2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK Owners Manual

Do not install accessories such as audio
systems in these areas. Do not carry out
repairs or welding. You could impair the
operating efficiency of the restraint sys-
tems.
Have accessories retrofitted at a qualified
specialist workshop.
If you use parts, tyres and wheels as well as
accessories relevant to safety which have not been approved by Mercedes, the operating
safety of the vehicle could be jeopardised.
This could lead to malfunctions in safety-rel-
evant systems, e.g. the brake system. Only
use genuine Mercedes-Benz parts or parts of
equal quality. Only use tyres, wheels and
accessories that have been specifically
approved for your vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz tests genuine parts and con-
version parts and accessories that have been specifically approved for your vehicle for their
reliability, safety and suitability. Despite
ongoing market research, Mercedes-Benz is
unable to assess other parts. Mercedes-Benz accepts no responsibility for the use of such
parts in Mercedes-Benz vehicles, even if they
have been independently or officially
approved.
In Germany, certain parts are only officially
approved for installation or modification if
they comply with legal requirements. This
also applies to some other countries. All gen- uine Mercedes-Benz parts meet the approval
requirements. The use of non-approved parts
may invalidate the vehicle's general operating
permit.
This is the case:
R if they cause a change of the vehicle type
from that for which the vehicle's general
operating permit was granted
R if other road users could be endangered
R if the emission or noise levels are adversely
affected
Always specify the vehicle identification num-
ber (VIN) (Y page 338) and the engine num-
ber (Y page 338) when ordering genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts. Owner's Manual
General notes
Before you first drive off, read this Owner's
Manual carefully and familiarise yourself with
your vehicle.
For your own safety and a longer vehicle life,
follow the instructions and warning notices in this manual. Disregarding them may lead to
damage to the vehicle or personal injury. Vehicle equipment
This Owner's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment
available for your vehicle at the time of pub-
lication of the Owner's Manual. Country-spe-
cific differences are possible. Note that your
vehicle may not be fitted with all features
described. This is also the case for systems
and functions relevant to safety. Therefore,
the equipment on your vehicle may differ from
that in the descriptions and illustrations.
The original purchase contract documenta-
tion for your vehicle contains a list of all of the systems in your vehicle.
Should you have any questions concerning
equipment and operation, please consult a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
The Owner's Manual and Service Booklet are
important documents and should kept in the
vehicle. Operating safety
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you do not have the prescribed service/
maintenance work or necessary repairs car-
ried out, this could result in malfunctions or
system failures. There is a risk of an accident.
Always have the prescribed service/mainte-
nance work as well as necessary repairs car-
ried out at a qualified specialist workshop. 22
Introduction

G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. G
WARNING
Modifications to electronic components, their software as well as wiring could effect their
function and/or the operation of other net-
worked components. This could in particular
also be the case for systems relevant to
safety. They might not function properly any
more and/or jeopardise the operational
safety of the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of an accident and injury.
Do not attempt to modify the wiring as well as
electronic components or their software.
Always have work on electrical and electronic components carried out at a qualified special-
ist workshop.
There is a risk of damage to the vehicle if:
R the vehicle becomes stuck, e.g. on a high
kerb or an unpaved road
R you drive too fast over an obstacle, e.g. a
kerb or a hole in the road
R a heavy object strikes the undercarriage or
parts of the chassis.
In situations like this, the body, the undercar- riage, chassis parts, wheels or tyres could be
damaged without the damage being visible.
Components damaged in this way can unex-
pectedly fail or, in the case of an accident, no
longer withstand the strain they are designed
to.
If the underbody panelling is damaged, com-
bustible materials such as leaves, grass or
twigs can gather between the underbody and the underbody panelling. If these materials
come in contact with hot parts of the exhaust system for an extended period, they can
catch fire.
Have the vehicle checked and repaired imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop. If on
continuing your journey you notice that driv-
ing safety is impaired, pull over and stop the
vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traffic conditions. In such cases, visit a
qualified specialist workshop. Declarations of conformity
Wireless vehicle components The following information applies to all com-
ponents of the vehicle and the COMAND sys-
tem which receive and/or transmit radio
waves:
The components of this vehicle which receive
and/or transmit radio waves are compliant
with the basic requirements and other rele-
vant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC. You can obtain further information from any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Electromagnetic compatibility The electromagnetic compatibility of the vehi-
cle components has been checked and certi-
fied according to the currently valid version of Directive 72/245/EE Cor the equivalent ECE
Regulation ECE-R 10. Diagnostics connection
The diagnostics connection is only intended
for the connection of diagnostic equipment at
a qualified specialist workshop. G
WARNING
If you connect equipment to a diagnostics
connection in the vehicle, it can affect the
operation of the vehicle systems. This may
affect the operating safety of the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident.
Do not connect any equipment to a diagnos-
tics connection in the vehicle. Introduction
23 Z

