2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK steering

Adjusting the seat backrest side bol-
sters X
To set the side bolsters of the seat
backrest narrower: press buttonA.
X To set the side bolsters of the seat
backrest wider: press buttonB. Steering wheel
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
You could lose control of the vehicle while
driving if you:
R adjust the driver's seat, steering wheel or
mirrors
R fasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirrors and fasten your seat
belt before starting the engine. G
WARNING
Children could become trapped by the steer-
ing wheel if they adjust it. 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. Adjusting the steering wheel
G
WARNING
The steering wheel may move unexpectedly if you adjust it while driving. This could cause
you to lose control of the vehicle. There is a
risk of an accident.
Make sure that the steering wheel is locked
before driving off. Never unlock the steering
wheel when the vehicle is in motion. :
Release lever
; To adjust the steering wheel height
= To adjust the steering wheel position
(fore-and-aft adjustment)
X Push release lever :down completely.
The steering column is unlocked.
X Adjust the steering wheel to the desired
position.
X Push release lever :up completely.
The steering column is locked.
X Check if the steering column is locked.
When doing so, try to push the steering
wheel up or down or try to move it in the
fore-and-aft direction. Mirrors
Rear-view mirror
X
Anti-dazzle mode: pivot anti-dazzle
switch :forwards or back. 98
MirrorsSeats
, steering wheel and mirrors

Exterior mirrors
Adjusting the exterior mirrors G
WARNING
The exterior mirrors reduce the size of the
image. Objects visible in the mirrors are
closer than they appear. You could misjudge
the distance from road users driving behind
you when changing lanes, for instance. There is a risk of an accident.
You should therefore always look over your
shoulder to determine the actual distance
from road users driving behind you. X
Make sure that the key is in position 1or 2
in the ignition lock.
X Press button :for the left-hand exterior
mirror or button ;for the right-hand exte-
rior mirror.
The indicator lamp in the corresponding
button lights up in red.
The indicator lamp goes out again after
some time. You can adjust the selected
mirror using adjustment button =as long
as the indicator lamp is lit.
X Press adjustment button =up, down, or to
the left or right until you have adjusted the
exterior mirror to the correct position. You
should have a good overview of traffic con- ditions.
The convex exterior mirrors provide a larger
field of vision.
After the engine has been started, the exte-
rior mirrors are automatically heated if the
rear window heating is switched on and the outside temperature is low. Heating takes a
maximum of 10 minutes.
i The exterior mirrors can also be heated
manually by switching on the rear window
heating.
Folding the exterior mirrors in/out elec-
trically X
Make sure that the key is in position 1or 2
in the ignition lock.
X Briefly press button :.
Both exterior mirrors fold in or out.
i Make sure that the exterior mirrors are
always folded out fully while driving. They
could otherwise vibrate.
i If you are driving faster than 47 km/h
(30 mp h) youcan no longer fold in the exte-
rior mirrors.
Setting the exterior mirrors If the battery has been disconnected or com-
pletely discharged, the exterior mirrors must
be reset. The exterior mirrors will otherwise
not fold in when you select the "Fold in mir-
rors when locking" function in the on-board
computer (Y page 225).
X Make sure that the key is in position 1in the
ignition lock.
X Briefly press button :. Mirrors
99Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z

