the tires have sustained damage, replace
them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular
rim type. Failure to do so can result
in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or
recommended by Mercedes-Benz, since
previous damage cannot always be
recognized on retreads. The operating safety
of the vehicle cannot be assured when such
tires are used. G
Warning!
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride
disturbance, or you suspect that possible
damage to your vehicle has occurred, you
should turn on the hazard warning flashers,
carefully slow down, and drive with caution to
an area which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle or tires
appear unsafe, have the vehicle towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
tire dealer for repairs. G
Warning!
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
could lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving
with a flat tire or driving at high speed
with a flat tire will cause excessive heat build-
up and possibly a fire. Important guidelines
R Only
use sets of tires and rims of the same
type and make.
R Tires must be of the correct size for the rim.
R Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate speeds.
R Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can cause tire inflation pressure loss and damage to the
tire beads.
R If the vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
inflation pressure and correct as required.
R Do not allow your tires to wear down too
far. Adhesion properties on wet roads are
sharply reduced at tread depths of less
than 1
/ 8 in (3 mm).
R When
replacing individual tires, you should
mount new tires on the front wheels first
(on vehicles with same-sized wheels all
around). Recommended tire inflation pressure
G
Warning!
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely
affect handling and fuel economy, and are
more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do
not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can
adversely affect handling and ride comfort,
wear unevenly, increase stopping distance,
and result in sudden deflation (blowout)
because they are more likely to become
punctured or damaged by road debris,
potholes etc.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the tires
can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also result
in handling or steering problems, or brake
failure.
Your vehicle is equipped with the Tire and
Loading Information placard located on the
driver’s door B-pillar ( Y page 205).
The tire inflation pressure should be checked
regularly. Only adjust the tire inflation
pressure on cold tires. The tires can be
considered cold if the vehicle has been
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Tires and wheels
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excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
The temperature grades are A (the highest),
B,
and C, representing the tire’s resistance to
the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires
must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law. Rotating tires
G
Warning!
Rotate front and rear wheels only if the tires
are of the same dimension.
If your vehicle is equipped with mixed-size
tires
(different tire dimensions front vs. rear),
tire rotation is not possible. G
Warning!
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque of
80 lb-ft (110 Nm).
Only
use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts
specified for your vehicle’s rims.
Tire rotation can be performed on vehicles
with tires of the same dimension all around.
If your vehicle is equipped with tires of the
same dimension all around, tires can be
rotated, observing a front-to-rear rotation
pattern that will maintain the intended
rotation (spinning) direction of the tire
(Y page 209).
In some cases, such as when your vehicle is
equipped with mixed-size tires (different tire dimension front vs. rear), tire rotation is not
possible.
If applicable to your vehicle’s tire
configuration, tires can be rotated according
to the tire manufacturer’s recommended
intervals in the tire manufacturer’s warranty
pamphlet located in your vehicle literature
portfolio. If none is available, tires should be
rotated every 3 000 to 6
000 miles (5 000 to
10 000
km), or sooner if necessary, according
to the degree of tire wear. The same rotation
(spinning) direction must be maintained.
Rotate tires before the characteristic tire
wear pattern becomes visible (shoulder wear
on front tires and tread center wear on rear
tires).
Thoroughly clean the mounting face of wheels
and brake disks, i.e. the inner side of the
wheels/tires, during each rotation. Check for
and ensure proper tire inflation pressure.
For information on wheel change, see “Flat
tire” ( Y page 273). Tire labeling
Besides tire name (sales designation) and
manufacturer name, a number of markings
can be found on a tire.
Following are some explanations for the
markings on your vehicle’s tires: 212
Tires and wheels
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The spare wheel bolts are located under a
plastic cover on the outside of the spare
wheel rim.
X
Take off the spare wheel bolts.
For information on mounting the spare wheel,
see “Flat tire” ( Y page 273).
Storing the spare wheel after use If you wish to store the spare wheel after use,
carry out the following steps. Otherwise, the
spare wheel may not fit into the spare wheel
well.
!
Make sure the spare wheel is dry before
storing it.
X Take the valve extractor from the vehicle
tool kit ( Y page 234).
X Unscrew the valve cap from the valve of the
collapsible tire.
X Use the valve extractor to unscrew the
valve insert from the valve.
X Allow the air to escape.
i It may take a few minutes for the
collapsible tire to deflate completely.
X Use the valve extractor to screw the valve
insert back into the valve.
X Screw the valve cap back onto the valve.
X Place the valve extractor back into the
vehicle tool kit.
