333 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire type code
The code4 (
page 332) may, at the
option of the manufacturer, be used as a
descriptive code for identifying significant
characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture
The date of manufacture5 (
page 332)
identifies the week and year of manufac-
ture.
The first two figures identify the week,
starting with “01” to represent the first full
week of the calendar year. The second two
figures represent the year.
For example, “3202” represents the 32nd
week of 2002.
Maximum tire load
1Maximum tire load rating
The maximum tire load is the maximum
weight the tires are designed to support.For more information on tire load rating
(
page 328)
For information on calculating total and
cargo load capacities (
page 317).
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires is specific to each vehicle
and may vary from data shown in above
illustration.
Warning!
G
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit or vehicle capacity
weight as indicated on the placard located
on the driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also
result in handling or steering problems, or
brake failure.
336 OperationTires and wheelsTemperature
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance 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 tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive 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 Mo-
tor 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.
Tire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.
Warning!
G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires is specific to each vehicle
and may vary from data shown in above
illustration.
337 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.
489 Index
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 449
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 354
Level control system*
Airmatic DC* 247
Lever
For cruise control 239
License plate lamps 418
Messages in display 394
Replacing bulbs 422
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 353
Light sensor 394
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 269Lighting 133
Automatic headlamp mode 134
Combination switch 137
Daytime running lamp mode 134
Door entry lamps 140
Exterior lamp switch 133
Front fog lamps 136
High beams 137
Instrument cluster illumination 142
Interior 139
Locator lighting 136
Low beam 133
Manual headlamp mode 134
Night security illumination 136
Parking lamps 133
Rear fog lamp 137
Settings (control system) 162
Trunk lamp 141
Limiting the gear range 177
Limp Home Mode 185
Loading 254
Cargo tie-down rings 261
Instructions 260
Roof rack* 254
Ski sack* 254
Split rear bench seat* 257Loading terminology 337
Loading the vehicle 314
Locator lighting 136
Setting 163
Lock button 473
Door handle (KEYLESS-GO*) 58
Locking 55, 98
Fuel filler flap 299
Global with KEYLESS-GO* 105
Global, SmartKey 100
Vehicle in an emergency 411
Loss of SmartKeys 102, 108
Low beam headlamps 50
Messages in display 394
Replacing bulbs 418
Switching on 50
Lowering
Vehicle 431
M
Main Dimensions 459
Maintenance 12
492 IndexOperating
CD player 151
Radio 150
Safety 16
Telephone* 171
Vehicle outside the USA and
Canada 13
Operating safety 16
Operation
Garage door opener 284
Integrated remote control 284
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings 350
Outside temperature indicator 144
Overdue maintenance service 343
Overhead control panel 29
Garage door opener 279
Overspeed range 474
P
Paintwork 349
Panic alarm 84
Panic button on SmartKey 84
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof* 226
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 262
Parking 55Parking brake 48, 55
Engaging 55
Message in display 381
Releasing 48
Parking lamps 418
Switching on 133
Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 132, 168,
187
Parktronic system* 474
Warning sounds 253
Parktronic*
Malfunctioning 253
Sensor 351
Parts service 446
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp 365
Passenger compartment
Fuse box 443
Interior lighting 139
Interior rear view mirror 41
Passenger safety see Occupant
safety 60
Pedals 287
Phone book*
Loading 172
Quick search 173Phone number*
Dialing 172
Redialing 173
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 354
Pliers, universal (vehicle tool kit) 409
Poly-V-belt drive 474
Positions (Memory function)
Recalling from memory 131
Positions (Memory function*)
Storing into memory 131
