2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK ESP

Deactivating/activating ESP
®X
To activate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button :.
The M handling mode warning lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up. The
SPORT handling mode
SPORT handling mode message appears
in the multifunction display.
X To deactivate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button :.
The M handling mode warning lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out.
X To deactivate ESP ®
:press button :until
the å ESP®
OFF warning lamp lights up
in the instrument cluster.
The ÷OFF OFFmessage appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
X To activate ESP ®
:briefly press button :.
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. The ÷
ESP ®
ON
ON message appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
Characteristics of activated SPORT han-
dling mode
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one
or more wheels start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes. ESP ®
only stabilises the vehicle to a
limited degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
R ESP ®
only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
R traction control is still activated. R
engine torque is restricted to a limited
degree and the drive wheels are able to
spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut-
ting action for better traction on loose sur- faces.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
Characteristics when ESP ®
is deactivated
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster does not flash. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut-
ting action for better traction on loose sur-faces.
R traction control is still activated.
R PRE-SAFE ®
is no longer available; nor is it
activated if you brake firmly with assis-
tance from ESP ®
.
R COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST is no lon-
ger available; nor is it activated if you brake
firmly with assistance from ESP ®
.
R COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST is no lon-
ger available; nor is it activated if you brake
firmly with assistance from ESP ®
.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(except
AMG vehicles) Important safety notes
You can select between the following states
of ESP
®
:
R ESP ®
is activated.
R ESP ®
is deactivated. Driving safety syste
ms
67Safety Z

G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilises the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehi-
cle if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel
starts to spin.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
You can deactivate or activate ESP ®
via the
on-board computer.
X To deactivate:(Y page 218).
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To activate:( Ypage 218).
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Characteristics when ESP ®
is deactivated
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such situa-
tions, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut-
ting action for better traction on loose sur- faces.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake. ESP
®
trailer stabilisation General notes
If your vehicle/trailer combination begins to
lurch, ESP
®
assists you in this situation. ESP ®
slows the vehicle down by braking and limit-
ing the engine output until the vehicle/trailer combination has stabilised.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilisation will not be able to prevent the vehicle/trailer combination from swerv-
ing. Trailers with a high centre of gravity can
tip over before ESP ®
can detect this. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
If your vehicle/trailer combination begins to
lurch, you can only stabilise the vehicle/
trailer combination by depressing the brake
firmly.
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation is active above
speeds of about 65 km/h.
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation does not work if
ESP ®
is deactivated or disabled because of a
malfunction. EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion for driving safety systems (Y page 61). G
WARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can still lock, e.g. under full braking. This increa-
ses the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Havethe brake system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. 68
Driving safety systemsSafety

Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (Y page 258) as well as dis-
play messages (Y page 232).
EBD monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure on the rear wheels to improve driving
stability while braking. ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort. In addi-
tion to the braking function, ADAPTIVE BRAKE
also has the HOLD function (Y page 180) and
hill start assist (Y page 145). For further
information, see Driving tips (Y page 166).STEER CONTROL
STEER CONTROL helps you by transmitting a noticeable steering force to the steering
wheel in the direction required for vehicle
stabilisation.
This steering support is provided in particular
if:
R both right wheels or both left wheels are on
a wet or slippery road surface when you
brake
R the vehicle starts to skid.
If there is an ESP ®
malfunction, you will not
receive any steering support from STEER
CONTROL. Power steering will, however, con-
tinue to function. Anti-theft systems
Immobiliser
The immobiliser prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct key.
X To activate: remove the key from the igni-
tion lock.
X To deactivate: switch on the ignition.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key
with you and lock the vehicle. The engine can be started by anyone with a valid key that is
left inside the vehicle.
i The immobiliser is always deactivated
when you start the engine. ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
X
To prime: lock the vehicle with the key.
Indicator lamp :flashes. The alarm sys-
tem is primed after approximately
15 seconds.
X To deactivate: unlock the vehicle with the
key.
or X Insert the key into the ignition lock.
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is primed and you open: R the vehicle with the emergency key ele-
ment
R a door
R the tailgate
R the bonnet
X To stop the alarm: insert the key into the
ignition lock.
The alarm is switched off.
or X Press the %or& button on the key.
The alarm is switched off.
The alarm is not switched off, even if you
close the open door that has triggered it, for
example. Anti-theft systems
69Safety Z

