2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C280 run flat

294 Operation
Tires and wheels
Potential problems associated with
underinflated and overinflated tires
Underinflated tires
Underinflated tires can:

cause excessive and uneven tire wear

adversely affect fuel economy

lead to tire failure from being
overheated

adversely affect handling
characteristicsOverinflated tires
Overinflated tires can:

adversely affect handling
characteristics

cause uneven tire wear

be more prone to damage from road
hazards

adversely affect ride comfort

increase stopping distance
MOExtended system*
The MOExtended system allows you to
continue driving your vehicle even if there
is a total loss of pressure in one or more
tires.
You may only use the MOExtended system
in conjunction with the Run Flat Indicator*
(
page 291).
For information on driving in case of pres-
sure loss in one or more tires (emergency
mode), see the “Practical hints” section
(
page 382).
Warning!G
Follow recommended tire inflation pres-
sures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and / or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from being
overheated.
Warning!G
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride
comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping
distance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road
debris, potholes etc.

341 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Run Flat Indicator
inoperative

The Run Flat Indicator* is malfunc-
tioning or has been switched off due
to an error.Have the Run Flat Indicator* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Check tires
Then restart
Run Flat Indicator

There was a warning message about
a loss in tire inflation pressure and
the Run Flat Indicator* has not been
reactivated yet.Make sure that the correct tire inflation pressure
is set for each tire.
Then reactivate the Run Flat Indicator*.
Tire pressure
Check tires

The Run Flat Indicator* indicates
that the pressure is too low in one or
more tires.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers. Observe
the traffic situation around you.
Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure as
required (
page 290).
If necessary, change the wheel (page 377).
Reactivate the Run Flat Indicator* after adjusting
the tire inflation pressure values (
page 293).
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.

360 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Storing the Minispare wheel
Place Minispare wheel3 in wheel
well.
Place vehicle tool kit storage well
casing4 over the Minispare wheel.
Make sure arrow2 on vehicle tool kit
storage well casing4 points in the
direction of travel.
Place storage well casing (page 356)
over vehicle tool kit storage well
casing4 and turn the retaining screw
(
page 356) clockwise as far it will go
to secure the Minispare wheel.In case of a flat tire, you may temporarily
use the Minispare wheel 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 Minispare wheel mounted.
For more information, see “Rims and Tires”
(
page 403).
Spare wheel bolts
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for Minispare wheel (locat-
ed in trunk with spare wheel)
iArrow2 on vehicle tool kit storage well
casing4 must point in the direction of travel.
Otherwise you cannot place the storage well cas-
ing (
page 356) on top and secure the Minis-
pare wheel with the retaining screw
(
page 356).
!To prevent damage, always disengage trunk
floor handle from upper edge of trunk and lower
trunk floor before closing the trunk lid.
Warning!G
The dimensions of the Minispare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted.
The Minispare wheel should only be used
temporarily, and should be replaced with a
regular road wheel as quickly as possible.
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when mount-
ing the Minispare wheel. The use of any wheel
bolts other than wheel bolts2 for the Minispare
wheel 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.

377 Practical hints
Flat tire
Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle in a safe distance from
moving traffic on a hard, flat surface
when possible.
Turn on the hazard warning flasher
(
page 115).
Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight ahead
position.
Set the parking brake (page 54).
Move the gear selector lever toP
(manual transmission: to first or
reverse gear).
Turn off the engine (page 55).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Mounting the Minispare wheel
Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described
(
page 377).
Take the wheel wrench, alignment bolt,
collapsible wheel chock, and the jack
out of the trunk (
page 356).
Take the Minispare wheel and wheel
bolts out of the trunk (
page 359).
Warning!G
The dimensions of the Minispare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
The Minispare wheel is for temporary use
only. When driving with Minispare wheel
mounted, ensure proper tire inflation
pressure and do not exceed a vehicle speed
of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible to have the Minispare
wheel replaced with a regular road wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one Minispare wheel mounted.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a
Minispare wheel is mounted.
iOpen doors only when conditions are safe to
do so.

380 Practical hints
Flat tire
Mounting the spare wheel
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for Minispare wheel (locat-
ed in trunk with spare wheel)
Clean contact surfaces of wheel and
wheel hub.
Guide spare wheel onto the alignment
bolt and push it on.
Insert wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when mount-
ing the Minispare wheel. The use of any wheel
bolts other than wheel bolts2 for the Minispare
wheel will physically damage the vehicle’s
brakes.
!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
damaged or rusted.
Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.
Damaged wheel hub threads should be
repaired 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 wheel bolts.

