2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS service interval

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

Protection of the environment
General notes
H
Environmental note
Daimler's declared policy is one of compre-
hensive environmental protection.
Our objectives are to use the natural resour-
ces which form the basis of our existence on
this planet sparingly and in a manner which
takes the requirements of both nature and
humanity into consideration.
You too can help to protect the environment
by operating your vehicle in an environmen-
tally-responsible manner.
Fuel consumption and the rate of engine,
transmission,
brake and tyre wear depend on
the following factors:
R operating conditions of your vehicle
R your personal driving style
You can influence both factors. Therefore,
please bear the following in mind:
Operating conditions:
R avoid short trips, as these increase fuel
consumption.
R observe the correct tyre pressure.
R do not carry any unnecessary weight in the
vehicle.
R remove the roof rack once you no longer
need it.
R a regularly serviced vehicle will contribute
to environmental protection. You should
therefore adhere to the service intervals.
R all maintenance work should be carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop.
Personal driving style:
R do not depress the accelerator pedal when
starting the engine.
R do not warm up the engine when the vehicle
is stationary.
R drive carefully and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front.
R avoid frequent, sudden acceleration and
braking. R
change
gear in good time and use each gear
only up to Ô of its maximum engine speed.
R switch off the engine in stationary traffic.
R monitor the vehicle's fuel consumption. Returning an end-of-life vehicle
EU countries only:
Mercedes-Benz

will take back your old vehicle
to dispose of it in an environmentally-respon-
sible manner in accordance with the Euro-
pean Union (EU) End of Life Vehicles Direc-
tive.
There is a network of return points and dis-
assembly plants available. You can return
your vehicle to these plants free of charge.
This makes a valuable contribution to the
recycling process and the conservation of
resources.
For further information on recycling old vehi-
cles, recovery and the terms of the policy,
visit the Mercedes-Benz homepage. Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts
H
Environmental note
Daimler AG also supplies reconditioned
assemblies and parts which are of the same
quality

as new parts. For these, the same war-
ranty applies as for new parts.
! Airbags and seat belt tensioners, as well
as control units and sensors for these
restraint systems, may be installed in the
following areas of your vehicle:
R doors
R door pillars
R door sills
R seats
R dashboard
R instrument cluster
R centre console Introduction
21 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). Overview of climate control systems
Important safety notes
Observe the settings recommended on the
following pages. The windows could other-
wise mist up.
To prevent the windows from misting up:
R switch off climate control only briefly
R switch on air-recirculation mode only
briefly
R switch on the cooling with air dehumidifi-
cation function
R switch on the defrost windscreen function
briefly, if required
THERMATIC automatic climate control/
THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control
regulates the temperature and the humidity
of the vehicle interior and filters out undesir-
able substances from the air.
THERMATIC automatic climate control/
THERMOTRONIC

automatic climate control is
only operational when the engine is running.
Optimum operation is only achieved with the
side windows and panorama sliding sunroof
closed.
The residual heat function can only be acti-
vated or deactivated with the ignition
switched off (Y page 133).
i Ventilate the vehicle for a brief period
during warm weather, e.g. using the con-
venience opening feature (Y page 85). This will speed up the cooling process and the
desired

vehicle interior temperature will be
reached more quickly.
i The integrated filter can filter out most
particles of dust and completely filters out
pollen. A clogged filter reduces the amount
of air supplied to the vehicle interior. For
this reason, you should always observe the
interval for replacing the filter, which is
specified in the Service Booklet. As it
depends on environmental conditions, e.g.
heavy air pollution, the interval may be
shorter than stated in the Service Booklet.
i It is possible that the residual heat func-
tion may be activated automatically an hour
after the key has been removed in order to
dry the air-conditioning system. The vehicle
is ventilated for 30 minutes. 122
Overview of climate control systems
Climate control

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

Checking the oil level using the oil dip-
stick
Example: vehicles with a petrol engine
Vehicles with a diesel engine (apart from the A 180
CDI
BlueEFFICIENCY model with manual transmis-
sion) A 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, manual transmission
X
All models apart from the A 180 CDI
BlueEFFICIENCY model with manual
transmission: pull out oil dipstick :.
X A 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY model with
manual transmission: undo the oil filler
cap

and pull it out together with integrated
oil dipstick :. X
Wipe off oil dipstick :.
X Slowly slide oil dipstick : into the guide
tube to the stop, and take it out again.
If the level is between MIN mark = and
MAX mark ;, the oil level is correct.
X If the oil level has dropped to MIN mark
=

or below, top up with 1.0 litre of engine
oil.
Adding engine oil G
WARNING
If engine oil comes into contact with hot com-
ponents in the engine compartment, it may
ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that engine oil does not spill out
over the filler neck. Allow the engine to cool
down and thoroughly clean the components
that have come into contact with engine oil
before you start the engine. H
Environmental note
When topping up the oil, take care not to spill
any. If oil enters the soil or waterways, it is
harmful to the environment.
! Only use engine oils and oil filters that
have been approved for vehicles with a
service

system. You can obtain a list of the
engine oils and oil filters tested and
approved in accordance with the
Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Service
Products at any Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
Damage to the engine or exhaust system is
caused by the following:
R using engine oils and oil filters that have
not been specifically approved for the
service system
R changing the engine oil and oil filter after
missing the change interval required by
the service system
R using engine oil additives
! Do not add too much oil. Topping up with
too much engine oil can result in damage Engine compartment
287
Maintenance and care Z

