2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS steering

even suffer burn-like injuries. There is a risk
of injury.
Therefore, do not switch on the seat heating
repeatedly.
The three red indicator lamps in the button
indicate the heating level you have selected.
The system automatically switches down
from level 3 to level 2 after approximately
eight minutes.
The system automatically switches down
from
level 2 to level 1 after approximately ten
minutes.
The system automatically switches off
approximately 20 minutes after it is set to
level 1.
X Make sure that the key is in position 1 or
2 in the ignition lock.
X To switch on: press button : repeatedly
until the desired heating level is set.
X To switch off: press button : repeatedly
until all the indicator lamps go out.
i If the battery voltage is too low, the seat
heating may switch off. Problems with the seat heating The seat heating has switched off prema-
turely

or cannot be switched on. The vehicle's
electrical system voltage is too low because
too many electrical consumers are switched
on.
X Switch off electrical consumers that you do
not

need, such as the rear window heating
or interior lighting. AMG Performance Seat
To adjust the contour of the seat and for
improved

lateral support, you can individually
adjust the front seats. Adjusting the seat cushion length
X
To extend the seat cushion: press but-
ton :.
X To retract the seat cushion: press but-
ton ;.
Adjusting the side bolsters of the seat
cushion X
To set the side bolsters of the seat
cushion narrower: press button =.
X To set the side bolsters of the seat
cushion wider: press button ?. Seats
97
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z

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

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

Folding the exterior mirrors in/out
automatically
If the "Fold in mirrors when locking" function
is activated in the on-board computer
(Y page 225):
R
the
exterior mirrors fold in automatically as
soon as you lock the vehicle from the out-
side.
R the exterior mirrors fold out again automat-
ically as soon as you unlock the vehicle and
then open the driver's or front-passenger
door.
i If the exterior mirrors have been folded in
manually, they do not fold out.
Exterior mirror pushed out of position If an exterior mirror has been pushed out of
position, proceed as follows.
X
Vehicles without electrically folding
exterior

mirrors: move the exterior mirror
into the correct position manually.
X Vehicles with electrically folding exte-
rior mirrors: press and hold the mirror-
folding button

(Y page 99) until you hear a
click and then the mirror engage in posi-
tion.
The mirror housing is engaged again and
you can adjust the exterior mirrors as usual
(Y page 99). Automatic anti-dazzle mirrors
The "Automatic anti-dazzle mirrors" function
is

only available if the vehicle is equipped with
the "Mirror package".
The rear-view mirror and the exterior mirror
on the driver's side automatically go into anti-
dazzle mode if:
R the ignition is switched on and
R incident light from headlamps strikes the
sensor in the rear-view mirror
The mirrors do not go into anti-dazzle mode if
reverse gear is engaged or if the interior light-
ing is switched on. Parking position of the exterior mirror
on the front-passenger side
General notes The "Parking position for the exterior mirror
on the front-passenger side" function is only
available if the vehicle is equipped with the
"Memory package".
Setting

and storing the parking position Using reverse gear
You

can set the front-passenger side exterior
mirror so that you can see the rear wheel on
that side as soon as you engage reverse gear.
You can store this position. X
Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
that the key is in position 2 in the ignition
lock.
X Press button ; for the exterior mirror on
the front-passenger side.
X Engage reverse gear.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves to the preset parking position.
X Use adjustment button = to adjust the
exterior mirror. You should see the rear
wheel and the kerb in the exterior mirror.
The parking position is stored.
i If you shift the transmission to another
position, the exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side returns to the driving posi-
tion. 100
Mirrors
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

Using the memory button
You
can set the front-passenger side exterior
mirror so that you can see the rear wheel on
that side as soon as you engage reverse gear.
You can store this position. This setting can
be stored using memory button M?.
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
that the key is in position 2 in the ignition
lock.
X Press button ; for the exterior mirror on
the front-passenger side.
X Use adjustment button = to adjust the
exterior mirror. You should see the rear
wheel and the kerb in the exterior mirror.
X Press memory button M ?
and one of the
arrows on adjustment button = within
three seconds.
The parking position is stored if the exterior
mirror does not move.
X If the mirror moves out of position, repeat
the steps.
Calling up a stored parking position set-
ting X
Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
X Adjust the exterior mirror on the front-
passenger

side with the corresponding but-
ton ( Y page 99).
X Engage reverse gear.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves to the stored parking position.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves back to its original position:
R as soon as you exceed a speed of
15 km/h
R about ten seconds after you have disen-
gaged reverse gear
R if you press button : for the exterior mir-
ror on the driver's side Memory functions
Storing settings
G
WARNING
If you use the memory function on the driver's
side while driving, the adjustments could
cause

