2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS display

Symbols
In this Owner's Manual, you will find the fol-
lowing symbols:
G
WARNING
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life, or
the health or life of others. H
Environmental note
Environmental notes provide you with infor-
mation on environmentally aware actions or
disposal.
! Notes on material damage alert you to
dangers

that could lead to damage to your
vehicle.
i This symbol indicates useful instructions
or further information that could be helpful
to you.
X This symbol designates an instruc-
tion you must follow.
X Several consecutive symbols indi-
cate an instruction with several
steps.
(Y page) This symbol tells you where you
can find further information on a
topic.
YY This symbol indicates a warning or
an

instruction that is continued on
the next page.
Display This text indicates a message on
the multifunction/COMAND dis-
play.
Parts of the software in the vehicle are pro-
tected by copyright ©
2005
The FreeType Project
http://www.freetype.org. All rights
reserved.

Index
....................................................... 4Introduction .........................................
21 At a glance
........................................... 27 Safety ...................................................
39 Opening and closing
...........................73 Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ....
91 Lights and windscreen wipers
.........103 Climate control
................................. 121 Driving and parking ..........................
141 On-board computer and displays
....207 Stowing and features .......................
267 Maintenance and care
......................283 Breakdown assistance
.....................297 Wheels and tyres ..............................
317 Technical data ...................................
335 Contents
3

1, 2, 3 ...
12 V socket see Socket

4ETS
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tion System)
4MATIC (permanent all-wheel
drive)
Display message ............................ 254
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 182A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message

............................ 230
Function/notes ................................ 61
Important safety notes .................... 61
Warning lamp ................................. 258
Activating/deactivating air-recir-
culation mode .................................... 132
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 126
Active light function .........................109
Active Park Assist Display message ............................ 248
Active Parking Assist
Cancelling ...................................... 190
Detecting parking spaces .............. 187
Exiting a parking space .................. 189
Function/notes ............................. 187
Important safety notes .................. 186
Parking .......................................... 188
Towing a trailer .............................. 190
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 69
Adaptive Brake Assist Display message ............................ 237
Function/notes ................................ 64
Adaptive brake lamps .........................65
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Display message ............................ 243
Function/notes ............................. 110
Adaptive Main-beam Assist
Switching on/off (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 222
Additional speedometer ................... 220
Additives (engine oil) ........................344Adjusting the headlamp range
.........107
Airbags Front airbag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 43
Important safety guidelines .............42
Kneebag ...........................................

44
Sidebag ............................................ 44
Triggering ......................................... 41
Windowbag ...................................... 45
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air filter (white display message) ....245
Air vents Important safety notes .................. 139
Rear ............................................... 140
Setting ........................................... 139
Setting the centre air vents ...........139
Setting the side air vents ............... 140
see Climate control
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Ambient lighting
Setting the brightness (on-board
computer) ...................................... 222
AMG
Menu (on-board computer) ............ 226
Performance Seat ............................ 97
Anti-glare film .................................... 281
Anti-lock braking system see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Aquaplaning ....................................... 167
Ashtray ............................................... 277
Assistance display (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 217
Assistance menu (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 217
ASSYST PLUS Displaying a service message ........ 290
Hiding a service message .............. 289
Notes ............................................. 289
Resetting the service interval dis-
play ................................................ 290
Service message ............................ 289
Special service requirements ......... 290 4
Index

