Page 301 of 474

300 OperationTires and wheelsSee an 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.Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. The operating safety of the
vehicle cannot be assured when such tires
are used.
Important guidelines
Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.
Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.
Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.
Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire inflation pressure loss and
damage to the tire beads.
If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
inflation pressure and correct as
required.
Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm).
When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted:
The wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged.
The operating clearance of the wheels
and the tires may no longer be correct.
Warning!
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, only use 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.
Page 328 of 474
327
Operation
Tires and wheels
For information on wheel change, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 373) and
(
page 394).Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
80 lb-ft (110 Nm).
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts specified for your vehicle’s rims.
Page 374 of 474
373
Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Where will I find ...?
First aid kit
The first aid kit is stored in the trunk be-
hind the left trim panel.
1 Handles
2 Trim panel
Turn handles 1 clockwise.
Remove the trim panel 2. 3
First aid kit
4 Securing strap
5 To loosen securing strap
Loosen 5 the securing strap 4.
Remove first aid kit 3.
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit and air pump are stored
in the wheel well below the trunk floor.
1 Vehicle jack
2 Air pump
3 Alignment bolt
4 Wheel wrench
5 Towing eye bolt
6 Collapsible wheel chock
7 Wheel bolts (under cover)
8 Gloves
iCheck expiration dates and contents
for completeness at least once a year
and replace missing/expired items.
Page 377 of 474

376 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?Storing the spare wheel
If you wish to store the spare wheel after
use, carry out the following steps. Other-
wise the spare wheel will not fit the wheel
well.
Unscrew the valve cap from the valve
of the spare wheel.
Carefully push the tip of the valve cap
into the spare wheel valve and allow
the air to escape.
Screw the valve cap back on the valve.
Place spare wheel1 in wheel well.
Turn retaining screw 3 clockwise to
its stop to secure the spare wheel.
Install the trunk floor. Spare wheel bolts
1 Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2 Wheel bolt for light alloy spare wheel
rim size 4
1/2B x15 H2 For more information on model and spare
wheel rim size, see “Technical data”
section (
page 422).
iIt may take a few minutes for the col-
lapsible tire to deflate completely.
!Wheel bolts
2 must be used when
mounting spare wheel rim
size 4
1/2Bx15 H2 (
page 422).
The use of any wheel bolts other than
wheel bolts 2 for spare wheel rim
size 4
1/2B x15 H2 can cause physical
damage to the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Make sure to use the original length wheel
bolts when remounting the original wheel af-
ter it has been repaired.
Page 396 of 474

395
Practical hints
Flat tire
Lifting the vehicle
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
or other sizable objects.
One wheel chock is included with
vehicle tool kit (
page 373).
When changing wheel on a level surface:
Place the wheel chock (located in the
vehicle tool kit) in front of and another
sizable object behind the wheel that is
diagonally opposite to the wheel being
changed.
When changing wheel on a hill:
Place the wheel chock and other size-
able object on the downhill side block-
ing both wheels of the other axle.
Take the two-piece wheel wrench and
the jack out of the vehicle tool kit
(page 373). Assemble wheel wrench.
On wheel to be changed, loosen but do
not yet remove the wheel bolts
(approximately one full turn with
wrench).
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides 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 not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use, es-
pecially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure 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.
Page 397 of 474

396 Practical hintsFlat tireThe jack take-up brackets are located
directly behind the front wheel housings
and in front of the rear wheel housings.1 Jack
2 Crank
3 Take-up bracket
Place jack on firm ground.
Position jack 1 under the take-up
bracket 3 so that it is always vertical
(plumb-line) as seen from the side,
even if the vehicle is parked on an
incline.
Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is a
maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm) from the
ground. Never start engine while vehi-
cle is raised. Removing the wheel
1 Alignment bolt
Unscrew upper-most wheel bolt and
remove.
Replace this wheel bolt with the align-
ment bolt 1 supplied in the tool kit.
Remove the remaining bolts.
Remove the wheel.
Warning!
G
The jack is intended only for lifting the
vehicle briefly for wheel changes. It is not
suited for performing maintenance work un-
der the vehicle.
Never start the engine when the vehicle
is raised.
Never lie down under the raised vehicle.
!Do not place wheel bolts in sand or dirt.
This could result in damage to the bolt
and wheel hub threads.
Page 398 of 474

397
Practical hints
Flat tire
Mounting the spare wheel
1 Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2 Wheel bolt for light alloy spare wheel
rim size 4
1/2B x15 H2
Clean contact surfaces of wheel and
wheel hub.
Guide the spare wheel onto the align-
ment bolt and push it on.
Insert wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.
Inflate the spare tire using the electric
air pump (
page 398).
!Wheel bolts 2 must be used when
mounting spare wheel rim
size 4
1/2Bx15 H2 (
page 422).
The use of any wheel bolts other than
wheel bolts 2 for spare wheel rim
size 4
1/2B x15 H2 can cause physical
damage to the vehicle.
!To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat
against hub and hold it there while
installing first wheel bolt.Warning!
G
Always replace wheel bolts that are dam-
aged or rusted.
Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.
Damaged wheel hub threads should be re-
paired immediately. Do not continue to drive
under these circumstances! Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Incorrect wheel bolts or improperly tight-
ened wheel bolts can cause the wheel to
come off. This could cause an accident.
Make sure to use the correct mounting
bolts.
Warning!
G
Inflate spare wheel with collapsible tire only
after the wheel is properly mounted.
Inflate the spare wheel tire using the electric
air pump before lowering the vehicle.
Page 399 of 474
398 Practical hintsFlat tire
Unscrew the alignment bolt, install last
wheel bolt and tighten slightly.Inflating the spare tire
Take the electric air pump out of the
trunk.
1 Flap
2 On/off switch
3 Electrical plug
4 Air hose with pressure gauge and vent
screw
5 Union nut
Warning!
G
Use only genuine equipment
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts. Other wheel
bolts may come loose.
Do not tighten the wheel bolts when the ve-
hicle is raised. Otherwise the vehicle could
fall off the jack.
Warning!
G
Inflate spare wheel with collapsible tire only
after the wheel is properly mounted.
Inflate the spare wheel tire using the electric
air pump before lowering the vehicle.Warning!
G
Observe instructions on air pump label.!Do not lower the vehicle before inflat-
ing the collapsible tire. Otherwise the
rim may be damaged.