Page 321 of 390
318 Spare wheel
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Spare wheel, storage compartment
1Spare wheel
2Storage tray
The spare wheel is located under the trunk floor.Open storage compartment under trunk floor, see
page 209.
To remove the spare wheel:
Turn t he luggage b owl coun ter clock wise an d re move t he
spare wheel.
To store spare wheel:
Place spare wheel in wheel well and secure it with
luggage bowl. Turn luggage bowl clockwise to its stop.
S203.book Seite 318 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 322 of 390
319 Vehicle tools
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Vehicle tools
The vehicle tools are stored in the cargo area behind the
left hand trim panel (2).
To open trim panel:
Press button (1) and fold down the panel (2).3Vehicle tool kit, towing eye bolt, wheel bolts and
jack, special fuse puller, spare fuses (3)
S203.book Seite 319 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 323 of 390
320 Jack
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Vehicle jack
To prepare the jack for use:
Remove the jack from its compartment in cargo area.
Push the crank handle up and turn clockwise until it
engages (operational position).Storing the jack in the cargo area:
Before storing the jack, it should be fully collapsed, with
handle folded in (storage position).
S203.book Seite 320 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 324 of 390

321 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Wheels
Replace rims or tires with the same designation,
manufacturer and type as shown on the original part.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information on tested and recommended rims and tires
for summer and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and purchase.
Tire replacement
Front and rear tires should be replaced in sets. Rims
and tires must be of the correct size and type. For
dimensions, see “Technical Data”.
We recommend that you break in new tires for
approximately 60 miles (100 km) at moderate speed.
Wa r n i n g !
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the
vehi c le a t the j ack take-up b ra ckets b ui lt i nto eit her
side of the vehicle. To help avoid personal injury,
use the jack only to lift the vehicle during a wheel
change. Never get beneath the vehicle while it is
supported by the jack. Keep hands and feet away
from the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels before
raising vehicle with jack.Do n ot d is engage parki n g brake w hil e t he vehi c le i s
raised. Be certain that the jack is always vertical
when in use, especially on hills. Always try to use
the jack on level surface. Be sure that the jack arm
is fully seated in the jack take-up bracket. Always
lower the vehicle onto sufficient capacity
jackstands before working under the vehicle.
S203.book Seite 321 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 325 of 390

322 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
It is imperative that the wheel mounting bolts be
fastened to a tightening torque of 80 ft.lb. (110 Nm)
whenever wheels are mounted.
For rim and tire specifications, refer to “Technical Data”.Rotating wheels
The wheels can be rotated according to the degree of
tire wear while retaining the same direction of travel.
Rotating, however, should be carried out as
recommended by the tire manufacturer, before the
characteristic tire wear pattern (shoulder wear on front
wheels and tread center wear on rear wheels) becomes
visible, as otherwise the driving properties deteriorate.
Notes:
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the wheels any time
you rotate the wheels or wash the vehicle underside.
The use of retread tires is not recommended. Retread
tires may adversely affect the handling characteristics
and safety of the vehicle.
Dented or bent rims can cause tire pressure loss and
damage to the tire beads. For this reason, check rims for
damage at regular intervals. The rim flanges must be
checked for wear before a tire is mounted. Remove
burrs, if any.
Check and ensure proper tire inflation pressure after
rotating the wheels. For tire inflation pressure see
inside of fuel filler flap and also page 274.
Wa r n i n g !
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire tread
is badly worn, or if the tires have sustained
damage, replace them.When replacing rims, use only genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can result in
the bolts loosening and possibly an accident.
S203.book Seite 322 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 326 of 390
323 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Spare wheel
Important!
The spare wheel rim is mounted with a full size tire of
the same type as on the vehicle, and is fully functional.
For additional information, refer to page 366.
Spare wheel bolts
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for steel rims
Note:
Wheel bolts (2) must be used when mounting steel
wheel rim.
Wa r n i n g !
Be sure to use the original length wheel bolts when
remounting the original wheel after it has been
repaired.
S203.book Seite 323 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 327 of 390

324 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Changing wheelsMove vehicle to a level area which is a safe distance
from the roadway.
1. Set parking brake and turn on hazard warning
flasher.
2. Move selector lever to position “P” and turn off
engine.
3. Prevent vehicle from rolling away by blocking
wheels with wheel chocks (not supplied with
vehicle) or sizable wood block or stone. When
changing a wheel on a hill, place chocks on the
downhill side blocking both wheels of the other
axle. On an level road, place one chock in front of
and one behind the wheel that is diagonally
opposite to the wheel being changed.
Wa r n i n g !
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the
vehi c le a t the j ack take-up b ra ckets b ui lt i nto eit her
side of the vehicle. To help avoid personal injury,
use the jack only to lift the vehicle during a wheel
change. Never get beneath the vehicle while it is
supported by the jack. Keep hands and feet away
from the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels before
raising vehicle with jack.
Do n ot d is engage parki n g brake w hil e t he vehi c le i s
raised. Be certain that the jack is always vertical
when in use, especially on hills. Always try to use
the jack on level surface. Be sure that the jack arm
is fully seated in the jack take-up bracket. Always
lower the vehicle onto sufficient capacity
jackstands before working under the vehicle.
S203.book Seite 324 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 328 of 390
325 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 4. Remove the two-piece wheel wrench from the
vehicle tool kit and assemble (see page 320).
5. Using the wrench, loosen but do not yet remove the
wheel bolts.6. Place jack on firm ground. Position jack (1) under
the take-up bracket (2) so that it is always vertical
(plumb-line) as seen from the side, even if the
vehicle is parked on an incline.
The jack take-up brackets are located directly
behind the front wheel housings and in front of the
rear wheel housings.
7. Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is clear of the
ground. Never start engine while vehicle is raised.
P40.10-2427-26
S203.book Seite 325 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13