2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS lock

to the engine or to the catalytic converter.
Have excess engine oil siphoned off.
Example: engine oil filler cap
X
Turn cap : anti-clockwise and remove it.
X Top up the engine oil.
If the oil level is at or below the MIN mark
on the oil dipstick, top up with 1.0 litre of
engine oil.
X Replace cap : on the filler neck and turn
clockwise.
Make
sure that the cap locks securely into
place.
X Check the oil level again with the oil dip-
stick ( Y page 287).
For further information on engine oil, see
(Y page 343). Checking and adding other service
products
Checking the coolant level G
WARNING
The engine cooling system is under pressure,
particularly if the engine is warm. You could
be scalded by hot coolant spraying out when
opening the cap. There is a danger of injury.
Allow the engine to cool before opening the
cap. Wear gloves and protective eyewear
when

opening. Slowly turn the cap half a turn
to allow pressure to escape.
! The coolant level must only be checked
and corrected when the engine has cooled
down (coolant temperature under 40 †). Checking the coolant level when the cool-
ant temperature is over 40 † can lead to
damage to the engine or engine cooling
system.
Example
X
Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Only check the coolant level if the vehicle
is on a level surface and the engine has
cooled down.
X Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock (Y page 143).
X Check the coolant temperature display in
the instrument cluster.
The coolant temperature must be below
40 †.
X Turn the key to position 0 (Y page 143) in
the ignition lock.
X Slowly turn cap : half a turn anti-clock-
wise to allow excess pressure to escape.
X Turn cap : further anti-clockwise and
remove it.
If the coolant is at the level of marker bar
= in the filler neck when cold, there is
enough coolant in coolant expansion
tank ;.
X If necessary, top up with coolant that has
been tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
X Replace cap :
and turn it clockwise as far
as it will go.
For further information on coolant, see
(Y page 344). 288
Engine compartment
Maintenance and care

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). Where will I find...?
Warning triangle
Removing/replacing the warning trian-
gle X
To remove: open the tailgate.
X Swing the luggage compartment floor
upwards

(Y page 274).
X To loosen warning triangle :, push back
the retainers on the bracket.
X Remove warning triangle : from the
bracket.
X To replace:
place warning triangle : back
into the bracket and push down to secure. Setting up the warning triangle
X
Fold feet = down and out to the side.
X Fold side reflectors ; upwards to form a
triangle and lock them at the top using
press stud :. First-aid kit
X
Open the tailgate.
X To open the stowage compartment:
turn
rotary knob : anti-clockwise and fold
down cover ;. 298
Where will I find...?
Breakdown assistance

R
One pair of gloves
R Foldable wheel chock Flat tyre
Preparing the vehicle
Your vehicle may be equipped with:
R MOExtended
tyres (tyres with run-flat char-
acteristics) (Y page 300)
Vehicle preparation is not necessary on
vehicles with MOExtended tyres.
R a TIREFIT kit (Y page 299)
R an emergency spare wheel (only for certain
countries)
Information on changing/fitting a wheel
(Y page 325).
X Stop the vehicle as far away as possible
from

traffic on solid, non-slippery and level
ground.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away
(Y page 162).
X If possible, bring the front wheels into the
straight-ahead position.
X Switch off the engine.
X Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X All occupants must get out of the vehicle.
Make

sure that they are not endangered as
they do so.
X Make sure that no one is near the danger
area while a wheel is being changed. Any-
one who is not directly assisting in the
wheel change should, for example, stand
behind the barrier.
X Get out of the vehicle. Pay attention to traf-
fic conditions when doing so.
X Close the driver's door.
X Place the warning triangle a suitable dis-
tance away

(Y page 298). Observe legal
requirements.
i Vehicles with MOExtended tyres are not
equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory.
It

is therefore recommended that you addi- tionally equip your vehicle with a TIREFIT kit
if you fit tyres that do not feature run-flat
characteristics,

e.g. winter tyres. A TIREFIT
kit can be obtained from a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. MOExtended tyres (tyres with run-flat
characteristics)
General notes With MOExtended tyres (tyres with run-flat
characteristics), you can continue to drive
your vehicle even if there is a total loss of
pressure in one or more tyres. The affected
tyre must not show any clearly visible dam-
age.
You can recognise MOExtended tyres by the
MOExtended marking which appears on the
tyre

wall. You will find this marking next to the
tyre size designation, the load-bearing capa-
city and the speed index.
MOExtended tyres may only be used in con-
junction with an active tyre pressure loss
warning system.
If the pressure loss warning message
appears in the multifunction display:
R Observe the instructions in the display
messages ( Y page 251).
R Check the tyre for damage.
R If driving on, observe the following notes.
The maximum driving distance is approx-
imately 80 km when the vehicle is partially
laden and approximately 30 km when the
vehicle is fully laden.
In addition to the vehicle load, the driving dis-
tance possible depends upon:
R speed
R road condition
R outside temperature
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode
may be reduced by extreme driving condi-
tions/manoeuvres, or it can be increased
through a moderate style of driving. 300
Flat tyre
Breakdown assistance