Folding the exterior mirrors in/out
automatically If the "Fold in mirrors when locking" function
is activated in the on-board computer
(Y page 225):
R the exterior mirrors fold in automatically as
soon as you lock the vehicle from the out-
side.
R the exterior mirrors fold out again automat-
ically as soon as you unlock the vehicle and
then open the driver's or front-passenger
door.
i If the exterior mirrors have been folded in
manually, they do not fold out.
Exterior mirror pushed out of position If an exterior mirror has been pushed out of
position, proceed as follows.
X Vehicles without electrically folding
exterior mirrors: move the exterior mirror
into the correct position manually.
X Vehicles with electrically folding exte-
rior mirrors: press and hold the mirror-
folding button (Y page 99) until you hear a
click and then the mirror engage in posi-
tion.
The mirror housing is engaged again and
you can adjust the exterior mirrors as usual
(Y page 99). Automatic anti-dazzle mirrors
The "Automatic anti-dazzle mirrors" function
is only available if the vehicle is equipped with
the "Mirror package".
The rear-view mirror and the exterior mirror
on the driver's side automatically go into anti- dazzle mode if:
R the ignition is switched on and
R incident light from headlamps strikes the
sensor in the rear-view mirror
The mirrors do not go into anti-dazzle mode if reverse gear is engaged or if the interior light-
ing is switched on. Parking position of the exterior mirror
on the front-passenger side
General notes The "Parking position for the exterior mirror
on the front-passenger side" function is only
available if the vehicle is equipped with the
"Memory package".
Setting and storing the parking position Using reverse gear
You can set the front-passenger side exterior
mirror so that you can see the rear wheel on
that side as soon as you engage reverse gear.
You can store this position. X
Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
that the key is in position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Press button ;for the exterior mirror on
the front-passenger side.
X Engage reverse gear.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves to the preset parking position.
X Use adjustment button =to adjust the
exterior mirror. You should see the rear
wheel and the kerb in the exterior mirror.
The parking position is stored.
i If you shift the transmission to another
position, the exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side returns to the driving posi-
tion. 100
MirrorsSeats, steering wheel and
mirrors

Using the memory button
You can set the front-passenger side exterior
mirror so that you can see the rear wheel on
that side as soon as you engage reverse gear.
You can store this position. This setting can
be stored using memory button M?.
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
that the key is in position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Press button ;for the exterior mirror on
the front-passenger side.
X Use adjustment button =to adjust the
exterior mirror. You should see the rear
wheel and the kerb in the exterior mirror.
X Press memory button M? and one of the
arrows on adjustment button =within
three seconds.
The parking position is stored if the exterior
mirror does not move.
X If the mirror moves out of position, repeat
the steps.
Calling up a stored parking position set- ting X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Adjust the exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side with the corresponding but-
ton (Y page 99).
X Engage reverse gear.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves to the stored parking position.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves back to its original position:
R as soon as you exceed a speed of
15 km/h
R about ten seconds after you have disen-
gaged reverse gear
R if you press button :for the exterior mir-
ror on the driver's side Memory functions
Storing settings
G
WARNING
If you use the memory function on the driver's side while driving, the adjustments could
cause you to lose control of the vehicle. There
is a risk of an accident.
Only use the memory function on the driver's
side while the vehicle is stationary. G
WARNING
If the memory function adjusts the seat, you
and other vehicle occupants – particularly
children – could become trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
While the memory function is making adjust-
ments, make sure that no one has any part of their body within the sweep of the seat. If
someone becomes trapped, immediately
release the memory function position button.
The adjustment is stopped. G
WARNING
If children activate the memory function, they
could become trapped, especially if they are
unattended. 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.
With the memory function, you can store up
to three different settings, e.g. for three dif-
ferent people.
The following settings are stored as a single
memory preset:
R position of the seat, backrest and head
restraint
R driver's side: position of the exterior mir-
rors on the driver's and front-passenger
sides Memory functions
101Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z

X
Adjust the seat (Y page 94).
X Adjust the exterior mirror on the driver's
side (Y page 99).
X Briefly press the Mmemory button and
then press storage position button 1,2or 3
within three seconds.
The settings are stored in the selected pre- set position. A tone sounds when the set-
tings have been completed. Calling up a stored setting
X Press and hold the relevant storage posi-
tion button 1,2or 3until the seat and
exterior mirrors are in the stored position.
i The setting procedure is interrupted as
soon as you release the storage position
button. 102
Memory functionsSeats, steering
wheel and mirrors

