2012 MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS warning

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.

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

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

Tow-starting (vehicle) ..................... 314
Warning lamp (engine diagnostics)
264
Engine electronics
Notes ............................................. 336
Problem (fault) ............................... 149
Engine oil
Additives ........................................ 344
Checking the oil level ..................... 286
Checking the oil level using the
dipstick .......................................... 287
Display message ............................ 245
Filling capacity ............................... 343
Notes about oil grades ................... 343
Notes on oil level/consumption .... 286
Temperature (on-board computer) . 226
Topping up ..................................... 287
Viscosity ........................................ 344
Environmental protection
Returning an end-of-life vehicle ....... 21
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) AMG menu (on-board computer) ... 226
Deactivating/activating (AMG
vehicles) .......................................... 66
Deactivating/activating (except
AMG vehicles) ................................ 218
Deactivating/activating (notes;
except AMG vehicles) ...................... 68
Display message ............................ 230
ETS/4ETS ........................................ 65
Function/notes ......................... 65, 66
Important safety guidelines .............65
Trailer stabilisation ..........................68
Warning lamp ................................. 260
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction Sys-
tem) ...................................................... 65
Exhaust pipe (cleaning instructions) 294
Exterior lighting Settings options ............................. 105
see Lights
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting ......................................... 99
Anti-dazzle mode (automatic) ........ 100
Folding in/out (automatically) ....... 100
Folding in/out (electrically) ............. 99
Folding in when locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 225
Out of position (troubleshooting) ...100 Parking position .............................
100
Resetting ......................................... 99
Storing settings (memory function)
101 F
Fault message see Display messages


Filler cap
see Fuel filler flap
Fire extinguisher ............................... 299
First-aid kit ......................................... 298
Fitting a wheel Removing a wheel ..........................328
Fitting wheels
Fitting a wheel ............................... 328
Lowering the vehicle ......................329
Preparing the vehicle .....................325
Raising the vehicle ......................... 326
Securing the vehicle against roll-
ing away ........................................ 325
Flat tyre
MOExtended tyres .........................300
Preparing the vehicle .....................300
TIREFIT kit ...................................... 301
see Emergency spare wheel
Floormat ............................................. 281
Foglamps Extended range .............................. 109
Switching on/off ........................... 106
Frequencies
Mobile phone ................................. 336
Two-way radio ................................ 336
Front foglamps
Display message ............................ 241
Fuel
Additives ........................................ 341
Consumption information .............. 342
Consumption statistics ..................211
Displaying the current consump-
tion ................................................ 212
Displaying the range ...................... 212
Fuel gauge ....................................... 30
Grade (petrol) ................................ 340
Important safety notes .................. 339
Notes for AMG vehicles ................. 340
Problem (malfunction) ...................161
Quality (diesel) ............................... 34110
Index

Refuelling
....................................... 159
Tank content/reserve fuel ............. 339
Fuel filler flap
Opening/closing ............................ 160
Fuel filter (white display message) . 245
Fuel level Calling up the range (on-board
computer) ...................................... 212
Gauge .............................................. 30
Fuel reserve
see Fuel
Fuel tank
Capacity ........................................ 339
Problem (malfunction) ...................161
Fuses
Allocation chart ............................. 315
Before changing ............................. 314
Fuse box in the engine compart-
ment .............................................. 315
Fuse box in the front-passenger
footwell .......................................... 315
Important safety notes .................. 314G
Gear indicator (on-board computer)

226
Gear or selector lever (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 295
Gearshift program SETUP (on-board computer) .......... 226
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts ........... 21
Glove compartment ..........................269H
Handbrake see Parking brake


Hazard warning lamps ......................108
Display message ............................ 256
Headlamp
Cleaning system (function) ............ 108
Cleaning system (notes) ................345
Headlamps
Misting up ...................................... 111
Topping up the cleaning system .... 289
see Automatic headlamp mode Head restraints
Adjusting ......................................... 94
Adjusting (electrically) .....................95
Adjusting (manually)