If you unlock the vehicle using the emergency
key element, the fuel filler flap will not be
unlocked automatically.
X To unlock the fuel filler flap: insert the
key into the ignition lock.
Removing the emergency key element X
Push release catch :in the direction of
the arrow and at the same time, remove
emergency key element ;from the key. Battery of the key
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Batteries contain toxic and corrosive substan- ces. If batteries are swallowed, it can result in
severe health problems. There is a risk of fatal injury.
Keep batteries out of the reach of children. If
a battery is swallowed, seek medical attention immediately. H
Environmental note Batteries contain pollutants.
It is illegal to dispose of them with the household rubbish.
They must be collected sep-
arately and disposed of in an environmentally responsible
recycling system.
Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally responsible
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or to a col-
lection point for used batter-
ies.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
the batteries replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
Checking the battery X
Press the &or% button.
The battery is working properly if battery
check lamp :lights up briefly.
The battery is discharged if battery check
lamp :does not light up briefly.
X Replace the battery (Y page 76).
i If the key battery is checked within the
signal reception range of the vehicle, press- ing the &or% button:
R locks or
R unlocks the vehicle
i You can obtain a battery from any quali-
fied specialist workshop.
Replacing the battery You require a CR 2025 3 V cell battery.76
KeyOpening and closing

blocks or restricts a side window during the
closing process, the side window opens again automatically. However, the automatic
reversing feature is only an aid and does not
relieve you of the responsibility to pay atten-
tion when closing a side window. G
WARNING
The reversing function does not react:
R to soft, light and thin objects, e.g. small fin-
gers
R over the last 4 mm of the closing movement
R during resetting
R when closing the side window again man-
ually immediately after automatic reversing
This means that the reversing function cannot prevent someone being trapped in these sit-
uations. There is a risk of injury.
When closing make sure that no parts of the
body are in the closing area. If someone
becomes trapped, press the switch to open
the side window again. Opening and closing the side win-
dows
The switches for all side windows are located on the driver's door. There is also a switch on
each door for the corresponding side window.
The switches on the driver's door take prec-
edence. :
Front left
; Front right =
Rear right
? Rear left
i The side windows cannot be operated
from the rear when the override feature for
the side windows is activated (Y page 61).
X Turn the key to position 1or 2in the ignition
lock.
X To open: press the corresponding switch.
X To open fully: press the corresponding
switch beyond the point of resistance.
Automatic operation is started.
X To close: pull the corresponding switch.
X To close fully: pull the corresponding
switch beyond the pressure point. Auto-
matic operation is started.
X To interrupt automatic operation:
press/pull the corresponding switch again.
i If you press/pull the switch beyond the
point of resistance, automatic operation is
started in the corresponding direction. You
can stop automatic operation by pressing/ pulling again.
i You can continue to operate the side win-
dows after switching off the engine or
removing the key. This function remains
active for five minutes or until the driver's
or front-passenger door is opened. Convenience opening feature
You can ventilate the vehicle before you start driving. To do this, the key is used to carry out
the following functions simultaneously:
R unlock the vehicle
R open the side windows
R open the panorama sliding sunroof and the
roller sunblinds
i The convenience opening feature can
only be operated using the key. The key
must be close to the driver's door handle. 84
Side windowsOpening and closing

X
Point the tip of the key at the driver's door
handle.
X Press and hold the %button until the
side windows and the panorama sunroof
are in the desired position.
If the roller sunblinds of the panorama slid-
ing sunroof are closed, the roller sunblinds are opened first.
X Press and hold the %button again until
the panorama sliding sunroof is in the
desired position.
X To interrupt convenience opening:
release the %button. Convenience closing feature
G
WARNING
When the convenience closing feature is oper- ating, parts of the body could become trapped
in the closing area of the side window and the
sliding sunroof. There is a risk of injury.
Observe the complete closing procedure
when the convenience closing feature is oper-
ating. When closing make sure that no parts of the body are in the closing area.
When you lock the vehicle, you can simulta-
neously:
R close the side windows
R close the panorama sliding sunroof
On vehicles with a panorama sliding sunroof, you can then close the roller sunblinds.
i The key must be close to the driver's door
handle.
X Point the tip of the key at the driver's door
handle.
X Press and hold the &button until the
side windows and the panorama sliding
sunroof are fully closed.
X Make sure that all the side windows and the
panorama sliding sunroof are closed. On vehicles with a panorama sliding sunroof:
X Press and hold the &button again until
the roller sunblinds of the panorama sliding
sunroof close.
X To interrupt convenience closing:
release the &button. Resetting the side windows
You must reset each side window if: R the side window opens again slightly after
being closed fully.
R the side window can no longer be fully
opened or closed.
X Close all doors.
X Turn the key to position 1or 2in the ignition
lock.
X Pull the corresponding switch on the door
control panel until the side window is com-
pletely closed (Y page 84).
X Hold the switch for an additional second.
If the side window opens again slightly:
X Immediately pull the corresponding switch
on the door control panel until the side win-
dow is completely closed (Y page 84).
X Hold the switch for an additional second.
X If the corresponding side window remains
closed after the button has been released,
the side window has been reset correctly. If
this is not the case, repeat the steps above again. Problems with the side windows
G
WARNING
If you close a side window again immediately
after it has been blocked or reset, the side
window closes with increased or maximum
force. The reversing function is then not
active. Parts of the body could be trapped in
the closing area in the process. This poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal injury. Side windows
85Opening and closing
Z