ATA (anti-theft alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ...................69
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Function ........................................... 69
Interior motion sensor .....................70
Switching off the alarm .................... 69
Tow-away protection ........................ 70
ATTENTION ASSIST
Activating/deactivating ................. 219
Display message ............................ 245
Function/notes ............................. 195
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 214
AUTO lights Display message ............................ 242
see Lights
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 147
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 146
Automatic headlamp mode ..............105
Automatic transmission Accelerator pedal position .............154
Automatic drive program ............... 156
Changing gear ............................... 154
DIRECT SELECT lever .....................151
Display message ............................ 252
Drive program display ....................152
Driving tips .................................... 154
Emergency running mode ..............159
Engaging drive position .................. 153
Engaging neutral ............................ 153
Engaging park position (AMG vehi-
cles) ............................................... 153
Engaging reverse gear ................... 153
Engaging the park position ............ 152
Holding the vehicle stationary on
uphill gradients .............................. 154
Kickdown ....................................... 154
Manual drive program ....................156
Overview ........................................ 151
Problem (fault) ............................... 159
Program selector button ................155
Pulling away ................................... 144
Selector lever ................................ 153
Starting the engine ........................ 144
Steering wheel gearshift paddles ...156
Trailer towing ................................. 155Transmission position display 152, 153
Transmission positions ..................
153
Automatic transmission emer-
gency running mode .........................159
Auxiliary heating Activating/deactivating
.................134
Activating/deactivating (on the
centre console) .............................. 135
Display message ............................ 255
Important safety notes .................. 134
Problem (display message) ............138
Remote control .............................. 135
Setting ........................................... 224
Setting the departure time ............. 136
Auxiliary ventilation
Activating/deactivating ................. 134
Activating/deactivating (on the
centre console) .............................. 135
Problem (display message) ............138
Remote control .............................. 135
Axle load, permissible (trailer tow-
ing) ...................................................... 349 B
Bag hook ............................................ 273
Ball coupling Folding in ....................................... 205
Folding out .....................................

203
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 62
Battery (key) Checking .......................................... 76
Important safety notes .................... 76
Replacing ......................................... 76
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 306
Display message ............................ 244
Important safety notes .................. 304
Jump starting ................................. 308
Belt force limiter
Activation ......................................... 49
Function ........................................... 49
Belt tensioner
Activation ......................................... 41
Function ........................................... 49
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 219
Display message ............................ 247 Index
5

Notes/function
.............................. 198
Trailer towing ................................. 199
Bonnet
Active
bonnet (pedestrian protec-
tion) ............................................... 284
Closing ........................................... 286
Display message ............................ 254
Important safety notes .................. 284
Opening ......................................... 285
Boot
see Tailgate
Boot load (maximum) ........................ 346
Brake Assist System see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 236
Notes ............................................. 344
Brake lamps
Adaptive ........................................... 65
Changing bulbs .............................. 116
Display message ............................ 240
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 61
Adaptive Brake Assist ......................64
BAS .................................................. 62
Brake fluid (notes) .........................344
Display message ............................ 230
Driving tips .................................... 166
Important safety notes .................. 166
Parking brake ................................ 163
Warning lamp ................................. 258
Breakdown
see Flat tyre
see Towing away/tow-starting
Bulbs
see Replacing bulbs C
Calling up a fault see Display messages


Car
see Vehicle
Care
Automatic car wash ....................... 291
Carpets .......................................... 296
Display ........................................... 295
Exhaust pipe .................................. 294Exterior lighting
............................. 293
Gear or selector lever ....................295
High-pressure cleaner ....................

291
Interior ........................................... 295
Matt paintwork .............................. 292
Notes ............................................. 290
Paint .............................................. 292
Plastic trim .................................... 295
Reversing camera ..........................294
Roof lining ...................................... 296
Seat belt ........................................ 296
Seat cover ..................................... 296
Sensors ......................................... 294
Steering wheel ............................... 295
Trim pieces .................................... 295
Washing by hand ........................... 291
Wheels ........................................... 292
Windows ........................................ 293
Wiper blades .................................. 293
Wooden trim .................................. 295
Car wash (care) ................................. 291
Central locking Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 223
Locking/unlocking (key) ..................75
Centre console
Lower section .................................. 35
Upper section .................................. 34
Changing bulbs
Brake lamps ................................... 116
Cornering light function .................115
Dipped-beam headlamps ............... 114
Main-beam headlamps ................... 114
Rear foglamp ................................. 116
Reversing lamps ............................ 116
Tail lamps ...................................... 116
Turn signals (front) ......................... 115
Turn signals (rear) .......................... 116
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes .................... 60
Rear doors ....................................... 60
Children
In the vehicle ................................... 50
Restraint systems ............................ 50
Child seat
Automatic recognition ..................... 52
ISOFIX .............................................. 53
On the front-passenger seat ............516
Index

