2007 MERCEDES-BENZ E550 4MATIC Owner's Manual

344 OperationTires and wheels
Reactivating the Run Flat Indicator
The tire inflation pressure monitor must be
reactivated in the following situations:

If you have changed the tire inflation
pressure


If you have replaced the wheels or tires


If you have installed new wheels or
tires

Using the tire placard on the driver’s
door B-pillar or, if available, the inside
of the fuel filler flap, make sure the tire
inflation pressure of all four tires is cor-
rect.
Warning!
G
When the multifunction display shows the
message
Tire pressure Check tires
,
one or more of your tires is significantly un-
derinflated. You should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper tire inflation pressure as indicat-
ed on the vehicle’s tire information placard.
Driving on a significantly underinflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure. Underinflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Each tire, including the spare, should be
checked monthly when cold and set to the
recommended tire inflation pressure as
specified in the vehicle placard and owner’s
manual.
i
The recommended tire inflation pressures
for your vehicle can be found on the tire placard
located on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
page 336). The tire inflation pressures are
not listed in the owner’s manual.
Warning!
G
The Run Flat Indicator does not provide a
warning for wrongly selected tire inflation
pressures. Always adjust tire inflation pres-
sure according to the placard on the driver’s
door B-pillar or fuel filler flap.
The Run Flat Indicator does not replace reg-
ular checks of the tire inflation pressures
since a gradual pressure loss in more than
one tire cannot be detected by the Run Flat
Indicator.
The Run Flat Indicator is not able to issue a
warning due to a sudden dramatic loss of
tire inflation pressure (e.g. tire blowout
caused by a foreign object). In this case
bring the vehicle to a halt by carefully apply-
ing the brakes and avoiding abrupt steering
maneuvers.
Warning!
G
The Run Flat Indicator can only warn you in
a reliable manner if you have set the correct
tire inflation pressures for each tire.
If an incorrect tire inflation pressure was
set, the system will monitor the pressure ac-
cording to the incorrect value.

345 Operation
Tires and wheels

Switch on the ignition (
page 37).
Make sure the standard display menu
appears in the multifunction display
(
page 151).

Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the following message appears in
the multifunction display:Run Flat Indicator
active
Menu: R-Button

Press the reset button (
page 27).
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:
Restart
Run Flat Indicator?
Cancel
Yes
If you wish to confirm activation:
Press buttonæ.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:Run Flat Indicator
restarted
After a certain “learning phase”, the Run
Flat Indicator checks the set pressure val-
ues for all four tires.
If you wish to cancel activation:
Press buttonç.
or

Wait until the messageRestart
Run Flat Indicator?
Cancel
Yesdisappears.Checking tire inflation pressure elec-
tronically with the Advanced Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring System (Advanced
TPMS)*, (Canada only)
The TPMS only functions on wheels that
are equipped with the proper electronic
sensors. It monitors the tire inflation pres-
sure, as selected by the driver, in all four
tires. A warning is issued to alert you to a
decrease in pressure in one or more of the
tires.
Tire pressure inquiries are made using the
multifunction display. The present inflation
pressures are displayed only after a few
minutes’ travel time.

346 OperationTires and wheels

Switch on the ignition (
page 37).

Press thej or kbutton until
the current inflation pressures for each
tire appear in the multifunction display.
i
USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
i
Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
i
Possible differences between the readings
of a tire pressure gauge of an air hose, e.g. gas
station equipment, and the vehicle’s control
system can occur. Usually the readings issued by
the control system are more precise.
i
When the message
Tire pressure is
only displayed after driving for a few
minutes
appears in the multifunction display,
the individual inflation pressure values are
matched with the tires. The individual values are
displayed after a few minutes driving.
Warning!
G
It is the driver’s responsibility to calibrate
the TPMS on the recommended cold infla-
tion pressure. Underinflated tires affect the
ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
might lose control over the vehicle.i
With a spare wheel mounted, the system
may still indicate the tire inflation pressure of the
removed road wheel for some minutes. If this
happens, keep in mind that the indicated value
where the spare wheel is mounted does not re-
flect the actual spare tire inflation pressure.

347 Operation
Tires and wheels
Warning!
G
The TPMS does not indicate a warning for
wrongly selected inflation pressures. Always
adjust tire inflation pressure according to
the placard on the driver’s door B-pillar or, if
available, the supplemental tire pressure in-
formation on the inside of the fuel filler flap.
The TPMS is not able to issue a warning due
to a sudden dramatic loss of pressure (e.g.
tire blowout caused by a foreign object). In
this case bring the vehicle to a halt by care-
fully applying the brakes and avoiding
abrupt steering maneuvers.
Warning!
G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or the tire inflation pressure
label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different
size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or the tire inflation pressure label,
you should determine the proper tire infla-
tion pressure for those tires).
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitor-
ing system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires are significantly underinflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illu-
minates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible. Driving on a signif-
icantly underinflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may effect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv-
er’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.i
Operating radio transmission equipment
(e.g. wireless headsets, two-way radios) in or
near the vehicle could cause the TPMS to mal-
function.

