2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS winter tyres

Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs
may ignite if they come into contact with
hot parts of the exhaust system for extended
periods. There is a risk of fire.
When the auxiliary heating is switched on,
make sure that no flammable material can
come into contact with hot vehicle compo-
nents.
! Operating the auxiliary heating/ventila-
tion draws on the vehicle battery. After you
have heated or ventilated the vehicle a
maximum of two times, drive for a longer
distance.
i Switch the auxiliary heating on regularly
once a month for about ten minutes.
Comfort Switching belt adjustment on/off
X
Press the =
or ; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings menu.
X Press the :
or 9 button to select the
Convenience submenu.
X Press a to confirm.
X Press the :
or 9 button to select the
Belt adjustment function.
If the Belt adjustment function is activa-
ted, the vehicle seat belt is shown in orange
in the multifunction display.
X Press the a button to save the setting.
For further information on belt adjustment,
see ( Y page 47).
Switching the fold in mirrors when lock-
ing function on/off
This

function is only available on vehicles with
a memory function (Y page 101).
When you activate the Auto. fold-in mir‐
rors function, the exterior mirrors are folded
in when the vehicle is locked.
When you unlock the vehicle and then open a
door, the exterior mirrors fold out again.
If you have switched on the Auto. fold-in
mirrors function and you fold in the exterior mirrors using the button on the door
(Y page 99), they will not fold out automati-
cally. The exterior mirrors can then only be
folded out using the button on the door.
X
Press the =
or ; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings menu.
X Press the :
or 9 button to select the
Convenience submenu.
X Press a to confirm.
X Press the :
or 9 button to select the
Auto. fold-in mirrors function.
If the Auto. fold-in mirrors function is
activated, the vehicle's exterior mirror is
displayed in orange in the multifunction
display.
X Press the a button to save the setting.
Resetting to factory settings X
Press the =
or ; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings menu.
X Press the :
or 9 button to select the
Factory setting submenu.
X Press a to confirm.
The Reset all settings? message
appears.
X Press the : or 9 button to select
No or Yes.
X Press the a
button to confirm the selec-
tion.
If you have selected Yes , the multifunction
display shows a confirmation message.
For safety reasons, not all functions are reset:
the Limit speed (winter tyres): func-
tion

in permanent SPEEDTRONIC can only be
set in the VEHICLE submenu. If you want to
reset the Daytime driving lights: in the
Light submenu, you must turn the key in the
ignition lock to position 1. Menus and submenus
225
On-board computer and displays Z

Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents rec-
ommended
and approved by Mercedes-Benz.Care of the exterior
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after the vehicle
has been washed. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
After washing the vehicle, brake carefully
while

paying attention to the traffic conditions
in order to restore full braking efficiency.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes automati-
cally in certain situations. To prevent dam-
age to the vehicle, deactivate DISTRONIC
PLUS and the HOLD function in the follow-
ing or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
! Make sure that the automatic transmis-
sion is in position N when washing your
vehicle in a tow-through car wash. The vehi-
cle could be damaged if the transmission is
in another position.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and sliding sunroof are
closed completely.
R the blower for the ventilation/heating is
switched off (OFF button is depressed/
airflow control is turned to position 0).
R the windscreen wiper switch is at posi-
tion 0.
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
Wash off excess dirt before cleaning the vehi-
cle in an automatic car wash. After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windscreen and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping

noises caused by residue on the wind-
screen.
Washing by hand In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at wash bays that are specially
designed for this purpose. Observe the legal
requirements for each individual country.
X
Do not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
X Use a soft sponge to clean.
X Use a mild cleaning agent, such as a car
shampoo approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Thoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.
X Do not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlet.
X Use plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.
X Rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
X Do not let the cleaning agent dry on the
paintwork.
When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
High-pressure cleaning equipment G
WARNING
The water jet of circular-jet nozzles (dirt grind-
ers) can cause damage not visible from the
outside

to tyres or chassis components. Com-
ponents damaged in this way can unexpect-
edly fail. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use high-pressure cleaners with circu-
lar-jet nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have dam-
aged tyres or chassis components replaced
immediately.
! Always maintain a distance of at least
30 cm between the vehicle and the high- Care
291
Maintenance and care Z

