2015 MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK towing

Index
....................................................... 4Introduction
......................................... 22 At a glance
........................................... 27 Safety
................................................... 39 Opening and closing
...........................81 Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
..105 Lights and windscreen wipers
.........119 Climate control
................................. 135 Driving and parking
..........................155 On-board computer/Displays
..........237 Stowing and features
.......................305 Maintenance and care
......................321 Breakdown assistance
.....................337 Wheels and tyres
.............................. 357 Technical data
................................... 393 Contents
3

1, 2, 3 ...
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) see ETS/4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tion System)
4MATIC
Display message ............................ 288
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 208
12 V socket
see Sockets A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 258
Function/notes ................................ 69
Important safety notes .................... 69
Warning lamp .................................2 95
Accident
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 57
Activating/deactivating air-recir-
culation mode ................................... .146
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 141
Active Parking Assist
Detecting parking spaces .............. 213
Display message ............................ 279
Exiting a parking space .................. 216
Function/notes ............................ .212
Important safety notes .................. 212
Parking .......................................... 214
Towing a trailer .............................. 212
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 77
Adaptive Brake Assist
Function/notes ................................ 72
Adaptive brake lights .......................... 73
Adaptive Damping System
Function/notes ............................ .207
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Display message ............................ 274
Function/notes ............................ .123
Switching on/off ........................... 124
Additional speedometer ................... 250
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 401
Adjusting the headlamp range ......... 122Air conditioning
General notes ................................ 136
Air filter (white display message) .... 277
Air pressure
see Tyre pressure
Air vents
Important safety notes .................. 153
Rear ............................................... 154
Setting the centre air vents ........... 154
Setting the side air vents .............. .154
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Airbag
Automatic front-passenger front
airbag deactivatio n .......................... 49
Introduction ..................................... 46
PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator
lamps ............................................... 41
Airbags
Display message ............................ 270
Front airbag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 47
Important safety guidelines ............. 46
Kneebag .......................................... .48
Sidebag ............................................ 48
Triggering ......................................... 55
Windowbag ...................................... 49
Alarm
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) ......... 78
Switching off (ATA) .......................... 78
Switching the function on/off
(ATA) ................................................ 78
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
AMG
Performance Seat .......................... 111
RIDE CONTROL sports suspen-
sion ................................................ 207
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 254
AMG Performance exhaust sys-
tem ..................................................... 164
Anti-glare film .................................... 319
Anti-lock braking system
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Aquaplaning ....................................... 1904
Index

Ashtray
.............................................. .315
Assistance display (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .248
Assistance menu (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .247
ASSYST PLUS
Displaying a service message ....... .328
Driving abroad ............................... 329
Hiding a service message .............. 328
Information about Service ............. 328
Resetting the service interval dis-
play ................................................ 328
Service message ............................ 327
Special service requirements ......... 328
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ................... 78
Function .......................................... .78
Switching off the alarm .................... 78
ATTENTION ASSIST
Activating/deactivating ................. 249
Display message ............................ 278
Function/note s............................. 222
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 245
Authorised workshop
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 274
see Lights
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 163
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 162
Automatic front-passenger front
airbag deactivation
Display message ............................ 270
Automatic front-passenger front
airbag deactivation system
Operation ......................................... 50
Problems ......................................... 54
System self-test ............................... 52
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 120
Automatic transmission
Accelerator pedal position ............. 174
Changing gear ............................... 174
DIRECT SELECT lever ..................... 169
Drive program display .................... 170
Drive programs .............................. 175 Driving tips .................................... 174
DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehi-
cles except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles) ............................................... 166
DYNAMIC SELECT controller
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles) .............. 167
Emergency running mod e.............. 180
Engaging drive position .................. 172
Engaging neutral ............................ 171
Engaging park position
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles) .............. 173
Engaging park position automati-
cally ............................................... 171
Engaging reverse gear ................... 171
Engaging the park position ............ 170
Holding the vehicle stationary on
uphill gradients .............................. 174
Kickdown ....................................... 174
Manual shifting .............................. 177
Oil temperature (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ..... 254
Overview ........................................ 169
Problem (fault) ............................... 180
Pulling away ................................... 160
Selector lever ................................ 172
Starting the engine ........................ 160
Steering wheel gearshift paddle s... 177
Trailer towing ................................. 175
Transmission position display ........ 172
Transmission position display
(DIRECT SELECT lever) ................... 170
Transmission positions .................. 173
Automatic transmission emer-
gency running mode ......................... 180
Auxiliary heating
Activating/deactivating ................. 149
Activating/deactivating (on the
centre console ).............................. 149
Remote control .............................. 149
Setting ........................................... 252
Auxiliary heating/ventilation
Display message ............................ 289
Important safety notes .................. 148
Problem (display message) ............ 153
Setting the departure time ............. 151
Auxiliary ventilation
Activating/deactivating ................. 149 Index
5

Activating/deactivating (on the
centre console) .............................. 149
Remote contro l.............................. 149
Axle load, permissible (trailer tow-
ing) ...................................................... 406 B
Bag hook ............................................ 311
Ball coupling
Folding in ....................................... 233
Folding out ..................................... 232
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 70
Battery (key)
Checking .......................................... 86
Important safety notes .................... 85
Replacing ......................................... 86
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 347
Display message ............................ 276
Important safety notes .................. 344
Jump starting ................................. 348
Belt
see Seat belts
Belt tensioner
Activation ......................................... 55
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 249
Display message ............................ 279
Notes/function .............................. 226
Trailer towing ................................. 228
Bonnet
Active bonnet (pedestrian protec-tion) ............................................... 322
Closing ........................................... 324
Display message ............................ 288
Important safety notes .................. 322
Opening ......................................... 323
Boot lid
see Tailgate
Boot load (maximum) ........................ 404
Brake
EBD .................................................. 77
Brake Assist
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 265 Notes ............................................. 402
Brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamps
Adaptive ........................................... 73
Changing bulb s.............................. 128
Display message ............................ 272
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 69
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 72
BAS .................................................. 70
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 402
Display message ............................ 258
Driving tips .................................... 189
Hill start assist ............................... 161
HOLD function ............................... 204
Important safety notes .................. 189
Parking brake ................................ 185
Warning lamp ................................. 294
Breakdown
Where will I find...? ........................ 338
see Flat tyre
see Tow-starting
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 30
Buttons on the steering column ...... 239 C
Calling up a fault see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Car wash (care) ................................. 329
Care
Automatic car wash ....................... 329
Carpets .......................................... 335
Display ........................................... 334
Exhaust pipe .................................. 333
Exterior lighting ............................. 332
Gear or selector lever .................... 334
High-pressure cleaner .................... 330
Interior ........................................... 334
Matt paintwork .............................. 331
Note s............................................. 329
Paint .............................................. 330 6
Index

Emergency locking ........................... 92
Emergency unlocking ....................... 91
Important safety note s.................... 89
Opening (from the inside) ................ 89
Drive program
Display ........................................... 172
Display (DIRECT SELECT lever) ...... 170
Manual transmission ...................... 169
Drive programs
Automatic transmission ................. 175
Driver's door
see Door
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service ................. 329
Symmetrical dipped beam ............. 120
Driving on flooded roads .................. 191
Driving safety system
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
PLUS ................................................ 70
EBD (electronic brake force distri-bution) ............................................. 77
STEER CONTROL ............................. 77
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....... 69
ADAPTIVE BRAK E............................. 77
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 72
Adaptive brake lights ....................... 73
BAS (Brake Assist System) .............. 70
Distance warning function ............... 71
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 73
Important safety guidelines ............. 69
Overview .......................................... 69
Driving system
Start-off assis t............................... 206
Driving systems
Active Parking Assist ..................... 212
AMG RIDE CONTROL sports sus-
pension .......................................... 207
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................ 222
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 226
Cruise control ................................ 191
Display message ............................ 278
Distronic Plus ................................ 196
HOLD function ............................... 204
Lane Keeping Assist ...................... 228
Lane package ................................ 226
PARKTRONIC ................................. 209 RACE START (AMG vehicles) .......... 206
Reversing camera .......................... 217
SPEEDTRONIC ............................... 194
Traffic Sign Assist .......................... 223
Driving tips
Aquaplaning ................................... 190
Automatic transmission ................. 174
Brakes ........................................... 189
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 203
Downhill gradient ........................... 189
Driving abroad ............................... 120
Driving in winter ............................. 191
Driving on flooded roads ................ 191
Driving on wet roads ...................... 190
Fuel ................................................ 188
General .......................................... 187
Icy road surfaces ........................... 191
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 190
New brake pads/linings ................ 190
Running-in tip s............................... 156
Snow chains .................................. 361
Symmetrical dipped beam ............. 120
The first 1500 km .......................... 156
Towing a trailer .............................. 231
Wet road surface ........................... 190
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 245
DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehi-
cles except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles) .................................................... 166
DYNAMIC SELECT controller
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ................. 167
DYNAMIC SELECT switch
Climate control (air conditioning) .. 138
Climate control
(THERMOTRONIC) .......................... 140 E
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution) Display message ............................ 260
Function/note s................................ 77
ECO display
Function/note s............................. 188
On-board computer ....................... 242 Index
9

Transmission oil (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ..... 254
TEMPOMAT
Function/notes ............................. 191
Through-loading ................................ 309
Timing (RACETIMER) .........................254
TIREFIT kit .......................................... 341
Tyre pressure not reached ............. 343
Tyre pressure reached ................... 343
Top Tether ............................................ 60
Total distance recorder .................... 242
Tow-away protection
Activating ......................................... 78
Deactivating ..................................... 79
Function .......................................... .78
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 354
Fitting the towing eye .................... 352
Important safety notes .................. 350
Removing the towing eye ............... 352
Towing
Important safety notes .................. 350
Notes for 4MATIC vehicles ............ 354
Transporting the vehicle ................ 353
Towing a trailer
Active Parking Assist ..................... 212
Axle load, permissibl e.................... 406
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 76
Failure check for LEDs ................... 234
General notes ................................ 231
Pulling away with a traile r.............. 161
Trailer tow hitch display message .. 289
Towing away
Fitting the towing ey e.................... 352
Removing the towing eye ............... 352
With both axles on the ground ....... 353
With front axle raised ..................... 352
Towing eye ......................................... 339
Traffic Sign Assist
Activating ....................................... 224
Activating/deactivating the warn- ing function .................................... 248
Display message ............................ 280
Function/note s............................. 223
Important safety notes .................. 224
Instrument cluster display ............. 224 Trailer coupling
see Towing a trailer
Trailer towing
7-pin connecto r............................. 234
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 228
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch ......... 333
Coupling up a traile r...................... 233
Decoupling a trailer ....................... 233
Driving tips .................................... 231
Folding in the ball coupling ............ 233
Folding out the ball coupling .......... 232
Important safety notes .................. 229
Lights display message .................. 271
Mounting dimensions .................... 405
Power supply ................................. 234
Trailer load s................................... 406
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
see Manual transmission
Transmission position display
(DIRECT SELECT lever) ...................... 170
Transporting the vehicle .................. 353
Trim pieces (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 335
Trip computer (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 242
Trip meter
Calling up ....................................... 242
Resetting (on-board computer) ...... 243
Turn signals
Changing bulbs (front) ................... 128
Changing bulbs (rear) .................... 128
Switching on/of f........................... 122
TV
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 246
see Separate operating instructions
Two-way radio
Frequencies ................................... 394
Installation ..................................... 394
Transmission output (maximum) .... 394
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
Tyre pressure
Calling up (on-board computer) ..... 364
Display message ............................ 283
Not reached (TIREFIT) .................... 343
Reached (TIREFIT) .......................... 343
Recommended ............................... 362 Index
19

G
WARNING
If you leave children unattended in the vehi-
cle, they may be able to set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake
R shift the automatic transmission out of park
position Por shift manual transmission into
neutral
R start the engine
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave
children unattended in the vehicle. G
WARNING
If persons (particularly children) are exposed
to heat or cold for a prolonged period, there is a risk of serious or even fatal injuries. Never
leave persons (particularly children) unatten-
ded in the vehicle. G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is placed in direct sunlight, the parts could become very hot.
Children could be suffer burns by touching
these parts, in particular on the metallic parts
of the child restraint system. There is a risk of injury.
If you and your child leave the vehicle, always
make sure that the child restraint system is
not in direct sunlight. Cover it with a blanket, for example. If the child restraint system has
been exposed to direct sunlight, leave it to
cool down before securing the child in it.
Never leave children unattended in the vehi-
cle.
Always ensure that all vehicle occupants have their seat belts fastened correctly and are sit-
ting properly. Particular attention must be
paid to children.
Observe the safety notes on the seat belt
(Y page 42) and the information on the cor-
rect use of the seat belt (Y page 44). Child restraint system
If you fit a rearward-facing child restraint sys- tem to the centre rear seat, the rear arm restmust be folded back as far as possible.
Observe the instructions for correct use of
the child restraint system (Y page 62).
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use a child restraint sys- tem recommended by Mercedes-Benz
(Y page 66). G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is incorrectly fit-
ted on the seat position suitable for this pur-
pose, it cannot perform its intended protec-
tive function. In the event of an accident,
sharp braking or a sudden change in direction, the child may not be held securely. There is an
increased risk of serious or even fatal injuries.
Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions and the correct use for the child
restraint system. Make sure that the entire
surface of the child restraint system is resting
on the seat surface. Never place objects
under or behind the child restraint system,
e.g. cushions. Only use child restraint sys-
tems with the original cover designed for
them. Only replace damaged covers with gen- uine covers. G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is fitted incor-
rectly or is not secured, it can come loose in
the event of an accident, heavy braking or a
sudden change in direction. The child
restraint system could be thrown about, strik- ing vehicle occupants. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always fit child restraint systems properly,
even if they are not being used. Make sure
that you observe the child restraint system
manufacturer's installation instructions.
You will find further information on stowing
objects, luggage and loads securely under
"Loading guidelines" (Y page 306).58
Children in the vehicleSafety

G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilise the vehicle. In addition, other driving
safety systems are switched off. This increa-
ses the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Vehicles without 4MATIC: when towing
away your vehicle with the front axle raised,
please observe the notes on ESP ®
(Y page 352).
If the å ESP®
OFF warning lamp lights up
continuously, ESP ®
is deactivated.
If the ÷ ESP®
warning lamp and the å
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 297) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 258).
Only use wheels with the recommended tyre
sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function properly.
Characteristics of ESP ®General notes
If the
÷ ESP warning lamp goes out before
beginning the journey, ESP ®
is automatically
active.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X When pulling away, only depress the accel-
erator pedal as far as is necessary.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
ECO start/stop function
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle stops
moving. When pulling away again, the engine starts automatically. ESP
®
remains in its pre-
viously selected status. Example:if ESP®
was deactivated before the engine was
switched off, ESP ®
remains deactivated when
the engine is switched on again.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(except
Mercedes‑AMG vehicles) Important safety notes
You can select between the following sta-
tuses of ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
is activated
R ESP ®
is deactivated G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilises the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehi-
cle if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel
starts to spin.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
You can deactivate or activate ESP ®
via the
on-board computer (Y page 248).
ESP ®
deactivated:
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
ESP ®
activated:
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. 74
Driving safety systemsSafety