G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle is
jeopardised. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Fit the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use loose floormats.
! If the engine is switched off and equip-
ment on the diagnostics connection is
used, the starter battery may discharge.
Connecting equipment to the diagnostics
connection can lead to emissions monitoring
information being reset, for example. This
may lead to the vehicle failing to meet the
requirements of the next emissions test dur-
ing the main inspection. Qualified specialist workshop
A qualified specialist workshop has the nec-
essary special skills, tools and qualifications
to correctly carry out any necessary work on
your vehicle. This particularly applies to work relevant to safety.
Observe the notes in the Service Booklet.
Always have the following work carried out at a qualified specialist workshop:
R work relevant to safety
R service and maintenance work
R repair work
R modifications, installations and conver-
sions
R work on electronic components
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Vehicle registration
Mercedes-Benz may ask its Service Centres
to carry out technical inspections on certain
vehicles. The quality or safety of the vehicle is
improved as a result of the inspection.
Mercedes-Benz can only inform you about
vehicle checks if it has your registration data.
It is possible that your vehicle has not yet
been registered in your name in the following
cases:
R if your vehicle was not purchased at an
authorised specialist dealer.
R if your vehicle has not yet been examined at
a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
It is advisable to register your vehicle with a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Inform Mercedes-Benz as soon as possible
about any change in address or vehicle own-
ership. Correct use
If you remove any warning stickers, you or
others could fail to recognise certain dangers. Leave warning stickers in position.
Observe the following information when driv-
ing your vehicle:
R the safety notes in this manual
R the technical data in this manual
R traffic rules and regulations
R laws and safety standards pertaining to
motor vehicles Implied warranty
! Follow the instructions in this manual
about the proper operation of your vehicle
as well as about possible vehicle damage.
Damage to your vehicle that arises from
culpable contraventions against these
instructions are not covered either by
Mercedes-Benz implied warranty or by the
New or Used-Vehicle Warranty. 24
Introduction

Data stored in the vehicle
A number of electronic components in your
vehicle contain data memories.
These data memories temporarily or perma-
nently store technical information about:
R the vehicle's operating state
R events
R faults
This technical information generally docu-
ments the condition of a component, a mod-
ule, a system or an environment.
These are, for example:
R operating conditions of system compo-
nents. This includes, e.g. fluid levels.
R status messages from the vehicle and from
individual vehicle components. This
includes, e.g. number of wheel revolu-
tions/speed, deceleration, lateral acceler-
ation.
R malfunctions and faults in important sys-
tem components. This includes, e.g. lights,
brakes.
R reactions of the vehicle in special driving
situations. This includes, e.g. deployment
of an airbag, intervention of stability control
systems.
R environmental conditions. This includes,
e.g. the outside temperature.
This data is exclusively technical in nature
and is used to:
R assist in the detection and rectification of
faults and defects
R optimise vehicle functions
The data cannot be used to trace the vehicle's movements over distances travelled.
When your vehicle is serviced, this technical
information can be read out from the event
and fault memory.
Services include:
R repairs
R service processes R
warranty claims
R quality assurance
The information is read out by authorised
employees of the service network (including
manufacturers) using special diagnostic devi-
ces. You can find more information there if
necessary.
After a fault has been rectified, the informa-
tion in the fault memory is deleted or consec- utively overwritten.
In normal vehicle operation, situations may
arise in which this technical data could
become personal in nature in conjunction
with other information and, if necessary, on
consultation of an approval official.
Examples include:
R accident reports
R vehicle damage
R witness testimonies
Further additional features which are con-
tractually agreed with the customer likewise
allow specific vehicle data to be obtained
from the vehicle. Such additional features
include vehicle locating in an emergency, for
example. Copyright information
General notes
You can find information on licences for free
and open-source software used in your vehi-
cle and its electronic components on the fol- lowing website:
http://www.mercedes-benz.com/
opensource Int
roduction
25 Z

26

Cockpit
................................................. 28
Instrument cluster ..............................30
Multifunction steering wheel .............33
Centre console .................................... 34
Overhead control panel ......................36
Door control panel .............................. 37 27At a glance

Cockpit
Function Page
:
Steering wheel gearshift
paddles
156
;
Combination switch 107
=
Instrument cluster 30
?
Horn
A
DIRECT SELECT lever 151
B
PARKTRONIC warning dis-
play
182
C
Overhead control panel 36
D
Climate control systems 122 Function Page
E
Ignition lock 143
F
Adjusting the steering
wheel
98
G
Cruise control lever 169
H
Electric parking brake 163
I
Light switch 105
J
Diagnostics connection 23
K
Opening the bonnet 28528
CockpitAt a glance

Function Page
:
Overhead control panel 36
;
PARKTRONIC warning dis-
play 182
=
Combination switch 107
?
Instrument cluster 30
A
Horn
B
DIRECT SELECT lever 151
C
Steering wheel gearshift
paddles
156
D
Light switch 105 Function Page
E
Electric parking brake 163
F
Opening the bonnet 285
G
Diagnostics connection 23
H
Ignition lock 143
I
Adjusting the steering
wheel
98
J
Cruise control lever 169
K
Climate control systems 122Cockpit
29At a glance