2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS lights

teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated.
There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
If ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp ( Y page 258) and
display messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (Y page 230).
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the vehi-
cle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 8 km/h
upwards, regardless of road-surface condi-
tions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently.
The ! ABS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
Braking X
If ABS intervenes:
continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions, and func-
tions as a reminder to take extra care while
driving. BAS (Brake Assist)
i Observe

the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 61). G
WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions.

If you depress the brake pedal quickly,
BAS automatically boosts the braking force,
thus shortening the stopping distance.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
General notes COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST consists of
the adaptive Brake Assist and the distance
warning signal, which are described in the
following.
Distance warning function
Important safety notes
i
Observe

the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion for driving safety systems
(Y page 61). G
WARNING
The distance warning function does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R when cornering
Thus, the distance warning function cannot
provide a warning in all critical situations.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always

pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake. 62
Driving safety systems
Safety

G
WARNING
The distance warning function cannot always
clearly identify objects and complex traffic
situations.
In such cases, the distance warning function
may:
R give an unnecessary warning
R not give a warning
There is a risk of an accident.
Always
pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation; do not rely on the distance warning
function alone.
Function
X To activate/deactivate:
activate or deac-
tivate the distance warning function in the
on-board computer (Y page 218).
Vehicles with a black and white multi-
function
display: when the distance warning
function is activated, the Ä symbol
appears in the status overview in the multi-
function display.
Vehicles with a colour multifunction dis-
play: when the distance warning function is
deactivated, the æ symbol appears in the
assistance graphics in the multifunction dis-
play.
The distance warning function can help you
to minimise the risk of a front-end collision
with a vehicle ahead or reduce the effects of
such a collision. If the distance warning func-
tion detects that there is a risk of a collision,
you will be warned visually and acoustically.
Without your intervention, the distance warn-
ing function cannot prevent a collision.
The distance warning function issues a warn-
ing at speeds:
R of around 30 km/h or more, if, over several
seconds, the distance maintained to the
vehicle travelling in front is insufficient. The
· distance warning lamp then lights up
in the instrument cluster.
R of around 7 km/h or higher, if you very
quickly approach a vehicle in front. An
intermittent warning tone will then sound, and the · distance warning lamp will
light up in the instrument cluster.
X Brake immediately in order to increase the
distance from the vehicle in front.
or
X Take evasive action provided it is safe to do
so.
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated but non-critical driving condi-
tions

may also cause the system to display a
warning.
With the help of the radar sensor system, the
distance warning function can detect obsta-
cles that are in the path of your vehicle for an
extended period of time.
Up to a speed of around 70 km/h, the dis-
tance warning function can also react to sta-
tionary obstacles, such as stopped or parked
vehicles.
If you approach an obstacle and the distance
warning function detects a risk of a collision,
the system will alert you both visually and
acoustically.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired in the case of:
R dirt on the sensors or obscured sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R strong radar reflections, for example, in
multi-storey car parks
R a narrow vehicle travelling in front, e.g. a
motorcycle
R a vehicle travelling in front on a different
line
Following damage to the front end of the vehi-
cle, have the configuration and operation of
the radar sensor checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. This also applies to colli-
sions at slow speeds where there is no visible
damage to the front of the vehicle. Driving safety systems
63Safety Z

ESP
®
is deactivated if the å ESP®
OFF
warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights
up continuously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ ESP ®
warning lamp and the
å ESP ®
OFF warning lamp are lit contin-
uously, ESP ®
is not available due to a mal-
function.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 260) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 230).
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tyre sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
Characteristics of ESP ®General notes
If

the ÷ ESP warning lamp goes out before
beginning the journey, ESP ®
is automatically
active.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷ ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X When pulling away, only depress the accel-
erator pedal as far as is necessary.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
ECO start/stop function
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle stops
moving.

When pulling away again, the engine
starts automatically. ESP ®
remains in its pre-
viously selected status. Example: if ESP®
was deactivated before the engine was
switched off, ESP ®
remains deactivated when
the engine is switched on again.
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle stops
moving. When pulling away again, the engine
starts automatically. ESP ®
remains in its pre- viously selected status.
Example: if ESP®
was deactivated before the engine was
switched

off, ESP®
remains deactivated when
the engine is switched on again.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(AMG
vehicles) Important safety notes
i
Observe

the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 61).
You can select between the following states
of ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
is activated.
R SPORT handling mode is activated.
R ESP ®
is deactivated. G
WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is activated,
there is a greater risk of skidding and acci-
dents.
Only

activate SPORT handling mode in the sit-
uations described in the following. 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.
In the following situations, it may be better to
activate SPORT handling mode or deactivate
ESP ®
:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
R on specially designated roads when the
vehicle's own oversteering and understeer-
ing characteristics are desired
Driving in SPORT handling mode or without
ESP ®
requires an extremely qualified and
experienced driver. 66
Driving safety systems
Safety

i
Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described
above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehi-
cle if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel
starts to spin.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®X
To activate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button :.
The M handling mode warning lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up. The
SPORT handling mode message appears
in the multifunction display.
X To deactivate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button :.
The M handling mode warning lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out.
X To deactivate ESP ®
:
press button : until
the å ESP ®
OFF warning lamp lights up
in the instrument cluster.
The ÷OFF message appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
X To activate ESP ®
:
briefly press button :.
The å ESP ®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. The ÷
ESP ®
ON message appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
Characteristics of activated SPORT han-
dling mode
If

