2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK airbag

Problems with automatic child seat recognition
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The
45 indica-
tor lamp on the centre
console is lit. A special Mercedes-Benz child restraint system with a trans-
ponder for automatic child seat recognition has been fitted to the
front-passenger seat. The front-passenger front airbag has there- fore been disabled as desired. G
WARNING
There is no child restraint system fitted to the front-passenger
seat. Automatic child seat recognition is malfunctioning.
It is also possible that the 6SRS warning lamp lights up and/
or the 45 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp does
not light up briefly when you switch the ignition on.
There is a risk of injury.
X Remove electronic equipment from the front-passenger seat,
e.g.:
R Laptop
R Mobile phone
R Cards with transponders, such as ski passes or access cards
If the 45 indicator lamp remains lit:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Suitable positioning of the child restraint systems
Key to the letters used in the table:
XS
eat which is unsuitable for children in this weight category.
US uitable for child restraint systems in the "Universal" category that are approved for use
in this weight category.
UF Suitable for forward-facing child restraint systems that belong to the "Universal" category and are approved for use in this weight category.
LS uitable for child restraint systems as recommended, see the following table of "Recom-
mended child restraint systems" (Y page 58).56
Children in the vehicleSafety

Seat positions
Weight catego-
ries Front-passenger seat
Rear seat
1 Front-
passenger
front airbag is
not disabled Front-
passenger
front airbag is
disabled Left, right Centre
Category 0: up
to 10 kg X
U
2, 3
, L2, 3 U, L U, L
Category 0+:
up to 13 kg
X
U
2, 3
, L2, 3 U, L U, L
Category I:
9to
18 kg UF
3
, L 3 U
3
, L 3 U, L U, L
Category II: 15
to 25 kg UF
3
, L 3 U
3
, L 3 U, L U, L
Category III:
22 to 36 kg
UF
3
, L 3 U
3
, L 3 U, L U, L
"Universal" category child restraint systems can be recognised by their orange approval label.
Example: approval label on the child restraint system
1 If you use a category 0 or 0+ baby car seat on a rear seat, you must adjust the driver's or front-passenger seat
so that the seat does not come in contact with the baby car seat.
2 Vehicles with automatic child seat recognition in the front-passenger seat: a child restraint system of the
"Universal" category with a transponder for automatic child seat recognition must be fitted. The 45
indicator lamp must be on.
3 Move the front-passenger seat to the rearmost and highest position, the backrest to an almost vertical
position, and the belt height adjustment to the lowest position. For seats with electrical adjustment, the seat
cushion angle must be set to the highest and most upright position. Children in the vehicle
57Safety Z

i
Vehicles with Adaptive Highbeam Assist:
when Adaptive Highbeam Assist is active, it controls activation of the main-beam head-lamps (Y page 109).
Headlamp flasher X
To switch on: turn the key in the ignition
lock to position 1or 2, or start the engine.
X Pull the combination switch in the direction
of arrow =. Hazard warning lamps
The hazard warning lamps switch on auto-
matically if:
R an airbag is deployed or
R the vehicle decelerates rapidly from a
speed of more than 70 km/h and comes to
a standstill
X To switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button :.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on a turn signal using the combination switch,
only the turn signal lamp on the corre-
sponding side of the vehicle will flash.
X To switch off the hazard warning lamps:
press button :.
The hazard warning lamps switch off auto-
matically if the vehicle reaches a speed of
over 10 km/h again after a full brake appli-
cation.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off. Headlamp cleaning system
If the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is
operated five times (Y page 116) while the
lights are on and the engine is running, the
headlamps are cleaned automatically. When
you switch off the ignition, the automatic
headlamp cleaning system is reset and count-
ing is resumed from 0. Intelligent Light System
General notes The Intelligent Light System is a system that
adjusts the headlamps automatically to suit
the prevailing driving and weather conditions.
It offers advanced functions for improved illu-
mination of the road surface, e.g. depending
on the vehicle speed or weather conditions.
The system includes the active light function, cornering light function, motorway mode and
extended range foglamps. The system is only active when it is dark.
You can activate or deactivate the "IntelligentLight System" using the on-board computer
(Y page 221).
Active light function The active light function is a system that
moves the headlamps according to the steer-
ing movements of the front wheels. In this
way, relevant areas remain illuminated while
driving. This allows you to recognise pedes-
trians, cyclists and animals.
Active: when the lights are switched on. 108
Exterior lightingLights and windscreen wipers

