2015 MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK bonnet

ECO start/stop function
Introduction The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is stop-
ped under certain conditions.
When pulling away again, the engine starts
automatically. The ECO start/stop function
thereby helps you to reduce the fuel con-
sumption and emissions of your vehicle.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving. There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away.
General notes :
ECO start/stop display
The ECO start/stop function is activated
whenever you start the engine using the key
or the Start/Stop button.
If the è ECO symbol is shown in green in
the multifunction display, the ECO start/stop
function switches the engine off automati-
cally once the vehicle stops moving.
If the ECO start/stop function has been man- ually deactivated (Y page 163) or a malfunc-
tion has caused the system to be deactivated, the è ECO symbol is not displayed.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the ECO start/
stop function is only available in drive pro-
gram C. Automatic engine switch-off General notes
The ECO start/stop function is operational
and the
èECO symbol is displayed in
green in the multifunction display, if:
R the indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit
green
R the outside temperature is within the range
that is suitable for the system
R the engine is at normal operating temper-
ature
R the set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached
R the battery is sufficiently charged
R the system detects that the windscreen is
not misted up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on
R the bonnet is closed
R the driver's door is closed and the driver's
seat belt is fastened
If the conditions for automatic engine switch- off are not all fulfilled, the èECO symbol is
shown in yellow.
All of the vehicle's systems remain active
when the engine is switched off automati-
cally.
The engine can be switched off automatically
a maximum of four times (initial stop, then
three subsequent stops) in succession. The
è ECO symbol is shown in yellow in the
multifunction display after the engine has
been started automatically for the fourth
time. When the èECO symbol is shown in
green in the multifunction display, automatic
engine switch-off is again possible.
Vehicles with manual transmission 162
DrivingDriving and parking

Start-off assist (except Mercedes-
AMG vehicles)
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you use start-off assist, individual wheels
may start to spin and the vehicle may skid. If
ESP ®
is deactivated, there is a greater danger
of skidding and having an accident. Make sure that no persons or obstacles are in the area
around the vehicle.
Start-off assist enables optimum acceleration
from a standstill. For this, a suitably high-grip road surface is required, along with the tyresand vehicle being in good condition.
Do not activate start-off assist on public
roads.
Observe the safety notes on driving safety
systems (Y page 69).
Be sure to read the safety notes and informa-
tion on ESP ®
(Y page 73).
Activating start-off assist X
Deactivate ESP ®
(Y page 248).
X Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position.
X Depress the brake pedal firmly with your
left foot and keep the brake pedal
depressed.
X Shift the transmission to position D.
X Use the DYNAMIC SELECT button to select
the Sdrive program (Y page 166).
X Quickly depress the accelerator pedal fully.
X Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum accel-
eration.
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the acceleration
process has ended. ESP ®
will otherwise not
be able to stabilise the vehicle if the vehicle
starts to skid or a wheel starts to spin. Cancelling start-off assist
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
X Reactivate ESP. RACE START (AMG vehicles)
Important safety notes i
RACE START must not be used on normal
roads. RACE START must only be activated and used on dedicated road circuits, out-
side of public road use.
i RACE START is only available in
Mercedes‑AMG vehicles. G
WARNING
If you use RACE START, individual tyres may
get into a spin and the vehicle could skid.
Depending on the selected ESP ®
mode, there
is an increased risk of skidding and having an accident. Make sure that no persons, animals
or obstacles are within range of the vehicle.
RACE START enables optimum acceleration
from a standing start. For this, a suitably high-
grip road surface is required, along with the
tyres and vehicle being in good condition.
i Observe the safety notes on driving safety
systems (Y page 69).
Be sure to read the safety notes and infor-
mation on ESP ®
(Y page 73).
Activation conditions You can activate RACE START if:
R the doors, the bonnet and the boot lid are
closed
R the engine is running and the transmission,
traction control and engine are at operating temperature
R the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead
position
R the vehicle is stationary and the brake
pedal is depressed (left foot) 206
Driving systemsDriving and parking