Cornering light function
The cornering light function improves the illu-
mination of the road over a wide angle in the
direction you are turning, enabling better vis- ibility in tight bends, for example. The corner-ing light function can only be activated when
the dipped-beam headlamps are switched on.
Active:
R if you are driving at speeds below 40 km/h
and the turn signal is activated or the steer- ing wheel is turned.
R if you are driving at speeds between
40 km/h and 70 km/h and turn the steer-
ing wheel.
Not active: if you are driving at speeds above
40 km/h or switch off the turn signal or turn
the steering wheel to the straight-ahead posi-
tion.
The cornering lamp may remain lit for a short
time, but is automatically switched off after
no more than three minutes.
Motorway mode Motorway mode increases the range of the
beam.
Active:
R if you are driving at speeds above
110 km/h and do not make any large steer-
ing movements for 1000 m
R if you are driving at speeds above
130 km/h
Not active: if you are driving at speeds below
80 km/h following activation.
Extended range foglamps The extended range foglamps reduce the
glare experienced by the driver and improve
the illumination of the edge of the carriage-
way.
Active:
if you are driving at speeds below
70 km/h and you switch on the rear foglamp.
Not active: if you are driving at speeds above
100 km/h or if you switch off the rear foglamp following activation. Adaptive Highbeam Assist
G
WARNING
Adaptive Highbeam Assist does not recognise road users:
R who have no lights, e.g. pedestrians
R who have poor lighting, e.g. cyclists
R whose lighting is blocked, e.g. by a barrier
In very rare cases, Adaptive Highbeam Assist
recognises road users too late or not at all. In
this, or in similar situations, the automatic Exterior lighting
109Lights and windscreen wipers
Z

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all mod-
els, series and optional equipment for your
vehicle that were available at the time of
going to press. National variations are pos- sible. Note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all of the functions descri-
bed. This is also the case for systems and
functions relevant to safety.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: (Y page 24). Running-in notes
Important safety notes
New brake pads/linings and discs that have
been replaced only achieve optimum braking effect after several hundred kilometres of
driving. Compensate for the reduced braking
effect by applying greater force to the brake
pedal. The first 1500 km
If you treat the engine with sufficient care
from the very start, you will be rewarded with excellent performance for the remainder of
the engine's life.
R Drive at varying vehicle speeds and engine
speeds for the first 1500 km.
R Avoid overstraining the vehicle during this
period, e.g. driving at full throttle.
R Change gear in good time, before the rev
counter needle is Ôof the way to the red
area of the rev counter.
R Do not shift down a gear manually in order
to brake.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
R Try to avoid depressing the accelerator
pedal beyond the point of resistance (kick-
down).
After 1,500 km, you may gradually bring the
vehicle up to full road and engine speeds. Additional running-in notes for AMG vehicles:
R Do not drive at speeds above 140 km/ hfor
the first 1,500 km.
R Only allow the engine to reach a maximum
engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.
i You should also observe these notes on
running-in if the engine or parts of the drive train on your vehicle have been replaced. Driving
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell may restrict
the clearance around the pedals or block a
depressed pedal. This jeopardises the oper-
ating and road safety of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Stow all objects securely in the vehicle so that
they do not get into the driver's footwell.
Always fit the floormats securely and as pre-
scribed in order to ensure that there is always sufficient room for the pedals. Do not use
loose floormats and do not place several floor-mats on top of one another. G
WARNING
Unsuitable footwear can hinder correct usage of the pedals, e.g.:
R shoes with thick soles
R shoes with high heels
R slippers
There is a risk of an accident.
Wear suitable footwear to ensure correct
usage of the pedals. 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 142
DrivingDriving and parking

more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. G
WARNING
If the parking brake has not been fully
released when driving, the parking brake can:
R overheat and cause a fire
R lose its hold function.
There is a risk of fire and an accident. Release
the parking brake fully before driving off.
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only set the automatic transmission to the
respective drive positions when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. Otherwise, you could damage the
drive train.
! AMG vehicles:
avoid full-load operation
and engine speeds greater than 5000 rpm
when the engine is cold. This helps to pro-
tect the engine and avoids uncomfortable
driving. Key positions
g
To remove the key
1 Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windscreen wipers 2
Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3 To start the engine
Vehicles with manual transmission: the
steering is locked when the key is taken out of
the ignition lock.
i If the key does not belong to the vehicle, it
can still be turned in the ignition lock. How- ever, the ignition will not be switched on.
The engine cannot be started. Starting the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficient ventilation. G
WARNING
Flammable materials introduced through
environmental influence or by animals can
ignite if in contact with the exhaust system or parts of the engine that heat up. There is a risk
of fire.
Carry out regular checks to make sure that
there are no flammable foreign materials in
the engine compartment or in the exhaust
system.
! Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
i Vehicles with a petrol engine:
the
engine runs at a higher engine speed during the cold start procedure so that the cata-
lytic converter can reach operating tem-
perature more quickly. The sound of the
engine may change as a result. Driving
143Driving and parking Z