2011 MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS HATCHBACK suspension

Snow chains
! If snow chains are fitted to the rear
wheels, they may rub against the bodywork
or parts of the suspension. This may cause
damage to the vehicle or the tyres.
! Vehicles with steel wheels: if you wish
to fit snow chains to steel wheels, make
sure that you remove the respective
wheels' hubcaps first. The hubcaps may
otherwise be damaged.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use snow chains that
have been specially approved for your vehicle
by Mercedes-Benz, or that are of a corre-
sponding standard of quality.
If you intend to fit snow chains, please bear
the following points in mind:
R snow chains cannot be fitted to all wheel-
tyre combinations. Permissible wheel-tyre
combinations (Y page 302).
R snow chains must not be fitted to the emer-
gency spare wheel, e.g. a Minispare emer-
gency spare wheel.
R fit snow chains only in pairs and only to the
front wheels. Observe the manufacturer's
installation instructions.
If snow chains are fitted, you cannot use
Active Parking Assist (Y page 166).
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 50 km/h.
i You may wish to deactivate
ESP ®
(Y page 66) when pulling away with
snow chains fitted. This way you can allow
the wheels to spin in a controlled manner,
achieving an increased driving force (cut-
ting action). Tyre pressure
Tyre pressure specifications
G
WARNING
Tyres with too low or too high tyre pressure
contain the following hazards:
R they can burst, in particular if the vehicle is
heavily laden or when driven at high
speeds.
R the tyres can wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which can severely impair tyre
traction.
R the driving, steering and braking character-
istics may be severely impaired.
There is a risk of accident.
Follow recommended tyre inflation pressures
and check the pressure of all the tyres includ-
ing the spare wheel:
R at least every two weeks
R if the load changes
R before beginning a long journey
R for changed operating conditions, e.g. off-
road driving
If necessary, correct the tyre pressure. G
WARNING
If you fit unsuitable accessories onto tyre
valves, the tyre valves may be overloaded and
malfunction, which can cause tyre pressure
loss. Due to their design, retrofitted tyre pres-
sure monitors keep the tyre valve open. This
can also result in tyre pressure loss. There is
a risk of accident.
Only screw standard valve caps or valve caps
specifically provided by Mercedes-Benz for
your vehicle onto the tyre valve. G
WARNING
If the tyre pressure drops repeatedly, the
wheel, valve or tyre may be damaged. Tyre
pressure that is too low may result in a tyre
blow-out. There is a risk of accident. Tyre pressure
295Wheels and tyres
Z

Changing
awheel Flat tyre
You can find information on wha tto do in the
event of flat tyre in the "Flat tyre" section
(Y page 276). Instructions for driving with
MOExtended tyres in the event of a flat tyre
are also provided there. Interchanging the wheels
G
WARNING
Interchanging the front and rear wheels may
severely impair the driving characteristics if
the wheels or tyres have different dimensions.
The wheel brakes or suspension components
may also be damaged. There is a risk of acci-
dent.
Interchange front and rear wheels only if the
wheels and tyres are of the same dimensions.
Interchanging the front and rear wheels of
differing dimensions can render the general
operating permit invalid.
Always pay attention to the instructions and
safety warnings in the "Fitting a wheel" sec-
tion (Y page 298).
The wear patterns on the front and rear tyres
differ, depending on the operating conditions.
Interchange the wheels before a clear wear
pattern has formed on the tyres. Front tyres
typically wear more on the shoulders and the
rear tyres in the centre.
On vehicles that have the same size front and
rear wheels, you can interchange the wheels
every 5,000km to 10,000 km depending on
the degree of tyre wear. Maintain the direc-
tion of tyre rotation.
Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel
is interchanged. Check the tyre pressure and,
if necessary, restart the tyre pressure loss
warning system. Direction of rotation
Tyres with a specified direction of rotation
have additional benefits, e.g. if there is a risk
of aquaplaning. You will only gain these ben-
efits if the correct direction of rotation is
observed.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tyre indicates
its correct direction of rotation. Storing wheels
Store wheels that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protec tthe
tyres against oil, grease, petrol and diesel. Cleaning the wheels
G
WARNING
Do not use high-pressure cleaners with circu-
lar-jet nozzles (dirt grinders) to clean your
vehicle, in particular the tyres. You could oth-
erwise damage the tyres and cause an acci-
dent. Fitting
awheel
Preparing the vehicle X
Park the vehicle on firm, non-slippery and
level ground.
X Apply the electric parking brake manually
(Y page 145).
X Bring the front wheels into the straight-
ahead position.
X Vehicles with manual transmission:
engage first or reverse gear.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission:
move the DIRECT SELECT lever to P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X If a trailer is coupled to the vehicle, uncou-
ple it.
X If included in the vehicle equipment, take
the tyre-change tool kit out of the vehicle. 298
Changing
awheelWheels and tyres