SPORT handling mode is activated and one
or more wheels start to spin, the ÷ ESP ®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster flashes. ESP
®
only stabilises the vehicle to a
limited degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
R ESP ®
only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
R traction control is still activated.
R engine torque is restricted to a limited
degree and the drive wheels are able to
spin.
The

spinning of the wheels results in a cut-
ting action for better traction on loose sur-
faces.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
Characteristics when ESP ®
is deactivated
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster does not flash. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut-
ting action for better traction on loose sur-
faces.
R traction control is still activated.
R PRE-SAFE ®
is no longer available; nor is it
activated if you brake firmly with assis-
tance from ESP ®
.
R COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST is no lon-
ger available; nor is it activated if you brake
firmly with assistance from ESP ®
.
R COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST is no lon-
ger available; nor is it activated if you brake
firmly with assistance from ESP ®
.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake. Driving safety systems
67
Safety Z

Deactivating/activating ESP
®
(except
AMG vehicles) Important safety notes
You can select between the following states
of ESP
®
:
R ESP ®
is activated.
R ESP ®
is deactivated. 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
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehi-
cle if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel
starts to spin.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
You can deactivate or activate ESP ®
via the
on-board computer.
X To deactivate: (Y page 218).
The å ESP ®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To activate: (Y page 218).
The å ESP ®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Characteristics when ESP ®

is deactivated
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such situa-
tions, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehicle. If you deactivate ESP
®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
The

spinning of the wheels results in a cut-
ting action for better traction on loose sur-
faces.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation General notes
If your vehicle/trailer combination begins to
lurch, ESP
®
assists you in this situation.
ESP ®
slows the vehicle down by braking and
limiting the engine output until the vehicle/
trailer combination has stabilised.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer
stabilisation will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from swerv-
ing. Trailers with a high centre of gravity can
tip over before ESP ®
can detect this. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
If your vehicle/trailer combination begins to
lurch, you can only stabilise the vehicle/
trailer combination by depressing the brake
firmly.
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation is active above
speeds of about 65 km/h.
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation does not work if
ESP ®
is deactivated or disabled because of a
malfunction. 68
Driving safety systems
Safety

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. 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. 70
Anti-theft systems
Safety

If you unlock the vehicle using the emergency
key element, the fuel filler flap will not be
unlocked automatically.
X
To unlock the fuel filler flap: insert the
key into the ignition lock.
Removing the emergency key element X
Push release catch : in the direction of
the arrow and at the same time, remove
emergency key element ; from the key. Battery of the key
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Batteries contain toxic and corrosive substan-
ces. If batteries are swallowed, it can result in
severe health problems. There is a risk of fatal
injury.
Keep batteries out of the reach of children. If
a battery is swallowed, seek medical attention
immediately. 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.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
the
batteries replaced at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Checking the battery X
Press the & or % button.
The battery is working properly if battery
check lamp : lights up briefly.
The battery is discharged if battery check
lamp : does not light up briefly.
X Replace the battery ( Y page 76).
i If the key battery is checked within the
signal
reception range of the vehicle, press-
ing the & or % button:
R locks or
R unlocks the vehicle
i You can obtain a battery from any quali-
fied specialist workshop.
Replacing the battery You require a CR 2025 3 V cell battery.76
Key
Opening and closing

Exterior mirrors
Adjusting the exterior mirrors G
WARNING
The exterior mirrors reduce the size of the
image. Objects visible in the mirrors are
closer than they appear. You could misjudge
the distance from road users driving behind
you
when changing lanes, for instance. There
is a risk of an accident.
You should therefore always look over your
shoulder to determine the actual distance
from road users driving behind you. X
Make sure that the key is in position 1 or
2 in the ignition lock.
X Press button : for the left-hand exterior
mirror

or button ; for the right-hand exte-
rior mirror.
The indicator lamp in the corresponding
button lights up in red.
The indicator lamp goes out again after
some time. You can adjust the selected
mirror using adjustment button = as long
as the indicator lamp is lit.
X Press adjustment button = up, down, or
to the left or right until you have adjusted
the exterior mirror to the correct position.
You should have a good overview of traffic
conditions.
The convex exterior mirrors provide a larger
field of vision.
After the engine has been started, the exte-
rior mirrors are automatically heated if the
rear window heating is switched on and the outside temperature is low. Heating takes a
maximum of 10 minutes.
i
The exterior mirrors can also be heated
manually by switching on the rear window
heating.
Folding

the exterior mirrors in/out elec-
trically X
Make sure that the key is in position 1 or
2 in the ignition lock.
X Briefly press button :.
Both exterior mirrors fold in or out.
i Make sure that the exterior mirrors are
always folded out fully while driving. They
could otherwise vibrate.
i If you are driving faster than 47 km/h
(30

mph) you can no longer fold in the exte-
rior mirrors.
Setting the exterior mirrors If the battery has been disconnected or com-
pletely discharged, the exterior mirrors must
be reset. The exterior mirrors will otherwise
not fold in when you select the "Fold in mir-
rors when locking" function in the on-board
computer (Y page 225).
X
Make sure that the key is in position 1 in
the ignition lock.
X Briefly press button :. Mirrors
99
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z