X Take the protective wrap from the vehicle
tool kit.
X Pull the protective wrap over the spare
wheel.
X Place the spare wheel into the spare wheel
well.
X Pierce the protective wrap with retaining
screw ;.
X Secure the spare wheel by turning retaining
screw ; clockwise. Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display
Notes
Warning and malfunction messages appear in
the multifunction display located in the
instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messages
are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in this
Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the Vehicle status message
memory menu in the control system
(Y page 101) displays both cleared and
uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.
Certain messages of high priority cannot be
cleared from the multifunction display using
the reset button . (Y page 92) or button
&, *, U or V on the
multifunction steering wheel.
Other messages of high priority and
messages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display using
the reset button . or button &, *,
U or V on the multifunction steering
wheel. They are then stored in the Vehicle
status message memory menu
(Y page 101). Remember that clearing a
message will only make the message
disappear. Clearing a message will not
correct the condition that caused the
message to appear. G
Warning!
All categories of messages contain important
information which should be taken note of
and, where a malfunction is indicated,
addressed as soon as possible at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair the condition noted may
cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes- 236
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
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Mounting the spare wheel
Introduction X
Prepare the vehicle as described
(Y page 273).
X Take the following out of the vehicle:
R
spare wheel
R jack
R wheel wrench
R collapsible wheel chock
R wheel bolts for spare wheel
R alignment bolt
R electric air pump
For information on where to find the
respective items, see “Where will I find ...?”
(Y page 234) and ( Y page 235).
i Vehicles without spare wheel are not
factory-equipped
with the tools required for
a wheel change such as a jack or a wheel
wrench. Some tools required for a wheel
change are specific to your vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to obtain the tools approved for
your vehicle. This section describes the
wheel change using the tools approved and
recommended for your vehicle.
Lifting the vehicle G
Warning!
When jacking up the vehicle, only use the jack
which has been specifically approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle.
The
jack is designed exclusively for jacking up
the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets built
into both sides of the vehicle. Make sure the
jack arm is fully seated in the jack take-up
bracket. The jack must always be vertical
when in use, especially on inclines or
declines.
The jack is intended only for lifting the vehicle
briefly for wheel changes. It is not suited for
performing maintenance work under the vehicle. To help avoid personal injury, use the
jack only to lift the vehicle during a wheel
change.
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is
supported by the jack. Keep hands and feet
away from the area under the lifted vehicle.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity
jackstands before working under the
vehicle.
Always engage the parking brake firmly and
block the wheels with wheel chocks or other
sizeable objects before raising the vehicle
with the jack. Do not disengage the parking
brake while the vehicle 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
necessary, 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.
X Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by
blocking
wheels with wheel chocks or other
sizeable objects.
When your vehicle is equipped with a wheel
chock, it is included with the vehicle tool kit
(Y page 234). For information on setting up
the collapsible wheel chock, see
(Y page 234).
When changing a wheel on a level surface:
X Place a wheel chock or other sizeable
object
in front of and another wheel chock
or other sizeable object behind the wheel
that is diagonally opposite to the wheel
being changed. Flat tire
277
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Always try lifting the vehicle using the jack on
a level surface. However, should
circumstances require you to do so on a hill:
X
Place wheel chocks or other sizeable
objects on the downhill side in front of both
wheels on the side opposite to the side on
which the wheel is to be changed. G
Warning!
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. X
On the wheel to be changed, loosen but do
not yet remove the wheel bolts
(approximately one full turn with wheel
wrench :).
The jack take-up brackets are located directly
behind the front wheel housings and in front
of the rear wheel housings. G
Warning!
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up
the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets. Make
sure the jack arm is fully seated in the jack
take-up bracket.
If you do not position the jack correctly in the
jack take-up bracket, the vehicle can fall off
the jack and seriously or fatally injure you or
others.
! Do not position the jack on the body of
the vehicle, as this may cause damage to
the vehicle. X
Place jack = on firm ground.
X Position jack = under take-up
bracket ; so that it is always vertical as
seen from the side, even if the vehicle is
parked on an incline. X
Turn crank ? clockwise until jack = is
fully seated in take-up bracket ; and the
jack base evenly meets the ground.
X Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is a
maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm) from the ground.
Removing the wheel 278
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X
Unscrew the uppermost wheel bolt and
remove it.
X Replace this wheel bolt with alignment
bolt :.
X Remove the remaining bolts.
! Do not place wheel bolts in sand or dirt.
This could result in damage to the wheel
bolts and wheel hub threads.
X Remove the wheel.
Attaching the spare wheel G
Warning!
