2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS light

:
Vehicle centre point on the yellow guide
line at a distance of approximately
1.0 m
from the rear of the vehicle
; Trailer drawbar
= Ball coupling
X Set the height of trailer drawbar ;
so that
it is slightly higher than ball coupling =.
X Position the vehicle centrally in front of
trailer drawbar ;.:
Ball coupling
; Red guide line at a distance of approx-
imately

0.25 m from the ball coupling
= Trailer drawbar locating aid
? Trailer drawbar
A Symbol for the "Coupling up a trailer"
function
X Select symbol A
with the Audio/COMAND
controller; see the separate operating
instructions for the audio system/
COMAND Online.
The "Coupling up a trailer" function is selec-
ted. The distance specifications now only apply to objects that are at the same level
as the ball coupling.
X Reverse carefully, making sure that trailer
drawbar locating aid = points approx-
imately in the direction of trailer draw-
bar ?.
X Reverse carefully until trailer drawbar ?
touches red guide line ;.
X Couple up the trailer ( Y page 201). ATTENTION ASSIST
General notes ATTENTION ASSIST helps you during long,
monotonous

journeys such as on motorways
and trunk roads. It is active in the 80 km/h
to 180 km/h range.
If ATTENTION ASSIST detects typical indica-
tors of fatigue or increasing lapses in con-
centration on the part of the driver, it sug-
gests taking a break.
Important safety notes ATTENTION ASSIST is only an aid. It cannot
always

detect fatigue or lapses in concentra-
tion until too late or not at all. The system is
not a substitute for a well-rested and atten-
tive driver.
ATTENTION ASSIST assesses your level of
fatigue or lapses in concentration by taking
the following criteria into account:
R your personal driving style, e.g. steering
characteristics
R journey-related parameters, e.g. time of
day, length of journey
The functionality of ATTENTION ASSIST is
restricted, and warnings may be delayed or
not occur at all:
R if the road condition is poor, e.g. if the sur-
face is uneven or if there are potholes
R if there is a strong side wind Driving systems
195
Driving and parking Z

Indicator and warning display
Blind
Spot Assist is not active at speeds below
approximately 30 km/h. Vehicles in the mon-
itoring range are then not indicated. :
Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
If Blind Spot Assist is switched on, indicator
lamp : in the exterior mirrors lights up yel-
low up to a speed of

30 km/h. At speeds
above 30 km/h, the indicator lamp goes out
and Blind Spot Assist is operational.
If a vehicle is detected within the monitoring
range of Blind Spot Assist at speeds above
30 km/h, warning lamp : on the corre-
sponding side lights up in red. This warning
always occurs when a vehicle enters the blind
spot monitoring range from behind or from
the side. When you overtake a vehicle, the
warning only occurs if the difference in speed
is less than 12 km/h.
The yellow indicator lamp goes out if reverse
gear is engaged. Blind Spot Assist is then
deactivated.
The brightness of the indicator/warning
lamps is adjusted automatically according to
the ambient light.
Collision warning
If a vehicle is detected in the monitoring range
of Blind Spot Assist and you switch on the
corresponding turn signal, a double warning
tone sounds. Red warning lamp : flashes. If
the turn signal remains on, detected vehicles
are indicated by the flashing of red warning
lamp :. There are no further warning tones. Activating Blind Spot Assist
X
Make sure that the radar sensor system
(Y page 223) and Blind Spot Assist
(Y page

219) are activated in the on-board
computer.
X Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
Warning lamps : in the exterior mirrors
light up red for approximately
1.5 seconds

and then turn yellow.
Towing a trailer
If
you attach a trailer, make sure that you have
correctly established the electrical connec-
tion. This can be accomplished by checking
the trailer lighting. Blind Spot Assist is then
deactivated. The indicator lamp lights up yel-
low in the exterior mirrors and the Blind
Spot Assist currently unavailable
See Owner's Manual message appears in
the multifunction display.
i You can deactivate the indicator lamps in
the exterior mirrors.
To do so, switch off Blind Spot Assist if:
R the key is in position 2 in the ignition
lock.
R the engine is not running.
R the electrical connection to the trailer
has been established.
Lane Keeping Assist General notes
Lane Keeping Assist monitors the area in
front

of your vehicle by means of a camera at
the top of the windscreen. Lane Keeping
Assist detects lane markings on the road and
warns you before you leave your lane unin-
tentionally. Driving systems
199
Driving and parking Z