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions J
Brake immediately Brake immediately Vehicles with manual transmission: a malfunction has occurred
while the HOLD function was activated.
A tone may also sound at regular intervals. If you attempt to lock the vehicle, the tone becomes louder.
You cannot start the engine.
X Paying attention to the traffic situation, immediately depress the
brake pedal firmly and hold until the display message disap-
pears.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 162).
You can restart the engine. J
Check brake fluid Check brake fluid
level level There is insufficient brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
In addition, the red Jwarning lamp lights up in the instrument
cluster and a warning tone sounds.
G WARNING
The braking efficiency may be impaired.
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. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 162).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Do not top up the brake fluid. This does not correct the fault. #
Check brake pad Check brake pad
wear wear The brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. PRE-SAFE
PRE-SAFE
inoperative See inoperative See
Owner's Manual Owner's Manual
Important functions of PRE-SAFE
®
have failed. All other occupant
safety systems, e.g. airbags, remain available.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. 236
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions 6
Restraint Restraint
sys.
sys.mal‐
mal‐
function Consult
function Consult
workshop workshop There is a malfunction in the SRS (Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tem). The
6warning lamp also lights up in the instrument clus-
ter.
G WARNING
The airbags or belt tensioners may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury. X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
Further information on occupant safety (Y page 40).6
Front Front
left
leftmalfunc‐
malfunc‐
tion Consult work‐
tion Consult work‐
shop shop orFront
Front
right malfunction
right malfunction
Consult workshop Consult workshop SRS has malfunctioned at the front on the left or right. The
6
warning lamp also lights up in the instrument cluster.
G WARNING
The airbags or belt tensioners may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury. X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 6
Rear left malfunc‐ Rear left malfunc‐
tion Consult work‐ tion Consult work‐
shop shop
orRear right
Rear right
malfunction Con‐
malfunction Con‐
sult workshop sult workshop SRS has malfunctioned at the rear on the left or right. The
6
warning lamp also lights up in the instrument cluster.
G WARNING
The airbags or belt tensioners may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury. X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 238
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions 6
Rear centre mal‐ Rear centre mal‐
function Consult function Consult
workshop workshop SRS has malfunctioned at the rear centre. The
6warning lamp
also lights up in the instrument cluster.
G WARNING
The airbags or belt tensioners may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury. X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 6
Left Left
windowbag
windowbag mal‐
mal‐
function Consult
function Consult
workshop workshop orRight
Right
windowbag malfunc‐
windowbag malfunc‐
tion Consult work‐ tion Consult work‐
shop shop There is a malfunction in the left-hand and/or right-hand window-
bag. The 6warning lamp also lights up in the instrument clus-
ter.
G WARNING
The left or right windowbag may either be triggered unintentionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Lights
i Display messages about LEDs:
This display message will only appear if all the LEDs have failed. Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M MSolutions b
Left cornering Left cornering
light light
orRight cor‐
Right cor‐
nering light
nering light The left or right-hand cornering light is faulty.
X Check whether you are permitted to replace the bulb yourself
(Y page 112).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Left dipped beam Left dipped beam
or
Right dipped Right dipped
beam
beam The left or right-hand dipped-beam headlamp is faulty.
X Check whether you are permitted to replace the bulb yourself
(Y page 112).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Trailer left tail Trailer left tail
lamp lampor
Trailer
Trailer
right tail lamp
right tail lamp The left or right-hand trailer tail lamp is faulty.
X Check whether you are permitted to replace the bulb yourself.
or X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Display
messages
239On-board computer and displays Z

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions !
The red indicator lamp
for the electric parking
brake flashes or is lit
and/or the yellow
warning lamp for the
electric parking brake
is lit. X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display. 6
The red SRS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
There is a malfunction in the SRS (Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tem).
G WARNING
The airbags or belt tensioners may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury. X Drive on carefully.
X Have SRS checked at a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
For further information about the Supplemental Restraint System, see (Y page 41). Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
263On-board computer and displays Z

X
Remove rust, e.g. with a wire brush.
X Remove dirt with a clean, lint-free cloth or a
brush.
X After cleaning, lightly oil or grease ball cou-
pling :.
X Check that the vehicle's trailer tow hitch is
working properly.
i Maintenance of the ball coupling and
trailer tow hitch can also be performed at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Interior care
Cleaning the display !
For cleaning, do not use any of the fol-
lowing:
R alcohol-based thinner or petrol
R abrasive cleaning agents
R commercially-available household clean-
ing agents
These may damage the display surface. Do not put pressure on the display surface
when cleaning. This could lead to irrepara-
ble damage to the display.
X Before cleaning the display, make sure that
it is switched off and has cooled down.
X Clean the display surface using a commer-
cially available microfibre cloth and
TFT/LCD display cleaner.
X Dry the display surface using a dry micro-
fibre cloth. Cleaning the plastic trim G
WARNING
Care products and cleaning agents containing solvents can cause surfaces in the cockpit to
become porous. This could result in plastic
parts breaking away when the airbags are
deployed. There is a danger of injury.
Do not use care products and cleaning agents containing solvents to clean the cockpit.
! Do not affix the following to plastic surfa-
ces:
R stickers
R films
R scented oil bottles or similar items
You could otherwise damage the plastic.
! Do not allow cosmetics, insect repellent
or sunscreen to come in contact with the
plastic trim. This maintains the high-quality look of the surfaces.
X Wipe the plastic trim with a damp, lint-free
cloth, e.g. a microfibre cloth.
X Heavy soiling: use car care and cleaning
products recommended and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
The surface may change colour tempora-
rily. Wait until the surface is dry again.
Cleaning the steering wheel and gear or selector lever X
Thoroughly wipe with a damp cloth or use
leather care agents that have been recom-
mended and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Cleaning wooden trim and trim ele-
ments !
Do not use solvent-based cleaning agents
such as tar remover, wheel cleaners, pol-
ishes or waxes. There is otherwise a risk of damaging the surface. Care
295Maintenance and care Z