Make sure that no parts of the body are in the
closing area. To stop the closing process,
release the switch or push the switch again toreopen the side window.
Problem: a side window cannot be closed because it is blocked by objects, e.g.
leaves in the window guide.
X Remove the objects.
X Close the side window.
Problem: a side window cannot be closed
and you cannot see the cause. If a side
window is obstructed during closing and
reopens again slightly:
X Immediately after the window blocks, pull
the corresponding switch again until the
side window has closed.
The side window is closed with increased
force.
If a side window is obstructed again during
closing and reopens again slightly:
X Immediately after the window blocks, pull
the corresponding switch again until the
side window has closed.
The side window is closed without the anti-
entrapment feature. Panorama sliding sunroof
Important safety notes
In the following section, the term "sliding sun-
roof" refers to the panorama sliding sunroof. G
WARNING
While opening and closing the sliding sunroof, body parts in close proximity could become
trapped. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that no body parts are in close
proximity during the opening and closing pro- cedures. If somebody becomes trapped:
R release the switch immediately, or
R during automatic operation, press the
switch briefly in any direction
The opening or closing procedure will be stop-
ped. G
WARNING
If children operate the sliding sunroof they
could become trapped, particularly if they are left unsupervised. There is a risk of injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key
with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave
children unattended in the vehicle. G
WARNING
At high speeds the sliding sunroof automati-
cally lowers slightly at the rear. This could trap you or other persons. There is a risk of injury.Make sure that nobody reaches into the
sweep of the sliding sunroof whilst the vehicle
is in motion.
If somebody becomes trapped, reduce speed
immediately, paying attention to road and
traffic conditions. The sliding sunroof opens
again to its original position.
If the maximum position is not reached, you
can raise it further.
! Only open the panorama sliding sunroof if
it is free of snow and ice. Otherwise, mal-
functions may occur.
Do not allow anything to protrude from the sliding sunroof. Otherwise, the seals could
be damaged.
i Resonance noises can occur in addition to
the usual airflow noises when the sliding
sunroof is open. They are caused by minor
pressure fluctuations in the vehicle interior.
Change the position of the sliding sunroof
or open a side window slightly to reduce or
eliminate these noises. 86
Panorama sliding sunroofOpening and closing

Sliding sunroof reversing feature
The sliding sunroof is equipped with an auto-
matic reversing feature. If a solid object
blocks or restricts the sliding sunroof during
the closing process, the sliding sunroof opens again automatically. However, the automatic
reversing feature is only an aid and does not
relieve you of the responsibility to pay atten-
tion when closing the sliding sunroof. G
WARNING
The reversing function does not react:
R to soft, light and thin objects, e.g. small fin-
gers
R over the last 4 mm of the closing movement
R during resetting
R when closing the sliding sunroof again man-
ually immediately after automatic reversing
This means that the reversing function cannot prevent someone being trapped in these sit-
uations. There is a risk of injury.
When closing make sure that no parts of the
body are in the closing area.
If someone is trapped:
R release the switch immediately or
R during automatic operation, press the
switch briefly in any direction
The closing process is stopped. Operating the sliding sunroof
Opening and closing Overhead control panel
:
To raise
; To open
= To close/lower
X Turn the key to position 1or 2in the ignition
lock.
X Press or pull the 3switch in the corre-
sponding direction.
i If you press the
3switch beyond the
point of resistance, an automatic opening/ closing process is started in the corre-
sponding direction. You can stop automatic
operation by pressing again.
i After opening the sliding sunroof, the
roller sunblind closes slightly automati-
cally. This reduces drafts in the vehicle inte-
rior.
i If the sliding sunroof is raised at the rear,
it lowers slightly automatically at higher
speeds. The noise level in the vehicle inte-
rior is reduced as a result.
At low speeds it raises again automatically.
i You can continue to operate the sliding
sunroof after switching off the engine or
removing the key. This function remains
active for five minutes or until you open a
front door.
i The sliding sunroof cannot be opened if a
roof carrier is fitted. In order to allow ven- Panorama sliding sunroof
87Opening and closing Z