The segments between the speed of the
vehicle in front and the stored speed light
up. Rev counter
! Do not drive in the overrevving range.
Doing so will damage the engine.
The red band in the rev counter indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
The engine is limited within a range to protect the engine when the red band is reached. Outside temperature display
You should pay special attention to road con-
ditions when temperatures are around freez-
ing point.
Bear in mind that the outside temperature
display indicates the measured air tempera-
ture and not the road surface temperature.
The outside temperature display is in the mul- tifunction display (Y page 241).
There is a short delay before a change in out- side temperature appears in the multifunc-
tion display. Coolant temperature gauge
G
WARNING
If you open the bonnet while the engine is
overheating or while there is a fire in the
engine compartment, you could come into
contact with hot gases or other leaking ser-
vice products. There is a danger of injury.
Allow an overheating engine to cool down
before opening the bonnet. If there is a fire in the engine compartment, leave the bonnet
closed and notify the fire brigade.
The coolant temperature gauge is in the
instrument cluster on the right-hand side
(Y page 30). Under normal operating conditions and with
the specified coolant level, the coolant tem-
perature may rise to 120 †.
At high outside temperatures and when driv-
ing uphill, the coolant temperature may rise
to the end of the scale. Operating the on-board computer
Overview :
Multifunction display
; Right control panel
= Left control panel
X To activate the on-board computer: turn
the key to position 1in the ignition lock.
You can control the multifunction display and
the settings in the on-board computer using
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel. Displays and operation
239On-board computer/Displays Z

Engine
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions +
Top Top
up
upcoolant
coolant See
See
Owner's Manual
Owner's Manual The coolant level is too low.
! Avoid making long journeys with too little coolant in the engine
cooling system. The engine will otherwise be damaged.
X Top up the coolant, observing the warning notes before doing so
(Y page 326).
If you have to top up the coolant frequently:
X Contact a qualified specialist workshop and have the engine
cooling system checked. ? The fan motor is faulty.
X If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid putting the engine under heavy load as you do so, e.g.
driving in mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic. ?
Coolant Stop vehi‐ Coolant Stop vehi‐
cle Switch engine cle Switch engine
off off The coolant is too hot.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
Never drive with an overheated engine. Driving when your engine is overheated can cause some fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire.
In addition, steam from an overheated engine can cause serious
burns, which can occur just by opening the bonnet.
There is a risk of injury.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 184).
X Wait until the engine has cooled down.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
X Do not start the engine again until the display message goes out
and the coolant temperature is below 120 †. The engine may
otherwise be damaged.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display.
If the temperature increases again:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
Under normal operating conditions and with the specified coolant
level, the coolant temperature may rise to 120 †. Display messages
275On-board computer/Displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The engine has stalled while pulling away, e.g. because the clutch
pedal was released too quickly.
X Depress the clutch pedal again.
The engine starts automatically.
X Slowly release the clutch pedal to pull away. Trans. Trans.
oil
oiloverhea‐
overhea‐
ted Drive on with
ted Drive on with
care care Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the transmission oil has overheated.
Manual drive program
Mand the temporarily active manual drive
program are no longer available. Engine power output is reduced.
X Allow the vehicle to cool down. 4matic currently 4matic currently
unavailable unavailable 4MATIC has overheated. The vehicle is only driven by the front
wheels.
X Drive on.
The airflow cools 4MATIC more quickly.
When the display message goes out, 4MATIC is available again
and the vehicle is driven by all four wheels. 4matic inoperative 4matic inoperative 4MATIC is malfunctioning. The vehicle is only driven by the front
wheels.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. A The tailgate is open.
G WARNING
When the engine is running, exhaust gases can enter the vehicle
interior if the tailgate is open.
There is a risk of poisoning.
X Close the tailgate. ? The bonnet is open.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
The open bonnet may then block your view when the vehicle is in
motion.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 184).
X Close the bonnet. 288
Display
messagesOn-board computer/Displays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Active bonnet mal‐
Active bonnet mal‐
function See Own‐ function See Own‐
er's Manual er's Manual The active bonnet (pedestrian protection) is not active due to a
malfunction or because it has already been triggered.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. C At least one door is open. A warning tone also sounds.
X Close all doors. j
Check trailer Check trailer
hitch lock hitch lock The trailer tow hitch is not correctly engaged.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
If the ball coupling is not engaged, the trailer may come loose.
There is a risk of an accident. X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 184).
X Engage the trailer coupling's ball coupling in the end position
(Y page 232). &
inoperative Bat‐ inoperative Bat‐
tery Low tery Low The on-board voltage is too low. The auxiliary heating has switched
itself off or cannot be switched on (Y page 148).
X Drive for a considerable distance.
The battery charges. The auxiliary heating is operational again as
soon as the on-board electrical system voltage is sufficient. &
inoperative inoperative
Refuel
Refuel
vehicle
vehicle There is too little fuel in the fuel tank. The auxiliary heating cannot
be switched on (Y page 148).
X Refuel at the nearest filling station. &
inoperative See inoperative See
Owner's Manual Owner's Manual The auxiliary heating is temporarily malfunctioning or faulty.
If the vehicle is on a level surface and the engine has cooled down:
X Make up to four attempts to switch on the auxiliary heating,
waiting several minutes between each attempt (Y page 148).
If the auxiliary heating does not switch on:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Display
messages
289On-board computer/Displays Z

