2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK tailgate

Trailer towing ................................. 199
Bonnet
Active bonnet (pedestrian protec-tion) ............................................... 284
Closing ...........................................2 86
Display message ............................ 254
Important safety notes .................. 284
Opening ......................................... 285
Boot
see Tailgate
Boot load (maximum) ........................ 346
Brake Assist System
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 236
Notes ............................................. 344
Brake lamps
Adaptive .......................................... .64
Changing bulbs .............................. 115
Display message ............................ 240
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 61
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 63
BAS .................................................. 62
Brake fluid (notes) ........................ .344
Display message ............................ 230
Driving tips ................................... .166
Important safety notes .................. 166
Parking brake ................................ 163
Warning lamp ................................. 258
Breakdown
see Flat tyre
see Towing away/tow-starting
Bulbs
see Replacing bulbs C
Calling up a fault see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Car wash (care) ................................. 291
Care
Automatic car wash ....................... 291
Carpets .......................................... 296
Display .......................................... .295
Exhaust pipe .................................. 294 Exterior lighting ............................
.293
Gear or selector lever .................... 295
High-pressure cleaner .................... 291
Interior .......................................... .295
Matt paintwork .............................. 292
Notes ............................................. 290
Paint .............................................. 292
Plastic trim ................................... .295
Reversing camera .......................... 294
Roof lining ...................................... 296
Seat belt ........................................ 296
Seat cover ..................................... 296
Sensors ......................................... 294
Steering wheel ............................... 295
Trim pieces ................................... .295
Washing by hand ........................... 291
Wheels .......................................... .292
Windows ........................................ 293
Wiper blades .................................. 293
Wooden trim .................................. 295
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 223
Locking/unlocking (key ).................. 75
Centre console
Lower section .................................. 35
Upper section .................................. 34
Changing bulbs
Brake lamps ................................... 115
Cornering light function ................. 114
Dipped-beam headlamp s............... 113
Main-beam headlamp s................... 114
Rear foglamp ................................. 115
Reversing lamps ............................ 115
Tail lamps ...................................... 115
Turn signals (front) ......................... 114
Turn signals (rear) .......................... 115
Child seat
Automatic recognition ..................... 52
ISOFIX .............................................. 53
On the front-passenger sea t............ 51
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 56
Recommendations ........................... 58
Suitable positions ............................ 56
Top Tether ....................................... 54
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes .................... 60
Rear doors ....................................... 60 6
Index

ESP® (Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ......................................... 65, 66
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ........................................... 65
Important safety guidelines ............ .61
Overview .......................................... 61
STEER CONTROL ............................. 69
Driving systems
Active Parking Assist ..................... 186
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................ 195
Blind Spot Assist ............................1 97
Cruise control ................................ 168
Display message ............................ 245
Distronic Plus ................................ 173
HOLD function ............................... 179
Lane Keeping Assist ..................... .199
Lane package ................................ 197
PARKTRONIC ................................. 182
RACE START (AMG vehicles) .......... 181
Reversing camera .......................... 191
Speed Limit Assist ......................... 196
SPEEDTRONIC ............................... 171
Driving tips
Aquaplaning ................................... 167
Automatic transmission ................. 154
Brakes .......................................... .166
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 178
Downhill gradient ........................... 166
Driving abroad ............................... 104
Driving in winter ............................ .167
Driving on flooded roads ................ 167
Driving on wet roads ..................... .167
General .......................................... 165
Icy road surfaces ........................... 168
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 167
New brake pads/linings ................ 167
Running-in tips ............................... 142
Snow chains .................................. 321
Symmetrical dipped bea m............. 104
Towing a trailer .............................. 201
Wet road surface ........................... 166
DVD audio (on-board computer) ...... 215 E
EASY-VARIO-PLUS system Luggage compartment enlarge-
ment .............................................. 271
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 232
Function/note s................................ 68
ECO display
Function/note s............................. 165
On-board computer ....................... 212
ECO start/stop function
Automatic engine start .................. 147
Automatic engine switch-off .......... 146
Deactivating/activating ................. 147
General information ....................... 146
Important safety notes .................. 146
Introduction ................................... 145
Electrical fuses
see Fuses
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP® (Electronic Stability Program)
Emergency key
Unlocking the driver's door .............. 81
Emergency key element
Function/note s................................ 75
Locking vehicle ................................ 81
Emergency release
Driver's door .................................... 81
Emergency spare wheel
General notes ................................ 332
Important safety notes .................. 332
Removing ....................................... 332
Technical data ............................... 333
Emergency unlocking
Tailgate ............................................ 83
Vehicle ............................................. 81
Engine
Display message ............................ 243
ECO start/stop function ................ 145
Engine number ............................... 338
Jump-starting ................................. 308
Running irregularly ......................... 149
Starting problems .......................... 149
Starting the engine with the key .... 144
Stopping ........................................ 162
Tow-starting (vehicle) ..................... 314 Index
9