........................ 95
Adjusting (rear) ................................ 96
Fitting/removing (rear) ....................96
Heating
see Climate control
High-pressure cleaners .................... 291
Hill start assist .................................. 145
HOLD function Deactivating ................................... 180
Display message ............................ 246
Function/notes ............................. 180 I
Ignition lock see Key positions


Immobiliser .......................................... 69
Indicator and warning lamps Coolant .......................................... 264
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 266
Engine diagnostics .........................264
SPORT handling mode ................... 261
Indicator lamps
Display message ............................ 240
see Warning and indicator lamps
Inspection
see ASSYST PLUS
Instrument cluster
Overview .......................................... 30
Settings ......................................... 220
Warning and indicator lamps ...........32
Instrument cluster lighting .............. 208
Intelligent Light System Activating/deactivating ................. 221
Display message ............................ 242
Overview ........................................ 108
Setting the dipped-beam head-
lamps for driving on the right/left . 221
Interior lighting ................................. 111
Automatic control system .............. 111
Delayed switch-off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 223
Emergency lighting ........................ 112
Manual control ............................... 112
Overview ........................................ 111 Index
11

Reading lamp
................................. 111
Setting the ambient lighting
brightness (on-board computer) .... 222
Interior motion sensor ........................70
ISOFIX child seat securing system ....53 J
Jack Storage location ............................ 299
Using ............................................. 326
Jump starting (engine) ...................... 308K
Key Changing the battery ....................... 76
Checking the battery ....................... 76
Convenience closing feature ............ 85
Convenience opening feature .......... 85
Display message
............................ 256
Door central locking/unlocking ....... 75
Emergency key element ................... 75
Important safety notes .................... 74
Loss ................................................. 78
Modifying the programming .............75
Positions (ignition lock) ................. 143
Problem (malfunction) .....................78
Starting the engine ........................ 144
Key positions (ignition lock) ............143
Kickdown Driving tips .................................... 154
Manual drive program ....................158
Kneebag ............................................... 44L
Lamps see Warning and indicator lamps


Lane Keeping Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 219
Display message ............................ 247
Function/information .................... 199
Lane package ..................................... 197
Lap time (RACETIMER) ......................226
Lashing eyelets ................................. 273
Licence plate lamp (display mes-
sage) ................................................... 241Lighting
see Lights

Lights
Activating/deactivating the Intel-
ligent Light System ........................ 221
Activating/deactivating the inte-
rior lighting delayed switch-off ....... 223
Active light function .......................109
Automatic headlamp mode ............ 105
Cornering light function .................109
Dipped-beam headlamps ............... 105
Display message ............................ 239
Driving abroad ............................... 104
Foglamps ....................................... 106
Foglamps (extended range) ...........109
Hazard warning lamps ................... 108
Headlamp flasher ........................... 108
Headlamp range ............................ 107
Light switch ................................... 105
Main-beam headlamps ................... 107
Motorway mode ............................. 109
Parking lamps ................................ 106
Rear foglamp ................................. 106
Setting the ambient lighting
brightness (on-board computer) .... 222
Side lamps ..................................... 106
Switching Adaptive Highbeam
Assist on/off ................................. 222
Switching the daytime driving
lights on/off (on-board computer) . 221
Switching the daytime driving
lights on/off (switch) ..................... 105
Switching the exterior lighting
delayed switch-off on/off (on-
board computer) ............................ 222
Switching the surround lighting
on/off (on-board computer) ..........222
Turn signals ................................... 107
see Interior lighting
see Replacing bulbs
Light sensor (display message) .......242
LIM indicator lamp Cruise control ................................ 169
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 174
Variable SPEEDTRONIC .................171
Limiting the speed
see SPEEDTRONIC
Loading guidelines ............................26812
Index