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

The maximum permissible distance which
can
be driven in run-flat mode is counted from
the moment the tyre pressure loss warning
appears in the multifunction display.
You must not exceed a maximum speed of
80 km/h.
i When replacing one or all tyres, make
sure that you use only:
R the tyre size specified for the vehicle and
R tyre(s) marked "MOExtended"
If a tyre has gone flat and cannot be
replaced with an MOExtended tyre, a
standard tyre may be used as a temporary
measure. Make sure that you use the
proper size and type (summer or winter
tyre).
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.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When driving in emergency mode, the driving
characteristics
deteriorate, e.g. when corner-
ing, accelerating quickly and when braking.
There is a risk of accident.
Do not exceed the stated maximum speed.
Avoid abrupt steering and driving manoeu-
vres, and driving over obstacles (kerbs, pot-
holes, off-road). This applies in particular to a
laden vehicle.
Stop driving in emergency mode if:
R you hear banging noises.
R the vehicle starts to shake.
R you see smoke and smell rubber.
R ESP ®
is intervening constantly.
R there are tears in the sidewalls of the tyre. After driving in emergency mode, have the
wheel rims checked at a qualified specialist
workshop

with regard to their further use. The
faulty tyre must be replaced. TIREFIT kit
Important safety notes G
WARNING
In the following situations, the tyre sealant is
unable
to provide sufficient breakdown assis-
tance, as it is unable to seal the tyre properly:
R there are cuts or punctures in the tyre
larger than those mentioned above.
R the wheel rim is damaged.
R you have driven at very low tyre pressures
or on a flat tyre.
There is a risk of accident.
Do not drive any further. Contact a qualified
specialist workshop. G
WARNING
The tyre sealant is harmful and causes irrita-
tion. It must not come into contact with your
skin,

eyes or clothing or be swallowed. Do not
inhale TIREFIT fumes. Keep tyre sealant away
from children. There is a risk of injury.
If you come into contact with the tyre sealant,
observe the following:
R Rinse off the tyre sealant from your skin
immediately with water.
R If the tyre sealant comes into contact with
your eyes, immediately rinse them thor-
oughly with clean water.
R If tyre sealant is swallowed, immediately
rinse your mouth out thoroughly and drink
plenty of water. Do not induce vomiting,
and seek medical attention immediately.
R Immediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with tyre sealant.
R If an allergic reaction occurs, seek medical
attention immediately. Flat tyre
301Breakdown assistance Z

Useful information ............................
318
Important safety notes ....................318
Operation ........................................... 318
Winter operation ............................... 320
Tyre pressure .................................... 321
Changing a wheel ............................. 324
Wheel and tyre combinations ..........329
Emergency spare wheel ...................332 317Wheels and tyres

R
Run in new tyres at moderate speeds for
the first 100 km
. They only reach their full
performance after this distance.
R Do not drive with tyres which have too little
tread depth. This otherwise significantly
reduces the traction on wet roads (aqua-
planing).
R Replace the tyres after six years at the lat-
est, regardless of wear.
Observe the notes on the emergency spare
wheel (Y page 332). MOExtended tyres (tyres with run-flat
characteristics)
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.
MOExtended tyres may only be used in con-
junction with an active tyre pressure loss
warning system and only on wheels specifi-
cally tested by Mercedes-Benz.
Notes

on driving with MOExtended tyres with
a flat tyre ( Y page 300).
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. Winter operation
General notes
Have
your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Observe the notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section ( Y page 324). Driving with summer tyres
At temperatures below +7 †, summer tyres
lose elasticity and therefore traction and
braking

power. Change the tyres on your vehi-
cle to M+S tyres. Using summer tyres at very
cold temperatures could cause tears to form,
thereby damaging the tyres permanently.
Mercedes-Benz cannot accept responsibility
for this type of damage. M+S tyres
G
WARNING
M+S
tyres with a tyre tread depth of less than
4 mm are not suitable for use in winter as they
do not provide sufficient traction. There is a
risk of accident.
M+S tyres with a tread depth of less than
4 mm must be replaced.
At temperatures below +7 †, use winter tyres
or all-season tyres. Both types of tyre are
identified by the M+S marking.
Only winter tyres bearing the i snowflake
symbol in addition to the M+S marking pro-
vide the best possible grip in wintry road con-
ditions. Only these tyres will allow driving
safety systems such as ABS and ESP ®
to
function optimally in winter. These tyres have
been developed specifically for driving in
snow.
Use M+S tyres of the same make and tread
on all wheels to maintain safe handling char-
acteristics.
Always observe the maximum permissible
speed specified for the M+S tyres you have
fitted.
If you fit M+S tyres that have a lower maxi-
mum permissible speed than that of the vehi-
cle, affix an appropriate warning sign in the
driver's field of vision. This can be obtained
at a qualified specialist workshop.
Under these circumstances, you should also
restrict the maximum speed of the vehicle
using permanent SPEEDTRONIC so that it 320
Winter operation
Wheels and tyres

