNING
The engine cooling system is under pressure, particularly if the engine is warm. You could
be scalded by hot coolant spraying out when
opening the cap. There is a danger of injury.
Allow the engine to cool before opening the
cap. Wear gloves and protective eyewear
when opening. Slowly turn the cap half a turn
to allow pressure to escape.
! The coolant level must only be checked
and corrected when the engine has cooled
down (coolant temperature under 40 †).
Checking the coolant level when the cool-
ant temperature is over 40 † can lead to damage to the engine or engine cooling
system.
Example
X Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Only check the coolant level if the vehicle is
on a level surface and the engine has
cooled down.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock (Y page 143).
X Check the coolant temperature display in
the instrument cluster.
The coolant temperature must be below
40 †.
X Turn the key to position 0(Y page 143) in
the ignition lock.
X Slowly turn cap :half a turn anti-clock-
wise to allow excess pressure to escape.
X Turn cap :further anti-clockwise and
remove it.
If the coolant is at the level of marker bar =
in the filler neck when cold, there is enough coolant in coolant expansion tank ;.
X If necessary, top up with coolant that has
been tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
X Replace cap :and turn it clockwise as far
as it will go.
For further information on coolant, see
(Y page 344). 288
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care

Topping up the windscreen washer sys-
tem/headlamp cleaning system G
WARNING
Windscreen washer concentrate is highly
flammable. If it comes into contact with hot
engine components or the exhaust system it
could ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that no windscreen washer con-
centrate is spilled next to the filler neck. Example
X To open: pull cap:upwards by the tab.
X Top up with the premixed washer fluid.
X To close: press cap :onto the filler neck
until it engages.
The washer fluid reservoir is used for both the
windscreen washer system and the headlamp cleaning system.
The recommended minimum amount when
topping up is 1 litre. If the water level drops
below this, a message appears in the multi-
function display prompting you to refill the
washer fluid (Y page 256).
Further information on windscreen washer
fluid/antifreeze (Y page 345). Service
ASSYST PLUS
Service messages The ASSYST PLUS service interval display
informs you of the next service due date. Information on the type of service and service
intervals (see separate Service Booklet).
You can obtain further information from any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
i The ASSYST PLUS service interval display
does not show any information on the
engine oil level. Observe the notes on the
engine oil level (Y page 286).
The multifunction display shows a service
message for a few seconds, e.g.:
R Next service A in .. days
Next service A in .. days
R Service A due Service A due
R Service A overdue by .. days
Service A overdue by .. days
Depending on the operating conditions of the vehicle, the remaining time or distance until
the next service due date is displayed.
The letter indicates which service is due. A
A
stands for a minor service and B Bfor a major
service. A number or another letter may be
displayed after the letter. This figure indicates any necessary additional maintenance work
to be performed.
If you notify a qualified specialist workshop ofthis display, you will receive a statement on
the associated costs.
The ASSYST PLUS service interval display
does not take into account any periods of
time during which the battery is disconnec-
ted.
Maintaining the time-dependent service
schedule:
X Note down the service due date displayed
in the multifunction display before discon-
necting the battery.
or
X After reconnecting the battery, subtract
the battery disconnection periods from the
service date shown on the display.
Hiding a service message X
Press %ora. Service
289Maintenance and care Z

Displaying service messages
X
Switch the ignition on.
X Using =or;, select the Service
Service
menu.
X Press 9or: to select the ASSYST
ASSYST
PLUS
PLUS submenu and press ato confirm.
The service due date appears in the multi-
function display.
Information about Service Resetting the ASSYST PLUS service inter-
val display
! If the ASSYST PLUS service interval dis-
play has been inadvertently reset, this set-
ting can be corrected at a qualified special-
ist workshop.
Have service work carried out as described in the Service Booklet. This may otherwise
lead to increased wear and damage to the
major assemblies or the vehicle.
A qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre, will reset the ASSYST PLUS service interval display after
the service work has been carried out. You
can also obtain further information on main-
tenance work, for example.
Special service requirements
The prescribed service interval is based on
normal operation of the vehicle. Service work
will need to be performed more often if the
vehicle is operated under arduous conditions or increased loads, for example:
R regular city driving with frequent intermedi-
ate stops
R if the vehicle is primarily used to travel
short distances
R for frequent operation in mountainous ter-
rain or on poor road surfaces
R if the engine is often left idling for long peri-
ods
In these or similar operating conditions, have
the air filter, engine oil and oil filter, for exam- ple, changed more frequently. The tyres must be checked more frequently if the vehicle is
operated under increased loads. Further
information can be obtained at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
Driving abroad
An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network is also available in other countries. The Ser-
vice Hotline's current telephone numbers for
use when you are abroad are to be found in
the "Mercedes-Benz Service24h" section of
the Service Booklet. Care
General notes
H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible man- ner.
! For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any
of the following:
R dry, rough or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film.
! Do not park up the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after clean-
ing. Braking heats the brake discs and the
brake pads/linings, thus drying them. The
vehicle can then be parked up. 290
CareMaintenance and care

Cleaning the mirror turn signal
!
Only use cleaning agents or cleaning
cloths that are suitable for plastic lenses.
Unsuitable cleaning agents or cleaning
cloths could scratch or damage the plastic lenses of the mirror turn signals.
X Clean the plastic lenses of the mirror turn
signals in the exterior mirror housing using
a wet sponge and a mild cleaning agent,
e.g. Mercedes-Benz car shampoo or clean-
ing cloths.
Cleaning the sensors !
If you clean the sensors with a high-pres-
sure cleaner, make sure that you keep a
distance of at least 30 cm between the
vehicle and the high-pressure cleaner noz-
zle. Information about the correct distance is available from the equipment manufac-
turer. X
Clean sensors :of the driving systems
with water, car shampoo and a soft cloth.
Cleaning the reversing camera !
Do not clean the camera lens and the area
around the reversing camera with a high-
pressure cleaner. X
Use clear water and a soft cloth to clean
camera lens :.
Cleaning the exhaust tail pipes Impurities combined with the effects of road
grit and corrosive environmental factors may cause flash rust to form on the surface. You
can restore the original shine of the exhaust
pipe by cleaning it regularly, especially in win-
ter and after washing.
! Do not clean the exhaust pipe with acid-
based cleaning agents such as sanitary
cleansers or wheel cleaners.
X Clean the exhaust pipe with a care product
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
! AMG vehicles with black exhaust pipes:
do not use chrome polish to polish black
chromed screens. They will otherwise lose
their silky black shine. Rub the screen using
a lightly oiled cloth after every car wash.
Commercially available engine oils, WD 40
or Ballistol are suitable oils.
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch H
Environmental note
Dispose of oily and greasy cloths in an envi-
ronmentally-responsible manner.
! Do not clean the ball coupling with a high-
pressure cleaner. Do not use solvents.
! Observe the note on care provided by the
trailer manufacturer. 294
CareMaintenance and care