X
Tighten the wheel bolts until they are fin-
ger-tight.
Lowering the vehicle X
Place the ratchet ring spanner onto the
hexagon nut of the jack so that the letters
AB are visible.
X Turn the ratchet ring spanner until the vehi-
cle is once again standing firmly on the
ground.
X Place the jack to one side. G
WARNING
The wheels could work loose if the wheel nuts
and bolts are not tightened to the specified
tightening torque. There is a risk of accident.
Have the tightening torque immediately
checked at a qualified specialist workshop
after a wheel is changed.
X Tighten the wheel bolts evenly in a cross-
wise pattern in the sequence indicated
(: toA). The tightening torque must be
130 Nm.
X Turn the jack back to its initial position.
X Stow the jack and the rest of the vehicle
tools in the vehicle again.
X Check the tyre pressure of the newly fitted
wheel and adjust it if necessary.
Observe the recommended tyre pressure
(Y page 295). Wheel and tyre combinations
Points to remember
! For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz rec-
ommends that you only use tyres and
wheels which have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz specifically for your vehi-
cle.
These are specially adapted to the control
systems, such as ABS or ESP ®
and are
marked as follows:
R MO =Mercedes-BenzO riginal
R MOE =Mercedes-BenzO riginal Extended
(tyres featuring run-flat characteristics)
R MO1 =Mercedes-BenzO riginal (only cer-
tain AMG tyres)
Mercedes-Benz Original Extended tyres
may only be used on wheels that have been
specifically approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Only use tyres, wheels or accessories tes-
ted and approved by Mercedes-Benz. Cer-
tain characteristics, e.g. handling, vehicle
noise emissions or fuel consumption, may
otherwise be adversely affected. In addi-
tion, when driving with aload, tyre dimen-
sion variations could cause the tyres to
come into contact with the bodywork and
axle components.T his could result in dam-
age to the tyres or the vehicle.
Mercedes-Ben zaccepts no liability for
damage resulting from the use of tyres,
wheels or accessories othe rthan those tes-
ted and approved.
Further information about wheels, tyres
and approved combinations can be
obtained from any qualified specialist
workshop.
! Large wheels: the lower the section width
for a certain wheel size, the lower the ride
comfort is on poor road surfaces. Roll com-
fort and suspension comfort are reduced
and the risk of damage to the wheels and
tyres as a result of driving over obstacles
increases. 302
Wheel and tyre combinationsWheels and tyres

!
Do not use distilled or de-ionised water in
the washer fluid reservoir. Otherwise, the
level sensor may be damaged.
! Only the washer fluids SummerFit and
WinterFit can be mixed. Otherwise, the
spraying nozzles could become blocked.
At temperatures above freezing:
X Fill the washer fluid reservoir with a mixture
of water and washer fluid, e.g. MB Sum-
merFit.
X Mix 1 part MB SummerFit to 100 parts
water.
At temperatures below freezing:
X Fill the washer fluid reservoir with a mixture
of water and washer fluid, e.g. MB Winter-
Fit. Adapt the mixing ratio to the outside
temperatures.
X Down to Ò10 †: mix 1 part MB WinterFit
with 2parts water.
X Down to Ò20 †: mix 1 part MB WinterFit
with 1 part water.
X Down to Ò29 †: mix 2 parts MB WinterFit
with 1 part water.
i Add washe rfluid concentrate, e.g. MB
SummerFit or MB WinterFit, to the washer
fluid all year round. Vehicle data
Please note that for the specified vehicle
data:
R the heights specified may vary as a result
of:
- tyres
- load
- conditio nofthe suspension
- optional equipment
R Items of optional equipment increase the
unladen weight and reduce the maximum payload. The unladen weight is specified in
accordance with EC directive and includes:
-
driver (68 kg)
- luggage (7 kg)
- all fluids (fuel tank 90 % full)
R Vehicle-specific weight information can be
found on the vehicle identification plate
(Y page 310).
R Only for certain countries: you can find
vehicle-specific vehicle data in the COC
documents (CERTIFICATE OF CONFORM-
ITY). These documents are delivered with
your vehicle.
Missing values were not available at the time
of going to print. All models
Vehicle length (ECE)
4359 mm
Vehicle width
including exterior
mirrors
2010 mm
Vehicle width
excluding exterior
mirrors
1786 mm
Wheelbase
2699 mm
Maximum roof load
75 kg
Maximum boot load
100 kg
B1
80 BlueEFFICIENCY Vehicle height
1557 mm
Unladen weight,
manual transmis-
sion
1395 kg
Unladen weight,
automatic transmis-
sion
1425 kgVehicle data
317Technical data Z