Topping up the windscreen washer sys-
tem/headlamp cleaning system
G
WARNING
Windscreen washer concentrate is highly
flammable. If it comes into contact with hot
engine components or the exhaust system it
could ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that no windscreen washer con-
centrate is spilled next to the filler neck. Example
X
To open: pull cap : upwards by the tab.
X Top up with the premixed washer fluid.
X To close: press cap : onto the filler neck
until it engages.
The washer fluid reservoir is used for both the
windscreen
washer system and the headlamp
cleaning system.
The recommended minimum amount when
topping up is 1 litre. If the water level drops
below this, a message appears in the multi-
function display prompting you to refill the
washer fluid ( Y page 256).
Further information on windscreen washer
fluid/antifreeze ( Y page 345).Service
ASSYST PLUS
Service messages The ASSYST PLUS service interval display
informs you of the next service due date. Information on the type of service and service
intervals (see separate Service Booklet).
You can obtain further information from any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
i
The

ASSYST PLUS service interval display
does not show any information on the
engine oil level. Observe the notes on the
engine oil level ( Y page 286).
The multifunction display shows a service
message for a few seconds, e.g.:
R Next service A in .. days
R Service A due
R Service A overdue by .. days
Depending on the operating conditions of the
vehicle, the remaining time or distance until
the next service due date is displayed.
The letter indicates which service is due. A
stands for a minor service and B for a major
service. A number or another letter may be
displayed after the letter. This figure indicates
any necessary additional maintenance work
to be performed.
If you notify a qualified specialist workshop of
this display, you will receive a statement on
the associated costs.
The ASSYST PLUS service interval display
does not take into account any periods of
time during which the battery is disconnec-
ted.
Maintaining the time-dependent service
schedule:
X Note down the service due date displayed
in the multifunction display before discon-
necting the battery.
or
X After reconnecting the battery, subtract
the

battery disconnection periods from the
service date shown on the display.
Hiding a service message X
Press % or a. Service
289
Maintenance and care Z

Displaying service messages
X
Switch the ignition on.
X Using = or ;, select the Service
menu.
X Press 9 or : to select the ASSYST
PLUS submenu and press a to confirm.
The service due date appears in the multi-
function display.
Information about Service Resetting the ASSYST PLUS service inter-
val display
!
If the ASSYST PLUS service interval dis-
play has been inadvertently reset, this set-
ting

can be corrected at a qualified special-
ist workshop.
Have service work carried out as described
in the Service Booklet. This may otherwise
lead to increased wear and damage to the
major assemblies or the vehicle.
A qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre, will reset the
ASSYST PLUS service interval display after
the service work has been carried out. You
can also obtain further information on main-
tenance work, for example.
Special service requirements
The prescribed service interval is based on
normal operation of the vehicle. Service work
will need to be performed more often if the
vehicle is operated under arduous conditions
or increased loads, for example:
R regular city driving with frequent intermedi-
ate stops
R if the vehicle is primarily used to travel
short distances
R for frequent operation in mountainous ter-
rain or on poor road surfaces
R if the engine is often left idling for long peri-
ods
In these or similar operating conditions, have
the air filter, engine oil and oil filter, for exam-
ple, changed more frequently. The tyres must be checked more frequently if the vehicle is
operated under increased loads. Further
information can be obtained at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
Driving abroad
An

extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network
is also available in other countries. The
Service Hotline's current telephone numbers
for use when you are abroad are to be found
in the "Mercedes-Benz Service24h" section
of the Service Booklet. Care
General notes
H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths
in an environmentally responsible man-
ner.
! For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any
of the following:
R dry, rough or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film.
! Do not park up the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after clean-
ing. Braking heats the brake discs and the
brake pads/linings, thus drying them. The
vehicle can then be parked up. 290
Care
Maintenance and care

sive gases of a battery. There is a risk of an
explosion.
Before
handling the battery, touch the vehicle
body to remove any existing electrostatic
build-up.
The highly flammable gas mixture is formed
when charging the battery or jump-starting
the vehicle.
Always make sure that neither you nor the
battery is electrostatically charged. Electro-
static charge is caused, for example, by:
R wearing synthetic clothing
R the friction of clothing on the seat
R pulling or sliding the battery over carpets
or other synthetic materials
R rubbing the battery with a cloth G
WARNING
During the charging process, a battery produ-
ces hydrogen gas. If a short circuit occurs or
sparks are created, the hydrogen gas can
ignite. There is a risk of an explosion.
R Make sure that the positive terminal of a
connected

battery does not come into con-
tact with vehicle parts.
R Never place metal objects or tools on a bat-
tery.
R It is important that you observe the descri-
bed order of the battery terminals when
connecting and disconnecting a battery.
R When jump-starting, make sure that the
battery poles with identical polarity are
connected.
R It is particularly important to observe the
described order when connecting and dis-
connecting the jump leads.
R Never connect or disconnect the battery
terminals while the engine is running. G
WARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury.
Avoid
contact with the skin, eyes or clothing.
Do not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean
over the battery. Keep children away from batteries. Wash battery acid immediately with
water and seek medical attention.
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.
! Have the battery checked regularly at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Observe

the service intervals in the Service
Booklet or contact a qualified specialist
workshop for more information.
! Always have work on the battery carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop.
Should it, in exceptional circumstances, be
absolutely necessary to disconnect the bat-
tery yourself, please observe the following:
R switch off the engine and remove the
key. Check that all the indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster are off. Otherwise,
you may damage electronic components
such as the alternator, for example.
R first, disconnect the negative terminal
clamp, followed by the positive terminal
clamp. Never swap the terminal clamps.
The vehicle electronics may otherwise be
damaged.
R on vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission is locked in position P
after disconnecting the battery. The vehi-
cle is secured against rolling away. You
can then no longer move the vehicle. Battery (vehicle)
305
Breakdown assistance Z