Problem (malfunction)
.....................56
Recommendations ........................... 58
Suitable positions
............................ 56
Top Tether ....................................... 54
Cigarette lighter ................................ 278
Cleaning Trailer tow hitch ............................. 294
Climate control
Auxiliary heating/ventilation .......... 134
Controlling automatically ...............128
Convenience opening/closing
(air-recirculation mode) ................. 132
Cooling with air dehumidification ..126
Demisting the windows .................. 130
Demisting the windscreen ............. 130
Important safety notes .................. 122
Indicator lamp ................................ 128
Notes on using THERMATIC auto-
matic climate control .....................123
Notes on using THERMOTRONIC
automatic climate control .............. 125
Overview of systems ......................122
Problems with cooling with air
dehumidification ............................ 128
Problem with the rear window
heating .......................................... 132
Setting the air distribution .............129
Setting the airflow ......................... 129
Setting the air vents ......................139
Setting the temperature ................ 128
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ............................................ 132
Switching on/off ........................... 126
Switching residual heat on/off ...... 133
Switching the rear window heat-
ing on/off ...................................... 131
Switching the ZONE function on/
off .................................................. 129
THERMATIC automatic climate
control ........................................... 123
THERMOTRONIC (2-zone) auto-
matic climate control .....................125
Cockpit
Overview .......................................... 28
see Instrument cluster COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
Activating/deactivating the dis-
tance warning function
..................218
Display message ............................ 230
Operation/notes .............................. 62
COMAND Online
see separate operating instructions
Combination switch ..........................107
Consumption statistics (on-board
computer) .......................................... 211
Convenience closing feature ..............85
Convenience opening/closing (air-
recirculation mode) ........................... 132
Convenience opening feature ............85
Coolant (engine) Checking the level ......................... 288
Display message ............................ 243
Important safety notes .................. 344
Temperature (on-board computer) . 226
Temperature gauge ........................ 208
Warning lamp ................................. 264
Cooling
see Climate control
Cornering lamps
Changing bulbs .............................. 115
Cornering light function
Display message ............................ 239
Function/notes ............................. 109
Crash-responsive emergency light-
ing ....................................................... 112
Cruise control Activation conditions .....................169
Cruise control lever .......................169
Deactivating ................................... 170
Display message ............................ 250
Driving system ............................... 168
Important safety notes .................. 168
LIM indicator lamp .........................169
Selecting ........................................ 169
Setting a speed .............................. 170
Storing and maintaining current
speed ............................................. 169
Cup holder
Centre console .............................. 276
Important safety notes .................. 275
Rear compartment ......................... 276 Index
7

