2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS transmission

function; see the separate COMAND Online
operating instructions.
or
X Select symbol ; for the coupling up a
trailer
function (see the separate COMAND
Online operating instructions).
The symbol of the selected function is high-
lighted.
To deactivate:
the reversing camera is deac-
tivated if you:
R select transmission position P (vehicles
with automatic transmission)
R drive forward ten metres
R for vehicles with an automatic transmis-
sion, shift the transmission from R to
another position after 15 seconds
R shift out of reverse gear (vehicles with man-
ual transmission) after 15 seconds
R drive forwards at a speed of over
10 km/h
Displays in the Audio/COMAND display The reversing camera may show a distorted
view of obstacles, show them incorrectly or
not at all. Obstacles are not shown by the
reversing camera in the following locations:
R
very close to the rear bumper
R under the rear bumper
R in the area immediately above the tailgate
handle
! Objects

not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
R the bumper of a parked vehicle
R the drawbar of a trailer
R the ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
R the rear section of an HGV
R a slanted post
Use the guidelines only for orientation.
Approach objects no further than the bot-
tom-most guideline. Lanes
:
White guide line without turning the steer-
ing wheel, vehicle width including the
exterior mirrors (static)
; Yellow lane marking the course the tyres
will take at the current steering wheel
angle, vehicle width including the outer
edge of the wheel (dynamic)
= Red guide line for the vehicle width includ-
ing

the exterior mirrors, for current steer-
ing wheel angle (dynamic)
? Bumper Guide lines
?
Bumper
A Red guide line at a distance of approx-
imately

0.25 m from the rear of the vehicle
B Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately

4.0 m from the rear of the vehicle
C Vehicle centre axle (marker assistance)
D Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately

1.0 m from the rear of the vehicle
The lanes and guide lines are only displayed
if you have engaged reverse gear. 192
Driving systems
Driving and parking

prescribed maximum speed in the relevant
country.
For
certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the max-
imum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. Refer to the "Technical
data" section to find out whether this applies
to your vehicle. If you utilise any of the added
maximum rear axle load when towing a trailer,
the vehicle/trailer combination may not
exceed a maximum speed of 100 km/h for
reasons concerning the operating permit.
This also applies in countries in which the
permissible maximum speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations is above 100 km/h.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
to when driving without a trailer and it will
consume more fuel.
Change into a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients. For vehicles
with automatic transmission, you need to
have selected manual drive program
M(Y page 156).
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control, SPEEDTRONIC or DIS-
TRONIC PLUS.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to maintain
vehicle speed. This relieves the load on the
brake system and prevents the brakes from
overheating and wearing too quickly. If you
need additional braking, depress the brake
pedal repeatedly rather than continuously.
i Briefly depressing the accelerator pedal
on downhill gradients while the manual
drive program M is temporarily activated
(vehicles with automatic transmission): the
automatic transmission may switch back to
the last active automatic drive program E
or S. The automatic transmission may shift
to a higher gear. This can reduce the
engine's braking effect. Driving tips If the trailer swings from side to side:
X
Do not accelerate.
X Do not countersteer.
X Brake if necessary.
R Maintain a greater distance from the vehi-
cle in front than when driving without a
trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently

at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then, increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas,
note that the power output of the engine,
and consequently the vehicle's gradient-
climbing capability, decrease with increas-
ing altitude. Folding out the ball coupling
G
WARNING
If you release the ball coupling or it does not
engage
correctly when folding in, it will swing
out. Within pivoting range of the ball coupling,
there is an increased risk of an accident and
injury.
Only release the ball coupling if the pivoting
range is unobstructed. Always make sure that
the ball coupling engages when folding in.
Before you can tow a trailer with your vehicle,
you must fold out the ball coupling.
The release wheel is located behind the left-
hand side trim panel in the boot. Towing a trailer
203
Driving and parking Z