381 Practical hints
Flat tire
Unscrew the alignment bolt, install last
wheel bolt and tighten slightly.Lowering the vehicle
Lower vehicle by turning crank
counterclockwise until vehicle is
resting fully on its own weight.
Remove the jack.
1 - 5Wheel bolts
Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly,
following the diagonal sequence
illustrated (1to5), until all bolts are
tight. Observe a tightening torque
of 80 lb-ft (110 Nm).Before storing the jack, it should be fully
collapsed, with handle folded in (storage
position) (
page 358).
Store the jack and the other vehicle
tools in the trunk.
Warning!G
Only use 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.
Warning!G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque
of 80 lb-ft (110 Nm).

382 Practical hints
Flat tire
MOExtended system*
The MOExtended system allows you to
continue driving your vehicle even if there
is a total loss of pressure in one or more
tires.
You may only use the MOExtended system
in conjunction with the Run Flat Indicator*.
!The maximum distance in emergency mode
depends on the vehicle’s load. It is 30 miles
(50 km) if the vehicle is partially loaded and
18 miles (30 km) if the vehicle is fully loaded.
The point at which the maximum driving distance
begins in emergency mode is when the warning
message appears in the multifunction display
indicating that there is a loss of tire inflation
pressure.
Do not exceed the maximum speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).
Warning!G
In emergency mode, your vehicle’s driving
characteristics are diminished in such situa-
tions as:

driving around curves

while braking

while accelerating rapidly
Therefore, your driving style must be adapt-
ed accordingly. Avoid abrupt steering and
driving maneuvers, as well as driving over
obstacles (road curbs, potholes, or off-road
areas). This is especially important if the ve-
hicle is heavily loaded.
The emergency driving distance that can be
achieved greatly depends on the demands
placed on the vehicle. Depending on speed,
load, driving maneuvers, road conditions,
outside temperature, etc., the distance can
be significantly shorter or, if the vehicle is
driven cautiously, somewhat longer.
Do not continue driving in emergency mode
if

you notice knocking sounds

the vehicle starts to shake

smoke develops and you smell rubber

ESP® is intervening continuously

you notice tears on the tire sidewalls
After driving in emergency mode, you must
have the rims inspected by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to check if they are
suitable for further use. The failed tire must
be replaced in any case.
iWhen replacing individual or all tires on the
vehicle, make sure only matching tires marked
with “MOExtended” are mounted in the size
specified for your vehicle (
page 403).

403 Technical data
Rims and Tires
Rims and Tires
!Only use tires which have been tested and
approved for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz.
Tires approved by Mercedes-Benz are developed
to provide best possible performance in conjunc-
tion with the driving safety systems on your vehi-
cle such as ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially
developed for your vehicle and tested and ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz can be identified by
finding the following on the tire’s sidewall:

MO = Mercedes-Benz Original equipment
tires

MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(tires with limited run-flat characteristics)
original equipment tires. Using tires other
than those approved by Mercedes-Benz may
result in damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
iFor information on driving with MOExtended
tires, see “MOExtended system*” (
page 382).
!Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental effects,
such as

poor handling characteristics

increased noise

increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit dimen-
sional variations and different tire deformation
characteristics that could cause them to come
into contact with the vehicle body or axle parts.
Damage to the tires or the vehicle may be the
result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. A placard with the recommended tire in-
flation pressures is located on the driver’s door
B-pillar. Some vehicles may have supplemental
tire inflation pressure information for driving at
high speeds (
page 290) or for vehicle loads
less than the maximum loaded vehicle condition
(
page 290). If such information is provided, it can be found
on the placard located on the inside of the fuel
filler flap. The tire inflation pressure should be
checked regularly and should only be adjusted
on cold tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s mainte-
nance recommendation included with vehicle.
iThe following pages also list the approved
wheel rim and tire sizes for equipping your vehi-
cles with winter tires. Winter tires are not avail-
able as standard or optional factory equipment,
but can be purchased from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire config-
uration on your vehicle (Appearance Package,
Sport Package etc.), equipping your vehicle with
winter tires approved for your vehicle model may
also require the purchase of two or four wheel
rims of the recommended size for use with these
winter tires. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for more information.