Using the TIREFIT kit
TIREFIT is a tyre sealant.
You can use TIREFIT to seal punctures of up
to 4 mm, particularly those in the tyre tread.
You
can use TIREFIT at outside temperatures
down to Ò20 †. TIREFIT sticker, 2-part
X
Do not remove any foreign objects which
have penetrated the tyre, e.g. screws or
nails.
X Remove the tyre sealant bottle, the accom-
panying TIREFIT sticker and the tyre infla-
tion compressor from the stowage well
underneath

the luggage compartment floor
(Y page 299).
X Affix part : of the TIREFIT sticker within
the driver's field of vision.
X Affix part ;
of the TIREFIT sticker near the
valve on the wheel with the defective tyre. X
Remove filler hose B
and plug = from the
bottom section of the tyre inflation com-
pressor housing.
X Slide the yellow filler hose connector into
the

mounting on yellow cap A of tyre seal-
ant bottle : until the plug engages.
X With the sealing rings in front, slide yellow
cap A of tyre sealant bottle : into the
mounting of tyre inflation compressor ;
until the cap and both hooks engage. X
Remove the cap from valve C
on the faulty
tyre.
X Screw filler hose D onto valve.
X Insert plug = into the socket of the ciga-
rette lighter (Y page 278) or into a 12 V
power

socket in your vehicle (Y page 278).
X Turn the key to position 1 in the ignition
lock (Y page 143).
X Press on/off switch ?
on the tyre inflation
compressor to ON.
The tyre inflation compressor is switched
on. The tyre is inflated.
i First,
tyre sealant is pumped into the tyre.
The pressure can briefly rise to approx-
imately 500 kPa (5 bar/73 psi).
Do not switch off the tyre inflation com-
pressor during this phase.
X Let the tyre inflation compressor run for a
maximum of ten minutes. The tyre should
then have attained a pressure of at least
200 kPa (2.0 bar/29 psi).
! Do not operate the tyre inflation com-
pressor for longer than ten minutes at a 302
Flat tyre
Breakdown assistance

and a tyre pressure that is too low can signif-
icantly impair the vehicle's braking and driv-
ing
characteristics. There is a risk of accident.
Do not continue driving. Contact a qualified
specialist workshop.
i In your vehicle, you will find a sticker with
the Mercedes-Benz Service24h telephone
number, e.g. on the B-pillar on the driver's
side.
X Correct the tyre pressure if it is still at least
130

kPa (1.3 bar/19 psi) (see the fuel filler
flap for values).
X To increase the tyre pressure:
switch on
the tyre inflation compressor. X
To reduce the tyre pressure: depress
pressure release button : next to pres-
sure gauge ;.X
To remove the tyre sealant bottle from the
tyre inflation compressor, press together
the locking tabs on the yellow cap.
X Pull the tyre sealant bottle out of the tyre
inflation compressor. The filler hose stays on the tyre sealant
bottle.
X Stow the tyre sealant bottle, the tyre infla-
tion compressor and the warning triangle.
X Drive to the nearest qualified specialist
workshop

and have the tyre changed there.
X Have the tyre sealant bottle and the filler
hose replaced as soon as possible at a
qualified specialist workshop.
X Have the tyre sealant bottle replaced every
four years at a qualified specialist work-
shop. Battery (vehicle)
Important safety notes
Work on the battery, e.g. removing or instal-
ling, requires specialist knowledge and the
use of special tools. Therefore, always have
work

on the battery carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop. G
WARNING
Work carried out incorrectly on the battery
can, for example, lead to a short circuit and
damage

your vehicle's electronic system. This
can disrupt driving safety systems such as
ABS (anti-lock braking system) or ESP ®
(Elec-
tronic Stability Program).
R If ABS malfunctions, the wheels can lock
during braking. This limits the steerability
of the vehicle when braking and the braking
distance may increase. There is a risk of
accident.
R If ESP ®
malfunctions, the vehicle will not be
stabilised if it starts to skid or a wheel starts
to spin. There is a risk of accident.
You should therefore have all work involving
the battery carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop. G
WARNING
Electrostatic build-up can lead to the creation
of
sparks, which could ignite the highly explo-304
Battery (vehicle)
Breakdown assistance

sive gases of a battery. There is a risk of an
explosion.
Before
handling the battery, touch the vehicle
body to remove any existing electrostatic
build-up.
The highly flammable gas mixture is formed
when charging the battery or jump-starting
the vehicle.
Always make sure that neither you nor the
battery is electrostatically charged. Electro-
static charge is caused, for example, by:
R wearing synthetic clothing
R the friction of clothing on the seat
R pulling or sliding the battery over carpets
or other synthetic materials
R rubbing the battery with a cloth G
WARNING
During the charging process, a battery produ-
ces hydrogen gas. If a short circuit occurs or
sparks are created, the hydrogen gas can
ignite. There is a risk of an explosion.
R Make sure that the positive terminal of a
connected