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning.
The coolant level is too low.
If the coolant level is correct, the airflow to the engine radiator may
be blocked or the electric engine radiator fan may be malfunc-
tioning.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled
sufficiently.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 184).
X Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and top up the coolant, observing the
warning notes (Y page 326).
X If you have to top up the coolant frequently, have the engine
cooling system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
X Do not start the engine again until the coolant temperature is
below 120 †. The engine may otherwise be damaged.
X Drive to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid putting the engine under heavy load as you do so, e.g.
driving in mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic. ?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning. A warning tone
also sounds.
The coolant temperature has exceeded 120 †. The airflow to the
engine radiator may be blocked or the coolant level may be too
low.
G WARNING
The engine is not being cooled sufficiently and may be damaged.
Never drive with an overheated engine. Driving when your engine is overheated can cause some fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire.
In addition, steam from an overheated engine can cause serious
burns, which can occur just by opening the bonnet.
There is a risk of injury.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 184).302
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer/Displays

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). Engine compartment
Bonnet
Important safety notes G
WARNING
An unlocked bonnet may open up when the
vehicle is in motion and block your view. There is a risk of an accident.
Never unlock the bonnet when driving. Before
every trip, ensure that the bonnet is locked. G
WARNING
When being opened and closed, the bonnet
may suddenly fall into the closed position.
There is a risk of injury to persons in the range of movement of the bonnet.
Open and close the bonnet only when nobody
is in the range of movement. G
WARNING
If you open the bonnet while the engine is
overheating or while there is a fire in the
engine compartment, you could come into
contact with hot gases or other leaking ser-
vice products. There is a danger of injury.
Allow an overheating engine to cool down
before opening the bonnet. If there is a fire in the engine compartment, leave the bonnet
closed and notify the fire brigade. G
WARNING
There are moving components in the engine
compartment. Certain components may con-
tinue to move or suddenly move again even
after the ignition has been switched off, e.g.
the radiator fan. There is a risk of injury.
If you have to carry out work in the engine
compartment:
R switch off the ignition
R never touch the dangerous areas surround-
ing moving components, e.g. the rotation
area of the fan
R remove jewellery and watches
R keep items of clothing and hair, for exam-
ple, away from moving parts. G
WARNING
The ignition system and the fuel injection sys- tem operate with a high voltage. If you touch
the live components, you could receive an
electric shock. There is a danger of injury.
Never touch components of the ignition sys-
tem or the fuel injection system when the
ignition is switched on.
Active bonnet (pedestrian protection) Operating principle
! An active bonnet that had been triggered
must be repaired at a qualified specialist
workshop. The active bonnet function will
then be available again. The additional
pedestrian protection provided by the
active bonnet will then be restored.
The active bonnet is only available in certain
countries.
The active bonnet can reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians in certain accident situations.
Raising the active bonnet increases the clear-
ance to hard components, such as the engine.
If the active bonnet has been triggered, it is
raised at the rear in the area around the hinge
by approximately 60 mm.
For the drive to the workshop, reset the trig-
gered active bonnet yourself. If the active 322
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care