285 Operation
Tires and wheels
Checking tire pressure electronically*
(vehicles produced up to approximate-
ly October 2003)
The tire inflation pressure monitor only
functions on wheels that are equipped with
the proper electronic sensors. It monitors
the tire inflation pressure, as selected by
the driver, in all four tires. A warning is is-
sued to alert you to a decrease in pressure
in one or more of the tires.
Tire pressure inquiries are made using the
multifunction display (
page 134). The in-
flation pressures are displayed only after a
few minutes travel time.
You can select the unit of measure used for
the tire inflation pressure by changing the
setting in the control system (
page 134).
Switch on ignition.
Press buttonè orÿ on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the standard display menu ap-
pears in the multifunction display
(page 134).
Press button k orj repeatedly
until you see the current inflation pres-
sures for each tire appear in the dis-
play.
iCheck with an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to determine
the equipment installed in your vehicle.
iPossible differences between the read-
ings of a tire pressure gauge of an air
hose, e.g. gas station equipment, and
the vehicle’s control system can occur.
The readings issued by the control sys-
tem are more precise.
Warning!
G
The tire inflation pressure monitor does not
indicate a warning for wrongly selected in-
flation pressures. Always adjust tire inflation
pressure according to the label on the fuel
filler flap.
The tire inflation pressure monitor is not
able to issue a warning due to a sudden dra-
matic loss of pressure (e.g. tire blowout
caused by a foreign object). In this case
bring the vehicle to a halt by carefully apply-
ing the brakes and avoiding abrupt steering
maneuvers.iOperating radio transmission equip-
ment (e.g. wireless headsets, two-way
radios) in or near the vehicle could
cause the tire inflation pressure moni-
tor to malfunction.
286 OperationTires and wheels
Activating the tire inflation pressure
monitor
You must activate the tire inflation pres-
sure monitor in the following cases:
If you have changed the tire pressure
If you have replaced the wheels or tires
If you have installed new wheels or
tires
Make sure the tire pressure is correctly
set.
Press buttonè orÿ on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the standard display menu ap-
pears in the multifunction display
(page 134).
Press button j or k repeatedly
until you see the current inflation pres-
sures for each tire appear in the display
or the following message appears in
the displayTIRE PRES.
DISPLAY AFTER DRIVING
A FEW MINS.
REACTIVATE USING
R-BUTTON
Warning!
G
Follow recommended tire inflation pres-
sures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured 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 indicat-
ed by the label on the pillar in the driver’s
door opening). Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.
iIf transporting a deflated road wheel or
additional wheel sensors in the vehicle,
the tire inflation pressure monitor
should not be reactivated until the de-
flated wheel or additional wheel sen-
sors have been removed from the
vehicle. Otherwise, the deflated wheel
or additional sensors could cause the
tire inflation pressure monitor system
to malfunction.
287 Operation
Tires and wheels
Press the reset button on the instru-
ment cluster (
page 22).
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:
MONITOR CURRENT TIRE PRESSURE
Press æ button.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:TIRE PRESS. CONTROL ACTIVATED!The tire inflation pressure monitor will
now monitor the tire inflation pressure
values of all four tires.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:TIRE PRES.
DISPLAY AFTER DRIVING
A FEW MINS.
REACTIVATE USING
R-BUTTONThis display appears until the individual
inflation pressure values are matched
with the tires. The individual values are
then displayed (
page 285).If you wish to cancel activation:
Press ç button.
If the following message appears in the
multifunction display:REACTIVATE TIRE
PRES. MONITOR
or
TIRE PRES.
CHECK TIRES!
Check the tire inflation pressures and
correct them if necessary.
Reactivate the tire inflation pressure
monitor.Checking tire pressure electronically*
(vehicles produced as of approximately
October 2003)
The tire inflation pressure monitor only
functions on wheels that are equipped with
the proper electronic sensors. It monitors
the tire inflation pressure, as selected by
the driver, in all four tires. A warning is is-
sued to alert you to a decrease in pressure
in one or more of the tires.
You can call up the tire pressure using the
control system (
page 134).
iCheck with an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to determine
the equipment installed in your vehicle.
335 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Tire pressure monitor messages
(vehicles produced up to approximately
October 2003)Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
H
TIRE PRES.
DISPLAY AFTER DRIVING
A FEW MINS. REACTIVATE
USING R-BUTTON
The tire pressure is being checked.
TIRE PRES. MONITOR
NOT ACTIVE
The tire inflation pressure monitor* is un-
able to monitor the tire pressure due to
the presence of several wheel sensors
in the vehicle.
excessive wheel sensor tempera-
tures.
a nearby radio interference source.
unrecognized wheel sensors mount-
ed.
Check the tire pressure at the next ser-
vice station.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.
336 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
H
TIRE PRES. MONITOR
REACTIVATE!
The tire inflation pressure monitor* is de-
activated.
Activate the tire inflation pressure mon-
itor* (
page 286).
TIRE PRES. MONITOR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The tire inflation pressure monitor* is
malfunctioning.
Have the tire inflation pressure moni-
tor* checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Change the wheel (
page 361).
A wheel without proper sensor was in-
stalled.
Check and correct tire pressure as re-
quired (
page 283).
TIRE PRES.
CAUTION, TIRE DEFECT!
One or more tires are deflating.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrubt steering and braking
maneuvers.
Change the wheel (
page 361).
TIRE PRES.
CHECK TIRES!
The tire pressure in one or more tires is
already below the minimum value.
The tire pressure in one or more tires is
low.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrubt steering and braking
maneuvers.
Change the wheel (
page 361).
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.
343 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
H
TIRE PRES. MONITOR
REACTIVATED
The tire pressure monitor is using the cur-
rent pressure values as the basis for mon-
itoring.
TIRE PRES. MONITOR
CURRENTLY
UNAVAILABLE
The tire inflation pressure monitor* is un-
able to monitor the tire pressure due to:
the presence of several wheen sen-
sors in the vehicle
excessive wheel sensor temperatures
a nearby radio interference source
unrecognized wheel sensors installed
Remove any extra wheel sensors from the
vehicle
As soon as the causes of the malfunction
have been removed, the tire pressure moni-
tor automatically becomes active again.
TIRE PRES. MONITOR
NOT OPERATIONAL
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP
The tire pressure monitor or a wheel sen-
sor is malfunctioning.
Have the tire inflation pressure monitor
checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
A wheel without proper sensor was in-
stalled.
Have the wheels checked.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.