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 326
Power assistance 288
Power seat
Adjusting backrest tilt 38
Adjusting head restraint height 39
Adjusting head restraint tilt 39
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 38
Adjusting seat height 38
Memory function 130
Removing/installing head
restraints 123
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38
Power train 474
Power washer 349
496 IndexSettings
Calling up Distronic* 152, 238
Convenience functions 167
Factory, KEYLESS-GO* 105
Factory, SmartKey 99
Individual 168
Lighting (control system) 162
Menus and submenus 147
Resetting all (control system) 154
Resetting in the submenu 155
Selective 100, 106
Settings menu
Functions in 154
Individual vehicle settings 154
Submenus 155
Shift lock 475
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 178
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission) 176
Side impact airbags 66
Side marker lamps 418, 422Side windows
Automatic opening 219
Cleaning 352
Closing 218, 219
Opening 218
Opening fully (Express-open) 219
Stopping 220
Synchronizing power windows 220
Sidewall 338
Simultaneous wiping and washing
Windshield wipers 52
Single wipe 52
Ski sack* 254
Removing 257
Unfolding and loading 254
Unloading and folding 256
Sliding/pop-up roof* 223
Closing 223
Opening 223
Stopping 225, 229
Synchronizing 225
Sliding/pop-up roof* or panorama slid-
ing/pop-up roof*
Emergency operations 414SmartKey 98
Battery check lamp 100, 106
Checking the batteries 101, 107
Factory setting 99
Global locking 100
Global locking and unlocking 99
Global unlocking 99
Locking and unlocking 98
Loss of 102
positions in starter switch 33
Remote controls 98, 102
Restoring to factory setting 100, 106
Selective setting 100, 106
Starting the engine 46, 47
Unlocking with 32
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 102
Global locking and unlocking 105
Loss of 108
Messages in display 391
Remote controls 102
Turning off the engine 57
Unlocking with 33
SmartKey-dependent memory
Settings 168
498 IndexSwitching off
Automatic central locking (control
system) 166
Engine 56
ESP 89
Hazard warning flasher 138
Headlamps 56
Seat heating* 128
Switching on
Automatic central locking (control
system) 166
ESP 90
Front fog lamps 136
Hazard warning flasher 138
Headlamps 50
High beams 137
Parking lamps 133
Rear fog lamp 137
Seat heating* 128
Windshield wipers 51
Symbol (Distronic*)
Distance warning function* 152Synchronizing
ESP 372
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof* 229
Power windows 220
Sliding/pop-up roof* 225
Time 160
T
Tachometer 144
Displaying gear range 177
Overspeed range 144
Tail lamps 422
Tar stains 349
Tele Aid
Messages in display 403, 404
Tele Aid System 475Tele Aid* 271
Emergency calls 273
Information 276
Initiating an emergency call
manually 274
Remote door unlock 278
Roadside Assistance 275
Stolen vehicle tracking services 279
System self-check 272
Tele Aid System 271
Upgrade signals 277
Telematics* 475
Telephone* 26, 270
Answering a call 172
Dialing a number from the phone
book 172
Ending a call 172
Loading phone book* 172
Messages in the display 405
Operating 171
Redialing 173
499 Index
Temperature
Display mode 157
Sensor 29
Setting interior temperature 197
Setting units in display 157
Tires 321
The coolant level is correct if the
level 308
Tie-down rings (trunk) 261
Tightening torque 431, 475
Time
Setting hours 160
Setting minutes 160, 161
TIN 339
Tire
Vehicle maximum load on 339
Tire and Loading Information 315
Tire and loading terminology 337
Tire care and maintenance 312
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 320
Setting units 159
Tire inflation pressure see the placard on
the fuel filler flap
Tire inspection 312Tire load rating 339
Tire ply composition and material
used 339
Tire speed rating 329, 339, 476
Tire terminology 337
Tire traction 292
Tires
Direction of rotation 314
Driving instructions 290
Messages in display 399
Messages in the display 396, 397,
398
Retreads 311
Rotating 340
Service life 312
Temperature 321, 336
Tire pressure monitor warning
lamp* 363
Tread depth 313, 341
Wear pattern 340
Winter 341
Tires and wheels
Tire inflation pressure 322
Tools 409Tow-away alarm 95
Arming 95
Disarming 95
Disarming for transport 95
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 442
Towing the vehicle 439
Tracking services
For stolen vehicle 279
Traction 180, 339, 476
Transmission fluid level 308
Tread 339
Tread depth 313
Tread depth (tires 341
Treadwear indicators 339
Trip computer 170
Trip odometer
Resetting 143