X
To open the cover: turn handle : anti-
clockwise and fold down cover ; and
remove it. X
Pull out release wheel =.
X Turn release wheel = anti-clockwise as far
as it will go.
The ball coupling disengages and folds out
behind the rear bumper. Indicator
lamp ? flashes. G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not correctly engaged,
the trailer can detach. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always

engage the ball coupling as described.
X Pull the ball coupling in the direction of the
arrow

until it engages in a vertical position.
Indicator lamp ? goes out. The power
socket folds down automatically.
The multifunction display shows the
Check trailer hitch lock display mes-
sage until the ball coupling is engaged.
X Remove the protective covering from the
ball coupling and store it in a safe place.
X Make sure that the ball of the ball coupling
is clean and that it is either greased or dry
(grease free), depending on the instruc-
tions for the trailer. Coupling up a trailer
X Make sure that the transmission is in posi-
tion P.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
X Position the trailer level behind the vehicle.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electric connection between
the vehicle and the trailer.
X Check that the trailer lighting system is
working.
A trailer that is connected is recognised
only when the electrical connection is
established

correctly and when the lighting
system is working properly. The function of
other systems, such as ESP ®
or PARK-
TRONIC also depends on this. Uncoupling a trailer
G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with an engaged over-
run
brake, you could trap your hand between204
Towing a trailer
Driving and parking

X
Press the ball coupling in the direction of
the arrow until it engages behind the
bumper.
Indicator lamp ? goes out and the mes-
sage in the multifunction display disap-
pears. Trailer power supply
! You can connect accessories with a
power rating of up to 240 W to the perma-
nent
power supply and with a power rating
of up to 180 W to the power supply that is
switched on via the ignition lock.
The trailer battery may not be charged from
the power supply.
X To switch the connected power supply
on or off: turn the key in the ignition lock
to position 2 or 0 respectively.
When it leaves the factory, your vehicle's
trailer socket is equipped with a permanent
power supply and a power supply that is
switched on via the ignition lock.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 9.
The power supply that is switched on via the
ignition lock is supplied via trailer socket pin
10.
The trailer's permanent power supply is
switched

off in the event of low vehicle supply
voltage and after six hours at the latest.
You can find more information about instal-
ling the trailer electrics at a qualified special-
ist workshop. Bulb failure indicator for LED lamps
i If LED lamps are fitted in the trailer, an
error message may appear in the multi-
function

display even if there is no fault. The
reason for the error message could be that
the current has fallen below the minimum
of 50 mA. To ensure reliable operation of the bulb failure
indicator,

each LED chain in the trailer lighting
must be guaranteed a minimum current of
50 mA. Trailer with 7-pin connector
General notes Trailer with 7-pin connector: you can con-
nect

to the 13-pin socket on the ball coupling
using an adapter or, if necessary, an adapter
cable. Both can be obtained at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Fitting the adapter !
Make sure that there is sufficient cable
play so that the cable cannot become
detached when cornering.
! Remove the installed adapter cable
before folding in the ball coupling. Other-
wise, damage may occur to the rear
bumper and the adapter cable. X
Open the socket cover.
X Insert the plug connector with lug : into
groove =

on the socket. Turn bayonet con-
nection ; clockwise to the stop.
X Let the cover engage.
X If you are using an adapter cable, secure
the cable to the trailer with cable ties.206
Towing a trailer
Driving and parking

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). Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Operating the integrated information systems
and
communications equipment in the vehicle
while driving will distract you from traffic con-
ditions. You could then lose control of the
vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Only operate these devices if road traffic con-
ditions permit. If you are unsure about the
surrounding conditions, pull over to a safe
location and make entries only while the vehi-
cle is stationary. G
WARNING
If the instrument cluster has failed or mal-
functioned, you may not recognise function
restrictions relevant to safety. The operating
safety

of your vehicle may be impaired. There
is a risk of an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have the vehicle checked
at a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
You must observe the legal requirements for
the country in which you are currently driving
when operating the on-board computer.
The on-board computer only shows messages
or warnings from certain systems in the mul-
tifunction display. You should therefore make
sure your vehicle is operating safely at all times. Otherwise, a vehicle that is not oper-
ating safely may cause an accident.
For an overview, see the instrument panel
illustration (
Y page 30). Displays and operation
Instrument cluster lighting
The lighting in the instrument cluster, in the
displays and the controls in the vehicle inte-
rior

can be adjusted using the brightness con-
trol knob.
The brightness control knob is on the bottom
left of the instrument cluster ( Y page 30).
X Turn the brightness control knob clockwise
or anti-clockwise.
If the light switch is set to Ã, T or
L, the brightness is dependant upon
the brightness of the ambient light.
i The
light sensor in the instrument cluster
automatically controls the brightness of
the multifunction display.
In daylight, the displays in the instrument
cluster are not illuminated. Coolant temperature gauge
The coolant temperature gauge is in the
instrument cluster on the right-hand side.
The

reading may rise up to 120 † below nor-
mal driving conditions if the coolant has been
filled correctly.
At high outside temperatures and when driv-
ing uphill, the coolant temperature may rise
to the end of the scale. Rev counter
! Do not drive in the overrevving range.
Doing so will damage the engine.
The

red band in the rev counter indicates the
engine's overrevving range. 208
Displays and operation
On-board computer and displays