X
To open the cover: turn handle : anti-
clockwise and fold down cover ; and
remove it. X
Pull out release wheel =.
X Turn release wheel = anti-clockwise as far
as it will go.
The ball coupling disengages and folds out
behind the rear bumper. Indicator
lamp ? flashes. G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not correctly engaged,
the trailer can detach. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always

engage the ball coupling as described.
X Pull the ball coupling in the direction of the
arrow

until it engages in a vertical position.
Indicator lamp ? goes out. The power
socket folds down automatically.
The multifunction display shows the
Check trailer hitch lock display mes-
sage until the ball coupling is engaged.
X Remove the protective covering from the
ball coupling and store it in a safe place.
X Make sure that the ball of the ball coupling
is clean and that it is either greased or dry
(grease free), depending on the instruc-
tions for the trailer. Coupling up a trailer
X Make sure that the transmission is in posi-
tion P.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
X Position the trailer level behind the vehicle.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electric connection between
the vehicle and the trailer.
X Check that the trailer lighting system is
working.
A trailer that is connected is recognised
only when the electrical connection is
established

correctly and when the lighting
system is working properly. The function of
other systems, such as ESP ®
or PARK-
TRONIC also depends on this. Uncoupling a trailer
G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with an engaged over-
run
brake, you could trap your hand between204
Towing a trailer
Driving and parking

the vehicle and the trailer drawbar. This poses
a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle
could be damaged by the rebound-
ing of the overrun brake.
! Remove the installed adapter cable
before folding in the ball coupling. Other-
wise, damage may occur to the rear
bumper and the adapter cable.
X Make sure that the transmission is in posi-
tion P.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
X Secure the trailer against rolling away.
X Remove the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer. Folding in the ball coupling
G
WARNING
If you release the ball coupling or it does not
engage
correctly when folding in, it will swing
out. Within pivoting range of the ball coupling,
there is an increased risk of an accident and
injury.
Only release the ball coupling if the pivoting
range is unobstructed. Always make sure that
the ball coupling engages when folding in.
X Fold the ball coupling back in if you are not
using the trailer tow hitch.
X Place the protective covering on the ball
coupling.
The release wheel is located behind the left-
hand side trim panel in the boot. X
To open the cover: turn handle : anti-
clockwise and fold down cover ; and
remove it. X
Pull out release wheel =.
X Turn release wheel =
anti-clockwise as far
as it will go.
The ball coupling disengages and folds out
behind the rear bumper. Indicator
lamp ? flashes. Towing a trailer
205
Driving and parking Z

Left control panel
=
; R
Calls up the menu and menu bar 9
:
Press briefly:
R
Scrolls through lists
R Selects a submenu or function
R In the Audio menu: selects a
stored station, an audio track or
a video scene
R In the Tel(telephone) menu:
switches to the phone book and
selects a name or telephone
number 9
:
Press and hold:
R
In the Audio menu: selects the
previous/next station or selects
an audio track or a video scene
using rapid scrolling
R In the Tel (Telephone) menu,
starts

rapid scrolling through the
phone book a R
Confirms
selection/display mes-
sage
R In the Tel (telephone) menu:
switches to the telephone book
and starts dialling the selected
number
R In the Audio menu: stops the
station search function at the
desired station Right control panel
~ R
Rejects or ends a call
R Exits telephone book/redial
memory 6 R
Makes or accepts a call
R Switches to the redial memory W
X R
Adjusts the volume 8 R
Mute Back button
%
Press briefly:
R
Back
R Switches off LINGUATRONIC;
see the separate operating
instructions
R Hides display messages/calls
up the last Trip menu function
used
R Exits the telephone book/redial
memory %
Press and hold:
R
Calls up the standard display in
the Trip menu Multifunction display
Multifunction display (example: vehicles with auto-
matic transmission)
:
Permanent display: outside temperature
or speed ( Y page 220)
; Time
= Text field210
Displays and operation
On-board computer and displays

?
Menu bar
A Drive program (Y page 152)
B Transmission position ( Y page 152)
X To show the menu bar ?: press the
= or ; button on the steering wheel.
Menu bar ?
disappears after a few seconds.
Text field = shows the selected menu or
submenu as well as display messages.
i You can set the time using the audio sys-
tem or COMAND Online; see the separate
operating instructions.
The following messages may appear in the
multifunction display:
Z Gearshift recommendation, for
manual transmission
(Y

page 151) or automatic trans-
mission ( Y page 156)
XjY Active Parking Assist
(Y page 186)
¯ Cruise control ( Y page 168)
È SPEEDTRONIC ( Y page 171)
_ Adaptive Highbeam Assist
(Y page 110)
¤ ECO start/stop function
(Y page 146)
ë HOLD function ( Y page 179)
120 km/h! Maximum permissible speed
exceeded

