Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the
road surface is free of ice. The road may
still be icy, especially in wooded areas or
on bridges. Your vehicle could start to skid
if you do not adjust your driving style
accordingly.
Therefore, always adjust your driving style
to the prevailing road and weather
conditions.
Freeze warning (Canada vehicles only)
When the outside temperature falls below
3 ¥ , the multifunction display makes you
aware of the fact that the road may be icy.
An additional freeze warning, i.e. an ice
crystal symbol, in the multifunction
display flashes. After 60 seconds, the
freeze warning stops flashing but
continues to be displayed. When the
outside temperature rises above 3 ¥, the
freeze warning goes out.
Fuel level display
Example illustration (U.S. vehicles)
The fuel level display shows the tank’s fuel
level with the aid of eight segments. The
number of dark segments indicates the fuel
level in the tank. If all eight segments are
dark, the tank is full.
You are driving on reserve fuel if there are
no more than 1.0 US gal (3.78 l) of fuel in the
tank.
If this occurs,
R the fuel pump symbol in the fuel level
display flashes
R the reserve fuel indicator shows the fuel
level in the tank in 0.1 US gal (0.5 l)
increments
For selecting the reserve fuel indicator to
be displayed in the status indicator, see
“Reserve fuel indicator” ( Y page 88).
Selecting display for status indicator
You can select the information to be
displayed in the status indicator:
R Trip odometer display ( Y page 88)
R Maintenance service interval display
( Y page 88)
R Reserve fuel indicator ( Y page 88)
0046Selecting display for status indicator,
setting the clock, activating
maintenance service interval display0047Setting the clock, adjusting instrument
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Trip odometer display
Example illustration (U.S. vehicles)
XSelecting trip odometer display: Press
left button 0046 (Y page 87) repeatedly
until the trip odometer display appears
in the status indicator.XResetting trip odometer display: Press
and hold left button 0046 (Y page 87) until
the value is set to 0.
Maintenance service interval display
Example illustration (U.S. vehicles)
i Canada vehicles: The maintenance
service interval display shows km
instead of miles.
The maintenance service interval display
will notify you approximately one month
before the next maintenance service is
due.
The following information will be
displayed after starting the engine:
R Days or distance to next maintenance
service
This information will be displayed
instead of the main odometer display.
The main odometer display will reappear
after approximately ten seconds
( Y page 85).
R Type of service that is due
This information will be displayed in
the status indicator.XStart the engine.XSelecting maintenance service interval
display: Press left button 0046 (Y page 87)
repeatedly until the maintenance
service interval display appears in the
status indicator.
Depending on the type of maintenance
service that is due, symbol ¬ or } is
displayed.XClearing maintenance service interval
display: Press left button 0046 (Y page 87)
once.
The maintenance service interval
display is cleared.XActivating maintenance service
interval display: Press left button 0046
( Y page 87) twice in quick succession.
Reserve fuel indicator
Example illustration (U.S. vehicles)
88Instrument cluster>> Controls.
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iFor illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires are specific to each vehicle
and may vary from data shown in above
illustration.
The maximum tire load 0046 is the maximum
weight the tires are designed to support.
For more information on tire load rating
( Y page 127).
For information on calculating total and
cargo load capacities ( Y page 121).
Direction of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added
advantages, such as better hydroplaning
performance. 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.
Tire care and maintenance
GWarning!
Regularly check the tires for damage.
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation
pressure loss. As a result, you could lose
control of your vehicle.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
Check the tire inflation pressure at least
once a month. For more information on
checking tire inflation pressure, see
“Recommended tire inflation pressure”
( Y page 115).
Tire inspection
Every time you check the tire inflation
pressure, you should also inspect your
tires for the following
R excessive treadwear ( Y page 123)
R cord or fabric showing through the tire’s
rubber
R bumps, bulges, cuts, cracks or splits in
the tread or side of the tire
Replace the tire if you find any of the above
conditions.
Life of tire
GWarning!
Tires should be replaced after 6 years,
regardless of the remaining tread.
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited
to
R driving style
R tire inflation pressure
R distance driven
Tread depth
GWarning!
Although the applicable federal motor
vehicle safety laws consider a tire to be
worn when the treadwear indicators (TWI)
become visible at approximately 1
/ 16 in
(1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not allow
your tires to wear down to that level. As
tread depth approaches 1
/ 8 in (3 mm), the
adhesion properties on a wet road are
sharply reduced.
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Tire ply composition and material used
This indicates the number of plies or the
number of layers of rubber-coated fabric
in the tire tread and sidewall. Tire
manufacturers also must indicate the ply
materials in the tire and sidewall, which
include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is approved.
Total load limit
Rated cargo and luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lbs) times the vehicle’s
designated seating capacity.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the road via
the tires. The amount of grip provided.
Tread
The portion of a tire that comes into
contact with the road.
Treadwear indicators
Narrow bands, sometimes called “wear
bars” that show across the tread of a tire
when only 1
/ 16 in (1.6 mm) of tread remains.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
A tire information system that provides
consumers with ratings for a tire’s
traction, temperature and treadwear.
Ratings are determined by tire
manufacturers using U.S. government
testing procedures. The ratings are molded
into the sidewall of the tire.
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
Load on an individual tire that is
determined by distributing to each axle
its share of the maximum loaded vehicle
weight and dividing it by two.
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized smart
center. This service includes:
R Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.
R Addition of washer concentrate to the
water of the windshield/rear window.
Use a windshield washer concentrate
labeled for winter which is formulated
for temperatures below freezing point
( Y page 208).
R Battery test. Battery capacity drops with
decreasing ambient temperature. A well
charged battery helps to make sure the
engine can be started, even at low
ambient temperatures.
R Tire change.
Winter tires
GWarning!
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than
1 / 6 in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45 ¦ (7¥ ) and whenever wintry road
conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated tires
provide special winter performance. Make
sure the tires you use show the mountain/
snowflake marking 004D on the tire
sidewall. These tires meet specific snow
traction performance requirements of the
Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA)
and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC)
and have been designed specifically for
use in snow conditions. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum
132Winter driving>> Operation.
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