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

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

Tow-away protection
Function An audible and visual alarm is triggered if your
vehicle's angle of inclination is altered while
tow-away protection is primed. This can occur
if the vehicle is jacked up on one side, for
example.
Activating X
Make sure that:
R the doors are closed.
R the tailgate is closed.
Only then is the tow-away protection
primed.
X Lock the vehicle with the key.
Tow-away protection is primed after
approximately 60 seconds.
Deactivating X
Unlock the vehicle with the key.
or X Insert the key into the ignition lock.
Tow-away protection is switched off auto-
matically.
Deactivating X
Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up briefly.
X Lock the vehicle with the key.
Tow-away protection is deactivated. Tow-away protection remains deactivated
until:
R the vehicle is unlocked again
R a door is opened and closed again
R the vehicle is locked again
To prevent a false alarm, deactivate the tow-
away protection if you lock your vehicle and it:
R is being transported
R is being loaded onto a ferry or car trans-
porter, for example
R is parked on a movable surface, e.g. in a
split-level garage Interior motion sensor
Function When the interior motion sensor is primed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered if move-
ment is detected in the vehicle interior. This
can occur if someone reaches into the vehicle interior, for example.
Activating X
Make sure that:
R the side windows are closed.
R the panorama sliding sunroof is closed.
R there are no objects, e.g. mascots, hang-
ing on the rear-view mirror or on the grab
handles on the roof trim.
This will prevent false alarms.
X Make sure that:
R the doors are closed.
R the panorama sliding sunroof is closed.
R the tailgate is closed.
Only then is the interior motion sensor
primed.
X Lock the vehicle with the key.
The interior motion sensor is primed after
approximately 30 seconds. 70
Anti-theft systemsSafety

Key functions
:
& To lock the vehicle
; % To unlock the vehicle
X To unlock centrally: press button;.
If you do not open the vehicle within approx-
imately 40 seconds of unlocking:
R the vehicle is locked again.
R the anti-theft system is primed again.
X To lock centrally: press button:.
The key centrally locks/unlocks: R the doors
R the tailgate
R the fuel filler flap
When unlocking, the turn signals flash once.
When locking, they flash three times.
i When it is dark, the surround lighting also
comes on if it is activated in the on-board
computer (Y page 222).
i You can also set an audible signal to con-
firm that the vehicle has been locked. The
audible signal can be activated and deacti-
vated using the on-board computer
(Y page 223). Changing the settings of the locking
system
You can change the settings of the locking
system. This means that only the driver's door
and the fuel filler flap are unlocked when the
vehicle is unlocked. This is useful if you fre-
quently travel on your own.
X To change the setting: press and hold
down the %and& buttons simulta-
neously for approximately six seconds until
battery check lamp (Y page 76) flashes
twice.
i If the setting of the locking system is
changed within the signal range of the vehi- cle, pressing the &or% button:
R locks or
R unlocks the vehicle
The key now functions as follows:
X To unlock the driver's door: press the
% button once.
X To unlock centrally: press the%but-
ton twice.
X To lock centrally: press the&button.
X To restore the factory settings: press
and hold down the %and& buttons
simultaneously for approximately six sec-
onds until the battery check lamp flashes
twice (Y page 76). Emergency key element
General notes If the vehicle can no longer be unlocked with
the key, use the emergency key element.
If you use the emergency key element to
unlock and open the driver's door, the anti-
theft alarm system will be triggered
(Y page 69).
There are several ways to turn off the alarm:
X Press the %or& button on the key.
or X Insert the key into the ignition lock. Key
75Opening and closing Z