!
Large wheels: the lower the section width
for a certain wheel size, the lower the ride
comfort is on poor road surfaces. Roll com-
fort and suspension comfort are reduced
and the risk of damage to the wheels and
tyres as a result of driving over obstacles
increases.
Overview of abbreviations used in the follow-
ing tyre tables:
R BA: both axles
R FA: front axle
R RA: rear axle
You will find a table with recommended tyre
pressures for various operating conditions on
the inside of your vehicle's fuel filler flap. For
further information on tyre pressure, see
(Y page 321). Check tyre pressures regularly
and only when the tyres are cold.
Notes on the vehicle equipment – always fit
the vehicle:
R with tyres of the same size on a given axle
(left/right)
R with the same type of tyres at a given time
(summer tyres, winter tyres, MOExtended
tyres)
Exception: it is permissible to fit a different
type or make in the event of a flat tyre.
Observe the "MOExtended tyres (tyres with
run-flat characteristics)" section
(Y page 300).
Vehicles with MOExtended tyres are not
equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory. It
is therefore recommended that you addition-
ally equip your vehicle with a TIREFIT kit if you
fit tyres that do not feature run-flat charac-
teristics, e.g. winter tyres. A TIREFIT kit can
be obtained from a qualified specialist work-
shop. In the following table, the wheel/tyre combi-
nations are allocated to the vehicle models
through variants, e.g. V1, V2 etc.: V1
A 180
12 V2
A 180 CDI
12 V3
A 200
12
, A 220 CDI 12 V4
A 200 CDI
12 V5
A 250
12 V6 A 250 Sport
V7 A 45 AMG 4MATIC
i
Not all wheel/tyre combinations can be
fitted at the factory in all countries.
12 BlueEFFICIENCY330
Wheel and tyre combinations
Wheels and tyres

Tyres
Summer tyres Light-alloy wheels V
1 V
2 V
3 V
4 V
5 V
6 V
7 BA 195/65 R15 91 T 6.5 J x 15 H2 ET 47 — #
— — — — —
BA
195/65 R15 91 H
13 6.5 J x 15 H2 ET 47 #
— — — — — —
BA 205/55 R16 91 H 6.5 J x 16 H2 ET 49 # #
— #
— — —
BA
205/55 R16 91 V
14 6.5 J x 16 H2 ET 49 # # # #
— — —
BA 205/55 R16 91 V
MOExtended
14, 15 6.5 J x 16 H2 ET 49 # # # #
— — —
BA
225/45 R17 91 V
14, 16 7.5 J x 17 H2 ET 52.5 # # # # #
— —
BA 225/45 R17 91 W
MOExtended
14, 15, 16 7.5 J x 17 H2 ET 52.5 # # # # #
— —
BA 225/40 R18 92 W XL
MOExtended
14, 15, 16, 17 7.5 J x 18 H2 ET 52 # # # # #
— —
BA
235/40 ZR18 95 Y XL
16 8.0 J x 18 H2 ET 48 — — — — — # #
BA
235/35 ZR19 91 Y XL
16 8.0 J x 19 H2 ET 48 — — — — — — #
Winter tyres Light-alloy wheels V
1 V
2 V
3 V
4 V
5 V
6 V
7 BA 195/65 R15 91 T
M+S
i 13 6.5 J x 15 H2 ET 47 # #
— — — — —
BA 205/55 R16 91 H
M+S
i 14 6.5 J x 16 H2 ET 49 # # # #
— — —
BA 205/55 R16 91 H
M+S
iMOExtended 14, 15 6.5 J x 16 H2 ET 49 # # # #
— — —
BA 205/50 R17 93 H XL
M+S
i 6.5 J x 17 H2 ET 49 # # # # # #
—
BA 205/50 R17 93 H XL
M+S
iMOExtended 14, 15 6.5 J x 17 H2 ET 49 # # # # # #
—
13
A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY: only for vehicles with 15" tyres fitted at the factory.
14 A 250 BlueEFFICIENCY: not in conjunction with Sports Edition package (code P84).
15 MOExtended tyres (tyres featuring run-flat characteristics) only in combination with an activated tyre pres-
sure loss warning system.
16 Use of snow chains not permitted. Observe the notes in the "Snow chains" section.
17 Observe notes on "Large wheels" in the "Wheel/tyre combinations" section. Wheel and tyre combinations
331Wheels and tyres Z