you to lose control of the vehicle. There
is a risk of an accident.
Only use the memory function on the driver's
side while the vehicle is stationary. G
WARNING
If the memory function adjusts the seat, you
and other vehicle occupants – particularly
children – could become trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
While the memory function is making adjust-
ments,

make sure that no one has any part of
their body within the sweep of the seat. If
someone becomes trapped, immediately
release the memory function position button.
The adjustment is stopped. G
WARNING
If children activate the memory function, they
could become trapped, especially if they are
unattended. 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.
With the memory function, you can store up
to three different settings, e.g. for three dif-
ferent people.
The following settings are stored as a single
memory preset:
R position of the seat, backrest and head
restraint
R driver's side: position of the exterior mir-
rors on the driver's and front-passenger
sides Memory functions
101
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z

X
Adjust the seat ( Y page 94).
X Adjust the exterior mirror on the driver's
side ( Y page 99).
X Briefly press the M memory button and
then press storage position button 1, 2 or
3 within three seconds.
The
settings are stored in the selected pre-
set position. A tone sounds when the set-
tings have been completed. Calling up a stored setting
X Press and hold the relevant storage posi-
tion button 1, 2 or 3 until the seat and
exterior mirrors are in the stored position.
i The setting procedure is interrupted as
soon as you release the storage position
button. 102
Memory functions
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

Active light function
The active light function is a system that
moves
the headlamps according to the steer-
ing movements of the front wheels. In this
way, relevant areas remain illuminated while
driving. This allows you to recognise pedes-
trians, cyclists and animals.
Active: when the lights are switched on.
Cornering light function The cornering light function improves the illu-
mination

of the road over a wide angle in the
direction you are turning, enabling better vis-
ibility in tight bends, for example. The corner-
ing light function can only be activated when
the dipped-beam headlamps are switched on.
Active:
R if you are driving at speeds below
40 km/h and the turn signal is activated or
the steering wheel is turned.
R if you are driving at speeds between
40 km/h and 70 km/h and turn the steer-
ing wheel. Not active:
if
you are driving at speeds above
40 km/h or switch off the turn signal or turn
the steering wheel to the straight-ahead posi-
tion.
The cornering lamp may remain lit for a short
time, but is automatically switched off after
no more than three minutes.
Motorway mode Motorway mode increases the range of the
beam.
Active:
R
if you are driving at speeds above
110

km/h and do not make any large steer-
ing movements for 1000 m
R if you are driving at speeds above
130 km/h
Not active: if you are driving at speeds below
80 km/h following activation.
Extended range foglamps The extended range foglamps reduce the
glare experienced by the driver and improve Exterior lighting
109
Lights and windscreen wipers Z

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). Running-in notes
Important safety notes
New brake pads/linings and discs that have
been

replaced only achieve optimum braking
effect after several hundred kilometres of
driving. Compensate for the reduced braking
effect by applying greater force to the brake
pedal. The first 1500 km
If you treat the engine with sufficient care
from

the very start, you will be rewarded with
excellent performance for the remainder of
the engine's life.
R Drive at varying vehicle speeds and engine
speeds for the first 1500 km.
R Avoid overstraining the vehicle during this
period, e.g. driving at full throttle.
R Change gear in good time, before the rev
counter needle is Ô of the way to the red
area of the rev counter.
R Do not shift down a gear manually in order
to brake.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
R Try to avoid depressing the accelerator
pedal beyond the point of resistance (kick-
down).
After 1,500 km, you may gradually bring the
vehicle up to full road and engine speeds. Additional running-in notes for AMG vehicles:
R
Do

not drive at speeds above 140 km/h for
the first 1,500 km.
R Only allow the engine to reach a maximum
engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.
i You should also observe these notes on
running-in if the engine or parts of the drive
train on your vehicle have been replaced. Driving
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell may restrict
the clearance around the pedals or block a
depressed pedal. This jeopardises the oper-
ating and road safety of the vehicle. There is
a risk of an accident.
Stow

all objects securely in the vehicle so that
they do not get into the driver's footwell.
Always fit the floormats securely and as pre-
scribed in order to ensure that there is always
sufficient room for the pedals. Do not use
loose floormats and do not place several floor-
mats on top of one another. G
WARNING
Unsuitable footwear can hinder correct usage
of the pedals, e.g.:
R shoes with thick soles
R shoes with high heels
R slippers
There is a risk of an accident.
Wear suitable footwear to ensure correct
usage of the pedals. G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with

limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably 142
Driving
Driving and parking