
288 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
If a tire constantly loses air, it should be inspected for 
damage.
The spare tire should be checked periodically for 
condition and inflation. Spare tire will age and become 
worn over time even if never used, and thus should be 
inspected and replaced when necessary.
Wa r n i n g !
Follow recommended inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can 
result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they 
are more likely to become punctured or damaged 
by road debris, potholes etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires wear 
unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel 
economy, and are more likely to fail from being 
overheated.Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified 
vehicle capacity weight (as indicated by the label 
on the driver’s door latch post). Overloading the 
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a 
blowout. 

335 Consumer information
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are “AA”, 
“A”, “B”, and “C”. Those grades represent the tire’s 
ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under 
controlled conditions on specified government test 
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked “C” may 
have poor traction performance.Te mp e r a t u r e
The temperature grades are “A” (the highest), “B”, and 
“C”, representing the tire’s resistance to the generation 
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested 
under controlled conditions on a specified indoor 
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can 
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce 
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden 
tire failure. The grade “C” corresponds to a level of 
performance which all passenger car tires must meet 
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of 
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the 
minimum required by law.
Wa r n i n g !
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on 
straightahead braking traction tests, and does not 
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or 
peak traction characteristics.
Wa r n i n g !
The temperature grade for this tire is established 
for a tire that is properly inflated and not 
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or 
excessive loading, either separately or in 
combination, can cause excessive heat build up 
and possible tire failure. 

340 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Exterior lamps  ................................................................ 297
Additional turn signals on the exterior mirror  .... 303
Headlamp assembly  ................................................. 298
High mounted stop lamp  .........................................303
License plate lamps  .................................................. 302
Low and high beam  .................................................. 299
Parking lamps  .................................................. 300, 301
Replacing bulbs ......................................................... 297
Side marker lamp, front ........................................... 303
Standing lamps ................................................. 300, 301
Taillamp assemblies  ................................................. 301
Turn signal lamps  ............................................ 300, 301
FFirst aid kit  ..................................................................... 266
Flat tire
Changing wheels  ......................................................282
Flexible service system (FSS)  .......................................114
Four wheel electronic traction system (4MATIC) with 
electronic stability program (ESP)  ......................... 229
Fuel .................................................................................. 239
Gasoline additives  ....................................................332
Premium unleaded gasoline  ................. 239, 329, 331Fuel cap placement warning  ....................................... 246
Fuel requirements  ......................................................... 331
Fuel reserve warning .................................................... 246
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities  .............. 328
Fuse box
Fuses .......................................................................... 267
Fuses, electrical ............................................................. 267
GGarage door opener  ....................................................... 180
Gasoline
Additives .................................................................... 332
Fuel requirements  .................................................... 331
Premium unleaded  ................................................... 331
General notes on the central locking system  .............. 26
Global locking
Central locking  ............................................................ 27
Glove box  ......................................................................... 163 

346 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
TELE AID - malfunction and warning messages  ...... 263
Telephone ........................................................................ 100
General notes ............................................................. 186
Incoming call  ............................................................. 104
Redialing .................................................................... 102
Telephone book  ......................................................... 100
Telephones and two-way radios ................................... 186
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)  ................................ 187
Tires ................................................................................. 216
Driving instructions  ................................................. 216
Rims and tires  ...........................................................326
Rotating wheels ......................................................... 280
Tire inflation pressure  ............................................. 287
Tire replacement ....................................................... 279
Tire speed rating  ....................................................... 218
Tire traction  ............................................................... 218
Winter driving instructions  .................................... 219
Tool kit
Vehicle tools ............................................................... 277
Tow-away alarm ................................................................ 41
Towing the vehicle ......................................................... 294
Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking .... 296
Traveling abroad  ............................................................ 221
Trip computer  ................................................................. 106
Trip odometer  ................................................................... 91
Turn signal failure  ......................................................... 122Turn signals  ....................................................................122
VVanity mirrors  ................................................................ 161
Vehicle jack  .................................................................... 278
Vehicle tools  ................................................................... 277
Ventilated seats  ................................................................54WWa r n i n g  l a m p s
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster  .............. 88
Warranty Coverage  ....................................................... 322
WASHER FLUID - malfunction and warning
messages ................................................................... 262
What you should know at the gas station  ................. 239
Wheels ............................................................................ 279
Changing ................................................................... 282
Light alloy wheels  ..................................................... 318
Rims and tires  .......................................................... 326
Rotating ..................................................................... 280
Spare wheel ................................................................ 281
Where to find it  ................................................................ 13