2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class tire size

Engine oil (on-board computer) ...... 171
Outside temperature ...................... 167
Setting ........................................... 123
Theft deterrent locking system
Immobilizer ...................................... 66
Through-loading feature ................... 218
Tilt/sliding sunroof Opening/closing .............................. 88
Resetting ......................................... 88
Time (on-board computer) ................ 179
Timer (on-board computer) .............. 172
Tire pressure Calling up (on-board computer) .....277
Checking manually ........................275
Display message ............................ 197
Maximum ....................................... 280
Notes ............................................. 273
Pressure loss warning ....................275
Recommended ............................... 272
Tire pressure monitoring system
Function/notes ............................. 277
Restarting ...................................... 279
Warning lamp ................................. 212
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) .................292
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................290
Bar (definition) ............................... 290
Characteristics .............................. 290
Checking ........................................ 271
Cleaning ......................................... 272
Definition of terms .........................290
Direction of rotation ......................284
Distribution of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................293
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................... 289
DOT (Department of
Transportation) (definition) ............290
Flat tire .......................................... 254
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 291
Guidelines to be observed .............271
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
(definition) ..................................... 291
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) (definition) .........................291Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ......291
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ...........291
Labeling (overview) ........................286
Load bearing index (definition) ......292
Load index ..................................... 289
Load index (definition) ...................291
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 291
Maximum load on a tire
(definition) ..................................... 292
Maximum permissible tire
pressure (definition) ....................... 292
Maximum tire load .........................284
Maximum tire load (definition) .......291
Optional equipment weight
(definition) ..................................... 292
PSI (pounds per square inch)
(definition) ..................................... 292
Replacing ....................................... 286
Service life ..................................... 271
Sidewall (definition) .......................292
Speed index (definition) .................291
Storing ........................................... 272
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 290
Temperature .................................. 285
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 292
Tire bead (definition) ......................292
Tire pressure (definition) ................292
Tire pressures (recommended) ......290
Tire size (data) ............................... 293
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed index ....................287
Tire tread ....................................... 271
Tire tread (definition) .....................292
Total load limit (definition) .............293
Traction ......................................... 285
Traction (definition) .......................292
Tread wear ..................................... 285
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 284
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) ....................290
Unladen weight (definition) ............291
Wear indicator (definition) .............292
Wheel rim (definition) ....................291Index15BA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 15

Cleaning ......................................... 245
Guidelines to be observed .............271
Mounting a wheel .......................... 258
Removing a wheel ..........................257
Tightening torque ........................... 258
Wheel size/tire size .......................293
Window curtain air bag
Display message ............................ 186
Operation ......................................... 40
Windows
see Side windows
Windows (cleaning instructions) ..... 246
Windshield Defrosting ...................................... 124
Windshield washer fluid (display
message) ............................................ 201
Windshield washer system Adding washer fluid .......................241
Notes ............................................. 310
Windshield wipers
Important safety notes ..................115
Replacing the wiper blades ....116, 117
Switching on/off ........................... 116
Troubleshooting ............................. 117
Winter operation ............................... 155
Winter tires M+S tires ....................................... 154
Wiper blades
Cleaning ......................................... 246Index17BA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 17

ESP®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notesGWarning
Observe "Important safety notes"
( Y page 61).
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. If necessary, the engine output is also
modified to keep the vehicle on the desired
course within physical limits. ESP ®
assists
the driver when pulling away on wet or
slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the
vehicle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ä warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster.
GWarning!
Never switch off the ESP when you see the
ESP warning lamp ä flashing in the
instrument cluster. In this case proceed as
follows:
R When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R While driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid. The ESP cannot
prevent accidents resulting from excessive
speed.
! Vehicles without 4MATIC: switch the
ignition off when:
R the parking brake is being tested using a
dynamometer
R the vehicle is being towed with the front
axle raised
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: switch off the
ignition when the parking brake is being
tested on a brake dynamometer.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: function or
performance tests may only be carried out
on a 2-axle dynamometer. If you wish to
operate the vehicle on such a
dynamometer, please consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center in
advance. You could otherwise damage the
drive train or the brake system.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)GWarning
Observe "Important safety notes"
( Y page 61).
Traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. On vehicles with 4MATIC, more
drive torque is also transferred to the wheel
or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(except
AMG vehicles)
GWarning
The ESP ®
should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the
circumstances described below. Disabling
the system will reduce vehicle stability in
driving maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP ®
when a spare
wheel is mounted.
Driving safety systems63SafetyBA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 63Z

Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning
If water has accumulated to a certain depth
on the road surface, there is a danger of
hydroplaning occurring, even if:
R you drive at low speeds
R the tires have adequate tread depth
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or
in conditions in which hydroplaning can occur
you must drive in the following manner:
R Lower your speed
R Avoid ruts
R Brake carefully
Driving on flooded roads
! Do not drive through flooded areas.
Check the depth of any water before driving
through it. Drive slowly through standing
water. Otherwise, water may enter the
vehicle interior or the engine compartment.
This can damage the electronic
components in the engine or the automatic
transmission. Water can also be drawn in
by the engine's air suction nozzles and this
can cause engine damage.
Winter driving
General information
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, at the onset of
winter.
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section ( Y page 155).
Winter tires
At temperatures below 45 ‡(+7 †), use
winter tires or all-season tires. Both types of
tire are identified by the M+S marking.
Only winter tires also bearing the i
snowflake symbol next to the M+S marking
provide the best possible grip in wintry road
conditions. Only these tires will allow driving
safety systems such as ABS and ESP ®
to
function optimally in winter, as these tires
have been designed specifically for driving on
snow.
Use M+S tires of the same make and tread on
all wheels to maintain safe handling
characteristics.GWarning
M+S tires with a tread depth of less than 1
/ 6
inch (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.
Always observe the maximum permissible
speed specified for the M+S tires you have
mounted.
Once you have installed the winter tires:
XCheck the tire pressures ( Y page 275).XRestart the tire pressure monitor
( Y page 277).GWarning
If you use your spare wheel when M+S 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 wheel replaced by a regular
road wheel with an M+S tire at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Snow chains
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use snow chains
which have been specially approved for your
vehicle by Mercedes-Benz, or are of a
corresponding standard of quality.
! There is not enough space for snow
chains on some wheel sizes. Observe the
information under "Tires and wheels" in the
"Technical Data" section to avoid damage
to the vehicle or the wheels.
154Driving tipsDriving and parking
BA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 154

TiresProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsh
USA only:
The yellow combination
low tire pressure
warning lamp/TPMS
malfunction warning
lamp is lit.GRisk of accident
The tire pressure monitor has detected a loss of pressure in at
least one of the tires.
XStop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.XCheck the tire pressure. If necessary, correct the tire pressure
( Y page 277).XIf necessary, change a wheel ( Y page 286).h
USA only:
The yellow combination
low tire pressure
warning lamp/TPMS
malfunction warning
lamp flashes for sixty
seconds and then
remains lit.The tire pressure monitor is faulty.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.GWarning
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked every other week when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended 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, if available, 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 tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure warning lamp when one or more of your tires
are significantly underinflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure warning lamp illuminates,
you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly 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 vehicle's handling
and stopping ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if underinflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure warning lamp.
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 combined with the low tire
pressure warning lamp. When the system detects a malfunction, the warning lamp will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue
212Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays
BA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 212

XAll occupants must get out of the vehicle.
Make sure that they are not endangered as
they get out of the vehicle.XMake sure that no one is near the danger
area whilst a wheel is being changed.
Anyone who is not directly assisting in the
wheel change should, for example, stand
behind the barrier.XGet out of the vehicle. Pay attention to
traffic conditions when doing so.XClose the driver's door.
Changing a wheel and mounting the
spare wheel
Preparing the vehicle
GWarning!
The wheel and tire size of the emergency
spare wheel/spare wheel may differ to that of
the damaged wheel. When using an
emergency spare wheel/spare wheel the
handling characteristics of the vehicle may
change.
Adapt your style of driving accordingly.
Never operate the vehicle with more than one
emergency spare wheel/spare wheel that
differs in size.
Only use an emergency spare wheel/spare
wheel of a differing size briefly and do not
switch off ESP ®
.
When using an emergency spare wheel, you
must not exceed a maximum speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).
GWarning!
Have the emergency spare wheel/spare
wheel replaced with a new wheel as soon as
possible at a qualified specialist workshop
which has the necessary specialist knowledge
and tools to carry out the work required.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this
purpose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop.
i Vehicles without an emergency spare
wheel/spare wheel are not equipped with
wheel-changing tools at the factory. For
more information on which tools are
required to perform a wheel change on your
vehicle, e.g. wheel chock, alignment bolt or
lug wrench, consult an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.XPrepare the vehicle as described
( Y page 254).XRemove the following items from the
stowage well under the trunk/cargo
compartment floor:
R the emergency spare wheel
R the vehicle tool kit
R the folding wheel chock
R the jackXSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
Securing the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling away
GWarning
Only jack up the vehicle on level ground or on
slight inclines/declines. The vehicle could
otherwise fall off the jack and injure you or
others.
If your vehicle is equipped with a wheel chock,
it can be found in the vehicle tool kit
( Y page 253).
The folding wheel chock is an additional
securing measure to prevent the vehicle from
rolling away, for example when changing a
wheel.
Flat tire255Breakdown assistanceBA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 255Z