battery does not come into con-
tact with vehicle parts.
R Never place metal objects or tools on a bat-
tery.
R It is important that you observe the descri-
bed order of the battery terminals when
connecting and disconnecting a battery.
R When jump-starting, make sure that the
battery poles with identical polarity are
connected.
R It is particularly important to observe the
described order when connecting and dis-
connecting the jump leads.
R Never connect or disconnect the battery
terminals while the engine is running. G
WARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury.
Avoid
contact with the skin, eyes or clothing.
Do not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean
over the battery. Keep children away from batteries. Wash battery acid immediately with
water and seek medical attention.
H
Environmental note Batteries contain pollutants.
It

is illegal to dispose of them
with the household rubbish.
They must be collected sep-
arately and disposed of in an
environmentally responsible
recycling system. Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally responsible
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or to a col-
lection

point for used batter-
ies.
! Have the battery checked regularly at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Observe

the service intervals in the Service
Booklet or contact a qualified specialist
workshop for more information.
! Always have work on the battery carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop.
Should it, in exceptional circumstances, be
absolutely necessary to disconnect the bat-
tery yourself, please observe the following:
R switch off the engine and remove the
key. Check that all the indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster are off. Otherwise,
you may damage electronic components
such as the alternator, for example.
R first, disconnect the negative terminal
clamp, followed by the positive terminal
clamp. Never swap the terminal clamps.
The vehicle electronics may otherwise be
damaged.
R on vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission is locked in position P
after disconnecting the battery. The vehi-
cle is secured against rolling away. You
can then no longer move the vehicle. Battery (vehicle)
305
Breakdown assistance Z

The battery and the cover of the positive
terminal
clamp must be fitted securely dur-
ing operation.
Comply with safety precautions and take pro-
tective measures when handling batteries. WARNING
Fire, naked flames and smoking
are prohibited when handling the
battery. Avoid creating sparks.
Battery acid is caustic. Avoid con-
tact

with the skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective clothing,
in particular gloves, an apron and
a face mask.
Immediately rinse acid splashes
off with clean water. Consult a doc-
tor if necessary. Wear eye protection.
Keep children away.
Observe this Owner's Manual.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends
that you only use batteries which have
been tested and approved for your vehicle by
Mercedes-Benz. These batteries provide
increased impact protection to prevent vehi-
cle occupants from suffering acid burns
should the battery be damaged in the event
of an accident.
In order for the battery to achieve the maxi-
mum possible service life, it must always be
sufficiently charged.
Like other batteries, the vehicle battery may
discharge over time if you do not use the
vehicle. In such cases, have the battery dis-
connected at a qualified specialist workshop. You can also charge the battery with a
charger recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
For

more information, please contact a quali-
fied specialist workshop.
Have the battery charge checked more fre-
quently if you use the vehicle mainly for short
trips or if you leave it standing idle for a
lengthy period. Consult a qualified specialist
workshop if you wish to leave your vehicle
parked up for a long period of time.
i When you park the vehicle, remove the
key if you do not require any electrical con-
sumers. The vehicle will then use very little
energy, thus conserving battery power.
i If the power supply has been interrupted,
e.g. if the battery was discharged, you will
have to:
R set the clock (audio system/COMAND
Online, see the separate operating
instructions).
R reset the function for folding the exterior
mirrors in/out automatically, by folding
the mirrors out once ( Y page 99). Charging the battery
G
WARNING
During charging and jump-starting, explosive
gases
can escape from the battery. There is a
risk of an explosion.
Particularly avoid fire, naked flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Ensure there is sufficient
ventilation while charging and jump-starting.
Do not lean over a battery. G
WARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury.
Avoid
contact with the skin, eyes or clothing.
Do not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean
over the battery. Keep children away from
batteries. Wash battery acid immediately with
water and seek medical attention. 306
Battery (vehicle)
Breakdown assistance

characteristics may be impaired, especially at low temperatures. Have the thawed battery
checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Do
not use a rapid charging device to start the vehicle. If your vehicle's battery is discharged,
the engine can be jump-started from another vehicle or from a second battery using jump
leads. Observe the following points:
R The battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the other vehicle's battery is not accessible,
jump-start the vehicle using a second battery or a jump-starting device.
R Vehicles with a petrol engine: only jump-start the vehicle when the engine and exhaust
system are cold.
R Do not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.
R Jump-starting may only be performed from batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
R Only use jump leads that have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.
R If the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected
for a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the empty battery a little.
R Make sure that the two vehicles do not touch.
Make sure that:
R the jump leads are not damaged.
R bare parts of the terminal clamp do not come into contact with other metal parts while the
jump leads are connected to the battery.
R the jump leads cannot come into contact with parts which can move when the engine is
running, such as the V-belt pulley or the fan.
X Secure the vehicle by applying the electric parking brake.
X Manual transmission: shift into neutral.
X Automatic transmission: shift the transmission to position P.
X Turn the key to position 0 in the ignition lock and remove it.
X Switch off all electrical consumers (e.g. radio, blower, etc.).
X Open the bonnet (Y page 285). Jump-starting
309
Breakdown assistance Z