(only for certain coun-
tries) Menus and submenus
Menu overview
Operating the on-board computer
(Y page 209).
Depending on the equipment fitted in the
vehicle, you can call up the following menus:
R Trip menu (Y page 211)
R Navi menu (navigation instructions)
(Y page 213)
R Audio menu (Y page 214) R
Tel (telephone) menu ( Y page 215)
R Assist (Assistance) menu (Y page 217)
R Serv. menu (Y page 219)
R Settings menu (Y page 220)
R AMG menu in AMG vehicles ( Y page 226)
The Audio, Navi

and Tel menus differ slightly
in vehicles with Audio 5, Audio 20 and in vehi-
cles with COMAND Online. The examples
given in this Owner's Manual apply to vehicles
equipped with COMAND Online. Trip menu
Standard display X
Press and hold the % button on the
steering wheel until the Trip menu with
trip meter : and total distance
recorder ; is shown.
Trip computer "From start" or "From
reset" Example: "From start" trip computer
:
Distance
; Time
= Average speed
? Average fuel consumption Menus and submenus
211
On-board computer and displays Z

Settings menu
Introduction In the
Settings menu, you have the following
options:
R changing the instrument cluster settings
R changing the light settings
R changing the vehicle settings
R changing the auxiliary heating settings
(Y page 224)
R changing the convenience settings
R restoring the factory settings
Instrument cluster Selecting the unit of measurement for dis-
tance
You

can determine whether the multifunction
display shows some messages in miles or kil-
ometres.
X Press the =
or ; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings menu.
X Press the :
or 9 button to select the
Inst. cluster submenu.
X Press a to confirm.
X Press the :
or 9 button to select the
Display unit Speed-/odometer: func-
tion.
You will see the selected setting km or
miles.
X Press the a button to save the setting.
The selected unit of measurement for dis-
tance applies to:
R the digital speedometer in the Trip menu
R the total distance recorder and the trip
meter R
the trip computer
R the current consumption and the range
R the navigation instructions in the Navi
menu
R cruise control
R SPEEDTRONIC
R DISTRONIC PLUS
R ASSYST PLUS service interval display
Switching the additional speedometer
on/off
Only

vehicles with manual transmission have
this function.
X Press the =
or ; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings menu.
X Press the :
or 9 button to select the
Inst. cluster submenu.
X Press a to confirm.
X Press : or 9 to select the Dig.
speedo [mph]: function.
You will see the selected setting: Activa‐
ted or Deactivated.
X Press the a button to save the setting.
i The speed is displayed in mph.
i Vehicles for the United Kingdom: this
function is unavailable.
The Dig.

speedo [mph] function allows you
to choose whether the status area in the mul-
tifunction display always shows the speed in
mph instead of the outside temperature.
Selecting the permanent display function
i Vehicles for the United Kingdom: this
function is unavailable.
You can determine whether the multifunction
display permanently shows your speed or the
outside temperature.
X Press the =
or ; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings menu.
X Press the :
or 9 button to select the
Inst. cluster submenu.
X Press a to confirm.220
Menus and submenus
On-board computer and displays

AMG menu in AMG vehicles
AMG displays :
Digital speedometer
; Gear indicator
= Upshift indicator
? Engine oil temperature
A Coolant temperature
B Transmission fluid temperature
X Press the = or ; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the AMG menu.
Upshift indicator UP= indicates that the
engine has reached the overrevving range
when in the manual gearshift program.
Upshift indicator UP= fades out other mes-
sages until you have shifted up.
If the engine oil temperature is below

80 †,
oil temperature ? is shown in blue. Avoid
using the full output of the engine during this
time.
If the transmission fluid temperature is below
50 †, oil temperature B is shown in blue.
Avoid using the full output of the engine dur-
ing this time.
SETUP :
Drive program (C/S/M)
; ESP ®
mode ( ON/OFF) or SPORT handling
mode ( SPORT) SETUP shows the drive program, the ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program) mode and the
SPORT handling mode.
X Press the =
or ; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the AMG menu.
X Press the 9 button repeatedly until
SETUP is displayed.
RACETIMER Displaying and starting the RACETIMER
The

RACETIMER is only intended for use on a
closed race circuit. Do not use the function
on public roads. :
Lap
; RACETIMER
You can start the RACETIMER when the
engine is running or if the key is in position
2 in the ignition lock.
X Press the =
or ; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the AMG menu.
X Press the 9 button repeatedly until the
RACETIMER is shown.
X To start:
press the a button to start the
RACETIMER.
Displaying the intermediate time 226
Menus and submenus
On-board computer and displays