2008 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 spare wheel

280 Operation
Tires and wheels
Direction of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added advan-
tages, such as better hydroplaning per-
formance. To benefit, however, you must
make sure the tires rotate in the direction
specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the
intended direction of rotation (spinning) of
the tire.Loading the vehicle
Two labels on your vehicle show how much
weight it may properly carry.
1) The Tire and Loading Information placard can be found on the driver’s
door B-pillar. This placard tells you
important information about the
number of people that can be in the
vehicle and the total weight that can be
carried in the vehicle. It also contains
information on the proper size and
recommended tire inflation pressures
for the original equipment tires on your
vehicle.
2) The certification label, also found on the driver’s door B-pillar tells you about
the gross weight capacity of your vehi-
cle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
fuel and cargo. The certification label
also tells you about the front and rear
axle weight capacity, called the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). The GAWR is the total allowable weight that can be
carried by a single axle (front or rear).
Never exceed the GVWR or GAWR for
either the front axle or rear axle.
1 Driver’s door B-pillar
Following is a discussion on how to work
with the information contained on the Tire
and Loading Information placard with
regards to loading your vehicle.
iSpare wheels may be mounted against the
direction of rotation (spinning) even with a
unidirectional tire for temporary use only until
the regular drive wheel has been repaired or
replaced. Always observe and follow applicable
temporary use restrictions and speed limitations
indicated on the spare wheel.
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290 Operation
Tires and wheels
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.Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Press buttonj ork until the
current inflation pressures for each tire
appear in the multifunction display.
Example illustration
iPossible 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.
iWhen the vehicle has been parked for longer
than 20 minutes, the message
Tire pressure
displayed only after driving for a few
minutes
appears in the multifunction display.
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.
iWith 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
reflect the actual spare tire inflation pressure.
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291
Operation
Tires and wheels
Warning!G
The Advanced TPMS does not indicate a
warning for wrongly selected inflation pres-
sures. Always adjust ti
re inflation pressure
according to the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion placard on the driver’s door B-pillar or,
if available, the supplemental tire inflation
pressure information on the inside of the
fuel filler flap.
The Advanced TPMS is not able to issue a
warning due to a sudden dramatic loss of
pressure (e.g. tire blowout caused by a for-
eign object). In this case bring the vehicle to
a halt by carefully 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
Tire and Loading Information placard or the
tire inflation pressure label (if available). If
your vehicle has tires of a different size than
the size indicated on the Tire and Loading
Information placard or the tire inflation
pressure label (if av ailable), you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure
for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with an Advanced Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring System (Advanced TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale
when one or more of yo ur tires is significant-
ly underinflated. Acco rdingly, when the low
tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as possi-
ble, and inflate them to the proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly underinflated tire
causes the tire to over heat and can lead to
tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the Advanced TPMS is not a sub-
stitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is
the driver’s responsibility to maintain cor-
rect tire pressure, even if underinflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination
of the Advanced TPMS low tire pressure tell-
tale.
USA only: Your vehicle has also been
equipped with a Advanced TPMS malfunc-
tion indicator to indica te when the system is
not operating properly. The Advanced TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined with the
low tire pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash
for approximately 1 minute and then remain
continuously illuminate d. This sequence will
continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups
as long as the malfunction exists.

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295
Operation
Tires and wheels
1
Uniform Quality Grading Standards
(
page 302)
2 DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
(
page 299)
3 Maximum tire load (
page 300)
4 Maximum tire inflation pressure
(
page 301)
5 Manufacturer
6 Tire ply material (
page 304)
7 Tire size designation, load and speed
rating (
page 295)
8 Load identification (
page 298)
9 Tire name Tire size designation, load and speed
rating
1 Tire width
2 Aspect ratio in %
3 Radial tire code
4 Rim diameter
5 Tire load rating
6 Tire speed rating 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.
iFor 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 414).
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
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305
Operation
Tires and wheels
DOT (Department of Transportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross Axle Weight Rating)
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.
GTW (G
ross Trailer Weight)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus
the weight of all ca rgo, equipment, luggage
etc. loaded on the trailer. GVW (G
ross Vehicle Weight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applic able, trailer tongue
load. The GVW must never exceed the
GVWR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.
GVWR (G
ross Vehicle Weight Rating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to 1 psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. There are 100 kilopascals
(kPa) to 1 bar. Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
total load limit, and production options
weight.
Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
W463.boo Seite 305 Montag, 19
. November 2007 8:41 08

310 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations
(
page 415).

Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.

Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Any
authorized Mercedes
-Benz Light Truck
Center will be glad to advise you on this
subject.

Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
Warning!G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turn ing stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP® (page 91) before
setting the vehicle in motion. This will improve
the vehicle’s traction.
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334 Practical hints
What to do if …
Warning!G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the infl ation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
Tire and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar or, if available, the tire
inflation pressure label on the inside of the
fuel filler flap. If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the
Tire and Loading Information placard or the
tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure
for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a Advanced Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring System (Advanced TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale
when one or more of your tires is signifi-
cantly underinflated. Accordingly, when the
low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure.
Driving on a significan tly 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 vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the Advanced TPMS is not a sub-
stitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is
the driver’s responsibi lity to maintain cor-
rect tire pressure, even if underinflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination
of the Advanced TPMS low tire pressure tell-
tale.
USA only: Your vehicle has also been
equipped with a Advanced TPMS malfunc-
tion indicator to indicate when the system is
not operating properly. The Advanced TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined with the
low tire pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash
for approximately 1 minute and then remain
continuously illuminate d. This sequence will
continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups
as long as the malfunction exists.When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be able to
detect or signal low tire pressure as
intended.
Advanced TPMS malfunctions may occur for
a variety of reasons, including the installa-
tion of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the Ad-
vanced TPMS from functioning properly. Al-
ways check the Advanced TPMS
malfunction telltale af ter replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to en-
sure that the replacement or alternate tires
and wheels allow the Advanced TPMS to
continue to function properly.
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341
Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Tire pressure
monitor
inoperative
No wheel
sensorsThere are wheels without appropriate wheel sensors
mounted (e.g. winter tires).Have the Advanced TPMS checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Ben
z Light Truck Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Wheel sensor
missingOne or more sensors malfunction (e.g. battery is
empty).
The respective tire is indicated by - - - instead of the
tire inflation pressure in the multifunction display.Have the Advanced TPMS checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Have the appropriate wheel sensors installed at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter.
One or more wheels without appropriate wheel sen-
sors mounted (e.g. spare tire).
The respective tire is indicated by - - - instead of the
tire inflation pressure in the multifunction display.Have the Advanced TPMS checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Have the appropriate wheel sensors installed at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter.
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.
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