Wheels and Tyres
160
Wheels and TyresWheelsGeneral information
New tyres do not offer optimal grip at first and should therefore be run in for about
500 km at a moderate speed and an appropri ately cautious style of driving. You will
also profit from longer tyre life.
The tread depth of new tyres may differ be cause of design features and the config-
uration of the tread (depending on the type of tyre and the manufacturer).
Drive over curbs on the side of the road and other such obstacles slowly and,
where possible, at a right angle in order to avoid damage to tyres and wheel trims.
Inspect your tyres from time to time for damage (punctures, cuts, splits and
bulges). Remove foreign bodies from the tyre profile.
Damage to tyres and wheels is frequently not visible. Unusual vibrations or pulling
of the vehicle to one side coul d be a sign of tyre damage. Please reduce your speed
immediately and stop if you su spect that a wheel is damaged. Inspect the tyres for
signs of damage (bulges, splits, etc.). If no visible damage is present, please drive at an
appropriately slow speed and carefully to the nearest specialist garage in order to have
your vehicle inspected.
Also protect your tyres from contact with oil, grease and fuel.
Immediately replace any dust caps of the valves which have got lost.
Mark wheels before removing them so that their previous direction of running can
be maintained when mounted them again.
Always store wheels or tyres which been removed in a cool, dry and, where
possible, dark place. Tyres which are not fixed to a wheel trim should be stored upright.
WARNING
New tyres during the first 500 km do not offer optimal grip and should
therefore be run appropriately - risk of accident!
Never drive with damaged tyres - risk of accident!
Note
Please observe the various differing legal requirements regarding tyres.Ty re l i feThe life of your tyres very much depends on the following points:
Tyre pressure
The working life of tyres will be shortened considerably if the tyres are insufficiently or
over-inflated and this will have an adverse effect on the handling of your vehicle.
Correctly inflated tyres are of particular importance when travelling at high speeds. It
is therefore good to check the pressure at least once a month and also before setting
off on a long trip. Please do not forget the spare wheel* when checking the tyres.
The tyre inflation pressures for summer tyres are indicated on the inside of the fuel
filler flap fig. 153 . The inflation pressures for winter tyres are 20 kPa (0.2 bar)
higher than those for summer tyres page 163.
The tyre pressure should be at the highest pressure specified for your vehicle at all
times.
Always check the inflation pressure of tyres when cold. Do not reduce the higher pres-
sure of warm tyres. Adapt the inflation pressure of the tyres accordingly if your vehicle
is carrying a significantly higher payload.
Fig. 153 An opened fuel filler
flap with a tyre size and tyre
inflation pressure table
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Wheels and Tyres161
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Technical Data
Driving style
Fast cornering, sharp acceleration and brak
ing (squealing tyres) increase wear-and-
tear on your tyres.
Balancing wheels
The wheels of a new vehicle are balanced. There are a wide range of influences when
driving which may result in an imbalance and which makes themselves felt through
vibration in the steering.
You should have the wheels rebalanced si nce any imbalance increases wear-and-tear
on the steering, the suspension and tyres. A wheel must also be rebalanced when a
new tyre is fitted and each time a tyre is repaired.
Wheel alignment errors
Incorrect wheel alignment at the front and re ar will not only increase wear-and-tear on
the tyres but will also has an adverse effect on vehicle safety. Contact your specialist
garage if you notice any unusual tyre wear.
WARNING
If the inflation pressure is too low, the tyre must perform a greater flexing
work. At higher speeds the tyre will warm up as a result of this. This can result
in tread separation and even a tyre blowout.
Immediately replace the damaged rims or tyres.For the sake of the environment
Tyres which are insufficiently inflated increase your fuel consumption.
Wear indicatorsThe base of the tread of the original tyres has wear indicators 1.6 mm high, installed at
right angles to the direction of travel. These wear indicators are located at 6 - 8 points
depending on the make and are evenly spaced around the circumference of the tyre
fig. 154 . Markings on the walls of the tyres through the letters “TWI”, triangular
symbols or other symbols identify th e position of the wear indicators.