348 OperationTires and wheelsReactivating Advanced TPMS*
The TPMS must be reactivated when you
have adjusted the tire inflation pressure to
a new level (e.g. because of different load
or driving conditions). The TPMS is then
recalibrated to the current tire inflation
pressures.
Using the tire placard on the driver’s
door B-pillar (
page 336) or, if avail-
able, the supplemental tire pressure
information on the inside of the fuel
filler flap (
page 321), make sure the
tire inflation pressure of all four tires is
correct.

Press buttonè orÿ on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the standard display menu
appears in the multifunction display
(page 151).

Press thej or kbutton repeat-
edly until you see the current inflation
pressures for each tire appear in the
display or the following message ap-
pears in the displayTire pressure
displayed after
driving for
a few minutes

Press the reset button (
page 27).
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:
Restart tire
pressure monitor?

Press the æbutton.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:Tire pressure monitor restartedAfter a few minutes driving, the current
tire inflation pressure values are ac-
cepted as reference values and then
monitored.
If you wish to cancel activation:

Press the çbutton.
Warning!
G
It is the driver’s responsibility to calibrate
the TPMS on the recommended cold infla-
tion pressure. Underinflated tires affect the
ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
might lose control over the vehicle.
i
Reactivate the TPMS after adjusting the tire
inflation pressure to the inflation pressure rec-
ommended for the vehicle operating condition.
Tire pressure should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Observe the recommended tire inflation
pressure on the placard on the driver’s door
B-pillar (
page 336). Some vehicles may have
supplemental tire pressure information for driv-
ing at high speeds (
page 342) or for vehicle
loads less than the maximum loaded vehicle con-
dition (
page 342). If such information is pro-
vided, it can be found on the inside of the fuel
filler flap (page 321).

349 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
Warning!
G
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
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.

350 OperationTires and wheelsTire labeling
Besides tire name (sales designation) and
manufacturer name, a number of markings
can be found on a tire.
Following are some explanations for the
markings on your vehicle’s tires:1Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
(
page 357)
2DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
(page 355)
3Maximum tire load (
page 356)
4Maximum tire inflation pressure
(
page 357)
5Manufacturer
6Tire ply material (
page 359)
7Tire size designation, load and speed
rating (
page 350)
8Load identification (
page 354)
9Tire nameTire size designation, load and speed
rating
1Tire width
2Aspect ratio in %
3Radial tire code
4Rim diameter
5Tire load rating
6Tire speed rating
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
For more information, see “Rims and tires”
(
page 481).
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.

351 Operation
Tires and wheels
General:
Depending on the design standards used,
the tire size molded into the sidewall may
have no letter or a letter preceding the tire
size designation.
No letter preceding the size designation
(as illustrated above): Passenger car tire
based on European design standards.
Letter “P” preceding the size designation:
Passenger car tire based on U.S. design
standards.
Letter “LT” preceding the size designation:
Light Truck tire based on U.S. design
standards.
Letter “T” preceding the size designation:
Temporary spare tires which are high
pressure compact spares designed for
temporary emergency use only. Tire width
The tire width1 (
page 350) indicates
the nominal tire width in mm.
Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio2 (page 350) is the
dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width and is
expressed in percentage. The aspect ratio
is arrived at by dividing section height by
section width.
Tire code
The tire code3 (
page 350) indicates
the tire construction type. The “R” stands
for radial tire type. Letter “D” means
diagonal or bias ply construction; letter “B”
means belted-bias ply construction.
At the tire manufacturer’s option, any tire
with a speed capability above 149 mph
(240 km/h) can include a “ZR” in the size
designation (for example: 245/40 ZR 18).
For additional information, see “Tire speed
rating” (
page 352).Rim diameter
The rim diameter4 (
page 350) is the
diameter of the bead seat, not the
diameter of the rim edge. Rim diameter is
indicated in inches (in).
Tire load rating
The tire load rating5 (page 350) is a
numerical code associated with the
maximum load a tire can support.
For example, a load rating of 91 corre-
sponds to a maximum load of 1 356 lb
(615 kg) the tire is designed to support.
See also “Maximum tire load”
(
page 356) where the maximum load as-
sociated with the load index is indicated in
kilograms and lb.