Page 372 of 464
372 Practical hintsWhere will I find...?Storing the spare wheel with
collapsible tire
If you wish to store the spare wheel after
use, carry out the following steps. Other-
wise the spare wheel will not fit the storage
compartment.
Unscrew the valve cap from the valve
of the collapsible tire.
Take the valve extractor from the vehi-
cle tool kit (
page 369).
Unscrew the valve insert from the valve
and allow the air to escape.
Screw the valve insert back into the
valve.
Screw the valve cap back on the valve.
Pull the protective wrap provided with
the vehicle tool kit over the spare
wheel.
Store the spare wheel and the valve ex-
tractor in the storage compartment un-
derneath the trunk floor.
Pierce the protective wrap with retain-
ing screw3.
Secure the spare wheel by turning re-
taining screw3 clockwise.
!Make sure the collapsible tire is dry
when storing it.iIt may take a few minutes for the col-
lapsible tire to deflate completely.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the spare wheel with col-
lapsible tire are different from those of the
road wheels. As a result, the vehicle han-
dling characteristics change when driving
with a spare wheel with collapsible tire
mounted.
The spare wheel with collapsible tire should
only be used temporarily, and should be re-
placed with a regular road wheel as quickly
as possible.
Page 373 of 464
373 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
In the case of a flat tire, you may
temporarily use the spare wheel with col-
lapsible tire when observing the following
restrictions:
Do not exceed a vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest tire repair facility
to have the flat tire repaired or
replaced as appropriate.
Do not operate vehicle with more than
one spare wheel with collapsible tire
mounted.
For more information, see “Rims and tires”
(
page 413).
Spare wheel bolts
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for spare wheel with
collapsible tire (located in trunk with
vehicle tool kit)
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting the spare wheel with
collapsible tire. The use of any wheel
bolts other than wheel bolts2 for the
spare wheel with collapsible tire will
physically damage the vehicle’s
brakes. Warning!
G
Make sure to use the original length wheel
bolts when remounting the original wheel
after it has been repaired.
Page 388 of 464
388 Practical hintsFlat tirePreparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.
Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight ahead po-
sition.
Set the parking brake (
page 49).
Move the gear selector lever* toP
(manual transmission to first or reverse
gear).
Turn off the engine (
page 58).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Mounting the spare wheel
iOpen door only when conditions are
safe to do so.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the spare wheel with col-
lapsible tire are different from those of the
road wheels. As a result, the vehicle han-
dling characteristics change when driving
with a spare wheel with collapsible tire
mounted. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
The spare wheel with collapsible tire is for
temporary use only. When driving with spare
wheel with collapsible tire mounted, ensure
proper tire inflation pressure and do not ex-
ceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible to have the spare wheel
with collapsible tire replaced with a regular
road wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel with collapsible tire mount-
ed.
Page 389 of 464
389 Practical hints
Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described
(page 388).
Take the collapsible tire, wheel wrench,
wheel bolts, jack, and electric air pump
out of the trunk (
page 369).Lifting the vehicle
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
(not included) or other sizeable ob-
jects.
One wheel chock is included with the
vehicle tool kit (
page 369).
When changing wheel on a level sur-
face:
Place the wheel chock in front of
and another sizable object behind
the wheel that is diagonally oppo-
site to the wheel being changed.
When changing wheel on a hill:
Place the wheel chock and another
sizable object on the downhill side
blocking both wheels of the other
axle.
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into either side 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. Be 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 vehi-
cle.
Page 390 of 464
390 Practical hintsFlat tire1Wheel wrench
On wheel to be changed, loosen but do
not yet remove the wheel bolts in direc-
tion of arrow (approximately one full
turn with wheel wrench1).
The jack take-up brackets are located di-
rectly behind the front wheel housings and
in front of the rear wheel housings.2Jack
3Take-up bracket
Place jack2 on firm ground.
Position jack2 under take-up
bracket3 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
vehicle is raised.
Warning!
G
Position the jack only on the jack take-up
brackets designed for this purpose.
If the jack is not properly positioned, the ve-
hicle may fall off of the jack.
Warning!
G
The jack is intended only for lifting the
vehicle briefly for wheel changes. It is not
suited for performing maintenance work
under the vehicle.
Never start the engine when the vehicle
is raised.
Never lie down under the raised vehicle.
Page 391 of 464
391 Practical hints
Flat tire
Removing the wheel
4Alignment bolt
Unscrew the upper-most wheel bolt
and remove.
Replace this wheel bolt with alignment
bolt4 supplied in the vehicle tool kit.
Remove the remaining bolts.
Remove the wheel.Mounting the spare wheel
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for spare wheel with
collapsible tire (located in trunk with
spare wheel)
Clean contact surfaces of wheel and
wheel hub.
!Do not place wheel bolts in sand or dirt.
This could result in damage to the bolt
and wheel hub threads.
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting the spare wheel with
collapsible tire. The use of any wheel
bolts other than wheel bolts2 for the
spare wheel with collapsible tire will
physically damage the vehicle’s
brakes. !To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat
against hub and hold it there while in-
stalling first wheel bolt.
Page 392 of 464
392 Practical hintsFlat tire
Guide the spare wheel onto the align-
ment bolt and push it on.
Insert the wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.
Unscrew the alignment bolt, install last
wheel bolt and tighten slightly.
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 au-
thorized 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. Be
sure to use the correct wheel bolts.
Warning!
G
Use only genuine equipment
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts. Other wheel
bolts may come loose.
Do not tighten the wheel bolts when the
vehicle is raised. Otherwise the vehicle
could fall off the jack.
Page 393 of 464
393 Practical hints
Flat tire
Inflating the collapsible tire
1Flap
2Air pump switch
3Electrical plug
4Air hose with pressure gauge and vent
screw
5Union nut
Take the electric air pump out of the
trunk (
page 369).
Open flap1 on air pump.
Pull out electrical plug3 and air hose
with pressure gauge4.
Close vent screw on air hose4.
Remove the valve cap from the tire
valve.
Screw air hose4 with union nut5
onto the collapsible tire valve.
Make sure electric air pump switch2
is set to0.
Insert electrical plug3 into vehicle
cigarette lighter socket.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1.
Warning!
G
Inflate collapsible tire only after the wheel is
properly mounted.
Inflate the collapsible tire using the electric
pump (
page 369) before
lowering the ve-
hicle.
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.
