399 Operation
Winter driving
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 529).
Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions.
Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
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.
Do not use snow chains on the spare
wheel (
page 532).
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 turning 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.!Vehicles with Adaptive Damping
System (ADS)*: When driving with snow chains,
do not select SPORT mode (
page 276) as this
could result in damage to the vehicle.
!Some tire sizes do not leave adequate clear-
ance for snow chains. To help avoid serious dam-
age to your vehicle or tires, use of snow chains is
not permissible with the spare wheel.
!If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body or axle
components. The tires or the vehicle could be
damaged as a result.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP® (page 104)
before setting the vehicle in motion. This will
improve the vehicle’s traction.
423 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 inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
Tire and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar (
page 366) or, if
available, the tire inflation pressure label on
the inside of the fuel filler flap (
page 352).
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 deter-
mine the proper tire inflation 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 is significantly underinflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illu-
minates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a signifi-
cantly 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 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.USA only:
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is com-
bined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash for approximately 1 minute
and then remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the mal-
function exists. When the malfunction
indicator is illuminated, the system may not
be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on
the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing
one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle
to ensure that the replacement or alternate
tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue
to function properly.
494 Practical hints
Flat tire
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
or other sizeable objects.
One wheel chock is included with the
vehicle tool kit (
page 469).Changing wheel on a level surface
Changing rear wheel on passenger side
(Example illustration)
Place the wheel chock in front of and
another sizeable object behind the
wheel that is diagonally opposite to the
wheel being changed.
Always firmly set parking brake and block
wheels with wheel chocks or other sizeable
objects before raising vehicle with jack. Do
not disengage parking brake while the vehi-
cle is raised.
Make sure that the ground on which the
vehicle is standing and where you place the
jack is solid, level and not slippery. If neces-
sary, use a large underlay. On slippery
surfaces, such as tiled floors, you should
use a non-slip underlay, for example a
rubber mat.
Do not use wooden blocks or similar objects
to support the jack. Otherwise the jack may
not be able to achieve its load-bearing
capacity if it is not at its full height.
Never start the engine when the vehicle is
raised.
Also observe the notes on the jack.
Warning!G
Only jack up the vehicle on level ground or
on slight inclines/declines. Otherwise, the
vehicle could fall off the jack and injure you
or others.
495 Practical hints
Flat tire
Changing wheel on a slight decline
Always try lifting the vehicle using the jack
on a level surface. However, should
circumstances require you to do so on a
slight decline, place the wheel chock and
another sizeable object as follows:
Changing wheel on passenger side
(Example illustration)
Place wheel chock (or another sizeable
object) in front of both wheels on the
side opposite to the side on which the
wheel is to be changed.Changing wheel on a slight incline
Always try lifting the vehicle using the jack
on a level surface. However, should
circumstances require you to do so on a
slight incline, place the wheel chock and
another sizeable object as follows:
Changing wheel on passenger side
(Example illustration)
Place wheel chock (or another sizeable
object) behind both wheels on the side
opposite to the side on which the wheel
is to be changed.1Wheel wrench
On wheel to be changed, loosen but do
not yet remove the wheel bolts
(approximately one full turn with wheel
wrench 1).
501 Practical hints
Flat tire
Lowering the vehicle
Vehicles with scissors-type jack:
Attach ratchet to vehicle jack in such a
way that the wordDOWN can be seen.
Lower the vehicle until it is resting fully
on its own weight:
Vehicles with screw-type jack:
Turn crank counterclockwise.
Vehicles with scissors-type jack:
Turn ratchet in directionDOWN.
Remove the jack.1-5Wheel bolts
6Wheel wrench
Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly,
following the diagonal sequence
illustrated (1to5), until all bolts
are tight. Observe a tightening torque
of 110 lb-ft (150 Nm).
Store jack and all other vehicle tool kit
items back into the storage well.
Warning!G
Inflate collapsible tire only after the wheel is
properly mounted.
Inflate the collapsible tire using the electric
air pump (
page 499) before lowering the
vehicle.
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
110 lb-ft (150 Nm).
iThe removed road wheel cannot be stored in
the spare wheel well under the cargo compart-
ment floor, but should be transported in the
cargo compartment wrapped in a protective
wrap.
Vehicles with TPMS or Advanced TPMS*:
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.
529 Technical data
Rims and tires
Rims and tires
!Only use tires which have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Tires approved by
Mercedes-Benz are developed to provide best
possible performance in conjunction with the
driving safety systems on your vehicle such as
ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially developed for your
vehicle and tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be identified by finding the
following on the tire’s sidewall:
MO = Mercedes-Benz 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.
!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 Light
Truck Center. A placard with the recommended
tire inflation pressures is located on the driver’s
door B-pillar (
page 366). Some vehicles may
have supplemental tire inflation pressure infor-
mation for driving at high speeds (
page 372)
or for vehicle loads less than the maximum
loaded vehicle condition (
page 372). 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 maintenance
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 Light Truck Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire
configuration 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. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
for more information.
530 Technical data
Rims and tires
Same size tires
ModelR 320 CDI 4MATIC
R 3501
R 350 4MATIC
R 320 CDI 4MATIC (Sport Package*)
R 350 (Sport Package*)1
R 350 4MATIC (Sport Package*)
R 550 4MATIC2
R 550 4MATIC (Sport Package*)2
Rims (light alloy)8 J x 18 H28Jx19H2
Wheel offset2.64 in (67 mm)2.64 in (67 mm)
All-season tires3255/55 R18 105H M+S255/50 R19 107H XL (Extra Load) M+S
Winter tires3,4255/55 R18 105H M+S.255/50 R19 107H XL (Extra Load) M+S.
1USA only.2Canada only.3Radial-ply tires4Not available as factory equipment.
564 Index
Checking 373
Checking manually 373
Checking tire pressure electronically,
Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)*, (Canada
only) 379
Checking tire pressure electronically,
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), (USA only) 376
Recommended tire inflation
pressure 371
Tires 363, 529
Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)*, (Canada
only) 379
Air pressure 393
Care and maintenance 364
Cleaning 365
Collapsible tire, Spare wheel 532
Combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale, USA only 27
Direction of rotation, Spinning 365
Driving instructions 343
Hydroplaning 344
Important guidelines 363
Important notes, Tire inflation pressure 372
Inflation pressure 371, 373
Inspection 364
Load rating 384, 385, 395
Loading terminology 393
Loading the vehicle 366
Low tire pressure telltale 422
Ply composition and material
used 396
Retreads 363
Rims and tires 529
Rotating 396
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 374
Service life 364
Sizes 529
Snow chains 399
Spare wheel, Collapsible tire 532
Speed rating 345, 386, 396
Storing 365
Temperature 372, 392
Terminology 393
TIN 388, 395
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)*, (USA only) 376
Total load limit 396TPMS malfunction telltale (USA
only) 422
Traction 344, 392, 396
Tread depth 365, 398
Treadwear indicators 365
Vehicle maximum load on 396
Wear pattern 397
Winter tires 398
Tongue Weight Rating see TWR
Tools 467
Top tether
Children in the vehicle 87
Towing eye bolts 515
Towing the vehicle 513
Tow-starting 511, 513
TPMS (USA only) 376
Traction 396
ETS/4-ETS, Driving safety
systems 103
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Traveling abroad 348
Tread 396
Tread depth 365
Treadwear indicators 396
Trip computer 185
Trip odometer 155