Page 334 of 522

333 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tires and wheels
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center 
for information on tested and recommend-
ed rims and tires for summer and winter 
operation. They can also offer advice con-
cerning tire service and purchase.
Important guidelines
Only use sets of tires and rims of the 
same type and make.
Tires must be of the correct size for the 
rim.
Break in new tires for approximately 
60 miles (100 km) at moderate 
speeds.
Regularly check the tires and rims for 
damage. Dented or bent rims can 
cause tire inflation pressure loss and 
damage to the tire beads.
If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire 
inflation pressure and correct as 
required.
Do not allow your tires to wear down 
too far. Adhesion properties on wet 
roads are sharply reduced at tread 
depths of less than 
1/8in (3 mm).
When replacing individual tires, you 
should mount new tires on the front 
wheels first (on vehicles with 
same-sized wheels all around). 
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the 
original part. See an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are 
mounted:
The wheel brakes or suspension compo-
nents can be damaged
The correct operating clearance of the 
wheels and the tires are no longer guar-
anteed
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the 
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have 
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, only use Genuine 
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the 
particular rim type. Failure to do so can re-
sult in the bolts loosening and possibly an 
accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous 
damage cannot always be recognized on re-
treads. The operating safety of the vehicle 
cannot be assured when such tires are used. 
     
        
        Page 364 of 522

363 Operation
Tires and wheels
If applicable to your vehicle’s tire configu-
ration, tires can be rotated according to 
the tire manufacturer’s recommended in-
tervals in the tire manufacturer’s warranty 
pamphlet located in your vehicle literature 
portfolio. If none is available, tires should 
be rotated every 3 000 to 6 000 miles 
(5 000 to 10 000 km), or sooner if neces-
sary, according to the degree of tire wear. 
The same rotation (spinning) direction 
must be maintained (
page 336).
Rotate tires before the characteristic tire 
wear pattern becomes visible (shoulder 
wear on front tires and tread center wear 
on rear tires).
Thoroughly clean the mounting face of 
wheels and brake disks, i.e. the inner side 
of the wheels/tires, during each rotation. 
Check for and ensure proper tire inflation 
pressure.For information on wheel change, see the 
“Practical hints” section (
page 432) and 
(
page 452).Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after 
changing a wheel. Wheels could become 
loose if not tightened with a torque of 
96 lb-ft (130 Nm).
Only use Genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel 
bolts specified for your vehicle’s rims. 
     
        
        Page 434 of 522
433 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
In case of a flat tire, you may temporarily 
use the spare 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 re-
placed as appropriate.
Do not operate vehicle with more than 
one spare wheel mounted.
For more information, see “Spare wheel” 
(
page 487).
Luggage box
Remove luggage box
1Fastening clip
2Luggage box
Turn fastening clips1 to the left up-
wards from fastening bolts.
Lift luggage box in the area of the fas-
tening bolts and remove it from trunk.Install luggage box
Insert luggage box into trunk so that 
fastening clips are in line with fastening 
bolts. 
Push front edge of luggage box in direc-
tion of arrow under cover of trunk sill.
Press fastening clips onto fastening 
bolts until they lock into place. 
     
        
        Page 455 of 522
454 Practical hintsFlat tire
On wheel to be changed, loosen but do 
not yet remove the wheel bolts (ap-
proximately one full turn with wrench). The jack take-up brackets are located di-
rectly behind the front wheel housings and 
in front of the rear wheel housings. 
1Jack take-up bracket
2Jack
Place jack2 on firm ground.
Position jack2 under take-up 
bracket1 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 slip off of the jack.
 
     
        
        Page 456 of 522

455 Practical hints
Flat tire
Removing the wheel
1Alignment bolt
Unscrew upper-most wheel bolt and re-
move.
Replace this wheel bolt with alignment 
bolt1 supplied in the tool kit.
Remove the remaining bolts.
Remove the wheel.Mounting the spare wheel
Clean contact surfaces of wheel and 
wheel hub.
Guide the spare wheel onto the align-
ment bolt and push it on.
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.
!
Do not place wheel bolts in sand or dirt. This 
could result in damage to the bolt and wheel hub 
threads.
!
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 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.
 
     
        
        Page 457 of 522

456 Practical hintsFlat tire
Insert wheel bolts and tighten them 
slightly.
Unscrew the alignment bolt, install last 
wheel bolt and tighten slightly.Vehicles with collapsible tire 
(E 63 AMG only):
Continue the procedure by following 
the instructions under “Inflating the 
collapsible tire” (
page 456) and then 
“Lowering the vehicle” (
page 458).
Vehicles with Minispare wheel 
(except E 63 AMG):
Continue the procedure by following 
the instructions under “Lowering the 
vehicle” (
page 458).Inflating the collapsible tire 
(E 63 AMG only)
Take the electric air pump out of the 
trunk (
page 432).
Warning!
G
Only use Genuine equipment 
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts. Other wheel 
bolts may come loose.
Do not tighten the wheel bolts when the ve-
hicle is raised. Otherwise the vehicle could 
fall off the jack.
Warning!
G
Inflate collapsible tire only after the wheel is 
properly mounted.
Inflate the collapsible tire using the electric 
air pump before
 lowering the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Observe instructions on air pump label.!
Do not lower the vehicle before inflating the 
collapsible tire. Otherwise the rim may be dam-
aged.
 
     
        
        Page 459 of 522

458 Practical hintsFlat tire
Store the electrical plug 3 and the air 
hose 4 behind the flap 1 and place 
the electric air pump back in the desig-
nated storage space underneath the 
trunk floor (
page 432).
Lowering the vehicle
Lower vehicle by turning crank coun-
terclockwise until vehicle is resting ful-
ly on its own weight.
Remove the jack.
1-5 Wheel bolts
Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly, fol-
lowing the diagonal sequence illustrat-
ed (1 to 5), until all bolts are tight. 
Observe a tightening torque of 96 lb-ft 
(130 Nm).
Before storing the jack, it should be fully 
collapsed, with handle folded in (storage 
position).
Store the jack and the other vehicle 
tools in the designated storage space 
underneath the trunk floor 
(page 432).
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 
96 lb-ft (130 Nm).
i
Wrap the damaged wheel in the protective 
film that comes with the spare wheel and put the 
wheel in the trunk.
You can also place the damaged wheel down into 
the spare wheel well. In this case, you must stow 
the holder from the spare wheel well in the trunk.
Vehicles with Advanced TPMS* (Canada only):
Do not activate the tire inflation pressure moni-
tor until a full size wheel/tire with functioning 
sensor has been placed back into service on the
vehicle.