The fuel supply is interrupted to protect the
engine when the red band is reached.
Outside temperature display
You should pay special attention to road con-
ditions when temperatures are around the
freezing point.
The outside temperature display is in the mul-
tifunction display.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay. Speedometer with segments
The segments in the speedometer indicate
which speed range is available.
R Cruise control activated ( Y page 168):
The segments light up from the stored
speed to the maximum speed.
R Variable SPEEDTRONIC activated
(Y page 171):
The

segments light up from the start of the
scale to the selected limit speed.
R DISTRONIC PLUS activated (Y page 173):
One or two segments in the set speed
range light up.
R DISTRONIC PLUS detects a vehicle in front:
The segments between the speed of the
vehicle in front and the stored speed light
up. Operating the on-board computer
Overview :
Multifunction display
; Switches on LINGUATRONIC; see the sep-
arate operating instructions
= Right control panel
? Left control panel
A Back button
X To activate the on-board computer:
turn
the key to position 1 in the ignition lock.
You can control the multifunction display and
the settings in the on-board computer using
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel. Displays and operation
209
On-board computer and displays Z

?
Menu bar
A Drive program (Y page 152)
B Transmission position ( Y page 152)
X To show the menu bar ?: press the
= or ; button on the steering wheel.
Menu bar ?
disappears after a few seconds.
Text field = shows the selected menu or
submenu as well as display messages.
i You can set the time using the audio sys-
tem or COMAND Online; see the separate
operating instructions.
The following messages may appear in the
multifunction display:
Z Gearshift recommendation, for
manual transmission
(Y

page 151) or automatic trans-
mission ( Y page 156)
XjY Active Parking Assist
(Y page 186)
¯ Cruise control ( Y page 168)
È SPEEDTRONIC ( Y page 171)
_ Adaptive Highbeam Assist
(Y page 110)
¤ ECO start/stop function
(Y page 146)
ë HOLD function ( Y page 179)
120 km/h! Maximum permissible speed
exceeded

(only for certain coun-
tries) Menus and submenus
Menu overview
Operating the on-board computer
(Y page 209).
Depending on the equipment fitted in the
vehicle, you can call up the following menus:
R Trip menu (Y page 211)
R Navi menu (navigation instructions)
(Y page 213)
R Audio menu (Y page 214) R
Tel (telephone) menu ( Y page 215)
R Assist (Assistance) menu (Y page 217)
R Serv. menu (Y page 219)
R Settings menu (Y page 220)
R AMG menu in AMG vehicles ( Y page 226)
The Audio, Navi

and Tel menus differ slightly
in vehicles with Audio 5, Audio 20 and in vehi-
cles with COMAND Online. The examples
given in this Owner's Manual apply to vehicles
equipped with COMAND Online. Trip menu
Standard display X
Press and hold the % button on the
steering wheel until the Trip menu with
trip meter : and total distance
recorder ; is shown.
Trip computer "From start" or "From
reset" Example: "From start" trip computer
:
Distance
; Time
= Average speed
? Average fuel consumption Menus and submenus
211
On-board computer and displays Z

Speed Limit Assist
Displaying Speed Limit Assist
X
Press the = or ; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Assist. menu.
X Press the 9 or : button to select
Speed Limit Assist.
X Press the a button.
Under certain conditions, detected speed
limits are shown in the multifunction dis-
play

(Y page 196).
Activating/deactivating the Speed Limit
Assist message function
X Press the =
or ; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Assist. menu.
X Press the 9 or : button to select
Speed Limit Assist.
X Press the a button.
The multifunction display shows Speed
Limit Assist.
X Press the : button.
The current selection is displayed.
X To activate or deactivate: press a.
If
the Speed Limit Assist message function
is activated, a detected speed limit is auto-
matically displayed for five seconds. Other
items in the multifunction display are not
shown during this time.
When Speed Limit Assist is operational and
the message function is activated, the
assistance graphic shows the Ä sym-
bol.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®i
Observe
the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion in the description of ESP ( Y page 65).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. It may be best to deactivate ESP
®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
on AMG vehi-
cles ( Y page 66).
For further information about ESP ®
, see
(Y page 65).
X Start the engine.
X Press the =
or ; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Assist. menu.
X Press the 9 or : button to select
ESP.
X Press the a button.
X To activate/deactivate: press the a
button again.
ESP ®
is deactivated if the å warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running.
If the ÷
warning lamp and the å warn-
ing lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 260).
Observe the information on display messages
(Y page 230).
Activating/deactivating the distance
warning function X
Press the =
or ; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Assist. menu.
X Press the 9 or : button to select
Distance warning.
X Press the a button.
The current selection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: press the a
button again.
When the distance warning function is
deactivated, the æ symbol appears in
the multifunction display in the assistance
graphics display. 218
Menus and submenus
On-board computer and displays