alarm system is triggered if the door is
opened from the inside. Switch off the alarm
(Y page 69). Unlocking and opening the doors
from the inside
X
Pull door handle ;.
If the door is locked, locking knob :pops
up. The door is unlocked and can be
opened.
For all countries except the United King-
dom:
You can open a door from inside the vehicle
even if it has been locked.
If the vehicle has previously been locked with
the key, opening a door from the inside will
trigger the anti-theft alarm system. Switch off
the alarm (Y page 69).
You can only open the rear doors from inside the vehicle if they are not secured by the
child-proof locks (Y page 60).
Only for the United Kingdom: if the vehicle
has been locked with the key, the double lock
function is activated as standard. It is then not
possible to open the doors from inside the
vehicle. Deactivate the interior motion sensor (Y page 70) before you lock the vehicle with
the key. The doors can then be opened from
the inside after the vehicle has been locked
from the outside. The anti-theft alarm system
is triggered if the door is opened from the
inside. Switch off the alarm (Y page 69). Centrally locking and unlocking the
vehicle from the inside
You can centrally lock or unlock the vehicle
from the inside. This can be useful if you wish to lock the vehicle before pulling away, for
example. X
To unlock: press button :.
X To lock: press button ;.
If all the doors and the tailgate are closed,
the vehicle locks.
This does not lock or unlock the fuel filler flap. You cannot unlock the vehicle centrally from
the inside if the vehicle has been locked with
the key.
For all countries except the United King-
dom: you can open a door from inside the
vehicle even if it has been locked.
If the vehicle has previously been locked with the key, opening a door from the inside will
trigger the anti-theft alarm system. Switch off
the alarm (Y page 69).
Only for the United Kingdom: if the vehicle
has been locked with the key, the double lock
function is activated as standard. It is then not
possible to open the doors from inside the
vehicle. Deactivate the interior motion sensor (Y page 70) before you lock the vehicle with
the key. The doors can then be opened from
the inside after the vehicle has been locked
from the outside. The anti-theft alarm system is triggered if the door is opened from the
inside. Switch off the alarm (Y page 69).80
DoorsOpening and closing

You can only open the rear doors from inside
the vehicle if they are not secured by the
child-proof locks (Y page 60).
If the vehicle has been locked using the lock-
ing button for the central locking, or has been
locked automatically, and a door is opened
from the inside:
R the vehicle will be fully unlocked if it had
previously been fully unlocked
R only the door which has been opened form
the inside is unlocked if only the driver's
door had been previously unlocked Automatic locking feature
X
To deactivate: press and hold button :
for about five seconds until a tone sounds.
X To activate: press and hold button ;for
about five seconds until a tone sounds.
i If you press one of the two buttons and do
not hear a tone, the relevant setting has
already been selected.
The vehicle is locked automatically when the
ignition is switched on and the wheels are
turning.
You could therefore be locked out if:
R the vehicle is being pushed.
R the vehicle is being towed.
R the vehicle is being tested on a dynamom-
eter.
You can also switch the automatic locking
function on and off using the on-board com-
puter (Y page 223). Unlocking the driver's door (emer-
gency key element)
If the vehicle can no longer be unlocked with
the key, use the emergency key element.
If you use the emergency key element to
unlock and open the driver's door, the anti-
theft alarm system will be triggered
(Y page 69).
X Take the emergency key element out of the
key (Y page 75).
X Insert the emergency key element into the
lock of the driver's door as far as it will go. X
Turn the emergency key element anti-
clockwise to position 1.
The door is unlocked.
i On right-hand-drive vehicles, turn the
emergency key element clockwise.
X Turn the emergency key element back and
remove it.
X Insert the emergency key element into the
key. Locking the vehicle (emergency key
element)
If the vehicle can no longer be locked with the key, use the emergency key element.
X Open the driver's door.
X Close the front-passenger door, the rear
doors and the tailgate.
X Press the locking button (Y page 80).
X Check whether the locking knobs on the
front-passenger door and the rear doors Doors
81Opening and closing Z