Inflate collapsible tire only after the wheel is
properly attached.
Inflate the collapsible tire using the electric
air pump before lowering the vehicle.
G
Warning!
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. G
Warning!
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. Wheel bolt
: must be used for light alloy
rims. Wheel bolt ; must be used for the
spare wheel with collapsible tire. The wheel
bolts for the spare wheel are located under a
plastic cover on the outside of the spare
wheel rim.
! Wheel bolts ; must be used when
mounting the spare wheel with collapsible
tire. The use of any wheel bolts other than
wheel bolts ; for the spare wheel with
collapsible tire will damage the vehicle’s
brakes. G
Warning!
Make sure to use the original length wheel
bolts when remounting the original wheel
after it has been repaired.
X Clean contact surfaces of wheel and wheel
hub.
! To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat
against hub and hold it there while
installing first wheel bolt. Flat tire
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X
Guide the spare wheel onto the alignment
bolt and push it on.
X Insert the wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.
X Unscrew the alignment bolt.
X Install the last wheel bolt and tighten it
slightly.
X Inflate the collapsible tire ( Y page 280).
Inflating the collapsible tire G
Warning!
Inflate collapsible tire only after the wheel is
properly attached.
Inflate the collapsible tire using the electric
air pump before lowering the vehicle.
G
Warning!
Observe safety instructions on air pump label.
! Do not lower the vehicle before inflating
the collapsible tire. Otherwise the rim may
be damaged.
Your vehicle may be equipped with either of
two versions of the electric air pump:
R Version 1: The air hose with pressure
gauge and the electrical plug are located
behind a flap.
R Version 2: The pressure gauge is located
in the pump housing. The air hose and
electrical plug are located at the bottom of
the pump housing.
The following description applies to both
versions. Differences in usage are expressly
declared. Version 1
Version 2
X
Version 1 only: Open flap : on electric
air pump.
X Version 1 only: Pull out electrical plug
= and air hose with pressure gauge and
vent screw ?.
X Version 2 only: Pull electrical plug = and
the air hose out of the pump housing
bottom.
X Version 1 only: Close vent screw on air
hose ?.
X Remove the valve cap from the collapsible
tire valve.
X Screw union nut A onto the collapsible tire
valve.
X Make sure air pump switch ; is set to 0.
X Insert electrical plug = into the cigarette
lighter socket ( Y page 177) or a power
outlet (Y page 177). 280
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X
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 1.
X Press I on electric air pump switch ;.
The electric air pump switches on and
inflates the collapsible tire.
X Inflate the collapsible tire to the
recommended tire inflation pressure as
specified for your vehicle ( Y page 300).
This should take approximately 5 minutes. G
Warning!
The air hose and the union nut can become
hot during inflation. Exercise proper caution
to avoid burning yourself when using the
equipment.
! Do not operate the electric air pump
longer than 6 minutes without interruption.
Otherwise it may overheat.
You may operate the air pump again after
it has cooled off.
! Compare the recommended tire inflation
pressure for your vehicle with the tire
inflation pressure on the yellow label
located on the spare wheel rim.
If the tire inflation pressure on the yellow
label on the spare wheel rim differs from
the values given in this Operator’s Manual,
inflate the tire to the recommended tire
inflation pressure given on the yellow label
on the spare wheel rim.
X Press 0 on electric air pump switch ;.
X Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0.
X Version 1 only: If the tire inflation pressure
is above the recommended tire inflation
pressure as specified for your vehicle
(Y page 300), decrease tire pressure using
the vent screw on air hose ?.
X Version 2 only: If the tire inflation pressure
is above the recommended tire inflation
pressure as specified for your vehicle
(Y page 300), decrease tire pressure using
deflate button B. G
Observe Safety notes, see page 201.
X Detach the electric air pump.
X Reinstall collapsible tire valve cap.
X Version 1 only: Store electrical plug =
and air hose ? behind flap :.
X Version 2 only: Store electrical plug =
and the air hose back into the pump
housing bottom.
X Place the electric air pump back in its
designated storage space.
X Lower the vehicle.
Lowering the vehicle G
Warning!
Inflate collapsible tire only after the wheel is
properly attached.
Inflate the collapsible tire using the electric
air pump before lowering the vehicle.
X Lower the vehicle by turning the crank
counterclockwise until the vehicle is
resting fully on its own weight.
X Remove the jack. X
Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly,
following the diagonal sequence illustrated
(: to A), until all bolts are tight. Observe
a tightening torque of 80 lb-ft (110 Nm). G
Warning!
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come Flat tire
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