309 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours or
driven no more than one mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.DOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
Certification label located on the driver's
door B-pillar.
GVW (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GWV must never exceed the
GWVR indicated on the Certification label
located on the driver's door B-pillar.
310 OperationTires and wheelsGVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
Certification label located on the driver's
door B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to one psi; another metric unit for
air pressure is bars. There are
100 kilopascals (kPa) to one bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight and production
options weight.Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.PSI (P
ounds per s
quare i
nch)
A standard unit of measure for air pressure
-> bar, kilopascal (kPa).
Recommended tire inflation pressure
Recommended tire inflation pressure
listed on placard located on driver's door
B-pillar for normal driving conditions.
Provides best handling, tread life and
riding comfort.
Rim
A metal support for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire beads are
seated.
Sidewall
The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead.
330 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
l
Only vehicles with Distronic*:
The red distance warning lamp
comes on while driving.
You are too close to the vehicle in front of
you to maintain selected speed.
Apply the brakes immediately to in-
crease the following distance.
l
Only vehicles with Distronic*:
The red distance warning lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
You are gaining too rapidly on the vehi-
cle ahead of you.
The distance warning system has recog-
nized a stationary obstacle on your
probable line of travel.
Apply the brakes immediately.
Carefully observe the traffic situation.
You may need to brake or maneuver to
avoid hitting an obstacle.
v
The yellow ESP warning lamp
flashes while driving.
The ESP or traction control has come into
operation because of detected traction loss
in at least one tire.
Distronic* is deactivated.
When driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.
While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor.
Adapt your speed and driving to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Do not deactivate the ESP. Exceptions:
(page 83).
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of an accident.
391 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment. This method is pref-
erable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with SmartKey in starter switch
turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 87) and the automatic central
locking (
page 162).
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1). Otherwise, the ESP will immedi-
ately be engaged and will apply the rear
wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the selector lever must
be in positionN and the SmartKey
must be in starter switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
428 IndexBattery, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Check lamp 99
Checking the battery 99
Replacing 372
Battery, vehicle 281, 386
Charging 387
Disconnecting 387
Reconnecting 388
Reinstalling 387
Removing 387
Bead 309
Bi-Xenon headlamps 419
Block heater (Canada only) 314
Blocking
Rear window operation 78
Brake assist system (BAS) 419
Brake fluid 271, 414
Brake lamp bulbs 374
Brake lamp, high mounted 374Brake pads
Message in display 343
Brakes 260
High-performance brake system (CL 65
AMG only) 261
Warning lamp 327
Break-in period 258
Bulbs, replacing 373
Additional turn signals 374
Backup lamps 374
Brake lamps 374
Fog lamps 374
Front lamps 374
High beam 374
High mounted brake lamp 374
License plate lamps 374, 378
Low beam 374
Parking lamps 374, 377
Rear fog lamp 374, 377, 378
Side marker lamps 374, 377
Standing lamps 374, 377
Tail lamp assemblies 374, 378
Turn signal lamps 374C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 419
Calling up
Distronic* settings 149
Maintenance service indicator 316
Range (distance to empty) 151
CAN system 420
Canceling
Cruise control 206
Cargo tie-down hooks 230
Catalytic converter 268
CD changer* 144
CD mode 144
CD operation
Selecting tracks 143
Center console 27
Air bag off indicator lamp 334
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp 334
Lower part 28
Upper part 27
Centigrade (°C)
Setting temperature units 156
438 IndexKeys 90
Kickdown 172, 421
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 156
Kilopascal 310
Km/h or mph in speedometer 156
L
Lamp bulbs, exterior 373
Lamps, exterior
Front 374
Light sensor 353
Messages in display 353
Rear 374
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 326
Air bag Off 67
Air bag off indicator lamp 74
Battery (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 98
Battery (SmartKey) 92
Brakes 327CHECK ENGINE 328, 329
Coolant 344
Distronic* 210, 216
Engine diagnostics 328, 329
ESP 330, 331
Front passenger front air bag off 334
Fuel reserve 329
Instrument cluster 326–329,
331–333, 358–??
Seat belts telltale 331
Service indicator 315
SRS 63
Tow-away alarm 88
Turn signals 25
Language
Multifunction display 157
Setting 157
LATCH child seat anchors 77
LATCH child seat mounts 77
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 401
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 323Lever
For cruise control 212
License plate lamps
Replacing bulbs 374, 378
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 322
Light sensor 353
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 239
Lighting 125
Automatic headlamp mode 126
Combination switch 129
Courtesy lighting 132
Daytime running lamp mode 127
Door entry lamps 132
Exterior lamp switch 125
Front fog lamps 128
High beam flasher 129
High beams 129
Instrument cluster illumination 133