2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS steering

EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
i Observe
the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion for driving safety systems
(Y page 61). G
WARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g. under full braking. This increa-
ses the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to

the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps ( Y page 258) as well as dis-
play messages (Y page 232).
EBD monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure on the rear wheels to improve driving
stability while braking. ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and

offers increased braking comfort. In addi-
tion to the braking function, ADAPTIVE BRAKE
also has the HOLD function (Y page 180) and
hill start assist ( Y page 145). For further
information, see Driving tips (Y page 166). STEER CONTROL
STEER
CONTROL helps you by transmitting a
noticeable steering force to the steering
wheel in the direction required for vehicle
stabilisation.
This steering support is provided in particular
if:
R both right wheels or both left wheels are on
a wet or slippery road surface when you
brake
R the vehicle starts to skid.
If there is an ESP ®
malfunction, you will not
receive any steering support from STEER CONTROL. Power steering will, however, con-
tinue to function.
Anti-theft systems
Immobiliser
The immobiliser prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct key.
X To activate:
remove the key from the igni-
tion lock.
X To deactivate: switch on the ignition.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key
with
you and lock the vehicle. The engine can
be started by anyone with a valid key that is
left inside the vehicle.
i The immobiliser is always deactivated
when you start the engine. ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
X
To prime: lock the vehicle with the key.
Indicator lamp : flashes. The alarm sys-
tem is primed after approximately
15 seconds.
X To deactivate:
unlock the vehicle with the
key.
or
X Insert the key into the ignition lock. Anti-theft systems
69
Safety Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsThe engine cannot be
started using the key. The on-board voltage is too low.
X
Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. seat heating or interior
lighting, and try to start the engine again.
If this does not work:
X Check the starter battery and charge it if necessary
(Y page 304).
or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 308).
or
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine cannot be
started using the key. The steering lock is mechanically blocked.
X
Remove the key and reinsert it into the ignition lock. While doing
this, turn the steering wheel in both directions. Doors
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shift the automatic transmission out of
parking position P.
R shift the manual transmission into neutral.
R start the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When
leaving the vehicle, always take the key
with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave
children or animals unattended in the vehicle.
Always keep the key out of reach of children. G
WARNING
If persons (particularly children) are exposed
to heat or cold for a prolonged period, there
is

a risk of serious or even fatal injuries. Never
leave persons (particularly children) unatten-
ded in the vehicle.
United Kingdom only: G
WARNING
When the double locks are activated, the
doors can no longer be opened from the
inside.

People in the vehicle can no longer get
out, e.g. in hazardous situations. There is a
risk of injury.
Therefore, do not leave any people unsuper-
vised in the vehicle, particularly children, eld-
erly people or people in need of special assis-
tance. Do not activate the double lock when
people are in the vehicle.
If the vehicle has been locked with the key,
then the double lock function is activated as
standard. You can deactivate the double lock
function by deactivating the interior motion
sensor (Y page 70). The doors can then be
opened from the inside after the vehicle has
been locked from the outside. The anti-theft Doors
79
Opening and closing Z

Useful information ..............................
92
Correct driver's seat position ............ 92
Seats .................................................... 93
Steering wheel .................................... 98
Mirrors ................................................. 98
Memory functions ............................. 101 91Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

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). Correct driver's seat position
Observe the safety guidelines on seat adjust-
ment (
Y page 93).
X Make sure that seat = is correctly adjus-
ted.
Manual seat adjustment ( Y page 94)
Electrical seat adjustment ( Y page 94)
When adjusting the seat, make sure that:
R you

are as far away from the driver's air-
bag as possible.
R you are sitting in a normal upright posi-
tion.
R you can fasten the seat belt properly. R
you have moved the backrest to an
almost vertical position.
R you have set the seat angle so that your
thighs are gently supported.
R you can depress the pedals properly.
X Check whether the head restraint is adjus-
ted properly

(Y page 94).
When doing so, make sure that you have
adjusted the head restraint so that the back
of your head is supported at eye level by
the centre of the head restraint.
Observe the safety guidelines on steering
wheel adjustment ( Y page 98).
X Make sure that steering wheel :
is adjus-
ted correctly.
Adjusting the steering wheel
(Y page 98)
When adjusting the steering wheel, make
sure that:
R you can hold the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent.
R you can move your legs freely.
R you can see all the displays in the instru-
ment cluster clearly.
Observe the safety guidelines for seat belts
(Y page 46).
X Check whether you have fastened seat
belt ; properly

(Y page 47).
The seat belt should:
R fit snugly across your body
R be routed across the middle of your
shoulder
R be routed in your pelvic area across the
hip joints
X Before starting off, adjust the rear-view mir-
ror and the exterior mirrors ( Y page 99)
so that you have a good view of road and
traffic conditions.
X Vehicles with a memory function: save
the seat and exterior mirror settings
(Y page 101). 92
Correct driver's seat position
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

