2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK ECO mode

ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating .................. .69
Function ........................................... 69
Interior motion senso r..................... 70
Switching off the alarm .................... 69
Tow-away protection ........................ 70
ATTENTION ASSIST
Activating/deactivating ................. 219
Display message ............................ 245
Function/note s............................. 195
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 214
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 242
see Lights
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 147
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 146
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 105
Automatic transmission
Accelerator pedal position ............. 154
Automatic drive program ............... 156
Changing gear ............................... 154
DIRECT SELECT lever ..................... 151
Display message ............................ 252
Drive program display .................... 152
Driving tips .................................... 154
Emergency running mode .............. 159
Engaging drive position .................. 153
Engaging neutral ............................ 153
Engaging park position (AMG vehi-
cles) ............................................... 153
Engaging reverse gear ................... 153
Engaging the park position ............ 152
Holding the vehicle stationary on
uphill gradients .............................. 154
Kickdown ....................................... 154
Manual drive progra m.................... 156
Overview ........................................ 151
Problem (fault) ............................... 159
Program selector button ................ 155
Pulling away ................................... 144
Selector lever ................................ 153
Starting the engine ........................ 144
Steering wheel gearshift paddle s... 156
Trailer towing ................................. 155
Transmission position dis-
play ........................................ 152, 153 Transmission positions .................. 153
Automatic transmission emer-
gency running mode ......................... 159
Auxiliary heating
Activating/deactivating ................. 134
Activating/deactivating (on the
centre console ).............................. 135
Display message ............................ 255
Important safety notes .................. 134
Problem (display message) ............ 138
Remote control .............................. 135
Setting ........................................... 224
Setting the departure time ............. 136
Auxiliary ventilation
Activating/deactivating ................. 134
Activating/deactivating (on the
centre console ).............................. 135
Problem (display message) ............ 138
Remote control .............................. 135
Axle load, permissible (trailer tow-
ing) ...................................................... 349 B
Bag hook ............................................ 273
Ball coupling
Folding in ....................................... 205
Folding out ..................................... 203
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 62
Battery (key)
Checking .......................................... 76
Important safety notes .................... 76
Replacing ......................................... 76
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 306
Display message ............................ 244
Important safety notes .................. 304
Jump starting ................................. 308
Belt force limiter
Activation ......................................... 49
Function ........................................... 49
Belt tensioner
Activation ......................................... 41
Function ........................................... 49
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 219
Display message ............................ 247
Notes/function .............................. 198 Index
5

Loading guidelines
............................ 268
Locking
see Central locking
Locking (doors)
Automatic ........................................ 81
Emergency locking .......................... .81
From inside (central locking but-
ton) .................................................. 80
Locking centrally
see Central locking
Locking verification signal (on-
board computer) ............................... 223
Luggage compartment enlarge-
ment ................................................... 271
Important safety notes .................. 271
Luggage compartment floor
Important safety notes .................. 274
opening/closing ............................ 274
stowage well, under ....................... 274
Luggage net ....................................... 271
Lumbar support
Adjusting the 4-way lumbar sup-
port .................................................. 96 M
M+S tyres ........................................... 320
Main-beam headlamps
Changing bulb s.............................. 114
Display message ............................ 241
Switching Adaptive Highbeam
Assist on/of f................................. 109
Switching on/of f........................... 107
Maintenance
see ASSYST PLUS
Manual transmission
Engaging reverse gear ................... 151
Gear lever ...................................... 150
Pulling away ................................... 144
Shift recommendation ................... 151
Shifting to neutral .......................... 151
Starting the engine ........................ 144
Matt finish (cleaning instructions) .. 292
Memory card (audio) ......................... 215
Memory function ............................... 101
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre
see Qualified specialist workshop Message memory (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 229
Messages
see Display messages
Mirrors
see Exterior mirrors
see Rear-view mirror
see Vanity mirror (in sun visor)
Mobile phone
Frequencies ................................... 336
Installation ..................................... 336
Menu (on-board computer) ............ 215
Notes/placing in the bracket ......... 279
Transmission output (maximum) .... 336
Mobile telephone
Pre-installed bracket ...................... 281
Modifying the programming (key) ..... 75
MOExtended tyres ............................. 300
Motorway mode ................................ 109
MP3
Operating ....................................... 215
see Separate operating instructions
Multifunction display
Function/note s............................. 210
Permanent display ......................... 220
Multifunction steering wheel
Operating the on-board compute r..2 09
Overview .......................................... 33 N
Navigation Menu (on-board computer) ............ 213
see separate operating instructions
Notes on running in a new vehicle .. 142 O
Occupant safety Children in the vehicle ..................... 50
Important safety notes .................... 40
Odometer .......................................... .211
see Total distance recorder
see Trip meter
Oil
see Engine oil
On-board computer
AMG menu ..................................... 226 Index
13

