2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS height

Adjusting the seat backrest side bol-
sters
X
To set the side bolsters of the seat
backrest narrower: press button A.
X To set the side bolsters of the seat
backrest wider: press button B. 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
Mirrors
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

R
at any time, you can intervene in the steer-
ing procedure to correct it. Active Parking
Assist will then be cancelled.
R when transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you should not use
Active Parking Assist.
R never use Active Parking Assist when snow
chains are fitted.
R make sure that the tyre pressures are
always correct. This has a direct influence
on the parking characteristics of the vehi-
cle.
General notes Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking
aid with ultrasound. Ultrasound is used to
measure

the road on both sides of the vehicle.
A suitable parking space is indicated by the
parking symbol. Active steering intervention
can assist you during parking.
You may also use PARKTRONIC
(Y page 182). When PARKTRONIC is switched
off, Active Parking Assist is also unavailable.
Use Active Parking Assist for parking spaces:
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
R that are on straight roads, not bends
R that are on the same level as the road, e.g.
not on the pavement
Detecting parking spaces Objects located above the height range of
Active Parking Assist will not be detected
when the parking space is measured. These
are not taken into account when the parking
procedure is calculated, e.g. overhanging
loads,

tail sections or loading ramps of goods
vehicles. G
WARNING
If objects are located above the detection
range,
Active Parking Assist may start to steer
into the parking space too soon. As a result,
you could cause a collision. There is a risk of
an accident. If objects are located above the detection
range, stop the vehicle and switch Active
Parking Assist off.
For further information on the detection
range (Y page 183).
Active Parking Assist does not support you
parking in spaces that are parallel to the
direction of travel if:
R the parking space is on a kerb stone
R the parking space appears to be blocked,
for example by foliage or grass paving
blocks
R the range of movement is too small
R the

parking space is bordered by an obsta-
cle which is not clearly defined such as a
tree or a trailer :
Detected parking space on the left
; Parking symbol
= Detected parking space on the right
Active Parking Assist is activated automati-
cally when driving forwards. The system is
operational

at speeds of up to approximately
35 km/h. While in operation, the system inde-
pendently locates and measures parking
spaces on both sides of the vehicle.
Active Parking Assist will only detect parking
spaces:
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
R that are at least 1.5 m wide
R that are at least 1.3 m longer than your
vehicle
i In the case of parking spaces that are at
right angles to the direction of travel,
please ensure that the parking space is
long enough to accommodate your vehicle. Driving systems
187
Driving and parking Z

:
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

trailer combination could also become unsta-
ble.
To avoid hazardous situations:
R
make
sure to check the noseweight before
each journey.
R use a drawbar noseweight as close as pos-
sible to the maximum noseweight.
R do not exceed the maximum permissible
noseweight.
R do not use a noseweight lower than the
minimum permissible trailer drawbar nose-
weight.
When reversing the vehicle towards the
trailer, make sure there is nobody between
the trailer and the vehicle.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If
you do not couple the trailer to the towing
vehicle correctly, the trailer could become
detached.
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
R the permissible trailer drawbar noseweight
R the permissible trailer load
R the permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
R the maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
The applicable permissible values, which
must not be exceeded, can be found:
R in your vehicle documents
R on the identification plates of the trailer tow
hitch and the trailer
R on the vehicle identification plate
If the values differ, the lowest value applies.
You will find the values approved by the man-
ufacturer on the vehicle identification plates
and those for the towing vehicle under "Tech-
nical data" ( Y page 349).
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
to when driving without a trailer. The vehicle/trailer combination:
R
is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R has a larger turning circle
This can impair the vehicle's handling char-
acteristics.
Adapt your style of driving accord-
ingly. Maintain a safe distance. Drive care-
fully.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your
speed to the current road and weather con-
ditions. Do not exceed the maximum permis-
sible speed for your vehicle/trailer combina-
tion.
General notes X
When towing a trailer, set the tyre pressure
on the rear axle of the towing vehicle for a
maximum

load; see the tyre pressure table
in the fuel filler flap ( Y page 321).
Please note that when towing a trailer, PARK-
TRONIC ( Y page 182) and Blind Spot Assist
(Y

page 197) availability is limited or not avail-
able at all.
i The height of the ball coupling changes
with the load of the vehicle. If necessary,
use a trailer with a height-adjustable draw-
bar.
You will find fitting dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" ( Y page 348).
Driving tips i
Observe the notes on ESP ®
trailer stabi-
lisation ( Y page 68).
The

maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check
the trailer's documents to see what the max-
imum permitted speed is. Observe the legally 202
Towing a trailer
Driving and parking

X
Pull support strut ? out of bracket A.
X Lift up support strut ? and insert it into
yellow retaining clip =.
Closing the bonnet X
Raise the bonnet slightly and, at the same
time, remove support strut ? from yellow
retaining clip =.
X Swing support strut ? down and press it
into bracket A until it engages.
X Lower the bonnet and let it fall from a
height of approximately
20 cm.
X Check that the bonnet has engaged prop-
erly.
If

the bonnet can be raised slightly, it is not
properly engaged. Do not press the bonnet
closed. Open the bonnet again and close it
with a little more force. Engine oil
General notes Depending on your driving style, the vehicle
consumes

up to 0.8 l of oil per 1,000 km. The
oil consumption may be higher than this when
the vehicle is new or if you frequently drive at
high engine speeds.
Depending on the engine, the oil dipstick may
be installed at a different location. When checking the oil level:
R
park the vehicle on a level surface.
R the engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
R if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature, e.g. if the engine was only
started briefly: wait about