D
Dashboard see Instrument cluster

Dashboard lighting
see Instrument cluster lighting
Data
see Technical data
Daytime driving lights
Display message ............................ 242
Switching on/off (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 221
Switching on/off (switch) .............. 105
Dealership
see Qualified specialist workshop
Declarations of conformity ................. 23
Delayed switch-off Exterior lighting (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 222
Interior lighting .............................. 223
Diagnostics connection ......................23
Diesel .................................................. 341
Digital speedometer .........................212
Dipped-beam headlamps Changing bulbs .............................. 114
Display message ............................ 239
Setting for driving abroad (sym-
metrical) ........................................ 104
Setting for driving on the right/left 221
Switching on/off ........................... 105
DIRECT SELECT lever
see Automatic transmission
Display (cleaning instructions) ........295
Display message ASSYST PLUS ................................ 289
General information ....................... 229
Hiding (on-board computer) ........... 229
Display messages
Calling up (on-board computer) ..... 229
Driving systems ............................. 245
Engine ............................................ 243
Key ................................................ 256
Lights ............................................. 239
Safety systems .............................. 230
Tyres .............................................. 251
Vehicle ........................................... 252
Distance recorder
see Trip meter Distance warning function
Activating/deactivating .................218
Function/notes ................................ 62
Warning lamp ................................. 266
DISTRONIC PLUS
Activation conditions .....................175
Cruise control lever .......................174
Deactivating ................................... 177
Display message ............................ 249
Displays in the multifunction dis-
play ................................................ 175
Driving tips .................................... 178
Function/notes ............................. 174
Important safety notes .................. 173
Selecting ........................................ 175
Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 177
Warning lamp ................................. 266
Door
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 223
Automatic locking (switch) ............... 81
Central locking/unlocking (key) ...... 75
Control panel ................................... 37
Display message ............................ 254
Emergency locking ........................... 81
Emergency unlocking .......................81
Important safety notes .................... 79
Opening (from the inside) ................ 80
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 156
Display ........................................... 153
Display (DIRECT SELECT lever) ...... 152
Manual ........................................... 156
Driver's door
see Door
Driving abroad
Service24h .................................... 290
Symmetrical dipped beam .............104
Driving on flooded roads ..................167
Driving safety system Adaptive Brake Assist ......................64
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST .... 62
Distance warning function ...............62
Electronic Brake-force Distribution ..69
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ......................................... 65, 668
Index

ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ...........................................
65
Important safety guidelines .............61
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
.......61
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 69
Adaptive brake lamps ...................... 65
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............62
Overview .......................................... 61
Steering assistant STEER CON-
TROL ................................................ 69
Driving system
Active Parking Assist .....................186
Driving systems
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................ 195
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 197
Cruise control ................................ 168
Display message ............................ 245
Distronic Plus ................................ 173
HOLD function ............................... 179
Lane Keeping Assist ...................... 199
Lane package ................................ 197
PARKTRONIC ................................. 182
RACE START (AMG vehicles) ..........181
Reversing camera ..........................191
Speed Limit Assist ......................... 196
SPEEDTRONIC ............................... 171
Driving tips
Aquaplaning ................................... 167
Automatic transmission ................. 154
Brakes ........................................... 166
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 178
Downhill gradient ........................... 166
Driving abroad ............................... 104
Driving in winter ............................. 167
Driving on flooded roads ................167
Driving on wet roads ...................... 167
General .......................................... 165
Icy road surfaces ........................... 168
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 167
New brake pads/linings ................ 167
Running-in tips ............................... 142
Snow chains .................................. 321
Symmetrical dipped beam .............104
Towing a trailer .............................. 201
Wet road surface ........................... 166
DVD audio (on-board computer) ...... 215 E
EASY-VARIO-PLUS system Luggage compartment enlarge-
ment .............................................. 272
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message
............................ 232
Function/notes ................................ 69
ECO display
Function/notes ............................. 165
On-board computer ....................... 212
ECO start/stop function
Automatic engine start .................. 147
Automatic engine switch-off ..........146
Deactivating/activating ................. 147
General information ....................... 146
Important safety notes .................. 146
Introduction ................................... 145
Electrical fuses
see Fuses
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Emergency key
Unlocking the driver's door ..............81
Emergency key element
Function/notes ................................ 75
Locking vehicle ................................ 81
Emergency release
Driver's door .................................... 81
Emergency spare wheel
General notes ................................ 332
Important safety notes .................. 332
Removing ....................................... 332
Technical data ............................... 333
Emergency unlocking
Tailgate ............................................ 83
Vehicle ............................................. 81
Engine
Display message ............................ 243
ECO start/stop function ................ 145
Engine number ............................... 338
Jump-starting ................................. 308
Running irregularly ......................... 149
Starting problems .......................... 149
Starting the engine with the key .... 144
Stopping ........................................ 162 Index
9