Mounting a new wheelGWarning!
Always replace wheel bolts that are damaged
or rusted.
Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.
Damaged wheel hub threads should be
repaired immediately. Do not continue to
drive under these circumstances! Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Incorrect wheel bolts or improperly tightened
wheel bolts can cause the wheel to come off.
This could cause an accident. Make sure to
use the correct wheel bolts.
GWarning
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts.
Other wheel bolts may come loose.
Do not tighten the wheel bolts when the
vehicle is raised. Otherwise, the vehicle could
fall off the jack.
GWarning
Make sure to use the original length wheel
bolts when remounting the original wheel
after it has been repaired.
XClean the wheel and wheel hub contact
surfaces.
! To prevent damage to the paintwork, hold
the wheel securely against the wheel hub
while screwing in the first wheel bolt.
XPlace the emergency spare wheel on the
wheel hub and push it on.XTighten the wheel bolts until they are
finger-tight.
Lowering the vehicle
XTurn the crank of the jack counter-
clockwise until the vehicle is once again
standing firmly on the ground.XPlace the jack to one side.XTighten the wheel bolts evenly in a
crosswise pattern in the sequence
indicated ( : to A). The tightening torque
must be 96 lb-ft (130 Nm) .GRisk of accident
Have the tightening torque checked
immediately after a wheel is changed. The
wheels could come loose if they are not
tightened to a torque of 96 lb-ft (130 Nm).
XTurn the jack back to its initial position and
store it together with the rest of the vehicle
tool kit in the trunk/cargo compartment.XTransport the faulty wheel in the trunk/
cargo compartment.
or
XDepending on the size of the wheel, you
may also be able to secure the faulty wheel
in the spare wheel well. In this case, you
will have to remove the stowage well casing
from the spare wheel well and stow it
securely in the trunk/cargo compartment.
i When you are driving with the collapsible
spare wheel mounted, the tire pressure
loss warning system or the tire pressure
258Flat tireBreakdown assistance
BA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 258

monitor cannot function reliably. Only
restart the tire pressure loss warning
system/tire pressure monitor when the
defective wheel has been replaced with a
new wheel.
Vehicles with tire pressure monitor: all
mounted wheels must be equipped with
functioning sensors and the defective
wheel should no longer be in the vehicle.
MOExtended run-flat system
The MOExtended run-flat system allows you
to drive on even if there is a complete loss of
pressure in one or more tires.
The MOExtended run-flat system may only be
used in conjunction with the activated tire
pressure loss warning system or with the
activated tire pressure monitor.
The maximum permissible distance which
can be driven in run-flat mode depends on the
cargo in the vehicle. You can drive 50 miles
(80 km) if the vehicle is partially laden and
18 miles (30 km) if it is fully laden.
The maximum permissible distance which
can be driven in run-flat mode is counted from
the moment the tire pressure loss warning
appears in the multifunction display.
You must not exceed a maximum speed of
50 mph(80 km/h).
GWarning!
The handling characteristics of your vehicle
deteriorate in run-flat mode, for example:
R when cornering
R when braking
R when accelerating rapidly
Adapt your driving style accordingly and avoid
sudden changes in direction and sudden
acceleration, as well as driving over obstacles
(i.e. curbs, potholes), and driving off-road.
This is particularly the case when the vehicle
is heavily laden.
The maximum permissible distance that can
be driven in run-flat mode depends to a large
extent on the loads placed on the vehicle. It
can be shorter due to high speeds, a heavy
cargo, sudden changes in direction, the road
surface condition, outside temperature, etc.,
or further if you drive carefully and
conservatively.
Do not continue to drive in run-flat mode if:
R you hear banging noises.
R the vehicle starts to shake.
R you see smoke and smell rubber.
R ESP ®
is intervening constantly.
R there are tears in the sidewalls of the tire.
After driving in run-flat mode, you must have
the wheel(s) checked for damage at a
qualified specialist workshop which has the
necessary specialist knowledge and tools to
carry out the work required. The faulty tire
must be replaced in every case.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this
purpose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop.
i When replacing one or all tires, make sure
that you only use tires marked
MOExtended and of the specified size for
the vehicle.
Battery
Important safety notes
In order for the battery to achieve the
maximum possible service life, it must always
be sufficiently charged.
! Have the battery checked regularly at a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Observe the service intervals in the Service
Booklet or for further information consult a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have the battery charge checked more
frequently if you use the vehicle mainly for
Battery259Breakdown assistanceBA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 259Z