30 minutes
before carrying out the measurement. 286
Engine compartment
Maintenance and care

Securing the vehicle on slight downhill gradients
X
On light downhill gradients: place
chocks or other suitable items in front of
the wheels of the front and rear axle.
Raising the vehicle G
WARNING
If you do not position the jack correctly at the
appropriate jacking point of the vehicle, the
jack could tip over with the vehicle raised.
There is a risk of injury.
Only
position the jack at the appropriate jack-
ing point of the vehicle. The base of the jack
must be positioned vertically, directly under
the jacking point of the vehicle.
Observe the following when raising the
vehicle:
R to raise the vehicle, only use the vehicle-
specific jack that has been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. If the jack is
used incorrectly, it could tip over while the
vehicle is raised.
R the jack is designed only to raise and hold
the vehicle for a short time while a wheel
is being changed. It is not suitable for per-
forming maintenance work under the vehi-
cle.
R avoid changing the wheel on uphill and
downhill slopes.
R before raising the vehicle, secure it from
rolling away by applying the parking brake
and positioning wheel chocks. Never
release the parking brake while the vehicle
is raised. R
the jack must be placed on a firm, flat and
non-slip surface. On a loose surface, a
large,

load-bearing underlay must be used.
On a slippery surface, a non-slip underlay
must be used, e.g. rubber mats.
R do not use wooden blocks or similar
objects as a jack underlay. Otherwise, the
jack will not be able to achieve its load-
bearing capacity due to the restricted
height.
R make sure that the distance between the
underside of the tyres and the ground does
not exceed 3 cm.
R never place your hands or feet under the
raised vehicle.
R never lie under the raised vehicle.
R never start the engine when the vehicle is
raised.
R never open or close a door or the tailgate
when the vehicle is raised.
R make sure that no persons are present in
the vehicle when the vehicle is raised. Steel wheel with wheel trim
X
Vehicles with steel wheels: carefully
reach into two of the wheel trim openings
and remove the wheel trim.
Vehicles with hub caps:
the hub cap covers
the wheel bolts. Before you can unscrew the
wheel bolts, you must remove the hub cap. 326
Changing a wheel
Wheels and tyres

At temperatures above freezing:
X
Fill the washer fluid reservoir with a mixture
of water and washer fluid, e.g. MB Sum-
merFit.
Mix 1 part MB SummerFit to 100 parts water.
At temperatures below freezing:
X Fill the washer fluid reservoir with a mixture
of water and washer fluid, e.g. MB Winter-
Fit.
Adapt the mixing ratio to the outside temper-
ature.
R Down
to Ò10 †: mix 1 part MB WinterFit to
2 parts water.
R Down to Ò20 †: mix 1 part MB WinterFit to
1 part water.
R Down to Ò29 †: mix 2 parts MB WinterFit
to 1 part water.
i Add washer fluid concentrate, e.g. MB
SummerFit or MB WinterFit, to the washer
fluid all year round. Vehicle data
General notes
Please note that for the specified vehicle
data:
R the heights specified may vary as a result
of:
-tyres
- load
- condition of the suspension
- optional equipment
R items of optional equipment increase the
unladen weight and reduce the maximum
payload.

The unladen weight is specified in
accordance with EC directives and
includes:
- driver (68 kg)
- luggage (7 kg)
- all fluids (fuel tank 90% full) R
vehicle-specific weight information can be
found on the vehicle identification plate
(Y page 338).
R only

for certain countries: you can find vehi-
cle-specific vehicle data in the COC docu-
ments (CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY)
These documents are delivered with your
vehicle.
Dimensions and weights Model :
Maxi- mum
head- room ;
Opening height A 180 BlueEFFI-
CIENCY
A 180 CDI Blue-
EFFICIENCY
1856 mm 1975 mm
A 200 BlueEFFI-
CIENCY
A 200 CDI Blue-
EFFICIENCY
A 220 CDI Blue-
EFFICIENCY
1857 mm 1976 mm
A 250 BlueEFFI-
CIENCY
1861 mm 1980 mm
A 45 AMG
4MATIC
1840 mm 1959 mm346
Vehicle data
Technical data

Missing values were not available at the time
of going to print.
All models (except AMG vehicles)
Vehicle length
4292 mm
Vehicle width
including exterior
mirrors
2022 mm
Vehicle width
excluding exterior
mirrors
1780 mm
Wheelbase
2699 mm
Maximum roof load
100 kg
Maximum boot load
100 kg
A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY
Vehicle height
1433 mm
Unladen weight,
manual transmis-
sion
1370 kg
Unladen weight,
automatic
transmis-
sion 1395 kg
A 200 BlueEFFICIENCY
Vehicle height
1434 mm
Unladen weight,
manual transmis-
sion
1370 kg
Unladen weight,
automatic

transmis-
sion 1395 kg
A 250 BlueEFFICIENCY
Vehicle height
1438 mm
Unladen weight
1445 kg A 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY
Vehicle height
1433 mm
Unladen weight,
manual transmis-
sion
1395 kg
Unladen weight,
automatic

transmis-
sion 1475 kg
A 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY
Vehicle height
1434 mm
Unladen weight,
manual transmis-
sion
1445 kg
Unladen weight,
automatic

transmis-
sion 1475 kg
A 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY
Vehicle height
1434 mm
Unladen weight
AMG vehicles
Vehicle length
4395 mm
Vehicle width
including exterior
mirrors
2022 mm
Vehicle width
excluding exterior
mirrors
1780 mm
Vehicle height
1417 mm
Wheelbase
2699 mm
Roof load
100 kg
Maximum boot load
100 kgVehicle data
347
Technical data Z