Seats
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If children adjust the seats, they could
become trapped, especially if they are unat-
tended. 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. 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
If you adjust the seat height carelessly, you or
other
vehicle occupants could be trapped and
thereby injured. Children in particular could
accidentally press the electrical seat adjust-
ment buttons and become trapped. There is
a risk of injury.
While moving the seats, make sure that your
hands or other body parts do not get under
the lever assembly of the seat adjustment
system. G
WARNING
When adjusting a seat, you or another vehicle
occupant
could become trapped by the guide
rail of the seat, for instance. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure that no one has any part of their
body within the sweep of the seat when
adjusting it. G
WARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended level
of protection if the backrest is not in the
upright

position. When braking or in the event
of an accident, you could slide underneath the
seat belt and sustain abdomen or neck inju-
ries, for example. This poses an increased risk
of injury or even fatal injury.
Adjust the seat properly before beginning
your journey. Always make sure that the seat
is in the upright position. G
WARNING
The head restraints cannot provide the inten-
ded protection unless they are fitted and
adjusted

correctly. There is an increased risk
of injury to the head and neck in the event of
an accident or sudden braking, for example.
Always drive with the head restraints fitted.
Ensure that the centre of the head restraints
support the back of each vehicle occupant's
head at eye level before driving off.
! To avoid damage to the seats and the seat
heating, observe the following information:
R do not spill any liquids on the seats. If
liquid is spilled on the seats, dry them as
soon as possible.
R if the seat covers are damp or wet, do not
switch on the seat heating. The seat
heating should also not be used to dry
the seats.
R clean the seat covers as recommended;
see the "Interior care" section.
R do not transport heavy loads on the
seats. Do not place sharp objects on the
seat cushions, e.g. knives, nails or tools.
The seats should only be occupied by
passengers, if possible.
R when the seat heating is in operation, do
not cover the seats with insulating mate-
rials, e.g. blankets, coats, bags, seat cov-
ers, child seats or booster seats.
! Make sure that there are no objects in the
footwell or behind the seats when moving Seats
93
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z

the seat back. There is a risk that the seats
and/or the objects could be damaged.
i The head restraints in the front and rear
seats can be removed. 7
For more information, contact a qualified
specialist workshop.
i Further related subjects:
R Luggage compartment enlargement
(folding down the rear seats)
(Y page 272) Adjusting the seats manually
Seat fore-and-aft adjustment
X
Lift handle : and slide the seat forwards
or rearwards.
X Release lever : again.
Make sure that you hear the seat engage in
position.
Backrest angle X
Relieve the pressure on the backrest.
X Turn handwheel ?
forwards or backwards.
Seat height X
Pull handle = upwards or push it down
repeatedly until the seat has reached the
desired height. Seat cushion angle Adjust the angle so that your thighs are lightly
supported.
X
Turn handwheel ;
forwards or backwards. Adjusting the seats electrically
:
Head restraint height 8
; Seat cushion angle
= Seat height
? Seat fore-and-aft adjustment
A Backrest angle
i You can store the seat settings using the
memory function ( Y page 101). Adjusting the head restraints
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.
7 Not on vehicles with sports seats.
8 Not available on vehicles with sports seats.94
Seats
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

G
WARNING
The head restraints cannot provide the inten-
ded protection unless they are fitted and
adjusted
correctly. There is an increased risk
of injury to the head and neck in the event of
an accident or sudden braking, for example.
Always drive with the head restraints fitted.
Ensure that the centre of the head restraints
support the back of each vehicle occupant's
head at eye level before driving off.
General notes For vehicles with sports seats, you cannot
adjust the head restraints or remove and fit
the rear head restraints.
Adjusting the head restraints manually
Adjusting the head restraint height
X
To raise: pull the head restraint up to the
desired position.
X To lower: press release catch : in the
direction of the arrow and push the head
restraint down to the desired position. Adjusting the head restraint fore-and-aft
position This function allows you to adjust the dis-
tance between the head restraint and the
back of the head.
X
To move forwards:
pull the head restraint
forwards in the direction of the arrow until
it engages.
There are a number of detents.
X To move backwards: press and hold
release button : and push the head
restraint backwards.
X When the head restraint is in the desired
position,

release the button and make sure
that the head restraint is engaged in posi-
tion.
Adjusting the head restraints electri-
cally X
To adjust the head restraint height:
slide
the switch for head restraint adjustment
(Y page 94) up or down in the direction of
the arrow. Seats
95
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z

Rear seat head restraints
Adjusting the rear seat head restraint
height
X
To raise: pull the head restraint up to the
desired position.
X To lower: press release catch : and push
the head restraint down until it is in the
desired position.
Removing and fitting the rear seat head
restraints G
WARNING
The head restraints cannot provide the inten-
ded protection unless they are fitted and
adjusted

correctly. There is an increased risk
of injury to the head and neck in the event of
an accident or sudden braking, for example.
Always drive with the head restraints fitted.
Ensure that the centre of the head restraints
support the back of each vehicle occupant's
head at eye level before driving off.
The rear head restraints on the outer seats
can be removed and refitted. X
Fold the seat backrest slightly forwards in
order to remove the head restraint
(Y page 272).
X To remove: pull the head restraint up to
the stop.
X Press release catch : and pull the head
restraint out of the guides.
X To refit: insert the head restraint so that
the
notches on the bar are on the left when
viewed in the direction of travel.
X Push the head restraint down until you hear
it engage in position. Adjusting the 4-way lumbar support
You can adjust the contour of the front seat
backrests individually to provide optimum
support for your back. :
To raise the backrest contour
; To soften the backrest contour
= To lower the backrest contour
? To harden the backrest contour Switching the seat heating on/off
Switching on/off G
WARNING
If you repeatedly switch on seat heating, the
seat cushion and backrest padding may
become very hot. The health of vehicle occu-
pants with limited temperature sensitivity or
a limited ability to react to excessively high
temperatures may be affected or they may 96
Seats
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors