2018 MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK steering

speed and
the transmission is in position h
or k.
% Tomanoeuvre with an open driver's door,
open the driver's door while stationary and
engage transmission position hork
again.
% Atvery low outside temp eratures from
appr ox. -20°C you may not be able toshift
th e transmission from jtoano ther trans‐
mission position when the engine is
switched off. If this is the case, only change
th e transmission position while the engine is
ru nning.
En gaging drive position D #
Depress the brake pedal and push the
DIRECT SELECT le ver down past thefirst
point of resis tance.
The transmission position displ aysho wsh
in the multifunction displa y.
When the automatic transmission is in transmis‐
sion position h, it shiftsthege ars automati‐
call y.This depends on thefo llowing factors:
R the selected drive prog ram R
the position of the accelera tor pedal
R the driving speed Manual
gearshifting &
WARNING Risk of skidding and of an
accident due toshifting down on slippery
ro ad sur faces
If yo u shift down on slippery road sur faces to
inc rease the engine braking ef fect, the drive
wheels may lose traction. #
Do not shift down on slippery road sur‐
fa ces toinc rease the engine braking
ef fect. When
the automatic transmission is shif tedto
position h,you can manually shift it with the
st eering wheel gearshift paddle. If permit ted, the
automatic transmission shifts tothe next gear
up or down depending on thesteering wheel
ge arshift paddle being pulled.
Yo u ha vetwo options tomanually shift the auto‐
matic transmission:
R temp orary setting
R permanent setting
The gears shift automatically when manual gear‐
shifting is deactivated. 16 6
Driving and pa rking

#
Toactivate: pullsteering wheel gearshift
paddle 1or2.
Manual gearshifting is activated for a short
time. The cur rent gear is displa yed in the
multifunction displa y.
% How long the manual gearshifting stay s acti‐
va ted is dependant on the driving style. #
Toshift up: pullsteering wheel gearshift
paddle 2. #
Toshift down: pullsteering wheel gearshift
paddle 1.
If yo u pull and hold thesteering wheel gear‐
shift paddle 1,the transmission shifts to
th e lo west possible gear. #
Todeactivate: pullsteering wheel gearshift
paddle 2and hold it in place.
The transmission position happears in the
multifunction displa y.
% Ifyo u select theManual drive setting in
drive prog ram =, manual gearshifting is
permanent lyactivated. Gea
rshift recommendation The
gearshift recommendation assists you in
adopting an economical driving style. #
Ifge arshift recommendation message 1is
shown on the multifunction displa y,shift to
th ere commended gear. Using kickd
own #
Maximum acceleration: depressthe accel‐
erator pedal be yond the pressure point. The automatic transmission shifts up
tothe next
ge ar when the maximum engine speed is
re ached toprotect the engine from overrev ving. Glide mode function
Wi
th an anticipatory driving style, Glide mode
helps youto reduce fuel consum ption.
Glide mode is characterised bythefo llowing:
R the combustion engine is disconnected from
th e driv etra in and the engine continues to
ru n in idle.
R the transmission position his displa yed in
green in the multifunction displa y.
Glide mode is activated if thefo llowing condi‐
tions are me t:
R drive program ;is selected.
R the speed is within a suitable range.
R thero ad's course is suitable, e.g. no steep
uphill or downhill inclines or tight bends.
R there is no trailer coupled tothe trailer hitch,
and no bicycle rack fitted. Driving and pa
rking 167

R
you are no lon ger depressing the accelerator
or brake pedal.
% Glide mode can also be activated if you ha ve
selected the "Eco" setting forth e drive in the
drive prog ram =.
Glide mode is deactivated again if one of the
conditions is no longer met.
Ve hicles with Driving Assistance Package,
Ac tive Di stance Assist DISTRO NIC orActive Brake Assi
st:Glide mode is not acti vated if one
of these sy stems is active.
Glide mode can also be pr evented bythefo llow‐
ing parame ters:
R incline
R downhill gradient
R temp erature
R height R
speed
R operating status of the engine
% Glide mode can be ended bypressing the
ri ght-hand steering wheel gearshift paddle
(→ page 166). Problems with th
e transmissionProblem
Possible causes/consequences and M
MSolutions
The transmission has problems shifting
ge ar. The transmission is losing oil. #
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop immediatel y.
The acceleration characteristics are
de teriorating.
The transmission no longer shifts gear. The transmission is in emer
gency operation mode. #
Pull over and stop theve hicle, paying attention toroad and traf fic conditions. #
Switch the transmission toposition j. #
Switch off the engine. #
Wait at least ten seconds be fore re starting the engine. #
Switch the transmission toposition h. 16 8
Driving and pa rking

Fu
nction of thera dar senso rs Some driving and driving sa
fety sy stems use
ra dar sensors tomonitor the area in front of,
behind or next totheve hicle (depending on the
ve hicle's equipment).
Depending on theve hicle's equipment, thera dar
sensors are integrated behind the bumpers
and/or behind the Mercedes star. Keep these
parts free of dirt, ice and slush (→ page 432).
The sensors must not be co vered, forex ample
by cycle rack s, ove rhanging loads, sticke rs,fo il
or foils toprotect against stone chipping. In the
eve nt of dama getothe bumpers or radiator
grille, or following a collision impacting the
bumpers or radiator grille, ha vethe function of
th era dar sensors checked at a qualified special‐
ist workshop. The driver assis tance sy stem may
no longer workproper ly. Overview of driving sy
stems and driving
saf ety sy stems In
this section, you will find information about
th efo llowing driving sy stems and driving saf ety
sy stems:
R 360° Camera (→ page 221)
R ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
(→ page 185)
R Active Dis tance Assi stDISTRONIC
(→ page 200)
R Adaptive brake lights (→ page196)
R Active Brake Assi st (→page 190)
R Active Lane Keeping Assist (→ page240)
R ATTENTION ASSIST (→ page 231)
R BAS (Brak eAssist System) (→ page186)
R Hill Start Assist
R DYNA MIC BODY CONTROL (→ page214)
R EBD ( Electronic Brakeforc eDistribution)
(→ page 190)
R ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
(→ page 186) R
Speed Limit Assist (→ page 233)
R Active Speed Limit Assi st (→page 204)
R HOLD function (→ page212)
R STEER CONTROL (→ page 190)
R Active Steering Assist (→ page 206)
R Speed limiter (→ page197)
R Active Parking Assist (→ page 225)
R Parking Assist PARKTRONIC ( →page 214)
R Reversing camera (→ page218)
R Cruise control (→ page196)
R Function of Blind Spot Assi stand Active Blind
Spot Assi stwith exitwa rning (→ page 237)
R Traf fic Sign Assi st (→page 235) Fu
nction of ABS (Anti-lock Braking Sy stem) ABS
regulates the brake pressure in critical driv‐
ing situations:
R During braking, e.g. at full brake application
or insuf ficient tyre traction, the wheels are
pr eve nted from lo cking.
R Vehicle steerability while braking is ensured. Driving and parking
18 5

Fu
nction of EBD (Electronic Brake forc e Dis‐
tribution) EBD is
characterised bythefo llowing:
R Monitoring and regulating the brake pressure
on there ar wheels.
R Impr oved driving stability when braking,
especially on bends. Fu
nction of STEER CONT ROL ST
EER CONT ROL helps youby transmitting a
noticeable steering forc eto thesteering wheel in
th e direction requiredforve hicle stabilisation.
This steering recommendation is given pa rticu‐
lar lyin thefo llowing situations:
R both right wheels or bo thleft wheels are on a
we t or slippe ryroad sur face when you brake
R theve hicle starts toskid
Sy stem limitations
ST EER CONTROL may be impaire d or may not
function in thefo llowing situations:
R ESP ®
is deactivated R
ESP ®
is malfunctioning
R thesteering is malfunctioning
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, you will be assis ted
fur ther by the electric po werst eering. Fu
nction of Active Brake Assi st Ac
tive Brake Assi stconsi sts of thefo llowing
functions:
R Distance warning function
R Autonomous braking function
R Situation-dependent braking assi stance
R Vehicles with Driving Assistance Pack‐
age: Evasi veSteering Assist
Ac tive Brake Assi stcan help youto minimise the
ri sk of a collision with vehicles, cyclists or
pedestrians, or reduce the ef fects of su cha colli‐
sion.
If Ac tive Brake Assi sthas de tected a risk of colli‐
sion, a warning tone sounds and theL dis‐
ta nce warning lamp lights up in the instrument
clus ter. If
yo u do not react tothewa rning, autonomous
braking can be initiated in critical situations.
In especially critical situations, Active Brake
Assi stcan initia teautonomous braking direct ly.
In this case, thewa rning lamp and warning tone
occur simultaneously wi th the braking applica‐
tion.
If yo u apply the brake yourself in a critical situa‐
tion or apply the brake during autonomous brak‐
ing, situation-dependent braking assis tance
occu rs. The brake pressure increases up tomax‐
imum full-s top braking if necessar y. If autonomous braking or situation-dependent
braking assist
ance has occur red, display 1 19 0
Driving and pa rking

Situation-dependent braking assistance
Situation-dependent braking assistance may inter vene at speeds starting from appr oxima tely 7 km/h in thefo llowing situations: Ve
hicles
tr av elling in
front St
ationary
ve hicles Crossing
ve
hicles Moving
pedestrians St
ationary
pedestrians Crossing
cycli
sts Cyclists tr
avel‐
ling in front St
ationary
cycli sts
Ve hicles
without Driv‐
ing Assis‐
ta nce pa ck‐
age Up
toappr ox.
250 km/h Up
toappr ox.
80 km/h No
reaction Uptoappr ox.
60 km/h No
reaction Uptoappr ox.
60 km/h Up
toappr ox.
80 km/h No
reaction
Ve hicles with
Driving Assis‐
ta nce pa ck‐
age Up
toappr ox.
250 km/h Up
toappr ox.
10 0 km/h Up
toappr ox.
70 km/h Up
toappr ox.
70 km/h Up
toappr ox.
70 km/h Up
toappr ox.
70 km/h Up
toappr ox.
80 km/h Up
toappr ox.
70 km/h Cancelling a brake application of
Active
Brake Assi st
Yo u can cancel a brake application of Active
Brake Assi stat any time by:
R Fully depressing the accelerator pedal or
with kickdown.
R Releasing the brake pedal. Ac
tive Brake Assi stmay cancel the brake appli‐
cation when one of thefo llowing conditions is
fulfilled:
R You manoeuv retoavoid the obs tacle.
R The reis no longer a risk of collision.
R An obs tacle is no longer de tected in front of
yo ur vehicle. Evasive
Steering Assist (only vehicles with
Driving Assistance Package)
Evasi veSteering Assist has thefo llowing charac‐
te rist ics:
R The ability todetect stationary or moving
pedestrians. 194
Driving and pa rking

R
Assi stance thro ugh po wer-assis tedsteering if
it de tects a swerving manoeuvre.
R Activation byan abrupt steering mo vement
during a swerving manoeuvre.
R Assis tance du ring swerving and stra ightening
of theve hicle.
R Reaction from a speed of appr oximately
20 km/h up toa speed of appr oximately
70 km/h.
Yo u can pr eventthe assis tance at any time by
actively steering. &
WARNING Risk of an accident despi te
Evasive Steering Assist
Evasive Steering Assist cann otalw ays clearly
identify objects and complex traf fic situa‐
tions.
In addition, thesteering support of Evasive
St eering Assist is general lynot su fficient to
avo id a collision. In such cases Evasive
Steering Assist can:
R give an unnecessary warning or pr ovide
assis tance
R not gi veawa rning or not pr ovide assis‐
ta nce #
Alw ays pay careful attention tothe traf‐
fi c situation; do not rely on Ev asive
St eering Assist alone. #
Beready tobrake and take evasive
action, if necessar y. #
Preve ntthe assis tance byactively steer‐
ing in non-critical driving situations. #
Drive at an appropriate speed if pedes‐
trians are close tothe path of your vehi‐
cle. Sy
stem limitations
Fu ll sy stem per form ance is not available for a
fe w seconds af ter switching on the ignition or
af te r driving off The sy
stem may be impaired or may not function
in thefo llowing situations:
R In sno w,rain, fog, heavy spr ay, if there is
gl are, in direct sunlight or in greatlyvarying
light conditions.
R Ifth e sensors are dirty, mis ted up, damaged
or co vered.
R Ifth e sensors are impaired due tointer fer‐
ence from other radar sources, e.g. strong
ra dar reflections in multi-s torey car par ks.
R If a loss of tyre pressure or a defective tyre
has been de tected and displ ayed.
R In complex traf fic situations whe reobjects
cannot always be clearly identified.
R For pede strians or vehicles if they mo ve
qu ickly into the sensor de tection range.
R For pede strians who are hidden by other
objects.
R Ifth e typical outline of a pedestrian cann ot
be distinguished from the bac kground
R If a pedestrian is not de tected as su ch, e.g.
due tospecial clo thing or other objects.
R On bends with a tight radius. Driving and parking
19 5

Setting
Active Brake Assi stRe
quirements:
R The ignition is switched on.
Multimedia sy stem:
, © .
Settings .
Assis-
tance .
Active Brake Assist
The following settings are available:
R Early
R Medium
R Late #
Select a setting.
The setting is retained when the engine is
next star ted.
Deactivating Active Brake Assi st
% It is recommended that you alw ays lea ve
Ac tive Brake Assi stactivated. #
Select Off.
The dis tance warning function, the autono‐
mous braking function and the Evasive Steer‐
ing Assist are deactivated. When
theve hicle is next star ted, the middle
setting is automatically selected.
% IfAc tive Brake Assi stis deactivated, the
æ symbol appears inthest atus bar of the
multifunction displa y. Fu
nction of Adaptive Brake Lights Ad
aptive Brake Lights warnfollowing traf fic in an
emergency braking situation wi th thefo llowing
actions:
R Byflashing the brake lamps
R By activating the hazard warning lights
If th eve hicle is braked sharply from speeds
abo ve50 km/h, the brake lamps flash rapidl y.
This pr ovides traf fic tr avelling behind you with an
ev en more noticeable warning.
If th eve hicle is tr avelling at speeds of more than
70 km/h at the beginning of the brake applica‐
tion, the hazard warning lights switch on once
th eve hicle is stationar y.When you pull away
again, the hazard warning lights will switch off
automatically at appr oximately 10km/h. Yo u can also switch off
the hazard warning lights
using the hazard warning button. Cruise control and limiter
Fu
nction of cruise control
Cruise cont rolre gulates the speed totheva lue
selec tedby the driver.
If yo u accelerate toove rtake, forex ample, the
st ored speed is not dele ted. If youre mo veyour
fo ot from the accelera tor pedal af terov ertaking,
cruise control will resume speed regulation back
to thestored speed.
Cruise contro l is operated using the cor respond‐
ing steering wheel buttons. You can store any
ro ad speed abo ve20 km/h up tothe maximum
ro ad speed or tothe set winter tyre limit.
If yo ufa ilto adapt your driving style, cruise con‐
trol can neither reduce therisk of an accident
nor override the la wsof ph ysics. It cannot take
into account road, weather or traf fic conditions.
Cruise control is only an aid. You are responsible
fo r maintaining a safe dis tance totheve hicle in
front, forve hicle speed, for braking in good time
and forst ay ing in lane. 19 6
Driving and pa rking