A remaining tread of just 1.6 mm, measured in the grooves of the tread next to the
wear indicators, means that your tyres have reached their legally permissible
minimum tread depth.
WARNING
You must have your tyres replaced with new ones at the latest when the
wear indicators have been worn down . The legally permissible minimum tread
depth should be observed.
Worn tyres do not provide the necessary adhesion to the road surface at
high speeds on wet roads. One could experience “aquaplaning” (uncontrolled
movements of the vehicle - “swimming” on a wet road surface).
Fig. 154 Tyre tread with wear
indicators
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Breakdown assistance169
Using the system
Safety
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General Maintenance
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Technical Data
The spare wheel lies in a well under the floor covering of the luggage compartment
and is fixed in place using special screws
page 168, fig. 159 .
Before removing the spare wheel, you must take out the box with the vehicle tool kit
box page 167, fig. 157.
One should check the inflation pressure in the spare wheel (at best when generally
checking the tyre air pressures - see sign on the fuel filler flap page 160) to ensure
that the spare wheel is always ready to use.
Temporary spare wheel
A warning label displayed on the rim of the temporary spare wheel indicates that your
vehicle is equippe d with a temporary spare wheel.
Please observe the following notes when driving with a temporary spare wheel:
The warning label must not be covered after installing the wheel.
Do not drive faster than 80 km/h with this spare wheel and pay particular attention
while driving. Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.
The inflation pressure for this spare wheel is identical to the inflation pressure of
the standard tyres.
Use this spare wheel only to reach the nearest specialist garage as it is not intended
for continuous use.
Changing a wheelPreliminary workThe following steps should be carried ou t before actually changing the wheel.
– If it is necessary to change a wheel, park the vehicle as far away as possible from
the traffic flow. The place you choose should be level.
–Have all the occupants get out. While changing a wheel, the occupants of the
vehicle should not stand on the road (e.g. behind a crash barrier).
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Shift up into the 1st gear . – If a trailer is coupled, uncouple it.
–Take the
vehicle tool kit page 167 and the spare wheel* page 168 out of the
luggage compartment.
WARNING
If you find yourself in flowing traffic switch on the hazard warning lights
system and place the warning triangle on the side of the road at the prescribed
distance from your vehicle while observin g all national legal provisions. In this
way you are protecting not only yourself but also other road users.
Never start the engine with the vehicle si tting on the raised jack - danger of
suffering injury.Caution
If you have to change a wheel on a slope fi rst block the opposite wheel with a stone or
similar object in order to secure the vehicle from unexpectedly rolling away.
Note
Comply with the national legal regulations.Changing a wheelAlways change a wheel on a level surface as far as possible.
– Take off the full wheel trim* page 170 or the caps page 171.
– In the case of light alloy wheels remove the wheel trim cap page 171.
– Slacken the wheel bolts page 171.
– Jack up the vehicle until the wheel to be changed is clear of the ground
page 172.
– Unscrew the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface (cloth, paper etc.).
– Take off the wheel.
– Fit on the new spare wheel* and tighten the wheel bolts slightly.
– Lower the car.
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Breakdown assistance
170
– Tighten the wheel bolts firmly, alternately and diagonally using the wrench* (cross-
wise) page 171.
– Mount the full wheel trim/wheel trim cap or the caps.
Note
All bolts must be clean and must turn easily.
You must never grease or oil the wheel bolts!
When fitting on unidirectional tyres, ensu re that the tyres rotate in the correct
direction page 160.
Subsequent stepsAfter changing the wheel, you must perform the following steps.
– Stow and attach the replaced wheel in the spare wheel well.
– Stow the vehicle tool kit in the space provided.
– Check the tyre pressure on the spare wheel* just mounted as soon as possible.
– Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked with a torque wrench as
soon as possible. Steel and light alloy wh eels must be tightened to a tightening
torque of 120 Nm .
– Have the defective tyre repaired as soon as possible.
WARNING
It is necessary to observe the guidelines given on page 162, “New tyres and
wheels” if the vehicle is subsequently fitted with tyres which are different to
those it was fitted with at the works.
Note
If you find, when changing the wheel, that the wheel bolts are corroded and diffi-
cult to turn, the bolts must be replaced before checking the tightening torque.
Drive cautiously and only at a moderate speed to a workshop where the tightening
torque can be checked.
Full wheel trim*Pulling off– Hook the clamp found in the vehicle tool ki t into the reinforced edge of the full
wheel trim.
– Push the wheel wrench* through the clamp, support the wheel wrench at the tyre and pull off the wheel trim fig. 160 .Installing– First press the full wheel trim onto the wheel at the valve opening provided. Then
press the full wheel trim into the wheel in such a way that its entire circumference
locks correctly in place.
Caution
Use the pressure of your hand, do not knock on the full wheel trim! Heavy knocks
mainly on the points where the full wheel trim has not been inserted into the wheel,
can result in damage to the guide and centering elements of the full wheel trim.
Check for yourself that the safety wheel bolt * is located in the hole in the area of
the valve before fitting the full wheel trim onto a steel wheel which is attached with a
safety wheel bolt* page 172, “Securing wheels against being stolen*”.
Fig. 160 Removing the full
wheel trim
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Technical Data
188Gearbox code, paint number, interior eq uipment number, engine output, engine
code
Partial description of the vehicle
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number - VIN (veh icle body number) is stamped into the
engine compartment on the right hand sh ock absorber dome. This number is also
located on a sign on the lowe r left hand edge below the windscreen (together with a
VIN bar code).
Engine number
The engine number is stam ped into the engine block.
Type plate (production plate)
The type plate is located in the engine compartment at the front on the left hand shock
absorber dome.
Homologation sign
The homologation sign is located on the lock carrier. Vehicles for certain countries do
not have an homologation sign.
Sticker on inside of fuel filler flap
The sticker is affixed to the inside of the fuel filler flap. They contain the following data:
the prescribed type of fuel;
tyre size;
Tyre pressure.
Fuel consumption according to the ECE standards and EU guidelinesDepending on the range of the special equipment, style of driving, traffic situation,
weather influences and vehicl e condition, the consumption values which in practice
result when using the vehicle can deviate from the indicated values. Urban traffic
The consumption measurement in urban traffic
begins with starting of the cold engine.
Afterwards the normal urban traffic is simulated.
Non-urban traffic
For the consumption measurement in non-ur ban traffic the vehicle, as in daily
motoring, is accelerated and braked severa l times in all gears. The vehicle speed
changes within the range from 0 to 120 km/h.
Combined traffic
The consumption value in the combined traffic consists of 37% from the value for the
urban traffic and of 63% from th e value for the non-urban traffic.A3A4s2rc.book Page 188 Thursday, April 22, 2010 10:58 AM
Index203
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Service Interval Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Setting temperature
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Setting the clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Shifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Side airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Stability system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 after fuel tank has run empty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Diesel engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Petrol engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Storage compartment Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Storage facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Sun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Switching lights on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Switching off the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
TTaking care of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
TCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Temperature outside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
the first 1 500 kilometres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 The roof luggage rack system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Thickness of brake pads
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Towing device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
towing vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Traction control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Traction control system (TCS) Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 General Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Transporting children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Two-way radio systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Tyre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Tyres Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
UUnderbody protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39VVanity mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Vehicle tool kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
WWarning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Warning symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Warning triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
with a high-pressure cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Washing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Washing vehicle by hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Wax treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Wheel Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Wheel trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160, 170
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 de-icing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Windscreen washer nozzles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Windshield washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Windshield washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Windshield wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Wiper blades Replacing the wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53XXenon headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
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