Speed, controlling
see Cruise control
Speedometer
Activating/deactivating the addi-
tional speedometer ........................ 220
Digital ............................................ 212
In the Instrument cluster ................. 30
Segments ...................................... 209
Selecting the unit of measure-
ment ..............................................2 20
see Instrument cluster
SPEEDTRONIC
Deactivating variable ..................... 172
Display message ............................ 250
Function/notes ............................ .171
Important safety notes .................. 171
LIM indicator lamp ......................... 171
Permanent ..................................... 172
Selecting ........................................ 171
Storing the current spee d.............. 172
Variabl e......................................... 171
SPORT handling mode
Activating/deactivating (AMG
vehicles) .......................................... 66
Warning lamp ................................. 261
SRS (Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tem)
Display message ............................ 238
Introduction ..................................... 41
Warning lamp ................................. 263
Warning lamp (function) ................... 41
Start/stop function
see ECO start/stop function
Starting (engine) ................................ 143
STEER CONTROL .................................. 69
Steering (display message) .............. 255
Steering wheel
Adjusting (manually) ........................ 98
Button overview ............................... 33
Buttons (on-board computer) ......... 209
Cleaning ......................................... 295
Gearshift paddle s........................... 156
Important safety notes .................... 98
Steering wheel gearshift paddles .... 156
Stopwatch (RACETIMER) ................... 226
Stowage areas ................................... 269 Stowage compartments
Armrest (front) ............................... 270
Armrest (under) ............................. 270
Centre console .............................. 269
Centre console (rear) ..................... 271
Cup holde r..................................... 275
Glove compartment ....................... 269
Important safety information ......... 269
Luggage net ................................... 271
Spectacles compartment ............... 269
Under driver's seat/front-
passenger sea t.............................. 270
Summer tyres .................................... 320
Sun visor ............................................ 277
Supplemental Restraint System
see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Surround lighting (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 222
Switching off the alarm (ATA) ............ 69 T
Tail lamps Display message ............................ 241
see Lights
Tailgate
Display message ............................ 254
Emergency unlocking ....................... 83
Important safety notes .................... 82
Opening dimensions ...................... 346
Opening/closing (from outside) ....... 82
Technical data
Capacities ...................................... 338
Emergency spare whee l................. 333
Information .................................... 336
Trailer load s................................... 349
Tyres/wheels ................................. 329
Vehicle data ................................... 346
Telephone
Accepting a call ............................. 216
Display message ............................ 256
Menu (on-board computer) ............ 215
Number from the phone book ........ 216
Redialling ....................................... 217
Rejecting/ending a call ................. 216
Telephone compartment ................ 270 Index
17

If the
÷ ESP®
warning lamp and the å
ESP ®
OFF warning lamp are lit continuously,
ESP ®
is not available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 260) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 230).
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tyre sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
Characteristics of ESP ®General notes
If the
÷ ESP warning lamp goes out before
beginning the journey, ESP ®
is automatically
active.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X When pulling away, only depress the accel-
erator pedal as far as is necessary.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
ECO start/stop function
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle stops
moving. When pulling away again, the engine
starts automatically. ESP ®
remains in its pre-
viously selected status. Example:if ESP®
was deactivated before the engine was
switched off, ESP ®
remains deactivated when
the engine is switched on again.
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle stops
moving. When pulling away again, the engine
starts automatically. ESP ®
remains in its pre-
viously selected status. Example:if ESP®
was deactivated before the engine was
switched off, ESP ®
remains deactivated when
the engine is switched on again. Deactivating/activating ESP
®
(AMG
vehicles) Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 61).
You can select between the following states
of ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
is activated.
R SPORT handling mode is activated.
R ESP ®
is deactivated. G
WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is activated,
there is a greater risk of skidding and acci-
dents.
Only activate SPORT handling mode in the sit- uations described in the following. 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.
In the following situations, it may be better to activate SPORT handling mode or deactivate
ESP ®
:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
R on specially designated roads when the
vehicle's own oversteering and understeer-
ing characteristics are desired
Driving in SPORT handling mode or without
ESP ®
requires an extremely qualified and
experienced driver.
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. 66
Driving safety systemsSafety

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

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). Exterior lighting
General notes
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz recom- mends that you drive with the lights switched
on even during the daytime. In some coun-
tries, operation of the headlamps varies due
to legal requirements and self-imposed obli-
gations. Driving abroad
General notes If your journey takes you to countries where
vehicles are driven on the opposite side of the
road to the country in which the vehicle is
registered, your headlamps must be switched to symmetrical dipped beam as soon as pos-
sible after crossing the border. This prevents
oncoming traffic from being dazzled. Sym-
metrical lights do not illuminate as large an
area of the edge of the carriageway.
Vehicles with halogen headlamps X
Affix special masking sheets on the head-
lamps.
i You can obtain these special stickers
from a qualified specialist workshop.
! Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
only use genuine Mercedes-Benz masking tape. Your headlamps could otherwise be
damaged.
Remove the masking tape when you are
once again driving on the same side of the
road as in the country in which your vehicle
is registered.
Vehicles with bi-xenon headlamps X
Turn protective cap :anti-clockwise and
remove it.
X Push switchover lever ;down.
X Insert protective cap :and turn it clock-
wise.
Convert the headlamps back to asymmetrical dipped beam as soon as possible after return-
ing across the border.
Vehicles with Intelligent Light System X
Before crossing the border, set the head-
lamps to symmetrical dipped beam and
after returning back to asymmetrical
dipped beam via the "Dipped-beam head-
lamps for driving on the right/left" function
in the on-board computer (Y page 221).
If the headlamps are converted to symmetri-
cal dipped beam, the "motorway mode" and
"extended range foglamps" functions are not
available. 104
Exterior lightingLights and windscreen wipers

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

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